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'The Bloody Assizes '
An old Paulian like Sam:the most famous of the assize makers: Jeffreys was sent to Winchester in 1685 by King James II who was concerned that too many of the rich who were suspected of aiding Monmouth's rebellion were ransoming themselves and escaping the royal vengeance.
In what became known as the 'bloody assizes', Jeffreys sentenced 320 to be executed by hanging and quartering or transported into penal servitude in the colonies.
On his return to London, Jeffreys was made Lord Chancellor (1685).
a. One of the periodic court sessions formerly held in each of the counties of England and Wales for the trial of civil or criminal cases.
b. The time or place of such sessions.
[Middle English assise, from Old French, from past participle of asseoir (to seat) = "seated". From Latin assidre, to sit beside.]
Source: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
Chart showing the number of references in each month of the diary’s entries.