Crime and Punishment
By Nick Fisanick
Crime and punishment was used very often during the Middle Ages. Officials, Government Leaders, and Kings and Queens used many different methods to punish or torture criminals. Punishment today is less harsh than it was back then in Medieval times. Torture is also less used today, but there are still signs of torture today.
By Nick Fisanick
Crime and punishment was used very often during the Middle Ages. Officials, Government Leaders, and Kings and Queens used many different methods to punish or torture criminals. Punishment today is less harsh than it was back then in Medieval times. Torture is also less used today, but there are still signs of torture today.
Churches in Middle Ages Europe used to Burn Heretics if the did something wrong. The government and church wanted to do this to prevent them from doing crimes, but this didn’t help it just made the crime worse. When they would get punished they usually got their ears and hands cut off. Outlaws of the city got sliced into four pieces. Criminals usually stole something or they were prisoners of war to get punished.
Hanging was the most used crime penalty in the Middle Ages.
Hanging was the most used crime penalty in the Middle Ages.
Crime and punishment was used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It was used at China, Europe, and Asia. There were many different ways to punish someone on trial. For Example, Ordeal by Fire: An accused person has to hold a red-hot iron bar and then walk three steps. They bandaged the wound and waited three days. If the wound was healing that means you are innocent if it wasn’t healing that means you were guilty. Another Example is Ordeal by Water: A person that was accused for something had to be tied up and thrown into water. If the person was floating he was guilty, if he didn’t float he was innocent. Finally it is Ordeal by Combat: A person that was accused of something had to fight to the Death. He would usually fight a nobleman or a knight. If he won he was innocent, if he lost he was guilty. In most towns they had a “Gibbet” is where people would get hanged.
There were many cruel punishments in the Middle Ages. Kings and Queens were the ones to punish prisoners of war. Medieval European Kings were responsible for giving “Good Justice” to their loyal citizens. Murder and unfaithful taxes were also a type of crime. To torture they would often use a Spanish boot, Foot Press, Pillory, and The Thumbscrew. Crime and punishment was used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It was used at China, Europe, and Asia. In 1275, a law was passed which allowed people to be tortured if they refuse trial.
During Tudor times English laws geared toward torture. Vagrancy was considered a crime and people were put into stocks so that the citizens could beat them. It was the poorer classes that were discriminated against. Lords and high officials were exempt. Courts and Judges did exist but they were often bias. If a person did not go to trial they would be considered an outlaw.
Outlaws banded together roaming the outside of the countryside causing havoc. The harsher the crime the more horrendous the punishment. On some occasions right before death they cut them so it would even be more cruel than it already was. Sometimes there would be public hangings and public torture so the citizens can watch the criminals suffer. There were many instruments used to torture some were the collar, Foot screw, Heretics fork, and the wheel.
Crime today is still a significant factor in our lives, although we much improved since the middle ages there are still signs of crime and punishment. Punishment is also less cruel than it was back then. Crime is still happening at a huge rate today than it was in the Middle Ages.
Works Cited
http://www.thefinertimes.com/Ancient-History/crime-and-punishment-in-the-middle-ages.html
http://www.lordsandladies.org/middle-ages-torture.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_law_and_order.htm
Crime And Punishment: Law and Order, Fiona McDonald, Franklin Watts, New York 2006
Works Cited
http://www.thefinertimes.com/Ancient-History/crime-and-punishment-in-the-middle-ages.html
http://www.lordsandladies.org/middle-ages-torture.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_law_and_order.htm
Crime And Punishment: Law and Order, Fiona McDonald, Franklin Watts, New York 2006