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By Birth or Consent: Children, Law, and the Anglo-American Revolution in
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By Birth or Consent: Children, Law, and the Anglo-American Revolution in Authority Paperback - 2007

by Holly Brewer


From the publisher

In mid-sixteenth-century England, people were born into authority and responsibility based on their social status. Thus elite children could designate property or serve in Parliament, while children of the poorer sort might be forced to sign labor contracts or be hanged for arson or picking pockets. By the late eighteenth century, however, English and American law began to emphasize contractual relations based on informed consent rather than on birth status. In By Birth or Consent, Holly Brewer explores how the changing legal status of children illuminates the struggle over consent and status in England and America. As it emerged through religious, political, and legal debates, the concept of meaningful consent challenged the older order of birthright and became central to the development of democratic political theory.

The struggle over meaningful consent had tremendous political and social consequences, affecting the whole order of society. It granted new powers to fathers and guardians at the same time that it challenged those of masters and kings. Brewer's analysis reshapes the debate about the origins of modern political ideology and makes connections between Reformation religious debates, Enlightenment philosophy, and democratic political theory.

In mid-sixteenth-century England, people were born into authority and responsibility based on their social status. By the late eighteenth century, however, English and American law began to emphasize contractual relations based on informed consent rather than on birth status. In By Birth or Consent, Holly Brewer explores how the changing legal status of children illuminates the debates over consent and status in England and America. The struggle over meaningful consent had tremendous political and social consequences, affecting the whole order of society. As it emerged through religious, political, and legal debates, the concept of meaningful consent challenged the older order of birthright and became central to the development of democratic political theory.

First line

After his election to the House of Burgesses for Elizabeth City, Virginia, "Mr." Willis Wilson, eighteen years old, traveled to Jamestown to attend the session of April 1692.

From the jacket flap

Brewer explores how the changing legal status of children illuminates the struggle over consent and status in England and America. In the 16th century, people were born into authority and responsibility based on their social status, but by the late 18th century, English and American law began to emphasize contractual relations based on informed consent rather than on status, challenging the old idea of birthright.

Details

  • Title By Birth or Consent: Children, Law, and the Anglo-American Revolution in Authority
  • Author Holly Brewer
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: first
  • Pages 408
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Omohundro Institute and University of North C, Chapel Hill, NC
  • Date 2007-02-26
  • Features Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780807858325 / 0807858323
  • Weight 1.37 lbs (0.62 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.2 x 5.9 x 1.1 in (23.37 x 14.99 x 2.79 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 16th Century
    • Chronological Period: 17th Century
    • Chronological Period: 18th Century
    • Cultural Region: British
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2004019071
  • Dewey Decimal Code 346.420

About the author

Holly Brewer is associate professor of history and Burke Chair of American History at the University of Maryland.
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By Birth or Consent: Children, Law, and the Anglo-American Revolution in Authority
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By Birth or Consent: Children, Law, and the Anglo-American Revolution in Authority

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By Birth or Consent: Children, Law, and the Anglo-American Revolution in Authority

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