receiued ouernight and so concluding that Allarme was taken at Court hee thought it to bee in vaine to thinke of the enterprise of the Court by way of surprize but that nowe his onely way was to come thither in strength and to that ende first to attempt the Citie Wherein hee did but fall backe to his owne former opinion which hee had in no sort neglected but had formerly made some ouertures to prepare the Citie to take his part relying himselfe besides his generall conceipt that himselfe was the darling and mynion of the people and specially of the Citie more particularly vpon assurance giuen of Thomas Smith then Shiriffe of London a man well beloued amongst the Citizens and one that had some particular command of some of the trayned forces of the Citie to ioyne with him Hauing therefore concluded vpon this determination now was the time to execute in fact all that he had before in purpose digested First therefore hee concluded of a pretext which was euer part of the plot and which hee had meditated vpon and studied long before For finding himselfe thankes bee to God to seeke in her Maiesties gouernement of any iust pretext in matter of state either of innouation oppression or any vnworthinesse As in all his former discontentments hee had gone the beaten path of Traytours turning their imputation vpon Counsellours and persons of credit with their Soueraigne so nowe hee was forced to descend to the pretext of a priuate quarrell giuing out this speach howe that euening when hee should haue bene called before the Lordes of the Councell there was an Ambuscado of Musketers placed vpon the water by the deuise of my Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Raleigh to haue murdered him by the way as hee passed A matter of no probability those persons hauing no such desperate estates or mindes as to ruine themselues and their posteritie by committing so odious a crime But contrariwise certaine it is Sir Ferdinando Gorge accused Blunt to haue perswaded him to kill or at least apprehend Sir Walter Raleigh the latter whereof Blunt denieth not and asked Sir Walter Raleigh forgiuenesse at the time of his death But this pretext being the best hee had was taken and then did messages and warnings fly thicke vp and downe to euery particular Nobleman and gentleman both that euening and the next morning to draw them together in the forenoone to Essex house dispersing the foresaid fable That hee should haue bene murdered saue that it was somtime on the water somtime in his bed varying according to the nature of a lye Hee sent likewise the same night certaine of his instruments as namely one William Temple his Secretary into the Citie to disperse the same tale hauing increased it some fewe daies before by an addition That he should haue bene likewise murdered by some Iesuits to the number of foure and to fortifie this pretext and to make the more buzze of the danger hee stood in hee caused that night a watch to bee kept all night long towards the street in his house the next morning which was Sunday they came vnto him of all handes according to his messages and warnings Of the Nobilitie the Earles of Rutland Southampton and the Lord Sands and Sir Henry Parker commonly called the Lord Mountegle besides diuers Knights and principall Gentlemen and their followers to the number of some three hundreth And also it being Sunday and the houre when hee had vsed to haue a Sermon at his house it gaue cause to some and colour to others to come vpon that occasion As they came my Lord saluted and imbraced and to the generalitie of them gaue to vnderstand in as plausible termes as hee could That his life had bene sought and that hee meant to goe to the Court and declare his griefes to the Queene because his enemies were mightie and vsed her Maiesties name and commaundement and desired their helpe to take his part But vnto the more speciall persons hee spake high and in other termes telling them That hee was sure of the Citie and would put himselfe into that strength that her Maiestie shoulde not bee able to stand against him and that he would take reuenge of his enemies All the while after eight of the clocke in the morning the gates to the Streete and water were strongly guarded and men taken in and let foorth by discretion of those that helde the charge but with speciall caution of receiuing in such as came from Court but not suffering them to goe backe without my Lords speciall direction to the end no particularitie of that which passed there might be knowen to her Maiestie About 10. of the clocke her Maiestie hauing vnderstanding of this strange and tumultuous assembly at Essex house yet in her Princely wisedome and moderation thought to cast water vpon this fire before it brake forth to further inconuenience and therefore vsing authoritie before she would vse force sent vnto him foure persons of great Honour and place and such as hee euer pretended to reuerence and loue to offer him iustice for any griefs of his but yet to lay her Royal commandement vpon him to disperse his company and vpon them to withdraw themselues These foure Honourable persons being the Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England the Earle of Worcester the Controller of her Maiesties houshold and the Lord chiefe Iustice of England came to the house and found the gates shut vpon them But after a little stay they were let in at the wicket and assoone as they were within the wicket was shut and all their seruants kept out except the Bearer of the Seale In the court they found the Earles with the rest of the company the court in a maner full and vpon their comming towards Essex they all flocked and thronged about them whereupon the Lord Keeper in an audible voice deliuered to the Earle the Queenes message That they were sent by her Maiestie to vnderstand the cause of this their assembly and to let them knowe that if they had any particular cause of griefes against any persons whatsoeuer they should haue hearing and iustice Whereupon the Earle of Essex in a very lowd and furious voyce declared That his life was sought And that hee should haue bene murdered in his bed And that he had bene perfidiously dealt withall and other speeches to the like effect To which the Lord Chiefe Iustice saide If any such matter were attempted or intended against him it was fit for him to declare it assuring him both a faithfull relation on their part and that they coulde not faile of a princely indifferencie and iustice on her Maiesties part To which the Earle of Southampton tooke occasion to obiect the assault made vpon him by the Lord Gray which my Lord Chiefe Iustice returned vpon him and saide That in that case iustice had bene done and the partie was in prison for it Then the Lord Keeper required the
