Crime+and+Punishment

Elizabethan Crime and Punishment Made By: Ryan Gulick

Elizabethan Crime and punishment was not a happy subject. Crimes were often met with brutal, and cruel punishment. Executions were witnessed by sometimes hundreds of people, the lower class even treated such spectacles as exciting days out. Even royalty were subject to this public form of punishment for their crimes. The execution of the tragic Anne Boleyn was restricted to upper class and nobility, it was witnessed by several hundred people. There were many methods of execution in the Elizabethan era. There were also many different forms of torture that were implemented around this time. Torture succeeded in breaking the will of and dehumanizing the prisoner, and justice during the Elizabethan era was served with the aid of this practice. It is said that Elizabeth used more torture than any other monarch in England's history

Forms of Punishment


 * //Hanging-// Lethal suspension of a person by a ligature.


 * //Burning-// Death brought about by combustion.


 * //The Pillory & Stocks-// A device made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands.


 * //Flogging(whipping)-// The act of methodically beating or whipping the human body.


 * //Pressing-// This method varied greatly around the world, basically crushing to death


 * //Boiling// //in Oil, Water, or Lead-// Self-explanatory, being boiled to death in oil, water, or lead.


 * //Branding- T// he process in which a mark, usually a symbol or pattern, is burned into the skin of a living person.

** ﻿ ** Execution by Beheading

The Thought of execution by beheading was a terrifying prospect. The executioner often took multiple blows to completely sever the head. Following this brutal form of execution the the head was held up by the hair by the executioner, many people think this was to show the crowd the head, but it was to show the head the crowd, and it's own body. Consciousness remains for at least eight seconds after the head is severed, until lack of oxygen causes unconsciousness, and finally death. Traitors heads were often displayed after death in very public places such as London Bridge, and The Tower of London.

Common Crimes

England was split into two different classes, Upper class, the Nobility and courtiers, and everyone else. Punishments varied by your place in the social classes. The upper classes would mainly be involved in political crimes and similar crimes. Sometimes just being accused of a crime could result in torture. Trials of the day were designed in the favor of the prosecutors.

**Crimes of Nobility**
 * High treason
 * Blasphemy
 * Sedition
 * Spying
 * Rebelling
 * Witchcraft
 * Alchemy

**Crimes of Commoners**
 * Theft [[image:staurt-beggar.jpg width="170" height="358" align="right"]]
 * Begging
 * Poaching
 * Adultery
 * Forgery
 * Fraud
 * Dice cogging

Refrences

Alchin, L K. (2005, July 16). //Elizabethan england//. Retrieved from http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-england.htm N/A, N/A. (2001, N/A N/A). //Crime and punishment in elizabethan england//. Retrieved from http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/punishment.htm //The elizabethan age//. (2001, August). Retrieved from http://www.tomecek.com/jay/CrimeAndPunishment.html