Crime Key Dates

Statute of Labourers created a limit on how high a wae peasants could ask for; they could also not go to a neighbouring village in search of better pay

1351

Heresy becomes illegal under King Edward III

1414

Act of Supremacy causes heresy and treason to become intertwined

1534

Henry VIII prosecutes protestants for heresy and catholics for treason if they do not accept him as the new head of the church

1509-47

Edward VI executed leaders of rebellions for treason and two Catholics for heresy.

1547–53

Mary I executed leaders of plots to replace her and many Protestants (almost 300) for heresy

1553–58

Elizabeth I executed many ‘rebels’ for treason but far fewer for heresy.

1558–1603

Act of Uniformity punishes those who do not attend the protestant church

1559

James I executed many Catholics for treason

1503-25

Vagrancy Act means that anyone out of work for more than 3 days could be sold into slavery for 2 years, branded with a V, flogged etc

1547

Poor Laws put in place houses of correction for the deserving poor, the undeserving poor and neglected and punished

1601

Game Act made poaching illegal

1671

Thanksgiving Act means Catholics are forbidden to become clergy

1605

Popish Recusants Act forces Catholics to practise C of E practises and swear allegiance to the crown

1606

Hawkhurst Gang thrive in smuggling led by and Thomas King Smith

1735-49

Black Act makes poaching a capital offence; prison or fine for blackening the face, and carrying snares and hunting dogs

1723

Black Act repealed

1823

Highway robbery reduces when given the death penalty

1722

Highway robbery reduces when patrols are put on roads

1815

Tolpuddle Martyrs cause forming a union to become illegal, they are prosecuted indirectly for this by charging them with a different crime

1834

Witchcraft Act made witches merely tricksters- mostly just discriminated

1735

Drink driving becomes illegal

1925

Limit on how much alcohol is allowed to be consumed in order to drive

1967

Domestic Violence Act allows people to ask for an injunction against a violent partner

1976

Rape becomes included in marriage

1991

Threatening behaviour (coercive control) becomes illegal

2014

Abortion Act makes abortion legal if the child is to be born disabled or the mother is at risk

1967

Abortion becomes legal until 28 weeks

1968

Race Relations Act makes violence against another race a hate crime, because of wind rush etc

1968

Racial and Religious Hatred Act includes religions in a racial hate crime

2006

Misuse of Drugs Act made many drugs illegal, however class B drugs like marijuana are still social crimes

1971

Sexual Offences Act made homosexuality legal for men over 21

1967

Criminal Justice Act made homophobia a hate crime

2005

Militant Service Act made it a crime during WW1 to refuse conscription

1916