Binding Men: Stories About Violence and Law in Late Victorian England

by Bibbings; Lois S.

• ISBN13: 9781904385417
• ISBN10: 1904385419
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2014-03-28
• Publisher: Routledge Caven

Summary

Binding Men is a book about nineteenth century notions of masculinity. It examines a number of nineteenth century criminal cases, focusing upon theoretical themes relating to masculinity and the state in order to offer both a way of reading past decisions as well as a means of analysing of nineteenth century attitudes in society and the courts. Of the cases selected some are still binding upon English and Welsh courts today, others are first instance decisions and a few attracted a great deal of sensation when they were heard. Of these the most well known are R v Dudley and Stevens (murder, necessity and cannibalism), R v Boulton (crossing dressing), R v Coney (prize-fighting) and R v Crippen (the trial of Dr Crippen). This book combines traditional legal analysis with a more socio-legal and social historical approach. Drawing upon a variety of sources including trial transcripts, law reports, official correspondence and newspaper stories, Binding Men unpicks the narratives of masculinity which the cases tell.

Table of Contents

Masculinity

Law and History

Masticating the Male: a Recipe for Masculinity

Mary-annes and Mollies: the Carnivalesque, Camp and Cross-Dressing

Manly Diversions, Debauchery and Disorder

Man as Master: The Realm of the Family

Robbery and Reputation: Blackmail

The Medical Man

Conclusion

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.