Dale's Code
In 1612, the deputy-governor of Virginia, Sir Thomas Dale, enacted the “Lawes Divine, Morall, and Martial,” which became known as Dale’s Code (also known as the laws of 1612).[1] The code, among other things, created a rather authoritarian system of government for the Colony of Virginia.[2] It established a "single ruling group" that "held tight control of the colony." The word "Martial," contained in Dale’s Code, governed the duties of soldiers, while the terms "Divine" and "Morall" related to crime and punishment. The code provided that capital punishment be given to any colonist who committed rather trivial crimes such as stealing certain property deemed intrinsically valuable to colonial life.[3] Dale’s Code remained in force until 1618,[4] however some scholars have theorized that it strongly influenced the justice system for decades afterwards - particularly in the governing and punishment of slaves.[5]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Article on Sir Thomas Dale from the Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition
- Dale's Code at the Columbia Law School
- Simplified version of Dale's Code at the Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center
<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  |
This article relating to law in the United States, or its constituent jurisdictions is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
