"AND IN WHOREDOM, FORNICATION AND ADULTERY TO LIVE WITH THE AFORESAID LORD GREY… IMPIOUSLY, WICKEDLY, IMPURELY AND SCANDALOUSLY": THE SENSATIONAL 1682 TRIAL OF LORD GREY

(LORD GREY OF WERK) (BERKELEY, Henrietta). The Trial of Ford Lord Grey of Werk [et al.]… For Unlawful Tempting and Inciting, the Lady Henrietta Berkeley… to Unlawful Love… with an Intent to Cause Her to Live in a Scandalous Manner. London: J. Morphew, 1716. Slim octavo, period-style full paneled calf, raised bands, red morocco spine label. $2000.

First edition of the verbatim transcript of this sensational 17th-century trial in which Lord Grey was charged with seducing the under-18-year-old sister of his wife "with an intent to cause her to live in a scandalous manner with the said Lord Grey." Handsomely bound.

The prosecution of this scandalous case was ably handled by George Jeffreys; the defense was equally capable, and the verbatim transcript of the proceedings vividly portrays the case's high emotional charge. "In 1682 Lady Henrietta became a well-known figure of scandal when still a minor, and under 18, following the revelation of her love affair with Ford Grey, Lord Grey of Warke (1655-1701), the husband of her elder sister Mary. The intrigue seems to have begun in 1681 and continued for about 14 months before it was discovered by Lady Henrietta's mother… Eventually the earl of Berkeley launched a lawsuit for unlawful seduction against Grey and his accomplices, which was brought before the court of king's bench on 23 November 1682. Henrietta herself appeared at the trial, but with her evidence the lord chief justice told her, 'You have injured your own reputation, and prostituted both your body and your honour, and are not to be believed' (State trials, 9.176). As the court was breaking up the earl attempted to take his daughter away with him, whereupon Henrietta announced that she was married to William Turner (Grey's servant). A scuffle broke out in the courtroom as she refused to return home and her father tried to seize her by force… The trial attracted a great deal of publicity and the story of Lady Henrietta's affair with her brother-in-law became the inspiration for Aphra Behn's Love Letters between a Nobleman and his Sister, the first part of which was published in 1684" (ODNB). Bound with half title. Old ink annotations to verso of half title; small duplicate stamp to final text leaf.

Only occasional faint foxing to text. Fine condition, handsomely bound.