Early Modern England c1500-c1700

Crime In Early Modern England

In England between 1500-1700, there were many changes which were religious due to the constant change in monarch who had a different Christian belief, Catholicism or Protestism. These changes led a higher result in crime rates in the period. 

Changes in Society -> Led to increase in Crimes Against... 

- Increase in population led to higher unemployment, people moved to urban areas in hope for work, towns and cities grew. This led an increase of crimes against a person, because of street criminals and more petty thieves 

- The end of feudalism, new farming methods led to enclosure of land (fencing the land so only the landowner had access). This led to an increase of crimes against property; poaching, as restrictions were set for those who could not hunt on their land 

- Constant change of people's religious believes and the monarchs religions. This led to an increase of crime against authority as more people committed heresy and high treason 

HIGH TREASON - the crime of plotting or acting to overthrow or harm the ruler or country

HERESY - the crime of having religious beliefs which were different to the countries official religion

Increase in Crimes Against Authority:

In Early Modern England their was a constant change of the countries official religion due to the monarchs following a different denomination of Christianity. This led to many rebelions and plots against the monarch, increasing the rates of heresy and treason. Treason charges were more common due to the disputes on who should rule, for example Mary, Queen of Scots, and Elizabeth I. People had to constantly change their religious beliefs because of this constant change, and some refused leading to an increase of heresy.

Heresy and treason became a crime against authority because it would be a threat towards the monarch or government, this was often punishable by death. 

New Crimes in Early Modern England

Vagabondage/vagrancy;

an unemployed homeless person, an increase in the 15th and 16ty century due to high population, increased food prices, fallen wages and no systems for support. 

- Vagabound and Beggars Act - put them in stocks                      
- Vagrancy Act - able-bodied without work for three days branded with the letter 'V' and sold as a slave for two years. Reappeared as impossible to enforce.          
- Act for the Relief of the Poor - categorised 'idle poor' lazy poor 'deserving poor' elderly             - Poor Laws - deserving poor given poor relief, idle poor whipped, branded or sent to corrections house

Smuggling:

In the 17th century, smuggling increased dramatically, sneaking in goods in order to avoid paying tax. It was seemed as a social crime, as not many saw it as threatening, making it difficult to enforce

Witchcraft:

In the medieval times it was seen as unserious, however in the early modern period laws has passed to make it a…