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
But his purpose as in part was touched before was this that if he held his greatnesse in Court and were not committed which in regard of the miserable and deplored estate he left Ireland in whereby he thought the opinion here would be that his seruice could not be spared he made full account he should not be then at the first opportunitie he would execute the surprize of her Maiesties person And if he were committed to the Tower or to prison for his contempts for besides his other contempts hee came ouer expresly against the Queenes prohibition vnder her Signet it might be the care of some of his principall friends by the helpe of that choise and resolute company which he brought ouer to rescue him But the pretext of his comming ouer was by the efficacie of his owne presence and perswasion to haue moued and drawen her Maiestie to accept of such conditions of peace as hee had treated of with Tyrone in his priuate conference which was indeed somwhat needfull the principall Article of them being That there should be a generall restitution of Rebels in Ireland to all their lands possessions that they could pretend any right to before their going out into Rebellion without reseruation of such lands as were by Act of Parliament passed to the Crowne and so planted with English both in the time of Q. Mary and since and without difference either of time of their going forth or nature of their offence or other circumstance tending in effect to this That all the Queenes good subiects in most of the Prouinces should haue beene displanted and the Countrey abandoned to the Rebels When this man was come ouer his heart thus fraughted with Treasons and presented himselfe to her Maiestie it pleased God in his singular prouidence ouer her Maiestie to guide and hem in her proceeding towards him in a narrow way of safetie betweene two perils For neither did her Maiestie leaue him at libertie whereby he might haue commodity to execute his purpose nor restraine him in any such nature as might signifie or betoken matter of despaire of his returne to Court and fauour And so the meanes of present mischiefe being taken away and the humours not stirred this matter fell asleepe and the threed of his purposes was cut off For comming ouer about the end of September and not denied accesse and conference with her Maiesty and then being commanded to his chamber at Court for some dayes and from thence to the Lord Keepers house it was conceiued that these were no ill signes At my Lord Keepers house he remained till some fewe dayes before Easter and then was remooued to his owne house vnder the custody of Sir Richard Barkley and in that sort continued till the end of Trinity Terme following For her Maiestie all this while looking into his faults with the eye of her princely fauour and loth to take aduantage of his great offences in other nature then as contempts resolued so to proceed against him as might to vse her Maiesties owne words tend ad correctionem non ad ruinam Neuerthelesse afterwards about the ende of Trinitie Terme following for the better satisfaction of the world and to represse seditious bruits and libels which were dispersed in his iustification and to obserue a forme of iustice before hee should be set at full libertie her Maiestie was pleased to direct that there should be associate vnto her Priuie Councell some chosen persons of her Nobility and of her Iudges of the law and before them his cause concerning the breaking of his instructions for the Northerne prosecution and the manner of his treating with Tyrone and his comming ouer and leauing the kingdome of Ireland contrary to her Maiesties commandement expressed as wel by signification thereof made vnder her Royall hand and Signet as by a most binding and effectual letter written priuately to himselfe to receiue a hearing with limitation neuertheles that hee should not bee charged with any point of disloialty and with like fauour directed that he should not be called in question in the open and ordinary place of offendours in the Starre Chamber from which hee had likewise by a most penitent and humble letter desired to be spared as that which would haue wounded him for euer as he affirmed but in a more priuate manner at my Lord Keepers house Neither was the effect of the sentence that there passed against him any more then a suspension of the exercise of some of his places At which time also Essex that could varie himselfe into all shapes for a time infinitely desirous as by the sequele now appeareth to be at liberty to practise reuiue his former purposes and hoping to set into them with better strength then euer bicause he conceiued the peoples hearts were kindled to him by his troubles and that they had made great demōstrations of