18. Raleigh served as his own attorney at his trial for treason
Sir Walter Raleigh was tried beginning in November, 1603. The main evidence against him was a signed confession from Baron Cobham, Henry Brooke, one of the conspirators who had given state’s evidence. Raleigh was allowed to dispute the confession, but not to call Cobham to the stand to testify before the court. Raleigh based his defense on the “confession” being little more than hearsay, but despite his repeated demands to be able to confront his chief accuser in the presence of the jury, he was denied that basic legal right. Raleigh denied all knowledge of the plot and a conspiracy against the king, but the jury convicted him and he was sentenced to death, remanded to the Tower to await his execution.