No More Learning

Then his oft Waitings at the Bar (where he could not stand) and then to be railingly treated by Jeffreys and Withins, and called Rogue and Knave, and not suffered to speak one Word of Answer for himself, and his Councel being reviled that offered to speak for him, was far harder to him than his Imprisonment. And then going from the Bar, he only said, That his Predecessor thought otherwise of him. Jeffreys reply'd, There was not an honest Man in
England that took him not for a Knave; not excepting the King, that had given him another Testimony in Words.
But to return to the Thred of this Discourse; passing by his vehement and pressing Discourse to the Jury against William Lord Russel, on his Trial at the Old Baily, which, some say, greatly influenced them to find him guilty; and add, That he did it out of a Pique, in Remembrance he was one of the Mem bers of the Parliament before whom he was brought on his knees. We find him by this Time trying of Dr. Titus Oates, upon two Informations, upon the Account of his swearing to the White- Horse-CoTisWiX. , and Ireland's being in Town ; and after a long Debate, wherein many Repartees passed, the Jury made a shift to find him guilty ; as to the Circumstances, I refer you to the
Trial ; but the Sentence was severe, and of its Effects few are ignorant, wherefore I shall pass it over, as also Mr. Thomas Dangerfield, another of the Evidences in discovering the Con trivances, and carrying on of the Popish Plot, which the Papists by these manner of Proceedings accounted to be effectually stifled. And now before any thing remarkable happened, the Kingdom was alarm'd with the Landing of the late Duke of Monmouth at Lyme, in Dorsetshire, and the Earl of Argyle in Scotlandj but however these two unfortunate Gentlemen mis
3Lorb (Beorge 3|effrepsf.
305
carrying, and losing their lives, left a great many of their miserable Followers to feel the Severity of Punishment ; and as for the gleaning the bloody Fields in England, they came to the sitting of this Person, who with others going down with a Commission to try them, all the Indignities the Dissenters had put upon him, came fresh into his Remembrance, so that he made them find the Laws more cruel than the Sword, and wish they had fallen in the field, rather than come to his Handling ;
for he breathed Death like a destroying Angel, and sanguined his very Ermins in Blood : A large Account of which you shall
have in its proper Place.
But by the Way, for the sake of the West-Country Reader,
I shall here add a true and impartial Narrative of the late Duke of Monmouth's whole Expedition while in the West, seeing that was the Prologue to that bloody Scene that you will hear by and by, was acted by George Lord Jeffreys, (the Subject of our present Discourse. )
To begin then, May 24, Old Style, we left Amsterdam about Two of the Clock, being Sunday Morning, and in a Lighter sail'd for the Texel, our Vessels being sent before us thither ; but meeting with extreme cross Winds all the Way, we arrived not till Saturday Night, and then went all on Board. Here our Man of War with about 32 Guns (where the Duke's Person was) was under an Arrest by Order of the States of Amsterdam on the Complaint of our Envoy, they presuming we had been clear, but we broke through our Arrest, and Sunday Morning, at break of Day, set Sail for England. We had in all three
Ships; that of 32 Guns carried most of our Men, the other two were for our Ammunition. We met with exceeding cross Winds, most part of the Time we spent on the Seas, and arrived not at Lyme till Thursday, June 11, so that from Amsterdam to Lyme we wanted but two Days of three weeks.
We landed without any the least Opposition, and were re ceived with all Expressions of Joy imaginable ; the Duke, as soon as he jumped out of his Boat on Land, call'd for Silence, and then desir'd we would join with him in returning God Thanks for that wonderful Preservation we had met with at Sea, and accordingly fell on his Knees on the Sand, and was
x
3°6 ^&e %\U anti 2Deat& of
the Mouth of us all in a short Ejaculation, and then immediately- well Armed, as many as we were, entered the Town.
Friday the whole Day was spent in listing of Men, which flocked to us so fast, that we could scarce tend them with Arms.
The like on Saturday also ; and then about ten of the Clock at Night, 300 of our Men were sent to Bridport, about six English Miles off, to storm that Town betimes in the Morning, which we did accordingly, taking many Prisoners out of their Lodgings ; and had not our Soldiers been a little too eager of Plunder, we had made a good Day's Work on't ; but there lying about a Wood some of the King's Forces, we were forced to retreat, losing three or four Men, and killing several of theirs, and taking eight Prisoners ; this was the first Action which he had.
Sunday also was spent in Listing, and Monday Morning ; but in the Afternoon we marched out of Lyme for Axminster, a little Town four Miles off ; our Party was near 2000 Foot, and 300 Horse, though we landed not full an hundred Men, and all these in the Space of four Days : About two Miles from Lyme we espied the Duke of Albermarle, with about 4000 Men, designing that Night to quarter in the same Town, which we had News of in the Way ; yet we marched on in good Order, and came into the Town, lined all the Hedges, planted our
Field-pieces, and expected nothing more than that we should give 'em Battel, they being not an English Mile from the Town ; they made towards us as soon as they heard that we were there; but the Duke of Albermarle finding his Men to be all Militia-Men of the County of Devonshire, and that they had no Stomach to fight against Monmouth, retreated, when he came within a Quarter of an English Mile of the Town. He came from Exon with these Forces, intending to lay a Siege against Lyme, presuming we could not be ready in so short a Time ; but finding us so well prepared to receive him, he wisely
retired, his Men being in great Disorder and Confusion, sup posing we had pursued them, which was Debated; but the Duke said, It was not his Business to fight yet, till his Men had been a little disciplin'd, but rather to make up into the Country as fast as possible, to meet his friends, not questioning but there would have been in several Parts of the Kingdom some Action
Horti (Beorge
%t$vtv$. 307
on the News of his Success : But this in the End proved fatal to us ; for had we but follow'd them, we had had all their Arms, several more Men, and might have march'd in two Days with little or no Opposition, to the very Gates of Exon, the Country Troops resolving not to fight us ; and several came to us that Night with their Arms. But missing this Opportunity, we march'd on for Taunton, lodging at several small Towns by the Way, which still received us as kindly as possible, and all the Way met with the loud Acclamations of the Country, praying God to succeed our Arms.
Thursday we came to Taunton, about twenty Miles from Lyme. To give a particular Account of our Reception here, would be too tedious ; the Streets so throng'd with People, we could scarce enter, all endeavouring to manifest their Joy at his
Coming, and their Houses, Doors, and Streets garnished with green Boughs, Herbs, and Flowers, all the Emblems of Pros perity.
The next Day, twenty six young Gentlewomen, Virgins, with Colours ready made at the Charge of the Townsmen, presented them to his Grace; the Captain of them went before with a Naked Sword in one Hand, and a small Curious Bible in the other, which she presented also, making a short Speech, at which the Duke was extremely satisfied, and assured her, He came now in the Field, with a Design to defend the Truths contained therein, and to seal it with his Blood, if there shoul'd be an Occasion for it. Nothing now could content the Country, but he must be proclaimed King, which he seemed exceeding averse to ; and really I am of Opinion, from his very Heart.
