Early Modern Period- crime and Punishment Flashcards
What is the bloody code
Introduced gradually from 1688 and 1820. Because of a huge increase in capital crimes, execution became the punishment for: murder, treason, shooting a rabbit, forging bank notes, going around in disguise and stealing fish from the river.
When was the gunpowder plot
1605
What is vagrancy
The crime of homelessness and no work, punished with varying degrees of harshness , especially by puritans.
When was witch craft made an offence
1542
What are highway men
Criminals who ambushed and stole from travellers o the growing network of roads.
What is smuggling
The crime of importing goods without paying taxes on the product, e.g. tea, rum, tobacco, luxury goods.
What and when was the “black act”
1723
Made poaching deer, hare or rabbits a capital crime. anyone disguised with a blackened face could be executed.
What is heresy
The crime where you are disobeying the official religion, which was Catholicism under some monarchs, and Protestantism under others.
When was the printing press invented
1496
What happened in 1587
Thomas Harman wrote a book, warning people about vagrants.
What happened in the 1580’s and 1590’s
People suffered widely from famine and plague.
Big rise in the cases of witchcraft.
How did crime change (3)
Crime rose dramatically in the mid 16th century due to a rising population, prices and falling wages.
16 and 17th century, authorities became much more worried about moral crimes, vagrancy and witchcraft.
18th century, authorities became more concerned over organised crimes such as smuggling and highway robbery.
How did the law enforcement change (3)
The role of the sheriff became less important as the role of JP’s grew.
1660, local manner courts and church courts declined.
More common for wealthy villagers to ,are accusations against poorer neighbours.
How did the law enforcement stay the same (1)
Still no professional police force
How did the punishment of offenders change (2)
1550’s, Bridewells houses were introduce where they punished and reformed vagrants.
Number of crimes, punishable by death rose dramatically, and became known as the bloody code.
