Somerset Case - slaves cannot be compelled to leave England against their will

Historical Context Essay

Robert Clark (The Literary Encyclopedia)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.05: English Writing and Culture from the Glorious Revolution to the French Revolution, 1689-1789.
Vol. editors: Paul Baines (University of Liverpool), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Pat Rogers (University of South Florida), Nicholas Seager (University of Keele)

Domains

Slavery / Anti-slavery/ Enslavement/ Enslaved

Dates

Date of occurrence 1772-02-07

Places

United Kingdom (Location)

Resources

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The case of James Somerset (also spelled Somersett and Sommerset) is considered a turning point in the history of British anti-slavery. Somerset was a Virginia slave, owned by Charles Stewart, who had brought him to England. When Somerset ran off, Stewart had had him captured to be returned to Jamaica against his will. Granville Sharp (1735-1813) brought a case for his liberation on the grounds that no man could be a chattel in England. The case was heard in the court of the King's Bench under the distinguished Lord Chief Justice Mansfield. At this time, English law was not clear on this point, certain cases in the earlier part of the century having been found in favour of the rights of the master over his slave (Oldham, p. 310). However, in the later eighteenth century the spread of…

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642 words

Citation: Clark, Robert. "Somerset Case - slaves cannot be compelled to leave England against their will". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 25 March 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=5499, accessed 26 April 2024.]

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