THE TRIAL OF WILLIAM PENN

Interesting account of William Penn (1644-1718) and his infamous trial following arrest in London in 1670 on the charge of disturbing the King’s peace, while preaching nonconformist religious views at an outdoor meeting in London at a time when the monarchy was attempting to suppress religious dissent. . The Crown produced no substantive evidence against him. When Penn interrupted the trial with questions and objections, he was removed from the presence of the jury and confined in an enclosed corner of the room where he could not confront or question witnesses.

Penn later traveled to North America in 1683 where he was gifted land by King Charles II two years prior to satisfy a debt owed to his father. Penn founded of the Province of Pennsylvania colony which later became the state of the same name.