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Crime and punishment in early modern England, c1500 to c1700
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Religious change and a growing population brought new crimes. Punishments stayed harsh, and transportation began.
New crimes
Heresy and treason rose as monarchs changed the official religion.
Vagabondage: wandering poor people were feared and punished, for example by whipping.
Witchcraft was made a crime by Acts of 1542, 1563 and 1604.
Vagabondage: wandering poor people were feared and punished, for example by whipping.
Witchcraft was made a crime by Acts of 1542, 1563 and 1604.
Enforcement and punishment
Communities still enforced the law, helped by parish constables and town watchmen at night.
Corporal and capital punishment continued. Transportation to the American colonies began in the 1600s.
The Bloody Code began: by 1688 there were about 50 crimes punishable by death, a number that kept rising.
Corporal and capital punishment continued. Transportation to the American colonies began in the 1600s.
The Bloody Code began: by 1688 there were about 50 crimes punishable by death, a number that kept rising.
Case studies
Gunpowder Plot, 1605: Catholic plotters led by Robert Catesby planned to blow up Parliament. Guy Fawkes was caught on 5 November 1605 with gunpowder under the House of Lords. The plotters who were caught were hanged, drawn and quartered, a deterrent for treason.
Matthew Hopkins, 1645 to 1647: the 'Witchfinder General' led witch-hunts in East Anglia during the Civil War. Around 100 people were hanged. Reasons: civil war disrupted courts, Puritan beliefs, hard times, and Hopkins was paid by towns.
Matthew Hopkins, 1645 to 1647: the 'Witchfinder General' led witch-hunts in East Anglia during the Civil War. Around 100 people were hanged. Reasons: civil war disrupted courts, Puritan beliefs, hard times, and Hopkins was paid by towns.
Explain why the witch-hunts of 1645 to 1647 were so intense.
- The Civil War weakened normal courts and authority.
- Strong Puritan beliefs made people fear the Devil.
- Hopkins was paid for his work and used harsh methods to get confessions.
Answer: War disruption, religion and Hopkins's own methods and payment.
New crimes: vagabondage and witchcraft; more heresy and treason. Watchmen and constables. Transportation and the start of the Bloody Code. Case studies: Gunpowder Plot 1605 and Matthew Hopkins 1645 to 47.
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