Section B: law enforcement and punishment in Early Modern England

Why did law enforcement standards vary in early modern England?

 Because it wasn’t nationally organised and was left to local initiative.

In richer areas, how did people protect themselves?

Householders joined together to hire armed guards.

What were the duties of town constables?

Stop suspected criminals, round up sturdy beggars, and help with local administration like collecting payments for road cleaning.

Who appointed town constables?

Local people of good standing, such as merchants.

Why did merchants support town constables?

Their businesses benefited from better law enforcement.

Who served as night watchmen?

All householders (they took turns).

When did night watchmen patrol?

Between 10pm and dawn.

What did night watchmen do while on duty?

Patrolled the local area and rang a bell to warn people to go home.

Were night watchmen paid?

No, they were unpaid volunteers.

Who oversaw the night watchmen?

Town constables.

What were thief takers?

People paid a reward for catching criminals and delivering them to the law.

Who paid thief takers?

The victim of the crime.

Why was the thief-taker system corrupt?

 Some gangs acted as thief takers, informing on rivals for reward money.

Who was the most infamous thief taker?

Jonathan Wild.

What happened to Jonathan Wild?

He was discovered as corrupt and executed in 1725.