They said, The Reason why the Gentry of England moved not, was because he came on a Common-wealth Principle: This being the Cry of all the Army, he was forced to yield to it ; and accordingly Saturday Morning he was Proclaimed : In the Afternoon came out three PROCLAMATIONS, one setting a Sum of Money on the King's Head, as he had done before by the other : The Second, Declaring the Parliament of England, A Seditious Assembly ; and if they did not separate before the End of June, to give Power and Authority to any that would
attempt to lay hold of them as Rebels and Traitors : The Third, To declare the Duke of Albermarle a Traitor, (who now lay X2
3o8 W$t
%itt anti 2Deatlj of
within six Miles of us, having had Time to rally his Men) if he laid not down his Arms ; forthwith also a Message was sent to command him ; but he sent Word, That he was a Subject to JAMES the Second, the late King's Brother, and that he knew no other Lord.
We tarried here till Sunday Morning, and then march'd for Bridgwater, seven Miles from thence : We were now between four and five thousand Men, and had we not wanted Arms, could have made above ten thousand. We were received here as in other Places, but did little more than Read our Declaration, which we did also in all other Towns, the Magistrates standing by in their Gowns ; and likewise our Proclamation, and so march'd forward for Glassenbury ; from Glassenbury we design'd for Bristol, three Days March from that Place, designing to attack it : Accordingly we arrived at Canshum-Bridge, a little Town, three Miles English from Bristol, intending to enter next Morning, the Duke of Beauford being there with a Garrison of about Four Thousand Men; being here lodg'd in the Town, we were on a sudden alarm'd with the Noise of the Approach of
the Enemy, being in no small Confusion on this unsuspected News : The Duke sent one up the Tower to see whether he could discover them marching ; as soon as he came up, he saw them at the very Entrance into the Town fighting with our Men.
Here we had a small Skirmish, our Men being in the Fields ad joining to the Town, refreshing themselves ; but it lasted not long, for before he could bring Word, they were fled, being not
above sixty Horsemen. They did us mischief, killed and woun ded about twenty Men, whereas we killed none of theirs, only took four Prisoners and their Horses, . and wounded my Lord Nuburg, that it was thought mortal ; they came thither, think
ing it had been their own Forces ; and had not our undisciplin'd Fellows been a little too eager, and suffer'd 'em to come a little further on, they would have entered the Town, and we must
have had every Man of them ; their Infantry was following, but on their Return came not forward. These Forces being so near, and Bristol being so well mann'd also, the Duke was loth to pass the Bridge for Bristol, though some Gentlemen that came
over with us, and were proscribed upon the Account of the former Plot, being Bristol Men, and knew the Hearts of the
Horti (Beorge %tttvti>8. 309
Townsmen, begg'd him heartily to proceed towards offering themselves to go in the Head of them into the Town, by some private Ways which they knew, assuring him, They would make no Resistance, but could not persuade him which had we been Possessors of, we could not have wanted Money nor Arms, the only Things needful for us in that Juncture for had we but had Arms, am persuaded we had by this Time had at the least
twenty thousand Men and would not then have been diffi cult for us to have march'd to London, with the Recruit of Bristol, the King not being able to make 7000 Men for the gaining of so many Kingdoms. But God saw not fit for us, and over-ruled our Consultations to our own Ruin for this was in the Top of our Prosperity and yet all the while, not Gentle
man, more than went over with us, came to our Assistance.
So we march'd on to Bath; we lay before in the Afternoon, and sent in our Trumpeter to demand the Town, but they re
fused to give us Entrance, having a strong Garrison, being a stout People, and a strong Place. Having no Mind to spend Time in laying Sieges, we march'd on that Day to a little Town called Phillips-Norton, and there lay that Night, being now Sunday the 26th of June, Old Style Saturday Morning, pre paring for Frome, we were drawing out our Bagage for our March, and on sudden were alarmed with the Appearance of the Enemy, who had entered the Town, and had lined all the Hedges, and began to fire on us Here we began the briskest Rencounter we yet had, and for an Hour or more we had a ' brisk Skirmish but at last we beat them back, killing about thirty which lay in the Place and we lost about ten in all, and a few wounded They retreating with their whole Army, pitched within a Mile of the Town and we went out also, and pitched near them, but out of Musket-shot, playing Cannon one on another for some Hours they killed us but one Man all the while, but with ours we did great Execution, having the Advan tage of the Ground so at last they retreated, and have been told, lost some hundreds of Men in the Battel, both killed and wounded So we marched on for Frome, a Town where we were as well beloved as at Taunton, were we wanted for nothing but Arms, which were by a Stratagem taken from them few Days before our Entrance. Here came the unexpected News
:
I a
it ;
;
;
;
;
it
:
;
a
;
:
;
it
ita it,
;
I
;
;
3io Hty JLitt anti 2DeatD of
of Argyl/s being defeated, and likewise of the Advance of the King's Forces from London with considerable Bagage, and thirty Field-Pieces. On this News, together with our Want of Money and Arms, (not seeing which Way to avoid these Forces) we were at a Stand, and not a little non-plus d. 'Twas at last agreed on, that we that came with the Duke, should get good Horses that Night, and so for Pool, a little Sea-port Town not
far off, where we were to seize a Ship, and set forth for Hol land again, leaving our Infantry to the Mercy of the Country.
This was much like that Resolution of the Hollanders, in the Time of the Civil War with Spain, being, as we then were, in Despair of making better Terms, and not daring to enter Salis bury-Plain, because their Horse being so much better than ours, their Men being all Disciplin'd, ours not, we could not face them in so plain and open a Country, so that we retreated backward : In the mean time resolving to see what London would do, having a good Opportunity offer^ them : The Soldiers
• being call'd forth, and not two thousand Men to be had for their Defence, if they had but attempted any thing ; this disheartened our Men, and several of them coming home to their own Country, having felt by Experience the Hardships of War, withdrew from us.
