The Conquest of Death: Violence and the Birth of the Modern English State

Description

A fresh and fascinating history of crime and violence in England through the office of the coroner In his fascinating debut, Matthew Lockwood explores the history of crime, homicide, and suicide in England over four centuries through the office of the coroner. While the office was established to investigate violent or suspicious deaths, Lockwood asserts that the demands of competing parties gradually shaped its systems and transformed England into a modern state earlier than is commonly acknowledged. Weaving together strands of social, legal, economic, and political history, this book will interest scholars across a range of fields. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION ONE: Restricting Private Warfare TWO: Coroners and Communities THREE: Proving the Case FOUR: One Concept of Justice FIVE: Economic Interest and the Oversight of Violence SIX: The Changing Nature of Control SEVEN: A Crisis of Violence? EIGHT: Legislation, Incentivization, and a New System of Oversight CONCLUSION NOTES INDEX A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T W Y