... in England there are many thefts ... that go entirely uncorrected, so that where in other kingdoms thieves and murderers are hanged together by their necks ... in England for the most part they are hanged by their purses.1

* * *

If a man who, according to all laws, ought to pay a just penalty for his wickedness, one who has committed premeditated murder or who is a very famous robber, is captured so that justice may be done upon his person ... they labour to free him from danger. Some of them say, ‘He is young. If he is a delinquent as a young man, he will mend his ways when he is old.’ Others say, ‘He comes of our blood. If justice should proceed against him, our whole family would be shamefully dishonoured.’

Thomas Brinton

Notes

• hanged by their purses: fined (a proverbial expression).  [return]