The Normans Overview 1066-1300

Crimes and Punishments
1. Corporal punishments included fines such as the murdrum, floggings and mutilations
2. Capital punishments included executions, burning and hangings
3. Capital crimes included treason against the king or his land such as rebellions
4. Corporal crimes included theft, murder, mugging, violence/fighting, adultery and not attending church
Policing methods
1. Hue and Cry- villagers were expected to help catch criminals
2. Constable- the person who led the hue and cry voluntarily
3. Tithings- men were put into groups of 10 and were collectively responsible for each other for ensuring punishments were served
Trying people
1. Royal courts- for major crimes. Case heard by the King or a Royal judge
2. Manor courts- for minor crimes. The landowner of the manor was the judge.
3. Quarter sessions- for major crimes that are not held in royal courts. Held 4 times a year. Justices of the peace were the judge.
4. Church courts- for priest and other churchmen
5. Trial by Jury was used mainly in the Norman period
6. Trial by Ordeal was also used if there was also insuffient evidence. This was based on the idea that god would decide the accusers fate
  1. Trial by hot water (for men)
  2. Trial by cold water (for men)
  3. Trial by hot iron (for women)
  4. Trial by bread (for priests)
  5. Trial by Combat was introduced by William the conqueror - it was so that the accused would battle to the death to see if god wished them dead for there crime
  6. Trial by ordeal was abolished in 1215
Changes and continuity from the Anglo-Saxons to the Norman Era
1. The Normans introduced Trial by Combat and Forest Laws
  1. Forest Laws- William introduced them so that trees could not be cut down for burning for fuel or buildings. Poaching on the King's land was also a crime
2. There was still no police force and they continued local systems of law enforcement
3. As the Normans were extremely religious, Church courts were established. Priests could only be tried by these courts which had no power to the death penalty (Benefit of the Clergy). Some criminals could also get the right of sanctuary of the church which meant they could not be arrested and the church dealt with the punishment (which was usually less harsh)
4. The also introduced the feudal system.
5. Anglo-Saxons gave women almost equal rights to men. As the Norman law believed women were corrupted morally due to religious beliefs such as the tale of Adam and Eve.
6. William the Conquer decided that the laws of Saxon Kings should be kept the same such as Trial by jury and ordeal, tithings and the hue and cry to show the Saxons that they were not invaders but saviours from the "non-rightful" King Harold. He also did this so there would be less rebellions
  1. However, some still rebelled but were severely punished the best example being the Harrying of the North
The Invasion
1. William the Conquer invaded England in 1066
  1. This was because he believed that the previous king of England Edward the Confessor left the throne for him after he died in 1066.
    1. However, Harold Godwinson seized the crown so William gathered followers from all over Europe to fight against Harold for the crown by explaining to the Pope that Harold did not have God's blessing to be the King and that William did.
      1. So William sailed to England and fought King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and William won as Harold died in combat

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The Normans Overview 1066-1300

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