Abstract:

1

Our research focuses on the long-term relationship between the Crown and the State (Crown/State) from early period of British Mercantilism in the 16th century, the rise of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, until its full abolition in 1838. We consider the antecedence, ascendency and end of the British Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and incorporate into our exploration relationships between the Crown/state and relationships with traders and royalty in ‘British’ West Africa: the area in West Africa that became points of exclusive trade with Britain, before being incorporated into the Second British Empire. We consider also the use of royal warrants, letters patent and treaties in the facilitation of these relationships.

We explore this important period in British history through the lens of the longue durée (Braudel, 1980; Braudel and Bernal, 1992; Braudel, 1992) specifically focusing relationship between the Crown/State (the formal political structure of the country), and The City of London (‘The City’ or ‘Square Mile’: the historical centre of London. The City has its own long-standing the oldest continuous municipal government (retaining a number of ancient privileges), the City of London Corporation, has its own police force, lord mayor and is a global financial hub.

Further, The City has its own norms and its own agenda and as such is a heterotopia (Foucault, 1986). We suggest this distinctive status has been acknowledged since the time of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) with its status and privileges retained after the Norman Conquest by William I: as such The City recognised as important, powerful and of potential benefit to the Crown. Further, as a heterotopia we contend it maintains dialectical (Braudelian) and diplomatic (Foucault, 1986) relations with the Crown/State. Nonetheless, acceptance of The City’s power clearly grew over time: how did this develop? What are the diplomatic objects that structured the long-term relationship between the City and Crown/state? Did these objects change / evolve? Why? When? We are particularly interested in the place that the West African venturing and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade held in this diplomatic relationship.

Please choose your submission type: Full Paper

Primary Track: Management and Business History

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Prof Eric Pezet