crime and punishment Flashcards
(167 cards)
1
Q
Types of trial by ordeal
A
cold water, hot water, hot iron and blessed bread (clergy)
2
Q
Anglo-Saxon Punishments
A
Fines mainly, Wergild compensation (also used for body parts), Capital punishment and mutilation for repeating offenders.
3
Q
How many Norman’s were there to govern England (2 million Anglo-Saxons)
A
7000
4
Q
Which new laws did the Norman’s create when they came to England?
A
Murdrum Fine and Forest Laws
5
Q
What was the Murdrum Fine?
A
If a Norman was murdered an expensive fine was charged to the county.
6
Q
What were Forest Laws?
A
Introduced to protect Norman hunting lands which stopped people from poaching.
7
Q
Who established church courts?
A
The Normans
8
Q
Which new trial did the Normans introduce?
A
Trial by Combat
9
Q
Did the Normans keep most of the same legal systems?
A
Yes
10
Q
Norman Punishments
A
Ended Wergild, payments would no longer be given to the victim’s family but to the King’s Royal official. Capital punishment still used for treason and re offenders.
11
Q
When was trial by ordeal abolished?
A
1215
12
Q
In the middle ages what type of law enforcement was there?
A
Tithings and the hue and cry.
13
Q
What did royal judges do?
A
They visited each county twice.
14
Q
What were coroners used for?
A
Unusual deaths.
15
Q
When were constables appointed?
A
Middle Ages
16
Q
Why did the use of execution increase?
A
To act as a deterrent
17
Q
What were stocks and pillories used for?
A
Certain crimes like the selling of weak beer or underweight bread.
18
Q
Were whippings common?
A
Yes.
19
Q
What was sanctuary?
A
A place where if someone was on the run and they managed to reach sanctuary then they had 40 days to either turn themselves in or leave the country whilst carrying the cross barefoot to the nearest dock.
20
Q
What were Church courts specifically?
A
They claimed the right to try any churchman in their own courts.
21
Q
What sentence did church courts never order?
A
The death sentence
22
Q
What type of moral crimes were dealt with by the church?
A
Drunkenness, swearing and playing football on a Sunday.
23
Q
What was the benefit of the clergy?
A
The claim to be tried in a church court. Intended only for priests but used by anyone loosely connected with the church.
24
Q
What was the test to prove the benefit of the clergy?
A
They had to read out a verse as usually only priests had been educated but some criminals memorized the verse and thus called it the neck verse.
25
Why was trial by ordeal abolished?
They usually required luck and allowed criminals to avoid justice and sometimes sentenced innocent people to death. Trial by combat was purely strength and combat prowess.
26
What did Henry VIII do?
He ruled between 1509-1547. In 1534 he split with the pope and declared himself leader of the CofE. Those who refused to split were executed. Protestant ideas justified him. Although he was a protestant he very firmly still considered himself to be a catholic.
27
What did Edward VI do?
Further widened the split and made laws forcing people to worship Protestantism.
28
What did Mary do?
She was determined to make England a catholic country once again and burned 300 protestants at the stake for heresy. She is widely regarded as bloody Mary.
29
What did ELizabeth do?
Was a protestant but made compromises for Catholics. Catholics were fined but these laws were not enforced however after multiple assassination attempts she executed 250 Catholics.
30
When did the gunpowder plot happen?
1605
31
What was the gunpowder plot?
Robert Catesby hatched a plan to blow up parliament and the king and put a catholic on the throne.
32
How many barrels of gunpowder were placed underneath parliament?
36
33
Who foiled the gun powder plot?
An anonymous letter warned Lord Monteagle (a catholic) about the plot. He warned Robert Cecil who searched parliament and caught fawkes. Fawkes was tortured to reveal the other plotters and he was eventually hung, drawn and quartered.
34
When was the vagrancy act passed?
1547
35
What happened to any able bodied vagrant after 3 days?
