Early Modern British Crime and Punishment

A heretic was someone who did not follow the authorised teachings of the church.

Heresy was viewed as a direct challenge to the monarch's authority - it led to very harsh punishments.

Under Mary Tudor - She brought England back to Catholicism by harshly punishing heretics. She had 280 people executed for heresy during her reign. Many of these were hanged and burnt at the stake.

Under Elizabeth I -She was protestant and…