East of England Sense of Place Suffolk
Guided tours of Suffolk's past

Seven Ages of Man, and Woman, in Suffolk

The Justice

Shakespeare was referring to magistrates, or Justices of the Peace. There were many in Suffolk.

For minor cases, they held 'courts of Petty Sessions' in numerous small towns, including some - like Ixworth - that we now think of as larger villages.
Groups of magistrates tried more serious cases at the Quarter Sessions, held in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Woodbridge and Beccles.

Professional judges dealt with the most serious cases of all, at the Assizes. These were held in January and July, alternating between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.

Red Barn murder

Perhaps the most famous trial was that of William Corder, for the murder of Maria Marten, in 1828 - the notorious Red Barn murder. Corder was hanged in a meadow outside Bury Gaol, in front of a crowd of some 10,000 people.

After a hard day on the bench, a justice might wish to join a gentleman's club - possible in Ipswich or Bury. Or maybe go to a concert. Failing that it was possible, in time, to enjoy fine music in the privacy of one's own home.

Seven Ages of Man, and Woman, in Suffolk

The Pantaloon