They were branded with the letter "V" and sold into slavery for 2 years. It was so severe it was withdrawn 3 years later.
36
When was the Relief of the Poor act passed?
1597
37
What were some punishments for vagrants?
Whippings and the burning of the ear.
38
Who were the deserving poor?
In 1601 a law was passed to provide relief to any body unfit for work.
39
What did the bible teach about vagabonds?
the Devil makes work for idle hands
40
What did the better off members of society pay?
Poor rates to help poor people in their local area.
41
What also caused the growing fears of vagabondage?
Printing. When it was invented in the fifteenth century pamphlets became popular and a favourite topic was vagabondage which greatly influenced people's attitudes. They were portrayed as professional criminals
42
What was the real cause of vagabondage?
The growing population and the lack of jobs available. Demobalized soldiers couldn't find work and bad harvests led to falling wages
43
How did village tension cause a rise in the accusation of witchcraft?
In times of poverty the poor asked their neighbors more often for help. they also believed magic could harm and kill therefore lonely, vulnerable women were blamed if illness struck out.
44
How did changing the law cause a rise in the accusation of witchcraft?
Witchcraft before Henry VIII were dealt in church courts but Elizabeth and James tightened the laws so that they were against the King made it punishable by death.
45
How did religious upheavals cause a rise in the accusation of witchcraft?
Protestants preached the devil was tempting good Christians away from god. Superstitious talk made people more likely to believe in magic.
46
How did the civil war cause a rise in the accusation of witchcraft?
The civil war lead to a breakdown in the rule of law. The fighting meant that royal judges weren't able to travel and leaving locals to handle cases.
47
How did pamphlets cause a rise in the accusation of witchcraft?
They were cheap and favourite topic was witchcraft. they often dealt with dramatic cases which were widely read.
48
Who was Matthew Hopkins?
He was a witchhunter who searched east anglia. He got confessions from 36 women (usually old).
49
How did Matthew Hopkins get confessions?
By torturing his victims. He didn't allow them to sleep. Also any boil, spot , scar was regarded as the a devil mark where a familiar would suck their blood.
50
What was the trial for a witch?
Usually trial by ordeal would take place. They were submerged in water. If they floated they were guilty and were hung, if they sank they were innocent but died by drowning.
51
Did Matthew Hopkins charge for his time?
Yes
52
What was some policing continuity?
Hue and Cry was still used and led by the constable. Citizens were supposed to deal with crimes themselves and delivering the criminal to the constable.
53
What was a constable?
An unpaid, part-time role.
54
What were coroners?
Royal officials who inspected unusual deaths.
55
What was new in policing during 1500-1700?
Watchmen were now employed in larger towns. Rewards now used.
56
What did watchmen do?
They patrolled day and night and were expected to arrest drunks and vagabonds. They could peer into windows.
57
How well payed were watchmen?
They were poorly paid and of little use.
58
What stayed the same in trials during 1500-1700?
Still varied courts which all relied on the jury. Royal judges visited each county twice to deal with the most serious offences.
59
What changed in trials during 1500-1700?
Justices of the Peace became an important role. Also the Habeas Act in 1679 was introduced.
60
What was a Justice of the peace?
They could fine, send you to the stocks or pillows and could sentence a whipping. They were assisted by the constable. They also attended quarter sessions.
61
What was a quarter session?
A meeting of all the Justices of the peace which were usually held four times a year.
62
What was the Habeas Act of 1679
It meant that everyone must have a trial.
63
Reasons why the bloody code was introduced?
Fears of crime, growth of towns, traditional views of punishment and the attitudes of land owners.
64
How did the fear of crime help introduce the bloody code?
Cheap pamphlets, public execution was cheap entertainment for a few.
65
How did the growth of towns help introduce the bloody code?
The constable and the hue and cry became increasingly less effective.
66
How did the traditional views of punishment help introduce the bloody code?
Believed to be the only of deterring criminals.
67
How did the attitudes of land ownders help introduce the bloody code?
