The Medieval Coroner: Part 1

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1. What is the origin of the term "coroner"? The origin of the term is obscure and not known It was from the Old English term for "crower" or one who spreads the news It is from the Latin translation of the phrase "to keep the pleas of the crown" It refers to the task of keeping the King's crowns safe

2. King Richard I's proclamation formalizing the role of the coroner was issued in September 1194. When were coroners first documented in England? They were found in Saxon times as early as 871 Coroners did not appear until after 1194 Coroners were brought to England by the Normans Coroners came to England with the Roman legions

3. What was the primary motivation behind the proclamation of September 1194 and the formalization of the coroner's role? There was confusion between the role of sheriff and the role of the coroner The murder of a prominent cleric prompted the need for a coroner Recent advances in medieval forensics caused a need for the role Richard I needed money

4. The medieval coroner's overall responsibility was to record events that he observed, usually to assess the value of property and any fines involved. What were these records called? The Coroner's Book of Inquests The Coroner's Royal Record The Coroner's Roll The Royal Inquest

5. What was the General Eyre? The list of rules that the medieval coroner was required to follow The box in which the coroner's roll was stored The clerk who assisted the coroner The royal court of law

6. Which of the following persons would be most likely to hold the office of coroner? A royal duke A serf A medieval physician A landholder with the rank of knight

7. The medieval coroner was required to personally investigate any occurrence of homicide or sudden death. Which of the following was NOT a reason that the coroner had this role? The record of deaths was needed for local histories The identity of the deceased needed to be determined The coroner needed to determine fines for infractions by the locals The cause of death had to be determined

8. Did the medieval coroner perform autopsies? Yes No

9. How did an individual become a coroner? The King personally appointed all coroners The coroner was usually elected by a select group The office was assigned as a reward for special services to the church The office was inherited from father to son

10. What was a murdrum fine? A fine levied on the township or hundred where a body was found A fine imposed on the family if the death was found to be a suicide A fine imposed if the body was buried before the coroner arrived A fine imposed if the deceased did not receive last rites

11. Another very important county official was the sheriff. Was the coroner a subordinate of the county sheriff? Yes No

12. What was a deodand? The object(s) that caused a death The sum of money the coroner received for an inquest An archaic term for a person who commits homicide The place where the coroner's inquest was held

13. The coroner was responsible for cases when a fugitive chose to "abjure the realm". What was this practice? A criminal agreed to military service to pay for his offense An outlaw wanted to pay a fine instead of suffer imprisonment A criminal who was in sanctuary wished to leave the realm An outlaw wanted to be imprisoned to avoid a heavy fine

14. Guilt or innocence was often determined in the Middle Ages by the accused undergoing an ordeal. The coroner was required to attend all ordeals and record the results. Which of the following was NOT a form of ordeal? Ordeal by fire All were medieval ordeals Ordeal by bier Ordeal by water

15. Which of the following were duties for the medieval coroner? Investigation of rape Investigation of injury from assault All of these were duties of the coroner Investigation of non-fatal fires