Information, Institutions, and Local Government in England, 1550-1700: Turning Inside

During 1550 and 1700, there were significant changes in the nature and scope of local government in England. This included the development of sophisticated information and intelligence systems, the reliance on surveillance to inform good government, and the establishment of England's first nationwide system of incarceration in bridewells. Information, Institutions, and Local Government in England, 1550-1700 explores the character and consequences of these changes for the first time, examining how the notion of representing authority and ethics in public (including punishment) was increasingly called into question and how local government officials were involved in this. The book offers important new perspectives on local government, visual representation, penal cultures, institutions, incarceration, and surveillance in the early modern period.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Between 1550 and 1700, a significant transformation occurred in the nature and scope of local government in England. This period witnessed the development of sophisticated information and intelligence systems, the increasing reliance on surveillance by magistrates to inform good government, and the establishment of England's first nationwide system of incarceration within bridewells. While these changes have been extensively studied, less attention has been paid to a crucial aspect of this transformation: the shift from open to closed management of various problems. This shift encompassed a wide range of issues, from the representation of authority itself to the treatment of local disorders, including petty crime, poverty, and dirty streets.

In Information, Institutions, and Local Government in England, 1550-1700, the author explores these changes for the first time, drawing on extensive archival research in 34 archives. The book examines how the notion of representing authority and ethics in public, including punishment, was increasingly questioned in early modern England, and how local government officials were involved in this process. This "turning inside" was facilitated by the insistence on precision and clarity in broad bodies of knowledge, culture, and practice, which had lasting impacts on governance. Additionally, a range of broader demographic, social, and economic changes, such as deeper poverty, thinner resources, increased movement, and imagined or real crime waves, contributed to this shift.

By examining a diverse range of examples, the book offers valuable new perspectives on local government, visual representation, penal cultures, institutions, incarceration, and surveillance in the early modern period. It sheds light on the complex dynamics and interactions between these various aspects of early modern society, providing a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by local government officials and communities during this period.

In conclusion, Information, Institutions, and Local Government in England, 1550-1700 is a groundbreaking work that contributes significantly to our understanding of local government, governance, and social change in early modern England. By examining the shift from open to closed management of problems and the broader cultural, demographic, and economic factors that influenced it, the book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of early modern society and its impact on governance and society.

Weight: 822g
Dimension: 240 x 165 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192896261