1500 - 1750 Punishments Flashcards
What was the pillory?
The pillory was a stand in which the subject would place their head and hands through holes in a plant and be humiliated by the general public.
What were stocks?
The stocks were heavy pieces of wood that were placed around the offender’s ankles to secure their feet in place. They would be insulted and spat on for a few days.
What were cucking stools?
Cucking stools were stools that offenders could be tied to and carried around. Ducking stools were the same, except the offender would be dunked into water.
How were prisons used in the early modern period?
In the early modern period, prisons were rarely used as punishments; they were only used to hold prisoners in debt or awaiting execution.
What were bridewells?
Bridewells were very similar to prisons. Prisoners would be forced to work inside or face physical punishments such as whipping.
When was the Vagabond Act passed?
The Vagabond Act was passed in the early 17th century.
What did the Vagabond Act entail?
The Vagabond Act forced JPs in every county to build bridewells, among other things.
When was the Bloody Code?
The Bloody Code was most predominant between the late 17th century and the early 19th century.
What was public penance?
Public penance was when someone had to apologise for their actions in front of a church congregation.
When was the gaol act passed?
The gaol act was passed in the early 16th century.
What did the gaol act entail?
The gaol act forced JPs to build a prison where one was needed, resulting in more purpose-built prisons.
When was the black act passed?
The black act was passed in the early 1700s.
What did the black act change?
The black act made the poaching of deer, rabbit and fish a capital offense.
What effect did the bloody code have on the number of hangings?
The number of hangings seems to have decreased during the bloody code, presumably as a result of judges being unwilling to pass the death penalty for petty crimes.