We came well back again to Bridgwater, and were received with wonted Love ; we arrived here on Friday the 3rd of July, and resolved here to fortifie, so as to hold our Ground till we heard from London. Saturday in the Afternoon News was brought of the Approach of the King's Forces within a Mile and a half of the Town where they had encamped ; the Duke went up into the Tower, and there took a View of them, and seeing them so careless, and their Horse at some Distance from the Army, in a little Town, the Infantry being in Sedge-Moore. He called a Council on and was concluded on, that we should fall on them in the dead of the Night accordingly having a Guide to conduct us on in a private Way, we march'd out at about Eleven of the Clock in the Night, and about One
fell on them in their Tents. There was a Ditch between us, and the Guide promised to conduct 'em over an easie fordable Place, but our Men seeing the Enemy just before them, ran furiously on, and lost the Guide, so that while they endeavoured
;
it, it
to recover over that Place, the Enemy got on their Legs, and put themselves in Order, and now began as fierce a Battel as perhaps ever was fought in England in so short a Time ; our Foot fought as well as ever Foot fought, but not a Horse came up ; had our Horse but assisted, we must have beaten them out of the Field. But our Horses would not stand at the Noise of Drums and Guns, so that we soon lost two of our Pieces of Ordnance, and we had but four in all, and then but one more in the Field ; our Foot flung most of their Shot over, so that the Men for the most Part were killed in the Rear, and that run, but the Front stood still ; and had we done as much Execution in the Front, as we did in the Rear, the Day had been our own ; but God would not have their Time was not yet come By this Time their Horses came up, and having six or eight hundred good disciplin'd Men, well mounted and well arm'd, ours neither our Foot having shot away all their Ammunition, and our Bagage being not then in the Field, they were forced to retreat, being all in Confusion.
Having no Money left, and our Party thus unexpectedly re pulsed, the Duke seeing he could not hold it. any longer, fled with my Lord Gray.
The Duke's Party was said to be about three thousand Foot, and a thousand House we had more, at least five thousand Men and Horse, but not well arm'd, yet in the Field. 'Tis said we lost not above three hundred, and they Foot But after when we were routed, in our Retreat, lost vast many more though
they pursued not in some Hours after.
The most remarkable Persons that were taken in this total
Rout, were Colonel Holmes, Major Perrot, the Constable of Crookhorn, and Mr. Williams, Servant to the late Duke of Monmouth.
After the Field was clear of the Duke's Men, the Earl of Feversham marched with five hundred Foot, and a Party of Horse and Dragoons to Bridgwater, where he found the Duke's Forces that were left there, fled and dispersed into several Places When his Lordship having left . these Men in the Town, under the Command of Colonel Kirk, and hearing the late Duke of Monmouth was fled with about fifty Horse, the greatest Number of the Duke's Men that were left together, he sent out divers
:
: ;
a
;
:
;
it,
3i2
ttje ILiU anb SDeatlj of
Parties in pursuit of him and others that fled the Field. When on the 7th of July, about Five in the Morning, some of the Lord
Men seiz'd the Lord Gray and another Person near Holt-Lodge in Dorsetshire, four Miles from the West of Ring- wood; and the said Lord Lumly making further Enquiry among the Cotts, was informed by one Anna Ferrant, that two Men went over a Hedge, proving to be the Out-bounds of many In- closures, some of which were overgrown with Fern, others with
Pease and Oats ; but Guards being set upon the Avenues, after divers Attempts to escape, the Brandenburg, one of the Parties observed to enter the Ground, was taken on the 8th of July, about five in the Morning, who confessing he departed from the
. late Duke of Monmouth about One of the Clock that Morning in the Outbounds, diligent Search was made ; when about Eleven of the Clock the same Morning he was found, by one Henry Parking, hid in a Ditch, covered with Fern, who calling others to assist Him, the said late Duke was in the End taken, and together with the Lord Grey and the Brandenburgh, with a Guard brought by easie Journies to Whitehall, where they ar rived on the 13th of July, and after some Examination were committed to the Tower, when on Wednesday the 15th of July, the late Duke of Monmouth, pursuant to a Warrant signed for his Execution, upon his Attainder of High-Treason, was deli vered to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, ahout Ten in the
Morning, and conducted to a Scaffold erected on Tower-Hill, where after about half an Hour's Continuance, he laying down his Head, had it stricken off by the Executioner, the which, together with his Body, being put into a Coffin covered with Velvet, were carried away in a Velvet-covered Hearse, in Order to his Interment.
After the Duke was beheaded, many Prisoners taken, and those that fled by Parcels up and down, secured in divers Goals, in Order to their Prosecution, as was said, according to Law ; which was the Occasion of this great Man's shewing his Parts to that Degree as he did, no one else being fit to be made a Tool for such a Bloody Tragedy as he acted.
He went not only Judge, but had a Breviate under King
Luml/s
Hand, to command what Troops he pleas'd to attend his Commands from Place to Place. And was Lieutenant
James's
Horb (Beorge 3! effrepsf.
313
General, as well as Judge, and he gave daily the Word, and Orders for going the Rounds, dr'c. and ordered what Party of Troops he pleased to attend him. When Major C d, who commanded the first Regiment of Guards, the Dragoons, who were as his Life-Guard, when at the Head of the Troop follow ing Jeffreys from Somersetshire to Wiltshire, in Order for Lon don, after the Assizes, the Major asked Jeffreys, If there would be any favour shewn to one Mr. Speake, who was not the Speake intended ? Jeffreys said, No, his Family owed a Life, he should die for his Name-sake, because one of the Family and Name was guilty of being in the Action, but was escaped, and therefore this being his Brother, should die. Jeffreys demanded of the Major, How many he thought there was killed by the Soldiers ?
He replied, a Thousand, Quoth Jeffreys, I believe I have con demned as many as that myself. —'Tis to be remembred, that the Fellow call'd Tory Tom, at Wells, for his dirty Sauciness was sent to the Guard by his Major ; when presently this Tory Tom petitioned some Persons to intercede with the Major and sent the Major a Letter, desiring his Liberty ; for that if he or any
one should give Tory Tom an ill word to Judge Jeffreys, the Judge would hang him right or wrong with the rest of the Pri soners, or condemn him at least ; so, upon his Submission, the Major discharged him, and did not leave him to the Mercy of his own Tory Judge.
The Trials in the West were deferred (for some time after the fatal Blow given to the Duke of Monmouth on Tower-Hill, which was the 1 5th of July following) because of my Lord's being at Tunbridge; but the latter end of August, he with a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer, assisted with four other Judges, set forward with a Party of Horse, he being made by special Commission their General. The first Place he came
at, was Winchester, where were divers Prisoners on Suspicion ; but here began the Tragedy ; for the Lady Lisle was there Ar raigned for High-Treason, in harbouring Mr. Hicks and Mr. Nelthrope, that had been concerned with the Duke ; the Lady being on her Trial, the Jury were dissatisfied once and again, but my Lord's Threats and other Managery, so disposed the
Jury, that at last they brought the Lady in Guilty ; on which he
pronounced
the Sentence of Death on her, as usual in such
314
tWft anO 2Deatlj of
Cases ; but she had the Favour of being beheaded ; their other Prisoners were carried to Salisbury; and this was the most remarkable Thing at that Assizes.
