Pikemen and other forces gathered together by the wise and diligent care of the Bishop of London and commanded by sir Iohn Luson and yet attempting to cleere the passage he was with no great difficultie repulsed At which encounter sir Christopher Blunt was fore wounded and yong Tracie slaine on his part and one Waits on the Queenes part and some other Vpon which repulse he went backe and fled towards the Waterside tooke boat at Queene hiue and so was receiued into Essex house at the Watergate which he fortified and baricado'd but instantly the Lord Lieutenant so disposed his Companies as all passage and issue foorth was cut off from him both by land and by water and all succours that hee might hope for were discouraged and leauing the Earle of Cumberland the Earle of Lincolne the Lord Thomas Howard the Lord Gray the Lord Burghley and the Lord Compton Sir Walter Raleigh Sir Thomas Gerrard with diuers others before the house to landward my Lord Lieutenant himselfe thought good taking with him the Lord of Effingham Lord Cobham Sir Iohn Stanhope Sir Robert Sidney M. Foulk Greuill with diuers others to assaile the Garden and Banketting house on the Water side and presently forced the Garden and woon to the wals of the house and was ready to haue assailed the house but out of a Christian and honorable consideration vnderstanding that there were in the house the Countesse of Essex and the Ladie Rich with their Gentlewomen let the Earle of Essex know by Sir Robert Sidney that hee was content to suffer the Ladies and gentlewomen to come forth Whereupon Essex returning the Lord Lieutenant thanks for the compassion and care he had of the Ladies desired onely to haue an houres respit to make way for their going out and an houre after to barricado the place againe Which because it could make no alteration to the hinderance of the seruice the L. Lieutenant thought good to grant But Essex hauing had some talke within of a sallie and despairing of the successe and thinking better to yeeld himselfe sent word that vpon some conditions he would yeeld But the L. Lieutenant vtterly refusing to heare of capitulations Essex desired to speake with my Lord who thereupon went vp close to the house and the late Earles of Essex and Southampton with diuers other Lords and Gentlemen their partakers presented themselues vpon the leades and Essex sayd hee would not capitulate but intreat and made three petitions The first That they might be ciuilly vsed Whereof the Lord Lieutenant assured them The second That they might haue an honourable triall Whereof the Lord Lieutenant answered they needed not to doubt The third That he might haue Ashton a Preacher with him in prison for the comfort of his soule Which the Lord Lieutenant said he would mooue to her Maiesty not doubting of the matter of his request though he could not absolutely promise him that person Whereupon they all with the ceremony amongst marshall men accustomed came downe submitted themselues and yeelded vp their swords which was about ten of the clocke at night there hauing beene slaine in holding of the house by musket shot Owen Salisburie and some few more on the part of my Lord and some fewe likewise slaine and hurt on the Queenes part and presently aswell the Lordes as the rest of their confederates of quality were seuerally taken into the charge of diuers particular Lords and Gentlemen and by them conueyed to the Tower and other prisons So as this action so dangerous in respect of the person of the Leader the maner of the combination and the intent of the plot brake forth and ended within the compasse of twelue houres and with the losse of little blood and in such sort as the next day all Courts of Iustice were open and did sit in their accustomed maner giuing good Subiects and all reasonable men iust cause to thinke not the lesse of the offenders treason but the more of her Maiesties princely magnanimitie and prudent foresight in so great a perill and chiefly of Gods goodnesse that hath blessed her Maiesty in this as in many things else with so rare and diuine felicitie THE EFFECT OF the Euidence giuen at the seuerall Arraignments of the late Earls of Essex and Southampton before the L. STEVVARD And of Sir Christopher Blunt and Sir Charles Dauers and others before great and Honourable Commissioners of Dyer and Determiner And of the Answeres and Defenses which the said Offendors made for themselues And the Replies made vpon such their Defenses With some other Circumstances of the proceedings as well at the same Arraignments as after THE two late Earles of Essex and Southampton were brought to their triall the nineteenth of Februarie eleuen dayes after the Rebellion At which trial there passed vpon them 25. Peeres a greater number then hath bene called in any former president Amongst whom her Maiestie did not forbeare to vse many that were of neere alliance and blood to the Earle of Essex and some others that had their sonnes and heires apparant that were of his Company and followed him in the open Action of Rebellion The Lord Steward then in Commission according to the solemnitie in such Trials receiued was the Lord Buckhurst L. high Treasurer who with grauity and temperance directed the Euidence and moderated and gaue the Iudgement There was also an Assistance of eight Iudges the three chiefe fiue others The hearing was with great patience and libertie the ordinary course not being held to silence the Prisoners till the whole state of the Euidence was giuen in but they being suffered to answere articulatly to euery branch of the Euidence and sometimes to euery particular deposition whensoeuer they offered to speake And not so onely but they were often spared to bee interrupte'd euen in their digressions and speeches not much pertinent to their cause And alwayes when any doubt in Law was moued or when it was required either by the Prisoners or the Peeres the Lord Steward required the Iudges to deliuer the Law who gaue their opinions seuerally not barely yea or no but at large with their reasons In the Endictment were not layed or charged the treasons of Ireland because the greatest matter which was the desseigne to bring ouer the Army of Ireland being then not cōfessed nor knowen it was not thought conuenient to stuffe the Enditement with matters which might haue bene conceiued to be chiefly gathered by curious inquisition grounded vpon report or presumptiō when there was other matter so notorious And besides it was not vnlikely that in his case to whom many were so partiall some who would not consider how things came to light by degrees might haue reported that hee was twife called in Question about one offence And therefore the late Treasons of his Rebellion and conspiracie were onely comprehended in the Enditement with the vsuall clauses and consequents in Lawe of compassing the Queenes death destruction and depriuation
