Court Proceeding of Sexual Assault Analysis
London England in the 18th century shifted from the influence of church teachings to the development of a secular impact on societal norms . This shift in perspectives altered people’s views of sexual assault, also influenced by a new understanding of both male and female roles in reproduction. This paper analyzes the court proceedings of Richard Smith and Elizabeth Treadway on the account of sexual assault. This analysis explores first the context of the documented court proceedings as well as its intended audience and purpose. In addition to this, its connection to the course and history. Lastly, how the bias of individuals affected the reliability and credibility of the document.
On April 21st, 1762 the Old Bailey Justice-Hall had a court proceeding regarding the sexual assault of Elizabeth Treadway, age 6. The incident was said to have happened April 7th, 1762 in her neighbours [Richard Smith’s] home. Much like today, this document was created for purpose of administrative information as court records; The court documents would also be printed and sold to the public. Today, the purpose of the document is for historians to learn and better understand cases of sexual assault during the Enlightenment period. Without the presence of court documents, historians would be unable to examine and gain more information and knowledge about the changes in criminal offences, as well as the repercussions of the crimes. These changes throughout history gives insight to perspectives, ideologies, and behaviours of different eras. In module three of the course, we explore the topics of childhood and parenting styles during the sixteenth to eighteenth century. The relation of the course lectures and readings to the primary source display the issue of sexual assault, which some children have had to experience and still are experiencing today. During the 18th century, London was rapidly developing from a medieval society into a society that resembles today’s North American society, this rapid development also came with a high increase of population growth. Much of the development and changes to society in the Enlightenment period lead to many misinterpretations and misunderstandings of this new understanding of the world. Lastly, the individual bias during the court proceedings impacted the reliability and credibility of the document. As observed in the document the means in which the judge spoke to Elizabeth displays the lack of importance in the things that she says. An example of this from the document is when the judge asks Elizabeth if she cried out, or shed a tear when the sexual assault occurred. “Q. Did you cry out? Child. I did not. Q. Do you not generally cry out when you are hurt? Did you not shed tears? Child. No.” Not only does this show the judges personal uncertainty of the event from occurring it also shows the judges way of prompting …show more content…
2017. "London History - London, 1715-1760". The Old Bailey; London Central Criminal Court - Oldbaileyonline.Org. https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/London-life18th.jsp.
Hurl-Eamon, Jennine. 2017. "The Question of Parental Love". Lecture, Trent University.
Hurl-Eamon, Jennine. 2017. "The Bright and Dark Sides of Enlightenment Childhoods". Lecture, Trent University.
"Old Bailey Proceedings, 21St April 1762.". 2017. The Old Bailey; London Central Criminal Court - Oldbaileyonline.Org. https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?name=17620421.
White, Matthew. 2017. "The Rise Of Cities In The 18Th Century". The British Library.
London England in the 18th century shifted from the influence of church teachings to the development of a secular impact on societal norms . This shift in perspectives altered people’s views of sexual assault, also influenced by a new understanding of both male and female roles in reproduction. This paper analyzes the court proceedings of Richard Smith and Elizabeth Treadway on the account of sexual assault. This analysis explores first the context of the documented court proceedings as well as its intended audience and purpose. In addition to this, its connection to the course and history. Lastly, how the bias of individuals affected the reliability and credibility of the document.
On April 21st, 1762 the Old Bailey Justice-Hall had a court proceeding regarding the sexual assault of Elizabeth Treadway, age 6. The incident was said to have happened April 7th, 1762 in her neighbours [Richard Smith’s] home. Much like today, this document was created for purpose of administrative information as court records; The court documents would also be printed and sold to the public. Today, the purpose of the document is for historians to learn and better understand cases of sexual assault during the Enlightenment period. Without the presence of court documents, historians would be unable to examine and gain more information and knowledge about the changes in criminal offences, as well as the repercussions of the crimes. These changes throughout history gives insight to perspectives, ideologies, and behaviours of different eras. In module three of the course, we explore the topics of childhood and parenting styles during the sixteenth to eighteenth century. The relation of the course lectures and readings to the primary source display the issue of sexual assault, which some children have had to experience and still are experiencing today. During the 18th century, London was rapidly developing from a medieval society into a society that resembles today’s North American society, this rapid development also came with a high increase of population growth. Much of the development and changes to society in the Enlightenment period lead to many misinterpretations and misunderstandings of this new understanding of the world. Lastly, the individual bias during the court proceedings impacted the reliability and credibility of the document. As observed in the document the means in which the judge spoke to Elizabeth displays the lack of importance in the things that she says. An example of this from the document is when the judge asks Elizabeth if she cried out, or shed a tear when the sexual assault occurred. “Q. Did you cry out? Child. I did not. Q. Do you not generally cry out when you are hurt? Did you not shed tears? Child. No.” Not only does this show the judges personal uncertainty of the event from occurring it also shows the judges way of prompting …show more content…
2017. "London History - London, 1715-1760". The Old Bailey; London Central Criminal Court - Oldbaileyonline.Org. https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/London-life18th.jsp.
Hurl-Eamon, Jennine. 2017. "The Question of Parental Love". Lecture, Trent University.
Hurl-Eamon, Jennine. 2017. "The Bright and Dark Sides of Enlightenment Childhoods". Lecture, Trent University.
"Old Bailey Proceedings, 21St April 1762.". 2017. The Old Bailey; London Central Criminal Court - Oldbaileyonline.Org. https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?name=17620421.
White, Matthew. 2017. "The Rise Of Cities In The 18Th Century". The British Library.