Though the Heavens May Fall The Landmark Trial That Led to the End of Human Slavery (Audible Audio Edition) Steven M Wise Andrew Shapiro Audible Studios Books
Download As PDF : Though the Heavens May Fall The Landmark Trial That Led to the End of Human Slavery (Audible Audio Edition) Steven M Wise Andrew Shapiro Audible Studios Books
The case of James Somerset, an escaped slave, in June of 1772 in London's Westminster Hall was a decisive turning point in human history. Steven Wise has uncovered fascinating new revelations in this case, which statesmen of the time threatened would bring the economy of the British Empire to a crashing halt. In a gripping, hour-by-hour narrative of the trial and the inflamed participants, Wise leads the reader to the extraordinary and unexpected decision by the great conservative judge, Lord Mansfield, which led to the United States' own abolition movement. As the case drew to a close, and defenders of slavery pleaded with him to maintain the system, Mansfield's reply has resounded down through more than two centuries "Let Justice be done, though the Heavens may fall."
Though the Heavens May Fall The Landmark Trial That Led to the End of Human Slavery (Audible Audio Edition) Steven M Wise Andrew Shapiro Audible Studios Books
This volume is a compact, but complete, treatment of the famous 1772 Somerset decision by Lord Mansfield that confirmed that slavery was not legal within Great Britain (but left slavery intact in British colonies and possessions). The key actor upon which the entire narrative focuses is abolitionist Granville Sharp, who initiated several cases challenging the legality of slavery in Britain until he was finally successful in Somerset. His crusade demonstrates the merits of not being easily discouraged by initial setbacks. Given the fact that he subsisted on and financed litigation through a clerk's salary, one can only stand in amazement at his determination to terminate the practice. The author does a good job in discussing the background and character of Lord Mansfield, certainly one of the most influential actors in the development of English law. The reconstruction of the trial itself is well done. While the research is predominantly based upon secondary sources, as is appropriate in a "popular" history, the narrative is quite easy for the non-lawyer as well as the legal professional to read and profit from--no mean accomplishment in legal history volumes. The endnotes identify valuable sources for further reading on this topic. I found chapter 16, "The Mansfield Judgment," particularly interesting in that apparently there is no 100% official text of Mansfield's decision. The author also does a good job in discussing post-decision developments that reflected the impact of the holding, including some in America. A good solid treatment of an incredibily important legal development.Product details
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Though the Heavens May Fall The Landmark Trial That Led to the End of Human Slavery (Audible Audio Edition) Steven M Wise Andrew Shapiro Audible Studios Books Reviews
The title of Though the Heaven's May Fall refers to a comment Lord Mansifeld made when giving a decision he knew would be unpopular and one he had been warned would lead to much distress.he said he had to follow the law, "Though the heavens may fall." The book deals with Sharpe and Mansfield, one a clerk and one a judge and the momentuous decison that slavery could only exist in England by positive law. The Negroes in whose names the suits were brought play a lesser role. The story of the celebrated Mansfield decision is told with all the drama of the event. Though the question seemed to be whether a slave in the West Indies was a slave in London, the real question was whether under English law-- IN ENGLAND-- a slave was a person or a thing. Mansfield's decision decided that question and also said that slavery was so contrary to the common law that it could only be upheld by positive law and not comity or tradition, or custom.
An exciting book as good as any legal mystery available today.
It's usually called the Mansfield Decision the Lord Chief Justice wrote the 1772 opinion that, in apparently outlawing slave status, reinvented England as a Land of the Free. Far better to name it properly as the Somerset Case, because James Somerset had the courage to challenge centuries of legal tradition, and the initiative to find able allies (notably Granville Sharp, the book's "star"). They unearthed and brilliantly deployed the key precedents -- the best of that legal culture -- giving it a bold new progressive dimension. Mansfield was quite a reluctant 'hero," preferring an out-of-court settlement that would avoid a sweeping precedent. Sharp, Somerset and his lawyers eventually compelled Mansfield to earn an honored place in history. Unfortunately there isn't much on Somerset himself, but author Wise has done his best with a thinly-documented life. Lengthy accounts of English legal reasoning and courtroom procedure will tax many readers, but it richly evokes the London atmosphere in which the trial occurred; this is pleasurable reading compared to most books by legal eagles. After winning his case Somerset vanished from history like so many Blacks in that age. But unlike most other slave resisters he declined the personal liberty that settling would have brought. Instead he sought his own freedom in a manner that struck a mighty blow for all. We may never know enough to call him a great man, but surely he had greatness within him. Lest we forget.
The definitive account of this major judgment. It was nor so much the judgment itself as the way that it was understood and deployed that mattered. Whatever its intent, its effect was to hammerl another nail in the coffin of slavery. It was greeted with consternation by the slave colonies in America and contributed to their rebellion. It is a great irony that had the Americans lost, slavery would have been abolished there thirty years earlier (when Britain outlawed from its empire), and there would have been no civil war. That's as maybe. This book is detailed and intricate but it has to be. A major contribution to legal history.
Britain had a long history with slavery, both in promoting it and also in making moves to hold it illegal. And in the late 18th and early 19th centuries Britain's economic and maritime power was so great that the whole issue was framed as much in London as in the US. But I found it found it hard to follow the story in "The Heavens may Fall" - the presentation was confusing.
Really a good account of a historic decision. Great book!
This volume is a compact, but complete, treatment of the famous 1772 Somerset decision by Lord Mansfield that confirmed that slavery was not legal within Great Britain (but left slavery intact in British colonies and possessions). The key actor upon which the entire narrative focuses is abolitionist Granville Sharp, who initiated several cases challenging the legality of slavery in Britain until he was finally successful in Somerset. His crusade demonstrates the merits of not being easily discouraged by initial setbacks. Given the fact that he subsisted on and financed litigation through a clerk's salary, one can only stand in amazement at his determination to terminate the practice. The author does a good job in discussing the background and character of Lord Mansfield, certainly one of the most influential actors in the development of English law. The reconstruction of the trial itself is well done. While the research is predominantly based upon secondary sources, as is appropriate in a "popular" history, the narrative is quite easy for the non-lawyer as well as the legal professional to read and profit from--no mean accomplishment in legal history volumes. The endnotes identify valuable sources for further reading on this topic. I found chapter 16, "The Mansfield Judgment," particularly interesting in that apparently there is no 100% official text of Mansfield's decision. The author also does a good job in discussing post-decision developments that reflected the impact of the holding, including some in America. A good solid treatment of an incredibily important legal development.
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