Trends in Anglo-Saxon Crime

What was the Anglo-Saxon approach to crime?

Most Anglo-Saxons lived in small, isolated rural communities. Crime and punishment often reflected their lifestyle and poverty.

What were the most common crimes in Anglo-Saxon England?

There were 2 popular types of crime in Anglo-Saxon time:

• ❖ Most crimes involved the theft of money, food and/or belongings, all usually of low value. This was called petty theft.
• ❖ Violent crimes accounted for a small minority of cases.

Who were the criminals in Anglo-Saxon England?

Any man aged 14 or over who tried to avoid trial and punishment by running away from his community was known as an outlaw.