The Legal System

Features of the Anglo-Saxon Legal System

It is important to understand the areas of change and continuity in the legal systems between the Anglo-Saxon and the Norman years.

Law in the community

There was a principle of collective responsibility in Anglo-Saxon society.
- Collective responsibility means that when members of a community (called a tithing) broke the law, the other members were required to enact justice or face punishment themselves.
Another principle of law was the 'hue and cry'. This describes groups of members of the same community forcing others to join them in the search for criminals. It sounds a bit similar to mob justice, but was normal in Anglo-Saxon England.

Legal concepts

Wergild was a concept in Anglo-Saxon England. Wergild was money paid by one person or family to another in order to end or avoid blood feuding. This meant if someone hurt or killed another person, they may pay that person's family to compensate them and end the disagreement.
Trial by ordeal was used and this meant that when a court could not judge a case, God was asked to intervene and come to a decision.
Anyone found guilty of treason (crimes against the king) could be punished with the death penalty.

The shire reeve

In local government, the king had a representative called the shire reeve (this was effectively the sheriff).
The shire reeve represented the king in each area.
- Through “writs”, the king gave orders to his sheriffs across England.

The shire reeve

Responsibilities of the shire reeve included:
- Tax collection on the king’s land.
- Collecting the geld tax (a land tax) when the king decided it was necessary in a given place.
- Judging legal cases in the shire court and enforcing laws.
- Rallying enough men for the fyrd (military defence forces) and making sure the shire was protected.

1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66

1.1Anglo-Saxon Society

1.1.1The Monarchy & Government

1.1.2Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)

1.1.3The Legal System

1.1.4Local Government

1.1.5The Economy & Social Structure

1.1.6Towns

1.1.7The Church

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Anglo-Saxon England

1.1.9Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon Society

1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis

1.2.1The House of Godwin

1.2.2Harold Godwinson's Succession

1.2.3The Rebellion Against Tostig

1.2.4Edward the Confessor's Death

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Edward the Confessor

1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne

1.3.1William of Normandy, Harald Hardrada & Edgar

1.3.2The Witan & the Reign of Harold Godwinson

1.3.3The Battles of Gate Fulford & Stamford Bridge

1.3.4Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon & Norman England

1.4The Norman Invasion

1.4.1The Battle of Hastings

1.4.2Reasons for William's Victory

1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rival Claimants for the Throne

2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87

2.1Establishing Control

2.1.1The Submission of the Earls

2.1.2Getting Control of England

2.1.3Reasons for Building Castles

2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance

2.2.1The Revolts against William

2.2.2End of Topic Test - William I in Power

2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087

2.3.1Harrying of the North, 1069-70

2.3.2Changes in Land Ownership 1066-1087

2.3.3William I Maintains Royal Power

2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075

2.4.1The Revolt - 1075

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Legacy of Resistance

2.4.3Grade 9 - Legacy of Resistance

3Norman England, 1066-88

3.1The Feudal System & the Church

3.1.1The Norman Feudal Hierarchy

3.1.2The Nature of Feudalism & Forfeiture

3.1.3The Role of the Church in England

3.1.4The Extent of Change to Anglo-Saxon Society

3.1.5End of Topic Test - The Feudal System

3.2Norman Government

3.2.1Norman Government - Regents

3.2.2The Sheriff & the Forest

3.2.3The Domesday Book

3.3The Norman Aristocracy

3.3.1Aristocratic Culture & Language

3.3.2Bishop Odo

3.4William I & His Sons

3.4.1William I

3.4.2William's Death & the Succession

3.4.3End of Topic Test - Norman Government

3.4.4Grade 9 - Norman Government

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