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Crime and Punishment
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There was a lot of crime during Tudor times, but being a beggar or being homeless then was illegal. Each county had an elected sheriff who was not paid in his duties as a policeman. Often the sheriff was too scared to catch the violent criminals so people generally carried a sword or dagger for their own protection.
Beggars when caught were whipped or put into stocks. Many people suffered at the hands of pick pockets and cheats at card games. Thieves were braned with an F on their cheek, and they might have had their ears and hands cut off. Murderers were hanged, although if you had poisoned someone you were boiled in water.
