Artwork Information

Popularly known as ‘Black Tom Tyrant’, Strafford was

a close ally of Charles I during the 1630s. Having

attempted to prosecute him for treason, in May 1641

Parliament passed an act of attainder convicting

Strafford and sentencing him to death – to which the

king reluctantly agreed.

Hollar’s print of the trial shows Strafford (V) defending

himself against the charges. The king (A) and queen (C)

look on while Hollar’s patron, the Earl of Arundel (E),

manages the proceedings.