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LORD KEEPER

COVENTRY.

BESIDES recapitulating several of his speeches in print, Wood says * he hath extant

2

"An Answer to the Petition against Recusants."

And that there goes under his name another piece called

"Perfect and exact Directions to all those that desire to know the true and just Fees of all the Offices belonging to the Court of Common Pleas, Chancery, &c." Lond. 8vo.

[Thomas, lord Coventry, son and heir of Thomas Coventry, esq. one of the justices of the court of common pleas3, was born in 1578; became a gentleman commoner of Baliol college, Oxon, at the age of fourteen; continued there three years, says Wood, under a strict discipline; whence he removed to the Inner Temple, and pursuing his father's steps in the laudable studies of the munici pal laws, was chosen autumn reader of that society

Vol. i. p. 627.

3 Dugdale, Orig. Jurid. p. 166.
* Athen. Oxon. vol. i. col. 627.

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From a Print in the Coll of AlexHendras Sutherland fq"

Pub May 20.1806 by Scott. 442 Strand.

in 1616, and in the same year was elected recorder of the city of London. In 1617 he was, constituted solicitor-general, and received the honour of knighthood from James the first. In 1620 he was appointed attorney-general; and in 1625, was advanced by Charles the first to the eminent office of lord keeper of the great seal 5. In 1628 he was dignified with the degree of an English baron, by the title of lord Coventry of Aylesborough in Worcestershire, and as the patent sets forth, for his eminent fidelity, his most worthy service, his exact circumspection, his deep prudence, his constant resolution, his skill and dexterity, his integrity and industry, &c. He ended his days at Durham-house in the Strand, January 14, 1639-40; after he had enjoyed the dignity of lord-keeper about fifteen years, if it be not more proper to say, that dignity had enjoyed him so long?. "His front and presence," adds Lloyd, "bespoke a venerable regard, not inferior to any of his antecessors. His train and suit

of followers was disposed agreeably to shun both envy and contempt. Of what concerned his place he knew enough, and (which is the main) acted conformably to his knowledge: for in the administration of justice he was so incorrupt, as captious malice stands

Howell writes, in Aug. 1626," My lord-keeper Williams hath parted with the broad-seal; sir Thomas Coventry hath it now; I pray God he be tender of the king's conscience, whereof he is keeper, rather than of the scal." Fam. Letters, P. 191.

• Lloyd's Observations, p. 750.

Ib. p. 751.

mute in the blemish of his fame. Although he was a courtier, and had for his master a passion most intense, yet had he always a passion reserved for the public welfare; an argument of a free, noble, and rightprincipled mind. For what both court and country have always held as inconsistent, is in truth erroneous and no man can be truly loyal, who is not also a good patriot; nor any a good patriot, who is not truly loyal."

To this very splendid portrait lord Clarendon has given not only identity but additional lustre, in the following more detailed delineation. Lord-keeper Coventry "was a man of wonderful gravity and wisdom; and understood not only the whole science and mystery of the law, at least equally with any man who had ever sate in that place, but had a clear conception of the whole policy of the government both of church and state; which by the unskilfulness of some well-meaning men, justled each the other too much. He knew the temper, disposition, and genius of the kingdom most exactly; saw their spirits grow every day more sturdy, inquisitive, and impatient, and therefore naturally abhorred all innovations, which he foresaw would produce ruinous effects. Yet many who stood at a distance, thought he was not active and stout enough in opposing those innovations; for though by his place he presided in all publick councils, and was most sharp-sighted in the consequence of things; yet he was seldom known to speak in matters of state, which he well knew were for the

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