British Constitution and Law is a series of 5 podcasts which look at the evolution of the guardians of British liberty, if I can speak in an 18th century idiom – the constitution, and the Common law of England and Wales.It discussed how we got to where we are, why, almost uniquely, the constitution has never been codified (though not unwritten) and whether that is a good or a bad thing. The series looks at development of constitutions across the world, and how they differ from the British.
Reading List for the series
None of the books below were harmed in the making of this programme, but they were all jolly useful
Baker, J H ‘An Introduction to English Legal; History’ : Really pretty detailed coverage for a non lawyer; good to check the odd fact or two.
Colley, Linda ‘The Gun, the Ship and the Pen’ : fascinating book, covering constitutional development across the globe, pointing out the impact of war
Loughlin, M ‘The British Constitution: A Very Short Introduction’ : Brilliant bok, and delightfully short, of the theoretical background
Lyon, A ‘Constitutional History of the United Kingdom’: the knitting – packed with political detail
Oliver,D ed ‘How Constitutions Change’: quite hard work, mor ea monograph than anything; but again fascinating international detail
Jones, C ‘A short History of Parliament’: really a detailed look at the mechanics and operation of parliament more than a general constitutional history
Potter, H ‘Law, Liberty and the Constitution’ : A very enjoyable,. readable book. About common law really rather than Constitution.
Sh 36e BCL Modernity and Beyond - Members Only
Sh 36d BCL Enlightenment and Radicalism - Members Only
The 18th century saw a sea change in the attitudes towards constitutional reform. Enlightenment ideas drove a desire to define and systematise; and meanwhile the growth of a desireRead More
Sh 36c BCL Revolutions - Members Only
It all comes back to the 17th century really. At the start, a king who believes in the absolute divine right of kings, who calls parliament as he requires. AtRead More
Sh 36b King in Parliament - Members Only
The 14th to 16th centuries saw the increasingly professionalism of Common law, and the embedding of parliament at the centre of government. Jurists claimed that the people were sovereign, thoughRead More
Sh 36a British Constitution and Law The Early Middle Ages - Members Only
We discuss what a Constitution is; and then go in search of one and the development of justice in English Medieval history, from the Anglo Saxons to Edward IIRead More