crime and punishment 5/6

Question 1

The threat of rebellion was the main factor influencing changes to methods of punishment after the Norman invasion of England from 1066.’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer

Answer 1

agree
- led to murdrum fine 1070
- established control over conquered population
- if anglo saxon murdered norman & culprit was not caught, community had to pay
- deterred murder; < money for king

agree
- led to < capital punishment
- william punished traitors more harshly
- < death penalties , capital punishments in public to deter

disagree
- unrelated punishments
- forest laws: cuting trees forbidden; can’t hunt deer
- punished by having 1 / 2 fingers cut off; repeat offenders blinded

Question 2

The Church had the greatest influence on methods of law enforcement in the period c1000 to c1700’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer

Answer 2

agree
- heavily involved in trials by ordeal
- definition + example (blessed bread)
- provided sanctuary - providing legal protection establishes importance in law

disagree
- population growth led to town constables
- growth led to less jobs available (more petty theft) and less familiarity (community methods became ineffective)

disagree
- changes in religion (henry breaking from church led to unrest)
- country constantly switched (P to C) and each side accused other of being in league with devil
- increased accusations of witchcraft (henry made criminal offence, elizabeth made punishable by death)

Question 3

Population growth and movement was the most important cause of changes to law enforcement in the period c1500 to c1900’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer

Answer 3

agree
- population growth led to town constables
- growth led to less jobs available (more petty theft) and less familiarity (community methods became ineffective)

disagree
Reward money:
- constables & watchmen not effective at hunting
- people resorted to thief takers
- open to corruption - Jonathon Wild secretly led gang who claimed reward after handing in stolen goods
- set up foundation for future paid police

disagree
- unrest: henry viii broke from church
- < turmoil as country kept switching
- each side accused other of supporting devil
- < witch craft (henry made made punishable by death; elizabeth changed so it had to be tried in court, 1604 james enforced death penalty to those ‘summoning evil spirits’)
- trial by water: determine innocence

Question 4

Public opinion has been the main cause for changes in the nature of punishment in the period c1700 to present day’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer

Answer 4

agree
- derek bentley falsely accused 1953 of shooting officer
- mental age: 5; misunderstood ‘let him have it’
- public concern: unjust trial led to execution; changed opinion on cap. punishment and led to eventual ban

agree
- before: brutal public executions (punishment & deterrence) e.g hanging; later: more humane methods (evolving moral attitudes) e.g lethal injection, electrocution
- prisons: rehabilitation instead of punishment (structured routines, education, & religious instruction to encourage reform); separate system for repentance

disagree
- bloody code introduced (1723) & abolished (1820s)
- death penalty for 200+ offences (e.g poaching)
- abolished by Robert Peel as: juries would not convict, public executions weren’t working, changing ideas