ABSTRACT

Edward Coke, a lawyer of much influence in the 17th century, gave the following explanation for the importance of history in relation to law:

We are but of yesterday…our days upon the earth are but as a shadow in respect of the old ancient days and times past, wherein the laws have been the wisdom of the most excellent men, in many successions of age, by long and continued experience, (the trial of light and truth) fined and refined.