2.1.2
Crime in the Early Modern Period
Crime During the Early Modern Period
Crime During the Early Modern Period
In the Early Modern period, many crimes continued to be important. Crimes of heresy and treason became more important than ever.
![Illustrative background for Heresy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/86a72b7b-7830-46a8-acee-257098622237/bible-religion-exorcise-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Heresy ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/86a72b7b-7830-46a8-acee-257098622237/bible-religion-exorcise-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Heresy
Heresy
- This was a crime of religion, when you believe in a different religion to your Monarch.
![Illustrative background for Impact of the Reformation on heresy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/ef5eb95e-b356-49c2-ac21-96bdbce4cb09/Pope-rome-catholic-Church-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Impact of the Reformation on heresy ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/ef5eb95e-b356-49c2-ac21-96bdbce4cb09/Pope-rome-catholic-Church-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Impact of the Reformation on heresy
Impact of the Reformation on heresy
- The change in religion fuelled a period of uncertainty as successive Monarchs changed the religion again.
- Edward VI continued in his Father’s footsteps declaring England as a protestant country, but Mary I, a devout Catholic changed it back again.
- During the reign of Mary I, heresy was a particular problem, one which she took very seriously.
- During her 5 year reign, Mary burned 284 protestants at the stake for their beliefs.
![Illustrative background for Vagabondage](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-02/6862f1e8-7f42-4460-8f68-5c74a422cd5d/beggar-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Vagabondage ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-02/6862f1e8-7f42-4460-8f68-5c74a422cd5d/beggar-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Vagabondage
Vagabondage
- Being a vagrant or vagabond became a crime in the Early Modern period.
- This was mainly because people were moving around looking for work.
- During periods of mass unemployment, people in towns and villages became increasingly concerned about vagabonds, fearing a rise in crime if they came to their local area.
- The local unemployed people were assisted financially by the town or village where they lived, thanks to the Poor Rates.
- However, residents were not happy to provide assistance to outsiders.
![Illustrative background for Vagabondage continued...](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/8fa6e027-6494-4d00-bb24-7672a0183ec8/seeking-human-kindness-beggar-homeless-man,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Vagabondage continued... ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/8fa6e027-6494-4d00-bb24-7672a0183ec8/seeking-human-kindness-beggar-homeless-man,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Vagabondage continued...
Vagabondage continued...
- The media and pamphlets built up a frenzy about vagabonds travelling in huge packs and people were increasingly concerned, living in fear of them.
- In reality, those arrested for this crime tended to be captured in small groups or travelling alone.
- Reports of them speaking their own language are exaggerated and in reality this only really occurred in London.
- The rise in numbers of vagabonds often happened during severe times of hardship, bad harvests and rising unemployment.
![Illustrative background for Witchcraft](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/4cbc7d49-9259-46b0-931d-eb86358d75e1/Witch-Witchcraft-Cauldron,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Witchcraft ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/4cbc7d49-9259-46b0-931d-eb86358d75e1/Witch-Witchcraft-Cauldron,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Witchcraft
Witchcraft
- Tensions between rich and poor had increased and again during times of hardship.
- People who had previously been cared for, such as the elderly, were looked upon differently.
- The common scenario was that an elderly neighbour might ask for help from a wealthier neighbour.
- When refused, they would wander away muttering or mumbling.
- Later on, if something bad happened to the wealthier person the blame would be attributed to the elderly person.
![Illustrative background for Witchcraft continued...](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/85edb834-8982-48e9-8260-574fcaa82be2/Witch-Trials-Salem-Witches-Magic-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Witchcraft continued... ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/85edb834-8982-48e9-8260-574fcaa82be2/Witch-Trials-Salem-Witches-Magic-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Witchcraft continued...
Witchcraft continued...
- The mumbles of the elderly woman would be taken to mean they were muttering spells to curse the neighbour for not providing assistance.
- Often word then spreads around the village leading to many people accusing the poor elderly woman of witchcraft.
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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