Chapter 2: Nature of Crimes

Medieval Period

Timeframe from 500 to 1500 AD.

Norman Conquest

Event in 1066 that defined criminal behavior.

Offenses like Treason and Heresy.

What are ‘Crimes Against Authority’? (Early Modern)

Theft

The most common crime found in all time periods. (caused due to poverty)

Forest Laws

Prohibited cutting trees or hunting deer.

Scolding

Public use of foul language.

Vagrancy

Wandering and begging for work.

Treason

Defying the king or family authority.

Outlaw Gangs

Groups that ambushed travelers and robbed.

Heresy

Not following the official religion.

Peasant's Revolt 1381

Rebellion against Richard II's Poll Tax.

Cornish Rebellion of 1497

Attempt to overthrow King Henry VII during the Medieval Period.

Early Modern Period

Timeframe from 1500 to 1700 AD.

Increase in Vagrants

Rise in unemployment led to what?

Bridewell Prison

Dealt with 69 vagrants in 1560 (early modern period).

Clapper Dudgeon

Pretended injury to gain sympathy.

Doxy

Female beggar who stole while knitting.

Abraham Man

Pretended madness for charity donations.

Religious Change

Significant shifts in religion during Tudor period.

Heresy Punishment

Recanting leads to prison; refusal leads to death.

Burning of Heretics

Bodies destroyed to free souls for heaven.

Golden Age of Smuggling

Period of increased smuggling due to high taxes.

Customs Duties

Taxes on goods entering or leaving the country. High during the Industrial Period.

Excise Duty

Tax on goods bought into England.

Black Market

Illegal trade for cheaper smuggled goods.

Customs Officers

Officials responsible for enforcing trade laws.

Smugglers

Individuals illegally transporting goods to avoid taxes.

Venturer

Wealthy investor funding smuggling operations.

Spotsman

Local expert guiding ships to secret locations.

Batsmen

Protectors of tubmen from customs officials.

Hadleigh Gang

Large smuggling group with 50-100 members.

Hawkhurst Gang

Significant smuggling orgnisation in history.

Hovering Act 1718

Law prohibiting small boats near shore.

Act of Indemnity 1736

Introduced death penalty for harming customs officials.

Revenue Men

Customs officials enforcing trade regulations.

High Levies

High taxes causing increased smuggling activities.

Watch Towers

Structures built to monitor coastal smuggling.

Highway Robbery

Crime involving theft from travelers on roads. [Early Modern]

Footpads

Robbers operating on foot, targeting pedestrians.

Highwaymen

Robbers on horseback attacking travelers and coaches.

Dick Turpin

Famous highwayman known for violent crimes.

Coaching Inns

Hotels attracting travelers, often targeted by robbers.

Industrial Revolution

Period increasing travel and crime opportunities.

Turnpike Roads

Improved roads facilitating more travel and theft.

Tom King

Dick Turpin's partner in highway robbery.

Transportation Punishment

Sentencing for smugglers to colonies as punishment.

Community Involvement

Local support from smugglers complicating law enforcement.

Highway Robbery

Last occurred in 1831, declined due to urbanization.

Hounslow Heath

Isolated area in London, now urbanized.

Banknotes

Easier to trace than gold or silver coins.

Policing in London

Improved during the Industrial Period, contributing to decline of highway robbery.

Justices of the Peace (JPs)

Would restrict taverns frequented by highwaymen.

Industrial Revolution

Rapid urban growth led to increased crime opportunities.

Henry Mayhew

Person who classified criminals into over 100 types.

Buzzers

Criminals who stole handkerchiefs from pockets.

Snoozers

Criminals who stole luggage in railway hotels.

Prop-nailers

Criminals who stole pins and brooches from women.

Railway Crime

Increased as highway robbery declined.

Pickpocketing

Common crime, especially among children.

Street Children in 1876

Estimated 30,000 homeless children turned to crime.

Threshing Machine

Replaced manual labor during Industrial Period, causing job losses.

Combination Acts

Made worker unions illegal, passed in 1799-1800.

Luddites

Protesters who destroyed machines, threatening jobs.

Ned Ludd

Pseudonym used by Luddites in protest letters.

Rawfolds Mill Incident

Luddites attacked in 1812, leading to murder.

12,000 troops

Number of troops sent to deal with frame-breaking during Industrial Period.

Chartists

Protesters advocating for workers' rights in Newport.

Swing Riots

1830-31 protests against poverty and job loss.

Captain Swing

Pseudonym used in threatening letters during industrial era riots.

Arson during Swing Riots

316 cases reported, targeting hayricks and machines.

Punishments for Rioters

Harsh penalties included transportation and execution.

Political Disputes

Conflicts arising from differing political views.

Industrial Disorder

Disruptions in industry due to labor issues. (Summary)

Agrarian Disorder

Common type of disorder during the Medieval Period related to agriculture.

Transport Crimes

Crimes involving vehicles and road usage.

Speed Limit Laws

Regulations governing maximum vehicle speeds.

Car Theft

Stealing a vehicle, often due to poor security.

Joyriding

Driving a car without owner's permission.

Alcohol Related Crimes

Offenses involving driving under the influence.

In-Car Crimes

Violations occurring inside a vehicle.

Road Traffic Offences

Illegal actions while operating a vehicle.

Breathalyser

Device to measure blood alcohol content.

Speeding Offences

Violations of established speed limits.

Carjacking

Stealing a car directly from the driver.

Theft from Vehicles

Stealing items from parked or stopped cars.

Mobile Phone Theft

Stealing phones from vehicles, often at traffic stops.

Drink Driving

Modern crime which can have a sentence of 14 years for causing death.

Drug Driving

Driving under the influence of illegal substances.

Permanent Speed Cameras

Fixed devices monitoring vehicle speeds continuously.

Tracking Devices

Technology to locate stolen vehicles.

MOT Requirement

Mandatory vehicle safety inspection in the UK.

Seatbelt Law

Legal requirement to wear seatbelts in vehicles.

Computer Crimes

Crimes committed using computers or the internet.

Fraud

Illegally obtaining money through deception.

Fraud

Using deception to gain money or personal information.

Identity Theft

Stealing personal information to impersonate someone.

Phishing Scams

Fake emails tricking users into revealing personal details.

Copyright Infringement

Illegally downloading copyrighted films or music.

Sexual Crimes

Sharing illegal images or child grooming online.

Harassment

Using the internet to send abusive comments.