[PENN, William and William Mead].
The People's Ancient and Just Liberties Asserted: in the Tryal of William Penn, and William Mead.
First edition of The People's Ancient and Just Liberties Asserted: in the Tryal of William Penn, and William Mead; bound in full calf
[London]:, 1670.
$9,500.00
Out of Stock
Item Number: RRB-119238
* Custom Clamshell Boxes are hand made by the Harcourt Bindery upon request and take approximately 60 days to complete
First edition of the proceedings of the historic trial of William Penn which established beyond question the independence of the jury in the English legal system. Octavo, bound in full modern calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, quadruple gilt ruling to the front and rear panels. In near fine condition. Rare.
In 1670, Quaker leaders William Penn and William Meade were arrested on a charge of disturbing the King's peace and summoned to stand trial. Quakerism was not recognized by the government at the time, and Penn's sect had been forbidden to meet in any building for the purpose of worship. The jury proved sympathetic to the two defendants, refused the judge's command to find the defendants guilty, and were soon imprisoned themselves until the Lord Chief Justice interceded and released them, asserting that a judge "may try to open the eyes of jurors, but not to lead them by the nose". The trial, referred to as Bushel's Case, became a landmark case that established beyond question the independence of the jury in the English legal system.
The People's Ancient and Just Liberties Asserted: in the Tryal of William Penn, and William Mead.
$9,500.00
Out of Stock