Crime and punishment throughout the ages

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how crimes and punishments have changed throughout the ages? If so, in this text there will be facts and statements to give information about crimes and punishments all the way from the Roman times to modern day Britain. In fact, crimes and punishments have always been there and we have had to make consequences to deter criminals. However our consequences have gotten less harsh as we now believe that criminals can learn to do the right thing.

Roman crime and punishments

The Romans (The most powerful Empire) conquered many countries in there time with over 45 million people from other countries following them. With so many people it became hard to keep them all under control so they had praetors and vigils to keep Rome under control. Vigils were people who would catch you if you ran away from your owner if you were a slave. Whereas praetors were in place to protect important people such as the king. If caught braking the law, you would be taken straight to court to be trialed. If found guilty, there would most likely be a severe punishment or cruel punishment like whipping, beating, exile or death.

Anglo – Saxon crime and punishment

During the Anglo-Saxon times- around 410 CE -they didn’t have the police force. So to catch a criminal they had to call to there neighbours or the village leader to help them take them to court. Village leaders were in charge of overseeing the village and making sure people follow the laws. This was a hard job as there was lots of crimes, the most common being theft or drunk on the streets. By this point, theft was only known as a petty crime. One of the most famous punishments in the Anglo-Saxon times was trial by ordeal: sticking your hand in a pot of boiling water. After three days, if your hand healed they believed god healed you and you were innocent.

Tudor crime and punishment

Like the Anglo- Saxons, the Tudors also had lots of theft, however they had more blasphemy:being rude to god, as not everyone believed in the same god. Treason was also a big thing as lots of people wanted to over through the king for his beliefs. As you can tell, the tudors all had different religions  but had to follow the kings beliefs. To control all this crime, the tudors, like the Romans, had harsh punishments for criminals, such as execution or beatings.

Victorian crime and punishment

Unlike the other eras, the Victorians used prison as the main punishment for committing a crime. Also, with the Victorians came the introduction of police officers which they called peelers or bobbies named after the person who thought of them: Robert Peel. They still had the same common crimes: theft and murder. Although, there punishments were more fair and gave prisoners a second chance as they only used fines, prison or flogging. Victorians also had a new crime pop up called pick-pocketing, stealing from someone’s pocket. This crime was usually committed by 9 year old boys that were poor. They would scour the streets to find someone with money in there pockets. Then they would bring the goods to there master who would give them a small percentage of the amount.

World War 2 crime and punishment

During World War II, there was lots of bombings and it became easier for people to loot bombed buildings for goods. So the police had to work tirelessly doing extra duties: guarding bombed buildings, helping people evacuate and capturing run away soldiers. Police men helped people to evacuate during gas bombs by holding red and green hand lamps. These were used to guide cars and people. To hide from these bombs Britain turned off the power at night, which made it easier for people to rob as there was no light. So as you can see, theft has always been the most common throughout all these eras. Although, the punishments have changed as during World War II if you stole you would be sentenced to 8 years hard labour.

 

 

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