A Historical Introduction to English Law

Designed for those studying law for the first time, this book explores where the English common law came from.

English 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.There are some stories that need to be told anew to every generation. This book tells one such story. It explores the historical origins of the common law and explains why that story needs to be understood by all who study or come into contact with English law. The book functions as the prequel to what students learn during their law degrees or for the SQE. It can be read in preparation for, or as part of, modules introducing the study of English law or as a starting point for specialist modules on legal history or aspects of legal history. This book will not only help students understand and contextualise their study of the current law but it will also show them that the options they have to change the law are greater than they might assume from just studying the current law.