Intelligence Squared How deeply was the British Crown involved in the transatlantic slave trade? With author of The Crown’s Silence, Brooke Newman
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Mar 29, 2026 
Brooke Newman, associate professor and historian of the British monarchy who wrote The Crown’s Silence, explores archival evidence linking monarchs from Elizabeth I to the 19th century with the transatlantic slave trade. She discusses royal financing, naval protection, symbolic branding, archival silences, debates over apologies and reparations, and how this history reshapes Britain’s narrative.
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Elizabeth I Personally Backed Early Slave Ventures
- The monarchy's involvement in early Atlantic slavery was deliberate and documented rather than incidental.
- Brooke Newman found court correspondence showing Elizabeth I gifted a large ship and permitted royal standard to John Hawkins for slave trading profits.
Researching Royals Required Restrictive Royal Archive Visits
- Access to the Royal Archives is possible but limited and bureaucratic.
- Newman spent six weeks in the Royal Archives and notes escorts, security clearances, and that most slavery-related material lies outside the Royal Archives in imperial records.
Charles II Used Royal Power To Fund Slave Trade
- The Stuart monarchy institutionalised profit from slavery through chartered companies and material support.
- Charles II and his family subscribed to the Royal African Company, loaned ships, men and redirected colonial customs to cover royal subscriptions.
