Sacred Majesty for which he had been Arraigned the day before and pleaded Not Guilty And therefore his Jury being Imparinelled and none of them challenged by him the same was read now to them viz. Sir Philip Matthews Sir Reginald Foster Sir John Kirke Sir John Cutler Sir Richard Blake John Bifield Esq Simon Middleton Esq Thomas Cross Esq Henry Johnson Esq Charles Vmphrevil Esq Thomas Eaglesfield Esq William Bohee Esq To this Indictment Sir Creswel Levins Serjeant Maynard and the Attorney General briefly spoke The Attorney General giving this Account why they chose first to bring this Man to trial That it was to convince those who believed all Designs against the King's Person by any Papist was but a Fiction this Man being a Papist and having said these words even since the discovery of the Plot. And for the proof hereof then appeared William Casters who deposed That on the 14th Instant about 11 a Clock in the Day he saw Stayley with another a Frenchman in a Victualling-house who called for a Pot of Ale and a Slice of Roast-Beef which when it was called for his Landlord said it should be brought him He was in another Room opposite to him both the Doors being open Stayley standing at one Door and he at the other his Face strait towards him and within 7 or 8 foot of him and discoursing with the French-man he heard Stayley twice over in French say The King was a Grand Heretick making his Demonstration with his Hand upon his Breast stamping five or six times with his Foot in great fury That the old Man Fromante his Friend said That the King of England was a Tormenter of the People of God and that Stayley answered again in a great fury He is a great Heretick and the greatest Rogue in the World There 's the Heart and here 's the Hand that would kill him And the King and Parliament think all is over but the Rogues are mistaken Then stamping said I would kill him my self I would kill him my self Then Alexander Southerland deposed that he also was there and perfectly saw Stayley while he Apoke those words which presently he writ down in French as they were spoken And then the Prisoner being gone they enquired his Name and where he live and the next day got him apprehended The third Witnes was one Philip Garret who not understanding French could only depose That being with the other two he heard Stayley speak Whereupon his Captain William Casters cam to him in a great passion and said he could not suffer it he would run upon him he could not be quiet To all which the Prisoner made but a weak Defence relating the manner of his Apprehension and saying That his discourse with Fromante was about the King of France and that he said he would kill himself instead of I will kill him my self alleadging his Loyalty and protesting his Innocence and how that the Witnesses after his apprehension would have had him took it up Then the Statue of Decimo tertio was read and Sir John Kirke one of the Jury who understood French attested that Translation of his words to be true Then the Prisoner's Witnesses were called who were one Anselm the Master of the Cross-Keys in Covent-Garden where the Prisoner was brought when he was apprenhended who deposed That they kept him in his House from 8 till 11 without any Constable Which the Witnesses answered was because they could get no Constable to come along with them without a Warrant from a Justice of Peace and that they sent to White-hall and desired a Guard but the Officer said it was the Constables part Another Witness appeared for the Prisoner who testified that he had often heard him declare much Loyalty to his Prince and an aversion to the Jesuits insomuch that if he knew any of the Persons concerned in this Plot he would be their Executioner himself and that he would lose his Blood for the King But the Ld. Ch. Justice reply'd That was his discourse only when he spoke to a Protestant Then the Prisoner having no more Witnesses nor any thing more to say for himself the Ld. Ch. Justice made a Speech to the Jury setting forth the Treasonableness of the Words and the manner of speaking them and the plainness of the Proof with great zeal against the Jusuits and their Tenants whom he look'd upon as the Foundations of all this Mischief excusing his warmness saying 'T was better to be warm here than in Smithfield and that he hoped he should never go to that Heaven where Men are made Saints for killing Kings The Jury then presently brought the Prisoner in Guilty who said he had nothing more to say so Sentence was pronounced against him to be Hang'd Drawn and Quartered and the same was accordingly executed upon him at Tyburn on Tuesday following being Novemb. 26. It was his Majesty's pleasure because of the Prisoner's seeming Penitence and his Relations humble Petition to suffer his Body to have a decent private Burial But his Friends abusing this gracious Favour with a publick and more than ordinary Funeral Pomp his buried Quarters were ordered to be taken up and to be disposed by the Common Executioner upon the Gates of the City The Trial of Edward Coleman Gent. at the King's-Bench Bar on Wednesday Novemb. 