asmuch he did transforme himselfe into such a strange deiected humility as if he had bene no man of this world with passionate protestations that he called God to witnes that he had made an vtter diuorce with the world and he desired her Maiesties fauour not for any worldly respect but for a preparatiue for a Nunc dimittis And that the teares of his heart had quenched in him all humors of ambition All this to make her Maiesty secure and to lull the world asleepe that hee was not a man to be held any wayes dangerous Not many dayes after Sir Richard Barkley his keeper was remoued from him and he set at libertie with this admonition only That hee should not take himselfe to be altogether discharged though he were left to the guard of none but his owne discretion But he felt himselfe no sooner vpon the wings of his libertie but notwithstanding his former shewes of a mortified estate of minde he began to practise afresh as busily as euer reuiuing his former resolution which was the surprizing and possessing the Queenes person and the Court. And that it may appeare how early after his libertie he set his engines on worke hauing long before entertained into his seruice and during his gouernment in Ireland drawne neere vnto him in the place of his chiefe Secretary one Henry Cuffe a base fellow by birth but a great scholler and indeede a notable Traytor by the booke being otherwise of a turbulent and mutinous spirit against all superiours This fellow in the beginning of August which was not a moneth after Essex libertie granted fell of practising with Sir Henry Neuill that serued her Maiestie as Ligier Ambassadour with the French King and then newly come ouer into England from Bulleyn abusing him with a false lie and meere inuention that his seruice was blamed and misliked and that the imputation of the breach of the treaty of Peace held at Bulleyn was like to light vpon him when there was no colour of any such matter onely to distaste him of others and fasten him to my Lord though
and dissimulation as he launced his owne bodie and came hurt and wounded before the people as hauing bene assailed by his priuate enemies and by colour thereof obteined a guard about his person by helpe of whom he after vsurped vpon the State DEFENCE To the point that he heard it reported M. Secretary should say That the Infantaes title to the Crowne after her Maiesty was as good as any other REPLY Vpon this his allegation M. Secretary standing out of sight in a priuate place onely to heare being much moued with so false and foule an accusation came suddenly forth and made humble request to the Lord Steward that hee might haue the fauour to answere for himselfe Which being granted him in respect of the place he carieth after a bitter contestation on his part with the Earle and a serious protestation of his alienation of heart from the Spanish nation in any such condition he still vrged the Earle to name the reporter that all the circumstances might be knowen But the Earle still warily auoiding it M. Secretary replied that seeing he would alledge no Author it ought to be reputed his owne fiction Whereupon the Earle of Essex said though his owne conscience was a sufficient testimony to himselfe that he had not inuented any vntruth yet hee would affirme thus much for the worlds farther satisfaction in that behalfe that the Earle of Southampton also had heard so much reported of M. Secretary but sayd still that he for his part would name no body Wherupon M. Secretary adiured the Earle of Southampton by all former friendship which had beene in deed very great betweene them that he would declare the person which he did presently and sayd it was M. Comptroller At which speech M. Secretary straight tooke holde and said That he was glad to heare him named of all others for howsoeuer some malicious person might peraduenture haue bene content to giue credit to so iniurious a conceit of him especially such as were against the peace wherein hee was imployed and for which the Earle of Essex had euer hated him being euer desirous to keepe an army on his owne dependency yet he did thinke no man of any vnderstanding would beleeue that he could be so sencelesse as to picke out the Earle of Essex his vncle to lay open to him his affection to that nation in a matter of so odious pernicious consequence And so did very humbly craue it at the hands of the Lord Steward and all the Peeres that M. Comptroller might bee sent for to make good his accusation Thereupon the Lord Steward sent a Seriant at Armes for M. Comptroller who presently came thither and did freely and sincerely deliuer that he had only said though hee knew not wel to whom that M. Secretary and he walking in the garden at Court one morning about two yeeres since and talking casually of forreine things M. Secretary told