Crime & Punishement

Punishment in the 16th century was much more different than punishment nowadays. People were held in prison until trial then the prisoner was given a physical punishment. Most punishments were simple but harsh like flogging, which is beating someone with a whip or a stick. Minor crimes were also punished by the pillory. The pillory was a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands. Once the person was in it the frame was locked. Then the onlookers would usually throw items at the criminal, food (e.g. rotten tomatoes) was one item thrown but there was also animal excrement and mud thrown. More serious crimes were punished by death, beheading was reserved for the wealthy and ordinary people were usually just hanged.