Rutland and others that he cried out to the citizens That they did him hurt and no good to come without weapons and prouoked them to arme and finding they would not be mooued to arme with him sought to arme his owne troupes This point by point was the effect of the Reply Vpon all which Euidence both the Earles were found guiltie of Treason by all the seuerall voyces of euery one of the Peeres and so receiued iudgement The names of the Peeres that passed vpon the triall of the two Earles  EARLES  BARONS The Earle of Oxford Shrewesburie Durbie Cumberland VVorcester Sussex Hartford Lincolne Notingham The Lord De la VVare Morley Cobham Stafford Gray Lumley VVindsore Rich. Darcy de Chichey Chandoys Hunsdon S. Iohn de Bletso Compton Burghley Howard of VValder Vicount Bindon The names of the Iudges that assisted the Court. The Lord chiefe Iustice. The L. chiefe Iustice of the Common Plees The Lord chiefe Baron Iustice Gawdie Iustice Fenner Iustice VValmesley Baron Clerke Iustice Kingsmill SOME PARTICVLARITIES of that which passed after the arreignment of the late Earles and at the time of the suffering of the Earle of Essex BVt the Earle of Essex finding that the consultation at Drurie house and the secret plots of his premeditated and prepenced treasons were come to light contrary to his expectation was touched euen at his parting from the Barre with a kinde of remorse especially because he had caried the maner of his answere rather in a spirit of ostentation and glory then with humilitie and penitence and brake out in the Hall while the Lords were in conference into these wordes That seeing things were thus caried he would ere it be long say more then yet was knowen Which good motion of his minde being after his comming backe to the Tower first cherished by M. D. of Norwich but after wrought on by the religious and effectuall perswasions and exhortations of M. Abdie Ashton his Chaplaine the man whom he made sute by name to haue with him for his soules health as one that of late time he had bene most vsed vnto and found most comfort of comparing it when he made the request to the case of a Patient that in his extremity would be desirous to haue that Physician that was best acquainted with his body He sent word the next day to desire to speake with some of the principall Councellours with whom he desired also that particularly M. Secretary might come for one Vpon which his request first the L. Admirall and M. Secretary and afterward at two seuerall times the Lord Keeper of the great Seale the Lord high Treasurer the L. high Admirall and Master Secretary repaired vnto him before whom after he had asked the Lord Keeper forgiuenesse for restraining him in his house and M. Secretary for hauing wronged him at the Barre concerning the matter of the Infanta with signification of his earnest desire to be reconciled to them which was accepted with all Christian charitie and humanitie he proceeded to accuse heauily most of his confederates for carying malicious mindes to the State and vehemently charged Cuffe his man to his own face to haue bene a principall instigator of him in his Treasons and then disclosed how farre sir Henry Neuill her Maiesties late Ambassador was priuy to all the Conspiracie of whose name till then there had bene not so much as any suspition And further at the Lords first comming to him not sticking to confesse that hee knewe her Maiestie could not be safe while he liued did very earnestly desire this fauour of the Queene that he might die as priuately as might be And the Morning before his execution there being sent vnto him for his better preparation Master Doctor Mountford and Master Doctor Barlowe to ioyne with Master Abdie Ashton his Chapleine he did in many words thanke God that hee had giuen him a deeper insight into his offence being sorie he had so stood vpon his iustification at his Arraignement since which time he sayd he was become a new man and heartily thanked God also that his Course was by Gods prouidence preuented For if his proiect had taken effect God knoweth sayd he what harme it had wrought in the Realme He did also humbly thanke her Maiestie that he should die in so priuate maner for hee suffered in the Towre yard and not vpon the Hill by his owne special sute lest the acclamation of the people for those were his own words might be a temptation to him adding That al popularitie trust in man was vaine the experience whereof himselfe had felt and acknowledged further vnto them that he was iustly and worthily spewed out for that was also his owne word of the Realme and that the nature of his offence was like a leprosie that had infected farre and neere And so likewise at the publique place of his suffering he did vse vehement detestation of his offence desiring God to forgiue him his great his bloody his crying and his infectious sinne and so died very penitently but yet with great conflict as it should seeme for his sins For hee neuer mentioned nor remembred there wife children or friend nor tooke particular leaue of any that were present but wholy abstracted and sequestred himselfe to the state of his conscience and prayer THE EFFECT OF THAT which passed at the Arraignements of Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies Sir Gillie Mericke and Henry Cuffe THE 5. of March by a very honorable Commission of Oier and Determiner directed to the Lord high Admiral the Lord Chamberlaine Master Secretary the Lord chiefe Iustice of England Master Chancellour of the Exchequer Master Secretary Herbert with diuers of the Iudges the Commissioners sitting in the Court of the Queenes Bench there were arraigned and tried by a Iury both of Aldermen of London and other Gentlemen of good credit and sort Sir Christopher Blunt Sir Charles Dauers Sir Iohn Dauies Sir Gillie Mericke Henry Cuffe The three first whereof before they pleaded asked this question of the Iudges Whether they might not confesse the Inditemēt in part plead Not guilty to it in the other part But being resolued by the Iudges that their pleading must be generall they pleaded Not guilty as did likewise the other two without any such question asked The reason of that question was as they confessed in respect of the clause laid in the Inditement That they intended and compassed the death and destruction of the Queenes Maiestie vnto whose person although they confessed at the barre as they had done in their examinations that their meaning was to come to her in such strength as they should not be resisted and to require of her diuers conditions and alterations of gouernment such as in their confessions are expressed neuerthelesse they protested they intended no personall harme to hirselfe Whereupon as at the arraignment of the two Earles so then againe the Iudges deliuered the rule of the Law
Admirall Sir Rob. Cecill principall Secretarie and Iohn Herbert second Secretarie of Estate SIr Iohn Dauies being demaunded how long before my Lord of Essex tumult he knewe of such his purpose He answeres that he knewe not directly of any meaning my Lorde had vntill the Sunday seuen-night before or thereabout Being demaunded what he knew then he answered That my Lord consulted to possesse himselfe of the Court at such conuenient time when he might finde least opposition For executing of which enterprises and of other affaires he appointed my Lord of Southampton sir Charles Dauers sir Ferdinando Gorges and himselfe to meete at Drury house and there to confider of the same and such other proiects as his Lordship deliuered them And principally for surprising of the Court and for the taking of the Tower of London About which businesse they had two meetings which were fiue or sixe dayes before the insurrection He further sayth That Sir Christopher Blunt was not at this consultation but that hee stayed and aduised with my Lord himselfe about other things to him vnknowen For that my Lord trusted seuerall men in seuerall businesses and not all together Being demanded what was resolued in the opinions of these foure before named He saith that sir Charles Dauers was appointed to the Presence chamber and himselfe to the Hall And that my Lord was to determine himselfe who should haue guarded the Court gate and the Water gate And that Sir Charles