What job did a constable do in shakespeares time?

A constable in Shakespeare's time was a peace officer responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law in a particular area. They were typically appointed by the local lord or magistrate and had the authority to arrest and detain suspected criminals, as well as to investigate crimes and bring offenders to justice. Constables also had the responsibility of keeping the peace and preventing disturbances, and they often worked in conjunction with the local watchmen to ensure the safety of the community.

In Shakespeare's plays, constables are often depicted as bumbling and incompetent figures, such as Dogberry and Verges in "Much Ado About Nothing." However, they also played an important role in maintaining law and order in Elizabethan England, and their duties were essential to the functioning of society.