Transcript of a hearing in the case of James Corker by the Court of King's Bench, [1679 Feb?].

1 item (3 p.) ; 30 x 19 cm.

English

In English.

Purchased from A. R. Heath on the James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Fund, 2007.

James Corker (1636-1715) converted to Roman Catholicism in his youth, and joined the English Benedictines at Lambspring in Hanover in 1656. Returning to England in 1665, he eventually became chaplain to Queen Catherine. Named by Titus Oates in the Popish Plot, Corker was imprisoned in Newgate until his acquittal in 1679. He was then reimprisoned, charged with high treason for accepting ordination as a Catholic priest, and condemned to death in 1680. Reprieved by Charles II, he was released from Newgate in 1685, founded two chapels, and received John Dryden, among others, into the Catholic church. Forced to flee England at the Revolution of 1688, Corker lived in exile for many years, eventually becoming Abbot of Lambspring. He returned to England in 1698, published two works of apologetics, and died at Paddington in 1715.

Manuscript copy, on paper, in a single hand, of the transcript of a habeas corpus hearing in which James Corker was interrogated at the Court of King's Bench, principally by the Lord Chief Justice Samuel Scroggs. During questioning, Corker admitted to being a Roman Catholic but declined to answer whether he was a priest. Corker also refused to take the Oath of Allegiance on the grounds that it would require him to swear that the doctrine that excommunicated monarchs may be deposed is heresy, "and many things may be wicked which are not hereticall." The justices' comments include mockingly calling Corker a "half-faced Papist" and commenting that "if you were in Spain you would be putt into the Inquisition." The transcript ends with Corker's being conveyed back to Newgate.

January 23, 2008

England and Wales, Court of King's Bench, Transcript of a Hearing in the Case of James Corker. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

England and Wales, Court of King's Bench, Transcript of a Hearing in the Case of James Corker. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.