should be sent against him And being asked what against the Queenes forces he answered that must haue beene iudged afterwards But being further asked whether he did aduise to come vnto the Court ouer night He saith no. For Sir Ferdinando Gorge did assure that the Alarum was taken of it at the Court and the Guards doubled Being asked whether hee thought any Prince could haue endured to haue any Subiect make the Citie his Mediator or to gather force to speake for him He saith he is not read in stories of former times but he doth not know but that in former times Subiectes haue vsed force for their mediation Being asked what should haue bene done by any of the persons that should haue beene remoued from the Queene He answered that he neuer found my Lord disposed to shed blood but that any that should haue bene found should haue had indifferent triall Being asked vpon his conscience whether the Earle of Essex did not giue him comfort that if he came to authoritie there should bee a toleration for Religion He confesseth he should haue bene to blame to haue denied it Chr. Blunt This was read vnto Sir Christopher Blunt and afterwards signed by him in the presence of vs who are vnder written Io. Herbert Nicho. Kemp. VVil. VVaimarke VVil. Martin Robert Andrewes Iohn Treuor Th. Thorney ¶ The second Confession of Sir Christopher Blunt the same day viz. the 18. of February taken before M. Iohn Herbert second Secretarie of Estate and subscribed by him in the presence of Nicholas Kemp Counsellor at Law Thomas Thorney his Surgeon and William Martin Robert Andrewes and Randolph Bull Citizens SIr Christopher Blunt after the signing of this confession being told that he did not deale plainly excused himselfe by his former weakenesse putting vs in minde that hee said once before that when he was able to speake he would tel all trueth doth now confesse That foure or fiue dayes before the Earle of Essex did rise hee did set downe certaine Articles to bee considered on which hee sawe not vntil afterward he was made acquainted with them when they had amongst themselues disputed which were these One of them was Whether the Tower of London should be taken Another Whether they should not possesse the Court and so secure my Lord and other men to come to the Queene For the first concerning the Tower he did not like it concluding that he that had the power of the Queene should haue that He confesseth that vpon Saturday night when M. Secretary Herbert had bene with the Earle and that hee saw some suspicion was taken hee thought it in vaine to attempt the Court and perswaded him rather to saue himselfe by flight then to ingage himselfe further and all his company And so the resolution of the Earle grewe to go into the Citie in hope as he saide before to finde many friends there Hee doeth also say that the Earle did vsually speake of his purpose to alter the gouernement Chr. Blunt Exam per. Io. Herbert Subscribed in presence of Nico. Kempe Tho. Thorney Rob. Andrewes VV. Martin Randolph Bull. ¶ The Declaration of the Lord Keeper the Earle of Worcester and the L. Chiefe Iustice of England VPon Sunday being the eight of February last past about ten of the clocke in the forenoone the Lord Keeper of the great Seale the Earle of VVorcester Sir VVilliam Knollis Comptroller of her Maiesties Householde and the Lord Chiefe Iustice of England being commaunded by direction from the QVEENES MAIESTIE did repaire to the late earle of Essex his house and finding the gate shut against them after a little stay they were let in at the wicket And assoone as they were within the gate the wicket was shutte vpon them and all their seruants kept out At their comming thither they found the court full of men assembled together in verie tumultuous sort The Earles of Essex Rutland and Southampton and the Lord Sandys Master Parker commonly called Lord Mountegle Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers and manie other Knights and Gentlemen and other persons vnknowen which flocked together about the Lorde Keeper c. And thereupon the Lorde Keeper tolde the Earle of Essex that they were sent from her MAIESTIE to vnderstand the cause of this their assembly and to let them know That if they had any particular cause of griefe against any persons whatsoeuer it should be heard and they should haue iustice Hereupon the Earle of Essex with a very lowd voice declared That his life vvas sought and that hee should haue beene murthered in his bed that he had beene perfidiously dealt vvith that his hand had beene counterfaited and Letters vvritten in his name and that therefore they vvere assembled there together to defend their liues with much other speech to like effect Hereupon the Lord Chiefe Iustice sayd vnto the Earle That if they had any such matter of griefe or if any such matter vvere attempted or purposed against him he vvilled the Earle to declare it assuring him that it should be truely related to her MAIESTIE and that it should be indifferently heard and iustice should be done vvhomsoeuer it concerned To this the