Illuminating measuring lives: snuffing out Twisden’s candles

Abstract

Building upon an earlier article exploring ancient Greek, Roman, Neoplatonic and Avicennian influences upon English trusts, the discussion moves on to consider how—whether wittingly or unwittingly—the Bracton authors subsequently misapplied Roman jurisprudence in their treatise. From this, a hotchpotch of discordant ideas is argued to have laid the foundations for one of the most enthralling issues raised in modern times: Which living persons are relevant to the common law Rule Against Perpetuities and what purpose do they serve? Attorneys advising citizens in nine US states where the common law Rule still applies deserve an answer.