Anglo-Saxon Invention Of Individual Freedom

Trigger

Just read in the Wall Street Journal a book review titled “Book Review: 'Inventing Freedom' by Daniel Hannan/The U.S. and Britain together midwifed political freedom into the modern world.” (Subscription only)

Selective Takeaway From The Review

Emphasis added to quotes.

1. “Long before the 16th century, English law had considered boys free agents the moment they reached legal maturity. Once he left home, a young Englishman could join whatever trade he wished.”
   [Wow, if this is correct! I do not know exactly what the situation in other parts of the world was at that time, but I guess this kind of freedom was not prevalent.]
2. “English law, too, allowed a man to leave his property to whomever he pleased, whereas Continental [Europe] laws required a more equitable distribution to all family members - a difference that still exists.”
   [If true, that is also quite amazing.]
3. “Long before the rise of industrialism in the 18th century, then, English society reflected a view of individual rights and economic mobility that was largely absent on the Continent.”
   [That is the summary of the afore quoted.]
4. “... England’s 1689 Bill of Rights maintained that “excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
   [Either I forgot already or in my ignorance I was not even aware of a British Bill of Rights that preceded the U.S. Bill of Rights by a good 100 years nor that it contains language so familiar from the U.S. Constitution. In particular, the common law Right To Keep And Bear Arms.]