Background
John Cowell was born at Ernsborough, Devonshire.
John Cowell was born at Ernsborough, Devonshire.
John Cowell was educated at Eton, and King's College, Cambridge, ultimately becoming professor of civil law in that university, and master of Trinity Hall.
In 1607 John Cowell compiled a law dictionary, The Interpreter, in which he exalted the king's prerogative so much that he was prosecuted before the House of Commons by Sir Edward Coke, and saved from imprisonment only by the interposition of James I. His book was burnt by order of the House of Commons.
