C Curriculum Explorer
History·Medieval Times·conceptual

Crime & Punishment

How justice worked in medieval times: trial by ordeal, trial by combat, the role of the sheriff; punishments including stocks, pillory, and dungeons; how different it was from modern justice

Suggested ages 9–11

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Evidence of understanding

  • Describe at least two medieval methods of deciding guilt (trial by ordeal, trial by combat)
  • Name at least two medieval punishments and explain what they involved
  • Compare one aspect of medieval justice to how justice works today

Assessment prompt

Could Crime & Punishment describe how criminals were caught and punished in medieval times and explain what seems unfair by today's standards?

Standards alignment

No external standards are linked to this topic.