Sex and Sin in 17th Century Lancashire Dr Alan Crosby

 

8 October 2012                      

 

 

Dr Crosby said that there was great emphasis on puritanism and morality in the 1600s and documentary sources were abundant. Serious crimes meriting the death penalty were dealt with by the Assize court in Lancaster.  Lesser crimes went before the Quarter Sessions held at Epiphany, Easter, Midsummer and Michaelmas originally in Lancaster and Preston and later in other towns including Ormskirk and Wigan. Church courts dealt with crimes reported by the churchwardens and punishments were excommunication or public humiliation.

Quarter Sessions records are a rich source of information regarding sexual misconduct, bastardy and the operation of the poor law. Unmarried mothers were encouraged to relocate to a neighbouring parish before giving birth, interrogated (even in labour) to reveal the identity of the father so that a maintenance agreement for the child up to age 14 could be enforced. Women were sent to a house of correction for three weeks or more and soundly whipped. Dr Crosby read numerous examples.

Divorce was dealt with by the Church courts in cases where there were no formal documents. Annulment could be granted on the grounds of non-consummation, consanguinity or a technical difficulty.