Crime and Punishment: Key Dates and Events

Roman Period

Battle of Watling Street

The Dark Ages Period

Institutes of Justinian

Synod of Whitby

Medieval Period

Battle of Hastings

English Civil War

Constitutes of Clarendon

Trial by Ordeal ended

Constables Introduced

Posse Comitatus introduced

Justices of the Peace act

Early Modern Period

Vagrancy Law

Witchcraft becomes a crime

Vagrancy Act 2

Houses of Correction built

Gunpowder plot

Civil War 2

Witchfinder General

Waltham Black Act

Bow Street runners