2024_OCR - GCSE History B (Schools
History Project)
Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to
Present with The Elizabethans, 1580–
1603
Merged Question Paper & Marking
Scheme
(Tuesday 4 June 2024 – Afternoon)
Code: J411/15
, Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Tuesday 4 June 2024 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) History B (Schools History Project)
J411/15 Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to present with
The Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
* 9 9 4 4 5 2 7 8 4 1 *
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers
must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Section A – Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to present: Answer Questions 1 (a–c), 2,
3 and either Question 4 or Question 5.
• Section B – The Elizabethans, 1580–1603: Answer Questions 6 (a–b) and 7, and
either Question 8 or Question 9.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2024 [601/8408/5] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (KS/CT) 339722/3 Turn over
,Oxford Cambridge and RSA - GCSE (9–1) History B (Schools History Project)
J411/15 Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to Present with The Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Exam Overview.
This exam covers two key areas: Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to present and The Elizabethans,
1580–1603. Below is a breakdown of what you need to focus on for each topic:
Crime and Punishment, c.1250 to Present
This section covers the development of crime, policing, and punishment across a broad period, starting
from the medieval era and continuing to the modern day.
Key Areas to Focus On:
1. Medieval Crime and Punishment (c.1250–c.1500):
o Types of Crime: Understand the different crimes committed during this period,
including theft, rebellion, and religious crimes like heresy.
o Punishments: Study the punishments used in medieval times, such as trial by ordeal,
corporal punishments, and public executions.
o Role of the Church: The church played a major role in the medieval justice system,
including its influence on crime and punishment, such as trial by ordeal and the
treatment of heretics.
2. Early Modern Crime and Punishment (c.1500–c.1750):
o Role of the State and the Rise of Law Enforcement: The state began to take more
control over law enforcement during this period. Investigate the establishment of courts,
and how punishment methods evolved, including the introduction of prisons.
o Changes in Policing: The shift towards professional law enforcement and the early
development of modern policing systems.
o Punishments: Explore the use of public punishments like executions and the
emergence of more formalized punishment structures.
3. Industrial Revolution and Crime (c.1750–c.1900):
o Impact of Industrialization: The growth of cities, social inequalities, and the rise in
crime during the Industrial Revolution. Understand the development of new crimes,
such as those related to urban poverty.
o The Development of the Police: Study the creation of the first formal police forces,
including the Metropolitan Police established by Sir Robert Peel in 1829.
o Changes in Punishment: Learn how punishment evolved during this period, such as
the shift away from executions and towards imprisonment.
4. Modern Crime and Punishment (1900–Present):
o The Impact of Technology: Understand the role of new technologies in both
committing and detecting crimes, such as the rise of cybercrime.
o Modern Punishments: Explore modern methods of punishment, including
rehabilitation, community sentences, and the use of prisons.
o Social Issues and Crime: The current debates around crime prevention, the criminal
justice system, and rehabilitation methods.
The Elizabethans, 1580–1603
This section focuses on the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and the political, social, and cultural
developments of the Elizabethan period, alongside the development of crime and punishment during
this time.
Key Areas to Focus On:
, 1. The Elizabethan Government and Society:
o The Role of the Monarch: Queen Elizabeth I’s role in government, including her
religious and political policies, and how these affected crime and punishment.
o The Structure of Society: Understanding the social hierarchies, from the nobility to the
poor, and how these influenced crime rates and perceptions of justice.
o The Role of Religion: The Protestant Reformation under Elizabeth I and its impact on
law, order, and crime. Explore religious persecution, the treatment of Catholics, and the
influence of the Church of England.
2. Crime and Punishment in the Elizabethan Era:
o Types of Crime: Study the crimes prevalent in Elizabethan society, such as vagrancy,
treason, theft, and the punishment of heresy.
o Law Enforcement: Investigate how law enforcement was carried out during this
period, including the role of local officials like Justices of the Peace and the creation of
more formal legal structures.
o Punishments: Explore the harsh punishments used during this period, such as
execution for treason, corporal punishment, public shaming, and transportation.
Consider how these punishments reflected the social values of the time.
3. Social and Political Context:
o The Elizabethan Worldview: Consider how people in Elizabethan England viewed
crime, justice, and social order. Explore the fear of rebellion and disorder, and how this
led to strict measures against perceived threats.
o The Role of the State: Examine how the state, under Elizabeth, managed crime through
legislation, policing, and the control of dissent, such as the crackdown on Catholicism.
o The Role of the Poor and the Criminal: The treatment of the poor and the criminal
classes in Elizabethan society, and how these groups were targeted by law enforcement.
4. The Impact of Crime and Punishment on Society:
o Public Executions and Public Perception: Examine the role of public executions in
reinforcing the power of the state and the monarchy, and their impact on society's view
of crime and punishment.
o Elizabethan Reforms: Study any reforms or changes in law enforcement and
punishment that occurred during Elizabeth’s reign.
Assessment Overview:
The exam will include a mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended response
questions.
Expect to analyze how different events, figures, and policies during the Elizabethan period
impacted crime and punishment, and compare these developments with trends from earlier
periods (e.g., medieval or early modern periods).
For essay questions, you'll need to demonstrate both depth and breadth of knowledge, making
sure to use specific examples and evidence to support your answers.
Preparation Tips:
Compare and Contrast: Be prepared to compare crime and punishment across the different
time periods, especially regarding how society's response to crime evolved.
Focus on Key Events: For the Elizabethans, focus on key events like the execution of Mary,
Queen of Scots, and the treatment of Catholics under Elizabeth I.
Use Specific Examples: For essay questions, provide clear and specific examples of crimes,
punishments, and figures, and explain how they fit into broader social, political, and historical
contexts.
Practice Essay Writing: Practice writing essays that examine how crime and punishment
changed or remained the same over time, with particular emphasis on the Elizabethan period.
Good luck with your revision!
