Introduction
This website gathers together resources and material from my research on crime in early modern Britain.
Law and Disorder in Early Modern Denbighshire
My PhD research (1999-2002) was primarily concerned with crime and disorderly behaviour in Denbighshire 1660-1730, using the records of Great Sessions and Quarter Sessions.
- The book (£)
- The PhD thesis (PDF)
- The files: a finding aid for documents in the Denbighshire Gaol Files 1660-1730
Background and Resources
Crime from Print to Digital
Old Bailey Online
Since 2006 I've been project manager for the Old Bailey Online and its spinoffs.
Pamphlets
- Hanging not punishment enough (1701) (transcript)
Wales and the Law: an anthology
- An English view of Welsh lawlessness, early sixteenth century
- The murder of Grace Jones, 1671 (Monmouthshire)
- The murder of William Powell of Glanareth, 1770 (Carmarthenshire)
Cases in court records and manuscripts
- Edward Mason, manslaughter of Lewis Rowland, 1785 (Cardiganshire)
- Maria Morris, infanticide, 1795 (Carmarthenshire)
- Ithell Jones, housebreaking and theft, 1684 (Denbighshire)
- James Fewtrall, theft from a shop, 1688 (Denbighshire)
- Anne Locker, theft of sheets, 1709 (Denbighshire)
- Judith Evans, theft of cheese, 1764 (Montgomeryshire)
- Samuel Jones, sheep stealing, 1795 (Carmarthenshire)
- Women's thefts, late 18th century (Carmarthen and Swansea)
- George Frost, seditious libel, 1687 (Denbighshire)
- Francis ap Humphrey, slander, 1681 (Denbigshire)
- 'Sacheverell' riots (anti nonconformist), 1710 (Denbighshire)
- Trial of William Owen, smuggler, for murder, 1747 (Carmarthenshire)
Crime, Order and Violence in Seventeenth-century England and Wales: Denbighshire, Flintshire and Cheshire, c.1590-1715
A long-term work in progress.
Chester Great Sessions
A few images and transcripts of documents from the Cheshire Court of Great Sessions