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A33880 The history of the damnable popish plot, in its various branches and progress published for the satisfaction of the present and future ages / by the authors of The weekly pacquet of advice from Rome. Care, Henry, 1646-1688.; Robinson, 17th cent. 1680 (1680) Wing C522; ESTC R10752 197,441 406

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the King and inform'd him of the Business Whereupon conjecturing as well he might that they meant himself he privately got away with speed and absented himself from his Lodging in Drury-Lan● that night and returning thither next night for some necessaries was like to have been Assassinated by one Stratford On the 9th at Night he met Mr. Kirkby and Dr. Tonge at the Flying-Horse in Kings-Street Westminser whither for the present he had retired and then for his security went over with Mr. Kirkby to Fox-Hall where he and Dr. Tonge continued During this time Dr. Oates wrote fair Copies of his Informations and Dr. Tonge in vain sought to give in farther Informations to the Treasurer but were both and Mr. Kirkby also much perplexed with apprehensions of the danger they were in and discouragements they had met with Till on the 27th at Night one of the Treasurers Servants meeting Mr. Kirkby acquainted him he was come for Dr. Tonge to go to the Council who with Mr. Kirkby immediately went but the Council was risen before they came and order given them to attend next day Whereupon they resolved next Morning to get two more Copies Sworn unto that each man might have an Authentick Copy which accordingly they did being 28th of Sept. before Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey who would needs keep one of them having never before perused the said Informations Then first Dr. Tonge and Mr. Kirkby and afterwards Dr. Oates being sent for attended the Council who upon Examination of Dr. Oates were pleased to order both him and Dr. Tonge Lodgings in White-Hall for their Security and proceeded to examine and enquire further into the matter Post varios Casus post tot Discrimina Rerum Tendimus adversus Latium CHAP. VII The nature and scope of the Plot in general laid open SECT 1. THE design in general was by Fire and Sword when all other means fail'd to subvert the Establisht Government and Religion of these Kingdoms and to reduce the same to Popery so as no Toleration should be given to any Protestant but all to be Extirpated Root and Branch The chief Conspirators that design'd and were to carry on this were 1. The present Pope Innocent the Eleventh who in the Congregation de propaganda fide consisting of about 350 persons held about December 1677. Declared all his Majesties Dominions to be part of St. Peters Patrimony as forfeited to the Holy See for the Meresie of the Prince and People and so to be disposed of as he should think fit 2. Our English Cardinal Howard whom in pursuance of such Declaration his Holiness appointed as his Legate to take Possession of England in his Name he likewise made him Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with an augmentation of Forty-thousand Crowns a year for the maintenance of his Legantine Authority He had also Constituted Bishops and Dignitaries for all or most of the Sees and Ecclesiastical promotions in England As Perrot Superior of the Secular Priests to be Arch-Bishop of York Corker Bishop of London Whitebread of Winchester Strange of Durham Dr. Godden of Salisbury Napper a Franciscan Fryar of Norwich c. Removing all the Bishops in possession from their present Dignities 3. Johannes Paulus de Oliva Father-General of the Jesuits Society residing at Rome who was to give directions to the Provincial of the Jesuits in London how to proceed in this affair 4. Pedro Jeronymo de Corduba Provincial of the Jesuits in New Castile who was to assist with Counsel and Money and to mis-represent the Actions and Intentions of his Majesty of Great Britain in the Spanish Court to create Jealousies and Feuds between the two Crowns which likewise was to be done by a Jesuit that is Confessor to the Emperour in Relation to England and that Court 5. Le Chese a Jesuit Confessor to the French King with whom Coleman holding Correspondence discover'd to him all the Secrets of State he could and by his means endeavour'd to obtain a Pension from the French King for his good Services in betraying his Native Countrey 6. The Provincial of the Jesuits for the time being in England which of late was first Strange and then Whitebread 7. The Benedictine Monks at the Savoy ' where they had erected them a Colledge to such a degree of Confidence were they arriv'd 8. Jesuits and Seminary-Priests of whom there were about that time in England the number of Eighteen-hundred and were generally privy to the main design though perhaps not all acquainted with particulars 9. Several Lay-persons of Quality drawn in out of Zeal Ambition Covetousness Revenge c. to joyn with them to Command the Forces they were to raise and execute the great Offices of the Realm As the Lord Arundel of Warder to be Lord Chancellor of England The Lord Powis Lord Treasurer Sir William Godolphin Lord-Privy-Seal Edward Coleman Secretary of State Lord Bellasis General Lord Peters Lieutenant General Sir Francis Ratcliff Major General John Lambert Adjutant-General Langhorn Advocate-General c. who had Commissions sent them Sealed by Paulus d' Oliva from Rome The work was so great and in their apprehension so glorious that the most Eminent of the Popish Clergy in Europe were engaged in it so that it cannot be said to be an Act or Contrivance of any few particular persons but an Vnanimous undertaking of their whole Church and so it must be Recorded to Posterity to their everlasting shame SECT 2. The means whereby they resolv'd to accomplish it were 1. By Killing the King finding they could not work him to their purpose and therefore to remove him they laid several distinct Plots and all to be kept unknown to each other As 1. Grove and Pickering to Shoot him 2. Conyers and Anderton Benedictine Monks and four Irish Russians to Stab him 3. To Poison him for which purpose 5000 l. was entred in their Books as paid to Sir George Wakeman in part of 15000 l. Reward which he was to have for that Horrid work by vertue of a Contract made with him in the presence of Coleman and Dr. Fogarthy As for the Duke of York they concluded to make use of his Name and Interest if he would comply with them 1. To accept of the Three Kingdoms as a gift from the Pope and hold them in Fee of him 2ly If he would Confirm their Settlement of the Church and State 3dly If he would Exterminate all Protestants 4thly If he would Pardon the Murtherers of his Brother the Murtherers of the People and those who should Fire the remaining part of the City and Suburbs 2. For that was the second particular of their work to Fire London and Westminster and places adjoyning thereunto as also other the chief Cities and Towns of England immediately on the Killing of his Majesty and lay the whole load both of the Murther and Firing on the Presbyterians and Fanaticks thereby provoking the Episcopal men to joyn with them to cut them off that so Protestants being weakned by their own Feuds they might
