Gray, D. and King, P. J. R. (2013) The killing of Constable Linnell: the impact of xenophobia and of elite connections on eighteenth-century justice. Family & Community History. 16(1), pp. 3-31. 1463-1180.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Using one uniquely well-documented murder case from a small Northamptonshire village, this article explores two themes. First it analyses the genesis of the case in the local context and uses it to assess the potential impact of local xenophobia on the eighteenth-century criminal justice system. The village community pushed for a murder charge. The defence portrayed the accused as a victimised newcomer and argued for justifiable homicide. The victory of the former provides a revealing case study of the power of local xenophobia. The second part of the article then develops a top down perspective. Since the petitioners in this case included four highly prominent dukes and duchesses, it can be used to assess the ability of the aristocratic elite to obtain pardons and thus to control a central element in the criminal justice system - the death sentence. Although a constable had been killed, the evidence against the accused was highly problematic. Powerful aristocratic connections should therefore have been able to obtain a pardon but how effective were they in this situation? |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | murder, crime, criminal justice system, Pattishall, constable, local xenophobia |
| Subjects: |
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV6001 Criminology > HV6251 Crimes and offences > HV6535 Murder H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV7231 Criminal justice administration H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > HM1001 Social psychology > HM1176 Social influence. Social pressure > HM1263 Elite D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > DA498 1714-1760 |
| Creators: | Gray, Drew and King, Peter J R |
| Publisher: | Maney Publishing |
| Northamptonshire and East Midlands: | Crime |
| 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: | April 2013 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Page Range: | pp. 3-31 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Family & Community History |
| Volume: | 16 |
| Number: | 1 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1179/1463118013Z.00000000010 |
| ISSN: | 1463-1180 |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/5413 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit Item |
Altmetric
Altmetric
Altmetric