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Arbitrator Of Constitutional Crisis : A Study Of Edward Coke: 1607-1628, Francis Reames Beers

Master's Theses

In Sir Edward Coke's earlier days, he too had been a supporter of the sanctity of the crown. In 1603, when Coke was Attorney-General, he prosecuted Sir Walter Raleigh for treason, In the trial Coke tried to ride roughshod over the defendant. With vigor he attacked Raleigh with remarks that were "shameful and unworthy " of a man in his position. He was also careless at the quality of the evidence upon which he based his assertions. With such judicial intimidation, the Attorney-General was able to secure a verdict of guilty for the crown.

Coke's independent nature helped make the …