crime and society, 1550-1750 lecture 2: the courts
TRANSCRIPT
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CRIME AND SOCIETY, 1550-1750LECTURE 2: THE COURTS
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2Historiography
J. Baker, ‘An Introduction to English Legal History’, (1971).
J. Beattie, ‘Crime and the Courts in England, 1660-1800’ (1986).
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Monarch as apex of system
Fountain of justice
All courts run in name of monarch
All writs are monarch’s writs
James I of England, VI of Scotland
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Role of Parliament Statute Law Change or
alter any law Part of
Common Law
Henry VII and Parliament
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The King’s Bench & Court of Common Pleas.
King’s Bench dealt centrally with criminal cases
Most senior court based at Westminster
Acted as a court of appeal
Court of the King’s Bench
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The King’s Bench & Court of Common Pleas.
Common Pleas – civil cases
Shared Westminster Hall with King’s Bench
Competed for cases
Court of the King’s Bench
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7Beyond London
Assizes (serious crimes) Quarter Sessions (lesser crimes) Petty Sessions (even lesser crimes) Manorial Courts (‘Lord of the manor’)
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Assizes
Main forum for the prosecution of serious, capital crimes
Six circuits: Norfolk, Oxford, Western, Home Counties, Northern, Midland
Assizes –linked centre to locality –twice a year Assize Court, Devizes, Wilts
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Assizes Circuits
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The Old Bailey
London’s criminal court
Records available via ‘Old Bailey Online’
The Old Bailey, London
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Court System - Local Courts
Quarter sessions
4 times a year: JPs on Commission of the Peace
Minor offences
Admin tasks
Co-ordinated local government
Monthly meetings turn into Petty Sessions
Ripon Quarter Sessions Courthouse
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Sample of local cases
Hertford 1625 “Edmund Mortimer had a great company in his house at the time of divine service, making a great noise.”
Richard Crouch the Younger and Thomas his brother for often swearing , four times a piece since shrovetide last.”
St Albans 1650s “for layeinge of stinking goare and dounge in Dagnel Lane,”
“John Carter fined 3 shillings and four pence for selling beer without a licence,”
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Petty sessions
Evolved from the later 16th century from the informal meetings between the Quarter sessions
Control of markets – poor relief –engrossing - idea of the “just” price – control wages - anti-monopoly
Bench of magistrates dealing out summary justice
No jury Not a court of official record
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Borough & Liberty Sessions
Borough Courts
Hertford, St Albans, & Berkamstead
St Albans Liberty
Market & Mayor’s Courts
Hemel Hempstead Bailiff
Breaches of local regulations & bye-laws
Court of Piepowder
Liberty of St Albans St Alban’s Gaol
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Manorial Court Leet
Breach of manorial regulations & criminal offences by tenants
Appoint constables Watford Encroachment:
horses on common land, dung on highway, escaping pigs
Steward presided -Jury of Tenants
Court Leet at Tunstall Staffs
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Prerogative Courts
Court of the Exchequer
Court of Admiralty
Court of Chancery & Equity
The Star Chamber
Court of Chancery
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Court of Star Chamber
King’s Privy Council
Cases of riot & rebellion
Bribery of juries (embracery)- no jury
Suborning of Judges
Supervise Judicial system
Abused politically by Charles I
Abolished 1641
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Ecclesiastical Courts
Doctrinal conformity
Probate of Wills & property
Pursue recusants
Cases referred from Archdeacons courts
Dealt with moral, religious, financial and administrative offences
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Conclusion
Criminal Courts
Petty Crime Courts & Local Administration
Royal Courts
Religious Courts
The building blocks of central administration?
18th century justices at work