you saw And in token of further recompence he gave you twelve pounds of Silver Neverthelesse albeit you know perfectly the whole practise and progresse of all the said Treason from the beginning to the end as also by your Conference with Bour and Logane during all the daies of their lives who lived till the year 1606. or therabouts and so by the space of 6. years you concealed the same and so you was and is art and part of the said Treason and of the concealing and so you ought to suffer under the pain of High Treason To the token that you have not only by your depositions subscribed by you and solemnly made in presence of many of the Lords of his Majestie 's Privy Councell and the Ministers of the Borough of Edenburgh of the dates of the 5.15 and 16. daies of July last past and 10. and 11. of August instant confessed every head point and article of the Indictment abovesaid but also by divers other depositions subscribed by you you have ratifyed the same and sworn constantly to abide thereat and to seal the same with your bloud Which Indictment being read openly before Sprot was put to the knowledge of Inquest he confess'd the same and every point to be true And therefore the Indictment was put to the Inquest of the honest famous and discreet Persons that is to say William Trumball of Ardre William Fisher Merchant and Burgesse of Edenburgh Rob. Short there Ed. Johnstone Merchant Burgess there Harb Maxwel of Cavens Ja. Tennent of Linchouse Wil. Trumbill Burg of Edenburgh Geor. Brown in Gorgy Mill Joh. Hucheson and John Lewes Merch. Burg. of Edenburgh Ja. Somervill Wil. Swinton of the same John Crunison of Dirlton Th. Smith John Cowtis Burg. of Edenburgh Which Persons of Inquest sworn and admitted and reading over the same Indictment again in his and their presence the said George Sprot confessed the same to be true Whereupon the said Sir Thomas Hamilton his Majesties Advocate asked act and Instrument and therefore the Inquest removed to the Inquest-House and elected Harbert Maxwell to be their Chancelour or Foreman And after mature deliberation they all re-entred againe in Court where the said Foreman declared the said George Sprot to be guilty filed and convict of Art and Part of the said Treason for which cause the said Justice by the mouth of the Demster of Court by sentence and Doom ordained the said George Sprot to be taken to the Market Crosse of Edenburgh and there to be hanged upon a Gibbet till he be dead and thereafter his head to be stricken off and his body to be quartered and demeaned as a Traytor and his head to be set up upon a prick of Iron upon the highest part of the Talboth of Edenburgh where the Traytor Gowrie and other Conspiratours heads stand and his lands and goods forfeited and escheat to our Soveraign Lord the King's use Extractum de Libro Actorum Adjornalis S. D. N. Regis per me D. Johannem Coburne de Ormeston Milifem Clericum Institiarii ejusdem generalem Sub meis signo subscriptione manualibus And so was George Sprot conveyed to a private house remaining at his Meditations and afterwards conferred with the Ministers confessing all aforesaid with extreame humiliation and prayer Afterwards ganging up the ladder with his hands loose and untyed he was again put in mind of the truth of his Confessions He for the greater assurance thereof perform'd an act marvelous promising by God's assistance to give them an evident Token before the yielding up of his Spirit which was when he had hung a very good while he left up both his hands a good height and clapped them together three severall times to the wonder of thousand Spectators and so dyed For more Confirmation of the afore Narration there was present George Abbot then Doctor in Divinity and Dean of Winchester after Arch-Rishop of Canterbury who was present both at his Examination Execution hath made the same writing and observance even almost verbatim as all the afore specified Relation intends which I can produce also And more one Dr. of Divinity present also saies as much which no doubt is sufficient satisfaction to all reasonable Men that there was such a Conspiracy and not fained Earle of Essex his Treason And now we come to remember the Earl of Essex the universal Love of whose memory was but of such whom he formerly caught by his affected Popularity or of others that followed his Treasonable practises which were grosse enough to be sore apprehended by every faithful Subject especially being prosecuted against the Person of that glorious Sunne his obliging Mistresse Pamp. 10 whom a little before our Pamphlet commemorates with much Passion till now that he comes to Ireason a small fault belike and pardonable in Essex For he saith that King James hated Sir Robert Cecill it seemes for but prosecuting amongst other Councelours and Peers a Traytor 's death Intimating no doubt the King 's impatient desire to inherit these Crownes by any Treason But he spares no Invectives against any of worth or honor that comes in his way This Earle was eldest Sonne to Walter Devoreux Robert E. of Essex of a Norman family Viscount Hereford and Bowrchier Lord Eerrers of Chartley and by Queen Elizabeth created Earle of Essex and Ewe Anno 1572. and Knight of the Garter He was sent into Ireland Lord Marshall against the Rebells and as if but sent of an arrand he presently falls sick and dies at Dublin 1576. His body brought over and intomb'd at Carmarthen in Wales This Robert succeeded his Father's Honours and was looked upon in Court by all with pitty through the Sacrifice of his Father But by the Queen with great affection whome she advanced his fortunes being lowe with many gifts of grace and bounty At his Arraignment accounted to the Lord Treasurer Dorset to be 300000. l. sterling in pure gift for his only use besides the fees of his offices and the disposition of the treasurein his Armies Of all which he soon became a bold ingrosser both of fame and favour And first in Anno 1585. he receaves Knighthood In 1588. Knight of the Garter In 1589. he had command in chief in an Expedition into Portingal against Lisbone In 1595. sworn Councelour of State In 1596. he was sent with a Navy to the Isle Cadiz in Spain and presently after made Lord Marshall of England In 1597. he commanded in another Fleet to the Islands Sercera's his Contemporaries who stood in Competition with him for fame were Sir Charles Blunt afterwards Earle of of Devonshire and Generall Norris Blunt late E. of Dev. his neer friends and yet whom he envied the last to his ruine Men of greater merit and truer value And after the destruction of Norris He takes upon him the Expedition into Ireland the place of Exercise for the best of the Militia And who durst oppose him Though the Queen
