The Sergeant-at-Arms outraged in the City (litho)

The Sergeant-at-Arms outraged in the City. In Henry VIII's reign instances occurred for the first time of the use of the prerogative of Parliament for the vindication of privilege. Ferrers, a burgess of the King, was arrested for debt and cast into the Counter prison in the City of London. The Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons, who was sent by the House to demand his release, was roughly treated and his mace was broken in pieces. The Commons replied by committing the sheriffs and the clerk of the Counter prison to the Tower, in which step they were upheld by the King. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.