This legal treatise, first published in the 19th century, provides a detailed analysis of the use of torture in English criminal law prior to the 17th century. The author argues that torture was used more frequently and systematically than is commonly believed, and that it was often employed as a tool of political repression as well as criminal investigation. This edition, which includes extensive footnotes and annotations, is a valuable resource for historians, legal scholars, and anyone interested in the history of crime and punishment. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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Excerpt from A Reading on the Use of Torture in the Criminal Law of England: Previously to the Commonwealth; Delivered at New Inn Hall in Michaelmas Term, 1836, by Appointment of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple AS the public are probably unacquainted With the Institution at which the following Reading was delivered, it maybe desirable to prefix a summary account of the origin and nature of the exercises at New Inn. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837 edition. Excerpt: ... be as well to him as to the keeper of Newgate a sufficien warrant for the delivering and receaveing of the said prisoners. No. 31. 23rd Dec. 1586. Council Book. A Letter to Sir Owen Hopton, Knight; Ralfe Ilugbic, Master of St. Katherine's; John Pophaui, Her Majestie's Attorney; ThomasEgerton, Her Majesties Sollycitor;Sands, Clerke of the Crowne; and Thomas Owen, to examine these persons whose names ar underwrytten uppon such interrogatories as they should think meet for the manyfesting of suche treasons against Her Majestic and the realme as they were charged with or suspected of; and yffthe truthe might not by convenient meanes be gotten of them, then to put them to the torture of the rack in suche sorte as to their dyscretions and due considerations should seeme convenient. Edward Wyndsor, Anthony Tuchenor, Henry Foxwell, Edward Bentley, Thomas Abbington, Thomas Heath. Ralf Ithell, Jerome Payne, Thomas Tipping:, Sampsone Loame, No. 32. 24th April 158?. Council Book. A Letter to SirOwen Hopton, Knight, Thomas Randolph, Henry Killigrew, Richard Yonge, Esquiers; That whereas one Andreas Van Metter, prisoner in the Towre, stoode charged with certain matter concerning Her Majesties state and person, which he did obstinatelie refuse to confesse; Their Lordships required them, if he should still persiste in his said obstiiiacie, to use the accustomed torture of the racke as oftentimes as they should see cause to force him to confesse what might be had out of him towching the said matters. No. 33. 7th Jan. 1587. Council Books. A Letter to Sir Owen Hopton, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Yonge; that whereas of late there were discovered certaine lud persons, who were to be charged with disobedience, misbehaviour, and practices against the state and present.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.