Proclametion That Essex and Southampton were Traitors all those that followed their faction Many dropping from the Crowd there was little defence by his party though some were killed and himselfe forsaken of the wisest He retires back to Queenhithe and so to Essex-house by water where finding the Birds flowen the Councellors released by their Keeper who in hope of pardon accompained them to the Queenes presence discovering so much as he knew concerning his Lord who finding himselfe too weake to withstand the force of a peece of Cannon mounted upon the Church to batter his House He and Southampton yeelded themselves Prisoners to the Tower Arraigned and executed where being arraigned and condemned Southamton had repreeve and after pardon But Essex the reward of his merits and Executed in March 1601. upon the Inner Hill in the Tower to the regret of None either wise or honest Leaving behind him one onely Son the last of his Line William Cecill Cecils Pamp. 10. illustrate from the family of Cecils who suffered persecution in the times of Henry 8. Edward 6. and Queen Mary he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth so soone as she was setled in her Crowne then Secretary and Councellor of State Afterwards created Baron of Burligh Then made Lord Treasurer of England and Knight of the Garter and died Chauncellor of the Vniversity of Cambridge Anno 1598. Intomb'd at Westminster leaving two Sons The elder Thomas was then Lord President of the North And afterwards created Earle of Exeter by King James and privy Councellor of State He died Anno discreet and honourable whom the world could never tax with any taint The other son Robert Sr. Robert Cecill was the second But a true Inheriter of his Fathers wisdome and by him trained up to future perfections of a Judicious States-man after his Knighthood the first imployment from Court for he was not at all bred out of it sent him Assistant with the Earle of Darby Embassadour to the French King At his returne the Queen took him second Secretary with Sir Fr. Walsingham after whose decease he continued Paincipal and so kept it to his death Not relinquishing any Preferment for the Addition of a Creater A remarkeable Note which few men of the Gowne can boast of His Father liv'd to see him setled in these preferments and after Master of the Wards and Liveries These he held to the Queenes death Being in all Her time used amongst the Men of weight as having great sufficiencies from his Instruction who begat him Those offices here in public with perpetual Correspondence by Emissaries of his own into Scotland might no doubt make him capable of Reception with King James who was to be advised by him how to be received here of his people Without any necessity then to make use of Sir George Hewmes or his Initiatiation afterwards with any juggling trickes Pamp 13. his merrits certainly appeared to the King who not onely not diminished his forformer preferments But often added to them even to the day of his death As first Baron of Essenden then Viscount Cranborne after Earle of Salisbury and Knight of the Garter and lastly Lord Treasurer of England He was a Councellor of singular merit A very great discoverer of the late Queens enemies abroad and of private Assinations at home For which She valued him and the Papists hated him which they published by several Manuscripts which I have seen and printed Libels and that most pestilent against his birth and honour threatning to kill him which himselfe answered wisely learnedly and religiously Extant in English and Latine Adversus Perduelles Indeed It behoved the King to bestow upon him the waight of the Treasurers Staffe The Cofers then in some want which the King was not likely soon to Recover but rather to increase in debt having the addition of wife and children to boot And being now come with common opinion into the Capacity by his additional Crownes to reward his old servants and to appear obliging unto new Ones The world wondering at the worth of this great Councellor I know not upon what score our Pamphleter should endeavour to scandal his memory Which he rancks into Numbers of ill Offices to his Nation Pamp. 12. as the burning of a whole cart-load of Parliaments Presidents which no man can be so sottish as to beleeve that knowes the strict concerving of those Records by sworne Officers As for the Baronets Baronets It was the earnest suite of two hundred prime Gentlemen of Birth and estates to my knowledge for I copied the list before ever it came this Lord. And as true it is That this Lord's Reception thereto was in the same words which our Pamphlet puts upon the King That it would discontent the Gentry to which themselves replyed Nay my Lord It will rather satisfie them in advance of Dignity before others who now come behind those Meaner Men whom the King was forced to Knight for his own honor and some merits of theirs having no other Reward or money to spare and therein not much to blame to oblige them that way As for that supposed jugling Pamp. 13. which the Duke of Bullion should discover As it was never known to wiser men So we may take it a devise of his who in these as in other such like of his own may truly merit that Character which he bestowes before On the good Gentleman Pamp. 9. I desire pardon if I speake much and truth in the memory of this Noble Lord being somewhat concerned to speak my owne knowledge I know that this Earle of Salesbury declining his health with continuall labour for the good of this Nation both in the former and in this his Soveraign's Service And am willing to give some light thereof to such as are pleased to read these particulars being an Account of his concernments For first Salisbury his service to the State Mannors Lands he found the King's Mannors and fairest possessions most unsurveyed and uncertain rather by report then by Measure Not more known then by ancient Rents the Estate granted rather by chance then upon knowledge The Custody-Lands Custody-hands antiently termed Crown-Lands much charged upon the Sheriffs yearly discharged by annual pensions A Revenue which seemed decayed by descent of times and worne out of all remembrance these he evermore revived by Commissioners of Asserts The Woods Woods were more uncertain then the rest No man knew the Copices Number of acres growth or value nor of Timber-Trees either Number or worth So as truly he might well find himself in a Wood indeed The Trees wasted without controwle because no Record kept thereof These he caused to be numbred marked and valued easily to be questioned when thereafter missing The Copy-hold Lands Copy-holds where the arbitrary sines ceased by the discretion of the Stewards and did seldome yeeld the Parsons part and that also vanish'd in fees and charges The State was then after like
