William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England

Download PDF Add to Bookshelf Report an Error

Blackstone’s

Commentaries

became the most important legal treatise in the English language largely because of the clarity of their expression and the author’s desire to educate the English gentry into an understanding of the legal system on which English liberties rested. Indeed, Blackstone’s fervent political (Whig) conviction that England had been blessed to evolve over time the very best system of law in history, granting appropriate balance, respect and liberties, runs throughout the four volumes.

The Commentaries went through eight editions under Blackstone’s hand, and through innumerable editions and abridgements thereafter. It therefore determined the law for at least a century after its first publication (1765-69).

The

Commentaries

went through eight editions under…

510 words

Citation: Clark, Robert. "Commentaries on the Laws of England". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 24 September 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=5881, accessed 19 March 2024.]

5881 Commentaries on the Laws of England 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

If you need to create a new bookshelf to save this article in, please make sure that you are logged in, then go to your 'Account' here

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.