History - Crime and Punishment - 18th and 19th century - Highway robbery

18th - 19th Century

Highway Robbery

Changing definition of Crime

• Religious uncertainty of Reformation ended with the last heretic hanged in 1612
• 1700 - 1900 saw a general increase in crime which decreased vagabondage
• More educated people (including the judges) were less likely to believe in witchcraft so in 1736 the witchcraft laws were ended
• In the 18th - 19th centures the authorities became more worried about crime that disrupted trade
• They also were worried about crimes that threatened landowners or employers

Highway robbery image vs reality

• It was not a new crime, it began during the Civil War in 1642 but by the 1700s it had reached huge levels in some areas
• They were greatly feared by average people and were therefore regarded as a disruption to travel
• The hotspots were around London on the roads into the city
• Most were ruthless - one cut off a woman's tongue to stop her reporting him

Growth and decline:

Growth reasons

• More people were travelling alone in coaches so they became easy targets for the Highwaymen without getting caught or reported
• Handguns were easier to access and quicker to load and fire meaning it was easier to get ahold of the weapons that were threatening to others and easier…