In-Laws and Outlaws: Kinship and Marriage in England

This book provides a comprehensive and logical treatment of English kinship in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, drawing from a wide range of sources and relevant to current studies in history, law, and philosophy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1987, this groundbreaking book offered a comprehensive and unified exploration of English kinship during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Far from being a mere compilation of historical coincidences, this system reveals a remarkably logical and coherent overarching structure that permeates both legal norms and customary practices. To fully comprehend it, one must delve into a diverse range of sources, encompassing Parliamentary debates, accounts of contemporary events, cases, and incidents, as well as the literature of the time.

The significance of this work extends to current studies in various disciplines. In history, it serves as a systematic overview, presenting new insights and sources of material. For lawyers, it provides a historical context and explanation of 'family law, particularly relevant in the context of impending English legislation at the time. It serves as a valuable resource for social anthropologists, offering a comparative framework with systems commonly studied in the field and contributing to the development of kinship theory. Moreover, it presents philosophers with a fresh forum to engage in discussions about the nature of explanations of human activities, raising intriguing questions and prompting new perspectives.

In conclusion, this book's publication in 1987 marked a significant milestone in the study of English kinship. Its comprehensive and unified treatment of the subject, coupled with its logical structure and diverse range of sources, has made it an invaluable resource for scholars, lawyers, social anthropologists, and philosophers alike. Its enduring relevance and impact continue to shape our understanding of family dynamics and human behavior in the past and present.

Weight: 648g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032463889