him that one Doleman had mainteined in a booke not long since printed that the Infanta of Spaine had a good title to the Crowne of England which was all as M. Comptroller said that euer he heard M. Secretary speake of that matter And so the weake foundation of that scandall being quickly discerned that matter ended all that could bee proued being no other then that M. Comptroller had told an other who had after told the Earle of Essex that M. Secretary sayde to him that such a booke saide so which euery man could say that hath read it and no man better knewe then the Earle himselfe to whom it was dedicated DEFENCE To the point of both their protestations That they intended no hurt to her Maiesties person REPLY First the Iudges deliuered their opinions for matter in Law vpon two points The one That in case where a subiect attempteth to put himselfe into such strength as the King shall not be able to resist him and to force and compell the King to gouerne otherwise then according to his owne Royall authoritie and direction it is manifest Rebellion The other That in euery Rebellion the lawe intendeth as a consequent the compassing the death and depriuation of the King as foreseeing that the Rebell wil neuer suffer that King to liue or raigne which might punish or take reuenge of his Treason and Rebellion And it was inforced by the Queenes Councell that this is not onely the wisedome of the lawes of the Realme which so defineth of it but it is also the censure of forein lawes the conclusion of common reason which is the ground of all lawes and the demonstratiue assertion of experience which is the warranty of all reason For first the Ciuile law maketh this iudgement That Treason is nothing els but Crimen laesae maiestatis or Diminutae maiestatis making euery offence which abridgeth or hurteth the power and authoritie of the Prince as an insult or inuading of the Crowne and extorting the imperiall Scepter And for common reason it is not possible that a subiect should once come to that height as to giue law to his Soueraigne but what with insolency of the change and what with terror of his owne guiltinesse he will neuer permit the King if he can chuse to recouer authoritie nor for doubt of that to continue aliue And lastly for experience it is confirmed by all stories and examples That the subiect neuer obteined a superioritie and command ouer the King but there followed soone after the deposing and putting of the King to death as appeareth in our owne Chronicles in two notable particulars of two vnfortunate Kings the one of Edward the second who when he kept himselfe close for danger was summoned by Proclamation to come and take vpon him the gouernment of the Realme but as soone as he presented himselfe was made prisoner and soone after forced to resigne and in the ende tragically murdered in Barkley Castle And the other of King Richard the second who though the Duke of Hertford after King Henrie the fourth presented himselfe before him with three humble reuerences yet in the ende was deposed and put to death DEFENCE To the point of not arming his men otherwise then with Pistols Rapiers and Daggers it was replied REPLY That that course was held vpon cunning the better to insinuate himselfe into the fauour of the city as comming like a friend with an All haile or kisse and not as an enemie making full reckoning that the City would arme him and arme with him and that he tooke the paterne of his Action from the day of the Barricadoes at Paris where the Duke of Gwyse entring the citie but with eight Gentlemen preuailing with the citie of Paris to take his part as my Lord of Essex thankes be to God failed of the Citie of London made the King whom he thought likewise to haue surprized to forsake the towne and withdraw himselfe into other places for his further safety And it was also vrged against him out of the confession of the Earle of
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
Earle of Essex that if he would not declare his griefes openly yet that then hee would impart them priuately and then they doubted not to giue him or procure him satisfaction Vpon this there arose a great clamor among the multitude Away my Lord they abuse you they betray you they vndoe you you lose time Whereupon my L. Keeper put on his hat and said with a louder voyce then before My Lord let vs speake with you priuately and vnderstand your griefes and I doe commaund you all vpon your allegiance to lay downe your weapons and to depart Vppon which wordes the Earle of Essex and all the rest as disdaining commandement put on their hats and Essex somewhat abruptly went from him into the house and the Counsellors followed him thinking hee would haue priuate conference with them as was required And as they passed through the seuerall roomes they might