Enforcing the Law in Medieval Society

Enforcing the Law in the Early Medieval Period

In the absence of an official police force, local communities policed themselves. The communities had a number of different methods to do this; tithings, the Hue and Cry and local constables.

Tithings

Every male over the age of 12 was expected to join a Tithing.
The Tithing was a group of 10 men who were responsible for each others’ behaviour.
If one of the men broke the law, the other members of the Tithing had to bring him to court or ensure that any fines due were paid.

The Hue and Cry

Following a crime being committed either the victim or any witness was expected to raise the Hue and Cry.
The entire village would have to stop their current work, down tools and chase after the criminal.
If anyone chose not to join the Hue and Cry then the whole village would have to pay a fine.
If the Hue and Cry failed then the Sheriff would group together a Posse of men which would continue the search.

Trial by jury

Members of the local community formed a jury.
- This was made up of men from the village that knew both the accused and the accuser.
The accused and the accuser would tell their version of events and the jury would decide who they thought was telling the truth.
If there was no evidence, for example an eyewitness to the crime, the jury would decide based on their own knowledge of the two parties involved.

Compurgation

In examples where the jury felt that the accuser was more honest than the accused they would take an oath called Compurgation.
The jury would swear that the accused was guilty.

Constables

Well respected men in the village would be expected to take on the role of Constable.
- This would usually be a local landowner or well-respected tradesman.
They would be expected to take the role for one year and the main responsibility was to keep the peace in their spare time.
They would need to keep an eye for crimes being committed and lead the Hue and Cry when necessary.

1Medieval England, 1000-1500

1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England

1.1.1Early Medieval Society

1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

1.2.1Enforcing the Law in Medieval Society

1.2.2Punishments in Medieval England

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Early Medieval Society

1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500

1.3.1The Church

1.3.2End of Topic Test - The Church

1.3.3Grade 9 - Medieval England

2Early Modern England, 1500-1700

2.1Changing Definitions of Crime

2.1.1Early Modern Society

2.1.2Crime in the Early Modern Period

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Early Modern Crime

2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

2.2.1Punishments in Early Modern Society

2.2.2Law Enforcement in Early Modern Society

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Early Modern Law Enforcement

2.2.4Grade 9 - Early Modern England

2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700

2.3.1Key Individuals

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Case Studies 1500-1700

2.3.3Grade 9 - Case Studies From 1500-1700

318th & 19th Century Britain

3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain

3.1.1Society in Industrial Britain

3.1.2Crime in Industrial Britain

3.1.3End of Topic Test - Crime in Industrial Britain

3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

3.2.1Punishment in Industrial Society

3.2.2Punishment in Industrial Society 2

3.2.3Policing in the Industrial Period

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Punishment

3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900

3.3.1Changes to the Prison System

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Case Studies From 1700-1900

3.3.3Grade 9 - 18th & 19th Century

4Modern Britain, 1900-Present

4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain

4.1.1Society in Modern Britain

4.1.2Crime in Modern Britain

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Crime in Modern Britain

4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

4.2.1Punishment in Modern Britain

4.2.2Attitudes Towards Punishment

4.2.3Capital Punishment

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Punishment in Modern Britain

4.2.5Grade 9 - Modern Britain

4.3Case Studies 1900-2000

4.3.1Modern Britain Case Studies

4.3.2End of Topic Test - Modern Britain Case Studies

4.3.3Grade 9 - Case Studies 1900-2000

5Whitechapel Local Study

5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions

5.1.1Accommodation in Whitechapel

5.1.2Living Conditions

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Whitechapel Local Study

5.2The People of Whitechapel

5.2.1Alcohol & Immigration

5.2.2Prostitution

5.2.3Racial Tensions

5.2.4End of Topic Test - The People of Whitechapel

5.2.5Grade 9 - Whitechapel

5.3Policing in Whitechapel

5.3.1The Police Force in Whitechapel

5.3.2Jack the Ripper

5.3.3Challenges Facing the Police

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Policing in Whitechapel

5.3.5Grade 9 - Policing Whitechapel

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