Early Modern: 1500 - 1700 Flashcards
What is the link between crime and population growth in Early Modern?
Changes in society
As trade started to grow, there was an increase in the population and number of towns. Due to this, it was harder for some to find work. Busy towns made it easier to commit crimes against the person such as petty theft because they were less likely to get caught.
What was enclosure?
Changes in society
When open land and farm became privatised all over England.
What was the act that made it illegal to take food from enclosed land?
The 1671 Game Act.
Many poor people resorted to crimes against property such as poaching because they were unable to provide their families with food.
Name a change that the Church underwent.
In 1534, Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church and declared himself the Head of England.
How was heresy and treason punished?
Heresy: burnt at the stake
Treason: hung, drawn and quartered
What did Henry VIII do from 1509 - 1547?
- He executed Protestants for Heresy (since he remained a Catholic)
- He executed Catholics for treason since they wouldn’t take the Oath of Supremacy which recognised him as the Head of Church of England.
What did Edward VI do?
Executed to Catholics for Heresy.
What did Mary I (Catholic) do?
Killed almost 300 Protestants.
Under the Tudors was there an increase or a decrease in charges of treason and heresy?
Increase.
What 3 new crimes were introduced in the Early Modern period?
1) Vagabondage
2) Smuggling
3) Witchcraft
What was vagabondage/vagrancy?
Someone who is homeless and unemployed.
Why were vagrants resented?
- They lied and stole
- Viewed as lazy and responsible for their own problems
Why did the number of vagrants increase to 30,000 in the Tudor period?
1) Growing population and lack of jobs
2) Falling wages and rising food prices
3) Poor harvests
Explain what the 1547 Vagrancy Act was.
(repealed after)
If an able-bodied vagabond was without work for more than three days, they were branded with the letter V and sold as a slave for 2 years.
What was the 1597 Act for the Relief of the Poor?
Included harsh punishements such as whipping and burning the ear using a hot iron.
What were the 1601 Poor Laws?
The elderly and disabled were the ‘deserving poor’ and received funding from the local parish. The ‘undeserving’ would be sent to a correction house/whipped.