Introduction In 1975 EP Thompson, published a study of the Black Act.[1]The Black Act was passed in 1723 in response to concerns about poaching, especially deer poaching. It was called the Black Act because the poachers often blackened their faces to avoid being recognised if seen. As Thompson shows, however, the Act was also used as a tool for increased political repression in a time of social disturbances which included writing threatening letters to landowners, the destruction of valuable agricultural property and rescuing offenders from constables.[2] It was an extraordinary piece of legislation which created at least 50 new capital…