During the 16th Century Justices of the Peace presided with juries over criminal trials

There were 1,738 Justices for the whole of England in 1580. Chosen by the Lord Chancellor they did much the same work as they do today -- except they also did most criminal and family law trials.

Generally two Justices sat with a jury -- the maximum penalty they could impose was hanging.

Which was imposed with alarming regularity!!!