Discipline and Control in Eighteenth-Century Gibraltar
Discipline and Control in Eighteenth-Century Gibraltar
This chapter is based on the study of the first nine volumes of the Gibraltar garrison's order books, covering the years 1720-1791. These order books contain a wealth of material on social and cultural history, and this chapter gives an overview of those entries relating to disciplinary matters, such as special instructions, threats of punishments and sentences of general courts martial, recorded verbatim in order to be read to the troops. The picture emerging from these records demonstrates that, notwithstanding numerous attempts by the garrison commanders, drunkenness and other irregular behaviour by the soldiery could not be restrained. It appears that in spite of stern official regulations, soldiers actually enjoyed a substantial license in their daily doings. This brings in to question the extent to which old-regime authorities could successfully control and discipline their troops.
Keywords: British army, soldiers, Gibraltar, military discipline, Foucault, control, surveillance, alcohol consumption
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