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Supporting the civil power: citizen soldiers and the Gordon Riots

McCormack, M. (2012) Supporting the civil power: citizen soldiers and the Gordon Riots. The London Journal. 37(1), pp. 27-41. 0305-8034.

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Item Type: Article
Abstract: This paper focuses on the military response to London’s Gordon Riots of June 1780. It shows how soldiers worked alongside the civilian authorities to suppress the disturbances, and how the militarized response was composed of militiamen, volunteers, and vigilantes, as well as regulars. This serves to emphasize the overlaps between the military and civil spheres, and shows how the figure of the ‘citizen soldier’ had a key role in the ideology and practice of policing. This, in turn, suggests that we need to rethink how we conceive of ‘supporting the civil power’ within the English police tradition.
Subjects: D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > DA40 Political, military, naval, and Air Force history
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV7551 Police. Detectives. Constabulary > HV8130 By region or country > HV8195 Great Britain
D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > DA505 George III, 1760-1820
Creators: McCormack, Matthew
Funders or Sponsors: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Publisher: Maney
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Social Sciences (to 2016)
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities > History
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > History
Date: 1 March 2012
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 27-41
Journal or Publication Title: The London Journal
Volume: 37
Number: 1
Language: English
ISSN: 0305-8034
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/4366

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  • Supporting the civil power: citizen soldiers and the Gordon Riots. (deposited 27 Sep 2012 13:30) [Currently Displayed]

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