Dauers vpon a signall or a watch-word should haue come out of the Presence into the Guard chamber And then some out of the Hall to haue met him and so haue stept betweene the Guard and their halberds of which Guard they hoped to haue found but a doozen or some such small number Being asked whether he heard that such as my Lord misliked should haue receiued any violence He saith that my Lord auowed the contrary And that my Lorde said He would call them to an honourable tryall and not vse the sword Being demanded whether my Lord thought his enemies to be Spanish bona fide or no He saith that hee neuer heard any such speech and if my Lord vsed any such it came into his head on the suddaine Being demaunded what party my Lord had in London Hee saieth that the Sheriffe Smith was his hope as he thinketh Being demanded whether my Lord promised libertie of Catholike Religion He sayth that Sir Christopher Blunt did giue hope of it Iohn Dauis Exam. per Notingham Ro. Cecill I. Herbert ¶ The confession of Sir Charles Dauers taken the 18. of February Anno 1600. before Sir Thomas Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham the Lord high Admirall Lord Hunsdon L. Chamberlaine and Sir Robert Cecill principal Secretarie HE confesseth that before Christmas the Earle of Essex had bethought himselfe howe hee might secure his accesse vnto the QVEENE in such sort as hee might not bee resisted but no resolution determinately taken vntill the comming vp of this Examinate a little after Christmas And then he doth confesse that the resolution was taken to possesse himselfe of the Court which resolution was taken agreeable to certaine articles which the Earle of Essex did send to the Earle of Southampton this Examinate Sir Ferdinando Gorge and Sir Iohn Dauies written with the Earles owne hand To which consultation being held at Druric house some foure or fiue dayes before Sunday that was the eighth of February Littleton came in towards the end The points which the Earle of Essex proiected vnder his hand were these First whether it were fit to take the Tower of London The reason whereof was this that after the Court was possessed it was necessary to giue reputation to the Action by hauing such a place to bridle the Citie if there should be any mislike of their possessing the Court. To the possessing of the Court these circumstances were considered First the Earle of Essex should haue assembled all the Noblemen and Gentlemen of qualitie on his party out of which number hee should haue chosen so many as should haue possessed all the places of the Court where there might haue beene any likelihood of resistance Which being done the Earle of Essex with diuers Noblemen should haue presented himselfe to the Queene The maner how it should haue beene executed was in this sort Sir Christopher Blunt should haue had charge of the vtter gate as hee thinketh Sir Charles Dauers this Examinate with his company should haue made good the Presence and should haue seazed vpon the Halberds of the Guard Sir Iohn Dauies should haue taken charge of the Hall All this being set vpon a signall giuen the Earle should haue come into the Court with his company Being asked what they would haue done after Hee saith they would haue sent to haue satisfied the Citie and haue called a Parliament These were the resolutions set downe by the Earle of Essex of his owne hand after diuers consultations He saith Cuffe was euer of opinion that the Earle of Essex should come in this sort to the Court. Charles Dauers Exam. per Th. Egerton C. S. Th. Buckhurst Notingham G. Hunsdon Ro. Cecill The second Confession of Sir Charles Dauers taken the same day and set downe vpon further calling himselfe to remembrance vnder his owne hand before Sir Th. Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Rob. Cecill principall Secretarie SOme points of the Articles which my Lord of Essex sent vnto Drury house as neere as I can remember were these Whether both the Court and the Tower should bee both attempted at one time If both what numbers should bee thought requisite for either If the Court alone what places should be first possessed by what persons And for those which were not to come into the Court before hand where and in what sort they might assemble themselues with least suspition to come in with my Lord Whether it were not fit for my Lord and some of the principall persons to be armed with priuie coates Charles Dauers Knowledged in the presence of Tho. Egerton C. S. T. Buckhurst Notingham Rob. Cecill The first Confession of Sir Christopher Blunt examined the 18. of Februarie 1600. before Io. Herbert second Secretarie of Estate and in the presence of Nich Kempe Counseller at Law William Waâ—marke William Martin Robert Andrewes Citizens Iohn Treuor Surueyor of the Nauy and Thomas Thorney his Surgeon HE confesseth that the Earle of Essex sent Wiseman about the 20. of Ianuarie to visit his wife with letters of complement and to require him to comevp vnto him to London to settle his estate according as he had written vnto him before some few dayes Being demaunded to what ende they went to the Citie to ioyne with such strength as they hoped for there he confesseth it was to secure the Earle of Essex his life against such forces as
great Seale out of the window Some other cried there Kill them and some other sayd Nay let vs shop them vp The Lorde Keeper did often call to the Earle of Essex to speake with them priuately thinking still that his meaning had beene so vntill the Earle brought them into his backe Chamber and there gaue order to haue the further doore of that Chamber shut fast And at his going foorth out of that Chamber the Lorde Keeper pressing againe to haue spoken with the Earle of Essex the Earle sayd My Lords be patient a while and stay heere and I will goe into London and take order with the Maior and Shiriffes for the Citie and will be heere againe within this halfe houre And so departed from the Lord Keeper c. leauing the Lord Keeper c and diuers of the Gentlemen Pensioners in that Chamber guarded by Sir Iohn Dauis Francis Tresham and Owen Salisburie with musquet shot where they continued vntill Sir Ferdinando Gorges came and deliuered them about foure of the clocke in the afternoone In the meane time wee did often require Sir Iohn Dauis and Francis Tresham to suffer vs to depart or at the least to suffer some one of vs to go to the QVEENES MAIESTY to informe her vvhere and in what sort we were kept But they answered That my Lord meaning the Earle of Essex had commanded that we should not depart before his returne which they said would be very shortly Thomas Egerton C. S. Edward Worcester Iohn Popham ¶ The examination of Roger Earle of Rutland the 12. of February 1600. taken before Sir Thomas Egerton L. Keeper of the great Seale the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Robert Cecill Principall Secretary and Sir Io. Popham L. chiefe Iustice of England HE saith that at his comming to Essex house on Sunday morning last he found there with the Earle of Essex the Lord Sandys and the L. Chandos and diuers Knights and gentlemen And the Earle of Essex tolde this Examinate That his life was practised to bee taken away by the Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Raleigh when he was sent for to the Counsell And the Earle said That now he meant by the helpe of his friends to defend himselfe And saith that the deteining of the Lord Keeper and the other Lords sent to the Earle from the Queene was a stratageme of warre And saith That the Earle of Essex told him that London