The Tryals of Thomas Walcot, William Hone, William Lord Russell,..

1683. Trials of Conspirators in the Rye House Plot [Trials]. [Rye House Plot]. The Tryals of Thomas Walcot, William Hone, William Lord Russell, John Rous & William Blagg, For High-Treason, For Conspiring the Death of the King, And Raising a Rebellion in this Kingdom: At the Sessions-House in the Old-Baily London, On a Commission of Oyer and Terminer Held There for the City of London and County of Middlesex, On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 12, 13, And 14. 1683. London: Printed for Richard Royston, Benjamin Took and Charles Mearn, 1683. [ii], 81, [1] pp. Folio (11" x 6-3/4"). Disbound stab-stitched pamphlet, spine discreetly reinforced with archival tissue. Moderate toning, light soiling and a few inkspots to exterior, corner folds, light edgewear and a few minor chips and tears to title page and a few leaves at beginning and end of text. Light foxing to a few leaves, "Will: Levett. 2-6" to head of title page, signature affected by trimming. $350. * Only edition. The principal contemporary account of the trial of conspirators in the "Rye House Plot" to kill Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York. The defendants were found guilty and summarily hanged, drawn and quartered. While most likely were guilty, Lord Russell's guilt was later called into question. He received a posthumous pardon and is remembered as a Whig martyr. Popular discontent at Charles II's use of the Rye House Plot to remove many of his political opponents ultimately led to the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the reform of English treason law. This copy may have belonged to William Levett [c.1643-1694]. A member of a family with close ties to the Stuart kings, he was the personal chaplain to Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, later principal of Magdalen Hall (now Hertford College), Oxford and Dean of Bristol. Hamilton, Hertford College 120-121. English Short-Title Catalogue R21861. (Inventory #: 80624)