27. 1678. HE then and there appearing having been Arraigned the Saturday before his Indictment was read to the Jury viz. Sir Reginald Forster Bar. Sir Charles Lee. Edward Wilford Esq John Bathurst Esq Joshua Galliard Esq John Bifield Esq Simon Middleton Esq Henry Johnson Esq Charles Vmfrevile Esq Thomas Johnson Esq Thomas Eaglesfield Esq William Bohee Esq His Indictment was for endeavouring to subvert the Protestant Religion and introduce Popery and kill the King Whereto he having pleaded Not Guilty Mr. Recorder Serjeant Maynard and then the Attorney General severally spoke opening the Nature and shewing the heighnousness of the Crimes therein charg'd upon the Prisoner After which the Prisoner praying for a favorable Trial and professing that he had confessed all the Truth in the Examinations that had been made of him in Prison and that he gave over his Corresponding beyond-Seas in 75. Dr. Oates was called forth who deposed That in November last he visiting one John Keins his Father Confessor lodging at Mr. Coleman's House in Stable-Yard Mr. Coleman by him understanding that he was going to St. Omers told him That he would trouble him with a Letter or two thither and would leave them with one Fenwick Procurator for the Jesuits in London Which Letters he carried to St. Omers being directed for the Rector there and was at the opening of them The out-side Sheet was a Letter of News and in it Expressions of the King calling him Tyrant and that the Marriage between the Prince of Orange and the Lady Mary would prove the Traytor 's and Tyrant's Ruin In it was a Latin Letter to Father Le-Chese writ by the same Hand giving
that Robinson and his Wife upon their Examinations before a Justice of the Peace said they did not know him Then the Statute of 27. Eliz. Cap. 2. was read and the Ld. Ch. Justice summ'd up the Evidence and the Jury brought him in Guilty Then VVilliam Atkins was set to the Bar having been Arraigned for being a Romish Priest and his Indictment read to the same Jury Then VVilliam Jackson being sworn said He could say nothing Francis VVilden deposed That he heard him say Prayers in an Unknown Tongue in a Surplice and had seen him give the Sacrament to seven or eight according to the manner of the Church of Rome in a Wafer at Mrs. Stamford's House in VVolverhampton Then John Jarvis being called refused to be sworn saying He was troubled with a Vision last Night But the Ld. Ch. Justice told him he mistook for Old Men dream Dreams 't was Young Men see Visions and that he was an old Man Bidding him speak the Truth and he 'd warrant him he should not be troubled with Visions any more this being a Trick of the Priests So he being sworn deposed That he had often been relieved by this Atkins and had heard him say somewhat in an Unknown Tongue and had Confess'd to him and often received the Sacrament from him he being in a Priests Habit. Henry Brown also deposed That he was almost turned from the Protestant Religion to that of the Church of Rome but never went further than Confession and that was to this Man and then he left them Then Thomas Dudley deposed That he likewise was given that way and had been at Confession with one Atkins whom he believed to be this Man and had seen him perform several Rites of the Church of Rome at VVell-Head at Ham. Then the Statute was read and the Prisoner saying He had neither any Witnesses to call nor any thing to say The Ld. Ch. Justice summ'd up the Evidence and the Jury brought him also in Guilty And the Ld. Ch. Justice sentenced them both to be Drawn Hang'd and Quarter'd ON Monday Aug. 4. 1679. at Hereford Charles Kerne was brought to the Bar and being Arraigned he pleaded Not Guilty to the Indictment which was for being a Romish Priest Then the Jury being sworn whose Name 's are not inserted into this Trial only that one VVill. Barret was Foreman the Court proceeded to call the Evidence against him And first Edward Biddolph was sworn who deposed that he did not know the Prisoner that he had seen one of that name 6 Years agone at Mr. Somerset's at Bellingham but would not say this was he Then Margaret Edwards deposed That she had known Kerne five or six Years That the first time she ever saw him was at Mr. VVigmore's of Lucton who told her it was he That she hath seen him several times since twice or thrice at VVoebly and the last time was the 29th of May was Twelvemonth at Sarnsfield at Mrs. Monington's where she saw him deliver the Wafer and remembred the Words Corpus Christi to four persons that were there but she her self did not receive She gave also an account of the Reason of her then coming thither it being at the request of one Harris of Lempster whose Wife was sick to seek some Remedy from Mrs. Monington for her Telling how the Maid brought her up to the Mistress how she acquainted her with her Errand what advice was given her and how Mrs. Monington understanding she was a Papist took her