stood for him and that Sherife Smith had giuen him intelligence that hee would make as many men to assist him as he could And further the Earle of Essex said That he meant to possesse himselfe of the Citie the better to enable himselfe to reuenge him on his enemies the Lord Cobham Sir Robert Cecil and sir Walter Raleigh And this Examinate confesseth that he resolued to liue and die with the Earle of Essex and that the Earle of Essex did intend to make his forces so strong that her Maiestie should not be able to resist him in the reuenge of his enemies And saith that the Earle of Essex was most inward with the Earle of Southampton Sir Christopher Blunt and others who haue of long time shewed themselues discontented and haue aduised the Earle of Essex to take other courses and to stand vpon his guard And saith that when the Earle of Essex was talking with the L. Keeper and other the Lords sent from her Maiestie diuers sayd My Lord they meane to abuse you you loose time And when the Earle came to Sherife Smiths hee desired him to send for the Lord Maior that hee might speake with him And as the Earle went in the streetes of London this Examinate sayd to diuers of the Citizens that if they would needes come that it was better for their safetie to come with weapons in their hands And saith that the Earle of Essex at the end of the streete where Sherife Smith dwelt cried out to the Citizens That they did him harme for that they came naked and willed them to get them weapons And the Earle of Essex also cried out to the Citizens That the Crowne of England was offred to be solde to the Infanta And saith that the Earle burned diuers papers that were in a little Casket whereof one was as the Earle sayd An historie of his troubles And sayth that when they were assaulted in Essex house after their returne they first resolued to haue made a sallie out And the Earle sayd that he was determined to die and yet in the end they changed their opinion and yeelded And sayth that the Earle of Southampton sir Christopher Blunt and sir Iohn Dauies aduised the Earle of Essex that the Lord Keeper and his company should be deteined And this Examinate sayth that he heard diuers there present cry out Kill them kill them And sayth that he thinketh the Earle of Essex intended that after he had possessed himselfe of the Citie hee would intreat the Lord Keeper and his company to accompany him to the Court Hee sayth hee heard Sir Christopher Blunt say openly in the presence of the Earle of Essex and others how fearefull and in what seuerall humors they should finde them at the Court when they came thither Rutland Exam. per Th. Egerton C. S. T. Buckhurst Notingham Ro Cecill Io. Popham ¶ The Confession of William Lord Sandys of the parish of Sherborne Cowdry in the Countie of Southampton taken this 16. of February 1600. before Sir Iohn Popham L. chiefe Iustice Roger Wilbraham Master of the Requests and Edw. Coke her Maiesties Atturney Generall HE saith that hee neuer vnderstood that the Earle did meane to stand vpon his strength till Sunday in the morning being the eight of this instant Februarie And saith that in the morning of that day this Examinat was sent for by the Earle of Essex about sixe or seuen of the clocke and the Earle sent for him by his seruant Warberton who was married to a widowe in Hampshire And at his comming to the Earle there were sixe or seuen Gentlemen with him but remembreth not what they were and next after of a Noble man came my Lord Chandos and after him came the Earle of Southampton and presently after the Earle of Rutland and after him Master Parker commonly called the Lord Mountegle And sayeth that at his comming to the Earle of Essex he complained That it was practised by Sir Walter Raleigh to haue murdered him as hee should haue gone to the Lord Treasurers house with Master Secretary Herbert And saith that he was present in the Court-yard of Essex house when the Lord Keeper the Earle of Worcester Sir William Knollis and the Lorde Chiefe Iustice came from the QVEENES MAIESTIE to the Earle of Essex And the Lord Chiefe Iustice required the Earle of Essex to haue some priuate conference with him and that if any priuate wrongs were offered vnto him that they would make true report thereof to her MAIESTIE who no
now shall be declared After he perceiued that foure moneths of the Summer and three parts of the army were wasted hee thought nowe was a time to set on foot such a peace as might be for the Rebels aduantage and so to worke a mutuall obligation betweene Tyrone and himselfe for which purpose he did but seeke a commodity He had there with him in his armie one Thomas Lee a man of a seditious and working spirit and one that had bene priuately familiar and intirely beloued of Tyrone and one that afterwards immediatly vpon Essex open rebellion was apprehended for a desperate attempt of violence against her Maiesties person which he plainly confessed and for which hee suffered Wherefore iudging him to be a fit instrument he made some signification to Lee of such an imploiment which was no sooner signified then apprehended by Lee. Hee gaue order also to sir Christopher Blunt Marshall of his army to licence Lee to goe to Tyrone when hee should require it But Lee thought good to let slip first vnto Tyrone which was neuerthelesse by the Marshals warrant one Iames Knowd a person of wit and sufficiencie to sound in what termes and humours Tyrone then was This Knowd returned a message from Tyrone to Lee which was That if the Earle of Essex would followe Tyrones plot hee would make the Earle of Essex the greatest man that euer was in England and further that if the Earle would haue conference with him Tyrone would deliuer his eldest sonne in pledge for his assurance This message was deliuered by Knowd to Lee and by Lee was imparted to the Earle of Essex who after this message imployed Lee himselfe to Tyrone and by his negociating whatsoeuer passed els prepared and disposed Tyrone to the parley And this imploiment of Lee was a matter of that guiltinesse in my Lord as being charged with it at my Lord Keepers onely in this nature for the message of Knowd was not then knowen that when he pretended to assaile Tyrone he had before vnder hand agreed vpon a pariey my Lord vtterly denied it that he euer imploied Lee to Tyrone at all and turned it vpon Blunt whom he afterwards required to take it vpon him hauing before sufficiently prouided for the security of all parts for he had granted both to Blunt Lee pardons of al treasons vnder the great seale of Ireland and so himselfe disclaiming it they being pardoned all was safe But when that Tyrone was by these meanes besides what others God knowes prepared to demand a parley nowe was the time for Essex to acquite himselfe of al the Queenes commandements and his owne promises and vndertakings for the Northern iourney and not so alone but to haue the glory at the disaduantage of the yere being but 2500. strong of foote and 300. of horse after the fresh disaster of sir Coniers Clifford in the height of the Rebels pride to set foorth to assaile and then that the very terror and reputation of my Lord of Essex person was such as did daunt him and make him stoope to seeke a parley and this was the end he shot at in that September iourney being a mere abuse and brâ—â—â—ry and but inducements onely to the Treaty which was the onely matter he intended For Essex drawing now towards the Catastrophe or last part of that Tragedy for which he came vpon the Stage in Ireland his Treasons grew to a further ripenesse For knowing