James Wilson FRHistS
@alawyerwrites.bsky.social
Author of books on history, law and cricket (more detail at https://jamesrjw.wixsite.com/jamesrjwilson). Biographer of Lord Denning. I also enjoy film, music and creative puns. From NZ but living in the UK. Likes/RTs ≠ agreement. All views my own.
Pinned
Noble Savages: The Savage Club and The Great War 1914 - 1918: Amazon.co.uk: Wilson, James: 9798644730117: Books
Buy Noble Savages: The Savage Club and The Great War 1914 - 1918 by Wilson, James (ISBN: 9798644730117) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
tinyurl.com
On this day in 1914 Lord Roberts VC died after an astonishing military career. He is in my book Noble Savages (tinyurl.com/mjm8re4p).
Upon his death Kipling wrote:
HE PASSED in the very battle-smoke
Of the war that he had descried.
Three hundred mile of cannon spoke
When the Master-Gunner died.
Upon his death Kipling wrote:
HE PASSED in the very battle-smoke
Of the war that he had descried.
Three hundred mile of cannon spoke
When the Master-Gunner died.
A most enjoyable evening last night presenting on cricket and law (based on my book Court and Bowled). Best of all was the very knowledgeable audience including this presentable chap! amzn.eu/d/6lQJWUO
November 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
A most enjoyable evening last night presenting on cricket and law (based on my book Court and Bowled). Best of all was the very knowledgeable audience including this presentable chap! amzn.eu/d/6lQJWUO
Tom Lehrer has died, aged 97. A genius. Genuinely original entertainer (and mathematician). A haughty and humourless critic of his once conceded “Mr Lehrer plays the piano acceptably well.”
youtu.be/U2cfju6GTNs?...
youtu.be/U2cfju6GTNs?...
The Element Song by Tom Lehrer
YouTube video by KoolScience
youtu.be
July 27, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Tom Lehrer has died, aged 97. A genius. Genuinely original entertainer (and mathematician). A haughty and humourless critic of his once conceded “Mr Lehrer plays the piano acceptably well.”
youtu.be/U2cfju6GTNs?...
youtu.be/U2cfju6GTNs?...
Further to my post the other day, I remembered I had the following letter in The Times earlier this year, though since the time of Denning (and at least in part due to his son, an eminent academic chemist), I’m trusting Magdalen at least are free of this sort of Bullingdonesque oiks …
June 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Further to my post the other day, I remembered I had the following letter in The Times earlier this year, though since the time of Denning (and at least in part due to his son, an eminent academic chemist), I’m trusting Magdalen at least are free of this sort of Bullingdonesque oiks …
Appalling news: three cricket clubs suspended, thanks to Danbury Parish Council. The latter need to read read Miller v Jackson (shameless plug: tinyurl.com/8a6e5kta): tinyurl.com/mwc8nkv3 @wgrumblepants.bsky.social
Court and Bowled: Tales of Cricket and the Law: Amazon.co.uk: Wilson, James: 9780854902255: Books
Buy Court and Bowled: Tales of Cricket and the Law by Wilson, James (ISBN: 9780854902255) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
tinyurl.com
June 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Appalling news: three cricket clubs suspended, thanks to Danbury Parish Council. The latter need to read read Miller v Jackson (shameless plug: tinyurl.com/8a6e5kta): tinyurl.com/mwc8nkv3 @wgrumblepants.bsky.social
Reading (or revisiting) Brideshead Revisited, it’s stated the Earl (Bridey) went to Magdalen, Oxford, circa 1918-20, meaning he’d have been a contemporary of Lord Denning, & possibly Bertie Wooster (also Magdalen, time vague). I wonder how they’d have got on @dinahrose.bsky.social?
June 25, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Reading (or revisiting) Brideshead Revisited, it’s stated the Earl (Bridey) went to Magdalen, Oxford, circa 1918-20, meaning he’d have been a contemporary of Lord Denning, & possibly Bertie Wooster (also Magdalen, time vague). I wonder how they’d have got on @dinahrose.bsky.social?
In 1945 a returning serviceman withdrew his application to Oxford when they said there'd be an entrance exam, telling them his service made him above exams. 'News of Hitler's war has reached Oxford' they assured him. A sliding doors moment: he relented, & later became a v successful legal author.
Fascinating case, and a reminder that the legal system rightly tried its best to keep going during wartime. Another landmark case was Learie Constantine suing a hotel for excluding him unjustly (racist US servicemen) under old common law rules re innkeepers - heard by the HC in a bomb proof shelter.