forth a Dagger reversed proper piercing a bloudy heart The point crowned Empcriall with this Distick Haec Dextra Vindex Principis Patriae Afterward he was created Lord Haddington and Earle of Holdernesse And our Pamphlet bestowes on him this Character A very good Gentleman by nature but in this Story a Lier by practise Pamp. 9. for which all these favours were too little Reward Sir Thomas Erskin was after wards created Earl of Kelly Knight of the Garter Captain of the King's Guard and Groome of the Stoole And the Fellow designed for the Murtherer had a large Pension confirm'd by Act of their Parliament And all these men but Herries were living with other witnesses at King JAME'S journy when he went from hence to visit Scotland and met together by direction at the same House with Ceremony and all of them with a number of Courtiers ascended into the same Roome the bloud yet remaining where the King related the Story and confirmed by them And afterwards kneeling down with tears of Contrition for his Sinnes to God and thankfulnesse for this Mercy using many pious Ejaculations embraced all these Actors in the former Tragedy when the poor fellow also kist the King's hand These circumstances gave occasion then that this whole story was freshly revived to the common Satisfaction of the whole Countrey and our English Courtiers And in especiall unto the very Reverend Bishop and Nobly borne James Mountegue then present to whom the King addressed himself in this Relation and from whose Mouth I received these particulars at his return into England And thus much we have by word of mouth somewhat I shall add out of writings for more satisfaction This Treason was attempted the 4. of August 1600. And though there followed sundry Suspitions and Examination of several other Persons supposed Abbetters Contrivers yet it lay undiscovered tanquamè postliminio untill 8. years after by the circumspection principally of the Earle of Dunbar a man of as great wisdome as those times and that Kingdome could boast of Upon the person of one George Sprot Notary-publick of Ayemouth in Scotland From some words which at first he sparingly or unawares expressed and also by some papers which were found in his House whereof being examin'd with a little adoe he confessed and was condemned and executed at Edenburgh the 12. of Aug. 1608. A Relation I conceive not common but in my hands to be produced and written by that learned Gentleman Sir William Hart then Lord Justice of Scotland and Principall in all the Acts of Judicature herein And first George Sprot confesseth That he knew perfectly that Robert Logane late of Restalrig was privy and upon foreknowledge of John late Earl of Gowrie's Treasonable Conspiracy That he knew there were divers Letters interchanged betwixt them anent their Treasonable put pose July 1600. which Letters James Bour called Laird Bour Servitor to Restalrig imployed betwixt them and privy to all that arrand had in keeping and shewed the same to Sprot in Fast-Castle That Sprot was present when Bour after 5. daies absence returned with â—nswers by letter from Gowry and staid all night with Restalrig at his house Gunuesgreen rode the next morne to Lothiane where he staid six daies then to Fast-Castle where he abode a short space That he saw and heard Restalrig read these letters which Bour brought back from Gowry and all their Conference there anent And that Bour said Sir if you think to get Commodity by this dealing lay your hand on your heart and that Restalrig answered though he should lose all in the world yet he would passe through with Gowry for that matter would as well content him as the Kingdome To whom Bour said you may do as you please Sir but it is not my Councell that you should be so suddain in that other matter But for the Condition of Darlton I would like very well of it To this Restalrig answered content your self I am not at my wits end That Sprot himself entered into conference with Bour demanding what was to be done between the Earle and the Laird Bour answered that he beleeved that the Laird would get Darlton without gold or silver but he fear'd it would be deerer to him That Sprot inquiring further how that should be done Bour said they have another pie in hand then buying and selling of land But prayed Sprot for God's sake that he would let be and not be troubled with the Lairds business for he fear'd that within few daies the Laird would be landlesse and livelesse And Sprot being demanded afterwards if all these Confessions were true as he would answer upon the salvation of his soul seeing his death was neer approaching Sprot said That he had no desire to live and had care only of cleering his Conscience in the truth And that all the former points and circumstances were true with the depositions made by him the 5. of July last and the whole confession made by him since as he hoped to be saved and which he would seale with his bloud And further being deposed where was now the letter of Restalrig to Gowry He answered That he had this letter amongst other of Restalrig's papers which Bour had in keeping and which Sprot copied out and that he left the principall letter in his Chest amongst his writings when he was taken and brought away and that it is closed and folded in a sheet of paper These depositions made by George Sprot the to of August 1608. and others before being all included in his Indictment following to which for brevity I shall remit the Reader and written by James â—rimrose Clerk of the King's Councell and subscribed Georgè Sprot Present Earl of Dunbar Earl Lothiane Bishop of Rosse Lord Schone Lord Hallo-rod-house Lord Blautire Sir William Hart Lord Justice Mr. John Hall Mr. Patrick Gahoway Mr. Peter Hewet Ministers of Edenburgh and subscribed with all their hands The next day 11. of August Sprot was re-examined and to him declared the assurance of his death and was advis'd not to abuse his Conscience to witnesse untruths and upon the Innocency of the dead or living To which he deposeth That being resolved to die and as he wishes to be participant of Heaven upon the salvation or damnation of his Soul that all that he had deposed were true in every point and circumstance and no untruth in them The next day being the 12. of August 1608. Sprot was presented in Judgement upon Pannell within the Talboth of Edenburgh before Sir William Hart Knight Lord Justice of Scotland assisted with these Persons viz. Alexander Earle of Dunferling Lord Chancelour George Earle of Dunbar Lord Treasurer John Arch-bishop of Glascoe David Bishop of Rosse Gawen Bishop of Galloway Andrew Bishop of Brechine David Earl of Crawford Mark Earl of Lotharine James Lord Abernethie of Saltonne James Lord of Balmerinoth Senitapie Walter Lord Blautire John Lord Burley Sir Richard Coburn Knight Master John Preston Collector Generall
