Final answer:
The royal judges in England during the colonial era were involved in tax collection, legal arbiters, and punishing criminals, which included enforcement of the 1764 Sugar Act and the Townshend Revenue Act of 1767, illustrating imperial control measures. Such duties, while contributing to colonial resentment, were part of a broader imperial enforcement policy also observed in other empires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Role of Royal Judges in England
During the colonial period, particularly in the 18th century, royal judges in England were tasked with multiple responsibilities aimed at strengthening and enforcing the British crown's authority. They functioned as tax collectors, legal arbiters in lawsuits, and executors of punishment for criminals. A notable example is the enforcement mechanisms under the 1764 Sugar Act, which required individuals accused of violating the Navigation Acts to be tried in vice-admiralty courts instead of local courts. This was seen as an encroachment upon the rights of Englishmen since these courts operated without juries, thus bypassing the right to trial by jury. The introduction of the Townshend Revenue Act of 1767 further exerted control over the American colonies by financially disconnecting royal officials from the colonial assemblies, thereby increasing their loyalty to the British government. Additionally, the Administration of Justice Act allowed royal officials accused of murder while enforcing authority to be tried in England, further fomenting colonial resentment.
These measures were part of broader imperial enforcement policies, which included efforts to define and punish piracies, felonies, and offenses at sea. Notably, such responsibilities were not unique to the British crown, as seen in similar systems in other empires, such as the centrally-appointed magistrates in certain states who had similar duties of upholding the law, collecting taxes, and maintaining public infrastructure.