Crime and Punishment in the Elizabethan Era

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Crime and Punishment in the Elizabethan Era

In February, 1587, Queen Elizabeth had ordered her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scotts, to her execution to eliminate all possibilities of any threats to her throne. This event would reflect the relentless violence and unforgiving punishments of the judicial system in Elizabethan Era. Criminals during Queen Elizabeth’s reign in England, known as the Elizabethan Era, were subject to harsh, violent punishments for their crimes. England was separated into two social classes, which were the nobility, and the commoners. Within each class, the punishments were defined by the class and type of crime that had been committed. Under the Tudor rule, the punishments dating back to the middle ages were revived. Such gruesome punishments were carried out to strike fear into the hearts of the English citizens and lower crime rate. There were a wide range of crimes that a person could be prosecuted for, and even included the act of witchcraft and alchemy. Of course, today the American court system would find prosecutions of witchcraft and alchemy ridiculous. However, in the Elizabethan Era, people accused of even the most petty of crimes would be immediately placed in prison to await their sentences, often resulting in death. Public executions were a common practice, and were often a form of entertainment for a crowd of spectators. Often considered as the “Golden Age” in English history, England’s court systems became an essential part of society because cruel punishments were severe enough to strike fear into English citizens as well as demonstrating the influence and power of Queen Elizabeth’s rule.

The court system was used by Queen Elizabeth to display her power. There were three

categories in th...

... middle of paper ...

...no commitment toward England's laws.

Works Cited

Alchin, Linda. elizabethan-era.org.uk.N.p.. Web. 28 Mar 2014..

"Court Life ." . N.p.. Web. 26 March 2014 . .

"Crime and Punishment in Elizabethan England." . N.p.. Web. 26 March 2014 . .

"Life in Elizabethan Courts." . N.p.. Web. 26 March 2014 . .

Taylor, Christopher. "Elizabethan Government." . N.p.. Web. 26 March 2014 . .

"The Elizabethan Court ." . Royal Museums Greenwich. Web. 26 March 2014 . .

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