An Enquiry Into The Causes Of The Late Increase Of Robbers

Henry Fielding (1707 - 1754)

Early eighteenth century England saw the criminal element bargaining with magistrates and lawyers to be released or receive lenient sentences. Neither party could be trusted and the situation grew worse. Enter famed author Henry Fielding, who had a strong social conscience and served as a magistrate. In addition to this treatise, he began a register of convicted criminals, and recruited six full-time, paid constables - known colloquially as "The Bow Street Runners" and hailed as the forerunners of the modern police force. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

Genre(s): Social Science (Culture & Anthropology)

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Introduction Lynne T
00:05:27
Play 01 Section 1 - Of too frequent and expensive diversions among the lower kind of people Lynne T
00:19:07
Play 02 Section 2 - Of drunkenness, a second consequence of luxury among the vulgar Roohi
00:19:49
Play 03 Section 3 - Of gaming among the vulgar; a third consequence of their luxury Roohi
00:18:25
Play 04 section 4 - Of the laws that relate to the provision of the poor MaryAnn
00:26:03
Play 05 Section 4 - Of the laws that relate to the provision of the poor part 2 MaryAnn
00:27:07
Play 06 Section 4 - Of the laws that relate to the provision of the poor part 3 MaryAnn
00:13:26
Play 07 Section 5 - Of the punishment of receivers of stolen goods Mike Pelton
00:15:08
Play 08 Section 6 - Of laws relating to vagabonds Mike Pelton
00:37:38
Play 09 Section 7 - Of apprehending the persons of felons Mike Pelton
00:24:22
Play 10 Section 8 - Of the difficulties which attend prosecutions April Walters
00:08:54
Play 11 Section 9 - Of the trial and conviction of felons Mike Pelton
00:13:25
Play 12 Section 10 - Of the encouragement given to robbers by frequent pardons Lynne T
00:07:20
Play 13 Section 11 - Of the manner of execution Larry Wilson
00:14:16