Crime and Punishment
The Middle Ages were some of the most dangerous and craziest times. Crime and punishment was severe and ruthless, even harder than lunchtime detention for us mere school kids!
It wasn't only the poor who committed crimes, the rich did too. For example, the church employed gangs to bully and collect rent from the poor. Mostly the types of crimes committed were similar to today including-
· Murder
· Treason
· Arson
· Herecy
It wasn't only the poor who committed crimes, the rich did too. For example, the church employed gangs to bully and collect rent from the poor. Mostly the types of crimes committed were similar to today including-
· Murder
· Treason
· Arson
· Herecy
There were also menial crimes such as scolding your husband in public and women gossiping. Today these would not be considered crimes, but in the Middle Ages they were harshly punished for such minor things!
The punishments were old fashioned with some of the more common ones including fines, death, being held in stocks and cutting off limbs. They believed that if people feared what would happen to them, that was the only way they would learn. The officers used scare tactics to remind people to do what they were told- a bit like your mum threatening to take away your phone!
Check out this funny video of what might have happened to you if you were rude!
The punishments were old fashioned with some of the more common ones including fines, death, being held in stocks and cutting off limbs. They believed that if people feared what would happen to them, that was the only way they would learn. The officers used scare tactics to remind people to do what they were told- a bit like your mum threatening to take away your phone!
Check out this funny video of what might have happened to you if you were rude!
A system of punishment was brought in by Henry II called “ordeals”. In the King’s court they were trialled by ordeal by either fire, water and combat.
Fire
Offenders were made to hold a hot iron bar and walk three steps, their hands bandaged after this. They were to return three days later and if the sores were healing they were innocent, if not they were guilty.
Water
Offenders arms and legs were tied together and if they were to sink they were innocent, but if they floated they were guilty. As if you could win in this one as one would surely drown if they were to innocently sink!!
Combat
Noblemen fought their accuser in a battle. Whoever won was innocent ,and whoever lost was guilty (however they were usually already dead!!).
Fire
Offenders were made to hold a hot iron bar and walk three steps, their hands bandaged after this. They were to return three days later and if the sores were healing they were innocent, if not they were guilty.
Water
Offenders arms and legs were tied together and if they were to sink they were innocent, but if they floated they were guilty. As if you could win in this one as one would surely drown if they were to innocently sink!!
Combat
Noblemen fought their accuser in a battle. Whoever won was innocent ,and whoever lost was guilty (however they were usually already dead!!).
Although this system didn't last for long. Soon after, in 1215, ordeals were replaced by trials by juries. Usually 12 people would attend the court to listen to a case to decide if the offender was innocent or guilty. Wow - it was a good thing then to have lots of friends so you had a better chance of winning! These trials were not popular among the villagers because they thought that if someone didn't like you they could punish you. The judges were often extremely bias and the outcome of the case was often known before it was even trialled.
Severe punishments were given for even little crimes. In 1275 a new law was created and put into action - it stated that torturing was allowed if you refused to turn up or trial in front of a jury.
Although it seems like the Middle Ages crime and punishment was unfair and cruel, they gave birth to the trial and jury system and it wasn't all bad. Death penalties weren’t commonly used, only for very bad crimes like murder, arson and treason. Beheading was only ever used for the rich (ha ha! serves them right!) but was very uncommon, as was burning. Hanging was the most common execution.
Hopefully know you really know the TRUTH about crime and punishment in the Middle Ages!!!
Severe punishments were given for even little crimes. In 1275 a new law was created and put into action - it stated that torturing was allowed if you refused to turn up or trial in front of a jury.
Although it seems like the Middle Ages crime and punishment was unfair and cruel, they gave birth to the trial and jury system and it wasn't all bad. Death penalties weren’t commonly used, only for very bad crimes like murder, arson and treason. Beheading was only ever used for the rich (ha ha! serves them right!) but was very uncommon, as was burning. Hanging was the most common execution.
Hopefully know you really know the TRUTH about crime and punishment in the Middle Ages!!!