Anglo-Saxon Law Enforcement

How did Anglo Saxons enforce the law?

Law enforcement in Anglo-Saxon society relied heavily on the principle of collective responsibility.

What was the role of the victims in Anglo-Saxon law enforcement?

Victims of crime were expected to find the criminal themselves.

How did they catch criminals in Anglo-Saxon law enforcement?

The victim or witnesses were expected to call out to fellow villagers to assist in chasing the criminal. This was known as the hue and cry. If a person did not join in the chase the whole village would have to pay a heavy fine.

Who were the Anglo-Saxon law enforcement officials?

Shire reeves were appointed from the local community to make sure people followed the king's law.

How did the Anglo-Saxon kings enforce the law?

There were 2 main ways the king enforced the law in Anglo-Saxon England:

• ❖ He was responsible for the 'King's Peace', which meant the people of Anglo-Saxon England held him ultimately responsible for protecting them and providing justice.
• ❖ Only the king could make laws, which were issued as Codes of Law. These might add new laws, or reinforce or change existing ones.

How was policing organised in Anglo-Saxon England?

Policing duties in Anglo-Saxon England were divided between the local community and the king's men in 2 key ways:

• ❖ The shire reeve acted on behalf of the king to make sure people followed the law.
• ❖ Local communities were divided into tithings to police each other. A tithing was a group of ten people.

How did tithings enforce the law in Anglo-Saxon England?

Tithings enforced the law in 3 different ways:

• ❖ The men of the tithing were responsible for the behaviour of everyone in the ten households.
• ❖ If someone saw a crime being committed, they had to raise a hue and cry by shouting so that anyone who heard could chase the criminal. Anyone who failed to do this had to pay a fine.
• ❖ If someone refused to join the fyrd, the whole tithing had to pay a fine.