The Bishops' Council

1688–1700

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.

Artwork Details

Title: The Bishops' Council
Engraver: Anonymous, British, 17th–18th century
Sitter: Sir Robert Sawyer (British, 1633–1692)
Sitter: Heneage Finch, 1st Earl of Aylesford (British, 1649–1719)
Sitter: Sir Henry Pollexfen (British, ca. 1632–1691)
Sitter: Sir Creswell Levinz (British, 1627–1701)
Sitter: John Somers, Baron Somers (British, Worcester 1651–1716)
Sitter: Right Hon Sir Francis Pemberton (British, ca. 1624–1697)
Sitter: Sir George Treby (British, ca. 1644–1700)
Date: 1688–1700
Medium: Mezzotint
Dimensions: Sheet (trimmed to plateline): 6 15/16 × 5 1/2 in. (17.7 × 14 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1917
Object Number: 17.3.756-1808
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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