Topic 3: Enforcing Law and Order Flashcards
Who was responsible for enforcing law and order in medieval times?
Community and family
What were adult men grouped into in medieval times and what was their role?
- Tithings
- If 1 broke the law, the others had to bring him to court
What was the hue and cry?
Anyone who heard it was expected to help catch the criminal
What was the sheriff’s role in medieval times?
They could raise an armed posse to track the criminal down
What were the courts in the court system?
- Manorial
- Church
- Royal
What was the role of the manor courts?
- To judge petty crime in the local area
- Each manor had it’s own local laws e.g. regarding land disputes
What was the role of the church courts?
- To judge churchmen who had committed a crime e.g. adultery or drunkenness
- Were more lenient
- Local bishop decided each case and never issued the death sentence
What was the role of the royal courts?
- To hear the most serious cases
- Royal judges visited each county 2-3 times a year to try cases
- These were called assizes and lasted until 1971
What was the role of JPs in the Early Modern Era?
- Oversaw law and order
- 30-60 in each county
- Organised the constables and watchmen
- Administered the Poor Law
- Punished offenders
What was the role of the parish constables and watchmen?
- Keep law and order
- Challenge strangers
- Carried a bell and lamp
Who were the first payed lawmen?
- Charleys
- Had low pay
- Introduced by Charles II in the 1660s
Why was there opposition towards a police force in the Industrial Era?
- Felt it would restrict freedoms
- Lead to gov interference and raise in taxes
Who were the Bow Street runners?
- Part time, paid constables who worked for Bow St Magistrates Court
- Created by the Fielding brothers
What did the Bow Street Runners show?
The idea of preventative policing by attempting to stop crime
When was the Met Police established?
1829
