Constables And Local Governance In Eighteenth-Century England

The eighteenth century was a period of transition from a traditional agricultural society to a modern industrial society in England.During this period,the Industrial Revolution and the Agricultural Revolution of England were developing at an incredible speed,and the level of urbanization was increasing.At the same time,social problems such as crime,vagrancy and the divide between rich and poor were constantly emerging.To deal with these social problems effectively,the government relied on local officials,in which constables were the main body of power.Constables originated as manorial officers,and they mainly appointed by the court leet.However,in some areas where the court leet was not held on time,magistrates had power to appoint constables,or the magistrates authorized the vestry to be responsible for the appointment of constables.The different ways of appointment correspond to different swearing venues,which implies the internal relationship between the constables and the magistrates and central government,and also indicates that it is difficult for constables to separate themselves from the local society.A suitable constable should have a greater ‘substance’,or wealth,and must be of good character.And during the eighteenth century,constables mainly belonged to the ‘middling sort’.Constables had both judicial and local administration functions.The former mainly focused on arresting suspects and providing written reports,or ‘presentments’.And the latter was mainly based on the vagrancy administration.Indeed,Eighteenth-Century was the most riotous century in the history of England.Crime was rampant in England,and constables were an important force in the fight against crime.Constables usually acted alone when making arrests of individual offenders,and were proactive in assuming responsibility for the maintenance of peace.But when they faced with major disturbances and riots,constables from different parishes acted collectively in small constabulary-type forces under magistrates’ direction.In addition,making presentments of crimes was regarded as an important regular duty of eighteenth-century constables.The issue of vagrancy was one of the key issues in local social governance in England in the eighteenth century,and the constables were important executors who implement national laws and regulations into local social practices.From apprehending vagrants to vagrancy removals,constables made full use of considerable discretion.As a result of the allowances available,a number of constables were actively involved in vagrancy administration.However,the increasing complexity of the vagrancy problem was not commensurate with the low-level official status of the constable,and it also made the post of the constable be criticized.By its very nature,constables were actually the lowest officials in the hierarchy of social power from the central government to the local level.At the same time,constables were the ‘leader’ of the local society,responsible for maintaining the local social order.From this point of view,constables of eighteenth-century England were not low-status and put-upon,but generally conscientious,effective,committed officers.As an important force in the implementation of national laws and regulations and local social governance,constables provided a guarantee for the orderly governance of society in eighteenthcentury England.Without their faithful performance of their duties,neither state decrees nor social policies would have been workable.