He took it as a matter of course.

The part assigned to Bacon in the prosecution was as important as that of Coke; and he played it more skilfully and effectively.

Trials in those days were confused affairs, often passing into a mere wrangle between the judges, lawyers, and lookers-on, and the prisoner at the bar.

It was so in this case.

Coke is said to have blundered in his way of presenting the evidence, and to have been led away from the point into an altercation with Essex.