c1500-1700 crime in early modern england

Question 1

Changes in society in Early Modern England effects on crime

Answer 1

Rise in population and poor economic conditions meant many people moved to urban areas in search for work leading to an increase in petty crimes such as pickpocketing and con artists.

New farming methods led to enclosure of land leading to a growth in poaching due to poverty and desperate situations.

Changes in religious views such as the Protestant Reformation in Europe led to more people found guilty of treason and heresy.

Question 2

Continuity: Crimes against authority

Answer 2

Charges of treason became far more common in the Early-Modern era due to disputes as to who should be in charge.

Heresy became much more common due to the religion of England constantly changing between Catholicism and Protestantism. The Clergy has an important role in charging people of Heresy and Protestant Monarchs becoming Head of Church made heresy and treason interlinked.

Question 3

Vagrancy

Answer 3

A vagabond was an unemployed, homeless person. There was a rise of vagabonds in the 15th and 16th century due to closing monasteries and high rent. Laws were passed to make vagrancy a crime:

Vagabonds and Beggars act 1494 - Put in stocks for three days and sent back to place of birth

Vagrancy Act 1547 - vagabond without work for more than 3 days was branded with a ‘V’ and sold as a slave for 2 years

Question 4

Smuggling

Answer 4

An introduction of import taxes on goods such as brandy and tea led to an increase in smuggling in the 17th century. People would secretly bring in goods without paying import tax and sell them for lower prices. This was a social crime but was not seen as a crime by communities.

Question 5

Witchcraft

Answer 5

Witchcraft was already dealt with in church but became a much more serious crime in the early modern period due to religious fear. James I was a firm believer in witchcraft and employed Mathew Hopkins as his “Witchfinder General”.

Question 6

Moral crimes

Answer 6

After parliaments victory in the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell became England’s Lord Protector. Cromwell was a puritan and believed everybody should have a pure soul so introduced laws to prevent people doing things in which he deemed unacceptable.