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6 Dec 2025
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History Flashcards for Early Modern England (1500-1700)
Lillie-Mae Downing
@lilliemaedowning_qcfp
1 / 5
Crime in Early Modern England
Think about how much trouble you'd be in for disagreeing with your teacher - now imagine that disagreement could get you killed! That's exactly what happened in Early Modern England when new crimes emerged alongside traditional ones.
Murder, assault, and petty theft remained the most common crimes, just as they had been for centuries. Treason - betraying the crown - was still the ultimate crime. But Henry VIII introduced some brutal new offences that changed everything.
Heresy became a capital crime, meaning you could be executed simply for disagreeing with the monarch's religious views. With vagabondage, being homeless and unemployed wasn't just unfortunate - it was criminal. Meanwhile, smuggling goods without paying tax was considered a "social crime" because many ordinary people saw it as acceptable.
Quick Tip: Remember that religious and economic changes created new crimes that hadn't existed in medieval times.
Law Enforcement Changes
Catching criminals in Early Modern England still relied heavily on medieval methods, but new roles emerged to tackle growing urban problems. The old systems like hue and cry and parish constables continued, showing how some traditions persisted.
Watchmen became the new face of crime prevention, patrolling streets as unpaid volunteers. Their main job was arresting vagabonds and drunks - not exactly the most glamorous work! Town constables handled more serious business, turning major criminals over to courts and breaking up fights.
One significant change was that serious criminals could no longer claim benefit of clergy - a medieval loophole that had allowed people who could read to escape harsh punishments. This shift meant the law was becoming more uniform and harder to escape.
Remember: Law enforcement was still largely community-based, but new urban challenges required new solutions.
Harsh Punishments and the Bloody Code
Punishments in Early Modern England were designed to be public spectacles that would terrify potential criminals into behaving. Traditional punishments like fines, stocks, and corporal punishment remained, but new methods emerged that were often more creative and cruel.
Carting involved dragging criminals through streets to publicly humiliate them - imagine being paraded around your town centre for everyone to mock! Transportation offered an alternative to execution, sending criminals to prison camps in America and Australia.
The Bloody Code (1688) marked the peak of harsh justice, making hundreds of crimes punishable by death. This wasn't just about murder - you could be executed for stealing sheep or cutting down trees! The idea was that extreme deterrence would prevent crime, though it often just made people more desperate.
Key Point: The Bloody Code shows how authorities believed fear of death would stop all crime - spoiler alert: it didn't work.
The Gunpowder Plot (1605)
The Gunpowder Plot reads like a thriller movie, but it was very real and shows how religious tensions could explode into terrorism. King James I was Protestant and had introduced harsh laws against Catholics, creating serious resentment.
A group of Catholic conspirators decided the only solution was to blow up Parliament, kill James, and replace him with a Catholic monarch. It was an incredibly ambitious and dangerous plan that required tons of gunpowder and perfect timing.
Robert Cecil received a warning letter about the plot, leading to Guy Fawkes being discovered in the vaults beneath Parliament with barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes was arrested, tortured until he revealed his co-conspirators' names, then executed in the brutal manner reserved for traitors.
Think About It: This plot shows how religious persecution could drive people to extreme measures - and how the government responded with even more violence.
The Witch Hunt Craze (1645-47)
Witch hunts represent one of the darkest chapters in English legal history, driven by fear, religious extremism, and financial incentives. Matthew Hopkins, the self-proclaimed "Witchfinder General," turned witch-hunting into a profitable business.
Hopkins was paid based on how many witches he found, which created a terrible incentive to accuse innocent people. Between 1645-47, around 250 people were accused of witchcraft in East Anglia alone - an unprecedented number that shows how hysteria can spread.
Several factors caused this surge in accusations. The 1542 law made witchcraft punishable by death, while religious changes intensified by the Civil War created paranoia. Puritans often blamed Catholics for witchcraft, turning religious differences into literal life-or-death accusations.
Reality Check: Most "witches" were just vulnerable women who became scapegoats during times of social stress and religious conflict.
