What Blackstone's Commentaries say about fornication and adultery
In short
In Book 4 of his Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765–1769), William Blackstone notes that the 1650 Act had made adultery capital and repeated fornication a felony, but that these laws were not revived after the Restoration. Offences of incontinence were therefore left to the 'feeble coercion' of the church courts under canon law.
What the full article will cover
- Who was William Blackstone?
- Where do the Commentaries discuss fornication?
- Why did the common law leave fornication to the church courts?
- What did Blackstone say about the 1650 Act?
- How influential was Blackstone's view in Britain and America?
Frequently asked questions
- What does 'the feeble coercion of the spiritual court' mean?
- Did Blackstone think fornication should be a crime?
- Where can Blackstone's Commentaries be read online?
- Did American states follow Blackstone on fornication?
Sources
- avalon.law.yale.edu — https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/blackstone_bk4ch4.asp
- britannica.com — https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Blackstone
- british-history.ac.uk — https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/acts-ordinances-interregnum/pp387-389
General information, not legal or religious advice.