Crime and Punishment-Crime changing from(1450-1750), Laws, punishments Flashcards
What were the factors affecting crime rate?
- prices and unemployment were high
- taxes were increased during wars
- the presence of a strong government meant lower crime as criminals were more likely to be punished
-BEFORE, in the Middle Ages, many people were villeins who lived in small villages controlled by landowners
What factors played a part in the increase in crime rates/ MORE CRIMES? (6…is the magic crime number)
SOCIETY CHANGED
- Population increase and decline of feudalism meant more people moved to urban areas which resulted in towns and cities expanding-As a result, MORE street criminals and thieves know as footpads
- Increased unemployment meant more people migrated seeking work- This led to MORE people begging( a crime)
- Trade between towns grew, leading to roads being improved between 1700 and 1750 Because of this, highwaymen robbing travellers on the roads
- End of feudalism led to reduction in common land because land owners fenced it off. This caused an increase in poaching as landowners restricted who could hunt on their land
- Changes in people’s religious beliefs and monarch’s religion led to MORE people committing heresy during the 16th century
More trade restrictions- 1614 Export of wool made illegal
18th century increased tax on tea and brandy- this created the new crime of smuggling:people imported or exported illegal goods or goods that were heavily taxed
AS TOWNS GREW , MORE CRIMES OCCURRED-THREATENED LAW MAKERS- AS A RESULT, INCREASED NUMBER OF CRIMES CARRYING THE DEATH PENALTY
Why was public executions used?
To shame the criminal and deter others from committing crimes
Types of punishment?
-Flogging
-Hanging
-Execution
#physical
Describe the Bloody code?
-A period where the number of crimes punishable by death rose rapidly.
What was the aim of the Bloody code?
- To frighten people so they would not commit crimes
- DETERRENCE
Was it effective?
No.
-18th century fewer people were hanged than in 17th century because JURIES FOUND PEOPLE NOT GUILTY TO AVOID THEM BEING GIVEN THE DEATH PENALTY
What years was the Bloody Code between?
1688 and 1823
Key dates of Bloody Code?
- 1688*-50 death penalty offences
- 1765*- 160 death penalty offences
- 1815*-225 death penalty offences
- 1861*-4 hanging offences:murder, treason, arson in naval dockyards, piracy with violence
What types of crimes were punishable by death under the Bloody Code?
- Stealing a rabbit
- damaging a tree
Why was the bloody code so harsh?
The laws were made by a small number of rich and privileged men, who didn’t sympathise with the plight of many criminals. They believed that these people were either greedy, idle or simply bad people. They felt criminals needed to be punished harshly to set an example to others considering a life of crime. Another reason was that these rich lawmakers felt under threat from crime and criminals. As a result they introduced laws that protected their interests and property. As there was no police force to protect them and their property, the bloody code seemed a logical way of protecting their property
How did it end?
Samuel Romilly began to argue that the system was an unfair farce, and that something else was needed. Slowly but sure over the following years, the amount of crimes punishable by death decreased.
As you have already read, juries had a problem with sentencing so many people to death and a other forms of punishment were needed
The start of transportation during the 1700s was a perfect alternative, that was seen as a harsh enough alternative to execution.
What were the new punishments?
- 1576*- Local judges were required to build houses of correction where beggars could be kept.
- late 17th century*- petty or political criminals were sent as labourers to English colonies
Who was Jonathan Willd?
- 1718*- Declared himself ‘Theif Taker General of Britain and Ireland’
- 1725*-Hanged at Tyburn
- Organised crimes and conned society
How did the trials and juries run?
-Minor cases were heard locally by one/two Justices of the Peace. If case progress- heard by groups of JPs with local men serving on a jury. Most serious cases heard by royal judges- able to pass a death sentence. However, there was some inequality as punishment varied depending on CLASS, GENDER CLASS(e.g.commoners were treated different to nobles, priests. Women-men)
