Crime and punishment
Knowledge question: what were the different types of Crime and punishment back in
the medieval period?
There were many different crimes committed during the medieval Period. Some
examples more commonly crimes were:
 Witchcraft
 Disobeying the 10 commandments
 Theft
 Heresy
 Murder
 Stealing
 Receiving stolen goods
 Treason.
 Working on Sundays
.As civilization was still developing, people would commit crimes for the most basic of
reasons, such as stealing bread to feed themselves and/or their families. Like today, that
was seen as a crime d, and something had to be done about it. Starving people were not
shown much sympathy and would automatically face the consequences.
The main punishment back in the Middle Ages was torture. Torture was introduced so
that people would feel the horror , and it would help to prevent people from committing
crimes. Torture chambers were common in many castles. Although there are many
different types of tortures, it would depend on what you’ve done to determine what
method of tortue you would receive.
What is torture?
So you’re probably asking yourself, ‘what is torture?’ Well torture is the deliberate intent
to physically hurt another human being. It’s an attempt of punishment and or revenge. A
cruel and wanton infliction to impose physical or mental pain/suffering. The reason for
this is to yield information or to get the suspect to confess to a crime. Devices and a
numerous amount of weapons/ tools are used for unbearable pain on the victim
The reasons why they were tortured was either so the suspect of the crime would
experience torture, or someone who wanted revenge or to punish someone for their
action.
Many different methods involved in torture were:
 Ripping out teeth/nails
 Beating
 Blinding












Boiling
Bone breaking
Branding and burning
Choking
Tongue removal
Cutting
Disfigurement
Dislocation
Drowning
Whipping and beating
Roasting
Limb/finger removal
Although there are lots of reasons why people were tortured, it didn’t just happen
like that. There were some unusual ways to identify if someone was guilty or not.
Serious crimes were heard by the King’s court. The accused had to face trial by
suffering to decide whether they were guilty or not guilty.
Ordeal by Fire: The accused suspects had to walk four steps while holding a hot
iron bar. Their hand was then bandaged. After three days they would return to the
court and the bandages would be removed. If the wound was beginning to heel that
showed that they were innocent, but if there was no sign of healing they would
plead guilty.
Ordeal by water: The accused suspect would have their hands and feet tied
together. They were then thrown into water. If they floated they would be
pronounced guilty, but if they sank they would be seen as innocent.
Victims getting hung
Comparison question:
How is Criminal activity and punishment different to today
compared to the medieval period?
There is a significant difference to how crimes were handled back in the Middle Ages
compared to now. As I mentioned, back then they used torture and torture chambers; they
also used things like ordeal by fire and ordeal by water to determine guilt. A hot iron bar,
or cold chilly waterwould decide your fate instead of a 12 person jury..
Now we have prisons and court systems. Fairness and legal represpeation exist., A
lawyer is available to defend you and they try there very best for you not to be locked up.
Unlike back in the Middle Ages, there were no lawyers. Back then they just had hope.
Crimes committed were often for very simple reasons, such as stealing a bit of bread
because they were hungry and in need of food. Murder to get revenge on someone,
robbery/theft, witchcraft, treason, disobeying the 10 commandments and others would be
considered more serious.
Below is a comparative list of commonly committed crimes in the Middle Ages and
today.
Today’s crimes:
Middle ages Crimes:









Stealing of food
Witchcraft
Disobeying the 10
commandments
Theft
Heresy
Murder
Receiving stolen goods
Treason.
Working on Sundays








Child pornography
Child abuse
Murder
Theft/burglary
Forgery
Kidnapping
Money laundering
Vandalism
Let me explain some of the crimes in the Middle Ages!
What is treason and witchcraft?
The word Treason means betraying or violating ones sovereign/ruler; to kill or to self
harm your king. The reason they would want to kill their emperor is because they may
have want the thrown themselves.
In comparison to Treason, witchcraft is somewhat different. Witchcraft is the practice of
magic/spells, but there are two types of different magic. It’s just like good and evil. An
evil witch is one that practices black magic. Black magic is the type that harms others and
connects with the devil. On the other hand a good witch is one that practices White magic
who uses protection, can heal and cast a spells on love. Because of the black magic the
Europeans decided to execute all the witches including the white ones. The black magic
witches were executed by hanging, burning, beheading or drowning, with the white
witch, the punishment would be less painful, but they still had to be executed.
Opinion question:
Which type of punishment would have been more effective? The
way they do it now or the way they did it then?
Why?
In my opinion, when I compare the way they handled crime and punishment back in the
medieval period, to how they deal with it now, I believe it was more effective back then,
but it was totally wrong. I think that today’s system is excellent because it doesn’t use
harm and it is fair, but back then it was more effective probably in preventing crime
because people were absolutely horrified of murder and torture, so that made them stay as
far away from committing crimes as possible. People are still constantly committing
crimes today, which isn’t good. Although the old way to get people to stop committing
crimes was more effective, it doesn’t mean I agree with it.
I think it was really wrong to use torture as a consequence for someone’s actions. That’s
why the jail system is so excellent, because it gives people a punishment for a long time,
and because they can be in the jail for so long and they would be dying to get out, they
would never want to return. Everyone’s fear is getting caught and even the thought of
going to jail is daunting, that’s why people would do anything to get out of it. Back then
they would say if you were innocent or guilty based on your skin and if it heals, or if you
float or sank. That’s got to the most unfair way. That’s how I see it anyway.
Why?
The big question people ask is why? Why do people commit crimes, or torture some else
in the first place? Well the reason for torture is either you are accused for something you
did or did not commit, and would have to go through a trial which was totally ridiculous
to prove whether you are guilty or innocent.
I don’t agree with how they handled situations back in the medieval period, but I do think
that it was effective because it decreased the crimes that people were committing on a
day to day basis apparently.
By: Harriet collopy