Still the only general survey of the topic available, this widely-used exploration of the incidence, causes
and control of crime in Early Modern England throws a vivid light on the times. It uses court archives to capture
vividly the everyday lives of people who would otherwise have left little mark on the historical record. This new
edition - fully updated throughout - incorporates new thinking on many issues including gender and crime; changes
in punishment; and literary perspectives on crime.
First revision of this pioneering work since 1984, fully updated throughout with 15 years of new scholarship
Has a strong historiographical dimension, describing not only the diverse literature on the subject but also exploring
the different methodologies for the study of crime
Looks at who the criminals were, examines attitudes of the elite classes and also popular stereotypes of crime,
considers changes in crime and its treatment to the wider socio-economic changes from 1550 to 1750
Table of Contents
List of tables and figures
Preface and acknowledgements
1. Definitions, methods and objectives
2. Courts, officers and documents
3. Measuring crime, measuring punishment
4. Controlling the parish
5. The criminal orders of early modern England
6. Social crime and legitimizing notions
7. Elite perceptions and popular images
8. Continuity and change in crime and punishment 1550-1750