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4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
History Flashcards for Early Modern England (1500-1700)
Lillie-Mae Downing
@lilliemaedowning_qcfp
Early Modern England (1500-1700) was a period of massive change in how crime was dealt with. New types of crimes emerged, law enforcement evolved, and punishments became increasingly harsh - culminating in dramatic events like the Gunpowder Plot and witch... Show more
Crime in Early Modern England
Think about how much trouble you'd be in for disagreeing with your teacher - now imagine that disagreement could get you killed! That's exactly what happened in Early Modern England when new crimes emerged alongside traditional ones.
Murder, assault, and petty theft remained the most common crimes, just as they had been for centuries. Treason - betraying the crown - was still the ultimate crime. But Henry VIII introduced some brutal new offences that changed everything.
Heresy became a capital crime, meaning you could be executed simply for disagreeing with the monarch's religious views. With vagabondage, being homeless and unemployed wasn't just unfortunate - it was criminal. Meanwhile, smuggling goods without paying tax was considered a "social crime" because many ordinary people saw it as acceptable.
Quick Tip: Remember that religious and economic changes created new crimes that hadn't existed in medieval times.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Law Enforcement Changes
Catching criminals in Early Modern England still relied heavily on medieval methods, but new roles emerged to tackle growing urban problems. The old systems like hue and cry and parish constables continued, showing how some traditions persisted.
Watchmen became the new face of crime prevention, patrolling streets as unpaid volunteers. Their main job was arresting vagabonds and drunks - not exactly the most glamorous work! Town constables handled more serious business, turning major criminals over to courts and breaking up fights.
One significant change was that serious criminals could no longer claim benefit of clergy - a medieval loophole that had allowed people who could read to escape harsh punishments. This shift meant the law was becoming more uniform and harder to escape.
Remember: Law enforcement was still largely community-based, but new urban challenges required new solutions.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Harsh Punishments and the Bloody Code
Punishments in Early Modern England were designed to be public spectacles that would terrify potential criminals into behaving. Traditional punishments like fines, stocks, and corporal punishment remained, but new methods emerged that were often more creative and cruel.
Carting involved dragging criminals through streets to publicly humiliate them - imagine being paraded around your town centre for everyone to mock! Transportation offered an alternative to execution, sending criminals to prison camps in America and Australia.
The Bloody Code (1688) marked the peak of harsh justice, making hundreds of crimes punishable by death. This wasn't just about murder - you could be executed for stealing sheep or cutting down trees! The idea was that extreme deterrence would prevent crime, though it often just made people more desperate.
Key Point: The Bloody Code shows how authorities believed fear of death would stop all crime - spoiler alert: it didn't work.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Gunpowder Plot (1605)
The Gunpowder Plot reads like a thriller movie, but it was very real and shows how religious tensions could explode into terrorism. King James I was Protestant and had introduced harsh laws against Catholics, creating serious resentment.
A group of Catholic conspirators decided the only solution was to blow up Parliament, kill James, and replace him with a Catholic monarch. It was an incredibly ambitious and dangerous plan that required tons of gunpowder and perfect timing.
Robert Cecil received a warning letter about the plot, leading to Guy Fawkes being discovered in the vaults beneath Parliament with barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes was arrested, tortured until he revealed his co-conspirators' names, then executed in the brutal manner reserved for traitors.
Think About It: This plot shows how religious persecution could drive people to extreme measures - and how the government responded with even more violence.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Witch Hunt Craze (1645-47)
Witch hunts represent one of the darkest chapters in English legal history, driven by fear, religious extremism, and financial incentives. Matthew Hopkins, the self-proclaimed "Witchfinder General," turned witch-hunting into a profitable business.
Hopkins was paid based on how many witches he found, which created a terrible incentive to accuse innocent people. Between 1645-47, around 250 people were accused of witchcraft in East Anglia alone - an unprecedented number that shows how hysteria can spread.
Several factors caused this surge in accusations. The 1542 law made witchcraft punishable by death, while religious changes intensified by the Civil War created paranoia. Puritans often blamed Catholics for witchcraft, turning religious differences into literal life-or-death accusations.
Reality Check: Most "witches" were just vulnerable women who became scapegoats during times of social stress and religious conflict.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Henry Viii
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user