Dale's Code
Encyclopedia
In 1611, the deputy-governor of Virginia, Sir Thomas Dale
, enacted the “Lawes Divine, Morall, and Martial,” which became known as Dale’s Code. The code, among other things, created a rather authoritarian system of government
for the Colony of Virginia. It established a "single ruling group" that "held tight control of the colony." The word "Martiall," contained in Dale’s Code, governed the duties of soldier
s, while the terms "Divine" and "Morall" related to crime
and punishment
. The code provided that capital punishment
be given to any colonist who committed rather trivial crimes such as stealing certain property deemed intrinsically valuable to colonial life. Dale’s Code remained in force until 1618.
Thomas Dale
Sir Thomas Dale was an English naval commander and deputy-governor of the Virginia Colony in 1611 and from 1614 to 1616. Governor Dale is best remembered for the energy and the extreme rigour of his administration in Virginia, which established order and in various ways seems to have benefited the...
, enacted the “Lawes Divine, Morall, and Martial,” which became known as Dale’s Code. The code, among other things, created a rather authoritarian system of government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
for the Colony of Virginia. It established a "single ruling group" that "held tight control of the colony." The word "Martiall," contained in Dale’s Code, governed the duties of soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
s, while the terms "Divine" and "Morall" related to crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
and punishment
Punishment
Punishment is the authoritative imposition of something negative or unpleasant on a person or animal in response to behavior deemed wrong by an individual or group....
. The code provided that capital punishment
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
be given to any colonist who committed rather trivial crimes such as stealing certain property deemed intrinsically valuable to colonial life. Dale’s Code remained in force until 1618.