Norman Changes to Crime and Punishment
The Norman conquest brought both changes and continuities to the Anglo-Saxon system of crime and punishment.
Changes from Anglo-Saxons to Normans
New elements introduced by the Normans included:
- William I established church courts for religious and moral crimes
- New crimes such as killing a Norman and forest-related offenses
- Introduction of trial by combat
Continuities from Anglo-Saxon Period
Many aspects of the Anglo-Saxon system remained:
- Use of fines, corporal punishment, and capital punishment
- Continuation of the hue and cry system
- Trial by ordeal for ordinary crimes
Highlight: The Norman period saw a blend of old and new practices in crime and punishment.
Crimes in Norman England
New crimes introduced in the Norman period included:
- Poaching
- Cutting down trees
- Possessing a bow and arrow without permission
- Killing a Norman (considered a more serious offense)
Punishments in Norman England
Punishments under Norman rule included:
- Fines payable to the king
- Stocks and pillory
- Public beatings or flogging
- Tongue removal
- Maiming
- Hanging
- Execution
Vocabulary: The murdrum fine was a collective punishment imposed on a community if a Norman was killed and the killer was not found.
Law Enforcement in Norman England
The Normans largely continued the Anglo-Saxon system:
- Local collectives remained responsible for preventing crime
- Tithings and the hue and cry system continued
Trials in Norman England
The Normans introduced a new form of trial:
- Trial by combat: Used to settle disputes over large sums of money or land
- Combatants fought to the death or until one yielded
Example: In a trial by combat, two parties would fight using swords or large sticks to determine guilt or innocence.
