This volume is a tribute to John Beattie, whose work is fundamental to the burgeoning study of crime and the courts in early modern England, and whose enthusiastic interest in the work of his fellow historians is one of the attractions of eighteenth-century English history. On his retirement, John's current students and colleagues at the University of Toronto published a Festschrift in his honour. This is therefore the second volume dedicated to John. Of the contributors to this volume, some were John's students as undergraduates, others his graduate students, and all enjoy his friendship. John is an extraordinary scholar: not only acute, persistent, and insightful in his own work, but generous in giving his time, advice, and aid to others. John's work has made our work better; his presence has enhanced our enjoyment of our work. This volume is one way in which we say ‘thank you’.

The chapters in this volume develop themes raised by John Beattie's second and third books, Crime and the courts in England, 1660–1800 and Policing and punishment in London, 1660–1750. The foundation of both books is analysis of the charges of felonious conduct brought before Quarter Sessions, Assizes, and the Old Bailey (London and Middlesex's Assizes), and the way in which these courts dealt with these allegations.