Early Modern Period (1500-1700)
The Early Modern period in England saw both continuity and change in the history of crime and punishment. This era, crucial for understanding crime and punishment History GCSE Edexcel, witnessed the emergence of new crimes and enforcement methods.
Continuity in crimes included:
• Murder (crime against person)
• Petty theft (crime against property)
• Treason (crime against authority)
New crimes emerged, reflecting the changing social and political landscape:
- Heresy - introduced under Henry VIII as religious views shifted
- Vagabondage - crimes committed by the homeless and unemployed
Example: The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 exemplified treason in this period, leading to harsher laws against Catholics.
Law enforcement evolved with the introduction of watchmen to patrol streets and town constables to handle serious crimes. The witch hunts of 1645-47, led by Matthew Hopkins, the "Witchfinder General," marked a dark chapter in English history.
Quote: "1645-47 - 250 accused of witchcraft in East Anglia"
Punishments continued to include fines, stocks, and corporal punishment, but new methods were introduced:
• Carting - parading vagrants through streets for humiliation
• Transportation - sending criminals overseas to prison camps
• Houses of correction - prison-like facilities for repeat offenders
Highlight: The Bloody Code of 1688 significantly increased the number of crimes punishable by death.
This period set the stage for further developments in crime and punishment, reflecting the changing social, religious, and political landscape of England.