A reproduction of a hand written charter.
Charter of the Royal African Company. © National Archive
Charter of the Royal African Company. © National Archive

Terminology

Much of the language used in the 18th and 19th centuries to describe Black people, whilst accepted then, is unacceptable to us today. The language reflected the prevailing view that enslaved Black people were goods and chattels 'owned' by others.

For further information about the terminology used in the history of slavery and abolition, please see the Understanding Slavery Institute's website.