great Seale out of the window Some other cried there Kill them and some other sayd Nay let vs shop them vp The Lorde Keeper did often call to the Earle of Essex to speake with them priuately thinking still that his meaning had beene so vntill the Earle brought them into his backe Chamber and there gaue order to haue the further doore of that Chamber shut fast And at his going foorth out of that Chamber the Lorde Keeper pressing againe to haue spoken with the Earle of Essex the Earle sayd My Lords be patient a while and stay heere and I will goe into London and take order with the Maior and Shiriffes for the Citie and will be heere againe within this halfe houre And so departed from the Lord Keeper c. leauing the Lord Keeper c and diuers of the Gentlemen Pensioners in that Chamber guarded by Sir Iohn Dauis Francis Tresham and Owen Salisburie with musquet shot where they continued vntill Sir Ferdinando Gorges came and deliuered them about foure of the clocke in the afternoone In the meane time wee did often require Sir Iohn Dauis and Francis Tresham to suffer vs to depart or at the least to suffer some one of vs to go to the QVEENES MAIESTY to informe her vvhere and in what sort we were kept But they answered That my Lord meaning the Earle of Essex had commanded that we should not depart before his returne which they said would be very shortly Thomas Egerton C. S. Edward Worcester Iohn Popham ¶ The examination of Roger Earle of Rutland the 12. of February 1600. taken before Sir Thomas Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Robert Cecill Principall Secretary and Sir Io. Popham L. chiefe Iustice of England HE saith that at his comming to Essex house on Sunday morning last he found there with the Earle of Essex the Lord Sandys and the L. Chandos and diuers Knights and gentlemen And the Earle of Essex tolde this Examinate That his life was practised to bee taken away by the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Raleigh when he was sent for to the Counsell And the Earle said That now he meant by the helpe of his friends to defend himselfe And saith that the deteining of the Lord Keeper and the other Lords sent to the Earle from the Queene was a stratageme of warre And saith That the Earle of Essex told him that London stood for him and that Sherife Smith had giuen him intelligence that hee would make as many men to assist him as he could And further the Earle of Essex said That he meant to possesse himselfe of the Citie the better to enable himselfe to reuenge him on his enemies the Lord Cobham Sir Robert Cecil and sir Walter Raleigh And this Examinate confesseth that he resolued to liue and die with the Earle of Essex and that the Earle of Essex did intend to make his forces so strong that her Maiestie should not be able to resist him in the reuenge of his enemies And saith that the Earle of Essex was most inward with the Earle of Southampton Sir Christopher Blunt and others who haue of long time shewed themselues discontented and haue aduised the Earle of Essex to take other courses and to stand vpon his guard And saith that when the Earle of Essex was talking with the L. Keeper and other the Lords sent from her Maiestie diuers sayd My Lord they meane to abuse you you loose time And when the Earle came to Sherife Smiths hee desired him to send for the Lord Maior that hee might speake with him And as the Earle went in the streetes of London this Examinate sayd to diuers of the Citizens that if they would needes come that it was better for their safetie to come with weapons in their hands And saith that the Earle of Essex at the end of the streete where Sherife Smith dwelt cried out to the Citizens That they did him harme for that they came naked and willed them to get them weapons And the Earle of Essex also cried out to the Citizens That the Crowne of England was offred to be solde to the Infanta And saith that the Earle burned diuers papers that were in a little Casket whereof one was as the Earle sayd An historie of his troubles And sayth that when they were assaulted in Essex house after their returne they first resolued to haue made a sallie out And the Earle sayd that he was determined to die and yet in the end they changed their opinion and yeelded And sayth that the Earle of Southampton sir Christopher Blunt and sir Iohn Dauies aduised the Earle of Essex that the Lord Keeper and his company should be deteined And this Examinate sayth that he heard diuers there present cry out Kill them kill them And sayth that he thinketh the Earle of Essex intended that after he had possessed himselfe of the Citie hee would intreat the Lord Keeper and his company to accompany him to the Court Hee sayth hee heard Sir Christopher Blunt say openly in the presence of the Earle of Essex and others how fearefull and in what seuerall humors they should finde them at the Court when they came thither Rutland Exam. per Th. Egerton C. S. T. Buckhurst Notingham Ro Cecill Io. Popham ¶ The Confession of William Lord Sandys of the parish of Sherborne Cowdry in the Countie of Southampton taken this 16. of February 1600. before Sir Iohn Popham L. chiefe Iustice Roger Wilbraham Master of the Requests and Edw. Coke her Maiesties Atturney Generall HE saith that hee neuer vnderstood that the Earle did meane to stand vpon his strength till Sunday in the morning being the eight