article

Custom, courts, and class formation: constructing the hegmonic process through the petty sessions of a southeastern Irish parish, 1821-1884

American ethnologist27 (2) • Published In 2000 • Pages: 400-430

By: Silverman, Marilyn.

Abstract
This article examines the courtroom as a site where class hegemony and domination is reproduced. Courtrooms brought together people from different backgrounds, such as large and small landowners, and farmers and landless laborers. Relying largely on court documents and newspaper reports, the author examines which parties were involved in what kinds of litigation, and what were the judgments and sentences. It is noted how the court played an educational role in "civilizing" the poorer classes and engendering a paternalistic role and attitude among the landed magistrate class who, in turn, became more wedded to the imperial state.
Subjects
Real property
Classes
Offenses against the person
Property offenses
Litigation
Judicial authority
Trial procedure
Poverty
culture
Rural Irish
HRAF PubDate
2016
Region
Europe
Sub Region
British Isles
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard; 2014
Field Date
not applicable
Coverage Date
1828-1884
Coverage Place
Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Leinster, Ireland
Notes
Marilyn Silverman
Includes bibliographical references (p. 426-430)
LCCN
74644326
LCSH
Ireland--Rural conditions