heare many of the disordered companie crie Kill them kill them and others crying Nay but shoppe them vp keepe them as pledges cast the great Seale out at the windowe and other such audacious and traiterous speeches But Essex tooke holde of the occasion and aduantage to keepe in deed such pledges if he were distressed and to haue the countenance to leade them with him to the Court especially the two great Magistrates of Iustice and the great Seale of England if he preuailed and to depriue her Maiestie of the vse of their counsell in such a strait and to ingage his followers in the very beginning by such a capitall act as the imprisonment of Counsellors carying her Maiesties royall commaundement for the suppressing of a rebellious force And after that they were come vp into his booke chamber hee gaue order they should bee kept fast giuing the charge of their custodie principally to Sir Iohn Dauis but adioyned vnto him a warder one Owen Salisburie one of the most sedicious and wicked persons of the number hauing beene a notorious robber and one that serued the enemie vnder Sir William Stanley and that bare a speciall spleene vnto my Lord Chiefe Iustice who garded these honourable persons with Muskets charged and Matches ready fiered at the chamber doore This done the Earle notwithstanding my Lord Keeper still required to speake with him left the charge of his house with Sir Gilly Mericke and vsing these words to my Lord Keeper Haue patience for a while I will goe take order with the Maior and Sherifes for the Citie and be with you againe within halfe an houre issued with his troupe into London to the number of two hundreth besides those that remained in the house choise men for hardinesse and valour vnto whom some Gentlemen and one Noble man did after ioyne themselues But from the time he went forth it seemes God did strike him with the spirit of Amazement and brought him round againe to the place whence he first moued For after he had once by Ludgate entred into the Citie he neuer had as much as the heart or assurance to speake any set or confident speech to the people but repeated onely ouer and ouer his tale as he passed by That he should haue bene murthered nor to doe any act of foresight or courage but he that had vowed hee would neuer bee cooped vp more cooped himselfe first within the wals of the Citie and after within the wals of an house as arrested by Gods Iustice as an example of disloyaltie For passing through Cheapeside and so towards Smiths house and finding though some came about him yet none ioyned or armed with him he prouoked them by speeches as he passed to arme telling them They did him hurt and no good to come about him with no weapons But there was not in so populous a Citie where he thought himselfe held so deare one man from the chiefest Citizen to the meanest Artificer or Prentise that armed with him so as being extremely appalled as diuers that happened to see him then might visibly perceiue in his face and countenance and almost moulten with sweate though without any cause of bodily labour but only by the perplexitie and horror of his minde hee came to Smiths house the Sherife where he refreshed himselfe a little and shifted him But the meane while it pleased God that her Maiesties directions at Court though in a case so strange and sudden were iudiciall and sound For first there was commaundement in the morning giuen vnto the Citie that euery man should be in a readinesse both in person and armor but yet to keepe within his owne doore and to expect commandement vpon a reasonable politique consideration that had they armed suddenly in the streetes if there were any ill disposed persons they might arme on the one side and turn on the other or at least if armed men had bene seene to and fro it would haue bred a greater tumult and more bloodshed and the nakednesse of Essex troupe would not haue so well appeared And soone after direction was giuen that the Lord Burghley taking with him the King of Heralds should proclaime him Traitour in the principall parts of the Citie which was perfourmed with good expedition and resolution and the losse and hurt of some of his Companie Besides that the Earle of Cumberland and Sir Thomas Gerrard Knight Marshall rode into the Citie and declared and notified to the people that hee was a Traitour from which time diuers of his troupe withdrawing from him and none other comming in to him there was nothing but despaire For hauing stayed a while as is sayd at Shirife Smiths house and there changing his pretext of a priuate quarell and publishing That the Realme should haue bene solde to the Infanta the better to spurre on the people to rise and called and giuen commandement to haue brought armes and weapons of all sorts and being soone after aduertised of the Proclamation he