Crime and punishment in britain 1500-1700

Question 1

What were homeless and unemployed people in the 1500s known as?

Answer 1

Vagabonds

Vagabondage refers to the state of being homeless and unemployed.

Question 2

What did the 1547 Vagrancy Act state about unemployed, able-bodied persons?

Answer 2

They should be branded with a V and forced into slavery

This act aimed to control the homeless population by enforcing harsh penalties.

Question 3

Who introduced transportation as a punishment for criminals?

Answer 3

James I

Transportation involved sending criminals to North America for manual labor.

Question 4

For how long were criminals sent to North America under transportation?

Answer 4

7 or 14 years

The length of transportation depended on the severity of the crime.

Question 5

What happened to criminals after their sentence of transportation?

Answer 5

They were freed but given no money to travel back to England

This left many in a difficult position upon completing their sentences.

Question 6

What change occurred in England’s religion under Henry VIII?

Answer 6

England became a Protestant country

The religious landscape fluctuated between Protestantism and Catholicism based on the reigning monarch.

Question 7

What could refusing to adhere to the monarch’s religious beliefs lead to?

Answer 7

Criminal offence

This reflected the intertwining of religion and law during this period.

Question 8

What often happened to surviving soldiers after wars?

Answer 8

They were left without money, homes, or jobs

This contributed to social issues and increased vagabondage.

Question 9

What was a significant factor that led to people becoming vagabonds?

Answer 9

Bad Harvests

Poor agricultural yields resulted in food shortages and increased poverty.

Question 10

What crime was punishable by death during the Tudor and Stuart periods?

Answer 10

Witchcraft

Accusations of witchcraft often arose during times of hardship.

Question 11

Who led a large-scale witch hunt in East England in 1645?

Answer 11

Matthew Hopkins

He was known for his brutal methods of extracting confessions.

Question 12

What methods did Matthew Hopkins use to force confessions from suspects?

Answer 12

Restricted food, water, and sleep

These tactics were part of his infamous witch-hunting practices.

Question 13

What was the purpose of Town Watchmen?

Answer 13

To deter criminals and assist the community

They were also known as Charlies after 1663.

Question 14

What book did James I publish in 1597?

Answer 14

Daemonologie

This book encouraged the hunt for witches and outlined how such hunts should be conducted.

Question 15

What conspiracy was attempted against James I in 1605?

Answer 15

The Gunpowder Plot

This plot aimed to blow up the King and Parliament but ultimately failed.

Question 16

Who led the Gunpowder Plot?

Answer 16

Robert Catesby

He was a key figure in the conspiracy against James I.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: Bad harvests were often blamed on _______.

Answer 17

witches and evil spirits

This reflects the societal beliefs of the time regarding misfortune.

Question 18

What was the primary purpose of the justice system in Britain during 1500-1700?

Answer 18

To maintain order and control society through punishment.

Question 19

True or False: The death penalty was a common punishment in Britain during this period.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

Fill in the blank: The __________ was a form of torture used to extract confessions during the 1500-1700 period.

Answer 20

rack

Question 21

What type of crimes were typically punishable by hanging?

Answer 21

Serious crimes such as murder, robbery, and treason.

Question 22

Which act in 1530 made it illegal to kill a deer in royal forests?

Answer 22

The Forest Laws

Question 23

Multiple Choice: Which punishment was commonly used for petty theft?

Answer 23

a) Fines b) Transportation c) Imprisonment d) All of the above

Question 24

What was ‘transportation’ in the context of crime and punishment?

Answer 24

The practice of sending convicted criminals to colonies, such as Australia.

Question 25

True or False: Women were rarely punished for crimes in early modern Britain.

Answer 25

False

Question 26

What was the role of the constable?

Answer 26

To maintain peace and enforce laws in local communities.

Question 27

Fill in the blank: The __________ was a court that dealt with serious crimes in the 16th century.

Answer 27

Court of Assize

Question 28

What was the significance of the Bloody Code?

Answer 28

It was a set of laws that increased the number of capital offenses in Britain.

Question 29

Multiple Choice: Which of the following was NOT a common method of execution?

Answer 29

a) Hanging b) Burning at the stake c) Firing squad d) Beheading

Question 30

What was the main reason for the increase in crime during the 17th century?

Answer 30

Economic hardship and social unrest.

Question 31

True or False: The concept of rehabilitation was widely accepted in the 1500-1700 period.

Answer 31

False

Question 32

What was the punishment for poaching under the Game Laws?

Answer 32

Severe penalties, including execution in some cases.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: The __________ was a trial system that allowed for jury involvement.

Answer 33

common law

Question 34

What was the primary role of the Church in matters of crime and punishment?

Answer 34

To provide moral guidance and conduct trials for ecclesiastical offenses.

Question 35

Multiple Choice: Which of the following was a common punishment for vagrancy?

Answer 35

a) Imprisonment b) Whipping c) Branding d) All of the above

Question 36

What was the significance of the 1679 Habeas Corpus Act?

Answer 36

It protected individuals from unlawful imprisonment.

Question 37

True or False: The use of public executions was intended to deter crime.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

What were 'stocks' used for?

Answer 38

To punish minor offenders by public humiliation.

Question 39

Fill in the blank: __________ were often used as a form of punishment for debtors.

Answer 39

Debtors' prisons

Question 40

What was the role of the Justices of the Peace?

Answer 40

To oversee local law enforcement and administer justice.

Question 41

Multiple Choice: Which crime was considered a capital offense?

Answer 41

a) Theft b) Murder c) Adultery d) All of the above

Question 42

True or False: The concept of trial by jury was fully established by the end of the 17th century.

Answer 42

True

Question 43

What were 'witch hunts' and how were they related to crime?

Answer 43

They were investigations and trials aimed at punishing those accused of witchcraft.

Question 44

Fill in the blank: The __________ was a key factor in the development of modern policing.

Answer 44

Establishment of the Bow Street Runners

Question 45

What was the impact of the English Civil War on crime and punishment?

Answer 45

It led to increased lawlessness and a breakdown of social order.

Question 46

Multiple Choice: Which of the following was a common punishment for treason?

Answer 46

a) Hanging b) Drawing and quartering c) Transportation d) Imprisonment

Question 47

True or False: The majority of crimes were reported and prosecuted in rural areas.

Answer 47

False

Question 48

What was the primary source of law during this period?

Answer 48

Common law and statutes enacted by Parliament.

Question 49

Fill in the blank: __________ was a method used to punish those found guilty of forgery.

Answer 49

Hanging

Question 50

What was the significance of the Transportation Act of 1718?

Answer 50

It formalized the practice of transporting convicts to America and later Australia.

Question 51

Multiple Choice: Which punishment was often seen as a more humane alternative to execution?

Answer 51

a) Transportation b) Imprisonment c) Whipping d) Branding

Question 52

True or False: The role of women in crime increased in the 17th century.

Answer 52

True

Question 53

What was the main focus of the penal system in the 1500-1700 period?

Answer 53

Retribution rather than rehabilitation.