If A makes a promise to B to do some act "which will benefit C, can C enforce this promise against A ?

The early English cases held that if the promise v?as supported by a valuable consideration, if it was a promise not under seal, and if it was intended primarily to benefit C, C could enforce such promise against A, at least if C was a near relation of B's.1 The later English authorities have held that under no circumstances can C enforce a contract to which he is not a party.2