From thence they set forward for Salisbury, where were many- Prisoners that had been pick'd up and down the Country, then in the Goal, the which, with those that were brought from
Winton, were ordered to be carried to Dorchester, there not being Evidence enough to accomplish what was then designed by my Lord ; so that little of Moment passed there, but to pur sue the Matter, proceeds from thence to Dorchester, where he with his Assistants, Gown-men and Sword-men, arrived on the 3d of September, on which day, being Thursday, the Commission was read. Friday Morning was an Excellent Sermon preached before their Lordships, by a worthy Divine, Chaplain to a worthy
Person of that Country, much tending to Mercy : It was ob served, that while my Lord Chief Justice was in Church at Prayers, as well as at Sermon, he was seen to laugh ; which was so unbecoming a Person in his Character, that ought in so
weighty an Affair as he was then entering upon, to have been more serious, and have craved the Assistance of God Almighty. The Sermon being over, their Lordships repaired to the Court, which by Order of the Lord Chief Justice was hung with Red
Cloth, a Colour suitable to such a succeeding Bloody Tragedy, being accompanied by a numerous Company of the Gentry of that County, as well as the Flower of the Neighbouring Counties of Somerset and Devonshire, and then proceeded to give his Charge ; in which Charge, by Reason of the Severity of his
Sentiments, and Positions laid down to make Discoveries of all such as were Abettors, Aidors, or Assisters to the late Duke of Monmouth, on Pain of High-Treason, which was a great Sur prise to all the Auditors, and so vehemently urged, and so passionately expressed, as seemed rather the Language of a Romish Inquisitor, than a Protestant Judge; and then Ad journed until Eight of the Clock next Morning, when was a Bill found against thirty Persons charg'd for High-Treason, for aiding and assisting the late Duke of Monmouth; who put
themselves on their Trials, notwithstanding my Lord's Threat-
ning, That if any did put themselves on Trial, and the Country found them Guilty, they should have but a little Time to live.
Horti (Beocje leffrepg.
315
And at the same time insinuated, That it were better to plead Guilty, ifthey expected any Favour.
These thirty being on Trial, the Evidences being sworn and examined before the Jury : Upon the whole, by the violent Deportment of the Lord Chief Justice, and Sharpness of the Jury, they found twenty nine Guilty, though some of them were very hardly dealt with, and not so Criminal as my Lord and the Country imagined. Particularly amongst the twenty nine, were Mr. Matthew Bragg of Thorncomb, and Joseph Speed of Culliton, in the County of Devonshire, and Mr. Smith, Con stable of Chardstock, in the said County, and George Steward of Culliton aforesaid. The Circumstances of each of these, and the Severity of their being found Guilty, &>c. shall be shewed in his proper Place, before we take Leave of this Town, and proceed on in this Western Expedition.
The said twenty nine being found (as before) Guilty, my Lord immediately pronounced Sentence of Death on them all, as usual in Cases of High-Treason, and did the same Night give a Warrant to the Sheriff for the Execution of thirteen of the twenty nine on Monday following ; which accordingly was done, notwithstanding great Application was made to the Lord Chief Justice by Gentlemen of the best Quality, in this and the neigh bouring Counties, for a Reprieve of Mr. Bragg, to all which he was deaf, and not to be prevailed upon, though he was assured of his Honesty, and true Conformity to the Church of England, yet it availed nothing. At last it was only requested for ten Days Respite, yet that had no better effect ; but on Monday he with twelve more of that Number were accordingly executed at Dorchester.
In the mean time this Proceeding was design'd to shorten Business, and to wheedle the rest that were to follow to a Con fession, which without it the tenth Part of them could not be
proved Guilty. A Method was also taken without President, to entrap many poor ignorant People, by a couple of Officers that were sent into the Gaol, to call over, and to take the Names of the Prisoners, on Promise, if they confest, they might expect Mercy, otherwise not ; which many did. And this was written so, that had they pleaded Not Guilty, these two were designed to have been Evidences against them from their own Confes
3i6
Hty Hi'fe ano 2Deatjj of
sions, which so disposed the remaining great Numbers, that all, except a very few, pleaded Guilty, which put an End to any further Trial.
The only Thing remaining, was the pronouncing of Sentence on them, which were in Number 292, who received Sentence of Death all at once. One Mr. Lawrence put himself on Trial, but by the Jury found Guilty, whose Case was heard, his Cir cumstances being so small to be condemned to die ; and had
actually suffered, had not Application been made to my Lord's Favourites, and with the Payment and securing of 400/. pre served him from Execution.
This Matter being adjusted, and Execution awarded to about eighty, which were executed, and their Quarters set up and down the Country to the Dread of the Spectators, as well as the
Annoyance of the Travellers. His extraordinary Whippings, tho' unmerciful, are not to be taken Notice of. So we leave this Place, and proceed towards the City of Exon. In their Way thither, lying at an Honourable Gentleman's House, divers of the neighbouring Parishes made their Petitions to the Lord Chief Justice in the behalf of some Relations concerned. It happened, that thro' some Disorder amongst his Servants, some Pistols were fired that Night, which gave him a Suspicion, or at
least he took of some Design upon him on which at parting he said, Not a Man of all those Parishes that were of that
Vicinitude, found Guilty, should escape. And so we proceed, and arrive at Exon, where to the Number of 243, Prisoners being in Custody for assisting the said Duke of Monmouth one amongst the rest, Mr. Fower Acers, pleading Not Guilty, he being found by the Jury, the said Lord Chief Justice imme
diately pronounc'd Sentence upon him, and immediate Execu tion, which was done to terrifie the rest, who all pleaded Guilty; so that these unfortunate People had not time to have the Fair ness of Trials allow'd them, which a Right due by the laws of God and Man. The remaining Number he all condemned and here was little sparing not so many ordertt Execution as was in the other County, but those that were executed, were hung up and down in most Towns of the County, and their
Quarters and Heads scatter'd up and down the High-ways and publick Places. An extraordinary Sentence of severe Whipping
a
if
it,
;
;
is
;
;
%orti (Beorge leffrepg.
317
was pronounced against Mr. Samuel Staple of Thorncomb in the said County ; but these are Trifles, and we shall endeavour to pursue our Design, and make as quick Dispatch as we can, that Time may not be lost, the King served, and this Miscreant's Thirst quenched with Protestant Blood, which is always well pleasing to Inquisitors, and so proceed to the town of Taunton. At which Place being arrived, it was thought fit by the Lord Chief Justice to be as expeditious as might be ; so that late in the Afternoon the Court sat, where the Commission being read, he proceeded to give the Charge, which was so very keen and full of sharp Inventives, as if the Country itself had not been able to make Expiation to his Lordship, to quench his Thirst in the
Blood of those that ventured their All in Defence of the Protes tant Religion; and here we enter upon the bloodiest Part of the Tragedy ; in this town, and at Wells in the said County, were more than 500 Prisoners.
