Sir John Fortescue: On the Laws and Governance of England

Two major works by the founder of English political thought made accessible to the student.

John Fortescue (Author), Shelley Lockwood (Edited by)

9780521589963, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 February 1997

216 pages
22.2 x 14.3 x 1.6 cm, 0.358 kg

Sir John Fortescue CJKB (c.1395–c.1477) was undoubtedly the foremost English political scientist of the fifteenth century. This convenient volume brings together for the first time new editions of his two major works - In Praise of the Laws of England and The Governance of England - with references and suggestions for further reading for the student. In her introduction, Shelley Lockwood presents a clear reassessment of the work of John Fortescue and places these key texts in their historical and intellectual contexts. These works, arguably the earliest in English political thought, were written from the perspective of a self-consciously analytical and highly experienced lawyer and government official during a time of war and political upheaval. They form a coherent argument for justice against tyranny and afford unique insights into the law and governance of fifteenth-century England.

Acknowledgements
Editor's note on the texts
Note on the translations
Introduction
Principal events in Fortescue's life
Select bibliography
List of abbreviations
1. In Praise of the Laws of England
2. The Governance of England
Appendix A. Extracts from On the Nature of the Law of Nature
Appendix B. Example of how good council helps and advantages and of what follows from the contrary
Appendix C. Articles to the Earl of Warwick 1470
Index.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]