An Englishman's (a man's) home is his castle

Posted by ESC on May 19, 2001

In Reply to: An Englishman's home is his castle posted by Heather on May 19, 2001

: Can anyone out there tell me where the saying "An Englishman's home is his castle" comes from? I need to find out urgently.

A MAN'S HOME IS HIS CASTLE - "This saying is as old as the basic concepts of English common law.," From the Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).

"You are the boss in your own house and nobody can tell you what to do there. No one can enter your home without your permission. The proverb has been traced back 'Stage of Popish Toys' . In 1644, English jurist Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634) was quoted as saying: 'For a man's house is his castle, et domus sua cuique tutissimum refugium' ('One's home is the safest refuge for all'). First attested in the United States in 'Will and Doom' . In England, the word 'Englishman' often replaces man." From Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

(Coke is pronounced "Cook.")

See also: the meaning and origin of 'an Englishman's home is his castle'.