medieval-atlas/administration/222

Transcription

Justices of the peace 1587 to 1663 In England from the Middle Ages, the justice of the peace had constituted a significant element in local administration and justice. In Scotland, on the other hand, the office was only introduced tentatively in 1587; and more extensive and more elaborate commisions were made in 1610 and 1663. The Cromwellian period had enhanced the status of the justices; after the Restoration and more so after the Unjon, the jurisdiction of the justices increased. Their primary function was the keeping of the peace; but they also acquired power to enforce regulations in relation to vagabonds, the poor, forestallers and regraters, wages and the like. The county of Edinburgh arrogated to itself a civil jurisdiction in small clajms up to £40 Scots (£3:6:8d or £3.33 sterling). Their administrative dutks were ultimately taken over by central and local government. The three maps show the numbers of commissioners designated for each shire in the years 1587, 1610 and 1663. The commissions of 1610 and 1663 included as ex officio commissioners, privy councillors and lords of session; and the commjssion of 1610 also included as ex officio commissioners the magistrates of the burghs and towns within the county. Cromarty (but not Ross) appears in the commissions of 1587 and 1610; and Ross (but not Cromarty) appears in the commission of 1663. Justices of the peace 1587 22 , • New Galloway - Number of justices of the peace by county, where known Number of justices of the peace for more than one county Justices of the peace 1610 7 Dundee Kirkcudbright J Number of justices of the peace by county, where known Burghs from whose magistrates justices of the peace were drawn Justices of the peace 1663 PGBM 222

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