came forth in a hurry So hauing made some stay in Gracious street and being dismaid vpon knowledge giuen to him that forces were comming forwards against him vnder the conduct of the L. Admirall the Lieutenant of her Maiesties forces and not knowing what course to take he determined in the end to goe backe towards his own house aswel in hope to haue found the Counsellers there and by them to haue serued someturne as vpon trust that towardes night his friends in the City would gather their spirits together and rescue him as himselfe declared after to M. Lieutenant of the Tower But for the Counsellers it had pleased God to make one of the principall offenders his instrument for their deliuery who seeing my Lords case desperate contriuing how to redeeme his fault and saue himselfe came to sir Iohn Dauis and sir Gillie Mericke as sent from my Lord and so procured them to be released But the Earle of Essex with his companie that was left thinking to recouer his house made on by land towards Ludgate where being resisted by a company of
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
Admirall Sir Rob. Cecill principall Secretarie and Iohn Herbert second Secretarie of Estate SIr Iohn Dauies being demaunded how long before my Lord of Essex tumult he knewe of such his purpose He answeres that he knewe not directly of any meaning my Lorde had vntill the Sunday seuen-night before or thereabout Being demaunded what he knew then he answered That my Lord consulted to possesse himselfe of the Court at such conuenient time when he might finde least opposition For executing of which enterprises and of other affaires he appointed my Lord of Southampton sir Charles Dauers sir Ferdinando Gorges and himselfe to meete at Drury house and there to confider of the same and such other proiects as his Lordship deliuered them And principally for surprising of the Court and for the taking of the Tower of London About which businesse they had two meetings which were fiue or sixe dayes before the insurrection He further sayth That Sir Christopher Blunt was not at this consultation but that hee stayed and aduised with my Lord himselfe about other things to him vnknowen For that my Lord trusted seuerall men in seuerall businesses and not all together Being demanded what was resolued in the opinions of these foure before named He saith that sir Charles Dauers was appointed to the Presence chamber and himselfe to the Hall And that my Lord was to determine himselfe who should haue guarded the Court gate and the Water gate And that Sir Charles Dauers vpon a signall or a watch-word should haue come out of the Presence into the Guard chamber And then some out of the Hall to haue met him and so haue stept betweene the Guard and their halberds of which Guard they hoped to haue found but a doozen or some such small number Being asked whether he heard that such as my Lord misliked should haue receiued any violence He saith that my Lord auowed the contrary And that my Lorde said He would call them to an honourable tryall and not vse the sword Being demanded whether my Lord thought his enemies to be Spanish bona fide or no He saith that hee neuer heard any such speech and if my Lord vsed any such it came into his head on the suddaine Being demaunded what party my Lord had in London Hee saieth that the Sheriffe Smith was his hope as he thinketh Being demanded whether my Lord promised libertie of Catholike Religion He sayth that Sir Christopher Blunt did giue hope of it Iohn Dauis Exam. per Notingham Ro. Cecill I. Herbert ¶ The confession of Sir Charles Dauers taken the 18. of February Anno 1600. before Sir Thomas Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham the Lord high Admirall Lord Hunsdon L. Chamberlaine and Sir Robert Cecill principal Secretarie HE confesseth that before Christmas the Earle of Essex had bethought himselfe howe hee might secure his accesse vnto the QVEENE in such sort as hee might not bee resisted but no resolution determinately taken vntill the comming vp of this Examinate a little after Christmas And then he doth confesse that the resolution was taken to possesse himselfe of the Court which resolution was taken agreeable to certaine articles which the Earle of Essex did send to the Earle of Southampton this Examinate Sir Ferdinando Gorge and Sir Iohn Dauies written with the Earles owne hand To which consultation being held at Druric house some foure or fiue dayes before Sunday that was the eighth of February Littleton came in towards the end The points which the Earle of Essex proiected vnder his hand were these First whether it were fit to take the Tower of London The reason whereof was this that after the Court was possessed it was necessary to giue reputation to the Action by hauing such a place to bridle the Citie if there should