Domestic Homicide in early modern England
TL;DR: The most striking features of recent writing on early modern social history have been the emergence of the family as a subject of central concern as discussed by the authors, and much of this concern has expressed itself in the form of specialized, and often narrowly-focused articles or essays.
Abstract: One of the most striking features of recent writing on early modern social history has been the emergence of the family as a subject of central concern. As befits an historical area being subjected to new scrutiny, much of this concern has expressed itself in the form of specialized, and often narrowly-focused articles or essays.1 To these have been added a number of more general works intended to examine the broader developments in and implications of family life in the past.2 Several themes within family history have already received considerable attention: the structure of the family, for example, a topic already rendered familiar by earlier work on historical demography; the concomitant topic of sexual practices and attitudes; and the economic role of the family, especially in its capacity as a unit of production. These are, of course, important matters, and the research carried out on them has revealed much of interest and consequence to the social historian; this should not, however, obscure the existence of a number of other significant dimensions of family life in the past which await thorough investigation.
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TL;DR: In the early modern period (c. 1550-c. 1750), domestic violence was a subject of public debate during the period, from a variety of perspectives, and there is adequate documentation for a relatively full discussion of the issues relating to such violence as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: therefore provides a window on the nature of that subordination and on the workings of patriarchy. Although most scholarly work on the subject has focused on contemporary society, many writers have included historical or cross-cultural discussions. Such references suggest the importance of cultural context in explaining family violence, and often assume that there has been a gradual decline in both the incidence and acceptance of domestic violence over time.1 Many historians have made passing reference to domestic violence, but only recently have extended historical treatments of the subject appeared.2 Yet the historical study of domestic violence is important not just for our understanding of history, but for our understanding of the present, as it helps us distinguish what is particular about family violence in contemporary society. England in the early modern period (c. 1550-c. 1750) provides a useful focus for the historical investigation of domestic violence. Violence within the family was a subject of public debate during the period, from a variety of perspectives, and there is adequate documentation for a relatively full discussion of the issues relating to such violence. Furthermore, many sociologists and psychologists cite the English legal tradition of the later eighteenth century, just after this period, when discussing domestic violence: most cite Blackstone and the \"rule of thumb\" (which gave husbands the right to beat their wives with a stick no thicker than a thumb).3 There are several sources of information on domestic violence in the
114 citations
TL;DR: In explaining the long-term decline of violence in English society, historians have failed to recognize the importance of changing gender-based conceptions of honour.
Abstract: In explaining the long-term decline of violence in English society, historians have failed to recognize the importance of changing gender-based conceptions of honour. During the eighteenth century the per capita rate of homicide in London decreased dramatically, and because 93% of homicides were committed by men, this decline essentially involved a change in male behaviour. At the start of the period violence served to enhance or defend men's reputations, and thereby to reinforce their social and gender identities. In order to maintain their honour, most men felt the need to physically challenge anyone who insulted them or questioned their honesty or courage. Such disputes often took the form of duels and other ritualized staged fights and were conducted by men of all social classes. While the violence was limited by accepted rules (violence committed by women, though much rarer, more easily got out of hand), fatalities nonetheless occurred. Over the course of the century, however, these types of disputes...
104 citations
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07 Jul 2003TL;DR: In this article, an extended study of gender and crime in early modern England is presented, which considers the ways in which criminal behaviour and perceptions of criminality were informed by ideas about gender and order, and explores their practical consequences for the men and women who were brought before the criminal courts.
Abstract: An extended study of gender and crime in early modern England. It considers the ways in which criminal behaviour and perceptions of criminality were informed by ideas about gender and order, and explores their practical consequences for the men and women who were brought before the criminal courts. Dr Walker's innovative approach demonstrates that, contrary to received opinion, the law was often structured so as to make the treatment of women and men before the courts incommensurable. For the first time, early modern criminality is explored in terms of masculinity as well as femininity. Illuminating the interactions between gender and other categories such as class and civil war have implications not merely for the historiography of crime but for the social history of early modern England as a whole. This study therefore goes beyond conventional studies, and challenges hitherto accepted views of social interaction in the period.
87 citations
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01 Jan 2003TL;DR: In this article, the author assesses marriage and assesses the relationship between spouses' contributions and possessions within marriage, and concludes that "mutual society, help and comfort" are essential for a successful marriage.
Abstract: 1. Introduction: assessing marriage 2. 'To have and to hold': analysing married life 3. 'For better, for worse': resolving marital difficulties 4. 'An honourable estate': marital roles in the household 5. 'With all my worldly goods I thee endow': spouses' contributions and possessions within marriage 6. 'Wilt thou obey him and serve him': the marital power balance 7. 'Forsaking all other': marital chastity 8. 'Till death us do part': life after a failed marriage 9. 'Mutual society, help and comfort': conclusion Bibliography.
77 citations
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2,764 citations
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01 Jan 1956
TL;DR: In this article, a set of socio-political documents from China, Palestine, USA, South Africa, and Great Britain is presented, focusing on issues of ethnicity, unemployment, immigration, colour prejudice, social mobility, new elites and class formation.
Abstract: Titles in this highly international set consider every problem of socio-political importance that affected society in the years following the Second World War. This set includes important texts by key social and political theorists including Stanislaw Ossowski, as well as extensive comparative material from China, Palestine, the USA, South Africa and Great Britain. Drawing on important empirical material, titles included here consider in-depth questions of ethnicity, unemployment, immigration, colour prejudice, social mobility, new elites and class formation.
2,637 citations
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01 Jan 1971
TL;DR: The best book is the best book for each of us as mentioned in this paper, and we offer the best here to read, after deciding how your feeling will be, you can enjoy to visit the link and get the book.
Abstract: We present here because it will be so easy for you to access the internet service. As in this new era, much technology is sophistically offered by connecting to the internet. No any problems to face, just for this day, you can really keep in mind that the book is the best book for you. We offer the best here to read. After deciding how your feeling will be, you can enjoy to visit the link and get the book.
1,757 citations
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01 Oct 1977
TL;DR: This article studied the evolution of the family from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, and how the process radically influenced child-rearing, education, contraception, sexual behaviour and marriage.
Abstract: This book studies the evolution of the family from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century and how the process radically influenced child-rearing, education, contraception, sexual behaviour and marriage.
1,549 citations
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01 Jan 1978
TL;DR: In search of popular culture: the discovery of the people unity and variety in popular culture an elusive quarry - the mediators, oblique approaches to popular culture as mentioned in this paper, an elusive pursuit.
Abstract: Part 1 In search of popular culture: the discovery of the people unity and variety in popular culture an elusive quarry - the mediators, oblique approaches to popular culture. Part 2 Structures of popular culture: the transmission of popular culture - the professionals, the amateurs, settings, tradition and creativity traditional forms - genres, themes and variations, the process of composition heroes, villains and fools - prototypes and transformations, popular attitudes and values the world of carnival - myths and rituals, carnival, the world upside down, the carnivalesque, social control or social protest? Part 3 Changes in popular culture: the triumph of Lent - the reform of popular culture - the first phase of reform 1500-1650, the culture of the godly, the second phase of reform 1650-1800 popular culture and social change - the commercial revolution, the uses of literacy, politics and the people, the withdrawal of the upper classes from withdrawal to discovery. Appendices: the discovery of the people - select studies and anthologies select publications illustrating the reform of popular culture, 1495-1664.
712 citations