The Anglo-Saxon tithing (also spelled "tything") was a fundamental unit of local law enforcement and social organization, particularly from the 10th century onwards. It was built upon the principle of collective responsibility (also known as "frankpledge" in the later medieval period).

Here's how an Anglo-Saxon tithing typically worked:

1. Structure:

   • A tithing was a group, usually consisting of ten free men (or sometimes ten households) over the age of 12. These men were often from different families within a village or local area.

   • Each tithing had a designated leader, known as the tithingman or chief-pledge, who was responsible for ensuring the good conduct of his group.

2. Purpose: Maintaining Law and Order:

   • In Anglo-Saxon England, there was no formal police force. Law enforcement was primarily a communal responsibility. The tithing system was the cornerstone of this communal policing.

   • Its main objective was to prevent crime and to ensure that criminals were brought to justice.

3. Key Responsibilities and Mechanisms:

   • Mutual Surety (Collective Responsibility): This was the core principle. If one member of the tithing committed a crime, the other nine men were responsible for:

     • Bringing the culprit to court: They had to ensure the accused appeared for trial.

     • Paying a fine: If the accused absconded or could not be produced in court, the entire tithing could be collectively fined for his actions. This system strongly motivated members to monitor each other's behavior and encourage adherence to the law.

   • "Hue and Cry": If a crime was witnessed (especially theft), the victim or any observer was expected to raise the "hue and cry" – essentially shouting loudly to alert the community.

     • Upon hearing the hue and cry, all able-bodied men in the tithing and the wider village were legally obligated to stop what they were doing and join the pursuit of the criminal.

     • Failure to participate in the hue and cry could result in a fine for the individual or even the entire village.

   • Reporting Offences: Tithing members were expected to report any offenses committed by members of their own group to the relevant local court (the Hundred Court). Failure to do so could lead to a collective fine.

   • Representation at Hundred Court: A representative from each tithing would regularly attend the Hundred Court (a larger administrative unit consisting of about ten tithings) to deal with minor legal issues and disputes.

   • Oath-Taking: When a boy turned 12 and joined a tithing, he would take an oath to uphold and observe the law.

Why it was effective:

The tithing system was effective because it leveraged social pressure and shared economic risk. Since everyone in the tithing could be penalized for one member's misdeeds, there was a powerful incentive for mutual supervision and the swift reporting of illicit behavior. It fostered a strong sense of community and collective duty towards maintaining peace and order.

This system continued, in various forms, even after the Norman Conquest, evolving into what was known as the frankpledge system.