Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Crime and punishment in Norman England - Coggle Diagram
Crime and punishment in Norman England
Society
destroyed farmland by putting salt in ground, affected those innocent and not involved in rebellions, caused many to die of starvation - around 100,000
castles in every part of the kingdom, intimidating and watched over communities, represented the increasingly strong royal authority over law and order
feudal system - all owed money or service to the class above them, only king was free, Anglo-saxon serfs were bound to work for their lord and were not allowed to leave village (crime and hunted down and punished)
New laws
Murdrum fine - if Norman body was found murdered by Anglo-saxon and the criminal was not caught and punished, area has to pay fine, aim was to stop revenge murders after invasion
Forest laws - had to be able to afford paying for hunting rights in "Royal Forests", now hunting for animals as food a crime called poaching, became a social crime, people not frowned upon for breaking the law, punishments were deliberately harsh to deter people from poaching
outlaws - started in anglo-saxon times, had to be male over 14, tries to avoid punishment by running away. (women = waived), lost the protection of the law and could be killed with no consequences for murderer
gangs of outlaws e.g. Folville gang, group of 50, operated in 14th century, carried out serious crimes, leader was Eustace Folville (father = lord of the manor in the midlands so likely wealth and influential friends helped gang avoid capture)
Punishments
continuation of physical punishments, fines and execution
now wergild paid to king's officials not victim's family
increased centalisation
more crimes punishable by death or mutilation
King's Mund
Norman idea that all men should be safe from crime and to live peacefully in and around their homes, under the authority of the king
continuation of anglo-saxon "king's peace"
Law enforcement
trial by combat introduced - wealthier people, settle disputes over large sums of money or land, fought with long sticks/ swords, fought till death or one gave in(put to death later)
trial by ordeal still used
local collective responsibility continued (hue and cry and tithings)