The City Summary Courts in the late 18th century: courts for the people?

Abstract

The City of London had two summary courts in the 18th Century, at Guildhall and Mansion House. In these the Lord Mayor and City aldermen used their wide ranging powers to punish vagrants and thieves, reprimand prostitutes and bullock hunters and settle disputes between brawling drunks and warring neighbours. This talk will explore the nature of these courts, the offences they heard and the people they served, using primary court sources from the City’s archive