Forum for Historical Jurisprudence: Edward Coke's Ciceronian Common Law

Sir Edward Coke is arguably the single most influential figure of seventeenth century English common law. Although his jurisprudence has been described as ‘insular’, in the sense of being turned away from learning outside the common law, his legal theory owes more to classical natural law traditions than previously identified. I argue that Coke’s jurisprudence is distinctly (although of course not solely) Ciceronian.

Coke was ‘steeped’ in the Classics, but his knowledge of and affinity for the works of the ancient Roman statesman, advocate and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero are particularly apparent. Coke’s Ciceronian natural law jurisprudence directly influenced the evolution of seventeenth century common law in England through his seminal judgments in Calvin’s Case and Bonham’s Case. 

Speaker:

Rosalind Acland, PhD Candidate, University of Cambridge.

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