to raise of these Natures the true values and to receive equal benefit with the rest of the Subjects if the Book had bin since observed which he caused in print And for the Copy-holders of Inheritance who by many Records prove their fines certain they did hereupon offer for their freedome 20.30.40 and 50. years purchase where they could shew probable Records without sine to free themselves The Wastes and Commons were tender Titles Wastes Commons full of murmering and Commotion which truly he never durst offer to inclose Nor to urge the Tenants to become Suitors themselves with whom Commissioners were to be appointed to compound for a part and so he made a good President for the rest The Casual fines Casual fines due to the King out of the private possessions as other Lords have by their Courts of Leets Court Barons and such like and out of publique offences as the King was Parent of the Common-Wealth unto whom belong'd praemium poena These being natures left for the King's bounty he commended them also to Commissioners for a better Revenue to be raised being till his time utterly neglected and almost lost As for the extended Lands where the Officers became indebted to the Crown and made it an Art to have their Lands extended at easy rates He caused the most of these to be surveyed commended the Improvement to Commissioners and commanded the Tenants to appear before them The Improvements of the Customes he advanced from 86000. l. to 120000. l. and from that to 135000. l. by the year He bargained for the River-water to be brought to London River water and so to the driest parts which brought a great yearly value He alwaies incouraged all Industry of Manufactures Manufactures Such Inventions as the Statutes admit and countenance As home-making of Allome Salt by the Sunne Busses for fishing Salt upon Salt by new fires and Inventions Copper and Coperas of Iron and of Steele That the Subjects at home might be set on work and the small Treasure of the Nation kept within It concerned him as Secretary to have Intelligence from all parts of the World Intelligence and Correspondence with all Em bassadours and Forreigne States not to be neglected at any hand which he did at his own cost So did all parts grow confident of such a Councelour And so he kept Rules with the united Provinces whose Friendships he would say much concerned this State I may not forget his Christian care Ireland improved for poor Ireland Plantations there and transplantations of the Natives to advance the Customes there and to abate the charges of the Garisons And he did endeavour and in manner did effect an universall course of Law and Justice in the most barbarous and remote parts of that Nation And now concerning the Court of Wards and Liveries Wards Liveries By constitution of this State all the lands of this Nation are holden by two Tenures By Soccage or by Knights Service By the Plough to feed us or by the Sword to defend us And who so died leaving an Heir within age unable to do this service his Heir and Lands fell both to the Protection of the Soveraign And this in antient time was promiscuously carryed in the Court of Chancery until the middle time of Hon. the 8. when this Court of Wards was first erected Since which time the Masters thereof by favour of the Soveraign did accustome as a bounty of State to grant unto Noble Men the King's Servants and their owne followers both the marriag of the body and the lease of the Lands for a third peny of their true worth But in all humility his Lordship finding the estate in a Retrograde Consumption did with all obedience present his Patent at the Kings feet and so the whole benefit became the profit of the Crown Thus he wrought in the Mine of the State-affaires and wasted his Carkasse with desire to have done better Service in these his offices of Treasurer Secretary and Master of the Wards And yet these were sufficient just and true merits Without Friends Wit or Wealth to raise him so much in his Master's esteem Or without ill offices done by him to this Nation as our Pamphlet will make us believe in many absurd particulars And truly Pam. 11.12 his studious labours in the State brought him the sooner to sicknesse a Consumption of the Lungs wherein he wasted some years and at last by advise for cure at the Bath he took leave of the King who came to visit him at Salisbury-House and with tears at his parting protested to the Lords attending his great losse of the wisest Councelour and best Servant that any Prince in Christendome could Paralel Of whom one saies Tu Pater Patriae Princeps Prudentia cujus Extulit immensum Reges Populósque Britannos His time at the Bath was short being spent to extreamity ere he came thither and returning back by the way he was taken out of his Litter and put himself in his Coach and died afterwards at St. Margarets in the House of that worthy Gentleman Mr. Daniel in May 1612. My Lord Viscount Cramborne now Earle of Salisbury and the Lord Clifford Sir Robert Manton and many more Gentlemen of quality then present whom I saw there He was Imbalmed and after Intomb'd at his Princely Mannor of Hartfield Pamp. 14. A fairer Corps then any brasen face that belies his disease His death was extreame sadnesse to the King and to all his friends and others of worth and honour For in spite of the Pamphleter Pamp. 14. he will be valued as he does confesse Never came a Better The next we meet with is Henry Earle of Northampton Henry Howard Earle of Northampton The Antient and Illustrous family of the Howards were here more Eminent then any other that ushered the King to his Additionall Crownes This Henry Howard was Brother unto Thomas Duke of Norfolke who suffered for his attempt of marriage with the Queen of Scots whilst she was Prisoner here in England Which might be some Motive to induce the King to consider the advance of that family though they were indued with large possessions from their Ancestors The Duke left two Sons Philip Earl of Arundell Thomas Howard Earle of Suffolk afterwards Lord Treasurer Henry Howard their Uncle Pamp. 15 was more wedded to his Book then to the Bed for he died a Bacheler and so had the lesse occasion to advance his fortune by Court-flattery or State-Imployment nor indeed was he ever any Suitor for either He was accounted both wise and learned and therefore out of the Kings great affection to Letters especially when they are met in a Noble Person he was advanced in his Creation of Baron of Marnhill and Earle of Southampton then Pryvy Councelor Lord Privy Seale and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Knight of the Garter He had very plentifull for his single life
