Changing views of society over a period of time can be reflected by the punishment techniques used by society. While in the past punishments served primarily to discourage people from following criminals, and often for revenge, later attempts were made to reform the person so that they could contribute to society and repent of their sins. The ruling government/monarchy also had influence over punishments. Different social views can be demonstrated in England and China, during the Tudor and Victorian eras, respectively, and in ancient China and the Qing dynasty, respectively. The Tudor era, 1485 to 1603, still featured atrocious punishments for criminals. They were intended to prevent others from committing the crimes. Public executions were very common during the Tudor era and extremely popular. Beheading was common for those who committed treason and also for not conforming to the correct religion. They were usually displayed publicly and attracted large crowds who had no entertainment, despite the true purpose of public executions. This expresses not only the view of physical pain and death as a deterrent to people, but also the entertainment people had in seeing people die. The monarchy could also influence punishments. King Henry VIII executed nearly 72,000 people during his reign of terror. Many of his reasons were senseless, but it was also about ruling longer. Henry executed many people, regardless of his relationship to them. Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn, was beheaded because she had not produced a male heir and was seen flirting with other men. Sir Thomas More, one of Henry's best friends, was also executed after he refused to become a Protestant. When Henry's daughter Mary I came to power, she... middle of paper... things varied depending on the person. The rich and the poor had different punishments; now, despite social status or gender, people are punished differently only based on age. Being punishable by death is also quite rare today and is only used in a few societies. Furthermore, punishments in the old days were more physical, mainly to prevent people from committing crimes. Today's punishments aim to influence the person mentally, in the hope that he will be rehabilitated and become a better person. There are many similarities and differences in relation to punishment techniques and how they reflect society's views. Punishments today aim to mentally reform the person so that they can become a better person, whereas previously physical punishment served to prevent people from overthrowing the ruler. These ideas are expounded from the Tudors through to the Victorian era, ancient China, and the Qing Dynasty.