Combatting Crime in Tudor Times (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note
Exam code: C100
How was crime tackled during Tudor times? - Summary
During the Tudor period, many methods of combating crime from medieval times continued to be used. Local communities still played an important role in maintaining law and order, and traditional systems such as the hue and cry and posse comitatus were still used to catch criminals. However, there were also some important changes. The most significant was the growing role of the justices of the peace (JPs). These unpaid local landowners were responsible for enforcing laws, organising punishments, and keeping peace in their area. Without their work, maintaining law and order would have been almost impossible. Although policing was still based on local responsibility rather than a professional force, the Tudors relied heavily on JPs to control crime and ensure that the Tudor monarch's laws were enforced.
The Role & Effectiveness of Tudor Justices of the Peace
A justice of the peace was chosen from the landowners in the country
They were voluntary positions, but they gained a lot of power in their local areas
In the Tudor period, the justice of the peace was made responsible for
All other local officials
Including sheriffs and constables
JPs appointed the chief constables in every hundred
Maintaining law and order
They acted as a magistrate
They would try minor crimes, including theft, fighting, and drunkenness
Two or three JPs would meet at a petty session
JPs met four times a year at the quarter sessions
Enforcing over 300 laws, including:
The 1601 Elizabethan Poor Law, including distributing the poor relief
Create houses of correction
Issue vagrants with licenses
Regulate wages
Following orders given to them by the Privy Council
Enforcing any laws passed by the Privy Council
In Wales, this also included laws passed by the Council in the Marches
How Effective Were Justices of the Peace?
Overall, Justices of the peace were seen as effective in the Tudor period, as they were
Well respected locally
Wealthy and influential, people tended to respect their decisions
Powerful
JPs were responsible for monitoring and upholding hundreds of laws
Supported royal control
JPs helped the monarch to extend their power in England and Wales
Without them, Tudor monarchs would not have been able to maintain law and order or keep the peace
However, JPs were sometimes seen as ineffective because they were
Voluntary positions
As JPs were not paid, the quality of their work varied
Some JPs became lazy or corrupt
Limited
They relied heavily on constables and watchmen who were often part-time and poorly trained
In very remote areas, law enforcement was weak due to communications issues
Politically bias
As JPs were appointed locally, they might enforce laws unevenly, depending on their own interests or loyalty to the monarch
Examiner Tips and Tricks
In Question 4, you may be asked to “Explain why new methods of combating crime were introduced.” During the Tudor period, many of these methods developed because of rising poverty and vagrancy. Governments saw unemployment and wandering beggars as threats to social order, so they passed laws to control them.
To achieve the higher levels in Question 4, don’t just describe the new laws; instead, you should explain why they were introduced. Always link your examples to wider problems such as poverty, unemployment, and fear of disorder.
The Role & Effectiveness of Other Parish Officers
Parish Constables & Night Watchmen
The parish constable and night watchmen held similar positions, but in different areas
A parish constable kept the peace in more rural settings
Whereas a night watchman maintained law and order in more urban areas
The parish constable was chosen from ordinary village or townspeople
They were not paid and only served as a parish constable for a year
The parish constable was responsible for
Maintaining order
Including breaking up fights and arresting suspected individuals
Watching over their local area at night
Enforcing the law
Carrying out punishments, including whippings, and organising the stocks
On vagrancy and other laws
Collecting fines
Maintaining the local areas
Repairing roads
In 1285, King Edward I ordered all towns to be patrolled at night
This was the responsibility of the night watchman or bellman
They were the town equivalent of a parish constable
By 1663, King Charles II created a force of paid watchmen, known as ‘charlies’
They were not paid a lot and often needed to have another job
They were responsible for patrolling the streets for criminals and observing people
How Effective Were Parish Constables & Night Watchmen?
Parish constables and night watchmen were considered to be effective, as they were
Knowledgeable of their local area and people
They could easily recognise strangers or those who would make trouble
Maintained order
Their presence prevented crime
Supported JPs
They helped JPs enforce laws on vagrancy and religious issues
However, they were also seen as ineffective because they were
Untrained
They received no training and were only in the post for a year, so many did not bother to apply for the role
Unpaid
Even paid watchmen ‘charlies’ were not paid enough and often attracted poor applicants
Some saw them as lazy and ineffective
Part-time
Not many people wanted to do the job, as they would have to have another job
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