and to spare for his friends In his expence not over frugal maintaining his Port the most remarkeable like the Ancient NOBLE MAN in his family and Dependants of any other Lord then or since his time He assisted his Nephew the Earl of Suffolk by his designing and large contribution to that excellent Fabrick Awdley-end He built the Noble structure at Charing-Crosse from the Ground Northampton House and presented it a New-years-gift to the Lord Walden Suffolkes eldest Sonne and now called Suffolk-House and yet left his other Nephew the Earl of Arundell the rest of his estate so to appear to the world his equall distribution to such even kinred He was Religious and gave good testimony thereof in his life built that handsome Covent at Greenwich and indued it with Revenue for ever for maintenance of decaied Gentlemen a sufficient number and for women also considerable He died in Anno 1613. full of years and Honourable fame though Our Pamphleter wil not know so much Pamp. 16. and yet no doubt must needs be Iutimate with his Person for he tells us his thoughts That he had assuredly promised to himself the Treasurers staff Although we can produce this Lord's Letters and other testimonies imploying all his own and his Friends Interest for that preferment upon his Nephew Suffolke and excusing himself of the burthen and weight of that Office by his known Infirmity of Stone of the which he died Indeed James Hay Earle of Carlile Pamp. 18. It is no matter upon what Score that the King gave his affection to this Favorite James Hay The Scots were never very eminent with Neighbour-Princes what credit they had came by the French to keep ballance with England and them The beginning might then be hoped when their Vnion with these Crownes should afford the meanes to set them forth And it was prudentiall in the King to pick out one of his own to splendour that Nation in our way of peace and Court-ship Especially when all was done at the Master's cost For Hay was poor unlesse what he got by his first Match with the Lord Dennis heir for by his last he had nothing the great spirit of Pearcy Earle of Northumberland disdaining the Marriage and refused to afford a Groat to a beggerly Scot as he call'd him And now this Lord for so was he soon made Lord Hay His vaine 〈◊〉 spences then Viscount Doncaster and Earl of Carlile did most vainely prodigallize what he often begg'd And in truth he had it granted for no other purpose to put down the Englâ—sh Courtier at that vanity And which both abroad and at home was often paid for by the King 's Privy Purse As that feast at Essex-House Pamp. 19. and many his Masqueradoes at Court for he medled not with the Tilt-staff as being no Sword-man but in the other and such like he never escaped to act One part And these expences fam'd him with little credit how erche appears to our Pamphleters Judgement who cries up Pamp. 21. the bounty of his Mind beyond the Moon at least who in truth was never good to Man or beast His Embassies His Embassies to Germany were not so weighty when he posted so long through Germany to find out the Emperor who afforded him the Wild-Goose-Chase as knowing his Arrand before he came at him Which in truth was purposely so designed by the King only to spend time and to amuse mens expectations who were wild after a Warre to beget a Treaty concerning the lost Palatine The effects wherof as the King wisely prophesyed would produce distemper through all Christendome if not destructive to his Son in law He went into France Extraordinary France it was to treate with that King in favour of the Hugenots the Religion as they account it being risen to a Civill Warre by management of the Duke d'Rohau Count Sobeeze and others to a dangerous consequence in severall places almost over France which to allay that King had raised a great Army resolving with countenance of his own Person to give end thereto But King James being invited by several troublesome Commissioners their Agents to implore for their cause and take upon him their protection which he a wise Prince in that declined yet not to neglect them and the rather to satisfy some of our People of the like Gang medled thus farre to mediate by Embassy of Hay who as in that of Germany did nothing with effect but went up to Montaban and so come home again 'T is true he went into Spain Spaine with a message to our Prince with no more matter then others that came after to waite on him in that Courtship For there as in other Kingdomes his Scots vanity must also be blazon'd And for his last Embassy in France about Our Match with that Daughter and our Queen Again into France he came not into Commission till the Treaty was confirmed and the Marriage concluded by Embassy only of the Earle of Holland and Carlile put in afterwards to dance out the Measures His name being used in the Proxie for that Ceremony and at this time the Earl of Holland Earle of Holland had some colour for his expence which he lavished without reason to the weakening of his unsettled fortunes being forced to follow the other then in all his fashions And which Infection by after-Custome became his disease also and almost if not over-mastering yet over-shadowing his Natural eminent parts with which his inside was habited and perspicuous to such as knew him But I am not delighted to urge out this story of the Earl of Carlile as not willing to speak ill of any unlike our Pamphlet that spares none but Him For I should know that vertue and vice are Inherent in Man And as it becomes us to tell truth when we speak their vertue yet with modesty and compassion to discover their vices either being Examples for the future that to imitate this to shun And I cannot but with Compunction remind That the monstrous excesse of the belly and the back by his first President became then the Mode of those times for great Persons the most part to follow and for the Common People to this hour to practise And truly a wise and a good Man ought justly to have hated his condition in this without suspition of malice or envy Pamp. 21. as it is said Northampton did who yet as may be remembred took leave of this life ere Hay was setled on horsback And that other marke of Reproach also may without partiallity be taken oft the Score from that Noble Northampton who on my conscience for I knew him well disdained the Guilt in that frivolous story of Sir Robert Mansell Nor is it material to credit the rest of that Rant in his Vice-Admirall voyage The Second Remark of the Preface Second Remarke Pamp. 30. falls upon the Treason of Sir Walter Ralegh which the Pamphlet calls an arrant trick
