Judge Jeffreys

George Jeffreys was born 1648 Acton near Nantwich. He was called to the bar and rose rapidly. He was made common serjeant of the City of London in 1671, knighted in 1677, recorder of London 1678, chief justice of Chester and king's serjeant in 1680, baronet in 1681, chief justice of the King's Bench in 1683, raised to the peerage in 1685, lord chancellor in September 1685

He was involved in the trials of Algernon Sidney (grand-nephew of Sir Philip Sidney) (born 1622? beheaded December 7 1683) and Titus Oates (1645-1705) a conspirator and perjurer, and Richard Baxter (born 1615 Rowton, Shropshire, died 1691).

He was sent to the west to try the followers of Monmouth and hanged, transported, whipped and fined hundreds of them. This was known as the 'bloody assize'.

In 1688 James II left England and Jeffreys (who had been knighted by him in 1677) fled dressed as a seaman and boarded a ship in the Pool of London. He decided to go ashore at Wapping to find a tavern and in Hope Alley, near King Edward's stairs, he found the Red Cow and sat drinking on the top floor. Unfortunately for Jeffreys a money lender, who had appeared before him in a law suit, saw and recognised him. Jeffrey's was arrested and thrown in the Tower where he died the following year (April 18 1689).