Early Modern England Punishment

Question 1

what was the main purpose of punishments in Early Modern England?

Answer 1

-retribution = revenge
-deterrence = deter

Question 2

continuity in punishment in Early Modern England

Answer 2

-fines = minor crimes

-public humiliation = pillory, stocks, flogging or maiming (corporal punishment) still used

-capital punishment =
hanging still commonly used for theft, murder, poaching, witchcraft & smuggling.
burning used for heresy

Question 3

changes in punishment in Early Modern England

Answer 3

-public and humiliation = increase cucking & ducking stool

-bridewells = vagrants sent to work

-bloody code = death penalty increased for crimes. by 1688, 50 capital offences.

-transportation to north america = transporting criminals and sentencing them to 7 or 14 years to manual work in north america.
-> most couldn’t afford to return
-> between 50-80k men, women & children transported

Question 4

how many men, women & children were transported to north america during Early Modern England?

Answer 4

50,000-80,000

Question 5

why did transportation become a punishment?

Answer 5

-reflected new ideas of aims of punishments = gave chance of rehabilitation whilst still acting as a deterrent

-alternative to execution for petty crime, especially after Bloody Code (prisons not established yet)

-provided inhabitants & workers in America, whilst removing criminals from England

Question 6

what period was the Bloody Code?

Answer 6

1688-1825