We lose a lot by not reading hard copy law reports. Opening the Appeal Cases for 1944, we can see that as war raged around the world, the Privy Council considered the question of whether the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem was exempt from municipal taxes in Jerusalem as [1944] AC 1.
February 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
In 1945 a returning serviceman withdrew his application to Oxford when they said there'd be an entrance exam, telling them his service made him above exams. 'News of Hitler's war has reached Oxford' they assured him. A sliding doors moment: he relented, & later became a v successful legal author.
Lord Denning appeared in numerous important cases and was promoted to the bench during wartime, as well as serving as a gvt legal adviser (in which he advised inter alia on detention under Reg 18B, without regret at the time or after).
We lose a lot by not reading hard copy law reports. Opening the Appeal Cases for 1944, we can see that as war raged around the world, the Privy Council considered the question of whether the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem was exempt from municipal taxes in Jerusalem as [1944] AC 1.
February 7, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Lord Denning appeared in numerous important cases and was promoted to the bench during wartime, as well as serving as a gvt legal adviser (in which he advised inter alia on detention under Reg 18B, without regret at the time or after).
Fascinating case, and a reminder that the legal system rightly tried its best to keep going during wartime. Another landmark case was Learie Constantine suing a hotel for excluding him unjustly (racist US servicemen) under old common law rules re innkeepers - heard by the HC in a bomb proof shelter.
We lose a lot by not reading hard copy law reports. Opening the Appeal Cases for 1944, we can see that as war raged around the world, the Privy Council considered the question of whether the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem was exempt from municipal taxes in Jerusalem as [1944] AC 1.
February 7, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Fascinating case, and a reminder that the legal system rightly tried its best to keep going during wartime. Another landmark case was Learie Constantine suing a hotel for excluding him unjustly (racist US servicemen) under old common law rules re innkeepers - heard by the HC in a bomb proof shelter.
Reposted by James Wilson FRHistS
The word 'symposium' comes from a Greek term for a drinking party, should you be looking for a truthful excuse to knock off early.
February 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The word 'symposium' comes from a Greek term for a drinking party, should you be looking for a truthful excuse to knock off early.
Two favourite OC roles: the evil stepmother in Fleabag (the exhibition scene was just far too familiar for those of us who've attended such events) and Susan in The House of Milton Jones. The only regrettable thing about her present status is she is unlikely to do roles like the latter again.
Happy birthday Olivia Colman 🎂
📷 Mark Seliger, 2019
"I never wanted to do anything else. Also, I’m no good at anything else."
#filmsky
📷 Mark Seliger, 2019
"I never wanted to do anything else. Also, I’m no good at anything else."
#filmsky
January 31, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Two favourite OC roles: the evil stepmother in Fleabag (the exhibition scene was just far too familiar for those of us who've attended such events) and Susan in The House of Milton Jones. The only regrettable thing about her present status is she is unlikely to do roles like the latter again.
Reposted by James Wilson FRHistS
Holocaust Memorial Day.
Never forget.
Never forget.
January 27, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Holocaust Memorial Day.
Never forget.
Never forget.
This arrived in the post today. I thought one article might appeal to the cricketing cognoscenti here. @wgrumblepants.bsky.social
January 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This arrived in the post today. I thought one article might appeal to the cricketing cognoscenti here. @wgrumblepants.bsky.social
A modern tale of cryptocurrency t.co/7Up3LCgbAI
https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/ch/2025/22
t.co
January 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
A modern tale of cryptocurrency t.co/7Up3LCgbAI
Happy birthday to the actor & playwright Arnold Ridley, a man with a remarkable war record, as discussed in my book Noble Savages (tinyurl.com/mjm8re4p), even if he was better known as Godfrey from Dad's Army (of which one of the most moving episodes concerned Godfrey's Great War experiences).
January 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Happy birthday to the actor & playwright Arnold Ridley, a man with a remarkable war record, as discussed in my book Noble Savages (tinyurl.com/mjm8re4p), even if he was better known as Godfrey from Dad's Army (of which one of the most moving episodes concerned Godfrey's Great War experiences).
On another occasion Lucy told Snoopy in her inimitably bullying manner that he might think dogs were smart, but scientists had proved pigs were the most intelligent domesticated animals. Snoopy riposted "If they're so smart, then why are they pigs?"
They give us unconditional love, devotion & loyalty.
They are a reliable source of peace, joy & contentment.
That they have made this a better world is an undisputed FACT.
👁️❤️🐶🐕
They are a reliable source of peace, joy & contentment.
That they have made this a better world is an undisputed FACT.
