1.2.2
Punishments in Medieval England
Punishments in Medieval England
Punishments in Medieval England
The main principles behind punishments in the Medieval Period were deterrence and retribution.
![Illustrative background for Deterrence and retribution](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/398f5cdb-b71c-4e4f-807e-2b61a7bc56fa/Arrested-Capture-Handcuffs,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Deterrence and retribution
Deterrence and retribution
- Punishments were supposed to be severe enough that they would deter people from actually committing a crime.
- Retribution is the idea that a person should ‘pay’ for what they have done.
![Illustrative background for Corporal punishment](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/9e13ada5-87f8-41bf-8980-868f3f179429/pillory-stocks-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Corporal punishment
Corporal punishment
- This is the method of punishment to the body and could result in a period of time in the stocks and pillory.
- Often offenders would find themselves with either their head and hands or their ankles clamped between two pieces of wood.
- This punishment would take place in public, with the idea being to humiliate offenders and ultimately deter others from committing crimes.
![Illustrative background for Reoffenders](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/f2848177-b846-4bb1-bb52-a19551f4d592/punish,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for Reoffenders ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/f2848177-b846-4bb1-bb52-a19551f4d592/punish,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Reoffenders
Reoffenders
- Re-offenders were treated more harshly.
- Sometimes they would face mutilation to parts of their bodies, such as cutting off a hand, ear or nose, or even ‘putting-out’ the eyes.
- Again the severity of this punishment was designed to deter them from further crimes.
![Illustrative background for Fines](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/2.3.4 Nanotechnology/money-2180330_640-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Fines
Fines
- A system of fines was used in Medieval England. This was known as the Wergild.
- The main principle was that the offender paid an amount of money to the victim of their crime. This method was mainly used in cases of crimes against the person or property.
- The amount of money paid was directly linked to the crime that had taken place.
![Illustrative background for Capital punishment](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/3534071d-a536-4b60-b7af-5353906e3d53/hanging-death-penalty,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Capital punishment
Capital punishment
- The death penalty or execution was reserved for serious crimes. Treason would be a crime that resulted in the death penalty.
- Treason is when you go against your King or betray your Lord. The punishment was severe again in order to show others how important it is to be loyal to those in authority.
![Illustrative background for Prison](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/8c369561-23fa-4aa1-9438-ded9e7323e4c/prison-bars,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Prison
Prison
- In Medieval England, prison was not widely used in the same way as it is today.
- There were two main reasons why you could end up in prison:
- You were either waiting to be executed or you were being held in debtors prison because you owed someone money.
Changes in Punishment Following the Norman Invasion
Changes in Punishment Following the Norman Invasion
The Normans made some changes to the punishment system in England following their invasion in 1066.
![Illustrative background for The Wergild](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/6.1.1 Calculating rates of reactions/6.1.1_profit-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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The Wergild
The Wergild
- The system of Wergild was removed and fines were paid to the King and his officials rather than the victims of crime.
![Illustrative background for Reaction to Norman changes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/637f08b1-6a1a-4a15-807d-0c7219b3eecb/Angry-Cry-Scream-Anger,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
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Reaction to Norman changes
Reaction to Norman changes
- Following their invasion, there was a lot of distrust and anger towards the Normans.
- Some Saxons fought back against their new rulers and killed Norman soldiers.
- As a result, William introduced the Murdrum Fine.
- This meant that if a Norman was killed then everyone in the area would have to club together to pay a fine to the king.
![Illustrative background for Trial by combat](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f7988027-f437-492d-a4c5-df5b1b078cdb/arm-wrestling-fight-win-aggressive-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Trial by combat ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f7988027-f437-492d-a4c5-df5b1b078cdb/arm-wrestling-fight-win-aggressive-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Trial by combat
Trial by combat
- Lastly the Normans were warriors so they introduced Trial by Combat.
- The accused had to fight the accuser until one was either killed or unable to continue to fight.
- The loser was hanged as God would have considered him guilty.
1Medieval England, 1000-1500
1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England
1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500
2Early Modern England, 1500-1700
2.1Changing Definitions of Crime
2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700
318th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain
3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900
4Modern Britain, 1900-Present
4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain
4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
5Whitechapel Local Study
5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions
5.2The People of Whitechapel
Jump to other topics
1Medieval England, 1000-1500
1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England
1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500
2Early Modern England, 1500-1700
2.1Changing Definitions of Crime
2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700
318th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain
3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900
4Modern Britain, 1900-Present
4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain
4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
5Whitechapel Local Study
5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions
5.2The People of Whitechapel
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