Early Modern England, 1500 - 1700

• Henry VIII

  Henry VIII became King of Catholic England in 1509.
• Henry VIII and religious form

  By the 1530s, Henry had put plans in place to change religion in England, making it a Protestant nation.

  Henry wanted to divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon but the Pope refused to allow this to happen.
• In which year did Henry VIII become King of England?

  1509
• In response to the Pope's rejection, Henry created the Church of England.

  This meant that England converted to Protestantism and he was allowed to marry Anne Boleyn.
• The Reformation

  The period that followed saw England sway between being Catholic and Protestant resulting in chaos and confusion.
• Who did Henry VIII marry after he converted the Church of England to Protestantism?

  Anne Boleyn
• The religious rollercoaster saw many being accused of being ‘in league’ with the Devil and belief in the supernatural become more popular.
• The media

  The printing press was an important invention which became a powerful tool during this period.

  Pamphlets were created and circulated amongst the population, containing pictures and information.
• The media and crime

  The media's favourite topic was crime, especially witchcraft and vagabondage. 

  The media fuelled fear of crime by spreading ideas about the severity of crime.
• Vagabondage

  The rising population meant that there were fewer jobs available so people ended up travelling to find work. This led to increasing concerns about tramps, beggars and those travelling to look for work.

  As a result, the new crime of vagabondage became something that people in this period feared.
• Which new invention transformed the media in early modern England?

  The printing press
• Attitudes towards vagabondage

  Attitudes towards this crime depended upon the situation in society at the time.

  During times of poor harvests punishments often became more serious.
• Which two new crimes did the media focus on in the early modern period?

  Vagabondage & Witchcraft
• Which new crime emerged as a result of the rising population and rising unemployment in the early modern period?

  Vagabondage
• The vast majority of punishments remained the same during the Early Modern period.
• Stocks and pillory

  The stocks and pillory was still used as a method of public humiliation. Often this was used for those that could not afford to pay a fine.
• Whipping and flogging

  Whipping and flogging was a punishment that was once again used as public humiliation and also acted as a deterrent to others.
• Which form of punishment was often used if the accused could not pay their fine?

  Stocks and pillory
• Prisons

  Prisons were still used to hold those that were in debt and those awaiting trial or execution.
• Treason

  Treason resulted in the most serious punishment, hanging, drawing and quartering.
• Whilst many punishments stayed the same, there were some large changes in attitudes. This resulted in some changes to the nature of punishments.
• Which crime was punishable by being hanged, drawn and quartered?

  Treason
• Houses of Correction

  Houses of Correction were a new method of punishment from the 1500s which were designed to punish and reform criminals. 

  The accused were forced to do hard labour and sometimes they were whipped. The idea was that they would learn the error of their ways.
• Transportation

  Transportation began in the 1660s. Convicts were initially taken to America.
• A new method of punishment was introduced in the 1550s. Convicts were forced to do hard labour. This was designed to punish and reform criminals. What was this punishment called?

  Houses of Correction
• Transportation

  Convicts were transported on large wooden ships known as Hulks. Once in America convicts often led lives in conditions similar to slavery, although this punishment was considered to be a soft option in comparison to the Death Penalty.
• Where were English convicts originally transported to in the 1660s?

  America
• Bloody Code

  The Bloody Code was introduced in 1688 when the number of crimes punishable by death increased to 50.
• When was the Bloody Code introduced?

  1688
• Increasing severity of the Bloody Code

  By 1765, the figure had increased to 160 crimes. By 1815, 225 crimes were punishable by death.

  This explains the reason why this was known as the Bloody Code!
• Convicts were transported to America in large wooden ships, known as hulks. Once in America, convicts would live in very difficult conditions. Transportation was often considered an easier option in comparison to capital punishment.
• The Hue and Cry

  The Hue and Cry was used in a similar way to before. Every member of the village would be expected to down tools and hunt for a criminal.

  Any that chose not to join the search would be fined. In the event of the Hue and Cry failing the Posse would continue the search.
• Constables

  The constable was one of the main methods used to track down criminals and maintain law and order. This was still a part-time role undertaken by a key figure in the area.
• Church Courts

  Church courts remained in use during this period and dealt with crimes committed by men of the church and anyone that could claim the Benefit of the Clergy.

  However, by 1600 many more ordinary people were claiming Benefit of the Clergy, reading the ‘neck verse’ so this practice was ended.
• Trial by jury

  Trial by jury continued as a method still relying on a jury made up of local people.
• What could people related to the Church claim in order to be tried in Church courts?

  Benefit of the Clergy
• Town Watchmen

  Town Watchmen were introduced to patrol the streets. They patrolled during the day and the night and their role included the arrest and detention of vagabonds and drunks.
• The problem with Town Watchmen

  In reality, Town Watchmen were not particularly effective as they were poorly paid. The role attracted people desperate for a job and as a result, those employed were often drunk on the job and faced ridicule.
• Justices of the Peace

  Justices of the Peace (JPs) became an important method of law enforcement during this period. It was usually local wealthy people that took the position as it offered prestige.
• Which new role was introduced to patrol the streets in the early modern period?

  Town Watchmen