Crime and Punishment in the Elizabethan Period (Queen Elizabeth I)

Outline

This essay covers several crime and punishments which were implied in Queen Elizabeth's era. Since at that time England was divided into three classes, punishment would vary according to the class.

Introduction is comprises of history and common crimes occurred in this era.

Nobility being the first class cover the crimes of upper, well educated class.

The Courtiers section defines the instruments used to torture for this class.

Lastly commoner heading states the punishments given to the common people.

Introduction

Elizabethan England was divided into several classes the first being the nobility, second the courtiers, and commoners. When Elizabeth I inherited the throne in 1558, she also inherited the judicial system. The locking up someone for a crime he committed was a relatively new idea for the time, and most prisons were only used to detain people until their trial and their sentences true. Justice use to be given quickly which was often cruel as in accused be charged with crime by means of torturing was considered a fair punishment. This process of process eliminated the chances of receiving a fair trial.

The most common crimes were theft, pick pocketing, begging, poaching, adultery, debt, the counterfeit. On the flight, it was enough to steal anything of value greater than 5 pence to be hanged. Thus at the time, the simple act of stealing eggs was considered a crime punishable by death. (Ann, 49)

Nobility

Elizabethan England was divided into several classes the first being the nobility. Punishment would vary according to class since the Upper class was well educated, wealthy and associated with Royalty and high members of the clergy. They would often become involved in Political intrigue and matters of Religion. The nobility could become involved in crime which was not shared by other people, the most common crimes of the Nobility includes:

High Treason

Blasphemy

Sedition

Spying

Rebellion

Murder

Witchcraft

Alchemy

The Courtiers

For them, torture was often used in addition, to obtaining a confession of crime. Women do not escape under the excuse that they were women and were more account to severe punishment during this period. The instruments used for torture were:

The Rack: it was a wooden board which was installed for the victim to tie his arms stretched overhead, and feet. These were connected to a wheel which, when turn fire on the criminal to be quartered. (Briggs, 154)

The "Scavenger's Daughter": it was a scrap-shaped structure which was attached to the victim at three ...