The British Crown's Historical Role in the Slave Trade

Recent research by historian Brooke Newman, detailed in her book *The Crown’s Silence*, reveals that the British crown was the world's largest buyer of enslaved people by 1807, purchasing approximately 13,000 individuals for military service at a cost of £900,000. This finding builds on the Guardian's 2023 report, which examined the monarchy's hidden connections to transatlantic slavery. The British monarchy, particularly under King George IV, expanded and protected the trade in enslaved Africans for centuries, a fact that has been largely overlooked in historical narratives.

The Guardian

Newman's research indicates that the British crown profited from the labor of enslaved individuals even while overseeing the Royal Navy's suppression of the slave trade. The monarchy acquired enslaved people through various means, including purchasing them for royal dockyards and naval installations, particularly in Jamaica. This practice began under King George II, who sought to replace white laborers succumbing to tropical diseases with enslaved men trained as skilled laborers. The Royal Navy played a crucial role in the expansion of the slave trade, providing protection and resources to slave trading companies, which ultimately funneled profits back to the crown.

The Guardian

The monarchy's involvement in slavery did not cease with the abolition of the slave trade in 1807. Newman notes that even after this legal change, liberated Africans were often coerced into apprenticeships or military service, indicating that the plight of those formerly enslaved did not significantly improve. The historical narrative suggests that the monarchy's actions were driven by economic interests and imperial strategy, viewing enslaved individuals as pawns in broader geopolitical conflicts.

The Guardian

Critics of the monarchy's historical role in slavery argue that the institution has not adequately acknowledged or addressed its past. Activists and historians, including figures from the Black abolitionist movement, have long called for recognition and reparations for the suffering caused by slavery. Newman emphasizes that it was only through the activism of individuals like the Sons of Africa that the monarchy began to shift its stance on slavery in the 19th century.

The Guardian

While Buckingham Palace has refrained from commenting on Newman's book, a source indicated that King Charles takes the matter of slavery "profoundly seriously." This sentiment aligns with the king's previous expressions of "personal sorrow" regarding the historical suffering caused by slavery.

The Guardian

• “The crown used to trumpet their connections to the transatlantic slave trade. They put the royal brand on this practice and literally on people’s bodies.” — Brooke Newman, Historian

The Guardian

• “Things are not really better regardless of whether you’re owned by the monarchy or not.” — Brooke Newman, Historian

The Guardian

• “It’s only as you have activism on the part of people like [Black abolitionists] Sons of Africa that things really start changing in the 19th century and the monarchy starts to dramatically pivot away from their previous stance,” — Brooke Newman, Historian

The Guardian

The revelations presented in *The Crown’s Silence* challenge the traditional narratives surrounding the British monarchy and its historical ties to slavery. As discussions about reparations and historical accountability continue, the monarchy's past involvement in the slave trade remains a critical aspect of understanding its legacy and the ongoing impact of colonialism.

The Guardian