Causes of Crime in the 16th & 17th Centuries (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note

How did Economic and Religious Changes in the 16th &17th Centuries shape life in England and Wales? - Summary 

The 16th and 17th centuries were a time of great change in England and Wales, marked by religious upheaval, economic hardship, and social tension. The Tudor monarchs, from Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, changed the religion from Catholic and Protestant several times during this period. These changes led to new religious crimes such as heresy and treason.

At the same time, rapid population growth, inflation, enclosure of land, bad harvests, and the collapse of key industries caused widespread poverty. Many people turned to crime out of desperation, while others rebelled against high taxes and unemployment. These combined issues made this period one of instability and change, both in society and in the causes of crime.

Economic Pressures as a Cause of Crime

• In the 16th Century, there was a rapid increase in poverty 

• Poverty was caused by 

  • Inflation 

    • Wages could not keep up with inflation 

    • Poor people with the lowest incomes suffered the most 

  • Rising population 

    • The population increased from 2.9 million in the 1500s to 4.3 million by 1600 

    • This increased the demand for food, housing, and jobs 

  • Bad harvests 

    • During the 1500s, there were many poor harvests 

    • This resulted in food shortages and higher food prices 

    • The threat of starvation increased crime 

  • Changes in farming methods 

    • Enclosure of land prevented people from being able to use common land to grow their own food and graze animals 

    • Farmers switched from growing crops to sheep farming, which needed fewer workers 

    • Such changes resulted in an increase in crime, including the 1549 Kett’s Rebellion  because people were starving and unemployed

  • Rack renting 

    • An increase in prices resulted in landlords increasing their rent 

    • This led tomany tenants being evicted as they could not afford the rent 

    • Homelessness and vagrancy increased 

  • War 

    • Henry VIII’s war with France and Elizabeth I’s war with Spain were costly 

    • Such wars increased taxes 

    • When the wars ended, many men were unemployed and wandered around the countryside in gangs, looking for work 

  • Changes in industry 

    • The collapse of the cloth trade in the 16th century resulted in many people becoming unemployed 

• For many people in poverty, their only solution was crime 

• Due to the increase in poverty at this time, the Tudor monarchs classified the poor into two different categories 

  • The impotent poor 

    • Included people who were genuinely poor or unable to work 

    • Due to age or disability 

  • The able-bodied poor

    • Included people who were able to work but were unable or unwilling to find a job 

    • They were encouraged or, in some cases, forced to find work 

The Impact of Religious Change

• Many crimes happened in the 16th and 17th centuries due to religion 

  • Throughout this period, the religion of England changed several times, resulting in changes to the definition and punishments for crimes

• Religious change resulted in crime due to 

  • The dissolution of the monasteries 

    • After Henry VIII left the Catholic Church, he closed the monasteries 

    • Monasteries provided charity to the poor and employment to many people 

  • Changes in the monarch's religion  

    • If their subjects did not follow their religion, they were punished 

    • For example, during the reign of Mary I, Protestants were burnt at the stake 

Heresy 

• As a result of the constant change of religion, the crime of heresy grew during this period

• Henry VIII 

  • Became a Protestant after the Pope refused a divorce from Catherine of Aragon 

    • He tolerated some Protestant beliefs, but the church still had many Catholic features 

• Edward VI

  • Edward and his two Lord Protectors, the Duke of Somerset and Northumberland, were strong Protestants 

  • They introduced many changes to the Church of England 

    • Including the Bible in English and Welsh, and the Book of Common Prayer

  • Those who refused to accept these changes were called heretics

    • The heresy was treason, and the punishment was the death penalty 

• Mary I 

  • Was a devout Catholic and changed the religion in England and Wales back to Catholic

    • Mary reinstated the Pope as the Head of the Church

  • Those who refused to change their religion to Catholicism were seen as heretics 

    • Heresy was treason, and the penalty was death 

    • Mary hadapproximately 300 Protestants burned to death

• Elizabeth I 

  • Elizabeth was a Protestant, but wanted to establish a Religious Settlement that suited everyone 

  • It became known as the ‘middle way’ 

    • Protestantism became the official religion of England

    • Elizabeth became the ‘Supreme Governor of the Church’

    • Some Catholic practices were introduced, such as the use of crosses and candles 

  • However, some Protestants and Catholics refused to accept these changes 

    • They were seen as heretics 

    • Heresy became treason and resulted in the death penalty 

Treason 

• As people did not agree with the religious changes happening in this period, many planned to overthrow their monarch or government by

  • Riots 

  • Rebellions 

  • Plots

• Often, those people involved were captured and found guilty of treason

  • The punishment for treason depended on the monarch, the person accused, and the situation. The punishment was often either 

    • Execution 

    • Hung, drawn, and quartered  

• As the 16th and 17th centuries were difficult times, monarchs used treason as a way to prevent and silence opposition 

  • For example, Henry VIII accused people of treason if they 

    • Wrote or said things against the king or queen 

    • Wrote anything that went against the Church of England 

    • Questioned the king's authority 

    • Agreed with the Pope