into the Chappel whereof she gave a Description Then Mary Jones deposed That she knew Mr. Kerne about eight Years ago when she lived at Mr. Somersets and that Mr. Kerne lived in the House about half a Year That she hath seen several Persons come thither And that one Sunday Morning she saw several Persons go up with Mr. Kerne and listning she heard Mr. Kerne say something aloud which she did not understand there being but a Wall between them That also there was a Child Christned in the House and no one there but Mr. Somerset and his Wife Mr. Latchet and his Wife and Mr. Kerne to do it but she did not see him do it though she heard his Voice And that once she wash'd a Surplice but knew not whose it was Then the Prisoner in his own Defence called one Mr. Hyet who said That Margaret Edwards had denied to him that she knew Mr. Kerne but not being on her Oath when she said so it was not regarded Mr. Weston's maid affirmed That she saw Margaret Edwards and Mary Jones talking together and Marg. Edwards instructed the other what she should say but being called they both denyed it upon their Oaths Then Mrs. Monington appear'd who said She neither knew Marg. Edwards nor James Harris and Mrs. Monington's Maid denied that ever she saw her at her Mistresses House Then the Statute being read of 27 Eliz. the Prisoner urged that Persons that are not Priest's may say Mass except that of Bread and Wine and Christen too in extremis Then the Ld. Ch. Justice summ'd up the Evidence concluding Margaret Edwards to be a Positive Evidence but leaving the other doubtful to the Consideration of the. Jury who brought the Prisoner in Not Guilty The Trial of Thomas Knox and John Lane at the King's-Bench Bar on Tuesday Novemb. 25. 1679. before the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs and the other Judges of that Court. THen and there the Prisoners were indicted for a Conspiracy to defame and scandalize Dr. Oates and Mr. Bedloe thereby to discredit their Evidence about the Horrid Popish Plot. To which having pleaded Not Guilty the Jury was sworn viz. Sir John Kirke Thomas Harriot Henry Johnson Simon Middleton Hugh Squire Francis Dorrington John Roberts Rainsford Waterhouse Thomas Earsby Joseph Radcliffe James Supple Richard Cooper To whom the Indictment being read Trenchard Esq of Counsel for the King in this Cause opened the Indictment Serjeant Maynard pursued the Charge and Sir Creswel Levinz his Majesty's Attorney General opened the Evidence Then the Attainders of those Persons executed for the Plot and the Impeachments of the Lords in the Tower and of the Earl of Danby mentioned in the Indictment being allowed Robert Radford one of his Majesty's Yeomen of the Guard being call'd and sworn deposed That Richard Lane who was a Yeoman of the Guard extraordinary and Father of this John Lane told him about a Year ago that Doctor Oates did attempt many times to Bugger his Son but knowing him to be a lying Fellow he durst not speak of it again for fear he would have put it upon him Mr. Thomas Allen only deposed that in December last when Lane was out of Dr. Oates's Service he desired him to interceed for him which he did till he was admitted again Mr. Samuel Oates the Doctor 's Brother deposed That in April last about a Fortnight before Lane went from his Brother he heard him say having before wished for 1000 l. that he questioned not
burnt in the Hand for Felony and afterwards pardoned can be a good Witness Which being granted him he named Mr. Jones Mr. Saunders and Mr. Darnel for his Counsel But Mr. Saunders was not in Court and Mr. Jones said he was not prepared to speak But Mr. Darnal gave his Opinion in the Negative alledging for it 11. Henry 4.41 and 9. Jac. and the Lord Cook p. 154. To which the Attorn General and Mr. Justice Jones asserted the constant Custom and Practice of the Court the same did Mr. Sol. General and Mr. Recorder Then Mr. Justice Raymond went down to the Court of Common-Pleas to know their Opinion who brought word that it was the Opinion of their Brethren That a Man convicted of Felony and not burnt in the Hand a Pardon could not set him Upright but being convicted and burnt in the Hand they suppose he is a Witness Then Mr. Dangerfield was sworn who deposed That about 12 Months ago the Lady Powis sent him with a Letter to the Prisoner who writ back an Answer which the Lady Powis read to him and Mrs. Cellier the Contents of which were This Person I like well and though he be no Scholar he will serve to instruct the Youths as he shall be directed By the Youths he said was meant the St. Omers Witnesses whom the Prisoner was employed to instruct what to say before the Trial. That his Lordship employed him to get Lane out of the Gate-house That his Lordship was concern'd also in those Letters which related to the promoting of the Sham-Plot and were to be conveyed into the Houses of several Persons of Quality and sent 40 s. for his part to pay for copying them That the next day after he had been treated with in the Tower to