Earle of Southampton obiected the assault made vpon him by the Lord Gray Whereunto the Lord Chiefe Iustice sayd That in his case iustice had beene done and the partie imprisoned for it And hereupon the Lord Keeper did eftsoones vvill the Earle of Essex that vvhatsoeuer priuate matter or offence hee had against any person vvhatsoeuer if hee vvould deliuer it vnto them they vvould faithfully and honestly deliuer it to the QVEENES MAIESTY and doubted not to procure him honourable and equall iustice whomsoeuer it concerned requiring him that if hee would not declare it openly that hee woulde impart it vnto them priuatelie and doubted not but they would satisfie him in it Vpon this there was a great clamour raised amongst the multitude crying Away my Lorde They abuse you They betray you They vndoe you You lose time Whereupon the Lord Keeper put on his Hat said with a loud voice My Lord let vs speake with you priuately and vnderstand your griefes And I command you all vpon your allegiance to lay downe your vveapons and to depart vvhich you ought all to doe being thus commanded if you be good Subiects and owe that duetie to the QVEENES MAIESTY which you professe Whereupon they all brake out into an exceeding loud shout and cry crying All all all And whilest the Lord Keeper was speaking and commanding them vpon their allegiance as is before declared the Earle of Essex and the most part of that Company did put on their hats and so the Earle of Essex went into the house and the Lord Keeper c. followed him thinking that his purpose had beene to speake with them priuately as they had required And as they were going some of that disordered Companie cried Kill them And as they were going into the great Chamber some cried Cast the
now shall be declared After he perceiued that foure moneths of the Summer and three parts of the army were wasted hee thought nowe was a time to set on foot such a peace as might be for the Rebels aduantage and so to worke a mutuall obligation betweene Tyrone and himselfe for which purpose he did but seeke a commodity He had there with him in his armie one Thomas Lee a man of a seditious and working spirit and one that had bene priuately familiar and intirely beloued of Tyrone and one that afterwards immediatly vpon Essex open rebellion was apprehended for a desperate attempt of violence against her Maiesties person which he plainly confessed and for which hee suffered Wherefore iudging him to be a fit instrument he made some signification to Lee of such an imploiment which was no sooner signified then apprehended by Lee. Hee gaue order also to sir Christopher Blunt Marshall of his army to licence Lee to goe to Tyrone when hee should require it But Lee thought good to let slip first vnto Tyrone which was neuerthelesse by the Marshals warrant one Iames Knowd a person of wit and sufficiencie to sound in what termes and humours Tyrone then was This Knowd returned a message from Tyrone to Lee which was That if the Earle of Essex would followe Tyrones plot hee would make the Earle of Essex the greatest man that euer was in England and further that if the Earle would haue conference with him Tyrone would deliuer his eldest sonne in pledge for his assurance This message was deliuered by Knowd to Lee and by Lee was imparted to the Earle of Essex who after this message imployed Lee himselfe to Tyrone and by his negociating whatsoeuer passed els prepared and disposed Tyrone to the parley And this imploiment of Lee was a matter of that guiltinesse in my Lord as being charged with it at my Lord Keepers onely in this nature for the message of Knowd was not then knowen that when he pretended to assaile Tyrone he had before vnder hand agreed vpon a pariey my Lord vtterly denied it that he euer imploied Lee to Tyrone at all and turned it vpon Blunt whom he afterwards required to take it vpon him hauing before sufficiently prouided for the security of all parts for he had granted both to Blunt Lee pardons of al treasons vnder the great seale of Ireland and so himselfe disclaiming it they being pardoned all was safe But when that Tyrone was by these meanes besides what others God knowes prepared to demand a parley nowe was the time for Essex to acquite himselfe of al the Queenes commandements and his owne promises and vndertakings for the Northern iourney and not so alone but to haue the glory at the disaduantage of the yere being but 2500. strong of foote and 300. of horse after the fresh disaster of sir Coniers Clifford in the height of the Rebels pride to set foorth to assaile and then that the very terror and reputation of my Lord of Essex person was such as did daunt him and make him stoope to seeke a parley and this was the end he shot at in that September iourney being a mere abuse and brâ—â—â—ry and but inducements onely to the Treaty which was the onely matter he intended For Essex drawing now towards the Catastrophe or last part of that Tragedy for which he came vpon the Stage in Ireland his Treasons grew to a further ripenesse For knowing how vnfit it was for him to communicate with any English euen of those whom hee trusted most and meant to vse in other Treasons That he had an intention to growe to an agreement with Tyrone to haue succors from him for the vsurping vpon the State here not because it was more dangerous then the rest of his treasons but because it was more odious and in a kind monstrous that hee should conspire with such a Rebell against whom he was sent and therfore might aduenture to alienate mens affections from him he draue it to this that there might bee and so there was vnder colour of treaty an interuiew priuate conference betweene Tyrone and himselfe onely no third person admitted A strange course considering with whom he dealt and especially considering what message Knowde had brought which should haue made him rather call witnesses to him then auoid witnesses But he being