Capital and Corporal Punishment:

Some crimes received capital and corporal punishment, they were a from of retribution but also acted as a deterrent. Treason and arson usually resulted in execution of the criminal (hanging). Mutilation was used as a corporal punishment for lesser crimes. Corporal punishment was meant to deter people from committing similar crimes. Criminals who survived harsh punishments of (eye-gouging, foot or hand removal) demonstrated to society the consequence that came with committing crimes.

Capital Punishment: the death penalty
Corporal Punishment: various punishments utilised to cause pain or harm to the body (beaten or having body parts removed)
Retribution: severe punishment to match the severity of the crime
Deterrent: a punishment that is scary and painful; acts as an example to warn other people about committing the same crime
Rehabilitation: attempting to turn a criminal into a law-abiding citizen through rehabilitating them
Restitution: whoever was affected by the crime would get paid back from the damaged caused by the criminal

Stocks and Pillory:

Using stocks or pillory for public punishment was painful and humiliating. The pillory secured the arms and the neck, while the stocks secured the ankles. Usually they were found at the centre of the town where everyone could see. People could be left here for several days and were subject to public verbal abuse and items being tossed at them.

	Created by Andrew Burke over 7 years ago

This slide set on Anglo-Saxon Laws and Punishments is part of a series examining Crime and Punishment in the UK through the ages. It provides details on law enforcement, trial by ordeal and punishment.

Anglo-Saxon Laws and Punishments