Punishment in Tudor Times (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note
Exam code: C100
Why were Tudor Punishments so Harsh? -Summary
The Tudor period was a time of great change, poverty, religious conflict, and a population that was increasing faster than jobs and food supplies. As a result, vagrancy and begging became serious problems. Tudor rulers like Elizabeth I saw vagabonds as a threat to public order, punishing them with whippings, branding, or execution. At the same time, religious and political crimes such as heresy and treason were dealt with brutally. Those who challenged the monarch’s authority or religion were often burned or beheaded. These punishments reflected the Tudor belief that strong control and fear of severe punishments were necessary to maintain peace and loyalty in the kingdom.
Treatment of Vagabonds in Tudor Times
Vagrancy was a growing issue in the Tudor period due to
Inflation
Rising population
Bad harvests
High unemployment
Caused by the changes in farming methods and the industry, as well as the end of wars
Rack renting
Dissolution of the monasteries
The Tudor monarchs treated vagrancy as a crime
In 1572, Queen Elizabeth I passed the Act of Parliament, which punished beggars or vagabonds
They were whipped or branded through the right ear with a hot iron
Repeat offenders over the age of 18 faced harsher punishments
If caught begging for the third time, the punishment was execution
They could avoid punishment if they agreed to become an indentured servant or apprentice for a master for a set period of time
For the first offence, a vagrant would be taken into service for one year
For the second offence, the service could be for two years
Floggings, whippings, and mutilations were common in the Tudor period
Floggings were given at quarter session courts
Mutilation could involve losing a hand or being branded in the right ear
By the 18th century, these types of punishments had become less common
By 1820, this type of punishment was abolished for women
It was abolished in the 1830s for men
These types of punishments continued to be used in prisons into the 20th century in England and Wales
Examiner Tips and Tricks
In Question 3 or 4, you could be asked to “Describe one feature of punishments in the Tudor times” or “Explain why vagrancy was treated harshly in the Tudor period”.You need to avoid writing from a modern perspective and show that the Tudors saw vagrancy as a crime, not a social problem, so they believed that these punishments were fair and necessary to keep order.
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