kill the King which he refused he waiting upon the Prisoner his Lordship ask'd him why he would refuse to kill the King it being that for which he was took out of Prison and was violently angry with him upon which he left him After this the Prisoner began his Defence and against Oates produced a Record which was read in Court of his prosecuting a Man of Buggery at Hastings whom the Jury Acquitted After which coming to London he was converted to be a Papist by one Hutchinson whom since Oates hath converted to be a Protestant which Mr. Hutchinson then appearing testifyed but talking extravagantly the Court was informed he was a distracted Man Then one Armstrong appeared to testify that Mr. Oates was only a Common Scholar at Vallidolid and one Mr. Palmer that he was but the same at St. Omers Then Hilsley affirm'd That he left Oates at St. Omers in April and did not come over with him and to corroborate his Testimony one Osborn affirmed that Mr. Hilsley told him so about the latter end of April Then one Mr. Gregson at whose House Dr. Oates Iodged appeared only to testify to the Poverty of Oates and that he had nothing but what the Jesuits allowed him Then Mr. Littcot testified that he knew nothing of the Divorce but the Court refused to hear such Evidence as not being to the Purpose Then the Records were produced against Dangerfield of his being burnt in the Hand Outlawed for Felony and twice Pilloryed for putting away false Guineys and a gilt Shilling Then Mrs. Cellier testified that Dangerfield told her of the Prisoner's Anger this time 12 month which Dangerfield said was in August last and that she would have sent him with a Letter but he refused to go near his Lordship And Bennet Dowdal said That Dangerfield told him in June of the Prisoner's Anger and that it was because he went to the Tower and his Lordships Name unknown to him The Lady Powis affirmed also That she never sent a Letter by Dangerfield nor never read one to him in her Life and Mrs. Cellier affirm'd the same Sir Richard Barker then deposed of his seeing Oates in June and that his Servants told him they saw him in May 78 Then one Turner deposed That he saw Dangerfield with the Prisoner as he believes in July And one Woodman deposed that carried a Letter from Mrs. Cellier to the Prisoner and brought back 30 s. or 3 l. but for whom he knows not Then the Prisoner would have cleared his Reputation about instructing the Youths but the Court judg'd it needless Therefore Mr. Attorney General summ'd briefly up the Evidence and the Ld. Ch. Justice did the same both taking Notice of the Exceptions made against Dangerfield's Evidence leaving it to the Jury whether he ought to be believed or no and if not that then there would be but one Credible witness After which the Jury withdrawing for a while brought in their Verdict Not Guilty The Trial of John Giles Gent. at the Sessions-House in the Old-Baily on Wednesday July 14. 1680. THE Prisoner then and there appeared having been before Arraigned and pleaded not Guilty to an Indictment for a Barbarous and Inhumane Attempt to Assassinate and Murther John Arnold Esq one of his Majesty's Justices of Peace for the County of Monmouth and now a Member of the Honourable House of Commons The Jury sworn were Christopher Plucknet William Dodd Anthony Nurse John Burton Nathan Goodwin George VVood. James Partridge Laurance VVood. John Bradshaw VVilliam Withers Edward Proby Richard Bromfield To whom the Indictment being read Mr. Gibbs Mr. Holt and Mr. Thompson being of Counsel in this Cause for the King opened the same After which Mr. Arnold himself was sworn and deposed That upon April 15. being Thursday in Easter-Week last he was with some Company at the Devil-Tavern till 10 or past and recollecting he had Business with Mr. Phillip's a Counsellor at Law in Bell-yard that Night he left his Company and his own Servants being out of the way he went to the Room where several of his Neighbour's Servants were and called to some of them to go with him but it happen'd he went away without them And as he went cross Fleet-street he saw two Men in Campaign-Cloaks follow him whom he thought to be Servants belonging to some of his Company who had followed him on his calling But as he went into Bell-yard one of them got before him and turned and looked earnestly in his Face whom passing by when a Woman stood in a Door about the middle of Bell-yard with a Candle in her hand he saw to be this Prisoner at the Bar to whom when his Companion came up he heard them laugh aloud He took no Notice but went on and at the Kennel at the end of Jackanapes-Lane he looking down to find the Kennel a Cloak was thrown over his Head and then he found very rough Hands about his Shoulders and they can him into Jackanapes-Lane just cross the Lane against the opposite Wall and run his Head so hard that he thinks they broke it and then struck him and at the second blow he fell running him through his side into the Belly Then recovering he made what