👁️❤️🐶🐕
January 6, 2025 at 10:57 AM
On another occasion Lucy told Snoopy in her inimitably bullying manner that he might think dogs were smart, but scientists had proved pigs were the most intelligent domesticated animals. Snoopy riposted "If they're so smart, then why are they pigs?"
I agree they should be, as part of open justice, though be warned most JR applications are stupendously dull. @legalmusings.bsky.social
Senior judges have asked the justice secretary Shabana Mahmood to allow judicial review claims to be live-streamed in the same way as civil and family appeals.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/jr-on-tv
rozenberg.substack.com/p/jr-on-tv
JR on TV?
Judges want public to see them making public law
rozenberg.substack.com
January 3, 2025 at 9:33 AM
I agree they should be, as part of open justice, though be warned most JR applications are stupendously dull. @legalmusings.bsky.social
Merry Xmas one and all. Thanks to @sheracing.bsky.social a feast is prepared today, all that is left to do is to choose the Xmas film. This will have to be a decision by consensus; Denningesque dissents will be unhelpful.
a man with a beard is sitting in a chair talking on a cell phone
ALT: a man with a beard is sitting in a chair talking on a cell phone
media.tenor.com
December 25, 2024 at 8:21 AM
Merry Xmas one and all. Thanks to @sheracing.bsky.social a feast is prepared today, all that is left to do is to choose the Xmas film. This will have to be a decision by consensus; Denningesque dissents will be unhelpful.
Williamson was a complex man who went down a very dark path politically as a result of his Great War experiences. He was a member of the Savage Club and thus features in my book Noble Savages: tinyurl.com/mjm8re4p
December 24, 2024 at 11:55 AM
Williamson was a complex man who went down a very dark path politically as a result of his Great War experiences. He was a member of the Savage Club and thus features in my book Noble Savages: tinyurl.com/mjm8re4p
Reposted by James Wilson FRHistS
Outrage that Christmas was tarnished by the ugliness of the #FirstWorldWar was felt by both British and German soldiers in 1914.
🔓 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟵 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟳 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀
buff.ly/3VN2zIx
🔓 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟵 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟳 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀
buff.ly/3VN2zIx
Christmas 1914, and After
buff.ly
December 23, 2024 at 1:12 PM
Outrage that Christmas was tarnished by the ugliness of the #FirstWorldWar was felt by both British and German soldiers in 1914.
🔓 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟵 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟳 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀
buff.ly/3VN2zIx
🔓 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟵 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟳 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀
buff.ly/3VN2zIx
I really don't know why people assume that artists/authors/musicians shouldn't be paid, or should only be paid by other people. Recently at a dinner a wealthy individual demanded a copy of one of my books, and was actually affronted when I suggested a well known retailer stocked it.
A great big thank you to everyone who buys music. Please don't be this person.
December 19, 2024 at 1:20 PM
I really don't know why people assume that artists/authors/musicians shouldn't be paid, or should only be paid by other people. Recently at a dinner a wealthy individual demanded a copy of one of my books, and was actually affronted when I suggested a well known retailer stocked it.
Reposted by James Wilson FRHistS
From Apsley House: Pope Innocent III. Surely, with a face like that, he must have chosen his papal name as a joke?
December 13, 2024 at 10:31 PM
From Apsley House: Pope Innocent III. Surely, with a face like that, he must have chosen his papal name as a joke?
The past is a foreign country: this is just under 40 years old, with most letters concerning events just over 40 years before then. Some could be straight from The Wipers Times. The bad language one reminds me of a 1970s case discussed in my first book. And Humph would have loved the ISIHAC one …
December 12, 2024 at 2:36 PM
The past is a foreign country: this is just under 40 years old, with most letters concerning events just over 40 years before then. Some could be straight from The Wipers Times. The bad language one reminds me of a 1970s case discussed in my first book. And Humph would have loved the ISIHAC one …
As a GrandMaster of Tsundoku, I have absolutely no intention of following this outrageous suggestion …
Here are my book recommendations for the new year:
Read the books you already bought.
Read the books you already bought.
December 11, 2024 at 8:24 AM
As a GrandMaster of Tsundoku, I have absolutely no intention of following this outrageous suggestion …
A treasured memory from 10 years ago today, of which F Book has just reminded me.
December 11, 2024 at 8:05 AM
A treasured memory from 10 years ago today, of which F Book has just reminded me.
Here is the other piece I published at the EG: www.egi.co.uk/legal/the-fr...
December 6, 2024 at 9:43 PM
Here is the other piece I published at the EG: www.egi.co.uk/legal/the-fr...