of this instant Februarie And saith that in the morning of that day this Examinat was sent for by the Earle of Essex about sixe or seuen of the clocke and the Earle sent for him by his seruant Warberton who was married to a widowe in Hampshire And at his comming to the Earle there were sixe or seuen Gentlemen with him but remembreth not what they were and next after of a Noble man came my Lord Chandos and after him came the Earle of Southampton and presently after the Earle of Rutland and after him Master Parker commonly called the Lord Mountegle And sayeth that at his comming to the Earle of Essex he complained That it was practised by Sir Walter Raleigh to haue murdered him as hee should haue gone to the Lord Treasurers house with Master Secretary Herbert And saith that he was present in the Court-yard of Essex house when the Lord Keeper the Earle of Worcester Sir William Knollis and the Lorde Chiefe Iustice came from the QVEENES MAIESTIE to the Earle of Essex And the Lord Chiefe Iustice required the Earle of Essex to haue some priuate conference with him and that if any priuate wrongs were offered vnto him that they would make true report thereof to her MAIESTIE who no
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
speake sundry times That nowe the Earle of Essex had gotten one of the swords he would neuer forgoe his gouernement vntill hee became King of England which was neere at hand I saw a letter which the Earle of Essex writ to Owney to this effect That if Owney came to him he would speake with him about that which if hee would follow should be happie for him and his Countrey Iames Knowd Exam. per Anthony Saintleger Roger VVilbraham ¶ The declaration of Dauid Hethrington an ancient Captaine and seruitor in Ireland 6. Ianuary 1599. Taken before the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Robert Cecil principall Secretary and Sir Iohn Fortescue Chancellour of the Exchequer HE the sayd Dauid Hethrington riding into the edge of the Countie of Kildare about the end of the first cessation fortuned to meete with one Iames Occurren one of the horsemen of Master Bowen prouost Marshall of Lemister who told him that the sayd Iames Occurren meeting lately with a principall follower of Owney mac Rory chiefe of the Moores Owneys man asked him what newes hee heard of the Earle of Essex To which Iames Occurren answered that he was gone for England whereunto he sayd Nay if you can tell me no newes I can tell you some The Earle of Essex is now in trouble for vs for that he would doe no seruice vpon vs which he neuer meant to doe for he is ours and we are his Dauid Hethrington Confessed in the presence of Tho Buckhurst Notingham Rob. Cecil Io. Fortescue ¶ The first Confession of Sir Ferdinando Gorge Knight the 16. of Februarie 1600. taken before Sir Thomas Egerton Lord Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham Lord high Admirall and Sir Rob. Cecill principall Secretarie HE saith the Earle of Essex wrote a letter to him in lanuarie complaining his misfortune that hee desired his company and desired his repaire vp to him by the second of Februarie That he came to Towne on Saturday seuen-night before the Earles insurrection and that the same night late he visited the Earle Who after complements told him that he stood on his guard and resolued not to hazard any more commandements or restraints that he desired him to rest him that night and to repaire vnto him againe but in such sort as it might not be noted That he had bene with the Earle two or three times that weeke and on Saturday being the seuenth of February the Earle tolde him that hee had bene sent for by the Lordes and refused to come deliuering further that he resolued to defend himselfe from any more restraint He further saith that it was in question the same Saturday night to haue stirred in the night and to haue attempted the Court But being demanded whether the Earle could haue had sufficient company to haue done any thing in the night he answered that all the Earles companie were readie at one houres warning and had bene so before in respect that he had meant long before to stand vpon his guard That it was resolued to haue the Court first attempted that the Earle had three hundred Gentlemen to doe it but that he the saide Ferdinando Gorge was a violent disswader of him from that purpose and the Earle most confident in the party of London which he meant vpon a later dispute first to assure and that hee was also assured of a partie in Wales but meant not to vse them vntill he had bene possessed of the Court. That the Earle and sir Christopher Blunt vnderstanding that sir Walter Raleigh had sent to speake with him in the morning the saide sir Christopher Blunt perswaded him either to surprise sir Walter Raleigh or to kill him Which when hee vtterly refused sir Christopher Blunt sent foure shot after him in a boat That at the going out of Essex house gate many cried out To the Court to the Court But my Lorde of Essex turned him about towards London That he meant after possession of the Court to call a Parliament and therein to proceed as cause should require At that time of the Consultation on Saturday night my Lord was demanded what assurance he had of those hee made account to bee his friends in the Citie Whereunto he replyed that there was no question to be made of that for one amongst