Rumpole of the Bailey
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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
"Rumpole of the Bailey" is a series of short stories and novels by British barrister John Mortimer portraying the life and career of a self-styled "old Bailey hack" by the name of Horatio Rumpole. The first title in the series, also "Rumpole of the Bailey", was published in 1978 in Britain by Penguin Books and reprinted in the United States in 1980. Later adapted by WGBH-TV into a series of teleplays, the series was broadcast via the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and starred actor Leo McKern in the lead role.
The series blends humor and mystery as well as providing a glimpse of the operation of the British legal system. Rumpole is an aged "junior" barrister, that is, one who has not received "silk" or designation as a Q.C., "Queen's Counsel". Rumpole derides such Q.C.s as "Queer Customers" and further lampoons "Circuit Judges" as "Circus Judges". Rumpole continues to smoke his little cigars to the dismay of the fellow residents of his chambers, quaff wine at the local wine bar after hours, and quote poetry as well as gently poke fun at the foibles of his associates and his era. Rumpole is often viewed as one sparring with the traditions and pretensions of his fellow barristers, the ambitions of his wife, who is describes as "She Who Must Be Obeyed", while defending the liberties of his clients.
The series currently includes:
- Rumpole of the Bailey (1978)
- The Trials of Rumpole (1979)
- Rumpole's Return (1980)
- Rumpole for the Defence (1981)
- Rumpole and the Golden Thread (1983)
- Rumpole's Last Case (1988)
- Rumpole and the Age of Miracles (1988)
- Rumpole A la Carte (1990)
- Rumpole on Trial (1992)
- Rumpole and the Angel of Death (1996)
- Rumpole Rests His Case (2001)
- Rumpole and the Primrose Path (2002)
- Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders (2004)
- Rumpole and the Reign of Terror (2006)
- Rumpole Misbehaves (2007)
See also
- Find the notion "Rumpole of the Bailey" in the UK legal internet
