La poursuite du meurtre secret dans l’Angleterre des XIIIe et XIVe siècles : entre responsabilité sociale et besoins du fisc

Abstract

At the beginning of the Anglo-Norman period, King William the Conqueror organized a system of collective responsibility to protect the members of his aristocracy. Therefore, in the event of the murder of a ‘Frenchman’ and when the perpetrator has not been identified, the local lord is considered responsible for the offense and must pay a very heavy fine. But if he cannot, the entire population of the district (hundred) where the crime took place is called upon to redeem the “secret murder” (murdrum). Over time, this fine became a significant windfall for the Treasury, which was difficult to waive despite the disappearance of the threat to the French and their gradual assimilation into the population of England. The royal judges then seek to take advantage of the ancient rule as much as possible. But on the other hand, local authorities are doing everything to escape what increasingly appears to them as a disguised tax levy.

Keywords

• Secret murder
• murdrum
• Englishry
• Stranger
• Coroner
• Collective responsibility