How The British Murder Act of 1751 Scared Criminals Straight
During the mid-18th century, murder was so rampant in Britain that Parliament needed to create an equally brutal law in response. Some said legislation as a fate worse than death. The British Murder Act of 1751 became law the following year, with the purpose of terrorizing the public into a reasonable facsimile of human decency.
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#law #britishhistory #weirdhistory
@Eric-qo8vv
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
I’m gonna say I’d be more worried about hanging than where my soul may go. Just me maybe but….
@Eric-qo8vv
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Poaching. Forgery I’d theft. = Death. Just yikes
@y_fam_goeglyd
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
So many people turned up at Shepherd's execution because surprisingly many of them thought he was going to escape!
@btetschner
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
For the second step, couples can choose their home restaurant (their go-to restaurant) at the food court.
@btetschner
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
8:14 It is rather mind-blowing how strong of a motivator boredom can be for malicious acts.
@btetschner
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Continuing ANOTHER Weird History sequence!
Thinking of the second step for restaurant courting*†…while watching this Weird History video!
* Inspired by the Weird History videos that include elements of courting.
† This is probably going to be the most ridiculous Weird History sequence…or is it?
@bridgettroberts2386
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Everyone Needs A Hobby 🙃
@Rumpelstiltskinsdaughter
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Christians had the worst laws! They are so judgmental and vile!
@cn8299
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
And now today, Britain doesn't lock anyone up and lets criminals run free that is unless you're a citizen.
@MonicaLopez-cf9oq
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Do something on the Tylenol scare 😮
@willcorg1979
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Fortunately neither man nor government can prevent the forgiveness of sins bought through Jesus’ blood. All those who’ve died have paid for their sins with death. (Romans 6:7, 23)
@rogerszmodis
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Science can not move forward without heaps
@Daria_Morgandorfer.
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Imagine then the Victorian and guilded age when you could be punished for pauperism and being poor especially the poor house and workhouse system pretty crazy when you think the last work house officially closed in 1948 pretty nuts tbh
@btetschner
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Such an intriguing video!
@briansmith7067
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Make a video about The Wager
@Inhaleexhalelol
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
We need that justice system in today’s world lol.
@axelliegeois23
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Could you do a video about Leopold II of Belgium? 🙂
@jonathanstempleton7864
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
The Offences Against the Person Act (with a few minor amendments) is still the basis for many violence prosecutions in the UK including Murder, Manslaughter, Assault occasioning Actual or Grievous Bodily Harm, Bigamy, Threats to Kill, or Concealing the Birth of a Child.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it 🙂
@gorillaestefan8227
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
lol at the thoughty2 sample
@karenchristinewise7833
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Ireland was a separate kingdom from Great Britain until the Act of Union in 1801. Northern Ireland which is six counties of the province of Ulster's nine counties was created in 1921. Please use accurate maps for the relevant time periods.
@rocknrollcannibals
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
The latter half of the 18th century was rough for England. First this crime wave, then all the issues with the American colonies, eventually culminating in them losing them entirely after an expensive war.
@Tom-hk6ub
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Make a video about Billy the Goat!
@briangriffin5524
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
New York City carried out the death penalty in the 19th century. The city used hanging as the form of execution. It did little to discourage crime. This was the period of The Gangs of New York. Most of the gangs were immigrants, they had little fear of the police or any consequences.
@warriorfromhammerfell1557
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
I am fairly certain crime rate will drop significantly if the direct family members of the convicted is involved in the punishment especially if it's a capital punishment
@jasminhlemus9886
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Can you do a video on Olmec civilization
@hxcadillac
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
07:14 – In the decade I've lived in London I've heard "merry-la-bone" plenty of times – especially from fellow Americans – but I've never heard it butchered into "mar-buh-lin". Unsure if this was a lapse in the research behind the scenes or an intentional attempt at pissing off any Brits that might be watching. (For the record: "mah-luh-bun").
@johnrigler8858
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
A death worse than fate?
@sgt_slobber.7628
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
You don’t know what it’s like, you don’t have a clue!!!!
But if you did, you’ll find yourself, Doin the same thing too!!!!!
Breakin’ the Law Breakin’ the Law!!!!!M/🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
@gankt
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Interesting but painfully unfunny
@baronvg
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Im just not convinced body desecration works nowadays. Who cares, right? You’re dead. lol North Korea does it the right way. Generational punishment. You commit a crime, it ain’t just you that goes down. It’s your children and grandchildren.
@DRAKKENFIRE22
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
When it comes to murders, The BMA was a necessary good…not a necessary evil. For offenses that did not result in death, it went too far. Funny how history repeats itself! We’re seeing a lot of violence in metro areas that are glorified in hip-hop/rap music. We need stricter laws (to include the death penalty) to stem the out of control violence in the big progressive cities, but the irrational fear of being called “racist” is making that difficult.
@gregorycugnod1693
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Your history is not only weird, it is biased. So, there was a rise in criminality because there were more "opportunities" to rob in the cities, is that so? Is it not because so many people were driven into poverty and forced to go live in the cities because their landlords in the country suddenly realized it would be cheaper to replace them with sheep? It was the industrial revolution you see, wool became so much easier to transform into fabric that it was all of a sudden a very profitabe commodity. Wouldn't you agree then that the rise in criminality is the direct consequence of the misery created by the greed of the upper class? Make a correction to that video of endure the full brunt of my scorn.
@keescouprie5968
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Interesting map at 3:24. German Ocean?🤔
@kudukilla
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Human anatomy was a brand new disciple at this time. As mentioned there were religious beliefs, mainly Catholic, about the body needing to be whole so getting cadavers for dissection to understand internal anatomy were rare. Grave robbing and even murders to sell bodies took place. Look up Burke and Hare.
@TheRabidRaccoon
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
It's about time the UK reintroduced these laws
@ColbyNeblett
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
They eventually figured out that harsher punishments do not deter crime. As much as we feel like it makes sense it has the opposite effect. Like the no tolerance policies that were common in the 80s did nothing but put even more people in jail, stressing the already understaffed justice systems in every town and county and make people who were committing petty crimes behave more violently because of the greater risk of longer sentences. . Punishment is seen as a challenge to overcome to one who's mind is set on it. Which makes police get tougher and more violent which makes criminals even more violent and on and on. The Cartels are a good example
Making crimes harder to commit is one deterrent. Also rehabilitation is another. Like you said when there's a lot of people crammed together in poverty but stuff goes down.
What we do about that idk. Poverty is a consequence of western capitalist ideology.
@UnchainedAmerica
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
USA: Lets do the opposite, lets cuddle the criminals. Seriously, we could use some of these harsh punishments in the US.
@meh3247
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Thanks for being unable to get to the point without begging for likes and subscribers. I simply googled "The British Murder Act of 1751" for a quicker and easier answer that didn't require having to listen to your pretentiously affected accent.
@thelittlehooer
July 31, 2025 at 9:25 am
Should have gotten off with Crucifixion, y'know, first offence.
Comments are closed.