To begin at Taunton : The next Morning after the Charge given, the Assizes began, where some few put themselves on Trial, who were found Guilty, and immediately order'd to be executed ; of which Number one Mr. Simon Hamlin was one,
who was a zealous worthy good Man, and his Case no way dan gerous, but on the. contrary, had he had to do with a Judge of
another Stamp. To proceed to the rest :
caused the rest to plead Guilty in Hopes of Favour, which was only a few Days to live, which those that pleaded had not. Amongst these at Taunton were divers eminent Persons that had been taken in the West, and carried to London, and brought down there to compleat the bloody Tragedy in those Parts : Mr. Parrot, Mr. Hewling, the Elder, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Hucker, and divers others were very eminent. To take Notice of every Particular in this Matter, will alter our Design, and swell the Book to too great a Bulk, being only designed for a Pocket-Companion, and useful it may be to see the Cruelty of Men when in their Power, and how the Devil stirreth up his Instruments, to pursue those that adventure for the Cause of God and Religion. Here were in this Country executed 239. The rest that were condemned were transported, except such as were able to furnish Coin, and that not a little ; for an Account was taken of Mens Abilities, according to which the Purchase
This first
Cruelty
318 ^&e %itt ano SDeatTj of
for Life must be managed by two of his Favourites, who had a small Share, the rest went into his Lordship's Pocket ; accord ing to the Actions of Rome, where Sins of any kind may be
for Money. This indeed was a Glorious Design in the Eye of Mother Church, to root out Heresie by Executions and Transportations, to make Room for a Pack ; here Expedi tion must be made, to conclude at Wells; for that a great Man being fallen, our great Judge designing his chair, which in short he had, as the Reward of so eminent and extraordinary a Piece of Service as he did for the Advancement of the Roman Catho- licks Interest, which is cruel always where it prevails.
Thus we leave the town of Taunton, after awarding Execu tion to many there, and their Quarters to be scatter'd up and down the Country, and so we proceed to Wells, where divers
Prisoners that had been carried from Goal to Goal, in Expec tation of Evidence against them, were in Carts removed to Wells ; in which Place, to finish this Expedition, the same Method as was at the former Assizes, was also taken here by a
severe Charge, affronting the Gentlemen of this County, as he had done in all the Counties before, terrifying the Juries (when any pleaded) to make them to bring in the Persons Guilty ; some of which being over-awed, and it is doubted, contrary to their Judgments ; which if so, the Lord forgive them.
Here were many eminent and worthy Persons that received the Sentence of Death, but the Executions of the County being put together, as you have before seen, we make no particular Division of the Number here, and the number at Taunton, the whole being recited before : We shall therefore endeavour to be as brief as we can, to give you what we think material, and truly Matter of Fact ; my Lord now being come to con clude this extraordinary Commission, and in haste to be elevated, maketh all manner of Dispatch to repair to the King then at
Windsor, to give an Account of his Transactions, and to receive the Reward of his meritorious Service in this Butchering of Protestants, which is so acceptable to his Holiness and his bigotted Disciples, as nothing can be more ; and indeed, if you will belive them, a Work that merits Heaven at last, besides what Temporal Preferments are thought fit in this World. If this cruel Judge were a true Protestant, his Case is much the
pardoned
September
%ovt\ (Beorge leffrepsf.
319
worse, being made Use of as a Tool to destroy, and carry on Popish designs. Thus the Affairs being ended, the Country filled with Heads and Quarters of those that were executed, the
rest that had not wherewith to purchase their Lives, left in Custody in Order to Transportation.
Ishall next add the Charge given by the Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys, at the City of Bristol, Monday,
21, 1685. In his Return from his Western Campaign.
Gentlemen,
I am, by the Mercy of God, come to this Great and Popu lous City, a City that boasts both of its Riches and Trade, and may justly indeed claim the next Place to the Great and Populous Metropolis of this Kingdom. Gentlemen, I find here are a great many Auditors, who are very intent, as if they expected some formal or prepared Speech, but assure your selves, we come not neither to make set Speeches, nor formal Declama tions, nor to follow a couple of puffing Trumpeters ; for, Lord, we have seen those Things Twenty times before : No, we come to do the King's Business ; a King who is so Gracious as to use all the Means possible to discover the Disorders of the Nation, and to search out those who indeed are the very Pest of the Kingdom : To this End, and for this Purpose, we are come to this City. But I find a special Commission is an unusual Thing here, and relishes very ill ; nay, the very Women storm at for fear we should take the Upper-hand of them too for by the by, Gentlemen, hear much in Fashion in this City for the Women to Govern and bear Sway. But, Gentlemen, will not stay you with such needless Stories, will only mention some few Things that fall within my Knowledge for Points or Matters of Law, shall not trouble you, but only mind you of some Things that lately hath happened, and particularly in this
City, (for have the Kalender of this City in my Pocket) and do not express my self in so formal or set Declamation, (for as told you, came not to make Declamations) or in so smooth
I I
it,
I
I
I
a
;
I
if
; I
I
it is
320 '&\ie %ilt anti 2Deartj of
Language as you may expect, you must attribute it partly to the Pain of the Stone, under which I labour, and partly to the Unevenness of this Days Journey.
