Crime and Punishment

Under feudal law during the Middle Ages everyone, from the Barons and Nobles to the Peasants and Serfs, owed allegiance to the king and Queen. If someone was caught doing something wrong, it was considered that they "had disturbed the king's peace". The Lords were responsible for punishing minor crimes in their own local courts, but serious crimes were dealt with by the justices that were appointed by the king. The person who had the job of rounding up criminals and keeping them in gaol was known as the sheriff.

In gaol the conditions were usually crowded and very dirty and prisoners quite often died of disease before they even got to trial. Whilst in gaol the prisoner had to rely on family and/or friends to bring them food or money, otherwise they would possibly starve to death. Sometimes charitable people would leave money in their will to help the prisoners buy food.

Around the 14th Century crimes such as highway robbery caused Parliaments to create laws to deal with specific problems and crimes. The parliament in England asked lords to cut down all the trees and bushes for 30 feet, approx 10 metres, on each side of major roads in an effort to prevent places for robbers to lie in wait for passing travellers.

After standing trial and being found guilty, the punishment received by criminals was very harsh. Those people who were found guilty of lesser offences were often only fined or put in the stocks. However those who were found guilty of serious crimes such as stealing livestock, highway robbery, treason or murder were executed. Executions were usually carried out in public and were watched by large crowds of people. These executions would sometimes include various forms of torture before the criminal was killed, as was the case with William Wallace.

Exercises:

On a new page in your books put the Heading “Crime and Punishment”. Under the heading write a 1/4 - 1/2 page summary based upon the information available from this link. After you have completed the summary, write the following sub-headings and the questions in your books and answer them in full sentences using the links to the websites listed below.

Crime

1. How many crimes were there in Lincoln in 1202?
2. When and where was the most criminal activity and why?
3. What did Henry II do?
4. What was trial by ordeal?
5. Was this a fair way to decide if someone was guilty? Why or why not?

Torture

1. How long would torture last for?
2. What were some of the methods of torture used?
3. Do you think that these were fair punishments? Why or why not?
4. What would happen after a criminal was tortured?
5. What was the punishment for witchcraft?