Law Enforcement in Early Modern Society

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Continuities in Law Enforcement During the Early Modern Period

A large number of methods of law enforcement continued during the Early Modern period.

The Hue and Cry

The Hue and Cry was used in a similar way to before. Every member of the village would be expected to down tools and hunt for a criminal.
Any that chose not to join the search would be fined. In the event of the Hue and Cry failing the Posse would continue the search.

Constables

The constable was one of the main methods used to track down criminals and maintain law and order.
This was still a part-time role undertaken by a key figure in the area.

Church courts

Church courts remained in use during this period and dealt with crimes committed by men of the church and anyone that could claim the Benefit of the Clergy.
However, by 1600 many more ordinary people were claiming Benefit of the Clergy, reading the ‘neck verse’ so this practice was ended.

Trial by jury

Trial by jury continued as a method still relying on a jury made up of local people.

Changes in Law Enforcement During the Early Modern Period

There were a couple of new introductions for law enforcement in the Early Modern Period.

Town Watchmen

Town Watchmen were introduced to patrol the streets.
They patrolled during the day and the night and their role included the arrest and detention of vagabonds and drunks.
In reality, they were not particularly effective as they were poorly paid.
The role attracted people desperate for a job and as a result, those employed were often drunk on the job and faced ridicule.

Justices of the Peace

Justices of the Peace (JPs) became an important method of law enforcement during this period.
It was usually local wealthy people that took the position as it offered prestige.
The role enabled them to pass sentence on others, issuing fines, ordered people to be whipped or send them to the stocks and pillory.

Crimes JPs dealt with

JPs dealt with minor crimes on their own but four times each year they would meet up with other JPs for Quarter Sessions, where they would deal with more serious crimes.
- At these sessions, the JPs had the power to sentence people to death.

The army

During this period the army also became a feature of law enforcement.
They were often used to stop riots and capture organised criminal gangs.
This method was particularly unpopular with ordinary people.

1Medieval England, 1000-1500

1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England

1.1.1Early Medieval Society

1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

1.2.1Enforcing the Law in Medieval Society

1.2.2Punishments in Medieval England

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Early Medieval Society

1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500

1.3.1The Church

1.3.2End of Topic Test - The Church

1.3.3Grade 9 - Medieval England

2Early Modern England, 1500-1700

2.1Changing Definitions of Crime

2.1.1Early Modern Society

2.1.2Crime in the Early Modern Period

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Early Modern Crime

2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

2.2.1Punishments in Early Modern Society

2.2.2Law Enforcement in Early Modern Society

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Early Modern Law Enforcement

2.2.4Grade 9 - Early Modern England

2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700

2.3.1Key Individuals

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Case Studies 1500-1700

2.3.3Grade 9 - Case Studies From 1500-1700

318th & 19th Century Britain

3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain

3.1.1Society in Industrial Britain

3.1.2Crime in Industrial Britain

3.1.3End of Topic Test - Crime in Industrial Britain

3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

3.2.1Punishment in Industrial Society

3.2.2Punishment in Industrial Society 2

3.2.3Policing in the Industrial Period

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Punishment

3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900

3.3.1Changes to the Prison System

3.3.2End of Topic Test - Case Studies From 1700-1900

3.3.3Grade 9 - 18th & 19th Century

4Modern Britain, 1900-Present

4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain

4.1.1Society in Modern Britain

4.1.2Crime in Modern Britain

4.1.3End of Topic Test - Crime in Modern Britain

4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment

4.2.1Punishment in Modern Britain

4.2.2Attitudes Towards Punishment

4.2.3Capital Punishment

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Punishment in Modern Britain

4.2.5Grade 9 - Modern Britain

4.3Case Studies 1900-2000

4.3.1Modern Britain Case Studies

4.3.2End of Topic Test - Modern Britain Case Studies

4.3.3Grade 9 - Case Studies 1900-2000

5Whitechapel Local Study

5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions

5.1.1Accommodation in Whitechapel

5.1.2Living Conditions

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Whitechapel Local Study

5.2The People of Whitechapel

5.2.1Alcohol & Immigration

5.2.2Prostitution

5.2.3Racial Tensions

5.2.4End of Topic Test - The People of Whitechapel

5.2.5Grade 9 - Whitechapel

5.3Policing in Whitechapel

5.3.1The Police Force in Whitechapel

5.3.2Jack the Ripper

5.3.3Challenges Facing the Police

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Policing in Whitechapel

5.3.5Grade 9 - Policing Whitechapel

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