Gentlemen, I may say that even some of the youngest amongst us may remember the late horrid Rebellion, how Men, under Colour of Law, and Pretext of Justice, after they had divested a most Gracious and most Merciful Prince of all his Royal
Power, by the Power of the Sword ; they, I say, under Colour of Law, and Pretext of Justice, (which added the more to the Crime, that it was done under such pretended Justice) brought the most Mild and Meekest Prince (next to our Ever-Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, if we may but compare him to a Man) to die a Martyr, the first Blessed Martyr, (pardon the Expression ; besides our most Blessed Jesu, who suffered for us on the Cross; I say, besides that Blessed Son of God) this, I say, was the first Royal Martyr ; not suffering him to speak for himself, or make his Defence ; a Liberty which is given to the vilest Traitor ; and this was done (not to descant on the Number) by Forty One. The Rebels not resting here, for Rebellion is like the Sin
of Witchcraft, divested the Lineal, Legal, and Rightful Heir of the Crown of all his Power and Prerogative, till the mighty God of Heaven and Earth, God Almighty, restored him to his Just
Right : And he, as if begot in Mercy, not only forgave all Offences, and pardoned voluntarily, even all that had been in actual Arms against him (except those accursed Regicides), but made it a Crime for any one that should but remember or upbraid any of their past Crimes and Rebellions. Good God ! O' Jesu ! That we should live in such an Age, in which such a Prince cannot be safe from the seditious Contrivances of pardoned Rebels L Had we not the Rye Conspiracy, wherein they not only designed to have murthered that most Blessed (for so now we may conclude him to be with God Almighty) and Gracious King, but also his ever Dear and Victorious Brother ? Had we not the Bill of Exclusion, which our most Gracious King told us he could not, without a manifest Infringe ment of the Royal Prerogatives of the Crown, (which are too sacred for us to touch) consent to ? Had we not the cursed Counsel of Achitophel? Kings are God's Vice-Regents on Earth, and are indeed Gods on Earth, and we represent them. Now when God
iLoirti dfoorge 3Ieffrepsf,
321
Almighty had of his Infinite Goodness, called this Blessed Prince unto himself, he sends a Prince, who assures us he will imitate his Royal Brother and Renouned Predecessor in all Things, espe cially in that of his Clemency and Mercy, and that too upon the Word of a King ; a King, I will assure you, that will not be worse than his Word ; nay, (pardon the Expression) that dare not be worse than his Word. Which of you all that had a Father murthered by another, (and that deliberately too, under Colour of Justice, which added to the Crime ; and your Brother, nay, your selves thrust out from your Inheritance, and banished from your Country; nay, that sought your Blood like-wise) would not, if it was in your Power, revenge such Injuries, and ruin such Persecutors ? But here our most Blessed Prince, whom God long preserve, hath not only forgiven, but will venture his Life for the Defence of such his Enemies. Has he not ventur'd
his Life already as far as any Man, for the Honour of these Kingdoms? Nay, I challenge this City to shew me any one Man of that perchance may not be worth a Groat, that has ventured his Life so far for the Safety of these Kingdoms, as this Royal Prince hath done. Good God What an Age do
we live in Shall not such a Prince be secure from the Sedition, Rebellion, and Plots of Men He scarce seated on his Royal Throne, (where God Almighty grant he may long Reign) but on the one Hand he invaded by a condemned Rebel, and Arch- Traitor, who hath received the just Reward of his Rebellion on the other Hand up starts Poppet Prince, who seduces the Mobile into Rebellion, into which they easily are bewitched for say, Rebellion like the Sin of Witchcraft this Man, who had as little Title to the Crown as the least of you (for hope all you are Legitimate) being overtaken by Justice, and by the Goodness of his Prince brought to the Scaffold, he has the Con fidence (Good God That Men should be so impudent) to say, That God Almighty did know with what Joyfulness he did
die; Traitor) having for these two Years last past lived in all Incontinency and Rebellion, notwithstanding the Goodness of an Indulgent Prince so often to pardon him; but just like
him. Rebellion (as told you) like the Sin of Witchcraft. For there was another, which shall not name, because will not trample on the Dust of the Dead, but you may remember him by these Words of his Speech he tells you, That he thanks
Y
I
; is
?
I
I
;;
it is
(a
I! is
a
is
I
;
!
it,
is
!
322 Clje %itt anti 2Deatfj of
his God that he falls by the Ax, and not by the Fiery Trial. He had rather (he had as good have said) die a Traitor than
a Blessed Martyr.
Great God of Heaven and Earth ! What Reason have Men
to rebel ! but as I told you, Rebellion is like the Sin of Witch craft ; Fear God, and Honour the King, is rejected by People for no other Reason, as I can find,but that it is written in St. Peter. Gentlemen, I must tell you, I am afraid, I am afraid that this City hath too many of these People in it. And it is your Duty to
search them out : For this City added much to that Ship's Loading ; there was your Tytys, your Roe's, and your Wades, Men started up like Mushrooms, Scoundrel Fellows, meer Sons of Dunghils : These Men must forsooth set up for Liberty and Property. A Fellow that carries the Sword before Mr. Mayor, must be very careful of his Property, and turn Politician, as if
he had as much Property as the Person before whom he bears the Sword ; though perchance not worth a Groat. Gentlemen,
I must tell you, you have still here the Tyly's, the Roe's, and the Wades : I have brought a Brush in my Pocket, and I shall be sure to rub the Dirt wherever it lies, or on whom soever it
sticks. Gentlemen, I shall not stand complimenting with you, I shall talk with some of you before you and I part : I tell you, I tell you, I have brought a Besome, and I will sweep every Man's Door, whether great or small. Must I mention Particu lars ? I hope you will save me that Trouble ; yet I will hint a few Things to you, that perchance I have heard of. This is a great City, and the Magistrates wonderful Loyal, and very for ward to assist the King with Men, Money, and Provisions, when the Rebels were just at your Gates : I do believe it would have went very hard with some of you if the Enemy had en tered the City, notwithstanding the Endeavours that was used to accomplish it. Certainly they had and must have great In-
from a Party within, or else why should their Design be on this City ? Nay, when the Enemy was within a Mile of you, that a Ship should be set on fire in the midst of you, as a Signal to the Rebels, and to amuse those within ; when if God Almighty had not been more Gracious unto you than you was to your selves (so that Wind and Tide was for you) for what I know, the greatest Part of this City had per
ished ; and yet you are willing to believe it was an Accident.
couragement
%ovn (Beorge 3effre? sf. 323
Certainly here is a great many of those Men which they call Trimmers. A Whig is but a mere Fool to these ; for a Whig
is some sort of a Subject in Comparison of these ; for a Trim mer is but a cowardly and base-spirited Whig; for the Whig is but the Journeyman- Prentice, that is hired and set on in the Rebellion, whilst the Trimmer is afraid to appear in the Cause;
he stands at a Doubt, and says to himself, I will not assist the King until I see who hath the best of it ; and refuses to enter tain the King's Friends for fear the Rebels should get the better of it. These Men stink worse than the worst Dirt you have in your City ; these Men have so little Religion, that they forget that he that is not for us is against us. Gentlemen, I tell you, I have the Kalender of this City here in my Hand ; I have heard of those that have searched into the very Sink of a Con
venticle to find out some sneaking Rascal to hide their Money by Night. Come, come, Gentlemen, to be plain with you, I find the Dirt of the Ditch is in your Nostrils. Good God ! Where am I ? In Bristol? This City, it seems, claims the Priviledge of Hanging and Drawing amongst themselves : I find you have more need of a Commission once a Month at least. The very Magistrates, which should be the Ministers of Justice, fall out one with another to that Degree, they will scarce dine with each other, whilst it is the Business of some cunning Men that lye behind the Curtain to raise Divisions amongst them, and set them together by the Ears, and knock their Logger-heads to gether ; yet I find they can agree for their Interest, or if there
be but a Kid in the Case ; for I hear the Trade of Kid-napping is of much Request in this City, they can discharge a Felon, or a Traitor, provided they will go to Mr. Alderman's Plantation at the West-Indies, Come, come, I find you stink for want of Rubbing. Gentlemen, what need I mind you of these Things ? I hope you will search into them, and inform me. It seems the Dissenters and Phanaticks fare well amongst you, by Reason of
the Favour of the Magistrates ; for Example, if a Dissenter, who is a notorious and obstinate Offender, comes before them to be fined, one Alderman or other stands up, and says, He is a good man, (tho' three Parts a Rebel) well then for the Sake of Mr. Alderman he shall be fined but is. Then comes another, and up stands another Goodman Alderman, and says, I know him to be an honest Man (though rather worse than the former1)
Y2
324
'STljje %ift ano 2DeatIi of
well, for Mr. Alderman's sake he shall be fined but half a Crown ; so Manus manum fricat; You play the Knave for me now, and I will play the Knave for you by and by. I. am ashamed of these Things : And I must not forget to tell you, that I hear of
some Differences amongst the Clergy, those that ought to preach Peace and Unity to others : Gentlemen, these Things must be looked into. I shall not now trouble you any further ; there are several other Things, but I expect to hear of them from you. And if you do not tell me of some of these things, I shall
remind you of them. And I find by the Number of your Con stables, this is a very large City, and it is impossible for one or two to search into all the Concerns of it ; therefore mind the
Constables of their Duties, and call on them for their Present ments ; for I expect every Constable to bring in his Present
ment, or that you present him. So Adjourn, Sr>c.