of Winchester Henry Lord Marquess of Worcester Henry Earl of Arlington Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold James Earl of Salisbury John Earl of Bridgewater Robert Earl of Sunderland one of his Majesties principal Secretaries of State lately made in the room of Sir Joseph Williamson Arthur Earl of Essex first Lord Commissioner of the Treasury John Earl of Bath Groom of the Stole Thomas Lord Viscount Faulconberg George Lord Viscount Hallifax Henry Lord Bishop of London John Lord Roberts Denzil Lord Holles William Lord Russel William Lord Cavendish Henry Coventry Esq one of his Majesties principle Secretaries of State Sir Francis North Kt. Lord Cheif Justice of the Common-Pleas Sir Henry Capel Kt. of the Bath first Commissioner of the Admiralty Sir John Earnley Kt. Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Thomas Chicheley Kt. Master of the Ordnance Sir William Temple Baronet Edward Seymour Esq Henry Powle Esq The 30th of April His Majesty made a Speech to both Houses of Parliament wherein he recommended three things to them The prosecution of the Plot The disbanding of the Army and the providing a Fleet which was followed by a larger signification of his Majesties mind by the Lord Chancellor That His Majesty had considered with himself That 't is not enough that his Peoples Religion and Liberty be secure during his own Reign but thinks he ows it to his People to do all that in him lies that these Blessings may be transmitted to Posterity And to the end that it may never be in the power of any Papist if the Crown descend upon him to make any change in Church or State his Majesty would consent to limit such Successor in these points 1. That no such Popish Successor shall present to Ecclesiastical Benefices 2. That during the Reign of such Popish Successor no Privy Councellors or Judges Lord Leiutenant or Deputy Leiutenant or Officer of the Navy shall be put in or removed but by Authority of Parliament 3. That as it is already provided That no Papist can sit in either House of Parliament so there shall never want a Parliament when the King shall happen to die but that the Parliament then in Being may continue Indissoluble for a competent time or the last Parliament Re-assemble c. But it seems all these Provisions were not thought a sufficient Fence for such dear and precious things as Religion and Liberty and that in the progress of their Debates upon this most important Subject they could not resolve upon any certain Expedient of safety less than the Exclusion of his Royal Higness For on Sunday April the 27th 1679. It was Resolved by the House of Commons Nemine Contradicente That the Duke of York being a Papist and the hopes of his coming such to the Crown hath given the greatest Encouragement and Countenance to the present Conspiracies and Designs of the Papists against the King and Protestant Religion And on Sunday May the 11th the better Day the better Deed we use to say but whether it will hold here will be the Question they Ordered That a Bill should be brought in to disable the Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of this Realm which was brought in accordingly and twice read in the House the preamble thereof being to this effect That forasmuch as these Kingdoms of England and Ireland by the wonderful Providence of God many Years since have been delivered from the Slavery and Superstition of Popery which had despoiled the King of his Sovereign Power for that it did and doth advance the Pope of Rome to a Power over Sovereign Princes and makes him Monarch of the Universe and doth with-draw the Subjects from their Allegiance by pretended Absolutions from all former Daths and Obligations to their lawful Sovereign and by many Superstitions and Immoralities hath quite subverted the Ends of the Christian Religion But notwithstanding That Popery hath been long since Condemned by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm for the detestable Doctrine and Traiterous Attempts of its Adherents against the Lives of their lawful Sovereigns Kings and Queens of these Realms Yet the Emissaries Priests and Agents for the Pope of Rome resorting into this Kingdom of England in great numbers contrary to the known Laws thereof have for several Years last past as well by their own Devilish Acts and Policies as by Counsel and Assistance of Foreign Princes and Prelates known Enemies to these Nations contrived and carried on a most Horrid and Execrable Conspiracy To destroy and Murther the Person of his Sacred Majesty and to Subvert the ancient Government of these Realms and to Extirpate the Protestant Religion and Massacre the true Professors thereof And for the better effecting their wicked Designs and encouraging their Uilainous Accomplices they have Traterously Seduced James Duke of York Presumptive Heir of these Crowns to the Communion of the Church of Rome and have induced him to Enter into several Negotiations with the Pope his Cardinals and Nuntio's for promoting the Romish Church and Interest and by his means and procurement have advanced the Power and Greatness of the French King to the manifest hazard of these Kingdoms That by the descent of these Crowns upon a Papist and by Foreign Alliances and Assistance they may be able to succeed in their Wicked and Uillainons Designs And forasmuch as the Parliaments of England according to the Laws and Statutes thereof have heretofore for great and weighty Reasons of State and for the publick Good and common Interest at this Kingdom directed and limited the Succession of the Crown in other manner than of Course it would otherwise have gone but never had such important and urgent Reasons as at this Time press and require their using of their said Extraordinary Power in that behalf Be it therefore Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in this Parliament Assembled and by the Authority of the same And it is hereby Enacted accordingly That James Duke of York Albany and Ulster having departed openly from the Church of England and having publickly professed and owned the Popish Religion which hath notoriously given Birth and Life to the most Damnable and Hellish Plot by the most gracious Providence of God lately brought to light shall be Excluded and is hereby Excluded and Disabled c. On the 19th of May the House of Commons attended his Majesty with this following Address Most Dread Sovereign WEE your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons in Parliament Assembled do with all humble gratitude acknowledge the most gratious assurances your Majesty hath been pleased to give us of your constant Care to do every thing that may preserve the Protestant Religion of your firm resolution to defend the same to the utmost and your Royal endeavours that the security of that blessing may be transmitted to posterity And we do humbly represent to your Majesty That being deeply sensible that the
Mr. Bedloe had from time to time communicated this Intrigue and from them took his measures of proceeding in it inform'd the House of Commons that they had something of moment lately come to their knowledg wherein they desired the Assistance of the House hereupon it was immediately Ordered That all Persons who were not Members should be put out of the Speakers Chamber and that no Person should be suffered to go out of the House and that the Keys be brought in and laid upon the Table which being done and the business discovered and debated it was Ordered That Mr. Speaker immediately issue out his Warrant against Nathaniel Reading Esquire who being then walking in the Lobby for he had much Practice in Soliciting Causes in Parliament and commonly attended there was taken into Custody and the Secret Committee Ordered to take his Examination which being dispatch'd and Reported the House on the 8th of April made the following Address to the King for bringing him to his Tryal May it please your Majesty WEE your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons in Parliament Assembled having according to our Duty made equiry into the Damnable and Hellish Plot against your Majesties Sacred Person and Government and for the Extirpation of