how vnfit it was for him to communicate with any English euen of those whom hee trusted most and meant to vse in other Treasons That he had an intention to growe to an agreement with Tyrone to haue succors from him for the vsurping vpon the State here not because it was more dangerous then the rest of his treasons but because it was more odious and in a kind monstrous that hee should conspire with such a Rebell against whom he was sent and therfore might aduenture to alienate mens affections from him he draue it to this that there might bee and so there was vnder colour of treaty an interuiew priuate conference betweene Tyrone and himselfe onely no third person admitted A strange course considering with whom he dealt and especially considering what message Knowde had brought which should haue made him rather call witnesses to him then auoid witnesses But he being only true to his own ends easily dispensed with all such considerations Nay there was such carefull order taken that no person should ouerheare one worde that passed betweene them two as because the place appointed and vsed for the parley was such as there was the depth of a brooke betweene them which made them speake some lowdnesse therewere certaine horsemen appointed by order from Essex to keepe all men off a great distance from the place It is true that the secrecie of that parley as it gaue to him the more liberty of Treason so it may giue any man the more libertie of surmize what was then handled between them inasmuch as nothing can bee knowen but by report from one of them two either Essex or Tyrone But although there were no proceeding against Essex vpon these treasons and that it were a needlesse thing to load more treasons vpon him then whose burthen was so great after yet for trueths sake it is fit the world know what is testified touching the speaches letters and reports of Tyrone immediatly following this conference obserue also what ensued likewise in the desseignes of Essex himselfe On Tyrones part it fell out that the very day after that Essex came to the court of England Tyrone hauing conference with Sir William Warren at Armagh by way of discourse told him and bound it with an oath and iterated it two or three seuerall times That within two or three moneths he should see the greatest alterations and strangest that euer hee sawe in his life or could imagine and that bee the said Tyrone hoped ere long to haue a good share in England With this concurred fully the report of Richard Bremingham a gentleman of the Pale hauing made his repaire about the same time to Tyrone to right him in a cause of land sauing that Bremingham deliuers the like speach of Tyrone to himselfe but not what Tyrone hoped but what Tyrone had promised in these words That hee had promised it may bee thought to whom ere long to shew his face in England little to the good of England These generalities comming immediatly from the report of Tyrone himselfe are drawen to more particularitie in a conference had betweene the Lord Fitz Morrice Baron of Liksnawe in Munster and one Thomas Wood a person wel reputed of immediatly after Essex comming into England In which conference Fitz Morrice declared vnto Wood that Tyrone had written to the traiterous titularie Earle of Desmond to informe him that the Condition of that Contract betweene Tyrone and Essex was That Essex should be king of England And that Tyrone
should holde of him the honour and state of Viceroy of Ireland And that the proportion of souldiers which Tyrone should bring or send to Essex were 8000 Irish. With which concurreth fully the testimony of the said Iames Knowde who being in credit with Oâ—â—â—â— Mac Roory chiefe of the Omoores in Lemster was vsed as a Secretarie for him in the writing of a letter to Tyrone immediatly after Essex comming into England The effect of which letter was To vnderstand some light of the secret agreement betweene the Earle of Essex and Tyrone that he the said Owny might frame his course accordingly Which letter with further instructions to the same effect was in the presence of Knowde deliuered to Turlagh Macdauy a man of trust with Owny who brought an answer from Tyrone The coÌ„tents whereof were That the Earle of Essex had agreed to take his part and that they should ayd him towards the conquest of England Besides very certaine it is testified by diuers credible persons that immediatly vpon this parley there did flie abroad as sparckles of this fire which it did not concern Tyrone so much to keep secret as it did Essex a generall and receiued opinion that went vp and down in the mouthes both of the better and meaner sort of Rebels That the Earle of Essex was theirs and they his and that hee would neuer leaue the one sword meaning that of Ireland till he had gotten the other in England and that he would bring them to serue where they should haue other maner of booties then cowes and the like speaches And Thomas Lee himselfe who had bene as was before declared with Tyrone two or three dayes vpon my Lords sending and had sounded him hath left it confessed vnder his hand That he knew the Earle of Essex and Tyrone to be one and to runne the same courses And certaine it is also that immediatly vpon that parley Tyrone grewe into a strange and vnwoonted pride and appointed his progresses and visitations to receiue congratulations and homages from his confederates and behaued himselfe in all things as one that had some new spirite of hope and courage put into him But on the Earle of Essex his part insued immediatly after this parley a strange motion and proiect which though no doubt hee had harbored in his brest before yet for any thing yet appeareth he did not vtter and breake with any in it before he had bene confirmed and fortified in his purpose by the combination and correspondence which hee found in Tyrone vpon their conference Neither is this a matter gathered out of reports but confessed directly by two of his principall friendes and associats being witnesses vpon their owne knowledge of that which was spoken to themselues The substance of which confessions is this That a litle before my Lords comming ouer into England at the castle of Dublin where Sir Christopher Blunt lay hurt hauing bene lately remooued thither from Reban a castle of Thomas Lees and placed in a lodging that had bene my Lord of Southamptons the Earle of Essex tooke the Earle of Southampton with him to visit Blunt and there being none present but they three my Lord of Essex told them he found it now necessary for him to go into England and would aduise with them of the manner of his going since to goe he was resolued And thereupon propounded vnto them that he thought it fit a cary with him of the army in Ireland as much as hee could conueniently transport at least the choise of it to the number of two or three thousand to secure and make good his first deseent on shore purposing to land them at Milford hauen in Wales or thereabouts not doubting but that his army would so increase within a small time by such as would come in to him as hee should be able to march with his power to London and make his own conditions as he thought good But both Southampton and Blunt disswaded him from this enterprise Blunt alledging the hazard of it that it would make him odious and Southampt on vtterly disliking of that course vpon the same and many other reasons Howbe it thereupon Blunt aduised him rather to another course which was to draw forth of the Army some 200. resolute gentlemen with those to come ouer so to make sure of the Court and so to make