Upon Affidavits read, and other Evidence aJgainst Sir W
being found, he made the Mayor and the Aldermen concerned to go from the Bench to the Bar, to plead to the Informations ; using many Expressions, saying of the Mayor, See how the Kidnapping Rogue looks, &c.
My Lord, after he had left Bristol, being come to the King to give an Account of his Affairs in the West, the Great Seal being to be disposed of, by the Death of the late Keeper, he kiss'd the King's Hand for and was made Lord Chancellour, which was only an Earnest of his Desert for so eminent and extraor
dinary Piece of Service for now that which remains, to give an Account of divers that had fled, and hid themselves -up and down in Holes and Privacies, whose Friends made all
Application to some great Men or other to procure their Par dons some to this, and others to such as they thought Favourites of the King but the Rewards must be ascertained before any Application could be made Divers Lists being sent up, and the Rewards ascertained, which amongst many of them
put together, did amount to considerable so that was now who could find a Friend to relieve his distressed Relations, which were forced to wander up and down in Caves and De- sarts for fear of being taken But this Misfortune attended the Agents, that unless my Lord Chancellour [were used, by
the Mayor, Alderman L
, and others, for Kidnapping, there being Bills preferred to the Grand Jury by R , and
:
: ;
it
;
it, ;
;
a
is
Eorti (Beorjc 3|effrepg.
325
his Creatures, that were allowed by him so to do ; other Appli cations commonly met with Disappointments, which caused an Emulation among the great Men ; one supposing to have deserved the King's Ear as well as the other, which caused other Measures to be taken, tho' some were weedled out of their Money. At last came out a General Pardon, with Ex ceptions, very few if any of those that were sollicited for, not being excepted, were of Course pardoned ; but however, divers
Sums of Money having been paid, no Restitution to be had, for from Hell is no Redemption. A Western Gentleman's Pur chase came to fifteen or sixteen hundred Guineas, which my Lord Chancellor had. Amongst the Exceptions, were a Parcel of Taunton Girls, some of which were Children of eight or ten Years old ; however something was to be made of them, if these
Ladies were judged guilty of Treason, for presenting the Duke of Monmouth with Colours, &>c. and for to preserve these from Trial, they were given to Maids of Honour to make up their Christmas-Box; so that an Agent of theirs was sent down into
the Country to compound with their Parents, to preserve them from what might after follow, if taken ; so that some, according to Ability, gave loo/, others 50/. all which however did not answer the Ladies first Expectations ; yet it did satisfie, and they were accordingly pardoned. Thus we have given you an Account of what hath happened on this Occasion, being in
every Point Truth : We might have farther enlarged, but that would have spoiled the Design, and swoln our Pocket-Com panion to a volume too big.
We shall therefore next proceed to give you a true and exact List of all them that were condemned, and suffered in the West, in the Year 1685, under the Sentence of my Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys, with the Names of the Towns where every Man was executed.
Lyme 12.
Bath 6. Walter Baker
Henry Body
John Caswell Thomas Hayward John Hellier Edward Beere
Col. Holmes Mr. Batiscomb
Mr. William Hewling Gerrard Bryant
Mr. Sampson Lark Thomas Clotworthy Henry Portridge
Thomas Collins George Pether John Carter Thomas Peirce Philipsnorton 12. John Richards
Dr. Temple
Capt. Madders
Capt. Matthews
Mr. Joseph Tyler
Mr. William Cox. &^. Edward Creaves John Smith.
Robert Cook John Staple
326
^Ije %iU anH
FrOOME 12. Francis Smith
Henry Russel
George Knight
Samuel Vill. rt/zVwVile Robert Wine
Thomas Star Philip Usher Robert Beamant
William Clement John Humphrey George Hasty Robert Man Thomas Pearl
Laurence Lott Thomas Lott.
Bruton 3. James Feildsen
Chick Preston Bevis Richard Finier.
WrInGtOn 3. Alexander Key
David Boyss Joshua French.
Wells 8. William Mead Thomas Cade
John Bushel William Lashly.
Somerton 7. William Gillet
Thomas Lissant William Pocock Christopher Stephens George Cantick Robert Allen
Joseph Kelloway.
Yeovil 8. Francis Foxwell
George Pitcher Bernard Thatcher, for
concealing Bovet
William Johnson Thomas Hurford
Edward Gillard Oliver Powel.
Richard Cullverellj Merrick Thomas
DUnStER 3.
Henry Lackwell John Geanes William Sully.
DULVErtOn 3. John Basely
Robert Doleman Humphrey Braden Thomas Durston
John Combe John Groves.
Pensford 12. Roger Cornelius
John Starr
Humphrey Edwards John Spore
William Pierce Arther Sullway George Adams
SDeatlj of
Robert Hill Nicholas Adams Richard Stephens
William Clerk, alias Robert Halfwell
Richard Bole.
WlnCANtON 6.
John Howel Richard Harvey John Tucker William Holland Hugh Holland Thomas Bowden.
Shepton-Mallet
13- Stephen Mallet
Joseph Smith
John Gilham, Jun. Giles Bramble
Richard Chinn
William Cruise
George Pavier
John Hild worth
John Ashwood
Thomas Smith
John Dorchester, Sen. William Davy
Netherstoe 3.
John Sheperd Abraham Bend William Durston William Plumley.
Uivelscomb 3.
William Ruscomb Thomas Pierce
Robert Combe.
Tuton-upi n-Men- Humphrey Mitchel
dip 2.
Peter Prance William Watkins.
Chard 12. Edward Foote
John Knight William Williams
John Jervis HumphreyHitchcockJohn Lloyd
William Godfrey Abraham Pill
Henry Thompson, Bridgewater 12.
