Justices of Peace

• Justices of Peace under Henry VII

  • Sir Thomas Lovell was a JP in Yorkshire and Sussex
  • 1494 Act of Parliament allows JPS to act on information about suspects without a Jury
  • Jps can also inquire into illegal retaining by the nobility and examine complaints of corruption
  • Links between Centre and members of his court
• Justices of Peace under Edward

  • 1552, All ale houses are licensed by JP’s, assume more of a day to day role
  • 1549 Jp’s are ordered to take inventory’s of parish goods and prosecute thefts
  • 1552 enforced second Prayer book
• Justices of Peace under Elizabeth

  • By 1603, number of Jp’s per county ranged form 40-90
  • By 1603, 309 acts of parliament placed responsibility on Jp’s
  • Although, they could did also later begin to also assume roles as Lord lieutenants