Posted by duncan webster on 16/07/2017 14:34:23:
However, I do agree with SoD, you used tyo get hung for stealing a loaf of bread, it didn't stop people stealing.
Indeed, but the reoffending rate of the day was 0% 
extremely cruel, but then how often these arcane laws were actually applied probably isn't as often as the myth portrayed, it was of course much harder to catch people then as well, law was very localized for that matter too. In short, it was just a different world.
I actually went to an old courthouse in Walsingham, Norfolk. They had a list of penalties, you could get hard labour for stealing a rat trap! why?
Edited By Michael-w on 16/07/2017 20:03:35