History - Crime and Punishment - Early Modern - Bloody Code Developement

1500 - 1700:

Run up to the Bloody Code:

Background

• 1688: big change to the law and the number of capital crimes increased to 50
• More increases throughout 18th and 19th centuries, 1765 = 160, 1815 = 225
• Minor crimes such as poaching were now punishable by death

Other Punishments Before

Pillory

• Intended to shame and humiliate
• Punishes: cheating at cards and selling underweight bread
• Crowd could pelt the criminal with stones
• Sexual crimes could get you killed in the pillory

Fines

• Most common punishment
• Punishes: swearing, gambling, drunkedness, failure to attend church

Whipping

• Form of corporal punishment, intending to cause lots…