The goverment, who passed laws. were made of wealthy landowners and they thought only harsh punishments were suitable.
68
What was highway robbery?
When a wealthy coach was stopped and robbed of all their jewelry and cash.
69
Reasons why highway robbery increased?
More people travelling in coaches, handguns became easier to get were faster to reload and fire. Horses also became cheaper. There was no police force. Usually demobilized soldiers struggled to find work.
70
Reasons for decline of highway robbery?
Road surfaces improved so stage coaches were more frequent and quicker. Mounted patrols were set up around London. Rewards for any identity. Local governments closed down areas where the robbers sold their stolen possessions.
71
What was smuggling?
The illegal import of goods without paying duties (import tax).
72
Why did the government see smuggling as bad?
It was the main source of revenue for the government.
73
What was poaching?
The killing of animals in protected land in order to feed yourself.
74
Government view of smuggling?
Drain of tax revenue and 50-100 men gangs would fight customs officers.
75
Government view of poaching?
regarded as a threat of wealthy landowners.
76
Public view of smuggling?
Made luxury items affordable and locals were often afraid of the gangs.
77
Public view of poaching?
People believed law favoured the rich and gamekeepers were hated so the jury usually lied in court.
78
Context to the toldpuddle martyrs?
After the french revolution in 178 the government was terrified about the same thing happening in England. the government was particularly worried about the grand national consolidated trade union. it was illegal to belong to one but the government didn't like it.
79
Who were the toldpuddle martyrs?
They were six farm labourers, led by George Loveless. they struggled to support their families and in 1833 after another cut to their wages they set up the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers.
80
How did the authorities respond to the toldpuddle martyrs?
They were arrested and prosecuted with a law intended for navy men to not take secret oaths. The government then sentenced the men to transportation to Australia for seven years. The trade union movement was badly damaged.
81
What was the public reaction?
Massive public outcry and a petition was signed by over 250,000 people demanding their return. In March 1986 they were pardoned but it wasn't for another 2 years that they were able to return home.
82
Who were the Fielding Brothers?
Henry and John Fielding.
83
What did the fielding brothers do?
They took over the bow street court magistrate court in 1748 and introduced a horse patrol to stop highway robbery and created the bow street runners who were a team of thief takers.
84
Why did Robert Peel suggest a police force?
Increased taxation, increasing crime, fear of protest and growth of towns.
85
Why did the government increase tax?
They were more involved in people's lives and local governments needed taxes to pay for police forces.
86
Why was their increasing crime during Robert Peel?
The crime rate had risen sharply due to unemployment and the public was fearful of violent crime.
87
Why was their fear of protest during Robert Peel?
High food prices and unemployment led to many protests after 1815 and the government feared revolution.
88
How did the growth of towns call for a police force during Robert Peel?
Constables and the hue and cry became much less effective. also though neighbours didn't know each other as people were becoming more secluded in a bigger town.
89
How did Robert Peel assured government?
He showed them statistics of the rising crime and assured them it was no threat to freedom.
90
When was the bloody code abolished?
Mid 1820's
91
Why was the bloody code abolished?
Juries not convicting, public executions not working and ideas about punishments were changing.
92
Why weren't juries convicting during the bloody code?
Because the punishment seemed far too harsh for some offences, which meant criminals escaped.
93
Why weren't public executions working during the bloody code?
Large crowds made it a place for criminals to escape justice and riots could take place if the offence was a minor crime.
94
Why were ideas about punishment changing?
Reform was beginning to be an alternative to CP.
95
What was transportation?
The sending of criminals over to Australia where they could do hard labour and help settlers. By the 1830's it was firmly part of the Empire.
96
Why was transportation used?
Juries were more likely to convict.
97
Was transportation successful?
the crime rate increased as it was seen as an opportunity ty to start a new life and wages were higher in Australia however settlers protested against the idea of "dumping" convicts in Australia.
98
When did the use of prisons become more widepsread?
1840's
99
Who influenced Robert Peel to change prisons?
