History GCSE
Town watchmen
What Town watchmen means in History GCSE, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definition of Town watchmen
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Town watchmen in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: Pearson Edexcel
Men who patrolled streets at night, carrying lanterns and bells, to deter criminals and arrest vagabonds.
Topics that use Town watchmen
- Option 10: c1500–c1700: Crime and punishment in early modern England - 2 The nature of law enforcement and punishment (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Bloody Code
- Capital punishment
- Corporal punishment
- Hue and cry
- Transportation
- Justices of the Peace (JPs)
Using Town watchmen in the exam
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