![]() These would be leading villagers who would take the role for one year. They enquired into violent or suspicious deaths, with the support of a jury of local people.Īfter 1250, villages started to appoint constables in each village to monitor law and order. The Sheriff would also hold a criminal after capture in the local gaol.Ĭounty Coroners were appointed after 1190. A Sheriff also investigated major crimes, again with the help of a jury of local people who would swear an oath to say who they believed had committed the crime. All men over 15 could be forced to join a posse by the Sheriff.Ī posse would also deal with any local rioting. If villagers failed to catch a criminal, the Sheriff would form a posse comitatus to continue to chase the criminal. They were appointed by the King and were the chief legal officer in the Middle Ages. If one member of the ten broke the law, it was the responsibility of the others to catch the culprit and take him to court.ĭuring the medieval period, there had been some developments in this system.Ĭounty Sheriffs were appointed to oversee law and order in a county. Tithings - adult men were put into groups of ten.If villagers failed to join then the village could be fined. Raising the hue and cry - basically, calling on fellow villagers to chase the criminal.It was expected that communities would be responsible for policing and combatting crime. It was the responsibility of the victim and local community to find the criminal themselves. No proper police force existed before the 16th century. ![]() Enforcing law and order before the 16th century Policing before 1500
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