seemed much concern'd and his Countenance altered and desired to lie down Then Mr. Gibbons deposed That when they had apprehended the Count they carried him to the Mayor's and thence to an Inn for 2 or 3 hours and there the Count asked him his Name because he said he would come and give him Thanks after his Trouble was over he owned his Name Gibbons and that he belonged to the Duke of Monmouth Said he the Duke of Monmouth hath no Command now and therefore how could he take him by his Order He said he did not come upon his Command but he had killed a very good Friend of his and a Country-Man and if Providence had not ordered it otherwise he had killed a more particular Friend of mine and a Master whom he had served many Years He said he did not think they would have done the D. of Monmouth any Injury After which walking up and down he said 'T was a stain upon his Blood but one good Action in the Wars or Lodging upon a Counterscrap will wash away all that Then he asking what the People said he told him the Captain had made a Confession though it was a thing he did not then know the Count said he did not believe the Captain would confess any thing To all this the Count by his Interpreter Sir Nathaniel Johnson reply'd That he came into England with a design to have got a Regiment and serv'd England against France hearing of an Alliance to be between England Holland and Sweedland against France That he lay incognito because he was broke out in Spots on his Arms and Breast and designed to take Physick and avoid drinking of Wine and his Equipage was not come to him till after That he removed his Lodgings the first because it was too cold for him and the second because of a smoaking Chimney That he sent for the Polander over to dress his Horses after the German way which he came to buy and had return'd 1000 Pistols for that end and had bought one Horse which the Count's Brother testified That had it not been for the stormy Weather the Polander had arrived sooner he having writ for him 4 Months ago That he had no Quarrel with Mr. Thynn nor to the best of his knowledg ever saw him That it was strange he should ask a Scullion-boy whether People might ride on Sundays when he himself over and over again has rid upon Sundays to Hide-Park which was testified by Major Oglethorp and divers other Gentlemen That Capt. Vratz visited him on Sunday only because he was sick That he gave the Polander to the Captain because he should have no use for him himself bought him Clothes and a Sword because he wanted them That he absconded because one Markham his Taylor told him he heard him named as concern'd in the Murder and that if the Common People should catch him they would tear him to pieces and so his Friends did counsel him to withdraw That he heard the People say the Murderers follow'd Mr. Thynn's Coach but would not shoot till the Duke of Monmouth was gone out That he spoke of his Apprehension and Imprisonment as being a stain to his Blood And then the Count speaking something of the Repute of his own Family and Zeal for the Protestant Religion and Love for the English c. Sir Francis Winnington summ'd up the Evidence whereat the People made a great shout but were rebuked for it by the Court Mr. Williams did also the like and then the Ld. Ch. Justice gave the Charge and the Jury withdrew and the Court Adjourned for half an hour and then sent for the Jury who brought in Borosky Vratz and Stern Guilty and the County Not Guilty Who being dismiss'd Mr. Recorder sentenc'd the other 3 to be hang'd Who were accordingly Executed in the Pall-Mall on Friday Mar. 10 following and Borosky was afterwards hung up in Chains a little beyond Mile-End by his Majesty's Command The Trial of Sheriffs Thomas Pilkington Esq Samuel Shute Esq Henry Cornish Alderman Ford Lord Grey of Wark Sir Thomas Player Kt. Chamberlain Slingsby Bethel Esquire Francis Jenks John Deagle Richard Freeman Richard Goodenough Robert Key John Wickham Samuel Swinock and John Jekyll sen Before the Lord Chief Justice Saunders at the Guild-Hall London on Tuesday May 8. 1683. THen and there the Defendants appeared for their Trial upon an information against them for the Riot at Guild-hall on Midsummer-day 1682. being the Day for Election of Sheriffs for the Year ensuing To which they had pleaded Not Guilty And the Jury appearing the Defendants Counsel challenged the Array because returned by Sir Dudley North whose legally being Sheriff was now in question Which Challenge was read in French and English and admitted of a long Debate but was over-ruled As was also another Challenge offered on behalf of the Lord Grey The Defendants Counsel then prayed a Bill of Exceptions which also was over-ruled The Jury sworn were Sir Benjamin Newland Sir John Matthews Sir Thomas Griffith Sir Edmund Wiseman Sir John Buckworth Percival Gilburn Henry Wagstaff Barthol Ferriman Thomas Blackmore Samuel Newton William Watton George Villars To whom the Information being read the same was opened by Mr. Dolbin and Mr. Attorn Gen. Mr. Sol. Gen. and