This comprehensive collection of state trials offers an extensive overview of the development of criminal law and political justice in England from ancient times to 1783. The trials cover a wide range of cases, including high treason, sedition, piracy, witchcraft, and murder. Thomas Jones Howell supplements each trial with detailed notes, commentaries, and historical background information. This book is an invaluable source of legal and historical information for scholars, lawyers, and general readers alike. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.