the rest that was presently in one of the greatest commaunds amongst them held himselfe to be interessed in the cause for so hee phrased it and was Coronell of a thousand men which were readie at all times besides others that hee helde himselfe as assured of as of him and able to make as great numbers Some of them had at that instant as he reported to vs sent vnto him taking notice of as much as he made vs to knowe of the purpose intended to haue intrapped him and made request to know his pleasure Ferd. Gorges Exam. per Th. Egerton C. Sr T. Buckhurst Notingham Ro. Cecill ¶ The second confession of Sir Ferdinando Gorge the 18. of February 1600. All written of his owne hand And acknowledged in the presence of Sir Thomas Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall and Sir Ro. Cecil principall Secretarie ON Tuesday before the Insurrection as I remember I was sent vnto by my L. of Essex praying me to meete my Lord of Southampton Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies and other his friends at Drury house where I should see a schedule of his friends names and proiects to be disputed vpon Whither I came accordingly and found the foresaid Earle Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies and one Master Litleton The names were shewed and numbred to bee sixe score Earles Barons Knights and Gentlemen The proiects were these Whether to attempt the Court or the Tower or to stirre his friends in London first or whether both the Court and Tower at an instant I disliked that counsel My reasons were that I alledged to them First to attempt both with those numbers was not to bee thought on because that was not sufficient and therefore aduised them to thinke of some thing else Then they would needs resolue to attempt the Court withall desired in mine opinion But I prayed them first to set downe the maner how it might be done Then Sir Iohn Dauies tooke inke and paper and assigned to diuers principall men their seuerall places Some to keepe the Gate some to bee in the Hall some to bee in the Presence some in the Lobby some in the Guard-chamber others to come in with my Lord himselfe who should haue had the passage giuen him to the Priuie chamber where he was to haue presented himselfe to her MAIESTIE Ferd. Gorges Knowledged in the presence of Tho. Egerton C. S. Tho. Buckhurst Notingham Ro. Cecill The confession of Sir Iohn Dauies taken the 18. of Februarie 1600. before the Earle of Notingham L. high
doubt would reforme the same And sayeth that this Examinat went with the Earle and the rest of his company to London to Sherife Smithes but went not into the house with him but stayed in the streete a while and being sent for by the Earle of Essex went into the house and from thence came with him till hee came to Ludgate which place being guarded and resistance being made and perceiued by the Earle of Essex he said vnto his company Charge And thereupon sir Christopher Blunt and others of his company gaue the Charge and being repulsed and this Examinat hurt in the legge the Earle retired with this Examinat and others to his house called Essex house And on his retire the Earle said to this Examinat That if Sherife Smith did not his part that his part was as farre foorth as the Earles owne which mooued him to thinke that he trusted to the Citie And when the Earle was after his retire in Essex house he tooke an yron Casket and broke it open and burnt diuerse papers in it Whereof there was a booke as he taketh it and said as he was burning of them That they should tell no tales to hurt his friends And saith that the Earle saide That he had a blacke bagge about his necke that should tell no tales William Sandys Exam. per Ioh. Popham Roger VVilbraham Edw. Coke ¶ The Examination of the Lord Cromwell taken the 7. of March 1600. by Sir I. Popham L. chiefe Iustice Christ. Yeluerton her Maiesties Sergeant and Fr. Bacon of her Maiesties learned Councell AT the Sherifs house this Examinate pressed in with the rest and found the Earls shifting themselues in an inner chamber where he heard my L. of Essex certifie the Company that he had bene aduertised out of Ireland which hee would not nowe hide from them that the Realme should be deliuered ouer to the handes of the Infanta of Spaine and that he was wished to looke to it Further that he was to seeke redresse for iniuries and that he had left at his house for pledges the Lord Keeper the Earle of Worcester Sir William Knollis and the Lord chiefe Iustice. Edw. Cromwell Exam. per Io Popham Chr. Yeluerton Fr. Bacon ¶ Sir Christopher Blunt knight at the time of his arraignement did openly at the Barre desire to speake with the L. Admiral and M. Secretary before whom he made this Confession folowing Which the Earle of Southampton confirmed afterwards and he himselfe likewise at his death HE confesseth that at the Castle of Dublin in that lodging which was once the Earle of Southamptons the Earle of Essex purposing his returne into England aduised with the Earle of Southampton and himselfe of his best maner of going into England for his securitie seeing to goe hee was resolued At that time he propounded his going with a competent number of souldiers to the number of two or three thousand to haue made good his first landing with that Force vntill hee coulde haue drawen vnto himselfe a sufficient strength to haue proceeded further