Medieval Crime and Punishment

Medieval Crime and Punishment

1. Crime and Criminals

   • Petty Crimes
     • Theft under 12d
     • Debt
     • Assult (Minor)
   • Moral Crimes
     • Adultery
     • Not going to church
     • Blasphemy
       • Swearing in the name of god
   • Changes
     • New Crimes
       • Vagrancy (after black death)
       • Scolding
     • Wars of the Roses (1455-1483)
       • Civil war
       • Powerful nobles have private armies=fights
     • Black death (1348)
       • Approx half population died
       • Society breaks down- theft
   • Serious crime/felonies
     • Murder/homicide
     • Arson
     • Treason
     • Larceny (Theft)
       • Over 12d (approx 3 weeks wages)

2. Punishments

   • Fines
     • Collected fines went to:Sheriff/Lord/King
     • Villages fined for not raising the hue and cry
   • Public humiliation
     • Ducking stool
     • Public confession
     • Stocks/pillary
   • Death
     • Being burned alive
       • Petty treason
     • Hung, drawn and quartered
   • Imprisonment
     • Rich people could pay to be kept in comfort
     • Had to pay for food/bedding etc
     • Used to hold: those awaiting trial, those who refused to plead and people in debt
   • To avoid trial:
     • Run-Join outlaw gang
     • Be pregnant
     • Claim sanctury
       • 'abjure the realm'
     • Become kings approver
     • Join kings army (If there is a war on as no standing army)
     • Refuse to plead
     • Bribe the jury/pay king money
     • Claim benefit of the clergy
       • Only open to members of clergy but people pretend to be(remember passage)