Medieval Murder: How far did crime prevention change in the Later Middle Ages?

Murder! Listen to this true story. It happened in Norfolk in the early 1300s. What you think happened next? Below you can see the ways in which Roger Ryet may have been caught, tried and punished. Predict which statements you think correct and incorrect: a. The local men chased Roger in the hue and cry led by the constable. b. The Norfolk coroner held an enquiry into the death and his jury decide that there was enough evidence to accuse Roger in court. c. A message was sent to the local sheriff who took Roger off too prison. d. When the King’s judges arrived in Norfolk, Roger went before the court. e. Roger faced trial by Ordeal, plunging his arm into boiling water. f. Roger paid Isabel the wergild of 200- shillings for her man. g. Roger was hanged by order of the judges. Were you right? Save your predictions for later.

Murder! Policing Trials Punishments As you read through your own copy of the reconstructed story you should be able to find out if your predictions were correct. You also need to underline or highlight using different colours or a different codes elements of the story that gives information about the following topics: Policing Trials Punishments

Murder! Were your predictions correct? Which of the statements were true? a. The local men chased Roger in the hue and cry led by the constable. b. The Norfolk coroner held an enquiry into the death and his jury decide that there was enough evidence to accuse Roger in court. c. A message was sent to the local sheriff who took Roger off too prison. d. When the King’s judges arrived in Norfolk, Roger went before the court. e. Roger faced trial by Ordeal, plunging his arm into boiling water. f. Roger paid Isabel the wergild of 200- shillings for her man. g. Roger was hanged by order of the judges.

Murder! The system of crime prevention changed in later Middle Ages, but by how much? Use your copy of W.S 1 to record how much change and how much continuity there was in policing, trials and courts and punishments.

Policing Trials and courts w.s1 Situation in 1100 Changes made by Kings Continuities Change-o-meter 0=same 5=total change There was no police force. Tithings were organised. Members of the tithing had to bring the accused to court. The Hue and Cry was used Policing Juries decided if the accused was guilty. If they couldn’t decide then Trial by Ordeal was used to let God decide. There were royal courts for serious cases and manor courts for others. Trials and courts The Normans had ended wergild and fines were paid to the king, as his peace had been broken. Serious crimes and Reoffenders were punished by death. Those who did not attend court were outlawed Punishments w.s1

Building a stronger answer: Can you use historical arguments to knock down the wall of misconception?

The whole system of trial by jury was changed Write as many post-its as you can that knock down these points Policing did not Change 1100 - 1500 Trial by Ordeal was still used in 1500 The Church did not help those accused of crime No one charged with execution could avoid the death penalty The whole system of trial by jury was changed By 1500 the whole Justice system had been radically altered

Answering exam questions In your GCSE exam you will be asked to answer questions like this one: Explain one way in which policing in the Later Middle Ages was similar to policing in 1000. 4 marks

De coding exam questions Answering exam questions The examiners are not trying to catch you out: they are trying to give you a chance to show what you know – and what you can do with what you know. If you can work out what the question is getting at, you will probably be able to answer it from what you have learned.  

De coding exam questions Answering exam questions Exam question: Explain one way in which policing in the Later Middle Ages was similar to policing in 1000 AD 4 marks Step 1 Read the question a couple of times. Step 2 Highlight each of the following. You could use a different colour for each. Date boundaries – What time period should you cover in your answer? Stick to this carefully otherwise you will waste time writing about events that are not relevant to the question. Content focus – The topic the examiner wants you to focus on. Question Type – Different question types require different approaches. Look for key words, like ‘Describe’ or ‘Explain’, that will help you work out what type of approach is needed. Marks Available – Look at how many marks the question is worth. This gives you a guide as to how much you are expected to write. Do not spend too long on questions that are only worth a few marks.  

De coding exam questions Answering exam questions Exam question: Explain one way in which policing in the Later Middle Ages was similar to policing in 1000 AD 4 marks Exam question: Explain one way in which policing in the Later Middle Ages was similar to policing in 1000 AD 4 marks Step 1 Read the question a couple of times. Step 2 Highlight each of the following. You could use a different colour for each. Date boundaries – What time period should you cover in your answer? Stick to this carefully otherwise you will waste time writing about events that are not relevant to the question. Content focus – The topic the examiner wants you to focus on. Question Type – Different question types require different approaches. Look for key words, like ‘Describe’ or ‘Explain’, that will help you work out what type of approach is needed. Marks Available – Look at how many marks the question is worth. This gives you a guide as to how much you are expected to write. Do not spend too long on questions that are only worth a few marks.  

This should only take 4 minutes Answering exam questions Exam question: Explain one way in which policing in the Later Middle Ages was similar to policing in 1000 AD 4 marks This should only take 4 minutes Good luck!

How to revise effectively 2 It is now time to add to your revision cards that you made for Saxon Justice Make a set of revision cards for the different elements of the Justice System used after 1066. Your teacher will give you a set of cards that you need to make. Add when they were used. Using pictures – draw a picture on the back of the card to help you remember Another good way to revise is to test yourself. Take each card. Read what it says, then turn it over. In your own words, describe what the crime prevention policy was and explain why they used it. Now check to see if you were correct. Repeat this for all of the cards. The pictures on the back should help you remember each card.

Constables Sheriff and Posse Coroner Royal Courts Fines paid the King Description: Description: Description: Description: Explanation of why used: Explanation of why used: Explanation of why used: Explanation of why used: Fines paid the King Trial by Battle Description: Description: Explanation of why used: Explanation of why used:

How to revise effectively 2 You could now use all of your cards from the Middle Ages to sort. Put all of the continuities in one group – all of the things that stayed the same from 1000. For example the hue and cry 2. Put all the things that the Normans changed in one group. 3. Put all of the things that changed after 1100 in another group

And finally Which of these three statements do you think best sums up the justice system by 1500? Back up your argument with at least 3 examples 1. By the end of the Middle Ages the justice system had changed very little since 1100. 2. The key parts of the justice system had been kept since 1100, trials and policing been improved. 3. By the end of the Middle Ages justice had been radically altered. Nearly all aspects of the 1100 system had changed beyond recognition.