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The regulation of violence in the metropolis. The prosecution of assault in the summary courts, c.1780-1820

Gray, D. (2007) The regulation of violence in the metropolis. The prosecution of assault in the summary courts, c.1780-1820. The London Journal. 32(1), pp. 75-87. 1749-6322.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: This article explores the nature of interpersonal violence in eighteenth-century London through the records of the summary courts. Since almost all previous work on the treatment of violence by the courts has been confined to the records of the higher courts, this article provides a new insight into attitudes towards assault in the period. It explores the nature of assault and how disputes were resolved as well as considering the implications of gender to this process. This article demonstrates that the summary courts of the City of London played an important role in the regulation of violence and community relations which is evidenced by the large numbers of cases that they dealt with. Historians of crime have, to a large extent, seriously ignored the summary courts. This article suggests that these courts have much to tell us about attitudes towards violence and access to the criminal law
Additional Information: RAE2008 UoA62
Subjects: D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > DA670 Local history and description > DA675 London
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology > HV6001 Criminology > HV6774 Crimes and criminal classes > HV6950.L7 London
K Law > K Law (General) > K2100 Courts. Procedure
Creators: Gray, Drew
Publisher: Maney Publishing
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities > History
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > History
Date: May 2007
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 75-87
Journal or Publication Title: The London Journal
Volume: 32
Number: 1
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/174963207X172902
ISSN: 1749-6322
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/768

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