be any mislike of their possessing the Court. To the possessing of the Court these circumstances were considered First the Earle of Essex should haue assembled all the Noblemen and Gentlemen of qualitie on his party out of which number hee should haue chosen so many as should haue possessed all the places of the Court where there might haue beene any likelihood of resistance Which being done the Earle of Essex with diuers Noblemen should haue presented himselfe to the Queene The maner how it should haue beene executed was in this sort Sir Christopher Blunt should haue had charge of the vtter gate as hee thinketh Sir Charles Dauers this Examinate with his company should haue made good the Presence and should haue seazed vpon the Halberds of the Guard Sir Iohn Dauies should haue taken charge of the Hall All this being set vpon a signall giuen the Earle should haue come into the Court with his company Being asked what they would haue done after Hee saith they would haue sent to haue satisfied the Citie and haue called a Parliament These were the resolutions set downe by the Earle of Essex of his owne hand after diuers consultations He saith Cuffe was euer of opinion that the Earle of Essex should come in this sort to the Court. Charles Dauers Exam. per Th. Egerton C. S. Th. Buckhurst Notingham G. Hunsdon Ro. Cecill The second Confession of Sir Charles Dauers taken the same day and set downe vpon further calling himselfe to remembrance vnder his owne hand before Sir Th. Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Rob. Cecill principall Secretarie SOme points of the Articles which my Lord of Essex sent vnto Drury house as neere as I can remember were these Whether both the Court and the Tower should bee both attempted at one time If both what numbers should bee thought requisite for either If the Court alone what places should be first possessed by what persons And for those which were not to come into the Court before hand where and in what sort they might assemble themselues with least suspition to come in with my Lord Whether it were not fit for my Lord and some of the principall persons to be armed with priuie coates Charles Dauers Knowledged in the presence of Tho. Egerton C. S. T. Buckhurst Notingham Rob. Cecill The first Confession of Sir Christopher Blunt examined the 18. of Februarie 1600. before Io. Herbert second Secretarie of Estate and in the presence of Nich Kempe Counseller at Law William Waâ—marke William Martin Robert Andrewes Citizens Iohn Treuor Surueyor of the Nauy and Thomas Thorney his Surgeon HE confesseth that the Earle of Essex sent Wiseman about the 20. of Ianuarie to visit his wife with letters of complement and to require him to comevp vnto him to London to settle his estate according as he had written vnto him before some few dayes Being demaunded to what ende they went to the Citie to ioyne with such strength as they hoped for there he confesseth it was to secure the Earle of Essex his life against such forces as
Lord Gray and Sir Walter Raleigh Captaine of the Guard called to the Sheriffe and required him not to interrupt him but to suffer him quietly to finish his prayers and confessions Sir Christopher Blunt said Is Sir Walter Raleigh there Those on the scaffold answered Yea. To whom Sir Christopher Blunt spake on this maner Sir Walter Raleigh I thanke God that you are present I had an infinite desire to speake with you to aske you forgiuenes ere I died both for the wrōg done you and for my particular ill intent towards you I beseech you forgiue me Sir Walter Raleigh answered that he most willingly forgaue him and besought God to forgiue him and to giue him his diuine comfort protesting before the Lord that whatsoeuer Sir Christopher Blunt meant towards him for his part he neuer had any ill intent towards him And further saide to Sir Christopher Blunt I pray you without offence let me put you in minde that you haue bene esteemed not only a principall prouoker and perswader of the Earle of Essex in all his vndutifull courses but especially an aduiser in that which hath bene confessed of his purpose to transport a great part of her Maiesties Armie out of Ireland into England to land at Milford and thence to turne it against her sacred person You shall doe well to tell the trueth and to satisfie the world To which he answered thus Sir if you will giue me patience I will deliuer a trueth speaking now my last in the presence of God in whose mercie I trust And then hee directed himselfe to my Lord Gray and my Lord Compton and the rest that sate on horsebacke neere the scaffold When I was brought from Reban to Dublin and lodged in the Castle his Lordship and the Earle of Southampton came to visite me and to be short he began thus plainely with me That hee intended to transport a choise part of