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GCSE History Crime and Punishment|
Exam Package 2025| Questions and
Verified Answers| 100%
Examine the role of the church in crime and punishment during the Medieval period.
The church had a lot of influence, acting as the moral authority. It judged cases, and crimes
like heresy or adultery were punished by the church, often with spiritual punishments.
How did the role of the local community change crime control in medieval England?
Local communities were responsible for catching criminals through systems like tithings and
hue and cry. If someone committed a crime, their neighbours had to help catch them.
Why were trials by ordeal used in the Medieval period?
Trials by ordeal were used when there wasn’t enough evidence. They were believed to be
ways for God to decide if someone was guilty or innocent—like the hot water or fire ordeal.
Why did the Anglo-Saxons have a system of wergild?
Wergild was a fine paid to the victim’s family for killing someone. It was meant to prevent
feuds and keep peace, and it depended on the victim’s status.
What impact did the Norman Conquest have on crime and punishment?
The Normans brought harsher punishments, including the introduction of trial by combat.
They also enforced strict laws like the Forest Laws, which punished those who poached royal
deer.
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How did the development of the justice system in the Tudor period reflect social changes?
As society grew and became more complex, there was more focus on maintaining law and
order. The Tudors set up more formal courts, like the Star Chamber, to control crime and punish
corruption.
What was the purpose of the Bloody Code in the 17th and 18th centuries?
The Bloody Code made more crimes punishable by death to deter crime. It reflected the fear
of social unrest and was meant to make people think twice about breaking the law.
Explain how transportation affected crime and punishment in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Transportation was used as a punishment for petty criminals—sending them to Australia to
work for a period of years. It removed them from Britain and acted as a deterrent.
How did the Industrial Revolution impact crime in cities?
Cities grew rapidly, creating overcrowded, poor conditions. This led to an increase in crimes
like theft, as people struggled to survive in these new urban environments.
Why were prisons reformed in the 19th century?
Reformers like John Howard and Elizabeth Fry pushed for prisons to focus more on
rehabilitation and less on punishment. They wanted better conditions, education, and reform for
prisoners.
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What role did the Bow Street Runners play in improving law enforcement in the 18th century?
The Bow Street Runners were one of the first organized police forces in London. They
worked to catch criminals and reduce crime in the capital, becoming a model for future police
forces.
How did the use of capital punishment change between the 18th and 19th centuries?
As society changed and crime control became more focused on reform, the number of capital
offences decreased. By the end of the 19th century, executions were much rarer.
Why was there a shift from corporal punishment to imprisonment in the 19th century?
There was a growing belief that punishment should focus on rehabilitation, not just physical
pain. Prisons could reform offenders, while corporal punishment was seen as too brutal and
ineffective.
How did Victorian policing differ from earlier methods of law enforcement?
The Victorians introduced professional, uniformed police forces like the Metropolitan Police
in 1829, which were more organized and focused on preventing crime, unlike earlier volunteer
forces.
Explain the significance of the Metropolitan Police in 1829 for crime control.
The Metropolitan Police, founded by Sir Robert Peel, was the first modern police force. It set
GCSE History Crime and Punishment|
Exam Package 2025| Questions and
Verified Answers| 100%
Examine the role of the church in crime and punishment during the Medieval period.
The church had a lot of influence, acting as the moral authority. It judged cases, and crimes
like heresy or adultery were punished by the church, often with spiritual punishments.
How did the role of the local community change crime control in medieval England?
Local communities were responsible for catching criminals through systems like tithings and
hue and cry. If someone committed a crime, their neighbours had to help catch them.
Why were trials by ordeal used in the Medieval period?
Trials by ordeal were used when there wasn’t enough evidence. They were believed to be
ways for God to decide if someone was guilty or innocent—like the hot water or fire ordeal.
Why did the Anglo-Saxons have a system of wergild?
Wergild was a fine paid to the victim’s family for killing someone. It was meant to prevent
feuds and keep peace, and it depended on the victim’s status.
What impact did the Norman Conquest have on crime and punishment?
The Normans brought harsher punishments, including the introduction of trial by combat.
They also enforced strict laws like the Forest Laws, which punished those who poached royal
deer.
, 2
How did the development of the justice system in the Tudor period reflect social changes?
As society grew and became more complex, there was more focus on maintaining law and
order. The Tudors set up more formal courts, like the Star Chamber, to control crime and punish
corruption.
What was the purpose of the Bloody Code in the 17th and 18th centuries?
The Bloody Code made more crimes punishable by death to deter crime. It reflected the fear
of social unrest and was meant to make people think twice about breaking the law.
Explain how transportation affected crime and punishment in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Transportation was used as a punishment for petty criminals—sending them to Australia to
work for a period of years. It removed them from Britain and acted as a deterrent.
How did the Industrial Revolution impact crime in cities?
Cities grew rapidly, creating overcrowded, poor conditions. This led to an increase in crimes
like theft, as people struggled to survive in these new urban environments.
Why were prisons reformed in the 19th century?
Reformers like John Howard and Elizabeth Fry pushed for prisons to focus more on
rehabilitation and less on punishment. They wanted better conditions, education, and reform for
prisoners.
, 3
What role did the Bow Street Runners play in improving law enforcement in the 18th century?
The Bow Street Runners were one of the first organized police forces in London. They
worked to catch criminals and reduce crime in the capital, becoming a model for future police
forces.
How did the use of capital punishment change between the 18th and 19th centuries?
As society changed and crime control became more focused on reform, the number of capital
offences decreased. By the end of the 19th century, executions were much rarer.
Why was there a shift from corporal punishment to imprisonment in the 19th century?
There was a growing belief that punishment should focus on rehabilitation, not just physical
pain. Prisons could reform offenders, while corporal punishment was seen as too brutal and
ineffective.
How did Victorian policing differ from earlier methods of law enforcement?
The Victorians introduced professional, uniformed police forces like the Metropolitan Police
in 1829, which were more organized and focused on preventing crime, unlike earlier volunteer
forces.
Explain the significance of the Metropolitan Police in 1829 for crime control.
The Metropolitan Police, founded by Sir Robert Peel, was the first modern police force. It set
