Anglo-Saxon England

Anglo-Saxon England

1. The Situation

   • No police
   • No lawyers
   • No magistrates
   • No prisons
   • Man accused of crime
     • Brought friends and neighbours to swear that he was innocent

2. Tithings

   • People over 12 belonged to a tithing
     • Sheriffs ensured everyone belonged to a tithing
     • Whole villages fined if anyone was found 'outside a tithing'
   • 10 men in each tithing
     • Responsible for each other's behaviour

3. Wergild

   • Life price
     • E.g. Quarrel - An ear be struck off - 12 shillings
   • 1,200 for thane = 500 oxen
     • 100 shillings for freemen
   • Intended to stop previous blood feuds
     • Murder - If the murderer paid the money to the dead man's family/master = crime cancelled
   • Amount paid depended on who was killed, their status, and the location.
   • King decided whether the guilty man should be sent overseas or executed

4. Other Punishments

   • Hand cut off for making bad coins
   • Lying: Tongue cut off
   • Whippings
   • Stocks

5. Proof

   • Caught red-handed
   • Suspicion
   • Trial by ordeal
     • Hot iron
   • Trial by water
     • Holy water to drink
       • Chucked into pond
         • Guilty = floated