forewarning of the Duke of Florence by expresse Message of Sir Henry Wootton to King James a year before his comming to these Kingdomes against Her beloved and undoubted Heir and in Them to destroy the Protestant Religion The most remarkeable was Gowries Conspiracie that of Gowries Conspiracy in Scotland And I never read or hear'd till our Pamphlet That Sir George Hewms his gravity and Wisdome ushered him into the Secrets of the KING therefore and chiefly to make good that story Pamph. 8. The first passage of the Preface Remarkable For of that Nation both the wisest and most honest gave great Credit thereto And the commemoration was advisedly settled by Acts of their Parliament which Anathematize upon Gowries House and Name And Solemnized there and here with Narratives in print of each particular Circumstance and the ground the cause inviting that Treason And truely the Anniversary feast-day in August was usually solemnized to God's Glory by the most Reverend Preachers witnesse those rare Divine Sermons of our Bishop Andrew's and others whose Consciences no doubt were not so large to cozen God Almighty with a fained tale Indeed there might have been more additionall truths annexed to the relation which I have heard to make it more apprehensive to our Pamphleter whose Speculations in this as in other his stories of Court and State took Information belike but in his Office Below-staires And which makes his faith drawe downe the effects of those Sermons for the Father Pamp. 10. as a Cause of the sad Events and sufferings of the Son and us all to this present The Name of Ruthen in Scotland was not notorious until Anno 1568 when Ruthen amongst others confederates in those divided times of trouble laboured much for the Imprisoning Queene Mary Mother to King James In 1582. his sonne William was created Earle Gowry in the time of that King's minority Though the father bore deadly hatred to the King's prosperity And in 1584. himselfe was in actuall Rebellion in which he suffered at Dondee His eldest son John then in travell in Italy returns home to inherit his lands and honours But not one jot changed in disposition from the traiterous wayes of his Predecessors For not long after he falls into this Conspiracy Which is not so antient but that many then and now living can relate and my self have often heard the repetition The House of Gowry were all of them much addicted to Chimistry And these more to the Practise often publishing as such professors usually do more rare experiments then ever could be performed wherein the King a general scholar had little faith But to infuse more credit to the practise Alexander Ruthen the second Brother takes this occasion and withall conspires with Gowry to assassinate the King and taking opportunity in his hunting not far from his house St. Johnstone invites the King to be an eye-witnesse of his productions In their way Sir Thomas Erskin after Lord Kelly overtakes them and others Demanding of the Duke of Lenox then present why Alexander had ingrossed the King's eare to carry him from his sports Peace man said the Duke Wee's all be turned into gold Not far they rid but that the Earle Gowry made good by protestation his Brother's story And thus was the King brought to Guest Neere the end of Dinner at his fruit and the Lords and Waiters gone to eate Alexander begs of the King at this opportunity to withdraw and to be partaker of his Production to the view of that which yet he could not beleeve And up he leades the King into by-lodgings locking each door behind them till they came into a back-Roome Where no sooner entered but that Alexander claps on his Bonnet and with sterne Countenance faces the King and saies Now Sir you must know I had a father whose bloud calls for revenge shed for your sake The King amazed deales gently with his fury excuses the guilt of his death by his then Infancy Advising him not to lay violent hands on the sacred Person of his Anointed Soveraigne Especially in a cause of his Innocency Pleading the laws of God and Man which so much wrought upon him that he said well I will speak with my Brother And so put the King into a Lobby Room next the Chamber where no sooner entered but that there appeared a fellow weaponed ready for execution to whose custody the King is committed till his return Alexander gone downe the fellow trembles with Reverence puts down his sword and craves pardon which gave the King occasion to worke upon that passion and to aske him whether he resolved to murther him Being assured to the contrary the King gets leave to open a window that looked into a back Court When presently Alexander returnes and tells the King that he must dy But much affrighted at the fellowes countenance with his sword offers violence to the King Which the fellow seemingly opposes and betweene them began a scuffle which gave advantage to the King to cry Treason at the Window which looked into a back Court where Sir Thomas Erskin and one Herries were come In pursuite of the King who was rumored to be gone out the back way to his hunting At the cry of Treason and known to be the King's voice they both hastened up a back staire called the Turnepike being directed by a servant of the house who saw Alexander ascend that way And so forcing some doores they found them above panting with the fray And up comes also at heeles of them John Ramsey after Earle of Holdernesse by them Alexander was soon dispatched Not long after came the Earle Gowry by his double key the first way with a case of Rapiers his usuall weapons and ready drawn To whom Erskin said as to divert his purpose what do you meane my Lord the King is killed for the King was shadowed having cast himselfe upon a Bed from his sight and his cloak was thrown upon the Body of Alexander bleeding on the ground At which Gowry stops sincking the points of his weapons when suddainly Herries strickes at him with a hunting fawchion And Ramsey having his Hawke on his fist casts her off and steps into Gowry and stabs him to the heart and forthwith more Company came up And the truth very notorious then to every eye and eare-witnesse not a few There remained but one younger sonne of that House who though a childe was from that time Imprisoned by Act of their Parliament And so continued afterwards here in the Tower of London until that King's death and the grace of the late King Charles restored him to liberty with a small pension which kept him like a Gentleman to these times But now failing he walks the streets poore but well experienced also in Chimicall Physick and in other parts of Learning Not long after this Conspiracy Herries dies well rewarded John Ramsey hath the Honor of Knighthood with an additional bearing to his Cote of Armes A Hand holding