the Protestant Religion have upon examination discovered that Nathaniel Reading Esq hath Industriously and against the Duty of a Loyal Subject held frequent Correspondencies with several Lords and other Persons that stand Committed for High-Treason and also used his utmost endeavours to prevent and suppress your Majesties evidence and as much as in him lay to stifle the discovery of the said Plot and thereby to render the same Fallacious and of no reality and by such undue means to prevent the Malefactors from coming to Justice Therefore We your said Commons do most humbly beseech your Majesty that you will be Gratiously pleased to command That a Commission of Oyer and Terminer do immediately Issue forth for the Tryal of the said Nathaniel Reading for the said Offence that he may be brought to publick Justice Accordingly a Commission was granted and on Thursday the 24th of April Mr. Reading was brought to his Tryal before Sir Francis North Lord Cheif Justice of the Common Pleas and most of the other Judges except the Lord Cheif Justice of the Kings-Bench who was in the Country and several other Persons of Quality in the Commission named at the Kings-Bench-Bar at Westminster When the Jury came to be Sworn Mr. Reading desired the Liberty of a Peremptory Challenge which the Court could not allow he standing Indicted only for a Misdemeanour not Treason then he replied with a great deal of Submission and Eloquence seeming to urge that the nature of the Crime as it was laid was Treason and thence descended to crave the Opinion of the Court whether he might not be Indicted again for Treason for the same matter but in this the Court refused to gratifie him only telling him that the laying of it but as a Misdemeanour was a favour and ought so to be by him accounted and so proceeded to Swear the Jury as follows Sir John Cutler Kt. Joshuah Galliard Esq Edw. Wilford Esq Thomas Henslow Esq Thomas Earsby Esq John Serle Esq Thomas Cass Esq Rainsford Waterhouse Esq Matthew Bateman Esq Walter Moyle Esq Richard Pagett Esq John Haynes Esq The Effect of the Evidence 1. Mr. Bedloe set forth how he came acquainted with Mr. Reading whom he employed in some Concerns See Reading's Tryal P. 15. That he never went about to have him stifle the whole Plot but only to make him easie towards some particular People that he Solicited for to which purpose he would tell him it was not for his safety to run at the whole Herd and if he could do a kindness he should be well gratified 2. That the cheif Persons he Solicited for were the Lord Petre the Lord Powis the Lord Stafford and Sir Henry Titchborn in whose name he promised great Rewards both in money and Estate for shortning the Evidence and bringing them off from the charge of High Treason and particularly that he made him easie towards Whitebread and Fenwick when they were first Arraigned which was to be an Assurance that he would accomplish what he promised and an example what kindness might be done wherein the Witness was willing to comply to carry on the Intreigue with the Lords till it might properly be discovered he esteeming that of greater Consequence then two old Priests whom he might charge further another time 3. He did not know but Reading had laid a Trap for him and therefore discovered these Conferences to Prince Rupert the Earl of Essex Mr. Kirkby and others and Mr. Reading being to give him a meeting at his Lodgings on the 26th of March he had planted one Mr. Speke a Gentleman of good Quality behind the hangings and making an hollow place in the Bed laid his man there cover'd over smooth with a Rugg as if it had been new made that they might over-hear what passed and not be descryed There he agreed to bring the Final Answer of the Lords and told him That he had Authority to draw blank Deedes both for Sums and Estates which they would settle on him and that the Lord Stafford was Felling of Timber to sell to raise money for him c. 4. That the Monday following the Witness and the Prisoner drew up a Paper of what the Witness had to charge the aforesaid Lords with which was carried to the Lords and then return'd by Reading in his own hand writing but minc'd so as not to signifie any thing material against them This paper Mr. Reading own'd and it was read in Court 5. Mr. Speke sets forth the Conference between Mr. Bedloe and Mr. Reading which he over-heard and that Mr. Ibidem P. 28. Reading said The Lord Stafford would settle an Estate in Glocestershire on Mr. Bedloe and Sign and Seal a Deed thereof within ten days after he should be discharged and several other discourses plainly proving the matter of the Indictment too long here to be recited And the same was sworn by Henry Wiggins Mr. Bedloes man 6. Mr. Bedloe swore positively That Mr. Reading had given him several Sums of money amounting in all to 56l or upwards and all to dispose him to this matter To all this Mr. Reading had very little to say in his own defence that was pertinent or material but only endeavoured with a multitude of fine words to cloud the matter and asperse the Evidence yet in the process of his discourse he did in effect own the whole matter of Fact he stood charged with but would have had it beleiv'd that Mr. Bedloe first proposed it to him and that all that he did was not in the least to shorten lessen or stifle any thing of Truth which Mr. Bedloe had to say but only to prevent him from the guilt of Perjury and Innocent Blood c. All which being sufficiently
and particularly that whereas Mr. Bedloe carried a Letter from the English Monks to le Chese at Paris wherein they acquainted him that all things were in readiness within a year or two to put the design in practice and subvert the oppression and Tyranny which the Catholicks were under in England c. when he brought back an Answer thereunto Mr. Marshal carried a Copy of it to Sir Francis Ratcliffe 1. As for the Defence made by these two Marshal with a long starcht Oration would undertake to perswade the people there was no Plot and that Whitebread and the rest dyed Innocent and all because they did not confess it at their death 2. Corker denyed his being at Lamspring but that was nothing to the purpose for Mr. Oates swore onely that he said he would go thither and that it was usual with them to give out they go to one place and go clear another way and the Letter he mentioned was not dated from any place 3. He alleadged that he was not President of the Benedictines so that Mr. Oates was mistaken therein and consequently his consent not necessary to the Consult for raising the 6000 l. To prove this though p. 65. he saith he could bring no body yet at last a good while after he called three women that all said that not he but one Mr. Stapleton was President of the Benedictines But as to this it is to be noted That Doctor Oates being taken very ill was gone out of the Court and did not hear this Objection and though he was called for by Mr. Recorder yet when he came by I know not whose negligence he was not acquainted with it nor Examined about it who otherwise might probably have cleared the point But however 't is not at all impossible that the Prisoners might find three Women in this Town kind enough to tell so small a Lye for them which considering they were under such Circumstances might by their Votaries be counted not onely venial but exceeding meritorious 4. They both urged that when Pickering was taken at the Savoy they were there in Bed and yet Doctor Oates and his Company did not apprehend them but rather said they had nothing to do with them and to prove this they produce a woman that was the Monks House-keeper or Bed-maker Nell Rigby who you might be sure would speak a good word for her Masters But