Bloody Code, Law Enforcement, Early Prisons and Transportation Revision Resources

Question 1

what was the population of england in 1500 and 1700?

Answer 1

the population between 1500 and 1700 increased dramatically , as in 1500 there was around 2.5 million people in england , by 1700 there was 5-6 million people.

Question 2

Why did the roles of town constables and night watchmen increase ?

Answer 2

The role of town constables and the night watch grew to cope with increasing crime rates

Question 3

Why were town constables useful?

Answer 3

Town constables were useful because they had some powers to arrest suspects without needing a warrant. The also helped with local administrative issues like collecting payments for road cleaning , as well as turn in serious criminals to the courts.

Question 4

Why were night watchmen useful?

Answer 4

Watchmen were unpaid volunteers who also had to do their normal jobs to earn a living in the day. They rang bells at night to warn people to go home or risk being viewed as possible criminals. They worked from 10pm to dawn.

Question 5

what were thief takers?

Answer 5

The thief taker was paid a reward for catching a criminal and delivering them to the law.

Question 6

Who was Jonathan Wild?

Answer 6

Jonathan Wild secretly led a gang of thieves who claimed rewards when they handed in the stolen goods. In 1718 he assumed the title ‘Thief Taker General’ and became a well known figure.

Question 7

How did jonathan wild die?

Answer 7

He was executed in 1725

Question 8

In the 16th century , what were prisons used for?

Answer 8

Prisons often held petty criminals , vagrants and drunk disorderly offenders. They were put there to wait for their trials.

Question 9

Why were prison conditions poor?

Answer 9

inmates had to pay the prison wardens for food and other basic needs like bedding. If they didn’t pay , they went without. Women , men and children were housed together , as well as petty criminals and violent criminals.

Question 10

What was built in 1556?

Answer 10

Bridewell Prison , London.

Question 11

What was the prison used for?

Answer 11

to punish poor people who had broken the law (vagabonds) and to house poor children who were homeless and often orphaned.

Question 12

Why was the prison flawed?

Answer 12

All inmates were made to do ‘hard labour’ to pay for their keep.

Question 13

What was their ‘hard labour’ ?

Answer 13

Most of the time , they had to break up rocks.

Question 14

what is a capital crime?

Answer 14

a crime that is punished with the death penalty

Question 15

What crimes were punishable by death?

Answer 15

some were : poaching rabbits or fish to eat.

Question 16

What do historians call this harsh attitude to law making?

Answer 16

The ‘Bloody Code’

Question 17

Why were the consequences of such petty crimes harsh and violent?

Answer 17

The intention at the time was to create a strong deterrent so that crime rates would be reduced.

Question 18

Why were most crimes commited?

Answer 18

Many crimes were committed out of desperation - somebody with a starving child did not think of the consequences of stealing a loaf of bread.

Question 19

Why were crimes not always carried out?

Answer 19

Criminals could receive a pardon if they could prove their previous good character , or give other reasons why they should not be executed.

Question 20

What was plead for belly?

Answer 20

Pleading the belly was a process available at English common law, which permitted a woman in the later stages of pregnancy to receive a reprieve of her death sentence until after she birthed her child

Question 21

What was transportation ?

Answer 21

being sent away from england to serve a period of punishment in a colony abroad.

Question 22

Where were prisoners being put up for transportation sent to?

Answer 22

Transported prisoners were taken in chains to the east coast of North America.

Question 23

How long were these prisoners made to work for?

Answer 23

Those who were transported instead of being executed served for 14 years. Others who had committed lesser crimes served a 7 year sentence.

Question 24

Why was transportation favoured by authorities?

Answer 24

• It was seen as an effective deterrent
• Prison was not a feasible alternative punishment
• England wanted to establish permanent colonies in North America.

Question 25

How many people were sent to North America?

Answer 25

Historians estimate that 50,000 to 80,000 people were transported , consisting of women, men and children.

Question 26

What did James I do in the 17th century?

Answer 26

James I gave permission for vagrant children in London to be arrested and sent for transportation.

Question 27

What were transported children called?

Answer 27

‘Duty boys’ although a quarter of them were girls.

Question 28

Why were vagrants transported?

Answer 28

The homeless were blamed for spreading the plague and the authorities were happy to find solutions that led their permanent removal.

Question 29

Why did the authorities transport children?

Answer 29

Because authorities claimed that this was an opportunity for the children to start a new life , when in reality , many died.

Question 30

Why did so many children die onboard?

Answer 30

Because conditions on board ship and in the colonies were extremely tough.