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Dec 10, 2025
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The Evolution of Crime and Punishment: Medieval England (1000-1066)
Aleksandra Golowska
@hola_soy_ola
1 / 6
Anglo-Saxon Power and Crime
Ever wondered who got to decide what was legal in medieval times? In Anglo-Saxon England, the King and nobility made all the laws, whilst village communities helped enforce them locally. The Church also played a massive role, wanting to give criminals a chance to save their souls.
Unsurprisingly, the wealthy and powerful made sure crimes against their authority were punished most harshly. The more serious the crime, the worse the punishment you'd face.
The King's Peace was the big idea here - the king was responsible for protecting his people and providing justice. Only he could make or change laws, which were written down as Codes of Law. Breaking the King's Peace, like robbing a traveller, would land you in serious trouble.
Quick Tip: Remember that those in power made laws to protect their own interests - this pattern appears throughout history!
Types of Crime in Anglo-Saxon England
Anglo-Saxon crimes fell into three main categories, each treated very differently by the courts. Crimes against the person included murder, assault, and rape - these ranged from fairly serious (like assault) to extremely serious (like murder).
Crimes against property covered theft, arson, and even counterfeiting coins. Petty theft wasn't considered too serious, but arson could get you into major trouble.
Crimes against authority like treason and rebellion were seen as the most serious of all. These directly challenged the power structure that kept society running.
The severity of punishment depended entirely on which category your crime fell into. Steal some crops? You might get away with a fine. Plot against the king? You're facing execution.
Remember: Crimes were ranked by how much they threatened those in power - not necessarily by how much harm they caused to ordinary people.
Law Enforcement Without Police
Here's something mental - there were no police forces in Anglo-Saxon England! Instead, the legal system relied on ordinary people to catch criminals and bring them to justice.
Society was organised into shires containing groups of 100 peasants. Within these, tithings were groups of 10 men over 12 years old who were responsible for each other's behaviour. If one member broke the law, the other nine had to bring him to court or pay his fine - talk about peer pressure!
The Shire Reeve was a local man appointed to take criminals to court and ensure punishments were carried out. When a crime happened, victims or witnesses had to raise the Hue and Cry - basically shouting for help so the whole village would drop everything and hunt for the criminal.
If your village didn't join the hunt, everyone faced a hefty fine. This system of collective responsibility meant communities had to police themselves.
Think About It: This system only worked because everyone knew each other in small villages - imagine trying this in a modern city!
Courts and Deciding Guilt
Anglo-Saxon courts came in different levels depending on the crime and criminal involved. Royal courts handled the most serious crimes, Shire courts dealt with lesser offences, and Hundred Courts sorted out petty crimes.
Swearing oaths before God was huge in Anglo-Saxon justice. The accused could swear their innocence under oath, whilst others could act as 'oath helpers' to support them. Your reputation and social connections really mattered here.
When courts couldn't decide someone's guilt, they handed the case over to the Church for Trial by Ordeal. The basic idea? Let God decide who's guilty and who's innocent through painful tests.
This might seem barmy to us, but Anglo-Saxons genuinely believed God would protect the innocent and punish the guilty through these ordeals.
Key Point: Remember that medieval people had very different beliefs about God's role in everyday life - Trial by Ordeal made perfect sense to them.
Trial by Ordeal - Letting God Decide
Trial by Ordeal was the Anglo-Saxon equivalent of a lie detector test, except way more brutal. There were several different types depending on who you were and what you'd supposedly done.
Trial by cold water was usually for men - you'd be lowered into water on a rope. If you sank, the 'pure water' accepted you and you were innocent. Float to the top? The holy water 'rejected' you as a sinner, so you were guilty.
Trial by hot water and hot iron involved burning your hand, which was then bandaged for three days. A well-healing wound meant innocence, whilst infection suggested guilt. Trial by blessed bread was for priests - they'd pray you'd choke on bread if you were lying.
These ordeals were supervised by the Church and taken very seriously. People genuinely believed God would intervene to protect the innocent.
Fascinating Fact: Some historians think clever priests might have rigged these ordeals to protect people they believed were innocent!
Punishments and Justice
Anglo-Saxon punishments were mostly about fines rather than prison time - prisons were expensive to run and didn't exist for most crimes. The Wergild system meant you paid compensation to victims' families based on their social status.
A murdered Thegn cost 1,200 shillings, whilst a Cearl (ordinary farmer) was worth just 200 shillings. Even Archbishops had a price - 3,600 shillings. Different body parts had set prices too, like 50 shillings for an eye or 60 for a broken arm.
Execution was reserved for treason against the king or betraying your lord - this helped enforce loyalty in a system based on personal relationships. Mutilation punished repeat offenders, who might lose hands, ears, or noses.
Blood feuds were a major problem - if someone attacked your family member, you were expected to get revenge. This could lead to families killing each other for generations, which is why the legal system tried to encourage fines instead.
Important: The Wergild system shows how unequal Anglo-Saxon society was - your life's value literally depended on your social class.