Doctor Oates at that time came purposely for Pickering and 't is possible in the night and hurry and such disguises as they might have might not know them but indeed we may conclude he did not see them for the Prisoners offer no proof of that no not Nelly Rigby her self who onely says she nam'd them all to them when they askt who else was in the house 5. This Nell Rigby starts another Objection against Dr. Oates and says That in the Summer 78 she saw him come a begging to Mr. Pickering for Charity and that Pickering bid her shut the door and never let that man come in again Whence Marshal observes how unlikely it was they should suffer him to be in such want and use him in that manner in the very heat of the Plot when they most employed him and when he could gain such advantages by discovering them if indeed there had been any such Conspiracy as he pretends But as to this we are not obliged to take all that Nell Rigby the Monks Bed-maker to say no worse tells us for an Oracle and prefer it to positive proof upon Oath for undoubtedly this begging story was a meer flam for if true why was it not offered before why was it not set up at Pickerings Tryal whom it as much concerned or more than these and who could never have been so careless as to omit so material an Evidence if he had known any such thing Besides 't is plain Mrs. Nelly is a common Voucher and says she knows nor cares what if she think it will make for her beloved Masters for she positively avers p. 73. That Mr. Bedloe was with Mr. Oates at the taking of Pickering which was on Michaelmass Eve upon the very first publick notice of the Plot whereas that must needs be a notorious Lie for all the world knows that Bedloe was then wholly amongst the Jesuits and did not come in till many weeks after And had this been well enough observed this scandalous Objection would have left no impressions Lastly Marshal made a great stir about Bedloe's not knowing him but was confuted though not at all ashamed in his Lies by Sir Wil. Waller upon Oath and afterwards with an impudence that none but a Monk could own said That he would be content to be hanged if Mr. Bedloe could prove That he viz. Mr. Bedloe himself was ever in the Savoy in his life And though it hapned Bedloe had none ready by him to prove that for who should dream of such a question being askt yet by a sufficient circumstance he proved not onely that he had been in the Savoy but also that he was well acquainted with their Convent and Affairs there in that he gave Sir Will. Waller directions where to search in the most material places describing them and in particular he desired him to look under such a Bench in P. 45. Irelands Apartment where he should find the Gun that was to kill the King which was there found accordingly all which was confirmed by the said Sir William Waller now present in Court These were all their Objections that seem'd to have any colour of weight or argument in them the rest of their tedious talk being nothing but either railing at the Witnesses certain flashes of Rhetorick and some long set-speeches ad faciendum Populum to amuse the People or else down-right Impertinence as Marshal's trifling that he had Witnesses here to prove that he had Witnesses in the Country but sixty miles off that could say something for him when he had had a months notice to get them ready for this time of tryal As for Rumley Dr. Oates testified that he was privy to the Consult of the Monks wherein the 6000 l. was agreed on and he judg'd did consent to it for he did pray God it might have good success and that the Catholick Cause might once again flourish in England But he being but a single Evidence and Mr. Bedloe not being able to speak any thing material as to that Prisoner he came off on course Thus after a tedious full and most favourable hearing of all that the Prisoners or their Witnesses had to offer the Lord Chief Justice Sir William Scroggs came to sum up the Evidence to the Jury which he performed in a long Speech See the Tryal p. 77. to which we refer the Reader some material heads whereof as his Lordship was then pleas'd to observe them were as follows 1. That as to Rumley there was but one Witness which not being sufficient Evidence according to Law to condemn him therefore
Lord Gray Lord Howard of Escrick Duke of Monmouth Duke of Buckingham Sir Will. Waller c. which he did so well that he thought then His Majesty believed him being pleased to order him forty pound which he received fol. 35. And the more to possess his Majesty he sent him a Letter to New-market signifying he had discovered a great Correspondence between the Presbyterians and the Dutch fol. 36. 13. That pursuant to his undertaking with the Lords he went twice to Murder the Earl of Shaftesbury armed with a short French Dagger given him by Mrs. Celier who said there had been three of them left her by Rigaut pretending business as directed by Celier and the Lady Powis but was both times prevented by peoples coming and his own guilty fears for which the Countess called him Coward and Mrs. Celier said I will go and let the world know that some of our Sex are brave and more daring than the men whereupon she went pretending business but was prevented of an opportunity 14. Now the Countess put him on enquiring out Col. Mansels Lodgings delivered him Papers to plant there which under pretence of taking Lodgings in the same House and seeing all the Rooms he pin'd behind the Beds-head and then having informed two Officers of theCustom-house to come there to search for Prohibited Goods of Two thousand pound value on Wednesday the twenty second of October in the Colonels absence they came and he and one Bedford that lay with him the night before went in with them who finding nothing he directed them to remove the Bed and at last going himself behind it discovered the Papers and as the Devil would have it or rather the providence of Almighty God to detect the villany before they had well lookt into any of them cryed out Here is Treason The Officers carryed the Papers to the Custom-house which were ordered to be returned but the Colonel in the mean time having notice and that such a man who then and for some time before had gone sometimes by the name of Thomas and sometimes Willoughby had been concerned in the matter strictly enquiring after him found he lay at Mrs. Celiers House and there apprehended him and on the twenty third of October brought him before the Councel where accidentally he met with and abused one Mr. d'Oiley o● the Tower that had formerly prosecuted him 〈◊〉 uttering false Guineys who much helped to give an account of his former ill conversation yet he persisted stifly in charging Mansel and justifying his own innocency but on hearing all circumstances attested by the Searchers and other Witnesses produced by Colonel Mansel it apppearing that the Papers were laid by Dangerfield in the Colonels Chamber out of a malitious design he was committed to a Messenger whereupon he writ a Note to acquaint the Lady Powis therewith to be sent by his boy but the Messenger would needs see it and thereby the Correspondence between them was discovered 15. The twenty seventh of October Dangerfield was committed to Newgate by the Council on a full hearing though he had endeavoured all he could to defend himself by certain notable instructions received from the Lady Powis in the Stone-gallery in Whitehall which he particularly sets forth fol. 49. 