The Bishops' Council
Not on view
Seven oval frames in this mezzotint portray the lawyers who defended the "Seven Bishops" of the Church of England who were tried for seditious libel in June 1688. Previous to the trial, James II had attempted to use royal prerogative to grant new freedoms for Catholics and Protestant Nonconformists. In April 1688 he ordered a related Declaration to be read in churches and seven English bishops petitioned to be excused, arguing that the king was exceding his authority. They were then charged with seditious libel, held in the Tower of London and tried, being found not guilty on June 30. The trial helped to precipitate the movement towards the deposition of James in November 1688, and the Glorious Revolution which placed William and Mary on the throne.
