Elizabethan Crime and Punishment

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The word felon comes from the Saxon, or Old-English, language. The word is a compound of the words fell as in wrong-doing and one. So, when the world felon is broken apart, it can be translated to mean the evil or wicked one (Chapter XVII: Of Sundry Kinds of Punishment Appointed For Offenders). Felons are a common problem now and always have been. However, the way said criminals were treated was very different at the time of the Elizabethan Era, from 1558-1603. As Linda Alchin stated, Elizabethan England and Elizabethan Crime and Punishment- not a happy subject. Violent times,” (Alchin). During the Elizabethan Era, criminals were severely and brutally punished for even minor crimes such as theft and even as little as begging. During the time of Queen Elizabeth I rule, crimes and punishments were taken to a whole new level.

In the Elizabethan Era, many crimes were similar to today, but there were also some that have dissipated today. In the upper class, composed of the nobles, were mostly accused of crimes that involved religion and government. This included, but was not limited to: alchemy, high treason, blasphemy, and witchcraft. Alchemy is the magic power of turning things of little value into valuable items, closely related to witchcraft. On the other side of the social spectrum, lower class people usually committed crimes out of utter desperation. Commoners would often have to beg for food and money just to make it through. However, begging was taken very seriously at the time and a very punishable crime. Other punishable crimes could include adultery and being in debt to another individual (Law and Punishment- Travel Through Elizabethan England). Obviously common crimes like theft, murder, and assault were taken very serious...

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...ments. Through the public humiliation of hundreds of criminals, public squares became lively areas full of excitement and joy. Even if it did not effectively deter crime, the cruel and unusual punishments of the Elizabethan Era helped citizens keep occupied. When punishments were not deadly, they were still painful enough to strike fear into the citizens of England. Obviously, the Elizabethan Era was a very violent time in England.

Works Cited
Alchin, Linda. "Elizabethan Crime and Punishment." Elizabethan Crime and Punishment. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2014.
"Chapter XVII: Of Sundry Kinds Of Punishment Appointed For Offenders." Historion.net • History Online • Description of Elizabethan England, 1577 •. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.
"Law and Punishment - Travel Through Elizabethan England." Travel Through Elizabethan England. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.

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