Hugh and Cry
(Hue and Cry - arresting people, not really the pop group)
OK, so only Brits of a certain age will get that little joke. Hugh and Cry were a pop duo back in the 80s (and I believe they’re still going). But that’s obviously not what this post is about.
This actually covers back from the Middle Ages AND the 17th century in England (and after) - before we had police.
The term hue and cry seems to have come from from the Anglo-French phrase "hu e cri" - a mixture of to shout and cry out.
Because of its roots, historians believe the system was in place in Anglo-Saxon England. Victims or witnesses of a crime could literally cry out, and locals would be roused to catch the criminal.
This ran alongside the ‘frankpledge’ system, whereby men (over the age of 12) were grouped into ten people (a tithing) - if any of them committed a crime, the others would have to turn him in (or face a fine). They were generally led by a tithingman and reported to the constable.
From around 1077, the office of sheriff was created. Men of high rank and power could be nominated (their names offered to the king) to be appointed sheriff (or shire-reeve) for one year. He could then not be re-appointed for three years afterwards.
His duty was to investigate allegations of crime in his shire, try lesser cases and detain those accused of greater offences so they may be tried.
Should villagers fail to catch a criminal, the sheriff could call upon a posse comitatus (a posse) – a group of local men aged 15 or over, to catch them, no matter how far they ran. Obviously, said posse had to be suitably fit and armed.
This was akin to a self-policing community.
King Edward I seems to have brought this in as a legal obligation, under the 1285 Statute of Winchester:
(Section 4) “And for the more surety of the country, the king hath commanded that in great towns being walled, the gates shall be closed from the sun-setting until the sun-rising; and that no man do lodge in suburbs, nor the edges of the town, except in the day-time, nor yet in the day-time, unless his host will answer for him; and the bailiffs of towns every week, or at the least every fifteenth day, shall make inquiry of all persons being lodged in the suburbs or the edges of the towns; and if they do find any that have received or lodged in any other way people of whom there may be suspicion that they are against the peace, the bailiffs, shall do right therein. And the king commandeth, that from henceforth all watches be made as it hath been used in times past, that is to wit, from the day of the Ascension unto the day of the Saint Michael, in every city by six men at every gate; in every borough, by twelve men; in every town, by six or four, according to the number of the inhabitants of the town, and they shall keep the watch continually all night from the sun-setting unto the sun-rising. And if any stranger do pass by them he shall be arrested until morning; and if no suspicion be found he go quit; and if they find cause of suspicion, they shall forthwith deliver him to the sheriff, and the sheriff shall receive him without delay, and shall keep him safely, until he be delivered in due manner. And if they will not obey the arrest, they shall levy hue and cry upon them, and such as keep the watch shall follow them with all the town and the towns near, with hue and cry from town to town, until that they be taken and delivered to the sheriff as before is said; and for the arrestments of such strangers none shall be punished.”
~ This is very much more aimed at chasing down dodgy-looking folk trying to get into town and evading capture.
It also seems to be the start of official night watchmen too.
It wasn’t until the early part of the 19th century that this Hue and Cry system was repealed. Funnily enough, about the same time as the Metropolitan Police were brought into existence!
The term ‘raise a hue and cry’ is still around now (just about). But it carries more of a meaning of making a loud complaint or public outcry.
Fun fact! :)
There is actually a whole section on the legal system in An Author’s Research Notes on Medieval England, so I get to include a book banner this week :)
Always in love and light,
TL