Harrington Antiques has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
THE SENSATIONAL TRIAL FOR HIGH TREASON IN 1684:
In a sermon preached on 14 September that year Rosewell allegedly declared that 'we have had two wicked kings now together who have suffered popery to be introduced under their noses...'. He was arrested on 18 September and was tried in Westminster Hall by "Hanging".
The charge against him, that of treasonable preaching pointing to the king's death, was absurdly at variance with the whole of his previous character and known opinions. Thomas conducted his own defence and argued over the meaning of the charges written in Latin compared to the English words that he actually used. Evidence against him was tendered by three women of disreputable character, one of whom admitted that she had been paid to collect evidence. It is not clear from their sworn testimony whether they wilfully distorted his words or mistook his meaning. Despite clear counter-evidence presented by numerous witnesses, the jury, directed by Jeffreys, found him guilty of treason for which the penalty would have been death by beheading. However, he was not sentenced.
When he came for sentence on 24 November, he argued his exception to the indictment as being deficient in the English interpretation of the original Latin. Jeffries acceded to Thomas's appeal for Counsel to argue a case about the sentence but would not agree to provide a copy of the indictment. Jeffries took Counsel's argument under consideration and released Thomas on bail.
His arrest and conviction had shocked and enraged Presbyterians and Anglicans alike. On 28 January 1685 Charles II granted him a pardon, having been told by Sir John Talbot: "If your majesty suffers this man to die, we are none of us safe in our houses".
The whole proceedings of this trial was reported and is referred to in more recent works on the proper conduct of trial by jury.
HIS DEATH:
Rev. Thomas Rosewell died at Bermondsey, Surrey on 14 Feb 1692 and was buried at Bunhill Fields, London. The funeral service was conducted by three Presbyterian and three Independent ministers. Matthew Mead, Independent minister of Stepney, preached the funeral sermon, an original of which is offered here.
The original headstone was inscribed in Latin. Some time later, a new headstone was erected at the rear of the original and it was inscribed with an English translation of the Latin text as follows:
'Here is buried THOMAS ROSEWELL a most distinguished divine.
Born at Dunkerton in the county of Somerset. A graduate of Pembroke College, Oxford who administered the sacraments first at Rode in the aforesaid county, then in the town of Sutton Mandeville in the county of Wiltshire until St Bartholomew's day in the year 1662. Finally he was appointed pastor of the church at Rotherhithe near London in the county of Surrey.
A man no less esteemed for his piety and modesty than for his learning, a preacher outstanding in skill, eloquence and zeal, an assiduous and most expert interpreter of Holy Scripture.
Who after many labours and most grievous troubles arising from the injustice of the times, which he had borne for Christ's sake with the greatest fortitude, died peacefully at the aforesaid Rotherhithe on February 14th.
In the 62nd year of his life and the year of the Lord 1692'
The sermon has been sympathetically rebound, incorporating the original board leather. Gilt stamped title to the spine. Library label to front pastedown and 'Hackney College Library' stamp to title page.
A rare piece of history.
DIMENS
Harrington Antiques has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
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Funeral Sermon for Rev. Thomas Rosewell by Matthew Mead, 1692. Leather Bound Book.
