Starter:
Complete the word search on Medieval law and order
How far did justice change in the later Middle Ages? Throughout the Middle Ages a king’s main duties were to defend his country from enemies and to protect his people from lawbreakers. Between 1100-1500, kings took an even closer interest in the justice system e.g. Henry II set up more courts with juries. Kings made important changes in order to make this system more effective.
LO’: to examine and assess the impact of these changes through a real medieval murder.
How far did justice change in the later Middle Ages? ď € Your task: listen to/read the story of Roger Ryet (Norfolk, 1300s) then decide if the following are True or False:
a) The local men chased Roger in the hue and cry led by the constable. b) The Norfolk coroner held an enquiry into the death and the jury decided that there was enough evidence to accuse Roger in court. c) A message was set to the local sheriff who took Roger to prison. d) When the King’s judges arrived in Norfolk, Roger went before the court. e) Roger faced trial by ordeal, plunging his arm into boiling water. f) Roger paid Isobel the wergild of 200 shillings for her husband. g) Roger was hanged by order of the judges.
John the Shepherd’s house looked empty. Roger Ryet had already walked past it once, glancing in through the shutter, just out of curiosity. There wasn’t much to see – a well-swept floor, a couple of benches, a table. Hanging over the benches was a piece of cloth. ‘Nice piece of cloth’, thought Roger, ‘it’ll make a nice tunic’. He carried on hoping that day he would get work on the lord of the manor’s land and then be able to buy a new tunic. Roger didn’t find work. In the village and those all around, there were many men clamouring for work. By the time he arrived, others were already turning away disappointed. Roger cursed, knowing how desperately he needed money. His own scrap of land did not produce enough food to live on. Now Roger was walking back past John the Shepherd’s house again. The shutter still stood open, the cloth still lay on the bench. There was no one nearby. The cloth was within arm’s reach. Roger reached in, grabbed the cloth and started running. ‘Thief!’ shouted a man’s voice. Roger reeled back in shock, he had been sure there was no one about. The man blocked Roger’s path and he could hear a woman running up behind him. Roger hesitated, gripping the cloth tightly. He had to move. In the other hand he held his knife. He moved forward, desperate to escape. Moments later, John the Shepherd lay dead. His wife, Isobel, knelt screaming by his side.
How far did justice change in the later Middle Ages? Your task: now read through what actually happened and underline/highlight anything that provides information about: Policing Trials Punishments • Were your predictions correct? • Complete the table using the information from the story to show how the justice system changed up to 1500. Next lesson is your FA2. Devise a set of quiz questions (and answers) to test a partner.
Plenary: discuss - how far did justice change in the later Middle Ages?
By the end of the Middle Ages justice had changed very little since 1100
No change
By the end of the Middle Ages justice had been radically altered beyond recognition of the system in 1100.
The key parts of the justice system had been kept since 1100; trials and policing had been improved
Total change
Homework Write a clear and organised summary of how law and order was enforced in the period 1250-1500. Support your summary with detailed examples. [7]
Punishments
Trials and courts
Policing
Situation in 1100 There was no police force. Tithings were organised. Members of the tithing had to bring the accused to court. The hue and cry was used. Juries decided if the accused was guilty. If they couldn’t decide then trial by ordeal was used to let God decide. There were royal courts for serious cases and manor courts for others. The Normans had ended wergild and fines were paid to the king, as his peace had been broken. Serious crimes and reoffenders were punished by death. Those who did not attend court were outlawed.
Changes made by Kings
Continuities