AQA GCSE History: The
Normans – Exam-Ready Notes,
Key Facts & Practice Questions
| Graded A+ 2025
Murdrum Fine - ANSW✔-meant that if a Norman was found murdered then everybody in that region
would have to pay a hefty fine.
The idea behind tithings was to stop crime by making people responsible for each other.... - ANSW✔-
This was a form of collective responsibility.
If the victim of a crime, raised 'the hue and cry' by calling out for help... - ANSW✔-the entire village
had to down tools and join in the hunt to find the criminal.
Often if there were no witnesses or it was difficult to decide the verdict of a crime, a trial by ordeal
would take place which was... - ANSW✔-where God decided whether somebody was guilty or not (at
least that is what they thought). Trial by hot iron, cold water, hot water of blessed bread for priests were
examples)
, Instead of the wergild paid to a victims family.... - ANSW✔-It was judged that anybody committing a
crime had disturbed the 'kings peace' as the king owned all the land. So fines replaced the wergild and
would be paid to the king, not the victims family.
Capital punishment would be used under the Normans for... - ANSW✔-Serious crimes such as treason
but also to deal with re offenders.
Forest Laws were hated and were.... - ANSW✔-introduced to set aside hunting land for the Norman
nobility. Anybody poaching, cutting down trees or doing anything else on forest land would have their
first two fingers chopped off, then on the second offence their eyes would be gouged out.
Prisons were rarely used in Norman England because they were expensive. Prisons were only used for...
- ANSW✔-holding the accused before trial. This ensured that serious criminals didn't escape.
If a trial by jury took place then the members of the jury would... - ANSW✔-be people who knew the
person accused and probably from their tithing.
There was no police force in Norman England because... - ANSW✔-The Kings did not collect enough
tax to be able to afford such an expensive thing.
Church courts were... - ANSW✔-introduced which meant that people who worked for the church e.g.
priests, bishops etc... could be tried in a different court to everybody else. They were more lenient.
Norman-French - ANSW✔-became the official language to be spoken in the courts. Things would still
be written in Latin though. Most people could understand neither.
Name of the two most powerful Saxon earls not at the Battle of Hastings - ANSW✔-Edwin and Morcar
When was William Crowned King of England? - ANSW✔-Christmas Day 1066
What key areas/cities did William attack after the Battle of Hastings? - ANSW✔-Romney, Dover,
Canterbury, London and Winchester
Normans – Exam-Ready Notes,
Key Facts & Practice Questions
| Graded A+ 2025
Murdrum Fine - ANSW✔-meant that if a Norman was found murdered then everybody in that region
would have to pay a hefty fine.
The idea behind tithings was to stop crime by making people responsible for each other.... - ANSW✔-
This was a form of collective responsibility.
If the victim of a crime, raised 'the hue and cry' by calling out for help... - ANSW✔-the entire village
had to down tools and join in the hunt to find the criminal.
Often if there were no witnesses or it was difficult to decide the verdict of a crime, a trial by ordeal
would take place which was... - ANSW✔-where God decided whether somebody was guilty or not (at
least that is what they thought). Trial by hot iron, cold water, hot water of blessed bread for priests were
examples)
, Instead of the wergild paid to a victims family.... - ANSW✔-It was judged that anybody committing a
crime had disturbed the 'kings peace' as the king owned all the land. So fines replaced the wergild and
would be paid to the king, not the victims family.
Capital punishment would be used under the Normans for... - ANSW✔-Serious crimes such as treason
but also to deal with re offenders.
Forest Laws were hated and were.... - ANSW✔-introduced to set aside hunting land for the Norman
nobility. Anybody poaching, cutting down trees or doing anything else on forest land would have their
first two fingers chopped off, then on the second offence their eyes would be gouged out.
Prisons were rarely used in Norman England because they were expensive. Prisons were only used for...
- ANSW✔-holding the accused before trial. This ensured that serious criminals didn't escape.
If a trial by jury took place then the members of the jury would... - ANSW✔-be people who knew the
person accused and probably from their tithing.
There was no police force in Norman England because... - ANSW✔-The Kings did not collect enough
tax to be able to afford such an expensive thing.
Church courts were... - ANSW✔-introduced which meant that people who worked for the church e.g.
priests, bishops etc... could be tried in a different court to everybody else. They were more lenient.
Norman-French - ANSW✔-became the official language to be spoken in the courts. Things would still
be written in Latin though. Most people could understand neither.
Name of the two most powerful Saxon earls not at the Battle of Hastings - ANSW✔-Edwin and Morcar
When was William Crowned King of England? - ANSW✔-Christmas Day 1066
What key areas/cities did William attack after the Battle of Hastings? - ANSW✔-Romney, Dover,
Canterbury, London and Winchester