Mr. Serj. Jefferies opened the Evidence And then the Common Serjeant Mr. Lightfoot Mr. Wells the Common-Crier Mr. Man the Sword-Bearer Mr. King Sir William Hooker and Mr. Bancroft all being sworn deposed their knowledg about the Method of the City Elections all concurring That the Lord-Mayor always used to summon and adjourn and dissolve the Common-Hall and that the Sheriffs as Sheriffs were no more concern'd in the Case than any private Man Then Mr. Craddock deposed as to the Persons concern'd in the Riot That he was then standing where they poll'd and the Lord-Mayor coming thither also to protest against their manner of Proceeding Sheriff Bethel bid him oppose or resist him for that he had nothing to do there And that this was before the Poll was adjourn'd Mr. Reeves then depos'd That he saw Mr. Shute and Mr. Pilkington encouraging the People to Poll after the Lord-Mayor was gone and that while the Lord-Mayor was there he saw a great Contest among the People some saying he had nothing to do there another cried Stop the Sword stop the Sword whom he laid hold of but some Body got him again from him Mr. John Hill deposed That he saw then Mr. Robert Key Mr. Goodenough and the Lord Grey among the People as also Mr. Cornish Mr. Richard Fletcher deposed That he also was there on that Midsummer-day by Order of Sheriff Shute after the Lord-Mayor was gone to call all Men that were to poll to come forward for the Books were to be shut up and that he could only testify that Mr. Pilkington and Mr. Shute were both there Then Capt. Clark depos'd That when Proclamation was then made for adjournment of the Court and God save the King was
he upon which they let him go The Clerk of the Crows said he knew this Spence and that he was very like Sir E. Godfrey Then John Oakeley's Affidavit was read which was made before Sir John Moore Mayor June 22. 1682. and was That he coming by Somerset-House upon Saturday Octob. 12. 1678. the very day on which Sir E. Godfrey was missing about eight or nine at Night he saw Sir Edmond-bury near the VVater-gate and past close by him knowing him very well put off his Hat to him and Sir Edm. did the like to him and having pass'd him he turned and looked upon him and saw him stand still and a Man or two near him And that he told this to Elizabeth Dekin two or three days after and to his Uncle Ralph Oakely of Little St. Bartholomew about a Week after and to his Father Robert Oakely and several others in a short time after Elizabeth Dekin's Affidavit who was his Fellow-Servant before Sir John Moore at the same time hereof and Mr. Robert Breedon's Affidavit who was their Master and a Brewer near Sir E. Godfrey's House made then also that Dekin had told him what Oakely had told her and that before the Body was found And Robert Oakely his Fathers Affidavit made at the same time that his Son had told him the same and his Uncle Ralph Oakeley's Affidavit of the same before Mr. Justice Dolbin July 4. 1683. were all annexed to corroborate his Testimony And whereas it had been reported that Sir E. Godfrey hang'd himself and that one Moore his Clerk cut him down the said Henry Moore made Affidavit before Justice Balam of the Isle of Ely July 28. 1681. That the Report was false and scandalous and that he neither said nor did any such thing John Brown and William Lock also of Maribone made Affidavit before Sir John Moore Mayor June 30. 1682. That they viewing the Body on Thursday Octob. 17. 1678. as it lay in the Ditch found that the Pummel of the Sword-Hilt did not touch the Ground by an handful c.. Benjamin Man also of London Gent. being not called at the Trial tho twice subpoened made Affidavit before Sir W. Dolbin July 3. 1682. That being in the Gatehouse when Green was took and about to be put into Irons and understanding his Crime saying he did not think to have found him such a Man Green thereupon replied He was a dead Man Robert Forset Esq of Maribone made Affidavit also before Sir VV. Dolbin on July 1. 1682. That he was a hunting with his Hounds on Tuesday Octob. 15. 1678. and beat that very place where the Body was afterwards found but there was neither Body nor Gloves nor Cane thereabouts then and that Mr. Henry Harwood who is since dead borrowed his Hounds and told him that he beat the same Ditch the next day and that no Body was there he was sure on VVednesday at Noon George Larkin of London Printer made Oath also before Sir John Moore Mayor March 22. 1681. That he going to see the Body on Octob. 18. 