only true to his own ends easily dispensed with all such considerations Nay there was such carefull order taken that no person should ouerheare one worde that passed betweene them two as because the place appointed and vsed for the parley was such as there was the depth of a brooke betweene them which made them speake some lowdnesse therewere certaine horsemen appointed by order from Essex to keepe all men off a great distance from the place It is true that the secrecie of that parley as it gaue to him the more liberty of Treason so it may giue any man the more libertie of surmize what was then handled between them inasmuch as nothing can bee knowen but by report from one of them two either Essex or Tyrone But although there were no proceeding against Essex vpon these treasons and that it were a needlesse thing to load more treasons vpon him then whose burthen was so great after yet for trueths sake it is fit the world know what is testified touching the speaches letters and reports of Tyrone immediatly following this conference obserue also what ensued likewise in the desseignes of Essex himselfe On Tyrones part it fell out that the very day after that Essex came to the court of England Tyrone hauing conference with Sir William Warren at Armagh by way of discourse told him and bound it with an oath and iterated it two or three seuerall times That within two or three moneths he should see the greatest alterations and strangest that euer hee sawe in his life or could imagine and that bee the said Tyrone hoped ere long to haue a good share in England With this concurred fully the report of Richard Bremingham a gentleman of the Pale hauing made his repaire about the same time to Tyrone to right him in a cause of land sauing that Bremingham deliuers the like speach of Tyrone to himselfe but not what Tyrone hoped but what Tyrone had promised in these words That hee had promised it may bee thought to whom ere long to shew his face in England little to the good of England These generalities comming immediatly from the report of Tyrone himselfe are drawen to more particularitie in a conference had betweene the Lord Fitz Morrice Baron of Liksnawe in Munster and one Thomas Wood a person wel reputed of immediatly after Essex comming into England In which conference Fitz Morrice declared vnto Wood that Tyrone had written to the traiterous titularie Earle of Desmond to informe him that the Condition of that Contract betweene Tyrone and Essex was That Essex should be king of England And that Tyrone
should holde of him the honour and state of Viceroy of Ireland And that the proportion of souldiers which Tyrone should bring or send to Essex were 8000 Irish. With which concurreth fully the testimony of the said Iames Knowde who being in credit with Oâ—â—â—â— Mac Roory chiefe of the Omoores in Lemster was vsed as a Secretarie for him in the writing of a letter to Tyrone immediatly after Essex comming into England The effect of which letter was To vnderstand some light of the secret agreement betweene the Earle of Essex and Tyrone that he the said Owny might frame his course accordingly Which letter with further instructions to the same effect was in the presence of Knowde deliuered to Turlagh Macdauy a man of trust with Owny who brought an answer from Tyrone The coÌ„tents whereof were That the Earle of Essex had agreed to take his part and that they should ayd him towards the conquest of England Besides very certaine it is testified by diuers credible persons that immediatly vpon this parley there did flie abroad as sparckles of this fire which it did not concern Tyrone so much to keep secret as it did Essex a generall and receiued opinion that went vp and down in the mouthes both of the better and meaner sort of Rebels That the Earle of Essex was theirs and they his and that hee would neuer leaue the one sword meaning that of Ireland till he had gotten the other in England and that he would bring them to serue where they should haue other maner of booties then cowes and the like speaches And Thomas Lee himselfe who had bene as was before declared with Tyrone two or three dayes vpon my Lords sending and had sounded him hath left it confessed vnder his hand That he knew the Earle of Essex and Tyrone to be one and to runne the same courses And certaine it is also that immediatly vpon that parley Tyrone grewe into a strange and vnwoonted pride and appointed his progresses and visitations to receiue congratulations and homages from his confederates and behaued himselfe in all things as one that had some new spirite of hope and courage put into him But on the Earle of Essex his part insued immediatly after this parley a strange motion and proiect which though no doubt hee had harbored in his brest before yet for any thing yet appeareth he did not vtter and breake with any in it before he had bene confirmed and fortified in his purpose by the combination and correspondence which hee found in Tyrone vpon their conference Neither is this a matter gathered out of reports but confessed directly by two of his principall friendes and associats being witnesses vpon their owne knowledge of that which was spoken to themselues The substance of which confessions is this That a litle before my Lords comming ouer into England at the castle of Dublin where Sir Christopher Blunt lay hurt hauing bene lately remooued thither from Reban a castle of Thomas Lees and placed in a lodging that had bene my Lord of Southamptons the Earle of Essex tooke the Earle of Southampton with him to visit Blunt and there being none present but they three my Lord of Essex told them he found it now necessary for him to go into England and would aduise with them of the manner of his going since to goe he was resolued And thereupon propounded vnto them that he thought it fit a cary with him of the army in Ireland as much as hee could conueniently transport at least the