Revealed: how Church of England’s ties to chattel slavery

Lambeth Palace documents show purchase of enslaved people in 18th century approved by Anglican archbishop

• Life on plantations owned by Church of England missionary arm

An archbishop of Canterbury in the 18th century approved payments for the purchase of enslaved people for two sugar plantations in Barbados, documents seen by the Observer have revealed.

Thomas Secker agreed to reimburse a payment for £1,093 for the purchase of enslaved people on the Codrington Plantations, as well as hiring enslaved people from a third party. It was stated the measures were “calculated for the future lasting advantages of the estates”.