The nature of law enforcement and punishment Flashcards

All 7 cards in this deck

What was a tithing?

A group of ten men aged over 12 who were responsible for each other's behaviour; if one broke the law, the others had to bring him to court or pay a fine.

What was the hue and cry?

The shout raised by the victim or a witness of a crime; everyone who heard it had to stop work and join the chase, or the whole village was fined.

What was the parish constable?

An unpaid local man appointed for a year to keep order in his parish and lead the hue and cry; the job was unpopular and influential people often avoided it.

What was Wergild?

A fine paid by a criminal to the victim or the victim's family as compensation, with the amount depending on the victim's social status.

How did the Normans change Wergild?

They ended it: fines were now paid to the king's officials rather than to the victim or their family.

Why were medieval punishments such as the stocks carried out in public?

For deterrence: the pain and public humiliation were meant to put other people off committing the same crime.

True or false? 'Corporal punishment' means putting a criminal to death.

False. Corporal punishment is physical punishment such as whipping or the stocks; capital punishment is execution.