This chapter proposes to examine and review historical studies and debates of English interpersonal violence, especially those focused on homicide, and for the purposes of this chapter homicide includes both murder and manslaughter. Such studies have had to address problems and issues which confront all historians of violence; not least, can we quantify violence over long periods? Or is the accuracy of the statistical data so questionable as to invalidate any conclusions drawn from quantitative analysis? In reviewing possible drawbacks to this statistical quantifying approach to studies both of homicide and of non-lethal forms of violence, this chapter will examine alternative approaches which draw on qualitative data. Such material provides context and detail surrounding violent incidents which quantitative evidence cannot. Historians can also glean some insights into conflicting attitudes and perceptions.

Link to full text: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/978131Values, care, distinction, shame, embodiment824437-9/safety-talk-violence-laughter-leslie-moran-beverley-skeggs-paul-tyrer-karen-corteen