2.2.2
Law Enforcement in Early Modern Society
Continuities in Law Enforcement During the Early Modern Period
Continuities in Law Enforcement During the Early Modern Period
A large number of methods of law enforcement continued during the Early Modern period.
![Illustrative background for The Hue and Cry](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/275ac688-2ae4-4f92-b393-2bf6ab75ce96/chase,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for The Hue and Cry ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/275ac688-2ae4-4f92-b393-2bf6ab75ce96/chase,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
The Hue and Cry
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.
![Illustrative background for Constables](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/d4a780fd-ec91-4f60-a941-3be3354a59d9/shutterstock_146536856,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Constables ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/d4a780fd-ec91-4f60-a941-3be3354a59d9/shutterstock_146536856,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Constables
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.
![Illustrative background for Church courts](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/7237d64d-d2df-4e1d-b35b-0dd701ca844f/church-cross-wooden-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Church courts ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/7237d64d-d2df-4e1d-b35b-0dd701ca844f/church-cross-wooden-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Church courts
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.
![Illustrative background for Trial by jury](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/90e6be7b-cb4f-408e-b071-28c841791d40/Withc-Trial-Salem-Judge-Jury-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Trial by jury ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/90e6be7b-cb4f-408e-b071-28c841791d40/Withc-Trial-Salem-Judge-Jury-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Trial by jury
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
Changes in Law Enforcement During the Early Modern Period
There were a couple of new introductions for law enforcement in the Early Modern Period.
![Illustrative background for Town Watchmen](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/498d4631-a6e6-4158-94f9-eb408e6e17bc/lamp,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Town Watchmen ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/498d4631-a6e6-4158-94f9-eb408e6e17bc/lamp,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Town Watchmen
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.
![Illustrative background for Justices of the Peace](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/9d9d1864-a6e9-429c-a9e5-7cf31e57ef7b/justice-judge-law-verdict-scales-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Justices of the Peace ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/9d9d1864-a6e9-429c-a9e5-7cf31e57ef7b/justice-judge-law-verdict-scales-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Justices of the Peace
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.
![Illustrative background for Crimes JPs dealt with](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/9b1b56a3-90aa-45bb-a880-c154b564fe2b/law-justice-court-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Crimes JPs dealt with ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/9b1b56a3-90aa-45bb-a880-c154b564fe2b/law-justice-court-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Crimes JPs dealt with
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.
![Illustrative background for The army](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/7ef9f477-dc45-45bc-92d1-8ae410473c50/shutterstock_521222146,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for The army ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/7ef9f477-dc45-45bc-92d1-8ae410473c50/shutterstock_521222146,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
The army
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
1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500
2Early Modern England, 1500-1700
2.1Changing Definitions of Crime
2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700
318th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain
3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900
4Modern Britain, 1900-Present
4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain
4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
5Whitechapel Local Study
5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions
5.2The People of Whitechapel
Jump to other topics
1Medieval England, 1000-1500
1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England
1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500
2Early Modern England, 1500-1700
2.1Changing Definitions of Crime
2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700
318th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain
3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900
4Modern Britain, 1900-Present
4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain
4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
5Whitechapel Local Study
5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions
5.2The People of Whitechapel
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