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The Tyrannicide Brief

The Story of the Man who sent Charles I to the Scaffold

Geoffrey Robertson author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Vintage Publishing

Published:5th Oct '06

Should be back in stock very soon

The Tyrannicide Brief cover

This book chronicles the life of John Cooke, a courageous barrister who prosecuted King Charles I, leading to the establishment of the English republic.

In 1649, the English Parliament faced an unprecedented challenge: finding a lawyer brave enough to prosecute a king who believed he was above the law. The task fell to John Cooke, a radical barrister from humble beginnings. As the son of a poor farmer, Cooke embodied the spirit of the common man, yet he possessed the skill and audacity needed to lead the trial against King Charles I. This momentous event would ultimately pave the way for the establishment of the English republic.

Cooke's journey was fraught with peril. He not only navigated the complexities of the law but also confronted the very essence of tyranny. His efforts culminated in a trial that would change the course of history, yet it came at a great personal cost. Appointed as a reforming Chief Justice in Ireland by Oliver Cromwell, Cooke's fate took a tragic turn in 1660 when he was tried and executed for his role in the king's prosecution.

The Tyrannicide Brief presents a compelling narrative of Cooke's bravery and the legal principles he championed, such as the right to silence and the duty to defend the impoverished. His legacy resonates through time, serving as a precursor to modern trials of heads of state for crimes against humanity. This book offers a unique perspective on life and law during the Civil Wars, advocating for the people's right to justice against oppressive rulers.

Redeems from obscurity an unsung hero of true greatness... Sheds invigorating light on the course of the English civil war * Spectator *
Robertson has come up with that desperately rare thing: a subject worthy of biography who has never before been addressed and, to his huge advantage, in his field. The result is a work of literary advocacy as elegant, impassioned and original as any the author can ever have laid before a court -- Anthony Holden * Observer *
Robertson tells a spellbinding story. He combines lucid analysis of the legal issues with acute understanding of the various factions. His prose is crisp and he inserts some comments that only a professional advocate, as opposed to an academic historian, would make -- Christopher Silvester * Daily Telegraph *
Fascinating... Illuminating... This is a work of great compassion and, at a time when it seems to be fashionable for politicians to denigrate lawyers, it is an essential read for anyone who believes in the fearless independence of the law -- John Cooper * The Times *
[Robertson's] forensic intelligence can penetrate where professional historians have not reached -- Blair Worden * Literary Review *

ISBN: 9780099459194

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 30mm

Weight: 343g

464 pages