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The Trial of Sir Walter Raleigh

(RALEIGH, SIR WALTER).

The Arraignment and Conviction of Sr Walter Rawleigh, at the Kings Bench-Barre at Winchester. On the 17 of November. 1603. Before the Right Honorable the Earle of Suffolke . . . Coppied by Sir Tho: Overbury.

Place and Imprint: London: Printed by William Wilson, for Abel Roper, 1648.
Edition: First edition.
Bibliographical References: Wing A3744.
Condition: Some light wear to the edges of the binding; fine copy, with generous margins.
Book ID: 29003

Physical Description

4to, 18th century polished calf skillfully rebacked and recased, gilt rules and lettering.

Comments

An account of the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh (1554-1618) in 1603 for fomenting a rebellion against King James, devising a plot to replace him with Lady Arabella Stuart, and encouraging a Spanish invasion. Raleigh defended himself eloquently against the suspect charges, including one of having a "Spanish heart," but he was found guilty by a jury, though not executed for 15 years. See the ODNB. Raleigh's trial was deeply flawed, but became a landmark in English constitutional history and jurisprudence because it was a catalyst for strengthening the rights of individuals against the state. The text of the trial is followed by three later documents: "The Proceedings against Sir Walter Rawleigh Knight, At the Kings Bench-Barre, the 28 of October, 1618." This was the judgment of the court in 1618 to carry out the 1603 sentence of death. This is followed by "Sir Walter Rawleigh's Letter to the King the night before his death," and "The copy of Sir Walter Rawleigh's Letter to his Wife, the night before his death." The attribution on the title-page to poet and courtier Thomas Overbury (1581-1613) is doubtful. Ink signature of W. Bayntun, Gray's Inn, on the title-page and his initials "WB" at the foot of the last page. Bayntun appears to have been a serious collector. There is a manuscript catalogue of his books, compiled circa 1770, in the Bodleian Library. Note in pencil on the rear paste-down by William Stirling Maxwell that he purchased this at Sotheby's, November 13, 1978.

Price: $3,750.00