This weeks activity: researching punishments
We know how ordinary people felt about poaching. But how harsh were the game laws in reality?
Go to the Old Bailey Online database and search for those found guilty of poaching (Specific Criminal Act: Game Laws; General Verdict: Guilty).
- What animals had they taken?
- How were they punished?
- Do any stand out as unusual or unfair?
- Why were the laws were so harsh?
Modern poaching around the world is often for endangered animals.
These elephants were killed not for their meat but for the ivory of their tusks:
4 comments:
-John Guy -
The animals that he killed were 3 Fallow Deers. He was punished via Death.
Do any stand out as unusual or unfair? Not really seeing as how it is the 18th century and punishments for even stealing bread could result in death.
The laws were harsh to enforce the law
Thomas Teggs , of the Parish of Edmonton, was indicted, together with Thomas Packer , not yet taken, for unlawfully taking 120 Carp, value 3 l. the Property of James Colebrook , the 28th of July last.The Jury found him guilty on all three Indictments, but left the Penalty on the Third Indictment, founded upon the Statute, to the Determination of the Judges, Whether the Crime be allowed the Benefit of the Clergy, or not?
John Guy , of Tuddington, was indicted, for that he, after the 1st of June, 1723. that is to say, on the 1st of September last, did feloniously hunt and kill three fallow Deer value 30 s. in a Paddock or inclosed Ground where Deer are usually kept, belonging to Anthony Duncomb Esq.The latter Part of this Deposition was confirmed by the three Countrymen that assisted C.George in the Pursuit. Guilty . Death .
Richard Gibbs , of Endfield, was indicted, for that he, with others, did on the 19th of July, 1725. hunt and kill two Fallow Deer.The Jury brought him in Guilty . Death .
I think the last two punishments defineltely stand out as unfair as the last two examples were killed. I think these are unfair because yes in those days it was a serious crime but nowadays you don't really see any examples as extreme as these. I think that the laws were so harsh because if these punishments were carried out in public then it would try to put people off doing them as they would see that if they did do these things, stealing, then they too could possibly be executed. I think that punishments towards this type of crime has defintely changed because if someone was caught stealing game they would probably just be given a fine or a short sentence in prison but in that certain era they would have been killed.
Emily
Thomas Teggs , of the Parish of Edmonton, was indicted, together with Thomas Packer , not yet taken, for unlawfully taking 120 Carp, value 3 l. the Property of James Colebrook , the 28th of July last.
He was also indicted a second Time, together with Thomas Packer, for stealing 120 Carp. value 3 l. out of the Pond of James Colebrook , the 28 of July last.
He was also indicted a third Time, for, that after the 1 st of June, 1723. and on the 28th of July, in the Year 1723. did wilfully, maliciously, and feloniously, break and cut down the Head or Mound of a Pond, belonging to James Colebrook, wherein were a great Quantity of Carp, and other Fish, and them did destroy, contrary to the Act of Parliament in that Case made and provided, and contrary to the Peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, &c .
John Guy , of Tuddington, was indicted, for that he, after the 1st of June, 1723. that is to say, on the 1st of September last, did feloniously hunt and kill three fallow Deer value 30 s. in a Paddock or inclosed Ground where Deer are usually kept, belonging to Anthony Duncomb Esq;
Richard Gibbs , of Endfield, was indicted, for that he, with others, did on the 19th of July, 1725. hunt and kill two Fallow Deer; and that he at the same Time with others, bearing Fire Arms, did shoot at the Persons of Humphry Buckle , and Henry Best , and that he not surrendring himself within 40 Days after Proclamation , he was arraigned at the Bar; as by an Act of Parliament made for the Punishment of such Offenders: But he denying himself to be the Person, the Jury proceeded as in other Cases, to examine the Evidences for the King.
61. William Johnson , of Edmonton, was indicted for unlawfully hunting, stealing, and carrying away (with Robert Hill , not yet taken) a sallow Deer, value 8l. and a fallow Fawn, value 20 s. in a Park enclos'd with a Fence, where Deer are usually kept , the Property of Sir Jeremiah Sambrook , Baronet, after the 1st of June, 1723. that is to say, on the 12th of June last.
300. ( M) William Hart was indicted for that he unlawfully and willfully did hunt , wound, kill, destroy, and carry away two fallow deer, the property of Ann. countess dowager of Albemarle , in a place inclosed with pales, where deer are usually kept . July 3. ||
251. John Hanson was indicted for stealing twenty live fish, call'd carp, value 10 s. three live fish call'd tench, value 3 s. three live fish call'd pearch, value 12 d. the property of , in the county of Middlesex, April 16.
To which he pleaded guilty .
He received sentence to be branded , and was branded immediately.
459. WILLIAM WHITE , SAMUEL CARROD , and WILLIAM POND were indicted for that they, on the 5th of January, about the hour of twelve in the night, unlawfully did enter a certain enclosed land, called Stanwell-park, belonging to Sir John Gibbons , Bart., for the purpose of taking and destroying game, being armed with guns and other offensive weapons, against the Statute , &c.
2nd COUNT, calling it an enclosed park.
See original 3rd Count, for unlawfully entering enclosed land; that is to say, certain fields in the occupation of Sir John Gibbons , Bart.
4th Count, like the third, only calling it enclosed land.
WILLIAM POND pleaded GUILTY .
MR. ADOLPHUS conducted the prosecution
536. GEORGE HILL was indicted for unlawfully entering a certain enclosed land, at Stanwell, about twelve o'clock, in the night of the 5th of January, 1830, belonging to Sir John Gibbons , Bart., for the purpose of taking and destroying game; he and others being armed with guns and other offensive weapons ; against the Statute, &c.
THREE OTHEN COUNTS, varying the charge.
MR. LEE conducted the prosecution.
What animals had they taken?John Guy-3 fallow deer/richard gibbs-
How were they punished? death/death:respited
Do any stand out as unusual or unfair? no because the law was there to deter others from commiting a crime
Why were the laws were so harsh? so other people would think twice about commiting a crime
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