choise of it to the number of two or three thousand to secure and make good his first deseent on shore purposing to land them at Milford hauen in Wales or thereabouts not doubting but that his army would so increase within a small time by such as would come in to him as hee should be able to march with his power to London and make his own conditions as he thought good But both Southampton and Blunt disswaded him from this enterprise Blunt alledging the hazard of it that it would make him odious and Southampt on vtterly disliking of that course vpon the same and many other reasons Howbe it thereupon Blunt aduised him rather to another course which was to draw forth of the Army some 200. resolute gentlemen with those to come ouer so to make sure of the Court and so to make his owne conditions Which Confessions it is not amisse to deliuer by what a good prouidence of God they came to light for they could not bee vsed at Essex arraignement to charge him because they were vttered after his death But Sir Christopher Blunt at his arraignment being charged that the Earle of Essex had set it downe vnder his hand that he had bene a principall Instigator of him to his treasons in passion brake forth into these speeches That then he must be forced to disclose what further matters he had held my Lord from and desired for that purpose because the present proceeding should not be interrupted to speake with the Lord Admirall and M. Secretarie after his arraignment and so fell most naturally and most voluntarily into this his confession which if it had beene thought fit to haue required of him at that time publikely he had deliuered before his conuiction And the same confession he did after at the time of his executioÌ„ constantly and fully confirme discourse particularly and take vppon his death where neuer any man shewed lesse feare nor a greater resolution to die And the same mattter so by him confessed was likewise confessed with the same circumstances of time and place by Southampton being seuerally examined thereupon So as nowe the worlde may see how long since my Lord put off his vizard and disclosed the secrets of his heart to two of his most confident friends falling vpon that vnnaturall and detestable treason whereunto all his former Actions in his gouernement in Ireland and God knowes howe long before were but Introductions But finding that these two persons which of all the rest hee thought to haue found forwardest Southampton whose displacing hee had made his owne discontentment hauing placed him no question to that ende to find cause of discontentment and Blunt a man so enterprizing and prodigal of his owne life as himselfe termed himselfe at the Barre did not applaud to this his purpose and thereby doubting how coldly he should find others minded that were not so neere to him And therefore condescending to Blunts aduise to surprize the Court hee did pursue that plot accordingly and came ouer with a selected companie of Captaines and voluntaries and such as hee thought were most affectionate vnto himselfe and most resolute though not knowing of his purpose So as euen at that time euery man noted and wondred what the matter should be that my Lord tooke his most particular friends and followers from their companies which were countenance and meanes vnto them to bring them ouer
and leuying warre and the like The Euidence consisted of two parts The plot of surprising her MAIESTIES Person in Court and The open Rebellion in the Citie The plot was opened according to the former narration and proued by the seuerall confessions of foure witnesses fully and directly concurring in the point Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies and Sir Ferdinando Gorge Of which number though Sir Christopher Blunt were not at the Councell helde at Drury house no more then Essex himselfe was yet hee was priuie to that which passed Sir Ferdinando Gorge being prisoner in the Gatehouse neere the place of triall was at the request of the Earle of Essex brought thither and auouched Viua voce his confession in all things And these foure prooued all particularities of surprizing the Court and the maner of putting the same in execution and the distributing and naming of the principall persons and actors to their seuerall charges and the calling of my Lords pretended enemies to trial for their liues and the fummoning of a Parliament and the altering of the gouernement And Sir Christopher Blunt and Sir Iohn Dauies from Sir Christopher Blunt did speake to the point of bringing in a toleration of the Catholike religion For the ouert Rebellion in the Citie it selfe it was likewise opened according to the former narration and diuided it selfe naturally into 3. parts First the imprisonment of the Counsellours bringing her Maiesties Royall commaundement to them vpon their allegeance to disperse their Forces Secondly the entring the Citie and the stirring of the people to rise as well by prouoking them to arme as by giuing forth the slanders that the Realme was solde to the Spaniard and the assailing of the QVEENES Forces at Ludgate And thirdly the resistance and keeping of the house against her MAIESTIES Forces vnder the charge and conduct of the Lord Lieutenant And albeit these parts were matters notorious and within almost euery mans viewe and knowledge yet for the better satisfaction of the Peeres they were fully prooued by the oath of the Lord Chiefe Iustice of England being there present Viua voce and the Declaration of the Earle of Worcester being one of the Peeres likewise Viua voce touching so much as passed about the imprisonment of themselues and the rest and by the confessions of the Earle of Rutland the Lorde Sands the Lord Cromwell and others The defence of the late Earle of Essex touching the plot consultation at Drury house was That it was not proued that he was at it And that they could shew nothing prouing his cōsent or