Early Modern England Flashcards
What time period is Early Modern England?
1500-1700
Why was there an increase in crimes against the person?
Increase in population and decline of feudalism led to higher unemployment, which meant more people moved to urban areas in search of work, so towns and cities grew. So, there were more street criminals and petty thieves. Some people would steal food and household items that they were unable to buy. This was especially the case during bad harvests, when food became more expensive. Busy towns made it easier for people to commit petty theft because they were less likely to be seen and caught.
Why was there an increase in crimes against property?
Early modern England saw an increase in the use of
enclosure.
Open land and fields were broken down into privately owned fenced fields for sheep and farming. The aim of enclosure was to ensure that the land was fully used, including common land. By 1700, most of England had been enclosed. In some areas, local people tried to resist the enclosures by pulling down new fences and hedges.
Enclosure affected the poorer people in early modern England as they could not afford to buy the land. Additionally, once it had been enclosed, they were unable to use it to farm and provide their families with food. As people struggled to ensure their families survived, this led to an increase in poaching of rabbits and hares, and more fishing in streams within private enclosures.
Why was there an increase in crimes against authority?
In 1534, Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church and set up the Protestant Church of England with himself as the head. The changes that Henry VIII made were not popular among the English people because most were Catholics. This led to unrest and confusion. Following the reign of Henry VIII, there was a period when England switched from being a Protestant country to a Catholic country and back again, depending on who was the monarch.
Treason charges were more common as there were more disputes about who should rule. Heresy charges were more common due to the back and forth religions. Members of both churches accused the other of acting immorally and illegally
Explain the new crime of vagabondage.
The population increased, wages fell, food prices rose and people moved around the country searching for work. As a result, people became concerned about vagabonds, or vagrants, who committed crimes such as theft, assault and murder. People in early modern England wanted to help poor people who lived in their community and were known to them. However, they viewed vagrants as suspicious, sinful and potential criminals because they were unfamiliar to the community.
Explain the laws surrounding vagabondage.
1494 - vagabonds and beggars act - vagabonds were put in stocks for three days and nights, then sent back to where they were born or most well-known.
1547 - vagrancy act - the able-bodied without work for more than 3 days were branded with the letter ‘v’ and sold as a slave for 2 years . Repealed for being too harsh.
1597 - Act for the relief of the Poor - split vagrants into 2 categories. Deserving (elderly, disabled) and ‘undeserving’ (fit to work)
1601- Poor Laws - the deserving poor were given poor relief by the local parish; the undeserving could be branded, whipped or sent to a correction house.
Explain the new crime of Witchcraft.
Religious changes during the reigns of the Tudors led to a period of uncertainty and unrest. There was an increase in accusations of witchcraft as:
Changes in religion alongside economic problems, including poor harvests and rising unemployment, led to distrust and tension among communities.
Poor harvests and deaths of livestock were often blamed on
witchcraft rather than poor conditions or bad luck.
Explain the laws surrounding the new crime of witchcraft.
In 1542, during the reign of Henry VIII, a Witchcraft Act was passed. It made witchcraft a criminal offence and punishable by death. It was repealed five years later but then restored in 1563. It said that trials would be held in a common court, not the lenient Church court.In 1604, a further Witchcraft and Conjuration Act was passed during the reign of James I. This added the death penalty for anyone convicted of summoning evil spirits.
Explain the crime of smuggling.
The English began to expand their knowledge of the world during the 16th and 17th centuries. As explorers discovered more of the
New World,
there was an increase in new luxury goods being imported into England, such as alcohol, tea and herbs. The government introduced
import duties on these goods.
However, there were some people who wanted to make their own money from these goods and smuggled them into the country without paying the tax. Smuggling was seen as a social crime because some people were happy to buy cheaper goods from smugglers and they did not see smuggling as a crime.
What continued in terms of law enforcement in early modern England?
People were still expected to raise hue and cry to catch criminals when a crime took place. There was still no national police force and the methods and effectiveness of preventing crime and catching criminals varied widely across the country.
What changed in law enforcement in the early modern England period?
Town constables and Watchmen.
Explain the roles of the watchmen.
Larger towns employed watchmen to patrol the streets between 22:00 and dawn. Watchmen carried a lamp and rang a bell to warn people to go home or risk being identified as criminals. They were also expected to arrest vagabonds and drunks. All watchmen were volunteers and unpaid.
Explain the role of the town constables.
The town constable was appointed and employed by the town authorities. The constable was expected to turn serious criminals over to the courts, break up fights, round up vagrants, and collect community payments for road maintenance and cleaning.
Changes in the role of the church: sanctuary
Henry VIII stopped exile abroad to those claiming sanctuary. Instead they had to keep to designated sanctuaries In england. James I abolished sanctuary altogether in the early 1600’s.
How did punishment continue in early modern England?
It stayed the same. Retribution and detrrence were still the main purpose of punishments at the time.