Norman Law

Norman Law

1. Forest Laws

   • Forest Laws made it illegal for firewood to be collected as well as hunting. Dogs and bows were banned and Deer could not be killed
   • Poachers would be castrated, branded, mutilated or hung. Offenders would have two fingers cut off and re-offenders would be blinded
   • William I declared all forests as Royal property and 40 communities were evicted due to this

2. Rebellion

   • Saxons in the North who refused Normal were hunted down in the 'Harrying of the North.' Trial by Ordeal was replaced with Trial by combat

3. Keeping the Peace

   • Old Saxon laws were still used. Juries and evidence became more common and Hue and Cry continued
   • The 'Posse' were similar to a tithing. They were a group of men who helped Reeve's/Sheriff's hunt down outlaws
   • Normans still used 'Tithings' and 'Shire Reeves'
   • Each village annually elected a constable who enforced Law & Order

4. Outlaws

   • The most notable outlaws were Robin Hood and 'The Folville Gang'
   • An outlaw was a person over 14 who escaped capture and was wanted for a crime. If caught, they could have been executed