the Armie of Ireland into England and land them in Wales at Milford or thereabouts and so securing his descent thereby would gather such other forces as might inable him to march to London To which I protest before the Lord God I made this or the like answere that I would that night consider of it which I did And the next day the Earles came againe I told them that such an enterprise as it was most dangerous so would it cost much blood as I could not like of it besides many hazzards which at this time I cannot remember vnto you neither will the time permit it But I rather aduised him to goe ouer himselfe with a good traine and make sure of the Court and then make his owne conditions And although it be true that as we all protested in our examinations and arraignements we neuer resolued of doing hurt to her Maiesties person for in none of our consultations was there set downe any such purpose yet I know and must confesse if we had failed of our ends we should rather then haue bene disapointed euen haue drawne blood from her selfe Frō henceforward he dealt no more with mee herein vntill he was discharged of his keeper at Essex house And then he againe asked mine aduise and disputed the matter with me but resolued not I went then into the Countrey and before he sent for me which was some tenne daies before his Rebellion I neuer heard more of the matter And then hee wrote vnto mee to come vp vpon pretence of making some assurances of land and the like I will leaue the rest vnto my confessions giuen to that honourable Lord Admirall and worthy M. Secretary to whom I beseech you sir Walter Raleigh commend me I can requite their fauourable charitable dealing with me with nought els but my prayers for them And I beseech God of his mercy to saue and preserue the Queene who hath giuen comfort to my soule in that I heare shee hath forgiuen mee all but the sentence of the Lawe which I most worthily deserued and do most willingly imbrace and hope that GOD will haue mercy and compassion on me who haue offended him as many wayes as euer sinfull wretch did I haue lead a life so farre from his precepts as no sinner more God forgiue it mee and forgiue mee my wicked thoughts my licentious life and this right arme of mine which I feare me hath drawen blood in this last Action And I beseech you all beare witnesse that I die a Catholike yet so as I hope to be saued onely by the death and passion of Christ and by his merits not ascribing any thing to mine owne works And I trust you are all good people and your prayers may profit me Farewell my worthy Lord Gray and my Lord Compton and to you all God send you both to liue long in honour I will desire to say a few prayers and imbrace my death most willingly With that hee turned from the rayle towards the Executioner and the Minister offering to speake with him he came againe to the raile and besought that his conscience might not be troubled for he was resolued which he desired for Gods sake Whereupon commandement was giuen that the Minister should not interrupt him any further After which he prepared himselfe to the blocke and so died very manfully and resolutely ¶ An abstract out of the Earle of Essex Confession vnder his owne hande VPon Saturday the 21. of February after the late Earle of Essex had desired vs to come to him as well to deliuer his knowledge of those treasons which he had formerly denied at the Barre as also to recommend his humble and earnest request that her Maiesty would bee pleased out of her grace and fauour to suffer him to die priuately in the Towre He did marueilous earnestly desire that we would suffer him to speake vnto Cuffe his Secretary Against whome hee vehemently complained vnto vs to haue bene a principall Instigator to these violent courses which he had vndertaken Wherein he protested that he chiefly desired that he might make it appeare that he was not the onely perswader of these great offences which they had committed but that Blunt Cuffe Temple besides those other persons who were at the priuate conspiracie at Drury house to which though these three were not called yet they were priuy had most malicious and bloody purposes to subuert the State and Gouernment Which could not haue bene preuented if his proiect had gone forward This request being graunted him and Cuffe brought before him hee there directly and vehemently charged him And amongst other speaches vsed these words Henry Cuffe call to God for mercy and to the Queene and deserue it by declaring trueth For I that must now prepare for another world haue resolued to deale clearely with God and the world and must needes say this to you You haue bene one of the chiefest instigators of me to all these my disloyall courses into which I haue fallen Testified by Tho. Egerton C. S. Th. Buckhurst Notingham Ro. Cecil