his owne conditions Which Confessions it is not amisse to deliuer by what a good prouidence of God they came to light for they could not bee vsed at Essex arraignement to charge him because they were vttered after his death But Sir Christopher Blunt at his arraignment being charged that the Earle of Essex had set it downe vnder his hand that he had bene a principall Instigator of him to his treasons in passion brake forth into these speeches That then he must be forced to disclose what further matters he had held my Lord from and desired for that purpose because the present proceeding should not be interrupted to speake with the Lord Admirall and M. Secretarie after his arraignment and so fell most naturally and most voluntarily into this his confession which if it had beene thought fit to haue required of him at that time publikely he had deliuered before his conuiction And the same confession he did after at the time of his executioÌ„ constantly and fully confirme discourse particularly and take vppon his death where neuer any man shewed lesse feare nor a greater resolution to die And the same mattter so by him confessed was likewise confessed with the same circumstances of time and place by Southampton being seuerally examined thereupon So as nowe the worlde may see how long since my Lord put off his vizard and disclosed the secrets of his heart to two of his most confident friends falling vpon that vnnaturall and detestable treason whereunto all his former Actions in his gouernement in Ireland and God knowes howe long before were but Introductions But finding that these two persons which of all the rest hee thought to haue found forwardest Southampton whose displacing hee had made his owne discontentment hauing placed him no question to that ende to find cause of discontentment and Blunt a man so enterprizing and prodigal of his owne life as himselfe termed himselfe at the Barre did not applaud to this his purpose and thereby doubting how coldly he should find others minded that were not so neere to him And therefore condescending to Blunts aduise to surprize the Court hee did pursue that plot accordingly and came ouer with a selected companie of Captaines and voluntaries and such as hee thought were most affectionate vnto himselfe and most resolute though not knowing of his purpose So as euen at that time euery man noted and wondred what the matter should be that my Lord tooke his most particular friends and followers from their companies which were countenance and meanes vnto them to bring them ouer
Earle of Essex that if he would not declare his griefes openly yet that then hee would impart them priuately and then they doubted not to giue him or procure him satisfaction Vpon this there arose a great clamor among the multitude Away my Lord they abuse you they betray you they vndoe you you lose time Whereupon my L. Keeper put on his hat and said with a louder voyce then before My Lord let vs speake with you priuately and vnderstand your griefes and I doe commaund you all vpon your allegiance to lay downe your weapons and to depart Vppon which wordes the Earle of Essex and all the rest as disdaining commandement put on their hats and Essex somewhat abruptly went from him into the house and the Counsellors followed him thinking hee would haue priuate conference with them as was required And as they passed through the seuerall roomes they might heare many of the disordered companie crie Kill them kill them and others crying Nay but shoppe them vp keepe them as pledges cast the great Seale out at the windowe and other such audacious and traiterous speeches But Essex tooke holde of the occasion and aduantage to keepe in deed such pledges if he were distressed and to haue the countenance to leade them with him to the Court especially the two great Magistrates of Iustice and the great Seale of England if he preuailed and to depriue her Maiestie of the vse of their counsell in such a strait and to ingage his followers in the very beginning by such a capitall act as the imprisonment of Counsellors carying her Maiesties royall commaundement for the suppressing of a rebellious force And after that they were come vp into his booke chamber hee gaue order they should bee kept fast giuing the charge of their custodie principally to Sir Iohn Dauis but adioyned vnto him a warder one Owen Salisburie one of the most sedicious and wicked persons of the number hauing beene a notorious robber and one that serued the enemie vnder Sir William Stanley and that bare a speciall spleene vnto my Lord Chiefe Iustice who garded these honourable persons with Muskets charged and Matches ready fiered at the chamber doore This done the Earle notwithstanding my Lord Keeper still required to speake with him left the charge of his house with Sir Gilly Mericke and vsing these words to my Lord Keeper Haue patience for a while I will goe take order with the Maior and Sherifes for the Citie and be with you againe within halfe an houre issued with his troupe into London to the number of two hundreth besides those that remained in the house choise men for hardinesse and valour vnto whom some Gentlemen and one Noble man did after ioyne themselues But from the time he went forth it seemes God did strike him with the spirit of Amazement and brought him round againe to the place whence he first moued For after he had once by Ludgate entred into the Citie he neuer had as much as the heart or assurance to speake any set or confident speech to the people but repeated onely ouer and ouer his tale as he passed by That he should haue bene murthered nor to doe any act of foresight or courage but he that had vowed hee would neuer bee cooped vp more cooped himselfe first within the wals of the Citie and after within the wals of an house as arrested by Gods Iustice as an example of disloyaltie For passing through Cheapeside and so towards Smiths house and finding though some came about him yet none ioyned or armed with him he prouoked them by speeches as he passed to arme telling them They did him hurt and no good to come about him with no weapons But there was not in so populous a Citie where he thought himselfe held so deare one man from the chiefest Citizen to the meanest Artificer or Prentise that armed with him so as being extremely appalled as diuers that happened to see him then might visibly perceiue in his face and countenance and almost moulten with sweate though without any cause of bodily labour but only by the perplexitie and horror of his minde hee came to Smiths house the Sherife where he refreshed himselfe a little and shifted him But the meane while it pleased God that her Maiesties directions at Court though in a case so strange and sudden were iudiciall and sound For first there was commaundement in the morning giuen vnto the Citie that euery man should be in a readinesse both in person and armor but yet to keepe within his owne doore and to expect commandement vpon a reasonable politique consideration that had they armed suddenly in the streetes if there were any ill disposed persons they might arme on the one side and turn on the other or at least if armed men had bene seene to and fro it would haue bred a greater tumult and more bloodshed and the nakednesse of Essex troupe would not haue so well appeared And soone after direction was giuen that the Lord Burghley taking with him the King of Heralds should proclaime him Traitour in the principall parts of the Citie which was perfourmed with good expedition and resolution and the losse and hurt of some of his Companie