No. 23.
SIR JOHN COVENTRY.
By Dobson.
Grey suit. Blue cloak.
SIR John of Pitminster, county Somerset, and Mere, county Wilts, was the son of John Coventry, by Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of John Barton, and widow of one Herbert, a gentleman of Hampshire. The Lord Keeper Coventry was his grandfather. He was Knight of the Bath, and sat in the Long Parliament, and others, for Weymouth.
In 1670 an inhuman assault was made on him, which gave rise to the Act since known as ‘The Coventry Act,’ against wounding, maiming, etc.
Money being asked for in the House of Commons at a time when Sir John, and other members, were advocating economy, the good knight proposed to tax the theatres, the immorality of which was at that time notorious. The courtiers opposed the measure, saying that the players were the King’s servants, and part of his pleasure. Whereupon Sir John asked facetiously, ‘Whether the King’s pleasure lay among the actors, or the actresses?’
This speech was reported to His Majesty by those who were glad to inflame his choler against Coventry, and revenge was projected. Some of the guards were to watch for Sir John in the street, and set a mark upon him.