Crime and punishment- Early modern England Flashcards
Why was there an increase in Vagabondage and vagrancy? (4)
Increase in population
Falling wages
Rising food prices
No system to help the needy
When was the poor laws introduced?
1601- deserving poor was given poor relief by the local parish
When was the vagrancy act?
1547- able-bodied without work for more than three days were branded with the letter ‘v’ and were enslaved for two years
When was the vagabonds and beggars act?
1494- vagabonds were put in the stocks for three days and nights
Name three things about vagrants in early modern England
Hated and feared by settled population
Resorted to thieving and/or begging and charity in order survive
Viewed as lazy and responsible for their own problems
What was smuggling and why did it increase?
When import tax on certain goods, including brandy and tea was introduced, smuggling increased dramatically. Smuggling is where people bring goods into the country to secretly to avoid paying import tax.
Continuity and change in catching criminals and preventing crimes (m->em) (2)
People still expected to raise hue cry
No national police force, and methods and effectiveness of preventing crime vary greatly.
Why was witchcraft taken more seriously? (2)
1542, Henry VIII made witchcraft punishable by death
1604, James I instructed the death penalty to those who ‘summoned evil spirits’
What were town watchmen (4)
Rang a bell to alert people
All male householders were expected to volunteer and role was unpaid
Patrolled the streets between 10pm and dawn
Overseen by town constable
What were town constables (5)
Employed by authorities in towns
Respected members of the community
Had the power to arrest suspects and take them to justices of the peace
In charge of the watchmen in their area
Helped with town administration
Continuity in the aims and types of punishment
Fines- These continued to be used for minor crimes
Pillory/ stocks
Hanging- used for more serious crimes like theft, murder, smuggling
Burning- used only for heresy
What was the bloody code (3)
In the 17th century, the number of crimes punishable by death increased. By 1688 there were 50 capital offences, ranging from stealing bread to murder. 1688-1825 became known as the bloody code.
Describe Transportation to North America (5)
Began under James I
Between 50k-80k people sent to America
reflected new ideas on punishment- chances for rehabilitation
alternative to execution
providing inhabitants and works to establish American colonies
Reasons for harsh and public punishment for treason
Treason was received as the most serious crime
The police force not there to prevent crime, deterrence seen as the only way
period of political instability due to disputes over the royal succession- deterrence
Harsh message spread to Catholics from rising up against the protestant monarchy
When were the gunpowder plotters executed
1606
