The Biographical Turn: Lord Nottingham, His Case

This article recalls Sir Heneage Finch (1621-1682) - better known as Lord Chancellor Nottingham - and in addition his contemporary, Sir Matthew Hale (1609-1676). Its focus is on their bearing of a 'persona' appropriate to the duties of judicial 'office' in the Restoration context of the Anglican settlement. The aim here is to demonstrate a biographical turn that is personal and historical but not anachronistic. The article proposes two descriptive protocols concerning 'office' and 'persona', and four revisions that impel this biographical turn to a more historical account of Lord Nottingham. Full text also available via Informit