16. On the twenty ninth of October Sir William Waller to whose indefatigable pains and courage this Nation and the Protestant Religion in general under God in an high measure owes its preservation searching Celiers House most providentially found hid in a Meal-tub the Paper-book tyed with red ribbons containing the Model of this designed Plot against the Protestants the matter whereof was dictated by the Lady Powis the grand Solliciness from the Lords in the Tower as aforesaid and proved by her maid to be hid there by her order It purported to be onely Remarks or chief Heads of things and persons to be charged As amongst the rest there were named the Lords Hallifax Shaftsbury Radnor now President of his Majesties Privy-Councel Essex Wharton the Duke of Buckingham and others to be of Counsel in this pretended Conspiracy the Duke of Monmouth General the Lord Grey Lord Gerard and his Son and Sir Tho. Armstrong Lieutenant Generals in this Rebellious Army Sir William Waller and others Major-Generals Colonel Mansel Quarter-Master-General To which was added Lists of particular persons usually meeting at four principal Clubs about the Town too tedious here to repeat 17. In the Papers foisted into Col. Mansels Chamber there were likewise long Lists of Names that were to be rendred obnoxious to this present Plot but no particular Copy or Account can thereof be given the Original Papers being so lodged that the same are not easily procurable till Authority shall think fit to divulge them See Col. Mansels Nar. fol. 104. 18. Mr. Dangerfield by this last Discovery at Mrs. Celiers finding himself trapt had not the confidence to stand out longer but on the last of October made application to the Right Honourable Sir Robert Clayton Lord Mayor before whom and other persons of Quality he made a candid Confession on Oath transmitted the next day to His Majesty and the Councel Whereupon and on farther Examination of the several persons concerned the Earl of Castlemain was Committed to the Tower whence he had not long since been Bayled as having been charged by Doctor Oates on the former Popish Plot Mrs. Celier and Mr. Rigaut to Newgate and Mr. Gadbury the Almanack-maker who though bred a Taylor hath for some years written himself Physician to the Queens most Excellent Majesty and formerly published a Figure which he called his Majesties Nativity in Print and constantly of late in his Calendar hath left out the Gunpowder-Treason-day to the Gate-house And on the fourth of November the Lady Powis being farther Examined and divers notable Circumstances which she had denyed being proved against her by other persons besides Mr. Dangerfield she was by order of the Board committed to the Tower for High-Treason in conspiring the death of the King And the said Dormer formerly Committed on suspition of being a Priest and Bail'd being found discoursing with her in the Lobby was upon other new matter charged on him by Doctor Oates taken into custody The Lord Castlemain twice in Michaelmass-Term brought his Habeas Corpus to be Bayled in the Kings Bench but was told by the Judges of that Court that though formerly when there was but one witness against him they had afforded it him yet having made such ill use of his Liberty and being now charged directly by two Witnesses for High-Treason they could not allow it and so was re-manded to the Tower By this whole contrivance it most evidently appears that though the Popish out-cries and clamours ran onely upon the Presbyterians and Fanaticks yet their aim was to ruine all that were true Protestants or honest Assertors of the Liberties and Property of the Subject As their naming his Grace the Duke of Monmouth the Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Essex
Jesuit Preach a Sermon on the 13th of August to 12 persons in disguise supposed to be of eminent quality wherein he asserted That Protestants and other Heretical Princes were ipso facto deposed because such and that it was as lawful to destroy them as an Oliver Cromwel or any other Vsurper with several other Traiterous words and discourses from divers of the Conspintors at several times and places therein specified till the time of his making the Discovery as aforesaid CHAP. VIII Some proceedings immediately following the Discovery and the true manner and circumstances of the Murther of Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey SECT 1. THE Discovery was made to the Council on Saturday the 28th of Septemb. being Michaelmas Eve as aforesaid in the Morning where Dr. Oates was a long time under Examination In the Afternoon the Council sat again and Dr. Oates was imploy'd with a Guard that Night to search after some Jesuits whom he took On Sunday in the Afternoon the Council sat again very long and then he was Re-examin'd and when they rose he was sent abroad all that Night to Search the Lodgings of several Priests and find out their Papers which he did seize upon On the said Sunday Sir George Wakeman the Queens Physician before mentioned was summoned to attend the Council but was dismiss'd being told by Sir Ph. Lloyd that his Majesty would have the hearing of his business next day himself On Monday Morning the Council sat again and Dr. Oates was further Examined and by reason of so long watching and running up and down for two days and nights together continually without any respit and in bad rainy weather he was reduced to such extream weakness and disorder of body that he could hardly stand or speak Then it was that Sir George Wakeman again appeared and behaved himself so strangely that the whole Council were amazed at the manner of it for he did not seem to deny what he was charged with so positively as one that was Innocent would have done but used many boasting expressions of his great fidelity and Loyalty to the King and required Satisfaction and Reparation for the Injury done to his Honour Dr. Oats did then set forth that he had seen a Letter from Whitebread to Fenwick mentioning that Sir George had undertaken the Poisoning of the King for 15000 l. of which 5000 l. had been paid him by Coleman But a question arose afterwards at his Trial Whether he then mentioned another Letter which afterwards he insisted upon written from Sir George himself to Father Ashby Sir George denying that he then said any thing of it but on the contrary declared he had not any thing further to charge him with and then endeavour'd to Invalidate his after-Evidence whereas Dr. Oates alledged the Council did not press him to his knowledge and that the Omission of mentioning that Letter if he did omit it as to the best of his memory he did not was to be attributed to his Weakness at that time which the King and Council were so sensible of that his Majesty himself had like to have sent him away once or twice before because he found him so Ill. See Wakemans Trial p. 55 56 59. It not being improbable that a man under such Circumstances might forget to mention that which at another time he might well know and remember However it was things were so manag'd that Sir George was not Committed at that time nor till above three weeks afterwards When Dr. Oates acquainting the House of Commons with that Letter under Sir Georges hand they thereupon sent a Message to the House of Lords wondring why he was not Confined Whereupon their Lordships upon Examination of the matter Committed him As for Priests Jesuits and Conspirators about this time secured there were On the 30th of September Committed to Newgate by Order of the Privy Council for High Treason Dr. William Fogarthy Since dead in Goal William Ireland John Fenwick Thomas Pickering All since Executed John Grove John Smith Tho. Johnson Still in Newgate Untry'd On Sunday the 30th of Septemb. Mr. Colemans House was Search'd and some of his Papers seiz'd On Munday the first of Octob. he voluntarily rendred himself to Sir Joseph Williamson then Secretary of State hearing there was a Warrant out against him But there