Let Justice Be Done Though The Heavens Fall: Somerset v Stewart - Dr Dominique Bouchard

250 years ago, on 22 June 1772, William Murray, Baron (later Earl of) Mansfield and Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King’s Bench, ruled in the case of Somerset v Stewart that it was unlawful for Charles Stewart to transport James Somerset, an African he had purchased in Virginia, forcibly out of England. When the verdict was announced, it sent political and legal shockwaves through Britain and its American colonies. Although the decision was technically a narrow one, it was popularly taken to mean that slavery was illegal in England.
Dr Dominique Bouchard is a 2021 Clore Fellow and an Honorary Visiting Fellow at the University of Leicester. She is Head of Learning and Interpretation at English Heritage.
Introduction music: Quartetto concertans, no. 6 in B flat major by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799). Saint-Georges was born in Guadeloupe, but from the age of 7 lived most of his life in France, with spells in England and Guadeloupe. He wrote his first violin quartet in 1772, the same year as the Somerset judgement; the ‘Au gout du jour’ quartet was published in 1779. He was a gifted violinist, composer, conductor, swordsman and athlete.
@Chineke! has been commissioned by @EnglishHeritage and @ShoutOutLoud to write a piece based partly upon his music to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Somerset judgement.
Produced by Friends of Kenwood
www.friendsofkenwood.org.uk

[@lewisner]

Interesting stuff but I was surprised you didn't quote the saying that "The air of England has long been too pure for a slave, and every man is free who breathes it."

[@shervonantoine7704]

These are the real heroes of world history (not just black)🙌👏, I thank William Murray for his principles. He didn't have to choose a side he just followed the laws.

[@Herblay63]

My law studies were a long time ago but I recall being taught that it was Somerset's status as servant rather than chattel slavery while in England (regardless of his status in Virginia) that English contract law applied in this case.... a contract must be entered willingly by both parties.... and this is basis of the ruling as to why Stuart couldn't forcibly deport Somerset to Jamaica.

[@byellisjohnson]

Are there any parallels with the mad scheme to send people to Rwanda?

[@Satu-zs7gm]

what happened to Somerset afterwards??? he disappeared from any record? could he be klld then?

[@Herblay63]

@@Satu-zs7gm History has no record of what happened to him. I should imagine he just faded into the background in London and likely as not if he couldn't find a position he joined the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy at the time was 20% African and Asian. Probably harsher discipline than had he remained a slave for Stewart in London as a gentleman's servant but at least sailors were free men. RN sailors were clothed, fed 5000 calories and 1/2 pint of rum a day. I think they needed the rum to endure the conditions..

[@Satu-zs7gm]

@@Herblay63 thanks for that, but it's astonishing how he can just disappear poof considering he was in a very famous case for the abolitionist like what????? why didn't he become a symbol for the abolitionist what??? something fishy is going on

[@Herblay63]

@@Satu-zs7gm It is odd I agree. On the other hand he might have thought it wise to keep a low profile, it would have been quite simple for him to melt into the background in London bearing in mind that there was a sizeable community of 10,000 free Africans living in London at that time regardless of the ruling.