THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SIR MATTHEW HALE, Kt. SOMETIME LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF HIS MAJESTIES COURT OF KINGS BENCH.

London: Printed for William Shrowsbery at the Bible in Duke Lane 1682. FIRST EDITION. Small 8vo. pp. xii, + 128. Engraved portrait. Full contemporary old speckled calf, raised bands. Front hinge split but holding. Some scuffing and wear to the lower cover and to the spine with loss to foot of the spine. The contents are in excellent condition with very slight spotting in places. The front pastedown has an ownership inscription (in pencil, in an 18th century hand) of Hamilton Russ. Overall this is a nice copy of the first biography of perhaps England's leading lawyer at the most precarious and difficult moment of its history. He prepared the defence of Archbishop Laud against charges of treason. His defence was on the point of succeeding in court until Parliament overrode it and passed an Act of Attainder declaring Laud guilty of treason (notwithstanding the evidence) and sentencing him to death - an early, but not isolated instance of rule by Parliamentary dictatorship. Hale offered to defend the King himself. Charles rejected his offer on the grounds that he did not recognise the authority and jurisdiction of the courts although the King used the defence that Hale had prepared. He was also instrumental in setting in motion the restoration of Monarchy.