Combatting Crime in Saxon & Medieval Eras (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note

Why did Communities in Medieval England and Wales Have to Deal with Crime Themselves?- Summary 

In the medieval era, there was no official police force, so local communities were responsible for catching criminals and keeping law and order. Most people lived in small villages, and crimes such as theft, fighting, and land disputes were common. To deal with these problems, communities worked together through systems like tithings and the hue and cry, where everyone helped to find the criminals. Local officials such as the shire reeve and later justices of the peace organised punishments and ensured the king’s laws were obeyed. These methods showed that everyone in the community shared responsibility for protecting their neighbours and maintaining law and order.

Communal Methods of Combating Crime

Tithings 

• Anglo-Saxon England was made up of shires

• Each shire was divided into hundreds

• Each hundred was divided into ten tithings

• The leader of a ten was a tithingman 

  • They would raise the hue and cry 

• Members of each tithing monitored each other

• If one tithing member broke the law, the others would be responsible for either

  • Taking them to court

  • Paying a fine

• One person from each tithing regularly met with the shire reeve

• The shire reeve made sure any punishments were carried out

• Tithings was an effective self-help system designed to

  • Prevent crime

  • Emphasise collective responsibility

Shire Reeve 

• The shire reeve was a royal officer 

  • Responsible for public order in his shire 

• This position was voluntary 

  • However, they gained a lot of power 

• The shire reeve could raise a posse to capture criminals 

Justices of the Peace 

• In 1326, justices of the peace (JPs) were appointed by the shire reeve 

  • This position was initially created to assist the shire reeve with their duties 

• They were local landowners 

• They were responsible for 

  • Holding trials and hearings in manorial and royal courts 

  • Attending quarter sessions after 1388 

Chief Constables 

• The chief constable replaced the hundredmen

  • They reported to the JPs 

• They were responsible for 

  • Maintaining law and order 

  • Archery practice 

    • All men aged 15 to 60 had to be ready to fight for the king 

  • Organise a posse if needed 

Watchmen 

• Watchmen were appointed to patrol towns at night to

  • Catch criminals 

  • Stop fires 

  • End disturbances 

• They reported to the parish constables