Medieval Europe By Cahli Musselman
Location In the days of Roman Empire all of Europe was ruled by the same government and one set of laws.
Government: In the days of Roman Empire all of Europe was ruled by the same government and one set of laws. But the fall of Rome made the government crumble and the justice system collapsed. Every lord that had their own castle could behave as they pleased and developed their own laws for them and their people. Central government and laws were slowly restored as royal powers increased. During the Medieval times in Europe the Church was considered a major ruler because everyone agreed that God was the higher power. The church agreed that on Earth, central government promised law and order. But after 1215 the Pope decided that the Priests must not interfere or help with ordeals. This is when Henry II came to rule and he used many of Henry I laws and rules.
Trial By Ordeal: In Medieval Europe people who were accused of crimes had to prove their innocence or their guilt in a trial. This consisted of them gripping a red-hot iron; if the scars healed they were innocent, if they didn’t heal they were guilt and usually died from the wounds. Intelligent people disapproved of the trials and in 1215 they Church banned them. In later days juries decided whether or not a person was guilty or innocent. This relates to Canada because in Today’s day we still use trials for some offenses and the jury gets to decide whether the person is guilty or innocent after hearing the facts and stories.
Punishment Punishment in Medieval Europe was very cruel and harsh. Small offenses were either fined or put in the stocks.(wooden frame with foot holes, and they were locked in for a period of time) They would be locked in here in the middle of the community and the townspeople could throw rotten vegetables at the person. Serious offenses consisted of getting beaten, branded, or cutting off a hand or ear. In Medieval Europe the higher power could torture the opposing person to get confessions out of them; this sometimes ended up in death. If you committed more then one crime in your life after your first offense you could automatically get the death penalty. The punishment didn’t have an exact meaning, it was mostly a scare tactic.
Laws Law One: Everyone in Court must use proper language; If they do not, they lose the case. (No improper words such as foul language) In court today we have to use proper language as well; but you don’t automatically lose, you get second chances because it gives everyone the right to speak Law Two: In 1275 everyone who committed a crime must go to court before a jury, if they refused they could be tortured. In court today you have to go to court before a trial, but they can not torture you because of the basic rights we have in Canada. Law Three: No Stealing, if you steal you get your hand or both hands cut off. In today’s society if you get caught stealing you do not get your hands cut off, you can go to trial depending on the amount you stole or you can get charged. I believe this is more fair because you need your hands Law Four: Any woman who breaks any laws will be tortured and then burned to death. We definitely do not have this law anymore because in our society men and women are generally viewed as equal.
Work Cited: centers-of-medieval.html