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Stefan S
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
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Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The Evolution of Crime and Punishment: Medieval England (1000-1066)
Aleksandra Golowska
@hola_soy_ola
Medieval England from 1000-1066 was a time when powerful kings and nobles controlled the law, whilst ordinary people lived in small communities that helped police themselves. The Anglo-Saxon legal system was quite different from today - there were no police... Show more
Anglo-Saxon Power and Crime
Ever wondered who got to decide what was legal in medieval times? In Anglo-Saxon England, the King and nobility made all the laws, whilst village communities helped enforce them locally. The Church also played a massive role, wanting to give criminals a chance to save their souls.
Unsurprisingly, the wealthy and powerful made sure crimes against their authority were punished most harshly. The more serious the crime, the worse the punishment you'd face.
The King's Peace was the big idea here - the king was responsible for protecting his people and providing justice. Only he could make or change laws, which were written down as Codes of Law. Breaking the King's Peace, like robbing a traveller, would land you in serious trouble.
Quick Tip: Remember that those in power made laws to protect their own interests - this pattern appears throughout history!
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Improve your grades
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Types of Crime in Anglo-Saxon England
Anglo-Saxon crimes fell into three main categories, each treated very differently by the courts. Crimes against the person included murder, assault, and rape - these ranged from fairly serious (like assault) to extremely serious (like murder).
Crimes against property covered theft, arson, and even counterfeiting coins. Petty theft wasn't considered too serious, but arson could get you into major trouble.
Crimes against authority like treason and rebellion were seen as the most serious of all. These directly challenged the power structure that kept society running.
The severity of punishment depended entirely on which category your crime fell into. Steal some crops? You might get away with a fine. Plot against the king? You're facing execution.
Remember: Crimes were ranked by how much they threatened those in power - not necessarily by how much harm they caused to ordinary people.
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Improve your grades
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Law Enforcement Without Police
Here's something mental - there were no police forces in Anglo-Saxon England! Instead, the legal system relied on ordinary people to catch criminals and bring them to justice.
Society was organised into shires containing groups of 100 peasants. Within these, tithings were groups of 10 men over 12 years old who were responsible for each other's behaviour. If one member broke the law, the other nine had to bring him to court or pay his fine - talk about peer pressure!
The Shire Reeve was a local man appointed to take criminals to court and ensure punishments were carried out. When a crime happened, victims or witnesses had to raise the Hue and Cry - basically shouting for help so the whole village would drop everything and hunt for the criminal.
If your village didn't join the hunt, everyone faced a hefty fine. This system of collective responsibility meant communities had to police themselves.
Think About It: This system only worked because everyone knew each other in small villages - imagine trying this in a modern city!
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Courts and Deciding Guilt
Anglo-Saxon courts came in different levels depending on the crime and criminal involved. Royal courts handled the most serious crimes, Shire courts dealt with lesser offences, and Hundred Courts sorted out petty crimes.
Swearing oaths before God was huge in Anglo-Saxon justice. The accused could swear their innocence under oath, whilst others could act as 'oath helpers' to support them. Your reputation and social connections really mattered here.
When courts couldn't decide someone's guilt, they handed the case over to the Church for Trial by Ordeal. The basic idea? Let God decide who's guilty and who's innocent through painful tests.
This might seem barmy to us, but Anglo-Saxons genuinely believed God would protect the innocent and punish the guilty through these ordeals.
Key Point: Remember that medieval people had very different beliefs about God's role in everyday life - Trial by Ordeal made perfect sense to them.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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Trial by Ordeal - Letting God Decide
Trial by Ordeal was the Anglo-Saxon equivalent of a lie detector test, except way more brutal. There were several different types depending on who you were and what you'd supposedly done.
Trial by cold water was usually for men - you'd be lowered into water on a rope. If you sank, the 'pure water' accepted you and you were innocent. Float to the top? The holy water 'rejected' you as a sinner, so you were guilty.
Trial by hot water and hot iron involved burning your hand, which was then bandaged for three days. A well-healing wound meant innocence, whilst infection suggested guilt. Trial by blessed bread was for priests - they'd pray you'd choke on bread if you were lying.
These ordeals were supervised by the Church and taken very seriously. People genuinely believed God would intervene to protect the innocent.
Fascinating Fact: Some historians think clever priests might have rigged these ordeals to protect people they believed were innocent!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Punishments and Justice
Anglo-Saxon punishments were mostly about fines rather than prison time - prisons were expensive to run and didn't exist for most crimes. The Wergild system meant you paid compensation to victims' families based on their social status.
A murdered Thegn cost 1,200 shillings, whilst a Cearl (ordinary farmer) was worth just 200 shillings. Even Archbishops had a price - 3,600 shillings. Different body parts had set prices too, like 50 shillings for an eye or 60 for a broken arm.
Execution was reserved for treason against the king or betraying your lord - this helped enforce loyalty in a system based on personal relationships. Mutilation punished repeat offenders, who might lose hands, ears, or noses.
Blood feuds were a major problem - if someone attacked your family member, you were expected to get revenge. This could lead to families killing each other for generations, which is why the legal system tried to encourage fines instead.
Important: The Wergild system shows how unequal Anglo-Saxon society was - your life's value literally depended on your social class.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user