Section 1: (250 words)
(a) Develop a definition of the historical concept continuity and change and
provide a relevant contextual example to illustrate your understanding.
- Continuity and change is a comparison between the changes and similarity kept
throughout history. An example of this historical concept is found when
delving into the crime punishments in Medieval Europe. Punishments during
that period were ruthless and inhumane, such as the breaking wheel, and the
rack. In modern times however, punishments are definitely more humane yet
harsh compared to modern standards. Penalties include mutilation of the body,
imprisonment and hefty fines.
(b) Explain how the lives of people living in Medieval Europe were affected by
crime and punishment, military and defence systems, OR towns, cities, and
commerce, before major historical shifts occurred in these areas. Use the
following inquiry questions to guide your response.
- The Catholic Church played an immense role in Medieval Europe’s judicial
system, as 90% of the population was Catholic. The church was who decided if
someone was innocent or guilty. The system consisted of four different trials,
trial by combat, trial by water, trial by fire and trial by bread. However, trial by
water and fire were the judgements which mainly influenced the Catholic
Church. The trail by water included the guilty to be dropped into a body of
water with both limbs tied back. If the guilty was drowning, then they were
concluded to be innocent. Trial by fire included an iron rod placed into fire and
then onto the guilty’s hand. If the wound healed by three days, then it was
deemed that God was looking over them, and they would be declared innocent.
This reflected the Catholic Church’s unjust and merciless punishment system,
and their dominance of supposedly God’s judgement when deciding if a person
was innocent or guilty.
Section 2: (250 words)
(a) You will compare Medieval European society by highlighting which elements
of society continued to exist and which elements changed in relation to your
topic following a key event. You may like to use a Venn diagram to present
your findings.
- There are many similarities and differences in the punishment between
medieval and modern Britian. Some punishments that continued to exist
through Britain, include the common use of imprisonment and fines. However,
there are many differences between the same country. During Medieval Britain,
there were many brutal punishments for example the rack and the breaking
wheel, and there were many other disciplining methods which were death
penalty, public shaming, burning the guilty at the stake, mutilation of the body,
whipping, and being held in the pillory. However, after the establishment of the
Magna Carta the punishments changed due to the hostility and therefore the
punishments executed now in Britain include imprisonment and fines.
(b) Describe the continuities and changes which occurred because of the
influences of significant individuals, groups and institutions using the following
inquiry questions to guide your response (in relation to your topic).
- The Magna Carta had a huge impact on Britain, as the entire law changed from guilty
until proven innocent to innocent until proven guilty. This flipped the entire community,
and citizens came around to finally have rights. As King John signed the Magna Carta,
the entire community of Britain changed, and the punishments became somewhat
subdued, this benefitted people who were considered guilty but were innocent, it gave
them another opportunity to prove themselves rather than telling lies just to stop the
torture. Therefore, this legal change benefited everyone and made the system fair for all.
