Bloody Code Flashcards
Who were night watchman and what were they expected to do ?
They are unpaid volunteers who also have to do their normal jobs to earn a living. They are expected to ring a bell at night to warn people to go home or risk being viewed as suspected criminals.
Who were town constables and what were they expected to do?
They were employed by the town authorities and they are expected to stop suspected criminals, break up fights and round up sturdy beggars
What crime had fines as the punishment?
fraud selling goods for the wrong price assault breaking legal agreements not going to the church (16th century)
What was the common purpose for all the punishments?
All the punishments were believed to act as a deterrent
What punishment was carried out for begging and drunkness? What was the purpose behind it?
Pillory or stocks
It acted as public humiliation and deterrent
what crimes were corporal punishments like whipping and maiming used for and the purpose for it?
vagrancy
begging
theft
it acted as retribution and a deterrent
what was the punishment and purpose for heresy?
burning at the stake
it reinforced the ruler’s authority and acted as a deterrent
what crimes had hanging, drawing and quartering as a punishment?
repeated begging theft highway robbery poaching smuggling witchcraft murder treason
What happened during the 17th century?
the number of crimes that carried the death penalty increased. By 1688, there were 50 capital crimes.
What was plead for belly?
Pregnant women condemned to death asked to be allowed to live until the baby was born. If the baby was seen to be moving by a doctor, the punishment was delayed until after the birth. Many women escaped being hanged as they were often pardoned after the baby’s birth.
What was the new form of punishment introduced during James I’s reign?
Transportation to the new English colonies in North America.
What were the 3 reasons transportation was favoured by authorities?
- Effective deterrent
- England wanted to establish permanent colonies in North America- and convicts could be used to populte and provide manpower for these colonies
- Criminals were taken far from the people and places that might have drawn them into crime therefore they believed a change of scene might help them make a fresh start.
Approximately how many people were believed to have been transported to America in the period up to c1770?
50,000-80,000
What did transported prisoners do?
They would have to work for a fixed period of time doing tough manual labour
Those who were transported instead of executed served 14 years.
Those who were transported instead of having commited lesser crimes served 7 years
At the end, they would be free however they wouldn’t have any money to go back to their families
Who were blamed for the plague?
homeless people were blamed for spreading the plague and authorities used this to search for ways to permanently get rid of them.
Why was the system believed to be flawed and ineffective?
- Many crimes were commited out of desperation
- The penalties were so severe therefore execution was not always carried out . Criminals could receive a pardon if they could prove their previous good character.
What was a pardon?
When a person is let off punishment for a crime they were convicted of.
What was the common punishment for most crimes in the 17th century?
trasnportation to north america
What were early prisons used for ?
they weren’t considered a punishment but rather a holding area for people waiting for their trials or for a punishment to be carried out
What’s a gatehouse?
building forming a gateway at the entrance to a town or important house, with a room.
Who was the most infamous thief taker and what title did he assume?
Londoner Jonathan Wilder. He took the title: ‘Thief Taker General’
What happened to the ‘thief taker general’?
His criminal activities were discovered and he was executed in 1725
What changes were there from 1000-1500 to 1500-1700?
- The role of town constables considerably expanded
- role of night watch also expanded
- emergence of thief takers
What continuities were there from 1000-1500 to 1500-1700?
- witnesses to crime must step in to stop suspects or report them to the authorities
- locals had to join the hue and cry to chase the suspected criminal and bring them to justice
What was population of England in 1500?
2.5 million
What was population of England in 1700?
5-6 million
What did it mean if night watchmen and town constables weren’t particulary effective at hunting down criminals?
Some victims resorted to using thief takers.
What did thief takers get?
They were paid a reward for catching a criminal and delivering them to the law.
Why was being a thief taker open to corruption?
Some criminals also operated as thief takers and informed on rival criminal gangs to make money.
What would some wealthy householders do?
They joined together to hire armed guards to protect them and their property. These were the early steps towards a professional paid police force