Besides that the Earle of Cumberland and Sir Thomas Gerrard Knight Marshall rode into the Citie and declared and notified to the people that hee was a Traitour from which time diuers of his troupe withdrawing from him and none other comming in to him there was nothing but despaire For hauing stayed a while as is sayd at Shirife Smiths house and there changing his pretext of a priuate quarell and publishing That the Realme should haue bene solde to the Infanta the better to spurre on the people to rise and called and giuen commandement to haue brought armes and weapons of all sorts and being soone after aduertised of the Proclamation he came forth in a hurry So hauing made some stay in Gracious street and being dismaid vpon knowledge giuen to him that forces were comming forwards against him vnder the conduct of the L. Admirall the Lieutenant of her Maiesties forces and not knowing what course to take he determined in the end to goe backe towards his own house aswel in hope to haue found the Counsellers there and by them to haue serued someturne as vpon trust that towardes night his friends in the City would gather their spirits together and rescue him as himselfe declared after to M. Lieutenant of the Tower But for the Counsellers it had pleased God to make one of the principall offenders his instrument for their deliuery who seeing my Lords case desperate contriuing how to redeeme his fault and saue himselfe came to sir Iohn Dauis and sir Gillie Mericke as sent from my Lord and so procured them to be released But the Earle of Essex with his companie that was left thinking to recouer his house made on by land towards Ludgate where being resisted by a company of
that the wisedome and foresight of the Lawes of this land maketh this iudgement That the Subiect that rebelleth or riseth in forcible maner to ouerrule the Royall will and power of the King intendeth to depriue the King both of crowne and life and that the Law iudgeth not of the fact by the intent but of the intent by the fact And the Queenes Councell did againe inforce that point setting forth that it was no mystery or quidditie of the common Law but it was a conclusion infallible of reason and experience for that the Crowne was not a Ceremony or Garland but consisted of preeminence and power And therefore when the subiect will take vpon him to giue law to the King and to make the power Soueraigne and commanding to become subiect and commanded such subiect layeth hold of the Crowne and taketh the sword out of the Kings hands And that the Crowne was fastened so close vpon the Kings head that it cannot be pulled off but that head and life and all will follow as all examples both in forreine stories and here at home doe make manifest And therefore when their words did protest one thing and their deedes did testifie another they were but like the president of the protestation vsed by Manlius the Lieutenant of Catiline that conspired against the State of Rome who beganne his letter to the Senate with these words Deos hominesque testor Patres conscripti nos nihil aliud c. And it was sayde further that admitting their protestations were so farre true that they had not at that time in their mindes a formed and distinct cogitation to haue destroyed the Queenes person yet nothing was more variable and mutable then the mind of man and specially Honores mutant mores when they were once aloft had the Queene in their handes and were Peeres in my Lorde of Essex his Parliament who could promise of what mind they would then be especially when my L. of Essex at his Arraignment had made defence of his first Action of imprisoning the priuie Councellours by pretence that he was inforced to it by his vnruly company So that if themselues should not haue had or would not seeme to haue had that extreme and diuelish wickednesse of minde as to lay violent handes vpon the Queenes sacred person yet what must be done to satisfie the multitude and secure their partie must be then the question Wherein the example was remembred of Richard the third who though he were King in possession and the rightfull Inheritours but Infants could neuer sleepe quiet in his bed till they were made away Much lesse would a Catilinary knot and combination of Rebels that did rise without so much as the fume of a Title euer indure that a Queene that had bene their Soueraigne and had raigned so many yeeres in such renowne and policie should be longer aliue then made for their own turne And much speech was vsed to the same end So that in the end all those three at the barre said That now they were infourmed and that they descended into a deeper consideration of the matter they were sorie they had not confessed the Indictment And Sir Christopher Blunt at the time of his suffering discharged his conscience in plain terms and sayd publiquely before all the people that he fawe plainely with himselfe That if they could not haue obtained all that they had would they must haue drawen blood euen from the Queene her selfe The Euidence giuen in against them three was principally their owne confessions charging euery one himselfe and the other and the rest of the euidence vsed at the Arraignement of the late Earles and mentioned before saue that because it was perceiued that that part of the charge would take no labour nor time being plaine matter and confessed and because some touch had bene giuen in the Proclamation of the Treasons of Ireland And chiefly because Sir Christopher Blunt was Marshall of the Army in Ireland and most inward with my Lord in all his proceedings there and not so onely but further in the confession of Thomas Lee it was precisely contained That hee knew the Earle of Essex and Tyrone and Blunt the Marshall to be all one and to runne one course it was thought fit to open some part of the Treasons of Ireland such as were then knowen Which very happily gaue the occasion for Blunt to make that discouery of the purpose to haue inuaded the Realme with the Armie of Ireland which hee then offered and afterwards vttered and in the end sealed with his blood as is hereafter set downe Against Cuffe was giuen in Euidence both Sir Charles Dauers confession who charged him when there was any debating of the seuerall enterprises which they should vndertake that he did euer bind firmely and resolutely for the Court and the accusation vnder the Earles hand auouched by him to his face that hee was a principall instigator of him in his Treasons but especially a full declaration of Sir Henry Neuils which describeth and planteth forth the whole maner of his practising with him The fellow after he had made some introduction by an artificiall and continued speech and some time spent in sophisticall arguments descended to these two answeres the one For his being within Essex house that day the day of the Rebellion they might as well charge a Lion within a grate with Treason as him And for the consultation at Drury house it was no more Treason then the childe in the mothers bellie is a childe But it was replied that for his being in the house it was not compulsarie and that there was a distribution in the action of some to make good the house and some to enter the citie and the one part held correspondent to the other and that in Treasons there were no accessaries but all principals And for the consultation at Drurie house it was a perfect Treason in it selfe because the compassing of the Kings destruction which by iudgement of Law was concluded and implied in that consultation was Treason in the very thought and cogitation so as that thought be prooued by an ouert Acte And that the same consultation and debating thereupon was an ouert Act though it had not bene vpon a list of names and articles in writing much more being vpon matter in writing And againe the going into the Citie was a pursuance and inducement of the enterprize to possesse the Court and not a desisting or departure from it And lastly it was ruled by the Iudges for law That if many do conspire to execute Treason against the Prince in one maner and some of them doe execute it in another maner yet their Act though differing in the maner is the Act of all them that conspire by reason of the generall malice of the intent Against Sir Gilly Merrick the Euidence that was giuen charged him chiefly with the matter of the open Rebellion that hee was as Captaine or commander ouer the
