Cannibalism and the common law : the story of the tragic last voyage of the Mignonette and the strange legal proceedings to which it gave rise

Type

Book

Authors

Simpson, A. W. Brian

ISBN 10

0226759423

ISBN 13

9780226759432

LCCN

KD372.D83

DDC

345.42

Tags

Tom Dudley, Edwin Stephens, Mignonette (Boat), Murder trials, England, London, Cannibalism, English Common law, United Kingdom Common Law

Abstract

Cannibalism and the Common Law is an enthralling classic of legal history. It tells the tragic story of the yacht Mignonette, which foundered on its way from England to Australia in 1884. The killing and eating of one of the crew, Richard Parker, led to the leading case in the defense of necessity, R. v. Dudley and Stephens. It resulted in their being convicted and sentenced to death, a sentence subsequently commuted. In this tour de force Brian Simpson sets the legal proceedings in their broadest historical context, providing a detailed account of the events and characters involved and of life at sea in the time of sail. Cannibalism and the Common Law is a demonstration that legal history can be written in human terms and can be compulsive reading. This brilliant and fascinating book, a marvelous example of careful historical detection, and first-class legal history, written by a master.

Description

Contents:
Sergeant Laverty Makes and Arrest -- The Mignonette Goes Foreign -- "The Horrid Deed" -- Before the Falmouth Magistrates -- The Custom of the Sea -- Man-eaters of the Frontier -- The William Brown and the Euxine -- The Devious Baron Huddleston -- A Lawyer's Question -- Aftermath.

Biblio Notes

Includes biographical references (p. 325-344) and index.

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