Changing the definitions of Crime, 1500-1700 Flashcards
What was the name of the German priest who protested against the Catholic Church? When did he do this?
1517, Matin Luther he started the reformation of the church. His followers were known as Protestants.
When did Heresy and Treason become connected, why?
After Henry the 8th, all leaders were the head of the Church of England (minus Mary the 1st). This meant committing Heresy against the Church equaled treason.
When did Henry the 8th declare himself head of the Church of England and what were the effects of this?
1534 - Both Protestants and Catholics were punished. Protestants for Heresy (Fore being protestant), and Catholics for Treason (If they did not take the Oath of supremacy).
What was the Oath of Supremecy?
Acknowledging Henry the 8th as the head of the Church.
Which monarch made the Pope head of the Church again?
Mary 1st, - 300 Heretics were executed for refusing to join the catholic faith in Mary’s reign.
What was the act of Uniformity and when was it?
1559 - It meant you had to go to Church on Sundays and holy days or pay a fine. You were only prosecuted if you didn’t attend a few times.
Recusants were people who refused to go.
What was the act of Supremecy?
The reintroduction of the Oath of Supremecy.
When was Elizabeth the 1st Excommunicated and why?
Because in 1569 there was a Catholic rebellion and in 1570 the pope excomunicated her.
What was a recant?
A public statement showing a change in a person’s religious belief - alternative to being burned at the stake.
What was the 1605 Popish Recusants act?
-It meant you had to swear loyalty to the king and pay a heavy fine if you refused to attend church.
What was a Vagabond or a Vagrant?
Unemployed, Homeless people. Seen as lazy and seen as potential criminals.
What was the Vagrancy act of 1547?
Any able-bodied Vagabond without work for more than three days was branded with the letter V and sold as a slave for 2 years.
It was very harsh and not always carried out.
It was withdrawn after 3 years. (1550)
What was the 1597 Act of Relief of the Poor?
Was an act including very harsh punishments to deter vagrancy. Including branding, whipping, and burning of the ear.
What was Poor relief?
Financial assistance for the poorest members of society.
What were the 1601 poor laws?
- Local parishes must pay poor relief to ‘deserving poor’, which included elderly and disabled poor people.
- The ‘undeserving poor’ who were fit to work, were punished severely.
What was the 1617 Games act?
Many powerful landlords enclosed previously accessible land which made it harder for village people to survive,
some broke fences to get food etc.
This law made this illegal.
However it was viewed as a social crime by the lower class, but the upper class looked down on the lawbreakers.
Why did the rise of smuggling begin?
Because the government put import duties on a range of goods: tea and alcohol. This meant there was profit available for those who smuggled goods and didn’t have to pay import taxes. Plenty of people were willing to buy smuggled goods because they were cheaper.
Why was smuggling difficult to prevent?
Because so many people benefited from the crime, they did not view it as serious. Smuggling is another example of a social crime.
When and why did Oliver Cromwell rule?
1653-1658, Because parliament won the civil war and Charles the 1st was executed.
What effect did Oliver Cromwell’s rule have on Crime and Punishment?
Lots of things that were previously allowed were made illegal, such as Christmas, drinking and feasting, and sports after church.
