Crime and punishment, c.1250 to present

    OCR
    GCSE

    This thematic study analyzes the evolution of crime, law enforcement, and punishment in Britain from c.1250 to the present. Candidates must evaluate the interplay of factors such as religion, government, social attitudes, and technology in driving change or maintaining continuity. The scope encompasses the transition from community-based policing to professional forces, the shift from retributive physical punishment to incarceration and rehabilitation, and the changing definitions of criminal activity across Medieval, Early Modern, Industrial, and Modern eras.

    10
    Objectives
    8
    Exam Tips
    7
    Pitfalls
    6
    Key Terms
    8
    Mark Points

    Subtopics in this area

    Crime and punishment, c.1250 to present
    Crime and punishment, c.1250 to present

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • The Statute of Labourers (1351) and the criminalization of vagrancy.
    • Matthew Hopkins and the Witchcraft craze (1645-1647).
    • The Bloody Code (1688-1815) and the increase in capital crimes.
    • The establishment of the Metropolitan Police by Robert Peel (1829).
    • The abolition of the Death Penalty for murder (1965/1998).
    • 1351 Statute of Labourers (Criminalizing vagrancy)
    • 1605 Gunpowder Plot (Treason and harsh punishment)
    • 1829 Metropolitan Police Act (Establishment of professional policing)
    • 1878 CID established (Specialization in policing)
    • 1953 Derek Bentley Case (Changing attitudes to capital punishment)

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have described the event; now explain *why* it was a turning point in the history of crime."
    • "Specific evidence is needed here—mention the specific Act, individual (e.g., Robert Peel), or decade."
    • "Your summary lists points; ensure you organize them into distinct categories (e.g., economic vs. social factors)."
    • "In the judgment, explain why one factor outweighs the other, rather than just summarizing both sides."
    • "You have described the punishment, but you must explain *why* it was used at this specific time (deterrence vs. retribution)."
    • "Specific evidence is required here; replace 'people were scared' with 'the fear of witchcraft generated by Matthew Hopkins'."
    • "Your judgment is present but weak; explicitly weigh the relative importance of the factors (e.g., was religion more significant than government action?)."
    • "Ensure you distinguish between the 'Industrial' period and the 'Modern' period; 1900 is the pivot point."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for the identification of specific historical features (e.g., Tithings, Watchmen, Bow Street Runners) rather than generic descriptions.
    • Credit responses that explicitly address Second Order Concepts: Change, Continuity, Causation, and Consequence.
    • In 'How far do you agree' questions, candidates must produce a balanced argument with a sustained line of reasoning and a valid judgment.
    • For the Summary question, award marks for selecting relevant examples and organizing them into a coherent narrative, not just listing facts.
    • Award marks for precise factual recall (AO1) regarding specific statutes (e.g., Statute of Labourers 1351, Murder Act 1965).
    • Credit responses that explicitly explain the role of second-order concepts (AO2): causation, consequence, change, and continuity.
    • In 18-mark responses, candidates must produce a sustained, balanced argument with a clinching judgment that addresses the 'How far do you agree' prompt.
    • Differentiation relies on the depth of specific examples; generic references to 'harsh punishments' score lower than specific citations of 'The Bloody Code' or 'capital punishment abolition'.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡For the 9-mark Summary question, identify three distinct points/factors and support each with specific evidence; do not write a conclusion.
    • 💡In the 18-mark essay, ensure your conclusion weighs the factors against each other—explain why one was more significant than the other.
    • 💡Use specific dates or decades to anchor your answer (e.g., 'In the 1830s...' rather than 'In the past...').
    • 💡Link changes in crime and punishment to wider historical context, such as the growth of towns or the decline of religious authority.
    • 💡For the 3-mark 'Write down three' question, provide short, sharp factual statements; no explanation is required.
    • 💡In the 12-mark 'Explain why' question, structure the response around two distinct reasons (factors), supporting each with specific historical evidence.
    • 💡For the 18-mark essay, ensure the conclusion validates the judgment made in the introduction; do not sit on the fence.
    • 💡Use the 'periods' correctly: Medieval (1250-1500), Early Modern (1500-1750), Industrial (1750-1900), Modern (1900-present).

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating the 'Hue and Cry' system with the later 'Metropolitan Police' era.
    • Asserting that the Bloody Code was effective because it was harsh, ignoring the reluctance of juries to convict.
    • Providing a narrative of events (storytelling) instead of an analytical explanation of why changes occurred.
    • Failing to distinguish between 'policing' (catching criminals) and 'punishment' (penalizing the convicted).
    • Conflating the 'Hue and Cry' system with the 'Tithing' system; failing to distinguish between community and state responsibilities.
    • Chronological confusion regarding the end of public execution (1868) versus the abolition of the death penalty (1965/1998).
    • Describing events (narrative) in the 12-mark 'Explain' question rather than analyzing the reasons for change or continuity.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Write a clear and organised summary
    Why
    How far do you agree
    Give one example
    Explain
    Evaluate
    Identify
    Describe
    Calculate
    Give

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