Crime and Punishment - Medieval Britain (i)

Life was tough in Anglo-Saxon times. Most people depended on what they could grow themselves for food. Famine was common. War and illness were other difficulties which regularly threatened food supplies. Theft was a means of survival.

The Kings of Anglo-Saxon England were the ultimate source of law. The church was a powerful force upon the state. If a King ruled by divine right, then he must support the church that supports him in turn.

This flow-chart effectively illustrates the system of Anglo-Saxon crime and punishment. Offences could be crimes against authority, crimes against property or crimes against the person.

Following the accession of William the Conqueror the the English throne, the system of law became centralised, with more power to the church and to the monarchy. Violent punishments became a common sight.

The King's Mund was the principle that all people should live in peace and security under the rule of the King, in exchange for tithes. If crime was on the rise, then the king's policy was to sentence criminals to particularly harsh punishments.

This chart shows the common crimes committed under Norman rule as well as what the criminal could expect if they were caught. Some of the punishments had not changed since the rule of the Anglo-Saxons.

During the later Middle Ages more courts and prisons were established in England. Constables now performed the enforcement duties previously issued by the Tythingmen. Heresy became a more serious crime as it threatened the church.

These flashcards contain the key terms for revision of this course on Medieval Crime and Punishment. Learn the meaning of terms such as the King's Peace, Collective Responsibility, Maiming and Wergild.

What have you learned on this course? Answer these questions to test your knowledge of medieval crimes and punishment. Questions range from the Anglo-Saxon system to the later Middle Ages.