Crime and Punishment in Early Modern Germany

Courts and Adjudicatory Practices in Frankfurt am Main, 1562–1696

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 17th Century
Cover of the book Crime and Punishment in Early Modern Germany by Maria R. Boes, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Maria R. Boes ISBN: 9781317157984
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 13, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Maria R. Boes
ISBN: 9781317157984
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 13, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Frankfurt am Main, in common with other imperial German cities, enjoyed a large degree of legal autonomy during the early modern period, and produced a unique and rich body of criminal archives. In particular, Frankfurt’s Strafenbuch, which records all criminal sentences between 1562 and 1696, provides a fascinating insight into contemporary penal trends. Drawing on this and other rich resources, Dr. Boes reveals shifting and fluid attitudes towards crime and punishment and how these were conditioned by issues of gender, class, and social standing within the city’s establishment. She attributes a significant role in this process to the steady proliferation of municipal advocates, jurists trained in Roman Law, who wielded growing legal and penal prerogatives. Over the course of the book, it is demonstrated how the courts took an increasingly hard line with select groups of people accused of criminal behavior, and the open manner with which advocates exercised cultural, religious, racial, gender, and sexual-orientation repressions. Parallel with this, however, is identified a trend of marked leniency towards soldiers who enjoyed an increasingly privileged place within the judicial system. In light of this discrepancy between the treatment of civilians and soldiers, the advocates’ actions highlight the emergence and spread of a distinct military judicial culture and Frankfurt’s city council’s contribution to the quasi-militarization of a civilian court. By highlighting the polarized and changing ways the courts dealt with civilian and military criminals, a fuller picture is presented not just of Frankfurt’s sentencing and penal practices, but of broader attitudes within early modern Germany to issues of social position and cultural identity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Frankfurt am Main, in common with other imperial German cities, enjoyed a large degree of legal autonomy during the early modern period, and produced a unique and rich body of criminal archives. In particular, Frankfurt’s Strafenbuch, which records all criminal sentences between 1562 and 1696, provides a fascinating insight into contemporary penal trends. Drawing on this and other rich resources, Dr. Boes reveals shifting and fluid attitudes towards crime and punishment and how these were conditioned by issues of gender, class, and social standing within the city’s establishment. She attributes a significant role in this process to the steady proliferation of municipal advocates, jurists trained in Roman Law, who wielded growing legal and penal prerogatives. Over the course of the book, it is demonstrated how the courts took an increasingly hard line with select groups of people accused of criminal behavior, and the open manner with which advocates exercised cultural, religious, racial, gender, and sexual-orientation repressions. Parallel with this, however, is identified a trend of marked leniency towards soldiers who enjoyed an increasingly privileged place within the judicial system. In light of this discrepancy between the treatment of civilians and soldiers, the advocates’ actions highlight the emergence and spread of a distinct military judicial culture and Frankfurt’s city council’s contribution to the quasi-militarization of a civilian court. By highlighting the polarized and changing ways the courts dealt with civilian and military criminals, a fuller picture is presented not just of Frankfurt’s sentencing and penal practices, but of broader attitudes within early modern Germany to issues of social position and cultural identity.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Managing the Urgent and Unexpected by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book The Formation of Pastoral Counselors by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Sociological Theory by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Remaking the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Counselling for Obesity by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Covering Congress by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Answers for Modern Communicators by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Media Effects and Society by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Race, Politics and Social Change by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Indigenous Knowledge Production by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Early Medieval Studies in Memory of Patrick Wormald by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Critical Issues in Ecotourism by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Dramatic Discourse by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book The Curriculum Challenge by Maria R. Boes
Cover of the book Managers of Discontent by Maria R. Boes
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy