Behind the Bastards – X-Mas Special: The Heroes Who Ended the Slave Trade (Part Two)

Podcast: Behind the Bastards
Host: Robert Evans
Guest: James Stout
Date: December 24, 2025
Producer: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This special Christmas episode of Behind the Bastards dives deep into the unsung heroes who sparked the beginnings of the end for Britain’s involvement in the Atlantic slave trade. Host Robert Evans and guest James Stout (historian and "big ship guy") depart from their usual focus on atrocious villains, instead celebrating the actions and moral courage of people like Olaudah Equiano and Granville Sharp. The discussion unravels historic legal battles, personal stories of resilience and advocacy, and the intricate, often bleak context that led to the slow dismantling of the transatlantic slave industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Aftermath of Gregson v. Gilbert and The Zong Massacre (04:01–07:49)

No Public Outcry at the Time: The Zong massacre, where 130 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard, was initially treated as a boring insurance dispute, with little immediate public attention.
The Power of Conscience: An anonymous observer, deeply horrified by the court proceedings, wrote a letter to two major newspapers, highlighting the atrocity.

“It is certainly worthy of observation that our legislature can every session find time to inquire into and regulate the manner of killing a partridge, that no abuse should be committed, and that he should be fairly shot. And yet it has never been thought proper to inquire into the matter of annually kidnapping above 50,000 poor wretches ...”
— Anonymous Letter, quoted by Robert Evans (05:46)
Letter’s Impact: Instead of causing mass outrage, the letter reached small anti-slavery circles—a few Quakers, and, crucially, freedman Olaudah Equiano.

2. Olaudah Equiano’s Extraordinary Life (07:49–22:49)

Equiano’s Background: Born c.1745 in modern-day Nigeria, Equiano was kidnapped as a child, separated from his sister, and traded through several African villages before being sold onto a slave ship (09:46–11:08).
Experiences as a Slave: He describes the horrors of the Middle Passage, brutal punishments, and the trauma of separation and forced labor (11:10–14:14).
Moments of Fortune: Equiano’s intelligence and adaptability eventually enabled him to work and save money, with a relatively “kind” Quaker owner, Robert King, allowing him to buy his freedom (22:49–).
Life After Freedom: Equiano’s story continues as a free man—travelling, writing, and becoming a key abolitionist voice:

"He's one of the most incredible people who ever lived."
— Robert Evans (22:03)

“No, but there’s not much shit from that period that I can assign in whole to undergraduates in 2025 and have them be like, wow, that’s fucked up. It makes people feel things, still, centuries later.”
— James Stout (19:37)

3. Granville Sharp: Relentless Legal and Moral Crusader (22:49–35:42)

Sharp’s Origins: Born working class, he developed a habit for intellectual debate and law. Noted for learning languages just so he could argue better with friends:

“He’s like a really smart Forrest Gump.”
— James Stout (32:21)
Pivotal Encounter: Sharp’s advocacy began in earnest after helping a severely beaten former slave, Jonathan Strong, win legal protection against re-enslavement, though it did not change the law for all (27:23–29:42).
Legal Challenges: Sharp’s extensive legal research found precedent against slavery in England, arguing it was not enshrined in English law and at odds with the nation’s values (35:03–35:42).
Somerset Case: Sharp’s defense of James Somerset—a slave who escaped in England—became a landmark case. Although the judge tried to restrict its implications, most believed it meant the de facto end of legal slavery on English soil, prompting a wave of self-emancipations (36:37–38:12).
Sharp as Activist Networker: He connected with American revolutionaries like Benjamin Franklin and served as a catalyst for formal abolitionist organizing.

“Granville Sharp is one of those, like, well, fuck, I’m not getting enough done guys.”
— Robert Evans (34:03)

4. The Zong Retrial and Its Legacy (49:02–55:17)

Second Trial Attempt: Spurred by Equiano and Sharp, a new legal action sought to expose the Zong killings. The insurers' lawyer, Samuel Heywood, was from a prominent slave-trading family but had become an abolitionist, demonstrating how moral positions could shift even in the heart of the trade (42:37–43:10).
Legal Tensions: The case centered not on the humanity of the enslaved, but on whether the killings were “necessary” for the ship’s survival or negligence—a cold calculation of loss vs. insurance (45:02–46:07).
Damning Evidence: It became clear that the crew had enough water and repeatedly failed in their duties, undermining the self-defense claim (49:02–51:02).
Ripple Effect: Judge Mansfield granted a retrial (52:12–), which never happened due to the shipowner’s retreat. While it achieved no broad legal rights for enslaved people, it set in motion new connections among abolitionists and signaled that wanton murder for insurance would not go unchallenged.

“It illustrates how critical, small and seemingly Pyrrhic victories can be in pursuit of sweeping social change.”
— Robert Evans (53:15 approx.)

5. Reflections on Justice, Incremental Change, and Humanization (51:52–59:17)

Humanization of the Enslaved: The Zong case forced at least a momentary realization, even among hard-hearted legal authorities, of the humanity behind the “cargo” (52:12–53:15).
No Immediate Justice: Main villains like William Gregson lived wealthy, unpunished lives, while others such as the ship’s officer Stubbs died in obscurity and poverty (55:35–57:43).
Incrementalism and Hope: Both hosts urge listeners to remember that even small victories can lead to monumental changes, as coalitions and awareness build over time.

“Evils that seem entrenched and impossible to fight generally aren’t. Even victories that seem pyrrhic or meaningless can lead to much greater things, just by virtue of the fact that … [they pull] people together who become capable of fighting more effectively, even greater injustices.”
— Robert Evans (58:37)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Anonymous Courage:
“One person with a conscience was there that day ... and a lot of very important stuff is going to result from the fact that one person with a conscience was there that day.”
– Robert Evans (04:25)
On Early Accounts of the Slave Trade in Africa:
“You get a really good glimpse in Equiano’s book as to what the slave trade has done to daily life ... where it’s like, yeah, the kids just know that you always have to be aware that kidnappers might come and steal all of you.”
– Robert Evans (10:18)
On Finding Out He’s Not Free:
“‘I have served him many years ... I have been baptized, and by the laws of the land, no man has a right to sell me.’ ... ‘If you keep talking English, I’m going to beat the shit out of you.’”
– Robert Evans, recounting Equiano’s words (16:44)
On the Meaning of Pyrrhic Victories:
“Small and seemingly Pyrrhic victories can be ... critical ... The fact that a retrial was granted means that slave merchants had been given a warning ... But the larger victory... was that it had started the process of gathering together and galvanizing great legal minds, writers and agitators towards pursuing an end to the slave trade in an organized fashion.”
– Robert Evans (53:09–54:30 approx.)
On the Villains’ Fates:
“William Gregson ... died wealthy and respected, having never been called to account for his crimes against humanity, which is a bummer.”
– Robert Evans (56:19)

Timestamps – Important Segments

04:01 – Episode re-entry, recap of Zong Massacre and immediate impact
07:49 – Introduction and exploration of Olaudah Equiano's life
22:49 – Granville Sharp’s background, early activism, and moral stance
27:23 – The Jonathan Strong case and its significance
36:37 – The Somerset case, legal impact, and cultural echo
49:02 – Legal proceedings of the Zong retrial, central arguments, evidence
52:12 – Ripple effects of the trial, shift in perception, beginnings of British abolitionist movement
55:35 – What happened to the slavers: the ignoble ends of Stubbs and Gregson
58:37 – Reflections on incremental change, social justice, and the importance of struggle

Conclusion

This episode illuminates the critical, often accidental alliances and small victories that stacked up to create one of history’s most consequential moral shifts—the end of Britain’s participation in the transatlantic slave trade. Through the parallel stories of Equiano, Sharp, and the increasingly organized abolitionist movement, Evans and Stout show how a few determined individuals—sometimes armed only with empathy and resourcefulness—can spark transformation against overwhelming odds.

Final Note:
“Keep fighting, and again, piss on that guy’s grave if you find it.”
– Robert Evans (59:15)

Behind the Bastards – X-Mas Special: The Heroes Who Ended the Slave Trade (Part Two)

Podcast: Behind the Bastards
Host: Robert Evans
Guest: James Stout
Date: December 24, 2025
Producer: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Aftermath of Gregson v. Gilbert and The Zong Massacre (04:01–07:49)

No Public Outcry at the Time: The Zong massacre, where 130 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard, was initially treated as a boring insurance dispute, with little immediate public attention.
The Power of Conscience: An anonymous observer, deeply horrified by the court proceedings, wrote a letter to two major newspapers, highlighting the atrocity.

“It is certainly worthy of observation that our legislature can every session find time to inquire into and regulate the manner of killing a partridge, that no abuse should be committed, and that he should be fairly shot. And yet it has never been thought proper to inquire into the matter of annually kidnapping above 50,000 poor wretches ...”
— Anonymous Letter, quoted by Robert Evans (05:46)
Letter’s Impact: Instead of causing mass outrage, the letter reached small anti-slavery circles—a few Quakers, and, crucially, freedman Olaudah Equiano.

2. Olaudah Equiano’s Extraordinary Life (07:49–22:49)

Equiano’s Background: Born c.1745 in modern-day Nigeria, Equiano was kidnapped as a child, separated from his sister, and traded through several African villages before being sold onto a slave ship (09:46–11:08).
Experiences as a Slave: He describes the horrors of the Middle Passage, brutal punishments, and the trauma of separation and forced labor (11:10–14:14).
Moments of Fortune: Equiano’s intelligence and adaptability eventually enabled him to work and save money, with a relatively “kind” Quaker owner, Robert King, allowing him to buy his freedom (22:49–).
Life After Freedom: Equiano’s story continues as a free man—travelling, writing, and becoming a key abolitionist voice:

"He's one of the most incredible people who ever lived."
— Robert Evans (22:03)

“No, but there’s not much shit from that period that I can assign in whole to undergraduates in 2025 and have them be like, wow, that’s fucked up. It makes people feel things, still, centuries later.”
— James Stout (19:37)

3. Granville Sharp: Relentless Legal and Moral Crusader (22:49–35:42)

Sharp’s Origins: Born working class, he developed a habit for intellectual debate and law. Noted for learning languages just so he could argue better with friends:

“He’s like a really smart Forrest Gump.”
— James Stout (32:21)
Pivotal Encounter: Sharp’s advocacy began in earnest after helping a severely beaten former slave, Jonathan Strong, win legal protection against re-enslavement, though it did not change the law for all (27:23–29:42).
Legal Challenges: Sharp’s extensive legal research found precedent against slavery in England, arguing it was not enshrined in English law and at odds with the nation’s values (35:03–35:42).
Somerset Case: Sharp’s defense of James Somerset—a slave who escaped in England—became a landmark case. Although the judge tried to restrict its implications, most believed it meant the de facto end of legal slavery on English soil, prompting a wave of self-emancipations (36:37–38:12).
Sharp as Activist Networker: He connected with American revolutionaries like Benjamin Franklin and served as a catalyst for formal abolitionist organizing.

“Granville Sharp is one of those, like, well, fuck, I’m not getting enough done guys.”
— Robert Evans (34:03)

4. The Zong Retrial and Its Legacy (49:02–55:17)

Second Trial Attempt: Spurred by Equiano and Sharp, a new legal action sought to expose the Zong killings. The insurers' lawyer, Samuel Heywood, was from a prominent slave-trading family but had become an abolitionist, demonstrating how moral positions could shift even in the heart of the trade (42:37–43:10).
Legal Tensions: The case centered not on the humanity of the enslaved, but on whether the killings were “necessary” for the ship’s survival or negligence—a cold calculation of loss vs. insurance (45:02–46:07).
Damning Evidence: It became clear that the crew had enough water and repeatedly failed in their duties, undermining the self-defense claim (49:02–51:02).
Ripple Effect: Judge Mansfield granted a retrial (52:12–), which never happened due to the shipowner’s retreat. While it achieved no broad legal rights for enslaved people, it set in motion new connections among abolitionists and signaled that wanton murder for insurance would not go unchallenged.

“It illustrates how critical, small and seemingly Pyrrhic victories can be in pursuit of sweeping social change.”
— Robert Evans (53:15 approx.)

5. Reflections on Justice, Incremental Change, and Humanization (51:52–59:17)

Humanization of the Enslaved: The Zong case forced at least a momentary realization, even among hard-hearted legal authorities, of the humanity behind the “cargo” (52:12–53:15).
No Immediate Justice: Main villains like William Gregson lived wealthy, unpunished lives, while others such as the ship’s officer Stubbs died in obscurity and poverty (55:35–57:43).
Incrementalism and Hope: Both hosts urge listeners to remember that even small victories can lead to monumental changes, as coalitions and awareness build over time.

“Evils that seem entrenched and impossible to fight generally aren’t. Even victories that seem pyrrhic or meaningless can lead to much greater things, just by virtue of the fact that … [they pull] people together who become capable of fighting more effectively, even greater injustices.”
— Robert Evans (58:37)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Anonymous Courage:
“One person with a conscience was there that day ... and a lot of very important stuff is going to result from the fact that one person with a conscience was there that day.”
– Robert Evans (04:25)
On Early Accounts of the Slave Trade in Africa:
“You get a really good glimpse in Equiano’s book as to what the slave trade has done to daily life ... where it’s like, yeah, the kids just know that you always have to be aware that kidnappers might come and steal all of you.”
– Robert Evans (10:18)
On Finding Out He’s Not Free:
“‘I have served him many years ... I have been baptized, and by the laws of the land, no man has a right to sell me.’ ... ‘If you keep talking English, I’m going to beat the shit out of you.’”
– Robert Evans, recounting Equiano’s words (16:44)
On the Meaning of Pyrrhic Victories:
“Small and seemingly Pyrrhic victories can be ... critical ... The fact that a retrial was granted means that slave merchants had been given a warning ... But the larger victory... was that it had started the process of gathering together and galvanizing great legal minds, writers and agitators towards pursuing an end to the slave trade in an organized fashion.”
– Robert Evans (53:09–54:30 approx.)
On the Villains’ Fates:
“William Gregson ... died wealthy and respected, having never been called to account for his crimes against humanity, which is a bummer.”
– Robert Evans (56:19)

Timestamps – Important Segments

04:01 – Episode re-entry, recap of Zong Massacre and immediate impact
07:49 – Introduction and exploration of Olaudah Equiano's life
22:49 – Granville Sharp’s background, early activism, and moral stance
27:23 – The Jonathan Strong case and its significance
36:37 – The Somerset case, legal impact, and cultural echo
49:02 – Legal proceedings of the Zong retrial, central arguments, evidence
52:12 – Ripple effects of the trial, shift in perception, beginnings of British abolitionist movement
55:35 – What happened to the slavers: the ignoble ends of Stubbs and Gregson
58:37 – Reflections on incremental change, social justice, and the importance of struggle

Conclusion

Final Note:
“Keep fighting, and again, piss on that guy’s grave if you find it.”
– Robert Evans (59:15)

wavePod

Part Two: X-Mas Special: The Heroes Who Ended The Slave Trade

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Behind the Bastards – X-Mas Special: The Heroes Who Ended the Slave Trade (Part Two)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Aftermath of Gregson v. Gilbert and The Zong Massacre (04:01–07:49)

2. Olaudah Equiano’s Extraordinary Life (07:49–22:49)

3. Granville Sharp: Relentless Legal and Moral Crusader (22:49–35:42)

4. The Zong Retrial and Its Legacy (49:02–55:17)

5. Reflections on Justice, Incremental Change, and Humanization (51:52–59:17)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps – Important Segments

Conclusion

Further Reading and Plugs

Summary

Behind the Bastards – X-Mas Special: The Heroes Who Ended the Slave Trade (Part Two)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Aftermath of Gregson v. Gilbert and The Zong Massacre (04:01–07:49)

2. Olaudah Equiano’s Extraordinary Life (07:49–22:49)

3. Granville Sharp: Relentless Legal and Moral Crusader (22:49–35:42)

4. The Zong Retrial and Its Legacy (49:02–55:17)

5. Reflections on Justice, Incremental Change, and Humanization (51:52–59:17)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Timestamps – Important Segments

Conclusion

Further Reading and Plugs