Making Legal History: Approaches and Methodologies

by Anthony Musson (Editor), Chantal Stebbings (Editor)

Drawing together leading legal historians from a range of jurisdictions and cultures, this collection of essays addresses the fundamental methodological underpinning of legal history research. Via a broad chronological span and a wide range of topics, the contributors explore the approaches, methods and sources that together form the basis of their research and shed light on the complexities of researching into the history of the law. By exploring the challenges posed by visual, unwritten and quasi-legal sources, the difficulties posed by traditional archival material and the novelty of exploring the development of legal culture and comparative perspectives, the book reveals the richness and dynamism of legal history research.

Genres: History

330 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2011

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard for me to give this anything more than a cursory review, as the subject matter is entirely outside of my range. MAKING LEGAL HISTORY offers a broad array of fresh investigations into the approaches involved when interrogating legal history, and is notable for the scope of its focus. While the likes of Magna Carta are unsurprisingly inclusions for discussion, perhaps the most intriguing chapters are those which look at lesser-known cases and areas. The last chapter in particular, a fresh look at the case of Sarah Jacob, the Welsh fasting girl, is both thoughtful and insightful.