Elizabeth Fry and John Howard
100
What did Robert Peel introduce?
1823 Gaols Act.
101
Old Prisons
Privately run, mixed hardened criminals with new ones and mixed men and women and children. workers unpaid so prisoners paid the warden for food.
102
Prisons after the 1823 Gaols Act
Prisoners separated, female wardens for female inmates.
103
What were the separate systems?
From 1830's on wards prisoners had to work in their cells. It was believed this would help them get a honest job when they were released.
104
What were the silent systems?
From 1860's on wards prisoners wore a bag over their head and had to be stay silent or faced punishment such as a diet of bread and water.
105
Food and work in prisons was?
Hard fare and hard work prisoners also slept on wooden boards.
106
When was pentonville prison built?
1842
107
How was pentonville designed?
With the latest technologies to stop inmates communicating. The walls were thick.
108
What did each prisoner have to stop them from needing to leave their cell?
Piped water, toilet, heating and ventilation.
109
Was pentonville a success?
No, in the first 8 years 22 went mad, 20 had nervous breakdowns and 3 committed suicide.
110
Car crimes?
Car theft is on of the largest sources of crimes today?
111
When was the driving test, road tax and insurance all introduced?
1930s
112
Cybercrime?
Fraudsters can trick people into giving them money. Also the internet has made it very easy to illegally download films and music. Hacking is now illegal.
113
Theft, burglary and shoplifting?
Petty theft is the most common type and drug addicts steal to finance their addiction.
114
Terrorism?
IRA, ISIS.
115
Violent crime and sexual offences?
There was increase as more people started reporting the. New laws better protected people from domestic violence or abuse within a marriage.
116
Murder
Increased in the 1900s but not as quickly as other crimes. Usually murder is done within the heat of the moment.
117
Hate Crimes
Became a crime in 2007. Either to disabled people, religious, sexual orientation.
118
Smuggling
Much harder to prevent and now drugs are smuggled.
119
Conscientious objectors in the First World War?
Faced tribunal court (spcial court). were often unsympathetic veterans. Some took non fighting roles which were incredibly dangerous. Those who refused were sent to prison. 79 died due to hard labour.
120
Conscientious objectors in the Second World War?
More balanced. Seemed hypocritical to give harsh sentences as they were fighting the nazis.
121
Public view of Conscientious objectors?
Seen as cowards, were sacked from their jobs and newspapers were critical.
122
When did the police force become more specialised?
1947
123
How many weeks did a new police officer have to undergo?
14 weeks at NPC. Training then continues with a more experienced officer.
124
What type of specialised forces are there?
Drug squad, Fraud squad, dog-handlers, counter terrorist and cyber crime squads.
125
What were some new technologies?
Fingerprints and DNA samples, The Police National Computer, Automatic number plate recognition and CCTV also 2 way radio.
126
New crime prevention schemes are?
1982 the neighborhood watch is introduced. there are also more police community support officers? There has also been attempted recrution of ethnic minorities and women but the police force still remains largely male and white.
127
Why was the death penalty abolished?
Decline in hangings, impacts of WW2, Justice (Timothy Evans).
128
When was capital punishment abolished?
1965
129
How did the decline in hangings cause the death penalty to be abolished?
There had been a decline ever since 1808 when public executions had stopped.
130
How did the WW2 cause the death penalty to be abolished?
The horrors of the holocaust made people believe that killing people was seen as un-Christian and barbaric.
131
How did the justice (Timothy Evans) cause the death penalty to be abolished?
Two well known cases caused massive public outcry and were the last people to be executed.
132
Derek Bentley
Had severe learning difficulties and could be easily swayed.
133
What happened to Derek Bentley?
Bentley along with Chris Craig were caught burgling a horse. Chris had a gun and Bentley said "let him have it" so Craig shot the police officer. Derek Bentley was convicted and sentenced to death.
134
Chris Craig
Chris was to young to hang.
