In response to rapidly rising crime rates, legislators in Georgian England initiated a policy of imposing mandatory capital punishment for what to modem eyes is an astonishing range of crimes. Over 200 crimes were punishable by hanging: not only murder and kidnapping, but forgery, petty theft, and "posing as a gypsy." However, although the number of crimes punishable by death increased, and more and more criminals were brought to trial, the numbers of people who were actually hanged fell.

Simple decency alone accounts for many of the instances in which the English chose not to use their lethal laws. Judges could commute the death sentence on suitably penitent felons. Juries could undervalue stolen goods so as to bilk the prosecution. (Since the law demanded that anyone who stole 40 shillings or more must hang, hundreds of theft of goods valued by the jury at 39 shillings were handed down every year for the convictions.) However, so many remissions seem to indicate that the exercising of mercy was also part of an active strategy. If a convicted felon could obtain references and sub-petitions from the clergy or other respectable persons, he could seek the Royal Mercy by petitioning the Home Secretary. It was within the power of the king to override courts and sentences and he often did, proving to his subjects that he was concerned with their cares.

Simply repealing the hanging laws would have had quite a different effect than maintaining but not always using them. If each reprieve were a special case where the ruler chose mercy over death, then that decision would be repaid in devotion and gratitude. Without the Royal Mercy and judicial commission, so many Englishmen would have met their end at the gallows that it would have provoked general riots.

1. The author mentions the crimes of forgery, petty theft, and "posing as a gypsy" (Highlighted) in order to

A) give examples of crimes which were typically punishable by death in Georgian England

B) illustrate the types of crime prevalent in Georgian England

C) provide examples of crimes that were formerly considered to be much more serious than they are now

D) highlight how the death penalty in Georgian England was even applied to what would now be considered minor crimes

E) contrast the seventy of punishment in Georgian England with the magnitude of the crime finance and other political issues.

2. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A) outline judicial measures brought in response to increasing crime rates in Georgian England

B) demonstrate how the Royal Mercy and judicial commission were used to secure the king’s position in Georgian England

C) show why the number of people hanged in Georgian England fell, despite rise in number of capital offenses and criminal trials

D) review and evaluate the effectiveness of capital punishment in Georgian England

E) define the limits of judicial and royal power in Georgian England


3. According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true of the legal system of Georgian England?

A) The law provided for mandatory penalties for some crimes.

B) Judges were compelled to adhere to the letter of the law.

C) Juries had latitude to determine the precise charges on which they convicted prisoners.

D) There was a system of appeals in place.

E) The king had ultimate authority over the administration of justice.