The Tryal of William Penn & William Mead for Causing a Tumult: At the Sessions Held at the Old Bailey in London the 1st, 3d, 4th, and 5th of September 1670

The Tryal of William Penn & William Mead, first published in 1719, documents the 1670 trial of Quakers William Penn and William Mead for preaching without a license in London. This historical account highlights the conflict between authority and the emerging rights to free speech and assembly in England. The trial showcases the arbitrary nature of the legal system and the jury's struggle to uphold principles of liberty, ultimately leading to Penn's conviction and Mead's acquittal, as well as the jurors' punishment for their verdict. This case is significant for its role in the early fight for religious and civil liberties.