The Terrible Blight of Mankind - Human Trafficking

This evening I watched "Belle", a 2013 film which brings to the fore the story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, an illegitimate daughter of a British serving officer, a woman of colour, who was raised by Lord Mansfield.

 This brilliant judge was involved in the court judgement surrounding the Zong Massacre, involving the mass-killing of 133 African slaves by the crew of the British slave ship, Zong. While slavery continued to be legal in England for a long time after that, it is said to have lead, perhaps indirectly, to the eventual abolition of slavery. During those times more than ever, it was a courageous judgement and Lord Mansfield had no small task on his hands, himself having been likely to have been prejudiced by his relationship with Dido.

 The beautiful painting to which the film (story) refers, hangs in the stunning Kenwood House, a beautiful mansion in Hampstead Heath, London, which is home to a world famous art collection besides having a stunning old library. I visited the house last June, thanks to one of my best friends who lives in Greenwich, on a gorgeous sunny Sunday.  This was the home of Sir William Murray, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales at the time of this judgement, and home of Dido for some thirty years.  Lord Mansfield also pronounced other judgements along the same lines.

 The premises are worth a visit, hidden outside the bustle of London and the art collection is rich and varied.

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