Causes of Crime in the Medieval Era (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note

Why was Crime a Key Characteristic of Medieval Life? -Summary 

Crime was a key feature of Medieval life because many people lived in poverty and faced constant hardship. High taxes, poor harvests, famine, and disease left people struggling to survive, often leading to theft and other petty crimes. Warfare also increased crime because it destroyed homes and farmland and created problems across England and Wales. As a result, crime was not unusual but part of everyday life, reflecting the social and economic difficulties faced by ordinary people. Despite changes to the monarchy and laws, the same underlying causes meant that crime continued to shape Medieval society.

Poverty in the Medieval Era

• Most people lived in poverty during the Medieval era 

  • This resulted in crime 

• High taxes contributed to the high levels of poverty

  • The poll tax resulted in the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381

• There were many diseases at the time that resulted in poverty because people were unable to work 

  • The Black Death of the 1340s left villages and farmland deserted

• Even as trade and businesses increased in this period, so did crime 

  • Highway robbery increased as traders on the road had their products stolen

Famine in the Medieval Era

• People's lives were made worse in the Medieval era due to famine

  • This was mainly due to poor weather resulted in poor harvests

• The Great Famine of 1315-17 killed ten per cent of the population of England 

  • People did not have enough food, which increased crime 

Warfare in the Medieval Era

• Wars during the Medieval era increased crime as 

  • Taxes increased 

    • To pay for the wars 

  • Towns and farmland were destroyed 

    • By battles or by army stealing crops to feed themselves 

• For example, the Norman Conquest after 1066 increased crime as people were

  • Made homeless 

  • Stripped of their titles and land 

  • Fleeing from the brutality of the Normans 

  • Against French rule in England and Wales