From this purpose this Examinate did vse all forcible perswasions alledging not only his owne ruine which should follow thereof and all those which should adhere to him in that action but vrging it to him as a matter most foule because hee was not onely helde a Patron of his Countrey which by this meanes hee should haue destroyed but also should haue layed vpon himselfe an irreuocable blot hauing bene so deeply bound to her MAIESTIE To which disswasion the Earle of Southampton also inclined This desseigne being thus disswaded by them then they fell to a second consideration And therein this Examinate confesseth that hee rather aduised him if needes hee would goe to take with him some competent number of choise men He did not name vnto him any particular power that would haue come to him at his landing but assured himselfe that his Armie would haue bene quickly increased by all sorts of discontented people He did confesse before his going that hee was assured that many of the Rebels would be aduised by him but named none in particular ¶ The Examination of the Earle of Southampton after his Arraignement taken before the Earle of Notingham Lord high Admirall Sir Robert Cecill principall Secretarie and M. Iohn Herbert second Secretary of Estate SIr Christopher Blunt being hurt and lying in the Castle of Dublin in a chamber which had bene mine the Earle of Essex one day tooke me thither with him where being none but we three he told vs he found it necessarie for him to goe into England and thought it fit to carie with him as much of the Armie as he could conueniently transport to goe on shore with him to Wales and there to make good his landing with those till hee could send for more Not doubting but his Army would so increase in a small time that hee should bee able to march to London and make his conditions as he desired To which proiect I answered that I held it altogether vnfit aswell in respect of his conscience to God and his loue to his countrey as his duetie to his Souereigne of which he of all men ought to haue greatest regard seeing her Maiesties fauours to him had bene so extraordinarie Wherefore I could neuer giue any consent vnto it Sir Christopher Blunt ioyned with me in this opinion Exam. per Notingham Ro. Cecil Io. Herbert ¶ The speaches of Sir Chr. Blunt at the time of his death as neere as they could be remembred March 18. 1600. MY Lords and you that be present Although I must confesse that it were better fitting the little time I haue to breath to bestow the same in asking God forgiuenes for my manifold and abominable sinnes then to vse any other discourse especially hauing both an imperfection of speech and God knowes a weake memorie by reason of my late grieuous wound Yet to satisfie all those that are present what course hath bene held by me in this late enterprise because I was sayd to be an Instigator and setter on of the late Earle I will truely and vpon the perill of my soule speake the trueth It is true that the first time that euer I vnderstoode of any dangerous discontentment in my L. of Essex was about three yeeres agoe at Wansted vpon his comming one day from Greenwich At that time he spake many things vnto mee but descended into no particulars but in generall termes After which time he neuer brake with me in any matter tending to the alteration of the State I protest before God vntill he came into Ireland other then I might conceiue that he was of an ambitious and discontented mind But when I lay at the Castle of Thomas Lee called Reban in Ireland grieuously hurt and doubted of my life hee came to visit mee and then began to acquaint me with his intent As hee thus spake the Sheriffe began to interrupt him and told him the houre was past But my
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
Pikemen and other forces gathered together by the wise and diligent care of the Bishop of London and commanded by sir Iohn Luson and yet attempting to cleere the passage he was with no great difficultie repulsed At which encounter sir Christopher Blunt was fore wounded and yong Tracie slaine on his part and one Waits on the Queenes part and some other Vpon which repulse he went backe and fled towards the Waterside tooke boat at Queene hiue and so was receiued into Essex house at the Watergate which he fortified and baricado'd but instantly the Lord Lieutenant so disposed his Companies as all passage and issue foorth was cut off from him both by land and by water and all succours that hee might hope for were discouraged and leauing the Earle of Cumberland the Earle of Lincolne the Lord Thomas Howard the Lord Gray the Lord Burghley and the Lord Compton Sir Walter Raleigh Sir Thomas Gerrard with diuers others before the house to landward my Lord Lieutenant himselfe thought good taking with him the Lord of Effingham Lord Cobham Sir Iohn Stanhope Sir Robert Sidney M. Foulk Greuill with diuers others to assaile the Garden and Banketting house on the Water side and presently forced the Garden and woon to the wals of the house and was ready to haue assailed the house but out of a Christian and honorable consideration vnderstanding that there were in the house the Countesse of Essex and the Ladie Rich with their Gentlewomen let the Earle of Essex know by Sir Robert Sidney that hee was content to suffer the Ladies and gentlewomen to come forth Whereupon Essex