1678. he met Nat. Thompson there who then proposed the printing of a Narrative of this Murder to him desiring his Assistance which they afterward agreed to print and that contain'd how Sir E. Godfrey's Face was of a fresh Colour tho in his life-time Pale a green Circle about his Neck as if he had been strangled c. That there was no Blood in the place and his Shoes as clean as if he had but just come out of his own Chamber which was an evident sign that he was carried thither and that the Coroners Inquest found that he was suffocated before the Wounds were made c. And finally that one of the Jury affirmed that his Mother's Servant searched all those Grounds for a Calf that was missing Monday and Tuesday and at that time there lay no dead Body Belt Gloves Stick c. Farrell it seems was Trustee for Fenwick that was executed and Pain was Brother to Nevill alias Pain who was famous for scribling for Mrs. Cellier and the Papists The Court consulting together Mr. Justice Jones having first set out the greatness of their Crime gave the Judgment of the Court which was That Thomson and Farrell should stand in the Pillory in the Palace-Yard the last day of the Term for an hours space between ten and one and each of them pay 100 l. Fine and to be imprisoned till they had paid it Pain was excused from the Pillory but adjudg'd to the same Fine Accordingly on Wednesday July 5. 1682. Thompson and Farrell were Pillored with this Writing over their Heads For libelling the Justice of the Nation by making the VVorld belive that Sir Edmondbury Godfrey murdered himself The Trial of Nathaniel Reading Esq before the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer at the King's-Bench-Bar at Westminster on Thursday April 24. 1679. ON Wednesday April 16th 1679 His Majesties Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer did meet at Westminster-Hall in the Court of King's-Bench When and where the Commission was Read and the Grand-Jury Sworn and then Sir James Butler the Chief Commissioner that then appeared gave them their Charge informing them briefly of the Occasion of their meeting desiring them to go together and take the Witnesses being first sworn along with them which they did for about half an hour and then returned finding it Billa Vera. After which the Court Adjourned to Thursday April 24. On which day the Commissioners there met viz. Sir Francis North Kt. Ld. Ch. Justice of His Majesties Court of Common-Pleas William Montague Esq Ld. Ch. Baron of his Majesties Court Exchequer Sir William Wylde Kt. and Bar. one of his Majesty's Justices of the King's-Bench Sir Hugh Windham Kt. one of his Majesty's Justices of the Common-Pleas Sir Robert Atkins Kt. of the Bath another of the Justices of the Common-Pleas Sir Edward Thurland Kt. one of the Barons of the Exchequer Vere Bertie Esq another of the Justices of the Common-Pleas Sir Thomas Jones Kt. another of the Justices of the King's-Bench Sir Francis Bramston Kt. another of the Barons of the Exchequer Sir William Dolben Kt. another of the Justices of the King's-Bench Sir William Jones Kt. his Majesty's Attorney-General Sir James Butler Kt. one of the King's Counsel and the Queen's Attorney Sir Philip Mathews Bar. Sir Thomas Orbey Kt. and Bar. Sir Thomas Byde Kt. Sir William Bowles Kt. Sir Thomas Stringer Serjeant at Law Sir Charles Pitfield Kt. Thomas Robinson Esq Humphrey Wyrle Esq Thomas Haryot Esq Richard Gower Esq After Proclamation made for Attendance the Lord Chief Justice North discharged the Grand Inquest and Mr. Reading being set to the Bar his Indictment was read to him Being for Soliciting Suborning and endeavouring to perswade Mr. William Bedloe to lessen stifle and omit to give Evidence the full Truth according to his Knowledg against the Lord Powis Lord Stafford Lord Petre and Sir Henry Tichborn but to give such Evidence as he the said
be Drawn Hang'd and Quartered and in the Courts and proceedings below they can take no notice of any Judgment for High-Treason but that Then Sir Creswell Levinz desired for the King being his Attorney-General to have that Judgment because if any other were given it would be prejudicial to his Majesty and be a Question in the inferior Courts as to his Attainder of High-Treason So it was ordered that the ordinary Judgment should be pronounc'd upon him Which their Lordships and the Commons being returned and the Court sate was accordingly by the Lord High Steward he premising a short pithy Speech wherein he acquainted him that what he had said in Arrest of Judgment had been found by the Lords to be of no moment at all speaking to the certainty of the Plot and of his share therein advising now to consider how God had left him and that he never leaves any but who leave him first To think what kind of Religion it is wherein he had been led to this And to consider that true Repentance was never too late moving him to give God the Glory by a free Confession c. After Sentence pronounc'd the Prisoner desired his Relations and Friends might come to him And the Lord H. Steward inform'd him that the Lords intended to become humble Suitors to his Majesty to remit all the Punishment but the taking off his Head The Prisoner weeping answered That their Justice did not make him cry but their Goodness Then the Lord High Steward broke his Staff and the Lords Adjourned into the Parliament-Chamber and the Commons returned to their House and the Prisoner with the Ax born before him with the Edg towards him it being carried contrarily during his Trial was sent back to the Tower On Wednesday December 29. 