L2 was medieval britain lawless

Starter: title decoder

What is our title today? Use the letters above to break the code:

JYZY BDY NUKKEY VWYF EVJEYFF VSK HUTEYSB?

 Can you answer this question from your own knowledge?

 Key words: Crime / punishment / trend

Were the Middle Ages lawless and violent?

LO’s: • To identify /describe different types of crime using historical evidence • To describe/explain different types of Medieval punishment and evaluate their effectiveness

Common terms: • Crime: an act that breaks a law • Defendant: a person accused of wrongdoing • Justice: fair treatment • Law: rule(s) established by authority or custom • Plaintiff: a person who brings an action in a court of law • Punishment: a penalty for an offence

How violent were the Middle Ages?

• Sources 1-6 summarise historians’ findings about: – The main types of crime – The amount of crime – The reasons for crime  Your task: read the sources and answer the following questions (in full sentences) 1. Which crimes were most common in the Middle Ages?

The most common crimes in the Middle Ages were…

2. Why did most murders occur?

3. Which goods were most commonly stolen?

4. Study Source 6. What does it suggest about the relationship between crime and poverty?  Write a balanced response to the question: How violent were the Middle Ages?

How and why were criminals punished in Medieval Britain?  Your Task: • Watch the clip and make bullet point notes under the heading: ‘How and why were criminals punished?’

• Recreate a Medieval Trial: – Can you guess which punishments were given to each crime?

– What were the purposes of punishments given by courts in the Middle Ages?

Plenary: Boggle Challenge How many words associated with crime and punishment in Medieval Britain can you make from the letters below? Add up your score!

Starter: Study this document from the 15th Century. Who are the figures in the picture and what is happening?  Why would the king allow this to happen?

 Key words: constable / watch / hue & cry / posse comitatus / stocks / pillory / approver

Were the Middle Ages lawless and violent?

LO’s: • To identify and describe laws in Medieval Britain • To describe/explain how law and order was enforced in Medieval Britain

How lawless was Medieval Britain?  Your task: Study the information. Work in pairs to complete the table. What were the biggest problems/what was most unfair about the justice system in the Middle Ages?

 Why do you think so many punishments took place in public?  What are the major similarities / differences with law and order today?

How lawless was Medieval Britain?  Your task: Read the curious case of Walter Blowberme.

• Discuss: what does the case tell us about medieval justice?

• Imagine you are a TV local news reporter.

Interview the two contestants, Walter Blowberme and Hamo Stare, just before the trial by battle is due to take place.

Ask them about their hopes and fears e.g. Why did Hamo Stare choose this means of trial? Does he expect to win?

What does Walter feel?

Plenary: FA1 Quiz 1.

2.

Name the type of punishment which meant execution.

Name the punishment involving two planks of wood clamped around someone’s head.

3. In the event of a crime, name the action that villagers would take before the days of the police.

4. Name the group of ten people which all members of the community had to belong to in order to keep law and order.

5. Outlaws could seek refuge in sacred places such as the Church.

This was known as taking‌.

6. Name one type of official who was responsible for enforcing law and order in the Middle Ages.

7. Name one of the most common crimes in the Middle Ages.

8. Describe one type of trial which was offered to criminals before 1215.

9. Name the place which most crimes were tried.

10. Explain why Medieval punishments were so harsh.

Peer Assess: FA1 Quiz 1.

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10.

Name the type of punishment which meant execution.

Name the punishment involving two planks of wood clamped around someone’s head.

In the event of a crime, name the action that villagers would take before the days of the police.

Name the group of ten people which all members of the community had to belong to in order to keep law and order.

Outlaws could seek refuge in sacred places such as the Church. This was known as taking‌.

Name one type of official who was responsible for enforcing law and order in the Middle Ages.

Name one of the most common crimes in the Middle Ages.

Describe one type of trial which was offered to criminals before 1215.

Name the place which most crimes were tried.

Explain why Medieval punishments were so harsh.

8-10 =

5-7 =

1.

Capital punishment/deat h penalty 2.

Pillory 3.

Hue & Cry 4.

Tithing 5.

Sanctuary 6.

Constable / sheriff / coroner / Justice of the Peace / judge / juror 7.

Theft / murder 8.

Trial by Ordeal 9.

Manorial Court 10. Act as a deterrent

0-4 =

Enquiry Question

Evidence

Problems with the system?

Evidence

Problems with the system?

Who caught criminals?

Where were they put on trial?

How were they punished?

Enquiry Question Who caught criminals?

Where were they put on trial?

How were they punished?

The curious case of Walter Blowberme In 1249 in the towns of Winchester, Salisbury and Guildford were under attack by a group of robbers. They stole from washing lines, shoes, coats from houses and shops. People knew who the men were but were to afraid to accuse them! One man caught, admitted his guilt but rather than the death penalty, his life was spared…

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To save his life Walter became an approver. This meant his life was spared if he found the other criminals.

Walter first accused 6 men in Guildford of being in his gang. He only needed 4 more convictions to spare his life.

Walter accused 3 men in Hampshire but they were found not guilty.

Walter accused another 4 people. One was caught but the other three ran away and were declared guilt. Walter only needed one more conviction.

The man just captured was Hamo Stare. Due to the complicated nature of the case, the judge asked Hamo if he wished to undergo trial by ordeal. Hamo chose ‘trial by combat’ with Walter as his opponent.

Using wooden clubs and shields the two men fought each other. Hamo gave in.

The judge said God helped Walter win so he was allowed to go free.

All the men he accused were hung Just 6 months later Walter was accused of robbery in London.

His criminal past was revealed and he was hung.

Appeal of approvers in the Hampshire Eyre,1249.

This is the only known sketch of trial by battle.

Together with the gallows with an executed victim, it was made in 1249.