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How was the law used to control sex in Tudor England? What were the differences between secular and religious practice? This major study reveals that - contrary to what historians have often supposed - in pre-Reformation England both ecclesiastical and secular (especially urban) courts were already highly active in regulating sex. They not only enforced clerical celibacy and sought to combat prostitution but also restrained the pre- and extramarital sexual activities of laypeople more generally. Initially destabilising, the religious and institutional changes of 1530-60 eventually led to important new developments that tightened the regime further. There were striking innovations in the use of shaming punishments in provincial towns and experiments in the practice of public penance in the church courts, while Bridewell transformed the situation in London. Allowing the clergy to marry was a milestone of a different sort. Together these changes contributed to a marked shift in the moral climate by 1600.

Ecclesiastical courts --- Marriage law --- Sex crimes --- Ecclesiastical courts. --- Marriage law. --- Sex crimes. --- History. --- Great Britain. --- History of the United Kingdom and Ireland --- anno 1400-1499 --- anno 1500-1599 --- Abuse, Sexual --- Sex offenses --- Sexual abuse --- Sexual crimes --- Sexual delinquency --- Sexual offenses --- Sexual violence --- Crime --- Prostitution --- Law, Marriage --- Marriage --- Domestic relations --- Sex and law --- Husband and wife --- Church courts --- Courts, Church --- Courts, Ecclesiastical --- Ecclesiastical tribunals --- Tribunals, Ecclesiastical --- Canon law --- Church discipline --- Courts --- Ecclesiastical law --- Law and legislation --- Prohibited degrees