c1500–c1700: Crime and punishment in early modern England Flashcards
(47 cards)
Why did heresy and treason increase? c15-17.
due to religious change (Reformation)
What were examples of religious changes that led to the increase of heresy and treason? c15-17.
Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church.
He made himself Head of the Church of England (not the Pope).
Most people were still Catholic, so it was unpopular
What were the monarchs full list of religious changes that led to the increase in heresy and treason?
Henry VIII -protestant/catholic
Edward VI -protestant
Mary I -Catholic
Elizabeth -Protestant
James I -Protestant
What were the nature of crime against authority during c15-17.?
Treason/Heresy
What new definitions of crimes in the Early Modern England?
Vagabondage - Being homeless and unemployed, wandering from place to place begging or looking for work
Witchcraft
How was vagrancy dealt with?
1547 Vagrancy Act: Vagabonds could be branded, enslaved, or whipped.
1598 Act for the Relief of the Poor: Split the poor into:
-Deserving poor = helped.
-Undeserving poor (vagabonds) = punished.
What was the vagrancy act 1547?
crime to be a vagabond or homeless without a fixed job
PUNISHMENTS:
-whipped and forced to wear an “E” (for “enforced”) as a public mark of shame.
-Being branded with a hot iron.
-Slavery (for 2 years) for repeat offenders
When was the vagrancy act establishhed?
1547
What was the Act for the Relief of the Poor (1598)?
improve the welfare of the poor and help deal with rising social issues, including poverty and vagrancy
by 1598 under Queen Elizabeth I
How did the Act for the Relief of the Poor (1598) work?
- Distinguishing between the Poor:
Deserving poor = People who unable to work (like the sick, elderly, and orphans) were seen as needing help.
Undeserving poor (vagrants) = People refused to work or were simply wandering were seen as lazy and criminal.
- Setting Up Relief:
Parish authorities (local government) responsible providing aid to deserving poor.
included welfare payments, food, and basic care.
- Punishing Undeserving Poor:
Vagrants punished.
introduced workhouses where undeserving poor were forced to work.
- Setting up Overseers:
Overseers of the Poor were appointed in parishes to manage relief efforts and ensure that help was given only to those who truly needed it.
What were the 1601 poor laws?
to address poverty and provide assistance to the poor in England
How did the 1601 poor laws work?
1.Relief for the Poor:
Local parishes had to help the deserving poor (sick, elderly, orphans).
2.Workhouses:
undeserving poor were sent workhouses to work for shelter and food.
3.Poor Rate (Tax):
Local communities raised money through a poor rate (tax) to fund relief efforts.
4.Deserving vs. Undeserving Poor:
distinction: Deserving poor-aid, undeserving poor-punished or sent work
When was the act of the poor relief established?
1598
How was witchcraft dealt with? c1500-c1700
Witchcraft act 1542
Witchcraft act 1604
What was the Witchcraft act 1542?
passed under Henry VIII, made witchcraft a criminal offense in England
What was the Witchcraft act 1604?
passed by King James I to make laws on witchcraft stricter than before
Punishments under the Witchcraft Acts (1542 & 1604):
1542 Witchcraft Act: hanging/burnt
1604 Witchcraft Act: hanging
What was the 1671 Game Act?
ban poor people from hunting certain animals (like rabbits, deer, and game birds)
How did enclosure lead to trespassing during c1500-c1700?
Enclosure = fencing off land that used to be shared by everyone
Poor villagers lost access to land they used for grazing, gathering wood, or farming.
When they continued using it anyway, they were now trespassing – which became a crime.
What impact did the Game Act have 1671?
Poaching became a crime – even though many poor people relied on it for food
Increased resentment
What did smuggling look like during c1500-1700?
Discovered “New World” = bring goods to England
Make own money = sold with import tax
Smuggled - tea/tobacco/herbs/alcohol
Viewed as social crime
What was the population like during c1500-1700?
6 million (50,000 in London)
Why roles like Towns constables and watchmen expanded?
Growing towns = more crime.
Increased vagrancy and theft in urban areas.
Authorities needed more control and local policing
Who were watchmen and their features?
Unpaid local men who patrolled towns at night forced by local duty
Patrolled streets to look for criminal activity, especially thieves and drunkards
Features: rang bell/10pm-dawn
