A contest between judge buller and kenyon, master of the rolls, for the chief justiceship of the king's bench. Three shallow steps on which the combat takes place (probably indicating the approach to westminster hall, cf. Bmsat 6852) stretch across the design. In the background (left), seated on a large rectangular pedestal inscribed 'banco regis', is a bird with a human head, wearing a judge's wig and bands, representing lord mansfield as in bmsat 5980. He says, "i am determined not to moult my feathers till your nephew gets the better of him. " behind buller are his two backers, lord camden, immediately behind him, and lord bathurst (left) whom mansfield is addressing. Both stand in profile to the right, bathurst being dressed as an old woman (cf. Bmsat 4888); buller's mother was his sister. Buller, in wig and furred gown, stands above kenyon and appears to be getting the better of him; his weapon is a stout stick, inscribed 'thumbstick', which he wields as 'judge thumb', see bmsats 6122, 6123. Kenyon, on a lower step, is on the defensive; his weapon is a leek inscribed 'pedigree' (cf. Bmsat 7130). Behind him, on the extreme right, stands thurlow in his chancellor's hat, wig, and gown, but with the limbs of a bear. He says, "by g-- hur shall be chief --- --- --- ---" 4 january 1787
etching with hand-colouring. Date: 1787. Dimensions: Height: 245 mm; Width: 348 mm. Medium: paper. Depicted People: Henry Bathurst, 2nd Earl Bathurst. Collection: British Museum. Law Arrangement or Who shall be chief (BM J,4.116)
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