The Regulation of Trade and Poverty

Abstract

At the heart of the role of the summary courts was the regulation of many everyday aspects of life in the capital. As we have seen the courts were involved in the regulation of public space, the streets and morality. The majority of those prosecuted before the magistracy were brought in for disorderly behaviour and drunkenness. Vagrancy and begging were also problems for a City government that prided itself on London’s reputation for prosperity and culture and there were intermittent attempts to clear the streets of mendicants. Poverty also had a direct impact upon the rates paid by City dwellers and any actions that increased this burden were likely to result in prosecutions at the summary courts. Finally the City was first and foremost a place of trade. After all it was trade that underpinned the wealth and success of this geographically small area of England. The City authorities therefore had an interest in ensuring that, as far as possible, trade proceeded smoothly, without dispute, and this involved both the summary courts and the related administration of City affairs.