1. Crime and Punishment
REVISION

2. Saxon Period AD 400-1100 Main crime was of theft – examples?
Violent crime quite rare
Victims had to catch criminals – how?
Adults formed ‘tithings’

3. Saxon Period AD
‘Wergild’ paid to victims – how did this work?
By 1100 more physical punishments
Guilt decided by juries or
‘Trial by Ordeal’

4. The Later Middle Ages 1100-1500 Most crime still petty theft
New crime of heresy
Rebels accused of treason
Traitors & heretics publicly executed

5. The Later Middle Ages
Policing also done by the Coroner & Sheriff
Constables appointed
More physical punishments
Courts developing – work by royal judges & JPs
Manor courts

6. Was Saxon justice harsh & superstitious?
From early times the Blood Feud was allowed
Wergild later introduced
Hanging & mutilations as punishments
Tithings used to stop crimes
Juries decided guilt – ‘compurgation’
Accused could be tried by ordeal or combat

7. What changes did the Normans make?
Kept trial by ordeal & added trial by combat
Still used tithings
Wergild ended
Punishments designed to emphasise the power of the king

8. Medieval & Modern Times
Petty thefts
People responsible for catching criminals
Beginning of jury system
Wergild & physical punishments
No prisons
Huge variety of crime
National police force
Complex court system
Fines & imprisonment
Rehabilitation rather than punishment
Neighbourhood Watch