Sir John Skewe Knight Register And he was declared accused and pursued by Sir Thomas Hamilton Knight Advocate to the King for his Highnesse entries of the Crimes contained in his Indictment whereof the tenure follows viz. George Sprot Notary in Aye-mouth You are indicted and accused forasmuch as John sometime Earle of Gowry having most cruelly detestably and treasonably conspired in the moneth of July the year of God 1600. to murther our deere and most gracious Soveraigne the King 's most excellent Majesty And having imparted that divelish purpose to Robert Logaine of Restalrig who allowed of the same and most willingly and readily undertook to be partaker thereof The same comming to your knowledge at the times and in the manner particularly after specified You most unnaturally maliciously and treasonably concealed the same and was art and part thereof in manner following And first In the said moneth of July 1600. after you had perceived and known that divers letters messages had past betwixt the said John somtimes Earl of Gowry and the said Robert Logane of Restalrig you being in the house of Fast-Castle you saw and read a letter written by the said Restalrig with his own hand to the said Earle of Gowry viz. My Lord c. At the receipt of your letter I am so confuted that I can neither utter my joy nor find my selfe sufficiently able to requite your Lordship with due thanks And perswade your Lordship in that matter I shall be as forward for your honour as if it were my own cause And I think there is no Christian that would not be content to revenge that Machiavilian Massacring of our deer Friends yea howbeit it should be to venture and hazard life lands and all things else My heart can bind me to take part in that matter as your Lordship shall find proof thereof But one thing would be done namely that your Lordship should be circumspect and earnest with your Brother that he be not rash in any speeches touching the purpose of Padua And a certain space after the execution of the aforesaid Treason the said Robert Logane having desired the Laird of Bour to deliver to him the said letter or else to burn it and Bour having given to you all tickets and letters which he then had either concerning Restalrig or others to see the same because he could not reade himself you abstracted the above-written letter and retained the same in your own hands and divers times read it containing further to wit My Lord you may easily understand that such a purpose as your Lordship intendeth can not be done rashly but with deliberation And I think for my self that it were most meet to have the men your Lordship spake of ready in a bote or bark and addresse them as if they were taking pastime on the Sea in such faire Summer-time And if your Lordship could think good either your self to come to my house Fast-castle by sea or to send your Brother I should have the house very quiet and well provided after your Lordships advertisement And no others shall have accesse to haunt the place during your being here And if your Lordship doubt of safe landing I shall provide all such necessaries as may serve for your arrival within a flight-shot of the house And perswade your Lordship you shall be as sure and quiet here while we have setled our Plot as if you were in your own Chamber For I trust and am assured we shall have word within few daies from them your Lordship knowes of For I have care to see what ships come home by Your Lordship knows I have kept the Lord Bothwell quietly in this house in his greatest extremity in spite of King and Councell I hope if all things come to pass as I trust they shall to have both your Lordship his Lordship at a good Dinner ere I dy Haec jocose To animate your Lordship I doubt not but all things will be well and I am resolved thereof your Lordship shall not doubt of any thing on my part Peril of life lands honor and goods yea the hazard of hell shall not affray me from that yea though the Scaffold were already set up The sooner the Matter were done it were the better For the King 's Buck-hunting will be shortly and I hope it will prepare some daintier cheer for us to live the next year I remember well my Lord that merry sport which your Lordship's Brother told me of a Noble-Man at Padua for I think that a Parasceve to this purpose My Lord think nothing that I commit the secret hereof to this bearer for I dare not onely venture my life lands honour and all I have else on his credit but I durst hazard my soule in his keeping I am so perswaded of his fidelity And I trow as your Lordship may ask him if it be true he would go to Hell-gates for me and he is not beguiled of my part to him And therefore I doubt not but this will perswade your Lordship to give him trust in this matter as to my self But I pray you direct him home again with all speed possible and give him strait command that he take not a winck sleep till he see me again after he comes from you And as your Lordship desireth in your letter to me either rive or burn this letter or send it back again with the bearer for so is the fashion I grant Restalrig Which letter writ every word with the said Robert Logane's own hand was also so subscribed with this word Restalrig And albeit by the contents of the aforesaid letter you know perfectly the truth of the said most treasonable conspiracy and the said Logane his foreknowledge allowance and guilt thereof like as you were assured of the same by his receiving divers letters sent by Gowry to him and by his returning letters to Gowry for the same purpose and by sundry conferences ferences betwixt Logane and Bour in your presence and hearing concerning the said Treason as well in July preceding the attempt thereof as at divers other times shortly thereafter as likewise by Bour his revealing thereof to you who was upon the knowledge and devise of the Treason and was imployed as ordinary Messenger by Logane to Gowry whereby your knowledge concealing and guilt of the same was undeniable Yeâ— for further manifestation thereof about July 1602. the said Logane shewed unto you that Bour had told him that he had been somewhat rash to let you see a letter which came from Gowry to Logane who then urged you to tell what you understood by the same To whom you answered That you took the meaning thereof to be that he had been upon the councell and purpose of Gowrie's Conspiracy And that he answered you what e're he had done the worst was his own But if you would swear to him that you should never reveale any thing of that matter to any person it should be the best sight that ever
