Bloody Code facts for kids
The "Bloody Code" was a set of very strict laws in England, Wales, and Ireland during the 1700s and early 1800s. It was called "Bloody Code" later on because it meant the death penalty for many different crimes, even ones we would think are minor today.
In 1689, there were about 50 crimes that could lead to the death penalty. By the end of the 1700s, this number had jumped to 220! Many new laws were added to protect property, which some people saw as a way for the rich to control the poor. As more people faced the death penalty, another punishment became common: being sent away to another country for a long time, known as penal transportation. Often, these people had to work as servants for a set period. In 1785, Australia was chosen as a place to send convicts. It's thought that over one-third of all criminals convicted between 1788 and 1867 were sent there. Later, laws became less harsh. By 1823, the Judgment of Death Act meant judges could choose *not* to give the death penalty for most crimes. By 1861, only five crimes could lead to death. The last execution in the UK happened in 1964, and the death penalty was completely removed for different crimes in the years that followed.
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A Time of Harsh Laws
In 1689, there were 50 crimes in England and Wales that could be punished by death. This number grew quickly, reaching 220 by the end of the 1700s. Most of these new laws were about protecting property. Some people believed these laws were a way for the wealthy to control poorer people. For example, grand larceny, which was stealing goods worth more than 12 pence, could lead to death. Twelve pence was about one-twentieth of a skilled worker's weekly pay back then.
As the 1700s went on, juries often tried to help people. They would sometimes say that stolen goods were worth less than 12 pence. This way, the person wouldn't automatically get the death penalty. The Kingdom of Ireland also had similar harsh laws, but not as many crimes were punishable by death there.
Sending People Away
As the number of crimes punishable by death grew, lawmakers looked for other punishments. They wanted something less severe but still tough enough to stop people from committing crimes. This led to more people being sent away to other lands, a punishment called "penal transportation." These people often had to work as servants for a certain number of years.
A law called the Transportation Act 1717 helped organize this system. However, its use was stopped in 1776 because the American Colonies were fighting for their independence in the American Revolutionary War. With America no longer an option, lawmakers started thinking about building more prisons.
In 1785, Australia was chosen as a new, distant place to send convicts. Transportation started again with the First Fleet leaving in 1787. It's estimated that over one-third of all criminals convicted between 1788 and 1867 were sent to Australia, including places like Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania). Some criminals could avoid being sent away if they agreed to join the British Army. A famous legal expert named William Blackstone once said that it was sad how many crimes (over 160!) could lead to instant death.
What Crimes Led to Death?
A historian named Leon Radzinowicz listed many crimes that could lead to the death penalty in the 1700s. These were grouped into 21 categories. Some examples of these serious crimes included:
- Crimes against the government, like High treason (betraying the country).
- Crimes against public order, like causing a riot or damaging important structures like flood defences.
- Crimes against the law system, like interfering with justice.
- Serious theft, like grand larceny (stealing valuable goods) or breaking into a house at night.
- Stealing from people, like pickpocketing.
- Stealing or taking money by people who worked for others, like servants or Post Office employees.
- Making fake documents or money (called forgery or coinage offences).
- Setting fire to property on purpose (called arson).
- Piracy (robbery at sea).
Making Laws Fairer
Over time, the laws became less harsh. In 1823, the Judgement of Death Act 1823 changed things a lot. It meant that judges could choose *not* to give the death penalty for most crimes, except for treason and murder. Slowly, during the mid-1800s, the number of crimes punishable by death kept going down. By 1861, there were only five such crimes left.
The very last execution in the UK happened in 1964. After that, the death penalty was legally removed for different crimes over the next few years:
- Murder: Abolished in 1969 in England, Wales, and Scotland, and in 1973 in Northern Ireland.
- Arson in royal dockyards: Abolished in 1971.
- Espionage (spying): Abolished in 1981.
- Piracy with violence: Abolished in 1998.
- Treason: Abolished in 1998.
- Six military crimes: Abolished in 1998.
See also
