In the 1320s, "keepers of the peace" were temporary. By the 1360s, Edward III had institutionalized the Justice of the Peace (JP)—a local gentleman with authority to arrest, hear felonies, and enforce labor laws. The gave JPs the power to try felonies. The Statute of Labourers (1351) tasked them with capping wages. For the first time, a national social policy (post-plague wage control) had a dedicated local enforcement corps.
Implementing Public Policy: Lessons from Edward III’s Governance
The primary text you are likely looking for is (1980) by George C. Edwards III
Applying the Edwards III framework reveals the distinct bottleneck points of the 14th-century state. The Communication Gap
In the 1300s, communication was limited by the speed of a horse. Royal proclamations had to be read aloud in county courts, marketplaces, and parish churches. Information asymmetry was rampant. Tenants and laborers frequently feigned ignorance of new wage caps, while corrupt local officials suppressed royal decrees that harmed their personal networks. Resource Scarcity and Corruption
The organizational setup of the executing agency can either streamline a policy or trap it in endless red tape.
: The willingness and attitudes of implementers play a major role. If implementers disagree with a policy's goals, they may hinder its progress.
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