The Trials of Edward Vaughan
Law, Civil War and Gentry Faction in Seventeenth-Century Britain, c.1596–1661
9781837721771
Distributed for University of Wales Press
The Trials of Edward Vaughan
Law, Civil War and Gentry Faction in Seventeenth-Century Britain, c.1596–1661
What the fascinating life of Edward Vaughan reveals about the politics of early modern England and Wales.
This book tells the remarkable story of Welshman Edward Vaughan. Born in 1600, he was the fifth son of a landed gentleman and could not have expected much in life beyond a career as a lawyer. However, by fair means and foul (mostly foul) he managed to gain possession of one of the largest estates in seventeenth-century Wales. His tenure was not to be a quiet one, however, as the Protestant Vaughan endured a bruising legal contest with a powerful Catholic magnate over these lands. Vaughan’s case was then swept up in the politics of the civil wars. A moderate parliamentarian, during the 1640s and 1650s Vaughan fought new battles with local radicals to secure his patrimony. The trials of Edward Vaughan reveal much about the confrontational and sometimes bloody nature of law, politics, and faction in early modern England and Wales. Rich with accusations of attempted murder, treason, and a lengthy legal battle with one of the most powerful Catholic families in the country, this is a surprising story and one that has yet to be told.
This book tells the remarkable story of Welshman Edward Vaughan. Born in 1600, he was the fifth son of a landed gentleman and could not have expected much in life beyond a career as a lawyer. However, by fair means and foul (mostly foul) he managed to gain possession of one of the largest estates in seventeenth-century Wales. His tenure was not to be a quiet one, however, as the Protestant Vaughan endured a bruising legal contest with a powerful Catholic magnate over these lands. Vaughan’s case was then swept up in the politics of the civil wars. A moderate parliamentarian, during the 1640s and 1650s Vaughan fought new battles with local radicals to secure his patrimony. The trials of Edward Vaughan reveal much about the confrontational and sometimes bloody nature of law, politics, and faction in early modern England and Wales. Rich with accusations of attempted murder, treason, and a lengthy legal battle with one of the most powerful Catholic families in the country, this is a surprising story and one that has yet to be told.
360 pages | 3 halftones | 12.52 x 8.5 | © 2024
History: British and Irish History, Military History
Law and Legal Studies: Legal History
Table of Contents
Genealogical Charts
Maps
Abbreviations
Introduction
PART ONE: FAMILY, FACTION AND THE LAW
Chapter 1: Families and Faction in Elizabethan and Early Stuart Montgomeryshire
Chapter 2: A Labyrinth of Lawsuits: Contesting the Llwydiarth Inheritance, 1622–31
Chapter 3: Powis versus Vaughan and the Downfall of Prerogative Justice, 1631–42
PART TWO: POLITICS AND PATRIMONY DURING THE BRITISH CIVIL WARS
Chapter 4: Civil War, Conquest and Committees, 1642–45
Chapter 5: Edward Vaughan, the Governance of North Wales and the Struggle over
Accounts, January–October 1646
Chapter 6: The Army, Civilians and Parliamentary Elections, October 1646–April 1647
Chapter 7: Parliament Man?: Edward Vaughan, Parliamentary Presbyterians and Pride’s Purge, April 1647–February 1649
PART THREE: FROM REPUBLIC TO RESTORATION
Chapter 8: Republican Revenge, 1648–55
Chapter 9: Religion, Politics and Rehabilitation, 1650–61
Chapter 10: Death and Dynasty, 1661–72
Conclusion
MANUSCRIPT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Maps
Abbreviations
Introduction
PART ONE: FAMILY, FACTION AND THE LAW
Chapter 1: Families and Faction in Elizabethan and Early Stuart Montgomeryshire
Chapter 2: A Labyrinth of Lawsuits: Contesting the Llwydiarth Inheritance, 1622–31
Chapter 3: Powis versus Vaughan and the Downfall of Prerogative Justice, 1631–42
PART TWO: POLITICS AND PATRIMONY DURING THE BRITISH CIVIL WARS
Chapter 4: Civil War, Conquest and Committees, 1642–45
Chapter 5: Edward Vaughan, the Governance of North Wales and the Struggle over
Accounts, January–October 1646
Chapter 6: The Army, Civilians and Parliamentary Elections, October 1646–April 1647
Chapter 7: Parliament Man?: Edward Vaughan, Parliamentary Presbyterians and Pride’s Purge, April 1647–February 1649
PART THREE: FROM REPUBLIC TO RESTORATION
Chapter 8: Republican Revenge, 1648–55
Chapter 9: Religion, Politics and Rehabilitation, 1650–61
Chapter 10: Death and Dynasty, 1661–72
Conclusion
MANUSCRIPT BIBLIOGRAPHY