1680. About 10 in the Morning he was brought to the Scaffold on Tower-Hill And pulling off his Hat he pulled a Paper out of his Pocket and read it as his Speech which the very same day before two a Clock came out in Print as his Speech and he delivered divers Copies signed by himself to Mr. Sheriff Cornish and other Gentlemen about him He then desired he might have liberty to pray in his own Way which being granted he kneeled down by the Block and taking out of his Pocket another Paper he read a Latin Prayer which done he gave the Paper to Mr. Sheriff Bethel and then spoke to the People about the Scaffold to this effect God bless you all Gentlemen God preserve his Majesty He is as good a Prince as ever govern'd you Obey him as faithfully as I have done and God bless you all Gentlemen Then he strip's himself to his Wastcoat and after some few short private Discourses with his Friends he laid down his Neck on the Block and stretched himself The Executioner being demanded by the Sheriffs whether he had any Sign he answered No. Then the Prisoner raised up his Head and said He had no Sign to give but the Executioner might take his opportunity and laid his Neck on the Block again After which in a short time the Executioner did his Office by severing his Head from his Body and holding up the Head in his Hand carried it about the Scaffold shewing it to the People and saying Here is the Head of a Traitor The Body was put into a Coffin and conveyed to the Tower The Arraignment and Plea of Edward Fitz-Harris Esq c. at the King's-Bench Bar at Westminster in Easter-Term 1681. ON Wednesday April 27. 1681. the Grand Juries for the County of Middlesex were sworn and after the Charge delivered by Mr. Justice Jones His Majesty's Attorney General desired That some of that Grand Jury which served for the Hundreds of Edmondton and Gore might be present at the swearing of the Witnesses upon an Indictment for High-Treason to be preferred against Edward Fitz-Harris Prisoner in the Tower of London which was granted But the Grand Jury being under some Scruples against receiving of the Bill desired the Opinion of the Court therein which Mr. Justice Jones alone thought not fit to give but ordered them to attend next day when the Court was full Accordingly on Thursday April 28. the said Grand Jury came to the Bar and Mr. Michael Godfrey Brother to Sir Edmond-bury Godfrey who was their Foreman requested the Court that before they proceeded upon this Indictment that this same Fitz-Harris might be examin'd about his Brother's Death of which he was supposed to know much and presented a Petition which the Jury own'd which desired the Opinion of the Court Whether it was safe for them to meddle with the Indictment of Fitz-Harris because he was impeached by the Honourable House of Commons which Impeachment being not received it was voted by them in their House That he should not be tried by any other Inferior Gourt To which the Ld. Ch. Justice Pemberton reply'd that it was the Opinion of all the Judges who had assembled to debate this Matter for their satisfaction that they ought not to take notice of any of these things but to proceed upon this Indictment according to the Evidence After which the Jury went away and found the Bill On Friday April 29 Serjeant Stringer moved for an Habeas Corpus to bring up Fitz-Harris to be examined by the Court about the Death of Sir E. Godfrey The Court granted the Writ And said he should be Arraigned upon the Indictment against him and then they would examin him On Saturday April 30. Edward Fitz-Harris was brought with a strong Guard to the King's-Bench Court Where desiring to plead to the Jurisdiction of the Court he put in his Plea which was read the substance of it being what the Grand Jury's Petition had express'd about his being Impeached by the Commons which not being sign'b by any Counsel the Court refus'd and upon his Request assign'd him Sir Francis Winnington Mr. Williams Mr. Pollexfen and Mr. Wallop giving to Wednesday May 4. to prepare his Plea After which The Prisoner being carried away to be examined was then return'd to the Tower On Monday May 2. Sir Francis Winnington and the other three of Counsel for Mr. Fitz-Harris came to the Bar and moved the Court for an Explanation of the Rule concerning themselves and the Business they were assigned for Praying for longer time to draw up the Plea and for a Copy of the Indictment Both which were denied them And upon Mrs. Fitz-Harris's Motion Sir William Jones Sir Geo. Treby and Mr. Smith were added to her Husband's Counsel and leave given for a Sollicitor to carry Papers to and fro in the presence of the Lieutenant Mr. VVallop desired Counsel might be assigned in his place because of the shortness of the time allowed them but it could not be granted On Wednesday May 4. the Prisoner appearing put in his Plea the which Mr. Attorn Gen. Mr. Sol. Gen. Serj. Maynard Serj. Jefferies Sir Francis VVithins and Mr. Sanders being the King's Counsel used great