Edward Coke - Retirement

Retirement

When Parliament was dissolved in 1629, Charles took the decision to govern without one, and Coke effectively retired to his estate at Stoke Poges, spending his spare time making revisions to his written works. He made no attempt to return to politics, stating that the Petition of Right would be left as his "greatest inheritance"; his desire to complete his writings and advanced age may also have been factors. Coke was still in good health, despite his advanced age, and took daily exercise. Following an accident in which his horse fell on him, he refused to consult doctors, saying that he had "a disease which all the drugs of Asia, the gold of Africa, nor all the doctors of Europe could cure – old age", and instead chose to remain confined to the house without medical treatment. As he was on his deathbed the Privy Council ordered for his house and chambers to be searched, seizing 50 manuscripts, which were later restored – his will, however, was permanently lost.

Coke died on 3 September 1634, aged 82, and lay in state for a full month at his home in Godwick to allow for friends and relatives to view the body. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Tittleshall. His grave is covered by a marble monument with his effigy lying on it in full judicial robes, surrounded by eight shields holding his coat of arms. A Latin inscription on the monument identifies him simply as "Father of twelve children and thirteen books"; a second inscription, in English, gives a brief chronicle of his life and ends by stating that "His laste wordes thy kingdome come, thye will be done. Learne, reader to live so, that thou may'st so die". Coke's estates, including Holkham Hall, passed to his son Henry.