Skip to content | Privacy and cookies
Harpenden History: Discover the town's heritage
Home > Topics - from Archaeology to Wartime > Crime and punishment > Justice in the 16th Century >
Browse the site
Home
Contact Us
Local History Society
How to Explore and Contribute to the Site
Queries - can you help with answers?
Introduction to Harpenden's History
Street by Street
People
Topics - from Archaeology to Wartime
Picture Gallery
Teaching resources for Harpenden history
School Projects
Links

Justice in the 16th Century

John Hunt araigned for 'living incontinently' with his servant Joan Willeys

By Eric Brandreth

In the 16th century criminal matters were dealt with at Quarter Sessions, and the more serious cases were passed on to the Assizes.  There were also Church Courts, dealing with ecclesiastical issues, and also events which were considered immoral, although not criminal.

One such hearing was held on 20th May 1530 when John Hunt of Harpenden was charged on two counts.  Firstly of “living incontinently with his servant Joan Willeys” and secondly “that you gave counsel to the said woman, and persuaded her to receive and drink certayne drinks to destroy the child she is with”.

The Lord Bishop charged him with having carnal knowledge of his servant.  John Hunt denied it.  His Lordship ordered him to appear next Wednesday with four “testifiers” (honest neighbours) to his innocence.  But before that the couple presented themselves at the Priory, and said that they had become betrothed.  John Hunt also admitted that he had known her carnally.

The Lord Bishop ordered that on a Sunday to be fixed, they should walk in public penance before the Processional Cross at Harpenden in a penitent manner, and that they should be married as soon as convenient; until which time, under pain of excommunication, they should not live incontinently.

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Justice in the 16th Century' page
This gallery was added by David Hinton on 17/10/2010.
Tweet
Comments have been temporarily disabled while we update the site. They'll be turned back on when we launch the new version of the site in a few weeks' time.
 
More about...
Crime and punishment
  • Gleanings from Harpenden Races
  • Harpenden in the 1860s, recalled in 1935
  • Harpenden's last 'hue and cry'
  • Justice in the 16th Century
  • Murder in Harpenden
  • My 300 Years of Harpenden History - Part II: 1823 onwards
  • Punishments and Prisons
 
 
Highlights
Advert: Station Road shops in the 1930s
Station Road shops in the 1930s
Geoff Ackroyd's memories

Harpenden History > http://www.harpenden-history.org.uk/

  • About us
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Terms of use

Designed and built by Community Sites