Broadside concerning the proceedings of the Circuit Court of Justiciary, Glasgow

Commentary

This crime report begins: 'This day, the two Judges proceeded to try the following cases:- Alexr. Latham. John Nish and Alexr. Latham, assault. Outlawed. ROBERT ANDERSON, for breaking into the Currying Shop of David Mickle, Spoutmouth, on the 38th June last, and stealing guinea note, pled Guilty.' The broadside was published by William Carse of Glasgow.

Although a single capital crime was often the subject of a whole series of broadsides, lesser crimes were commonly summarised along with several others in round-ups of court proceedings, such as the one shown here. One of the notable aspects of this broadside is the severity of sentences that were passed even for minor misdeeds. One example is Janet Black, who was sentenced to seven years' transportation for stealing from a bleaching green. Underneath the report of her sentence it is noted: 'This girl is only ten years of age'.

Reports recounting dark and salacious deeds were popular with the public, and, like today's sensationalist tabloids, sold in large numbers. Crimes could generate sequences of sheets covering descriptive accounts, court proceedings, last words, lamentations and executions as they occurred. As competition was fierce, immediacy was paramount, and these occasions provided an opportunity for printers and patterers to maximise sales.

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