were so many other Prisoners under Examination that he was not call d till After-noon where he seem'd to hear these lewd things charg'd upon him with Scorn and Indignation insomuch that though a blank Warrant was fill'd up to send him to Newgate he was only for the present Committed to a Messenger and a special Warrant granted to the Messenger to secure him against the said first Order On Tuesday the 2d of Octob. his Majesty went out of Town to New-Market and a Committee being appointed to Examine several Papers and Mr. Colemans amongst others there were found in a Deal-box some of such dangerous Consequence as moved the Lords forthwith to Sign a Warrant for his Commitment to Newgate dated the 4th of October On the 7th Mr. Richard Langhorn the Elder a Councellor of the Temple and on the 10th Mr. Edward Peters lately living at Sir Charles Shellies in Sussex who Married the Lady Abergaveny were both Committed to Newgate by the Council Hitherto the weight of this mighty work lay wholly upon Dr. Oats's shoulders and Reputation and the design he mentioned was in it self and its tendency so Horrid and Bloody that good men who are always Charitable could scarce perswade themselves of its reality The fashionable men of the Town that pretend to wit and humour did but make a Jest of it having long since learn'd to turn all things though never so serious and sacred into Drol and Ridicule and on the other side the Conspirators with Impudence lies noise number and the powerful Interest they had did not doubt but to over-bear and crush his testimony and upon this Confidence no doubt it was and consideration that at worst he being but a single Evidence they could not by our Law be Convicted of Treason for any thing he could say that so many of them stood so long by it without flying that at last they fell into the hands of Justice which Indiscretion these men who are excellent at turning Objections into Arguments would afterwards have made an advantage of as a sign of their Innocence when in truth it was only a symtom of their Presumption SECT 2. But now the adorable Providence of God was pleased to take the Crafty in their own Net and so far Infatuate these Romish Achitophels that themselves mortally wounded their own Cause and became Accessary to promote a further Discovery and Confirmation by venturing upon a Bloody Enterprize which immediately Alarm'd the whole Nation and left no room any longer for doubt whether or no there were a Plot. This was the Murther of that worthy Magistrate Sir Edmund-bury Godfrey whose memory shall be dear to Posterity as a Martyr for our
Church and a Ransom for the State And though the manner of his death was not discovered till a considerable time afterwards yet not to interrupt the Series of time we shall relate it here Sir Edmundbury Godfrey as is before related took Dr. Oat's Depositions which was no more than every Gentleman in the Commission of the Peace was bound to do yet for this necessary discharge of his duty the Conspirators were so enraged that they resolved to cut him off the rather as may reasonably be supposed to deter all other Magistrates from inter-medling with any affairs relating to the Plot How many there were in all that Conspired his death is not yet certainly discovered for it appears they accounted the Murthering of him so necessary that they had imployed several Parties to do it which knew nothing of each others designs But those who are known to have been in it were these Father Girald and Father Felly two Irish Priests Robert Green Cushion-man to the Queens Chappel Laurence Hill Doctor Godden's Man which Doctor is Treasurer of the said Chappel Henry Berry who was Porter of Sommerset-House and Mr. Miles Prance a Goldsmith in Covent-Garden who workt to the Queen These were actually present at the Murther and besides they knew there were two more that were Privy to it should have been there but were not viz. one Father Lewson a Priest and one Phillip Vernatti who belonged to the Lord Bellasis who since fled Then of the other Gang who were to have done it but did not there were Pritchard Le Fair Welch Kains and another five Jesuits and Mr. William Bedloe Of that Company that effected it 't is believed that Vernatti and the Priests first undertook it and drew in Green Hill and Berry first and afterwards engaged Mr. Prance which they did at the Plough-Alehouse by the Water-gate by Sommerset-House on a Sunday after they came from Chappel telling him that Sir Edmundbury was a better Persecutor of Catholicks and a particular Enemy to her Majesties Servants whereof Mr. Prance counted himself one as aforesaid and that he had very lately Examined people against them and got Depositions to fix base Crimes and Scandals on their Religion and that Catholicks would be ruined unless he were taken off and therefore it was necessary for the Glory of God and good of the Church that it should be done and that besides they should have a good Reward from the Lord Bellasis and when Mr. Prance scrupled it the two Priests Girald See Prance Narrative page 10. and the Tryals of Green c. p. 14. and Kelly told him It was no sin but a work of Charity so far from being a Murther that it was a Meritorious work and he ought to assist in it Having thus fixt him they had several Consultations how to accomplish the work At last on Saturday the 12th of October Hill went to Sir Edmundbury Godfreys House in the Morning and spoke with him but what he said is not known Then taking his leave he went to Girald and Green and with them staid hard by waiting Sir Edmundbury Godfreys coming forth which about 10 or 11. a Clock he did as he used to do all alone they dog'd him up and down as they said all that Day till about six or seven a Clock in the Evening and then Green came to Prances House and told him that they had Set him but did not name where any further than by saying near St. Clements and that Prance must make all hast down to Sommerset-House to the Water-gate that is the furthermost Gate or passage West ward in the Strand that goes into Sommerset-House down to the Water-side and there he should find Kelly and Berry which he did and they three waited there till about Nine a Clock at Night then Hill came in hast and told them he was coming and that they must pretend a quarrel and he would fetch him in Kelly and Berry did begin a seeming quarrel and just as Sir Edmundbury was passing by the Water-gate Hill who was acquainted with Sir Edmundbury and Sir Edmundbury with him as having dealt with him formerly steps out in a great deal of hast and entreated him for Gods sake to come in for there were two men a quarrelling and he was afraid there would be Bloodshed whereas his presence being a Magistrate would presently quiet them He refused at first but the other was so importunate that at last he consented and Hill entred the Gate first after him Sir Edmund-bury and just behind him followed Girald and Green As soon as they were in Prance went up to the Water-gate to watch that no body should come in that way and Berry was to secure the Stairs and passage by the Chappel but first he and Kelly the pretended Quarrellers stood about the end of the Rail by the Queens Stables and as Sir Edmundbury went down towards them Green suddenly threw a twisted Handkerchief about his neck and forthwith all four of them pull'd him down and Throttled him so as he could make no noise then they threw him behind the Rail and gave him many violent punches on the Breast with their Knees and Green wrung his neck almost round with all his force Prance and Berry being come to them when he was quite dead they all help'd to carry the Body into Dr. Goddins Lodgings where the said Hill liv'd