2-704-519 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Sir John Coventry', 1800. Portrait of English politician Sir John Coventry (c1636-1685). After a jest made by Coventry in the House of Commons on the subject of King Charles II's mistresses, Coventry was attacked, (allegedly with the approval of the king himself), and had his nose slit to the bone. As a result, Parliament debated a bill 'to prevent malicious maiming and wounding'. The 'Coventry Act' was passed, declaring assaults accompanied by personal mutilation a felony without benefit of clergy. 'From the Collection at Long Leat'. [Edward Harding, London, 1800]