priuity vnder his hād Touching the action in the Citie hee iustified the pretext of the danger of his life to be a trueth He said that his speech that the Realme should haue bene sold to the Infanta of Spaine was grounded vpō a report he had heard that Sir Robert Cecill should say priuately That the Infantaes title to the Crowne after her Maiestie was as good as any other He excused the imprisonment of the Counsellors to haue bene against his mind forced vpon him by his vnruly company He protested he neuer intended in his heart any hurt to her Maiesties person That he did desire to secure his accesse to her for which purpose he thought to pray the helpe of the Citie and that he did not arme his men in warlike sort nor strooke vp no Drumme nor the like The defence of the late Earle of Southampton to his part in the plot and consultation at Drury house was That it was a matter debated but not resolued nor concluded and that the action which was executed was not the action which was consulted vpon And for the open action in the citie hee concurred with Essex with protestation of the cleerenesse of his minde for any hurt to the Queenes person And that it was but his affection to my Lord of Essex that had drawen him into the cause This was the substance best of both their defences Vnto which the Reply was DEFENCE To the point that the late Earle of Essex was not at the consultation at Drury-house REPLY It was replied that it was proued by all the witnesses that that consultation was held by his speciall appointment and direction and that both the list of the names and the principall Articles were of his owne hand writing And whereas he saide they could not be shewed extant vnder his hand it was prooued by the confession of my Lorde of Rutland and the Lord Sands that he had prouided for that himselfe For after he returned out of the Citie to his owne house he burned diuers papers which he had in a Cabanet because as himselfe said they should tell no tales DEFENCE To the point which Southampton alleaged That the Consultation at Drury house vpon the list and articles in writing was not executed REPLY It was replied that both that Consultation in that manner held if none other act had followed was treason And that the Rebellion following in the citie was not a desisting from the other plot but an inducement and pursuance of it their meaning being plaine on all parts that after they had gotten the aide of the citie they would haue gone and possessed the Court. DEFENCE To the point that it was a truth that Essex should haue bene assailed by his priuate enemies REPLY First he was required to deliuer who it was that gaue him the aduertisement of it because otherwise it must light vpon himselfe be thought his owne inuention whereunto he sayd that hee would name no man that day Then it was shewed how improbable it was considering that my Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Raleigh were men whose estates were better setled and established then to ouerthrow their fortunes by such a crime Besides it was shewed howe the tale did not hang together but varied in it selfe as the tale of the two Iudges did when one said Vnder the Mulbery-tree and another said Vnder the Figge-tree So sometimes it was That he should haue beene murdered in his bed and sometimes vpon the water and sometimes it should haue bene performed by Iesuits some dayes before Thirdly it was asked what reference the going into the citie for succour against any his priuate enemies had to the imprisoning of the L. Keeper and the L. Chiefe Iustice persons that he pretended to loue and respect and the Earle of Worcester his kinsman and Master Controller his Vncle and the publishing to the people that the Realme should haue bene solde to the Spaniard And lastly it was sayd that these were the ancient footsteps of former Traitours to make their quarrell as against their priuate enemies because God vnto lawful kings did euer impart such beams of his owne glory as Traytours could not looke straight vpon them but euer turned their pretences against some about them And that this Action of his resembled the Action of Pisistratus of Athens that proceeded so farre in this kinde of fiction
Rutland and others that he cried out to the citizens That they did him hurt and no good to come without weapons and prouoked them to arme and finding they would not be mooued to arme with him sought to arme his owne troupes This point by point was the effect of the Reply Vpon all which Euidence both the Earles were found guiltie of Treason by all the seuerall voyces of euery one of the Peeres and so receiued iudgement The names of the Peeres that passed vpon the triall of the two Earles  EARLES  BARONS The Earle of Oxford Shrewesburie Durbie Cumberland VVorcester Sussex Hartford Lincolne Notingham The Lord De la VVare Morley Cobham Stafford Gray Lumley VVindsore Rich. Darcy de Chichey Chandoys Hunsdon S. Iohn de Bletso Compton Burghley Howard of VValder Vicount Bindon The names of the Iudges that assisted the Court. The Lord chiefe Iustice. The L. chiefe Iustice of the Common Plees The Lord chiefe Baron Iustice Gawdie Iustice Fenner Iustice VValmesley Baron Clerke Iustice Kingsmill SOME PARTICVLARITIES of that which passed after the arreignment of the late Earles and at the time of the suffering of the Earle of Essex BVt the Earle of Essex finding that the consultation at Drurie house and the secret plots of his premeditated and prepenced treasons were come to light contrary to his expectation was touched euen at his parting from the Barre with a kinde of remorse especially because he had caried the maner of his answere rather in a spirit of ostentation and glory then with humilitie and penitence and brake out in the Hall while the Lords were in conference into these wordes That seeing things were thus caried he would ere it be long say more then yet was knowen Which good