What punishments were used in the early modern times?

Many punishments in the early modern period were the same as those of the medieval period. Some new ones were introduced, such as transportation.

What were the punishment trends in the early modern period?

There were 3 main changes in the early modern period from the medieval period:

❖ Greater retribution and deterrence were shown with the increasing use of gory and painful death sentences, such as burning or hanging, drawing and quartering.
❖ The use of capital punishment increased with the use of the Bloody Code.
❖ Although harsh, the use of transportation was a less permanent method of removal than the death penalty.

How were vagabonds punished in the early modern period?

Throughout the 16th century, the government took 7 different measures against :

❖ At the start of the early modern period, vagabonds and vagrants were punished under a 1495 law which ordered them to spend three days in the stocks before being sent back to their home parish.
❖ In 1531, a new law stated that vagabonds should be 'whipped until their bodies were bloody' before being sent home.
❖ After 1547, the first offence would lead to two years of slavery. Second offences would lead to slavery for life or execution.
❖ From 1572, the first offence would lead to whipping and the burning of an ear. Second offences would lead to execution.
❖ In 1593, the 1572 Act was repealed as it was seen as too harsh.
❖ From 1598, vagrants were whipped and sent home. If they did not mend their ways they could be sent to a House of Correction, be banished from the country or executed.
❖ In 1601, Elizabeth's Poor Law provided more comprehensive care for the poor.

How were heretics punished in the early modern period?

The punishment for heresy was being burned at the stake for men, or beheading for women and members of the

How were traitors punished in the early modern period?

There were 4 main ways traitors were punished in the early modern period:

❖ The punishment for treason was hanging, drawing and quartering for men, or burning for women.
❖ This was a punishment for treason from later medieval times but it became more common in the early modern period.
❖ Criminals would be hanged until near death. Their intestines would then be pulled out, and their body cut into four pieces.
❖ Women weren't hanged, drawn and quartered because it would involve nudity. Instead, women who were guilty of petty treason or counterfeiting were burned to death.