This book focuses on the murder of Mr. Grebell that was done by John Breads in East Sussex, England. The killing and the subsequent trial connect to broader issues in the history of the Sussex port, issues that affected other small towns in early modern England. The author narrates a story of personal violence and judicial vengeance. As such, the book provides access to the tensions and animosities that existed among people who jostled up against one another in the restricted space of a small urban community. It casts a harsh light on the transition from the narrowly focused community norms of ... More

This book focuses on the murder of Mr. Grebell that was done by John Breads in East Sussex, England. The killing and the subsequent trial connect to broader issues in the history of the Sussex port, issues that affected other small towns in early modern England. The author narrates a story of personal violence and judicial vengeance. As such, the book provides access to the tensions and animosities that existed among people who jostled up against one another in the restricted space of a small urban community. It casts a harsh light on the transition from the narrowly focused community norms of the Reformation period to the more expansive ideals of a commercial society, and tells us about the elusive character of Allen Grebell. Grebell gives the impression of being a relatively generous and compassionate man, especially when compared with his self-aggrandizing brother-in-law. The book elaborates how the crime of John Breads connects with the wider context of social change in early modern Rye and also focuses on oligarchy at Rye, which signified government by a narrow, more or less self-perpetuating elite of men whose power was based more on wealth and economic influence than on inherited status.