house and tooke vpon him charge to keepe it and make it good as a place of Retraict for those which issued into the Citie and fortifying and barriccadoing the same house and making prouision of Muskets Powder Pellets and other munition and weapons for the holding and defending of it and as a busie forward and noted Actor in that defence and resistance which was made against the Queenes forces brought against it by her Maiesties Lieutenant And further to prooue him priuie to the plot it was giuen in Euidence that some fewe dayes before the Rebellion with great heat and violence hee had displaced certaine Gentlemen lodged in an house fast by Essex house and there planted diuers of my Lords followers and Complices all such as went foorth with him in the Action of Rebellion That the afternoone before the Rebellion Merricke with a great company of others that afterwards were all in the Action had procured to bee played before them the Play of deposing King Richard the second Neither was it casuall but a Play bespoken by Merrick And not so onely but when it was told him by one of the Players that the Play was olde and they should haue losse in playing it because fewe would come to it there was fourty shillings extraordinarie giuen to play it and so thereupon playd it was So earnest hee was to satisfie his eyes with the sight of that Tragedie which hee thought soone after his Lord should bring from the Stage to the State but that GOD turned it vpon their owne heads ¶ The speaches of Sir Christopher Blunt at his execution are set downe as neere as they could be remembred after the rest of the confessions and euidences HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT HEERE FOLLOW the voluntary Confessions themselues such as were giuen in euidence at both the seuerall arraignments taken forth word for word out of the Originals Whereby it may appeare how God brought matters to light at seuerall times and in seuerall parts all concurring in substance And with them other Declarations and parts of the euidence ¶ The Confession of Thomas Lee taken the 14. of February 1600 before Sir Ioh. Peyton Lieutenant of the Tower Roger Wilbraham Master of the Requests Sir Anthony Saintleger Master of the Rolles in Ireland and Thomas Fleming her Maiesties Solicitour generall THis examinate saith that Tyrone sent a message to this Examinate by Iames Knowd whom this Examinate by the Marshals warrant in writing had sentto Tyrone before himselfe went to Tyrone that if the Erle of Essex would follow his plot he would make him the greatest man that euer was in England and that when Essex and Tyrone should haue conference together for his assurance vnto the Earle of Essex Tyrone would deliuer his eldest sonne in pledge to the Earle And with this message this Examinate made the Earle of Essex acquainted before his comming to this Examinats house at that time when this Examinate was sent to Tyrone This Examinate sayeth he knew that Essex Tyrone and the Marshall Sir Christopher Blunt were all one and held all one course Thomas Lee. Exam. per Ioh. Peyton Roger VVilbraham Anthony Saintleger Thomas Fleming ¶ The Declaration of Sir William VVarren 3. Octobris 1599. THe said Sir William came to Armagh the last Friday being the 28. of September from thence hee sent a messenger in the night to Tyrone to Dungannon signifying his comming to Armagh as aforesaid and that the next morning hee would meete Tyrone at the Fort of Blackwater where accordingly the said Tyrone met with him and after other speeches by further discourse the said Tyrone told the saide Sir William and deliuered it with an oath that within these two moneths hee should see the greatest alteration and the strangest that hee the saide Sir William could imagine or euer saw in his life and said that he hoped before it were long that he the said Tyrone should haue a good share in England Which speeches of the alteration Tyrone reiterated two or three seuerall times William Warren Certified from the Councell of Ireland to the Lords of the Councell here ¶ The declaration of Thomas Wood 20. Ianuarij 1599. taken before the L. Buckhurst L. high Treasurer the Earle of Notingham L. high Admirall Sir Ro. Cecill principal Secretary and Sir I. Fortescue Chancellour of the Exchequer THe said Wood saith that happening to be with the L. Eitzmorris Baron of Licksnaw at his house of Licksnaw betweene Michaelmas and Alhallowtide last the saide Baron walking abroad with the saide Wood asked of him what force the Earle of Essex was of in England Hee answered he could not tell but said he was well beloued of the Comminaltie Then said the Baron that the Earle was gone for England and had discharged many of the Companies of Ireland and that it was agreed that he should be King of England and Onele to be Viceroy of Ireland and whensoeuer hee should haue occasion and would sende for them Onele should sende him 8000. men out of Ireland The said Wood asked the Baron how he knew that He answered that the Earle of Desmond had written to him so much Thomas Wood. Confessed in the presence of Tho. Buckhurst Notingham Rob. Cecill Io. Fortescue ¶ The Confession of Iames Knowd taken the 16. of February 1600. before Sir Anth. Saintleger Master of the Roules in Ireland and Roger Wilbraham Master of the Requests OWney mac Rory hauing secret intelligence of the friendship betweene the Earle of Essex and Tyrone wrote to Tyrone desiring him to certifie him thereof whereby he might frame his course accordingly and not doe any thing contrary to their agreement which letter my selfe did write by Owneys appointment for then I was in credite with him In which letter he also desired Tyrone to send him some munition The letter with instructions to that effect was in my presence deliuered to one Turlagh mac Dauie o Kelly a man of secrecy sufficiencie and trust with Owney and he caried it to Tyrone Before whose returne Owney grew suspicious of me because I sometimes belonged to M. Bowen and therfore they would not trust me so as I could not see the answere but yet I heard by many of their secret counsell that the effect thereof was That the Earle of Essex should be king of England and Tyrone of Ireland Afterwards I met with Turlagh mac Dauie the messenger aforesayd and asked him whether hee brought an answere of the letter from Tyrone He sayd he did and deliuered it to Owney And then I asked him what he thought of the warres He told me he had good hope the last yeere and had none this yere his reason was as he said that the Earle of Essex was to take their part and they should aid him towards the conquest of England and nowe they were hindred thereof by meanes of his apprehension I dwelling with the Tanist of the Countrey my mothers cousin germain heard him