The Tryal and Condemnation of Sir John Friend, Knight, For Conspiring

1696. London: for Brabazon Aylmer, 1696.. London: for Brabazon Aylmer, 1696. Tried for Treason Without Benefit of Counsel [Trial]. Friend, Sir John [d.1696], Defendant. The Tryal and Condemnation of Sir John Friend, Knight. For Conspiring to Raise Rebellion in These Kingdoms, In Order to a French Invasion: Who Upon Full Evidence was Found Guilty of High-Treason, At the Sessions-House in the Old Bayly, March 23th 1695/6. London: Printed for Brabazon Aylmer, 1696. 35, [1] pp. Folio (12" x 7-1/4"). Recent period-style three-quarter calf over marbled boards, raised bands and lettering piece to spine, endpapers renewed. Moderate toning to text, light soiling to title page and verso of final leaf. $650. * Only edition. Friend was charged with high treason for his role in the 1696 Jacobite assassination plot, one of a series of Jacobite plots to reverse the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689. Friend's trial was the penultimate instance under English law in which a defendant was tried for treason without benefit of counsel. The Treason Act of 1695, which allowed counsel in cases of treason, went into effect two days later. English Short-Title Catalogue R37160.