motion of his minde being after his comming backe to the Tower first cherished by M. D. of Norwich but after wrought on by the religious and effectuall perswasions and exhortations of M. Abdie Ashton his Chaplaine the man whom he made sute by name to haue with him for his soules health as one that of late time he had bene most vsed vnto and found most comfort of comparing it when he made the request to the case of a Patient that in his extremity would be desirous to haue that Physician that was best acquainted with his body He sent word the next day to desire to speake with some of the principall Councellours with whom he desired also that particularly M. Secretary might come for one Vpon which his request first the L. Admirall and M. Secretary and afterward at two seuerall times the Lord Keeper of the great Seale the Lord high Treasurer the L. high Admirall and Master Secretary repaired vnto him before whom after he had asked the Lord Keeper forgiuenesse for restraining him in his house and M. Secretary for hauing wronged him at the Barre concerning the matter of the Infanta with signification of his earnest desire to be reconciled to them which was accepted with all Christian charitie and humanitie he proceeded to accuse heauily most of his confederates for carying malicious mindes to the State and vehemently charged Cuffe his man to his own face to haue bene a principall instigator of him in his Treasons and then disclosed how farre sir Henry Neuill her Maiesties late Ambassador was priuy to all the Conspiracie of whose name till then there had bene not so much as any suspition And further at the Lords first comming to him not sticking to confesse that hee knewe her Maiestie could not be safe while he liued did very earnestly desire this fauour of the Queene that he might die as priuately as might be And the Morning before his execution there being sent vnto him for his better preparation Master Doctor Mountford and Master Doctor Barlowe to ioyne with Master Abdie Ashton his Chapleine he did in many words thanke God that hee had giuen him a deeper insight into his offence being sorie he had so stood vpon his iustification at his Arraignement since which time he sayd he was become a new man and heartily thanked God also that his Course was by Gods prouidence preuented For if his proiect had taken effect God knoweth sayd he what harme it had wrought in the Realme He did also humbly thanke her Maiestie that he should die in so priuate maner for hee suffered in the Towre yard and not vpon the Hill by his owne special sute lest the acclamation of the people for those were his own words might be a temptation to him adding That al popularitie trust in man was vaine the experience whereof himselfe had felt and acknowledged further vnto them that he was iustly and worthily spewed out for that was also his owne word of the Realme and that the nature of his offence was like a leprosie that had infected farre and neere And so likewise at the publique place of his suffering he did vse vehement detestation of his offence desiring God to forgiue him his great his bloody his crying and his infectious sinne and so died very penitently but yet with great conflict as it should seeme for his sins For hee neuer mentioned nor remembred there wife children or friend nor tooke particular leaue of any that were present but wholy abstracted and sequestred himselfe to the state of his conscience and prayer THE EFFECT OF THAT which passed at the Arraignements of Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies Sir Gillie Mericke and Henry Cuffe THE 5. of March by a very honorable Commission of Oier and Determiner directed to the Lord high Admiral the Lord Chamberlaine Master Secretary the Lord chiefe Iustice of England Master Chancellour of the Exchequer Master Secretary Herbert with diuers of the Iudges the Commissioners sitting in the Court of the Queenes Bench there were arraigned and tried by a Iury both of Aldermen of London and other Gentlemen of good credit and sort Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies Sir Gillie Mericke Henry Cuffe The three first whereof before they pleaded asked this question of the Iudges Whether they might not confesse the Inditemēt in part plead Not guilty to it in the other part But being resolued by the Iudges that their pleading must be generall they pleaded Not guilty as did likewise the other two without any such question asked The reason of that question was as they confessed in respect of the clause laid in the Inditement That they intended and compassed the death and destruction of the Queenes Maiestie vnto whose person although they confessed at the barre as they had done in their examinations that their meaning was to come to her in such strength as they should not be resisted and to require of her diuers conditions and alterations of gouernment such as in their confessions are expressed neuerthelesse they protested they intended no personall harme to hirselfe Whereupon as at the arraignment of the two Earles so then againe the Iudges deliuered the rule of the Law
