Crime - c1500 - c1700 Flashcards
What were some changes in society and what type of crime did that increase?
- Increase in population and urbanisation —> increase of crimes against the person with petty thieves. 2. New farming methods —> increase in crimes against property e.g. poaching. Changed in people’s religious beliefs and religion of the monarch —> increase of crimes against authority: heresy and treason.
Why had treason and heresy increased?
Changing religions with Stewarts and Tudors. Lots of plots —> think Elizabeth.
What were some new crimes? (3)
- Vagabondage. 2. Smuggling. 3. Witchcraft.
What were 2 laws for vagabondage?
1547 Vagrancy Act - able bodied without work for 3 days could be branded with the letter v and sold as a slave for two years. 1601 Poor laws - deserving poor were given poor relief while the undeserving could be branded; whipped or sent to a correction house.
What was an example of a social crime?
Smuggling.
Give me some info about laws of witchcraft.
1542 - Henry VIII made witchcraft punishable by death. 1563 - Elizabeth I changed the law so they were tried in a common court. 1604 - James I instructed the death penalty to witchcraft.
What was the role of communities in law enforcement (continued)?
People were expected to raise and join the hue and cry to catch criminals.
How was the role of the church in law enforcement reduced?
- Henry VII allowed the benefit of the clergy once and people were branded once received the privilege. Edward VI made serious crimes like murder exempt. From 1576 church courts couldn’t try criminal acts. 2. Henry VIII stopped exile abroad for sanctuary. 1623 - James I abolished sanctuary.
Who were watchmen?
Unpaid volunteer position; patrolled streets between 10pm and damn.
Who were town constables?
They’re respected members of the communities who had the power to arrest criminals and take them to JPs. They were in charge of the watchmen.
What were some continued punishments?
Fines. Pillory or stocks. Flogging or maiming. Hanging. Burning for heresy.
What were some new punishments?
- The bloody code. 2. Transportation to North America.
Give some info on the bloody code.
Aim: deter people. 50 capital offences e.g. stealing a rabbit / loaf of bread. Increase from before.
Give me some info on transportation to North America.
Criminals were sentenced to 7 or 14 years. Between 50k and 80k men; women and children were transported. Acted as rehabilitation and deterrent. Provided an alternative to capital punishment especially after the bloody code.
What was the story of the Gunpowder plotters?
They were upset about the harsh laws on Catholicism so rented a cellar underneath the Houses of Parliament and filled it with barrels of gunpowder. It was supposed to be blown up on the state opening but discovered on 5th November 1605. Guy Fawkes was tortured until he confessed the names of fellow conspirators.
How were they punished and what for?
Tried and found guilt of treason in Jan 1606. Publicly hung; drawn and quartered on 30-31 Jan 1606.
Why was there such a harsh punishment for treason? (3)
- Perceived as the most serious punishment. 2. Without a police force, the only way to deter crimes was through harsh punishments. 3. Harsh message to Catholics was necessary.
When were witch-hunts rife?
1645-1647
What were some reasons for the intensity of the witch hunts? (4)
- Poor harvest had caused economic problems and people were looking for scapegoats. 2. Religious differences which were increased by the civil war - some believed Catholics were witches. 3. Influence of James I who promoted witch-hunting and Matthew Hopkins. 4. Social changes - more widowed women and more strangers who travelled for work.
Who was Matthew Hopkins? (5)
- Aim: find witches in Essex and East Anglia. 2. aka Witch-hunter general. 3. His work led to 300 investigations and 112 hangings. 4. Often used torture (like sleep deprivation) to give up other names. 5. Stirred up mass panic in 1645-47
What was some evidence of witchcraft? (4)
- Unusual marks on the body. 2. When pricked by a needle; the accused doesn’t bleed. 3. When thrown in the water; the float. 4. If two proven witches swear the accused is a witch.
What were some punishments for witchcraft?
Death by hanging or burnt at the stake.