who went before and opened the door When they were in they carried him up five or six steps into a little Room on the right hand and there left him that night and Sunday all day and night On Munday night Hill and some others of them removed him into a Room in the upper Court and Prance having a mind to see where they had laid him they all went with a dark Lanthorn thither and lookt on the body at which time Mr. Bedloe saw Mr. Prance and knew him again long afterwards as in due place shall be mentioned On Tuesday night they carried him to another Room in the said long Entry over against Dr. Goddins Lodgings And on Wednesday night being removing it from thence to the Room where it was at first Prance happening to come upon them at that instant they all run away and left the Body in the Entry till he call'd to them and then they came back and laid it as at first in the little Room Then that they might Murther his Reputation as they had his Person the two wicked Pciests Girald and Kelly advised to carry him out into the Fields and leave him run through with his own Sword in some obscure place that he might be supposed to have Murther'd himself and therefore his Money Rings c. were all to be left with him This being agreed they resolv d to carry him out at Night and in order thereunto Hill procured a Sedan into which about 12. a Clock they put him Prance and Girald carried him out at the great Gate Berry the Porter opening the door who
greatest hopes of Success against our Religion in the Enemies thereof the Papists are founded in the execrable Designs which they have laid against the Sacred Person and Life of your Majesty which it is not onely our Duty but our Interest with the greatest hazards to preserve and defend We have applyed our selves to the making such provision by Law as may defeat these Popish Adversaries their Abettors and Adherents of their hopes of gaining an advantage by any violent attempts against your Majesty and may utterly frustrate their expectation of Subverting the Protestant Religion thereby in time to come And further to obviate by the best means we can all wicked practices against your Majesty whilest any such Lawes are in preparation and bringing to perfection It is our resolution and we do Declare That in defence of your Majesties Person and the Protestant Religion we will stand by your Majesty with our Lives and Fortunes and shall be ready to Revenge upon the Papists any violence offered by them to your Sacred Majesty in which we have your Majesty will gratiously please to be the more assured as We our Selves are the more encouraged in that the Hearts of all your Majesties Protestant Subjects with the most sincere affection and zeal joyn with us herein But this Zeal of the House of Commons running to so high a pitch touching the Succession together with some unhappy misunderstandings arising between them and the House of Lords concerning the Tryal of the Popish Lords and Earl of Danby as shall be related in the next Chapter His Majesty to allay the same was pleased first to Prorogue and then to put a period to them by a Dissolution of that Parliament by a Proclamation dated at Windsor the 12th of July 1679. But therein graciously declaring that a New one should be called to begin and be holden on Tuesday the 7th which was afwards altered to Friday the 17th of October CHAP. XVII The Proceedings against the Popish Lords in the Tower WE have before related the Commitment of these Lords to the Tower for High Treason after which followed this Vote in the House of Commons in the old Parliament Decemb. 5th 1678. Resolved That the House do proceed by way of Impeachment of High Treason and other High Crimes and Misdemeanours against the Lord Arundel of Warder Lord Powis Lord Petre Lord Bellasis and Viscount Stafford and a Committee appointed to draw up Articles of Impeachment against them Which Vote was Communicated to the House of Lords and the several Lords Charged by several Members in these words The Commons in Parliament having received Information of divers Traiterous Practices and Designs of a great Peer of this House Henry Lord Arundel of Warder have Commanded me to Impeach the said Henry Lord Arundel of Warder of High Treason and other high Crimes and Misdemeanours They have further Commanded me to acquaint your Lordships that they will within a convenient time exhibit to your Lordships particular Articles of the Charge against him Thus standing Impeached they continued in the Tower all the Interval of Parliament and as soon as the next Parliament was settled to Business they forgot not their Lordships For March 20th 1678. it was Ordered That a Committee of Secrecy be appointed to take further Evidence and prepare Articles against the Lords in the Tower who stand Impeached of High Treason and take such further Informations as they shall receive touching the Plot in general and the Death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey and that this Committee have power to send for Persons Papers and Records and that they sit de die in diem and the Quorum to be Three The Articles at last Exhibited were as follows Articles of Impeachment of High Treason and other high Crimes and Offences against William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis now Prisoners in the Tower THat for many Years now last past there hath been contrived and carried on a Traiterous and Execrable Conspiracy and Plot within this Kingdom of England and other places to alter change or subvert the Antient Government and Laws of this Kingdom and Nation and to suppress the true Religion therein established and to Extirpate and destroy the Professors thereof which said Plot and Conspiracy was contrived and carried on in divers places and by several ways and means and by a great number of Persons of several Qualities and Degrees who acted therein and intended to execute and accomplish the aforesaid Wicked and Traiterous Designs and Purposes That the said William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis together with Philip Howard commonly called Cardinal of Norfolk Thomas White aliàs Whitebread commonly called Provincial of the Jesuits in England Richard Strange late Provincial of the Jesuits in England Vincent commonly called Provincial of the Dominicans in England James Corker commonly called President of the Benedictines Sir John Warner aliàs Clare Baronet William Harcourt John Keines Nicholas Blundel Pole Edward Mico Thomas Beddingfield Bazil Langworth Charles Peters Richard Peters John Conyers Sir George Wakeman John Fenwick Dominick Kelly Fitz Gerald Evers Sir Thomas Preston William Lovel Jesuits Lord Beltamore John Carrel John Townely Richard Langhorn William Foggarty Thomas Penny Matthew Medbourn Edward Coleman William Ireland John Grove Thomas Pickering John Smith and divers others Jesuits Priests and Fryars and other persons as false Traitors to his Majesty and this Kingdom within the time aforesaid have Traiterously consulted contrived and acted to and for the accomplishing of the said wicked pernicious and Traiterous Designs and for that end did most wickedly and Traiterously agree conspire and resolve to Imprison Depose and Murther his Sacred Majesty and to deprive him of his Royal State Crown and Dignity and by malicious and advised speaking writing and otherwise declared such their Purposes and Intentions and also to subject this Kingdom and Nation to the Pope and his Tyrannical Government And to seize and share amongst themselves the Estates and Inheritances of his Majesties Protestant Subjects and to Erect and Restore Abbies Monasteries and other Convents and Societies which have been long since by the Laws of this Kingdom supprest for their Superstition and Idolatry and to deliver up and restore to them the Lands and Possessions now Invested in his Majesty and his Subjects by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm And also to Found and Erect new Monasteries and Convents and to remove and deprive all Protestant Bishops and other Ecclesiastical Persons from their Offices Benefices Preferments and by this means to destroy his Majesties Person extirpate the Protestant Religion overthrow the Rights Liberties and Properties of his Majesties good Subjects Subvert the Lawful Government of this Kingdom and subject the same to the Tyranny of the See of Rome That the said Conspirators and their Complices and Confederates Traiterously had and held several Meetings
