Description
Book SynopsisEnglish law is often taught and understood in a non-historical way, but historical context helps us see how many of the ideas and institutions that we think of as being fixed are nothing of the sort. Accessibly written for those new to studying law, this book provides the fascinating 'back story' of how the English common law developed.
Trade Review'Russell Sandberg continues his laudable mission to persuade law students to bring a historical dimension to their studies, encouraging them to do so with his useful and lively account of important stories and debates about the common law's origins and developments, from the Old English kingdoms to the seventeenth century.' Gwen Seabourne, University of Bristol
'A refreshing and thoughtful appraisal of the place and importance of early English legal history and of the historical approach to law. Engagingly written, this text will be an invaluable and enlightening companion to all students of law, enabling them to contextualise and rationalise their legal studies.' Chantal Stebbings, University of Exeter
'An edgy, erudite and engaging story of English legal history. Eschewing a smooth narrative of progress, this volume shows how the common law tradition grew by fits and starts over the centuries. Students will love this bouncy and buoyant introduction to legal history, and seasoned scholars will learn much from this 'subversive' account.' John Witte, Jr, Emory University
Table of ContentsPrologue: The Man of Law's Tale; 1. The need for legal history; 2. The architects of legal history; 3. The Anglo-Saxon legacy; 4. The Norman Conquest (c.1066–1154); 5. The father of the common law (c.1154–1215); 6. The myth of Magna Carta (c.1215–1272); 7. The English Justinian (c.1272–1307); 8. The Black Death (c.1307–1485) ; 9. The Tudor transformation (c.1485–1603); 10. The Stuart suicide (c.1603–1649); Epilogue: Destiny of the common law; Afterword.
