The Developing Role of JPs in the Early Modern Period

What were Justices of the Peace?

Justices of the Peace were introduced in medieval times, but the Tudors developed their role further.

What did Justices of the Peace do?

Some important duties performed by Justices of the Peace were:

• ❖ Being responsible for making decisions about criminals.
• ❖ As they were magistrates, they made decisions about petty criminals on their own.
• ❖ Four times a year they would meet with other JPs in the county at events called the Quarter Sessions.
• ❖ At the Quarter Sessions, JPs would judge more serious cases and could even decide to execute criminals.

Who could become a Justice of the Peace?

The role was unpaid, so people who worked as JPs had to be rich enough to support themselves. They were often leading landowners and wealthy, educated citizens.