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Nature of law enforcement and punishment (c.1000-c.1500) (What was Anglo…
Nature of law enforcement and punishment (c.1000-c.1500)
What was Anglo-Saxon Law Enforcement like
Community law enforcment
There was no police force so the local community was responsible for enforcing the law
Relies on local people
We still have elements such as 'Neighbourhood Watch'
Tithings
Every Englishman over the age of 12 was a member of a tithing
Each member was responsible for tracking down and capturing any member of their tithing who was accused of committing a crime
If members could not find or refused to look for a suspected criminal, they could be given a fine of money
Harsh Punishments
Act as a deterrent to others
People would be put off from doing something, because they would be scared of consequences
Were used instead of a police force
Shire Courts
By the year 1000, England was divided into local shires
Small areas covering one or two small villages
Each shire had their own sheriff and they were in charge of organising two hour sessions per year to deal with more serious crimes
Trials in Anglo-Saxon courts were based on trial by jury
Normans methods of law enforcments
Travelling Judges
Visit each town roughly twice a year
Shared judgements with each other
This made the law more consistent
Stopped people in some areas from doing it their way
Travelling judges helped to increase the king's control
They were representatives of the king
Royal officals
These would tell the sheriff how to enforce law in local area
All of these people owed their position on of the king and as a result this made it much easier for the king to exercise control and power over the country
in 1194, Richard I introduced coroner. They investigated sudden or unusual death. In medieval England, coroner collected some local taxes and decided whether someone could claim benefit of sanctuary
In 1195, Richard I introduced the keepers of peace. They were rich men who were put in charge of the law in local areas
Parish Constables
In 1825, King Edward I set these up
It was a voluntary position in a local town or village
People did this as a part time job. They might be a farmer or blacksmith
They often led local tithings or raise the hue and cry if a crime was committed
Posse Comitatus
In 1285, King Edward I set up the rules on posse comitatus
Gave local sheriff the power to force all local men to join a posse to chase after suspected criminals
This was an improvement on existing system of tithings
Bring suspected criminal to town/village where crime had been committed
Would then be put on trial in local shire court