Crime and Punishment in Tudor England: From Alchemists to Zealots

Crime and Punishment in Tudor England tells the story of the enactment of law and its penalties from Henry VII to Elizabeth I, a century of the Tudor Dynasty, the Reformation, William Shakespeare, the first appearance of bottled beer in London pubs, Sir Francis Drake, and the Renaissance. It also covers tales of blackmail, infanticide, kidnapping, heresy, and sumptuary laws, told with occasional low-key humor.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The sixteenth century was a remarkable era in Tudor England, marked by significant events such as the Tudor Dynasty, the Reformation, the works of William Shakespeare, the introduction of bottled beer in London pubs, the voyages of Sir Francis Drake, and the Renaissance. It was also a time of significant changes in crime and punishment. Henry VII's paranoia about the loyalty of the nobility led to the employment of military-trained vagrants, who caused chaos and murder. Henry VIII's Reformation resulted in the executions of those who refused to take the Oath of Supremacy. The state-controlled religion, which evolved through five reigns: Roman Catholic, Anglo-Catholic, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Sort of Protestant but I don't mind so long as you swear the Oath of Supremacy, became increasingly complex and confusing for ordinary people.

While primary sources are rare and sometimes incomplete, the lives of criminals and the punishments they received continue to fascinate. This book provides a summary of judicial practices that were built on tradition from the Roman occupation, covering often gory details about the various methods of execution. The book is arranged in alphabetical order of crimes, recounting tales of blackmail, infanticide, kidnapping, heresy, and sumptuary laws. Told with occasional low-key humor, the book also includes Tavern Talk, snippets of conversation that shed light on the social and cultural context of the time.

In conclusion, Crime and Punishment in Tudor England offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of law and its penalties during this pivotal period. By exploring the lives of criminals and the punishments they faced, the book provides a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and political dynamics of Tudor England.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399071666