Crime & Punishment

Overview
Crime is something that was not tolerated at this period in history. Everywhere you go there is evidence that if you commit to a life of crime, you shall pay the penalty. Whether it’s the sight of severed heads at the at the gates of cities or the familiar vision of bodies hanging from gallows along the country roads. Wherever you go, you’ll be constantly reminded not to put a foot out of place.

The sheriff is the King’s chief officer in a county. It is his responsibility to ensure that not only do the residents of that town or city pay their taxes but also that they keep out of trouble. If you are caught committing a criminal act, the sheriff can arrest you, imprison you, clap you in irons and transport you to London. Upon arrival you shall most likely be subjected to various forms of torture before then being put on trial for your crime. There are many different ways in which a criminal may be dealt with, exchange of money, trial by battle (you can even choose someone to fight for you), time spent locked in the stocks (and usually subject to rotten vegetables being thrown at you) or death.

That doesn’t mean that crime wasn’t constantly happening at this time. It was more a case of those willing to risk being caught. It would not be uncommon for travellers to encounter bandits whilst moving through the countryside or for merchants to find their goods mysteriously vanishing after a long days work. Even murder was something that would happen fairly often, although it was often difficult to track just who committed it. Best to keep your wits about you.