Early Modern Period Law Enforcement Flashcards
what was an important factor for changes in law enforcement?
increase in population
did the role of church in the justice system increase or decrease?
decrease
what were the continuities in law enforcement in Early Modern England?
-no professional police force so responsibility on individuals e.g. hue & cry
-upaid & amateur officials still upheld the law (jps & constables)
-church courts still punish moral crimes (puritanism)
what were the changes in law enforcement in Early Modern England?
-watchmen employed in towns -> inefficient as no training & often fell asleep / drunk at night
-change in role of church:
-> benefit of clergy = Henry VIII allowed non-clergy ‘benefit of clergy’, Edward VI made serious crimes exempt from benefit of clergy, from 1576 church courts couldn’t try criminal acts
->sanctuary = Henry VIII stopped exile abroad for those claiming sanctuary, in 1623 James I abolished sanctuary altogether
what did watchmen do?
-patrolled streets at night
-rang bell to alert people
-unpaid
-all male householders expected to volunteer
-overseen by town constable
what did town constables do?
-had power to arrest suspects & take them to the Justice of Peace
-in charge of watchmen in their area
-helped with town administration
-employed by authorise in towns
who were the Justice of Peace?
They were responsible to the King in ensuring that the law was upheld and preserving the “King’s peace”
from what year could church courts not try criminal acts?
1576
when was sanctuary abolished?
1623
