Crime & Punishment in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages who decided what was legal?

• Merchants and traders
• Monarchs, local lords, and the church.
• Peasants and serfs
• Knights and warriors

Poaching is

• the legal hunting of farm animals
• the illegal hunting of wild animals

• the capture of wild animals for research
• the hunting of animals for sport

Treason is

• betraying the king

• the act of defending against invasion
• the process of forming a government
• the act of supporting one's country

Heresy is

• a universally accepted belief
• a form of religious practice
• a historical event in religion
• disagreeing with the Church’s teachings

Blasphemy is

• showing disrespect for God

• a form of meditation
• a type of prayer
• a religious ceremony

Adultery is

• being unfaithful in marriage

• a relationship between two single individuals
• a type of marriage ceremony
• a legal term for divorce

What was 'trial by ordeal' based on?

• Evidence and witnesses
  

• A jury's decision
  

• The belief that God would determine guilt or innocence
  

• The king's personal judgment

Which of these was NOT a form of trial by ordeal?

• Ordeal by Fire

• Ordeal by Water

• Ordeal by Jury

• Ordeal by Combat

Why did medieval people believe in trial by ordeal?

• They thought it was a fair system

• They believed God would help the innocent

• They had no other way to determine guilt

• It was a scientific method

What was trial by fire?

• Walking barefoot over hot coals or carrying a hot iron

• Being set on fire to test pain tolerance

• Placing the accused inside a burning house

• Throwing ashes in someone’s eyes to see their reaction