Cases of Treason, London, 1641

1641. A More Complete Lawyer Than Any of His Contemporaries" Bacon, Sir Francis [1561-1626]. Cases of Treason. London: Printed by the Assignes of John More, And are Sold by Matthew Walbancke, And William Coke, 1641. [iv], 35, [1] pp. Quarto (6-3/4" x 5-1/2"; 17.14 x 13.9 cm). Stab-stitched pamphlet in recent stiff paper wrappers. Light soiling and a few minor stains, light rubbing to extremities. Light toning to interior, faint dampstaining to head of text block, light browning and spotting to preliminaries and final few leaves, small chip to head of leaf B2 (pp.3-4). $750. * First edition. Published posthumously, this brief treatise discusses various aspects of the laws regarding treason, including what offenses constitute treason and the king's prerogative in such cases. No stranger to treason trials, Bacon had been a member of the legal team (headed by Sir Edward Coke) that prosecuted the Earl of Essex for treason. He was one of the great intellectuals of the age and held the posts of solicitor general, attorney general and lord chancellor during the reign of James I. According to Holdsworth, "[h]e was a more complete lawyer than any of his contemporaries. Not only was he an eminent practitioner in the common law; not only did he leave his mark as lord chancellor upon the development of equity; he also studied both English law and law in general scientifically and critically. The only other lawyer, in that age of distinguished lawyers, who can be compared to him is his great rival Coke." Holdsworth, A History of English Law V:239. English Short-Title Catalogue R106590.