house and tooke vpon him charge to keepe it and make it good as a place of Retraict for those which issued into the Citie and fortifying and barriccadoing the same house and making prouision of Muskets Powder Pellets and other munition and weapons for the holding and defending of it and as a busie forward and noted Actor in that defence and resistance which was made against the Queenes forces brought against it by her Maiesties Lieutenant And further to prooue him priuie to the plot it was giuen in Euidence that some fewe dayes before the Rebellion with great heat and violence hee had displaced certaine Gentlemen lodged in an house fast by Essex house and there planted diuers of my Lords followers and Complices all such as went foorth with him in the Action of Rebellion That the afternoone before the Rebellion Merricke with a great company of others that afterwards were all in the Action had procured to bee played before them the Play of deposing King Richard the second Neither was it casuall but a Play bespoken by Merrick And not so onely but when it was told him by one of the Players that the Play was olde and they should haue losse in playing it because fewe would come to it there was fourty shillings extraordinarie giuen to play it and so thereupon playd it was So earnest hee was to satisfie his eyes with the sight of that Tragedie which hee thought soone after his Lord should bring from the Stage to the State but that GOD turned it vpon their owne heads ¶ The speaches of Sir Christopher Blunt at his execution are set downe as neere as they could be remembred after the rest of the confessions and euidences HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT HEERE FOLLOW the voluntary Confessions themselues such as were giuen in euidence at both the seuerall arraignments taken forth word for word out of the Originals Whereby it may appeare how God brought matters to light at seuerall times and in seuerall parts all concurring in substance And with them other Declarations and parts of the euidence ¶ The Confession of Thomas Lee taken the 14. of February 1600 before Sir Ioh. Peyton Lieutenant of the Tower Roger Wilbraham Master of the Requests Sir Anthony Saintleger Master of the Rolles in Ireland and Thomas Fleming her Maiesties Solicitour generall THis examinate saith that Tyrone sent a message to this Examinate by Iames Knowd whom this Examinate by the Marshals warrant in writing had sentto Tyrone before himselfe went to Tyrone that if the Erle of Essex would follow his plot he would make him the greatest man that euer was in England and that when Essex and Tyrone should haue conference together for his assurance vnto the Earle of Essex Tyrone would deliuer his eldest sonne in pledge to the Earle And with this message this Examinate made the Earle of Essex acquainted before his comming to this Examinats house at that time when this Examinate was sent to Tyrone This Examinate sayeth he knew that Essex Tyrone and the Marshall Sir Christopher Blunt were all one and held all one course Thomas Lee. Exam. per Ioh. Peyton Roger VVilbraham Anthony Saintleger Thomas Fleming ¶ The Declaration of Sir William VVarren 3. Octobris 1599. THe said Sir William came to Armagh the last Friday being the 28. of September from thence hee sent a messenger in the night to Tyrone to Dungannon signifying his comming to Armagh as aforesaid and that the next morning hee would meete Tyrone at the Fort of Blackwater where accordingly the said Tyrone met with him and after other speeches by further discourse the said Tyrone told the saide Sir William and deliuered it with an oath that within these two moneths hee should see the greatest alteration and the strangest that hee the saide Sir William could imagine or euer saw in his life and said that he hoped before it were long that he the said Tyrone should haue a good share in England Which speeches of the alteration Tyrone reiterated two or three seuerall times William Warren Certified from the Councell of Ireland to the Lords of the Councell here ¶ The declaration of Thomas Wood 20. Ianuarij 1599. taken before the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Ro. Cecill principal Secretary and Sir I. Fortescue Chancellour of the Exchequer THe said Wood saith that happening to be with the L. Eitzmorris Baron of Licksnaw at his house of Licksnaw betweene Michaelmas and Alhallowtide last the saide Baron walking abroad with the saide Wood asked of him what force the Earle of Essex was of in England Hee answered he could not tell but said he was well beloued of the Comminaltie Then said the Baron that the Earle was gone for England and had discharged many of the Companies of Ireland and that it was agreed that he should be King of England and Onele to be Viceroy of Ireland and whensoeuer hee should haue occasion and would sende for them Onele should sende him 8000. men out of Ireland The said Wood asked the Baron how he knew that He answered that the Earle of Desmond had written to him so much Thomas Wood. Confessed in the presence of Tho. Buckhurst Notingham Rob. Cecill Io. Fortescue ¶ The Confession of Iames Knowd taken the 16. of February 1600. before Sir Anth. Saintleger Master of the Roules in Ireland and Roger Wilbraham Master of the Requests OWney mac Rory hauing secret intelligence of the friendship betweene the Earle of Essex and Tyrone wrote to Tyrone desiring him to certifie him thereof whereby he might frame his course accordingly and not doe any thing contrary to their agreement which letter my selfe did write by Owneys appointment for then I was in credite with him In which letter he also desired Tyrone to send him some munition The letter with instructions to that effect was in my presence deliuered to one Turlagh mac Dauie o Kelly a man of secrecy sufficiencie and trust with Owney and he caried it to Tyrone Before whose returne Owney grew suspicious of me because I sometimes belonged to M. Bowen and therfore they would not trust me so as I could not see the answere but yet I heard by many of their secret counsell that the effect thereof was That the Earle of Essex should be king of England and Tyrone of Ireland Afterwards I met with Turlagh mac Dauie the messenger aforesayd and asked him whether hee brought an answere of the letter from Tyrone He sayd he did and deliuered it to Owney And then I asked him what he thought of the warres He told me he had good hope the last yeere and had none this yere his reason was as he said that the Earle of Essex was to take their part and they should aid him towards the conquest of England and nowe they were hindred thereof by meanes of his apprehension I dwelling with the Tanist of the Countrey my mothers cousin germain heard him