which their successors in those high offices have well imitated, but never excelled. Throughout the reign of the ill advised Charles, they earnestly endeavoured to dissuade him from every arbitrary attempt upon the liberty of the subject; and in the cases which were brought before them by the officers of the crown, they gave their judgment, sometimes in favour of the King, but as often in favour of the subject;-alike disregarding the smiles or frowns of the court. Often compelled, by a regard to the laws, to oppose the encroachments of the crown, they yet demonstrated by their after conduct, that they did not seek by such means to court the smiles of the republicans. Thus, when the death of Charles had terminated their commissions, six of the judges who resumed their seats, stipulated with the Commons, that, if they did so, they should still administer the laws of England as they were used to do in the time of their murdered master. The other six judges absolutely refused to serve, on any conditions whatever.* The mock trial and death of Charles the First was a piece of atrocity, which violated, in the minds of these honest judges, every principle of law and equity.

*Parl. Hist. vol 19. p. 7. These intrepid judges were Barons Trevor and Atkins and judges Brown, Bedingfield, Bacon and Creskeld.

The bungling managers of that proceeding, had not the discretion to put on even the appearance of a legal trial. That shadow of a parliament did not even depose him, before they called their victim to the bar. In his indictment he was charged as " Charles Stuart, King of England;" and even in his death warrant he is so described. His persecutors heeded not forms; they had only one object in view-the death of their King; and to accomplish that object, they perpetrated many brutal absurdities.

During all the tragic events of the civil war, these reverend judges of the courts at Westminster continued peaceably to administer the law, unmindful of passing events.

David Jenkins "the honest Welsh judge," could not imitate such safe and praiseworthy examples. He fired up, with all the natural impetuosity of a Glamorganshire lawyer, whenever he heard of any of the arbitrary proceedings of the Commons; denouncing them as contrary to all law. His courage seems to have equalled his zeal; for when the Commons had committed him to the Tower, transferred him to Newgate, and thence brought him to the bar of the house on a charge of treason, nothing daunted, he stood

*Parl. Hist. vol 23. p 210.

boldly on his defence-absolutely refused to kneel in their presence-and when urged by the house, denounced them in a rage, as "a den of thieves." Even when the house, by way of reducing him to submission, threatened to hang him, his imagination carried him instantly to the gallows, but infused no terror into his intrepid spirit. "I will suffer then," he exclaimed, "with the bible under one arm, and Magna Charta under the other!"

The courageous zeal of this honest Welchman could not but inspire his judges with feelings of respect. They did not put their threats into execution, but contented themselves with recommitting him to prison, where he remained until 1656.

There exists but scanty materials for any detail of his life. He was born in 1586, at Hensol in Glamorganshire; was educated at Edmund Hall in Oxford, and was a member of Gray's Inn; he eventually became a Weich judge, and died on the 6th of December 1663, in the 81st year of his age. He was a person of great ability in his profession; Noy and Banks, when attorney generals, often seeking his advice. Wood describes him as "a heart of oak."

He died, it appears, as he lived," preaching with his last breath, to his relations and those who were about him, loyalty to his majesty, and obedience to the laws of the land."*

* Athenæ Oxon, vol. 1. p 239.

CHAPTER III.

1582-1593.

Coke's first marriage-The Paston family-Coke's father-inlaw-This the happiest period of his life-Trial of Mary Queen of Scots-Coke made Recorder of Norwich, Coventry and London-A bencher and reader of Inner TempleElected into parliament for Norwich-Made solicitor-general-Sketch of his parliamentary demeanour-His description of the properties which a member of parliament ought to possess-The members of that age-Their characterTheir pay-Coke elected speaker-Sir John Puckering's speech on the occasion-Coke's first speech in parliament, in addressing Queen Elizabeth-The lord keeper's replyThe Commons displease the Queen-Certain members committed to the Tower-Speech of Coke on the bill for reforming the ecclesiastical courts-His address as speaker to the Queen at the close of the session-The Queen's speech in reply-Appointed attorney general-Sketch of the parliamentary proceedings during the last years of Elizabeth and the first of James I.

It was in the year 1582 that Sir Edward Coke married his first wife, Bridget Paston,