135
Consequences to Derek Bentley's death?
Massive controversy, public outcry and undermined the use of CP more.
136
What were some changes to prisons?
Solitary confinement ended, new open prisons were developed, new treatment towards young offenders and non-custodial sentences.
137
New treatment of prisoners?
Better diet, heating, visitors allowed, teachers employed. However, due to budget cuts it causes prisoners to spend more time in their cells.
138
What were open prisons?
First built in 1933, rules are relaxed and inmates get jobs to help prepare them for life.
139
How did the treatment of young change?
Custody is the last resort, parents can now be fined. The use of curfews. Counselors and teachers and social workers all help children to not pursuing a life of crime.
140
When were suspended sentences introduced?
1967
141
When were community service orders introduced?
1972
142
When were electronic tags introduced?
1990
143
What was the housing like in Whitechapel?
There were rookeries and lodging houses?
144
What were rookeries?
Slums. Houses in them were divided into apartments.
145
What were lodging houses?
Where the poorest people slept.
146
Where there attempts to improve housing?
Yes, the Peabody estate but it was too expensive for most people.
147
What was work like in whitechapel?
Most people worked in sweatshops (a workshop where people were paid very low wages). Others worked on docks, railway lines as construction labourers. Wages varied day-to-day.
148
What happened to people who were too poor to live in a lodging house?
Would go to a workhouse.
149
What were the workhouses like in Whitechapel?
rules were strict and families were split and they had to do hard labour.
150
How did Irish immigration affect Whitechapel?
Would usually work on the docks as "navvies". They were often heavy drinkers which lead to violence. Irish people were targets due to the Catholic religion. The rise in "Fenian" also gave the stereotypical view of the violet irish.
151
How did Eastern European Jewish immigration affect Whitechapel?
In 1881 Russian Jews fled to england due to the persecution of jews after the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. 30,000 jews came between 1881-1891. As the spoke yiddish it was hard for them to integrate and became a target.
152
How did the growth of anarchism and socialism affect Whitechapel?
Immigrants were bringing dangerous political views such as anarchism, developed by Russian revolutionaries. Some Jews brought socialist ideas and set up socialist newspapers.
153
What was H Division?
The division of the metropolitan police force which policed over Whitechapel. At its peak it had 575 officers. A ration of 300:1 not enough for
154
Why was policing in Whitechapel so difficult?
Rookeries and lodging houses, alcohol, prostitution, gangs and immigration.
155
How did the rookeries and the lodging houses make it so difficult to police Whitechapel?
cramped conditions caused tension but also attracted rougher types as well as travelers.
156
How did prostitution make it so difficult to police Whitechapel?
There were over 1200 prostitutes by 1888
157
How did alcohol make it so difficult to police Whitechapel?
As there was so much alcohol it reduced peoples inhibition. alcohol also helped people deal with their miserable life.
158
How did gangs make it so difficult to police Whitechapel?
The Bessarbarian tigers and Odessians would demand money form smaller businesses those who refused faced consequences.
159
How did immigration make it so difficult to police Whitechapel?
Anti-Semitic attack on Jews caused Jews to be less likely to go to the police.
160
What type of people did the police force want?
Preferably from outside london as they were bigger and stronger.
161
What was the role of the beat constable?
Each constable expected to reach a certain place at a certain time. One beat lasted half and hour and beats were changed to stop corruption.
162
What was the uniform and equipment of a beat constable?
Wore a special helmet to deflect downward blows and a truncheon was carried.
163
When was the first detective force set up?
1842
164
When was the criminal investigation department set up?
1877
165
What was the role of the criminal investigation department?
Collect information, usually by taking a photograph.
166
Who was the police commissioner in 1886?
Sir Charles Warren
167
What did Sir Charles Warren do?
Relaxed rules and brought in ex-military officers ut was then criticized for using too much force in a demonstration. after massive public outcry and after the failure of the ripper murders he felt forced to resign because of breakdown in the relationship between him and the home secretary.
