Description: Henry Sacheverel moved to Derbyshire to be chaplain to his cousin, George Sacheverel, who was High Sheriff. He earned notoriety after he preached a sermon at All Saints (later Derby Cathedral) in which he denounced the low church with strong language. Many who heard it approved of it and when it was printed many copies were sold, However the House of Commons took an interest after this same sermon was preached at St Pauls Cathedral. Parliament decided that it was malicious, scandalous and seditious libel, and Henry Sacheverel was tried before the House of Lords. The trial was a major event, with even Queen Anne attending on some days. He was found guilty by 69 votes to 52, but his punishment was very light. He was merely suspended from preaching for 3 years, although he could continue his other clerical duties, and his sermon was publicly burnt. He later inherited his cousin's estate in Calow.
This image is one of a collection by the famous local antiquarian, Thomas Bateman, of Middleton by Youlgreave. (1821-1861). Bateman organized his collection by inserting them into a 4 volume copy of Lysons Magna Britannia, Derbyshire, creating a fascinating and unique illustrated record of the county. The purchase of the collection for Derbyshire Libraries was made possible by the generous bequest of Miss Frances Webb of Whaley Bridge, well known local historian, who died in December 2006.