A Legall Vindication of the Liberties of England, against Illegall Taxes and pretended Acts of Parliament lately enforced on the people

Bound in modern red cloth, like new. Small rust-hole to B4 touching a couple of letters, else very good.

⁂ Undoubtedly one of the most important of all Prynne’s political pamphlets. Following his arrest to Colonel Pride in November 1648 he was released from custody sometime in January 1649 and then retired to Swainswick, where he began a paper war against the new government. He wrote three pamphlets against the engagement to be faithful to the Commonwealth, and proved that neither in conscience, law, nor prudence was he bound to pay the taxes which it imposed (A Legal Vindication of the Liberties of England against all Illegal Taxes and Pretended Acts of Parliament, 1649).

According to Wood, he had judiciously conveyed his property to a relative first. The government retaliated by imprisoning him for nearly three years without a trial. On 30 June 1650 he was arrested and confined, first in Dunster Castle and afterwards in Taunton (12 June 1651) and Pendennis Castles (27 June 1651). He was finally offered his liberty on giving security to the amount of 1,000l. that he would henceforward do nothing against the government; but, refusing with his usual indomitable courage to make any promise, was released unconditionally on 18 Feb. 1653.