2.1.1
Early Modern Society
Early Modern Society
Early Modern Society
This period witnessed many changes in society which as a result had a huge impact on the way that the country was ruled, peoples’ religion and attitudes towards crime.
![Illustrative background for Church and religion](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/72976d7e-41bf-4585-a540-cb4f69903d69/henry-8th-viii-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Church and religion ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/72976d7e-41bf-4585-a540-cb4f69903d69/henry-8th-viii-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Church and religion
Church and religion
- Henry VIII became King of Catholic England in 1509.
- 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 response, Henry created the Church of England.
- This meant that England converted to Protestantism and he was allowed to marry Anne Boleyn.
![Illustrative background for The Reformation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-03/c0e02231-02f0-4506-8587-a9c705900467/supreme-henry-viii,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for The Reformation ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-03/c0e02231-02f0-4506-8587-a9c705900467/supreme-henry-viii,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
The Reformation
The Reformation
- The period that followed saw England sway between being Catholic and Protestant resulting in chaos and confusion.
- The religious rollercoaster saw many being accused of being ‘in league’ with the Devil and belief in the supernatural become more popular.
![Illustrative background for The media](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/2cab83d7-a047-4490-bdf0-ce2e662f6d26/printing-press-print-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for The media ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/2cab83d7-a047-4490-bdf0-ce2e662f6d26/printing-press-print-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
The media
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 favourite topic was crime, especially witchcraft and vagabondage.
- The media fuelled fear of crime by spreading ideas about the severity of crime.
![Illustrative background for Travel and technology](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/9.1.2 Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases/begging-1922612_640-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for Travel and technology ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/9.1.2 Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases/begging-1922612_640-min,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Travel and technology
Travel and technology
- 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.
- Attitudes towards this crime depended upon the situation in society at the time.
- During times of poor harvests punishments often became more serious.
Early Modern Society continued...
Early Modern Society continued...
This period witnessed many changes in society which as a result had a huge impact on the way that the country was ruled, peoples’ religion and attitudes towards crime.
![Illustrative background for Wealth and poverty](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/faba8007-3054-4703-aadd-f84e77bf6e87/wealthy-money-rich,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Wealth and poverty ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/faba8007-3054-4703-aadd-f84e77bf6e87/wealthy-money-rich,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Wealth and poverty
Wealth and poverty
- The rising population saw a few become very wealthy.
- On the other hand, the majority of the population grew less wealthy and often lived in poverty.
- The large numbers of poor people sometimes resulted in an increase in crime.
- Often, in reality, it was the fear of wealthy landowners which made crime seem more severe than it was.
- The majority of people being so poor meant that they were vulnerable to any changes.
- During times of poor harvest rising prices meant that people were unable to afford food and could lead to them turning to crime.
![Illustrative background for Key individuals](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/445ab4b0-a69b-4dd6-9d26-3bb7a0f8d99f/plotting-plot-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Key individuals ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/445ab4b0-a69b-4dd6-9d26-3bb7a0f8d99f/plotting-plot-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Key individuals
Key individuals
- During the period there were some key individuals that had an impact on crimes.
- The most notable being Robert Catesby and the Gunpowder Plotters.
- Catesby, along with Guy Fawkes and others planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament to kill King James I and restore England to Catholicism.
- Matthew Hopkins the self-declared Witchfinder General proceeded to hunt witches during the period 1645-1647, persecuting people and punishing those he accused, ultimately spreading fear of the crime of witchcraft.
![Illustrative background for Government and law-makers](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/c52cdd8a-0933-490b-92ce-848d22a45ef9/oliver-cromwell-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Government and law-makers ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/c52cdd8a-0933-490b-92ce-848d22a45ef9/oliver-cromwell-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Government and law-makers
Government and law-makers
- During this period the English Civil War (1642-49) was taking place.
- This lead to many feeling that world had been ‘turned upside down’ as the monarchy was being challenged and Charles I was beheaded in 1649.
- This period of friction between the King and Parliament resulted in England becoming a republic until the monarchy was restored in 1660.
- The Civil War meant that many areas took the law into their own hands which lead to an increase in the numbers of people being accused of witchcraft and other crimes.
1Medieval England, 1000-1500
1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England
1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500
2Early Modern England, 1500-1700
2.1Changing Definitions of Crime
2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700
318th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain
3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900
4Modern Britain, 1900-Present
4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain
4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
5Whitechapel Local Study
5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions
5.2The People of Whitechapel
Jump to other topics
1Medieval England, 1000-1500
1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England
1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500
2Early Modern England, 1500-1700
2.1Changing Definitions of Crime
2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700
318th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain
3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900
4Modern Britain, 1900-Present
4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain
4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
5Whitechapel Local Study
5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions
5.2The People of Whitechapel
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