Assemblies and Consultations wherein it was Contrived and Designed amongst them what means should be used and what Persons and Instruments should be employed to Murther his Majesty and did then and there resolve to effect it by Poisoning Shooting Stabing or some such like ways or means and offered Rewards and promises of Advantage to several Persons to Execute the same and hired and employed several Wicked Persons to go to Windsor and other places where his Majesty did reside to Murther and destroy his Majesty which said Persons or some of them accepted some Rewards and undertook the Perpetrating thereof and did actually go to the said places for that end and purpose That the said Conspirators the better to compass their Traiterous Designs have consulted to Raise and have procured and raised Men Money Horses Arms and Ammunition and also have made Application to and Treated and Corresponded with the Pope his Cardinals Nuncio's and Agents and with other Foraign Ministers and Persons to raise Tumults within this Kingdom and to Invade the same with Foraign Forces and to surprize seize and destroy his Majesties Navy Forts Magazines and places of Strength within this Kingdom Whereupon the Calamities of War Murthers of innocent Subjects Men Women and Children Burnings Rapines Devastations and other Dreadful Miseries and Mischiefs must inevitably have ensued to the Ruin and Destruction of this Nation That the said Conspirators have procured accepted and delivered out several Instruments Commissions and Powers made and granted by or under the Pope or other unlawful and usurping Authority to raise and dispose of Men Money Arms and other things necessary for their wicked and Traiterous Designs and namely a Commission to the said Henry Lord Arundel of Warder to be Lord High Chancellor of England and to the said William Earl of Powis to be Lord Treasurer of England another Commission to the said John Lord Bellasis to be General of the Army to be raised and the said William Lord Petre to be Lieutenant General of the said Army and a Power to the said William Viscount Stafford to be Paymaster of the Army That in order to encourage themselves in prosecuting their said wicked Plots Conspiracies and Treasons and to hide and hinder the discovery of the same and to secure themselves from Justice and Punishment the Conspirators aforesaid and Confederates have used many wicked and Diabolical Practices viz. They did cause their Priests to Administer to the said Conspirators an Oath of Secrecy together with their Sacrament and also did cause their said Priests upon Confession to give their Absolutions upon condition that they should conceal the said Conspiracy And when about the Month of September last Sir Edmundbury Godfrey a Justice of Peace had according to the Duty of his Oath and Office taken several Examinations and Informations concerning the said Conspiracy and Plot the said Conspirators or some of them by Advice Assistance Councel and Instigation of the rest did incite and procure divers Persons to lie in wait and persue the said Sir Edmundbury Godfrey several days with intent to Murther him which at last was perpetrated and effected by them for which said horrid Crimes and Offences Robert Green Henry Berry and Lawrence Hill have since been Attainted and Dominick Kelly and Gerald are fled for the same After which Murther and before the Body was found or the Murther known to any but Complices therein the said Persons falsely gave out That he was alive and privately Married and after the Body was found dispersed a false and malicious Report that he had Murthered himself Which said Murther was Committed with design to stifle and suppress the Evidence he had taken and had knowledg of and to discourage and deter Magistrates and others from acting in the further discovery of the said Plot and Conspiracy for which end also the said Sir Edmundbury Godfrey while he was alive was by them their Complices and Favourites threatned and discouraged in his Proceedings about the same And of their further Malice they have wickedly contrived by many false Suggestions to lay the imputation and guilt of the aforesaid horrid and detestable Crimes upon the Protestants that so thereby they might escape the Punishments they have justly deserved and expose Protestants to great Scandal and subject them to Persecution and Oppression in all Kingdoms and Countries where the Roman Religion is received and professed All which Treasons Crimes and Offences above mentioned were Contrived Committed Perpetrated Acted and done by the said William Earl of Powis William Lord Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis every of them and others the Conspirators aforesaid against our Soveraign Lord the King his Crown and Dignity and against the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom Of all which Treasons Crimes and Offences the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament Assembled do in the name of themselves and of the Commons of England Impeach the said William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis and every of them And the said Commons by Protestation saving to themselves that liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter any other Accusations or Impeachments against the said William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis and every of them and also of replying to the Answers which they and every of them make to the Premises or any of them or to any other Accusation or Impeachment which shall be by them exhibited as the Cause according to course and proceedings of Parliament shall require do pray that the said William Earl of Powis William Viscount Stafford Henry Lord Arundel of Warder William Lord Petre and John Lord Bellasis and every of them may be put to Answer all and every of the Premises and that such Proceedings Examinations Tryals and Judgments may be upon them and every of them had and used as shall be agreeable to Law and Justice and Course of Parliament To these Articles of Impeachment the said Lords soon after put in their several Answers as follows The several Answers of William Lord Petre now Prisoner in the Tower to the Articles of Impeachment of High Treason and other Crimes and Offences exhibited to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled Whereas the Lord above named stands Impeached by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses in Parliament Assembled in the name of themselves and all the Commons in England THE said Lord in the first place and above all other protesting his Innocency The said Lord doth with all humility submit himself desiring above all things the Tryal of his Cause by this Honourable House so that he may be provided to make his just Defence for clearing of his Innocency from the great and hainous Crimes charged against him by the said Impeachment this being prayed as also liberty to correct amend and explain any thing in the