Crime And Punishment - Defining Crime

Front 1

Murdrum Fine

Back 1

Introduced to prevent revenge killings. If a Norman was killed, the tithing had to pay a heavy fine if the murderer was not captured. The fine was paid directly to the king.

Front 2

Forest Laws

Back 2

William made approximately 40% of the countryside royal 'forest'. It was illegal to trespass, carry weapons, or poach on this land. Specially hired foresters enforced the forest laws.

Front 3

Outlaws

Back 3

William declared it a crime for any man to leave their lords land without permission. Anyone who broke this law was outside the protection of the law and could be killed by anyone without consequence.

Front 4

The Statute of Labourers

Back 4

The upper class were worried about peasants becoming more wealthy and so in 1351 a maximum wage was introduced. It became illegal to ask for higher wages or move away to look for new work (vagrancy)

Front 5

Heresy Laws in the Medieval Period

Back 5

These were introduced to prevent new ideas which challenged the church (e.g. the Lollards in the 14th century). Heresy became a crime in 1382 and in 1401 the punishment of burning at the stake was introduced.

Front 6

Heresy Laws in the Early Modern Period

Back 6

Mary 1: executed 300 'heretics'

Elizabeth 1:

Act of Uniformity (1559) [everyone had to go to church or pay a fine]

Act of Supremacy (1559) [everyone had to swear an oath to the Church of England]

James 1: Popish Recusants Act (1605) [all Catholics had to swear an oath to the Head of the Church of England and pay heavy fines for not attending church]

Front 7

Witchcraft in the Early Modern Period

Back 7

James 1 encouraged people to find witches and wrote a book called 'Demonology'.

Matthew Hopkins was the self proclaimed 'Witchfinder General'. He personally accused 300 people of being witches and also normalised the mass hysteria around witches.

Front 8

Vagabondage

Back 8

The Vagrancy Act (1547):

Vagrants were branded with a 'V' and were sold as slaves for two years

Act for the Relief of the Poor (1597):

Vagrants were whipped and burned through the ear with a hot iron. A second offence meant capital punishment.

Front 9

Smuggling in the Early Modern Period

Back 9

Smuggling increased due to increased import taxes. It was became punishable by death. It was a social crime.

Front 10

Poaching in the Early Modern Period

Back 10

The Game Act of 1671 made poaching illegal and introduced harsh punishments. It was a social crime.

Front 11

Poaching in the Industrial Period

Back 11

Poaching increased an was often carried out by gangs. The Black Act of 1723 made it punishable by death.

Front 12

Highway Robbery

Back 12

Due to increased travel between towns, Highway Robbery increased during the 18th century. It was difficult to prevent, as it was seen as a social crime and there was no rural enforcement.

Front 13

Witchcraft in the Industrial Period

Back 13

After the enlightenment, society was less superstitious and had a better understanding of science. The Witchcraft Act of 1736 decriminalised witchcraft.

Front 14

The Drugs Act

Back 14

1971, increased the punishment for drug taking and possession.

Front 15

Sexual Offences Act

Back 15

1967, decriminalised homosexuality

Front 16

Race Relations Act

Back 16

1968, racial discrimination became illegal

Front 17

Criminal Justice Act

Back 17

2005, increased the punishments for hate crime.

Front 18

Abortion Act

Back 18

1967, Decriminalised abortion and gave all women access to it

Front 19

Domestic violence act

Back 19

1976, gave victims of domestic violence more protection

Front 20

Crimes created due to new technologies in the Modern Period

Back 20

People trafficking

Terrorism (e.g. ISIS 2010)

Cybercrime (e.g. online fraud)