England in the Period Between 1674 and 1800, Essay Example

Introduction

There are many crimes that have been committed in England in the period between 1674 and 1800. The purpose of this research is to identify the various kinds of crimes committed during this time, their verdict and the punishment given to the offenders. In this research, I use an online website where a search facility of statistics is used because I need to show the specific example, statistics and data o the committed crimes in England during this period. The search facility of statistics where information is generated on a table that bases information contained in the proceedings. I will therefore be able to clearly bring out these crimes which led to most harsh prosecutions. The search by the date of proceedings makes the research effective since we are focusing on the period between 1674 and 1800.

The findings show that theft crimes, sexual offences, royal offences such as conning, deception through fraud, killings, conspiracy forgery and among others resulted into the culprits facing of harsh prosecutions. For example, in 5^th December 1733, Edward Bodenheim was implicated of breaking into Janes de Romaine’s house and stealing. He was found to be guilty and received a punishment of transportation. Avis Nulton was charged in 21^st July 1736 for theft through shoplifting Thomas Wiseham’s goods from his shop. Another crime that resulted into a harsh prosecution includes sexual offences such as bigamy. Henry Lyford was implicated of bigamy with wife Elizabeth Wynne and wife Mary Hinton. The council of prosecution gave a verdict of being guilty and the resulting punishment he received was branding. Another incidence of rape as a sexual offence was brought into board on Daniel Lackey that he feloniously committed a rape to the body of Christian Streeter which was against the statutes. This was on 20^th April 1757 and he was found not to be guilty hence no punishment was to be rendered upon.

Royal offences, in this case, tax offences led to the death of Thomas Fuller. It was found that he and Samuel Austin were armed with unlawful weapons and fire arms and feloniously carried away goods that were liable for paying duties and uncustomed goods that had not been paid. The prosecutors judged him of being guilty on 14^th October 1747 hence being sentenced to death. Forgery which is a deception crime resulted into John Harrison being sentenced to death on 10^th September 1777. The verdict given was that he had gone. Theodore Gardelle was implicated in the murder of Ann king.  He was therefore judged for this murder by being into death through hanging in chain. This was ruled in 1^st April 1761. Much of the crimes had been committed and this made the offenders to be convicted with harsh prosecutions.

The Old Bailey portrays criminality in men and women to have been different. In comparing the two, men are accused more of many and different crimes. Statistics holds that the percentage of women tried in the period between 1674 and 1913 was 21%. In 1690s and 1740s, it was unusual for women since the percentage to 40% of the defendants tried. This later declined to 22% in early 19^th century. Crime was associated with masculinity. Most of the female criminals are involved in slight offences such as pick pocketing, theft from lodging or receiving stolen goods. They are unlike men who have been reported and accused of sexual offences such as rape, robbery and breaking of piece.

The historical research conducted shows that crimes are punishable and through the preceding, one receives a new and more remarkable access in the everyday life. We learn from the research that crimes that are tried at the old bailey include: damage to property, sexual offences, deception, killing, breaking of peace, theft and those against a king or a queen. Trials in 18^th and 19^th centuries in the old bailey were conducted in a systematic manner whereby the procedures were changed by the judicial discretion, statute and ruling. Initial accusations were made resulting to the arrest of the accused by a magistrate. Charges were then fixed and this stage was necessary since a type of punishment was determined. Trials were lastly made after the defendant giving out a plea. This was the criminal system of those times.

Conclusion

The old bailey is better of than a history text book during the research since it has encompassed almost all the crimes that were done in England during the whole of the time between 1674 and 1800.  A text book may only carry little information as compared to the website. The research through old bailey is a little bit difficult and confusing since you have to open different links. All the content has not been put in one page.

References

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 1674-1913 retrieved from <http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/ > on 7^th Oct, 2009.

Theresa Murphy (1999) The Old Bailey: Eight Hundred Years of Crime, Cruelty and Corruption. USA: Mainstream Publishing Group.

Weiss Beuis (2004). Crimes in England. New York: Pocket.