craved leave of the King that he might not attend beyond his Moneth to prejudice the other Clarks Which was excused and he kept still at Court These Sufficiencies of his enabled him in those times of gaining with much repute and direct honesty to purchase large possessions After Ccils death the Place of Secretary as secretary was joyned in two Principals And not long after he was one of them so continued with Honourably esteem of all men until that Malice and Revenge two violent passions over-ruling the Weaker Sexe concerning his wife and daughter involved him into their quarrel the chiefe and onely cause of his ruine He had by his Wife His Ingagement with his wife and daughter sons and daughters His eldest married unto the Lord Baron Rosse in right of a Grand-mother the son of Thomas Earle of Exeter by a former venter And upon the credit of Sir Thomas Lake he was sent Embassadour Extraordinary into Spaine in a very gallant Equipage with some hopes of his own to continue Leiger to save charges of transmitting any other In his absence there fell out an extreame deadly fewd t is no matter for what betweene the Lady Lake and the Countesse of Exeter Against the Countesse of Exeter A youthful widow she had bin and vertuous and so became Bedfellow to this aged gowty diseased but noble Earle And that preferment had made her subject to Envy and Malice Home comes the Lord Rosse from his Embassy when being fallen into some neglect of his wife and his kindred I conceive upon refusal of an increase of allowance to her settlement of joynture which was promised to be compleated at his returne Not long he staies in England but away he gets into Italy turnes a professed Romane Catholick being cousened into that Religion by his publick confident Gondamore In this his last absence never to returne the Mother and daughter the accusation accuse the Countesse of former Incontinencie with the Lord Rosse whilst he was here and that therefore upon his wives discovery he was fled from hence and from her Marriage Bed with other devised Calumnies by several designes and contrivements to have poisoned the Mother and daughter This quarrel was soone blazon'd at Court to the King's eare who as privately as could be singly examines each party The Countesse with teares and Imprecations professeth her Innocency which to oppose the Mother Lake and her daughter counterfeit her hand to a whole sheet of paper wherein they make the Countesse with much contrition to acknowledge her selfe guilty craves pardon for attempting to poisonthem desires friendslsip with them all The King gets sight of this as in favour to them and demands the place time and occasion when this should be writ They tell him that all the parties met in a visit at Wimbleton the house of the Lord of Exeter where in dispute of their differences she confesses her guilt of attempting their poison And being desirous of absolution and friendship being required thereto consents to set down all Circumstances therein under her own hand which presently she writ at the Window in the upper end of the great Chamber at Whimbleton in presence of the Mother and Daughter the Lord Rosse and one Diego a Spaniard his confiding Servant But now they being gone at Rome the King forthwith sends Mr. Dendy one of his Serjeants at Armes sometime a domestick of the Earl of Exeters an honest and worthy Gentleman post to Rome who speedily returnes with Rosse and Diego's hand and other testimonialls confirming That all the said accusation and confession Suspitions and papers concerning the Countesse were notorious false and Scandalous and confirmes it by receiving the Hoast in assurance of her Honour and his Innocency The King well satisfyed sends to the Countesse friends and trusties for her Jointure and Estate who comparing many of her letters with this writing do conclude it counterfeit Then He tells the Mother and Daughter that this writing being denied by her and their testimonies being parties would not prevaile with any belief But any other Additionall Witnesse would give it sufficient credit To which they assure him That one Sarah Swarton their Chamberesse stood behind the hanging at the entrance of the Room and heard the Countesse reade over what she had writ and her also they procure to swear unto this before the King To make further tryal the King in a hunting journy at New Park neer Wimbleton gallops thither viewes the Room observing the great distance of the Window from the lower end of the Room and placing himself behind the hanging and so other Lords in turn they could not hear one speak a loud from the window Then the House-Keeper was call'd who protested those hangings had constantly furnisht that room for 20. years which the King observed to be two foot short of the ground and might discover the woman if hidden behind them I may present also the King saying Oaths cannot confound my sight Besides all this the Mother and Daughter counterfeit another writing a Confession of one Luke Hutton acknowledging for 40. l. annuity the Countesse hired him to poison them which Man with wonderful providence was found out privately and denies it to the King And thus prepared the King sends for Sr. Thomas Lake whom in truth he very much valued tells him the danger to imbark himself in this quarrel advising him to leave them to the law being now ready for the Star-chamber He humbly thanked his Majestie but could not refuse to be a Father and a Husband and so puts his Name with theirs comes to Hearing in Stur chamber in a crosse Bill Which at the hearing took up 5. several daies the King sitting in Judgement But the former testimonies and some private confessions of the Lady Rosse and Sarah Wharton which the King kept in private from publick proceedings made the cause for some of the daies of triall appeared doubtful to the Court untill the King's discovery which concluded the Sentence and was pronounced upon severall Censures Sr. Thomas Lake and his Lady fined 10000. l. to the King five thousand pounds to the Countesse 50. l. to Hutton Sara Wharton to be whipt at a Carts taile about the streets and to do penance at Saint Martin's Church The Lady Rosse for confessing the truth and plot in the midst of the triall was pardoned by the Major Voices from penall Sentence and sentenced The King I remember compared their crimes to the first plot of the first sin in Paradise the Lady Lake to the Serpent her daughter unto Eve Sir Thomas to poor Adam whom he thought in his conscience that his love to his wife had beguiled him I am sure he paid for all which as he told me cost him thirty thousand pounds and the losse of his Masters favour and offices of gaine and honour but truly with much pitty and compassion of the Court. Our Pamphleter Pamp. 57. concerning the