25th Jan, 2023 10:30 GMT/BST
The David Stather Library
194
Trial
The Trial of the Seven Bishops, The Proceedings and Tryal in the Case of the Most Reverend Father in God, William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Right Reverend Fathers in God, William Lord Bishop of St. Asaph, Francis Lord Bishop of Ely, John Lord Bishop of Chichester, Thomas Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, Thomas Lord Bishop of Peterborough, and Jonathan Lord Bishop of Bristol. In the Court of Kings-Bench at Westminster, .... 1688,
Thomas Basset and Thomas Fox, 1689, folio, [8], 140 pages (73-84 misnumbered), first leaf is an engraved frontis with portraits of the defendants, some underlining of Peers, inscription to head of title page, pages tanned, occasional foxing, small hole in Y1, recent half calf. ESTC R7827.
Manuscript notes on three sheets loosely inserted, possibly written by a law reporter at the time of the trial. The first sheet, headed 'Tryal of ye Bishops', lists the Judges and Counsel for the King and the Bishops and is addressed to 'Mr William Shaw In ye Temple'. In a different hand is written 'May 29th. 1707. My Mother'. The second sheet records the names of the witnesses including 'Mr Pepys Secr. to ye Adm.' The third sheet includes the 'Peers present at ye Trial of ye Bishops', the 'Privy Councillors who signed ye warrant for their committment to ye Tower' and a list of the Jurymen.
[see also lot 183]
Sold for £220
Estimated at £100 - £200
Auction: The David Stather Library, 25th Jan, 2023
A single-owner sale of the Library of David Stather (1940-2022)
The library comprises a large collection of early books, pamphlets and manuscripts on English history, focusing on the English Civil War, the ‘Popish Plot’, the Monmouth Rebellion and the Glorious Revolution, early Parliament and the Monarchy of that period, the development of English law, the Reformation, early bibles and prayer books, chronicles of English history and some very early books on witchcraft.
The earliest manuscript dates from 1285, and the earliest book is an incunable from 1486, however the majority date from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Interestingly, many are books that contribute to English history rather than just reporting on it, for example the collection includes books reporting the Popish Plot, which were written specifically to create social division through what is now known as ‘fake news’.
The books have been lovingly preserved by David Stather and the auction provides a rare opportunity to purchase books from a very focused collection built up over his lifetime.
Please submit any enquiries for the sale to books@tennants-ltd.co.uk
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Tuesday 24th January 10am-5pm and the morning of the sale from 8am
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