Punishments in Camelot refer to the lawful sentences carried out as a result of a citizen behaving reprehensibly or breaking the law.
Protocol
Trials
When an offender was brought to trial, they were taken to the council chambers before the ruling King, Queen, and other members of the court. The court would present its evidence against them and the accused would be given the opportunity to prove or argue their innocence. Once all evidence and witnesses had been heard, the King or Queen would pass sentence (The Mark of Nimueh, Lancelot, Gwaine, Queen of Hearts, Arthur's Bane, A Lesson in Vengeance, The Drawing of the Dark).
Sentencing
Though the court often deliberated on what punishment an offender may face, it was the ruling King or Queen who made the final judgment, regardless of whether the rest of the court agreed with them.
For example, Uther refused to lessen Gwen's death sentence even though Arthur and Morgana felt it was too severe a punishment for her crime. He also declared Tom guilty and ordered his execution before his trial could take place, claiming that the trial was a formality and Tom's escape attempt was proof of his guilt (The Mark of Nimueh, To Kill the King).
Minor matters such a negligent servant were rarely brought before the court, and punishments were generally decided by the offended nobleman or other person of authority. For example, Arthur sentenced Merlin to a few days in jail after he attacked Cedric (The Curse of Cornelius Sigan).
Villages throughout Camelot were expected to settle their own disputes and pass their own sentences without input from the court. For example, the people of Valdis' village sentenced her to death when they judged her guilty of sorcery, and Arthur only interfered when he determined that she had not received a fair trial (The Death Song of Uther Pendragon).
Types of Punishments
| Punishment | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Banishment | Sending someone away from a kingdom, country, or place and barring their return under pain of death. |  |
| Death Sentence | A sentence of execution given to an offender who has been found guilty of a serious crime such as treason, adultery, or murder. |  |
| Imprisonment | Confining an offender in prison for a period of time as punishment for a crime, or while they await trial or execution. |  |
| Stocks | A form of physical punishment involving public humiliation. |   |
Appearances
- Series 1
- The Dragon's Call
- The Mark of Nimueh
- Lancelot
- The Gates of Avalon
- The Beginning of the End
- To Kill the King
- Series 2
- The Curse of Cornelius Sigan
- The Witchfinder
- The Witch's Quickening
- Series 3
- Goblin's Gold
- Gwaine
- Love in the Time of Dragons
- Queen of Hearts
- Series 4
- His Father's Son
- Lancelot du Lac
- A Herald of the New Age
- Series 5
- Arthur's Bane
- The Death Song of Uther Pendragon
- A Lesson in Vengeance
- The Drawing of the Dark
- The Diamond of the Day: Part Two