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History crime and punishment Anglo Saxons - Coggle Diagram
History crime and punishment Anglo Saxons
Law
Tithings
Group of 10 families responsible for maintaining order
Shires
Made of a collection of hundreds, sheriffs
Hundreds
Group of ten tithings elected a constable
Justice of Peace
Visit towns and villages every year to hear the most important cases such as murder etc.
Trial by ordeal
Trial by Hot Iron. Hot iron on skin. If burn healed in a few days then you are innocent if not you are guilty. God was judge of whether you were guilty or not
Trial by bread. Eat stale bread. If choked you were guilty. If didn't you are innocent.
Trial by water. Water blessed by priest. If sank innocent, if didn't sink then you were guilty.
Control
Kings were responsible for making and passing laws and were chosen by the Witan , an important group of people.
Major nobility were the ruling nobility such as Earls. They would help control shires and hear court cases. It was not inherited but chosen instead.
Lesser nobility were thegns. They formed the backbone of the anglo-saxon army , and with good service they could recieve land and become one of the King's earls..
Freemen were people who owned their own land and did not have to pay rent to a lord. They had to attend local courts to solve disputes.
Serfs had no land and worked for people in exchange for food and shelter. Legally recognised as slaves and could work on their own behalf to earn their freedom.
Punishment
Coporal punishment
This is used to physical abuse somebody as punishment for example if I was committed for theft I would most likely have my hand cut off.
Capital punishment
This is usually known as the death penalty and is used against people having committed a serious crime for example treason against the King
Fines
Would be paid in response to the victim's family as compensation from the perpetrators.