Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, was an English statesman. He held senior political office under both the Commonwealth of England and Charles II, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer
Portrait by John Greenhill, c. 1672–1673
The Gate of Lincoln's Inn. Cooper attended Lincoln's Inn, beginning in 1638 at age 17, to receive an education in the laws of England. Throughout his political career, Cooper posed as a defender of the rule of law, at various points in his career breaking with both Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658) and Charles II (1630–1685) when he perceived they were subverting the rule of law and introducing arbitrary government.
Cooper's father-in-law Thomas Coventry, 1st Baron Coventry (1578–1640), who served as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal from 1625 to 1640. Cooper first entered politics under Lord Coventry's tutelage.
Maurice of the Palatinate (1620–1652), depicted as Mercury. Prince Maurice attempted to block Cooper's appointment as governor of Weymouth and Portland.
Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon was an English statesman, lawyer, diplomat and historian who served as chief adviser to Charles I during the First English Civil War, and Lord Chancellor to Charles
Portrait by Peter Lely
Edward Hyde in 1626, aged 17, by Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen
Edward Hyde by William Dobson, circa 1643
Hyde's daughter Anne, James and their two daughters, Lady Mary and Lady Anne; these links brought power and enemies