returning the Lord Lieutenant thanks for the compassion and care he had of the Ladies desired onely to haue an houres respit to make way for their going out and an houre after to barricado the place againe Which because it could make no alteration to the hinderance of the seruice the L. Lieutenant thought good to grant But Essex hauing had some talke within of a sallie and despairing of the successe and thinking better to yeeld himselfe sent word that vpon some conditions he would yeeld But the L. Lieutenant vtterly refusing to heare of capitulations Essex desired to speake with my Lord who thereupon went vp close to the house and the late Earles of Essex and Southampton with diuers other Lords and Gentlemen their partakers presented themselues vpon the leades and Essex sayd hee would not capitulate but intreat and made three petitions The first That they might be ciuilly vsed Whereof the Lord Lieutenant assured them The second That they might haue an honourable triall Whereof the Lord Lieutenant answered they needed not to doubt The third That he might haue Ashton a Preacher with him in prison for the comfort of his soule Which the Lord Lieutenant said he would mooue to her Maiesty not doubting of the matter of his request though he could not absolutely promise him that person Whereupon they all with the ceremony amongst marshall men accustomed came downe submitted themselues and yeelded vp their swords which was about ten of the clocke at night there hauing beene slaine in holding of the house by musket shot Owen Salisburie and some few more on the part of my Lord and some fewe likewise slaine and hurt on the Queenes part and presently aswell the Lordes as the rest of their confederates of quality were seuerally taken into the charge of diuers particular Lords and Gentlemen and by them conueyed to the Tower and other prisons So as this action so dangerous in respect of the person of the Leader the maner of the combination and the intent of the plot brake forth and ended within the compasse of twelue houres and with the losse of little blood and in such sort as the next day all Courts of Iustice were open and did sit in their accustomed maner giuing good Subiects and all reasonable men iust cause to thinke not the lesse of the offenders treason but the more of her Maiesties princely magnanimitie and prudent foresight in so great a perill and chiefly of Gods goodnesse that hath blessed her Maiesty in this as in many things else with so rare and diuine felicitie THE EFFECT OF the Euidence giuen at the seuerall Arraignments of the late Earls of Essex and Southampton before the L. STEVVARD And of Sir Christopher Blunt and Sir Charles Dauers and others before great and Honourable Commissioners of Dyer and Determiner And of the Answeres and Defenses which the said Offendors made for themselues And the Replies made vpon such their Defenses With some other Circumstances of the proceedings as well at the same Arraignments as after THE two late Earles of Essex and Southampton were brought to their triall the nineteenth of Februarie eleuen dayes after the Rebellion At which trial there passed vpon them 25. Peeres a greater number then hath bene called in any former president Amongst whom her Maiestie did not forbeare to vse many that were of neere alliance and blood to the Earle of Essex and some others that had their sonnes and heires apparant that were of his Company and followed him in the open Action of Rebellion The Lord Steward then in Commission according to the solemnitie in such Trials receiued was the Lord Buckhurst L. high Treasurer who with grauity and temperance directed the Euidence and moderated and gaue the Iudgement There was also an Assistance of eight Iudges the three chiefe fiue others The hearing was with great patience and libertie the ordinary course not being held to silence the Prisoners till the whole state of the Euidence was giuen in but they being suffered to answere articulatly to euery branch of the Euidence and sometimes to euery particular deposition whensoeuer they offered to speake And not so onely but they were often spared to bee interrupte'd euen in their digressions and speeches not much pertinent to their cause And alwayes when any doubt in Law was moued or when it was required either by the Prisoners or the Peeres the Lord Steward required the Iudges to deliuer the Law who gaue their opinions seuerally not barely yea or no but at large with their reasons In the Endictment were not layed or charged the treasons of Ireland because the greatest matter which was the desseigne to bring ouer the Army of Ireland being then not cōfessed nor knowen it was not thought conuenient to stuffe the Enditement with matters which might haue bene conceiued to be chiefly gathered by curious inquisition grounded vpon report or presumptiō when there was other matter so notorious And besides it was not vnlikely that in his case to whom many were so partiall some who would not consider how things came to light by degrees might haue reported that hee was twife called in Question about one offence And therefore the late Treasons of his Rebellion and conspiracie were onely comprehended in the Enditement with the vsuall clauses and consequents in Lawe of compassing the Queenes death destruction and depriuation
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