Crime In Early Modern England And Government's Countermeasures

The era from 16^th century to the mid 18^th century, also called the early modern period, in which the economy and society in England transformed before the industrial revolution. In this period, England underwent many important and far-reaching changes , crime has also become a serious social problem. The thesis mainly focuses on crime and government countermeasure in early modern England. Scholars abroad have studied crime in early England to some extent. But changes of economy and society in early modern England, which influenced crime much, took seriously insufficiently. And they ignored the complete analysis of criminal types and some typical crimes in early modern England. They also have not carried on the systematic summary to government countermeasure of crime in this period. Scholars at home have studied this topic little. Trying to make up these deficits, this thesis elucidates economy and society changes, which influenced crime much, in this given historical period clearly, studies the survey of crime in early modern England, and discovers the government countermeasure to this social problem in the period.According to the historical analysis and the reorganization, changes in economy and society in early modern England is affecting the crime in the great degree. Firstly, Excessive population growth and its pressure have indirect influence to crime; Secondly, gap between rich and poor's enlarging and assumes the magnified tendency influenced crime to some degree; Thirdly, vagrants problem, environment problem and unemployment problem also effect crime in the period; Fourthly, war, agricultural poor harvest, epidemic and so on become causes of crime; Fifthly, the religion, the social psychology and so on are also affecting the social crime to a certain extent. In short, these conditions, direct or indirect, much or few, is affecting crime in early modern England.The criminal type in early modern England mainly includes property offenses, violent offenses and the petty crime. And, larceny, robbery and burglary is the most important ones in property offenses. Correspondingly, homicide, infanticide and rape is typical ones in violent offenses. Limits of petty crime is more widespread. There is little difference between petty crime and right infringement. To analyze crime in early modern England well, chapter II selected several kinds of quite important crime to introduce to readers. They are organized crime, female crime, vagrants crime and social crime. Because of a series of influences for society, crime gives the government to some pressures, urges it to face up this problem, and takes the associated measures to process crime. Firstly, the government strengthened legislation. The legislation, which punished the criminal, many is cancelling "benefit of clergy". Government also issued and executed many laws about the relief, holding down the grain price and providing the employment opportunity for common people. Secondly, government were fighted against criminals, the death penalty is one main way, other ways like fine, whipping, pillory, imprisonment and so on are auxiliaries. Thirdly, government send criminals to abroad, which generally India and North America. The transportation system is established gradually, it firmly established in 1718 after the Transportation Act passed. Fourthly, the central government surveillances law enforcement in all levels of Local authority .And it also involves carrying on surveillance to the Justice of the Peace and constables, who maintenance local public security. Through the above measures, the government becomes a system management one when it supervise crime.Conclusively, crime reflected the economical and social changes in early modern England and propelled the social and economical transformation and development in England. The government has succeeded in governing crime problem and enabled social order to obtain the great degree change for the better in18th century. It also has provided a better domestic environment for Industrial Revolution, which started in the second half of the 18th century, carried on smoothly.