Robert Fraunces Nicholas Stodgell Joshua Bellamy William Moggeridge John Hurman Robert Roper Richard Harris Richard Engram
John Trott Roger Guppey
Henry Easterbrook James Dennett Edward Warren Simon Cross.
Roger Burnoll William Pether James Evory
CrOOKERN 10.
RAtCLIFFE-HILL Atjames Pyes
Bristol 6 Richard Evans John Tinckwell
John Broome.
%avb dfoorge leffrepg. 327
Roger Hore Israel Briant Isaiah Davis. William Mead
Francis Bartlet Peter Warren Samuel Hawkins Richard Sweet.
EVILCHEStEr 12. Hugh Goodenough
Taunton 19. Robert Perrot
Christopher Clerk Abraham Ansley Samuel Cox Edward Tippot Benjamin Hewling William Sumerton
Philip Cumbridge Pierce Murren
John Tucker, a/zVwJohn Freake
Glover. John Savage
ILLMInStEr 12. Abraham Matthews Osmond Barret
Nicholas Collins. Sen. William Jenkyns
Matthew Cross Edward Burford , John Mortimer John Stevens
Robert Townsden. Stogummer 3.
George Hillard John Lockstone Arthur Williams.
Castlecary 3.
Stephen Newman Robert Luckis William Kitch Thomas Burnard William Wellen John Parsons Thomas Trooke Robert Fawne Western Hillary John Burgen
Charles Speake. Stogersey 2.
Hugh Ashley
John Herring Wellington 3
Francis Priest
Philp Bovet
Robert Reed
SOUtH -PEtHErtOnThomas Hillary
Richard Ash Samuel Garnish Robert Hinde.
Henry Lisle
John Dryer John Hucker
Jonathan England John Sharpe William Deverson John Williams John Patrum James Whittom William Satchel
John Trickey. Langport 3.
John Masters John Walrand
David Langwell
Cornelius Furfurd John Parsons
Thomas Davis. POrLOCK 2.
John Gill, Senior Thomas Monday John Butcher.
CUtHErStOn 2. Richard Bovet
Thomas Blackmore Minehead 6.
Gale Henry Edny
James
Glasenbury 6
John Jones, alias jomi phillelrey. Evens
John Hicks Richard Pearce
Humphrey Peirce Nicholas Venton John Shellwood
Milton-port 2.
Arbridg 6.
Johnson
Isaac Tripp Thomas Burnell
Hugh Starke Suffer'd in all 251. Besides those Hanged and Destroyed in Cold Blood.
This Bloody Tragedy in the West being over, our Protestant Judge returns for London; soon after which Alderman Cornish felt the Anger of some Body behind the Curtain ; for it is to be
Archibald James Maxwel.
Keinsham 11. Charles Chepman Richard Bowden Thomas Trock
Lewis Harris Edward Haswell Howel Thomas George Badol Richard Evans John Winter Andrew Rownsden
328 Hty 3Li'fe anti 2DeatIi of
noted, that he was Sheriff when Best prayed an Indictment might be preferred, and was, as well as Sheriff Bethel, earnest in promoting it ; in alledging, that it was no ways reasonable that the Juries of London should lye under such a Reproach,
But passing this over, we now find this Person arrived at the Pinnacle of -Honour ; the Purse and Mace were reserved for him, vacant by the Death of the Lord Keeper North, and he advanced to the Lord Chancellorship of England; rais'd by this Means, as one might think, above the Envy of the Crowd ; and it might be wished, in so dangerous a Heighth he had looked better to his Footsteps ; for now being created Baron of Won, we find him in a High Commission, or Ecclesiastical Court, Suspending the Honourable Lord Bishop of London from performing the Episcopal Office and Function of that See, and for no other Default, than not readily complying with the King's
Letter in Suspending Dr. Sharp, Dean of Norwich, for Preach ing a Sermon in the Parish Church of St. Giles in the Fields, at the Request of the Parishioners, showing the Errors and Fallacies of the Romish Religion ; the better to confirm them in the Faith and Doctrine of the Church of England. Nor was it this good Bishop alone that was aimed at ; for Magdalen Colledge at Oxford was next attempted, and in that very Mother of Learning, and Chief Seminary of our Church, such Alter ations were made as startled the Kingdom ; by whose Counsel I undertake not to determine ; but in the midst of Liberty of
Conscience, as twice declared. The Church of England had a Test put upon her Sons, which seem'd such a Paradox that has been rarely heard of, vis. To Read the King's Declaration for Liberty of Conscience in the Churches, during the Time of Divine Service, and a Mark, and Penalties threatned to the
Refusers ; which was evidently demonstrated by the Imprison ment of those Pious Patriots of their Country, and Pillars of the Church, His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Bishops of Bath and Wells, Ely, Peterborough, Chi chester, St. Asaph, and Bristol; who for shewing their Reasons, why they could not comply with this Command, by way of humble Petition, were sent to the Tower, and afterwards tried upon Information of High Misdemeanour, at the Court of Kings-Bench ; where their Innocency appearing in a large manner, they were acquitted, to the Scandal of their Accusers : Yet Orders were sent into all Parts of England, to return an Account to the Lord Chancellor, of those that refused to Read the Declaration, that they might be proceeded against, for a
Contempt of what their Consciences would not permit them to do ; and for a Time they were extremely hot upon it. Much about this Time there was a considerable Suit depending before him in Chancery, between a great Heiress and others, which
SLorti (tootle 3leffi*ep& 329
was sufficiently talkt of in the World, not without loud and deep Reflection on his Honesty and Honour; for having given the Cause for the young Lady, he very speedily afterwards married her to his Son ; with this remarkable Circumstance, she being a Papist, to make sure Work, he married them both Ways, both by a Priest of the Church of Rome, and a Divine the Church of England. And here, think, we may place the Heighth and Acme of his Honour and Happiness, where he's not like to tarry long; for on the News of the great Prepar ations in Holland, and that the Prince of Orange were certainly design'd for England, the determined Councils cool'd, and then quite ceas'd, so that the Church of England Men, whose Cause the Prince had espoused, were restored again to the Com missions and Trusts they had (by what Justice know not) been lately deprived of and amongst other Charters that were on this Occasion restored, was that of the City of London; and that which makes more memorable, was, that was brought to Guild-Hall by this Person, tho' he was not attended by the Shouts and Acclamations he expected, nor seemed so florid or frolicksome as heretofore, which some looked upon as a bad Omen and it's reported, soon after he being ask'd by a Courtier,
What the Heads of the Prince's Declaration were He should answer, He was sure his was one, whatever the rest were.
When the late King James was secured at Feversham, he desired to see his Landlord, and demanded his Name, who proved a Person who had turned himself over to the Kings- Bench, for a Fine which fell upon him (and Captain Stanbrooke in Westminster) by the Lord Chancellour's Means at the Board, which King James, calling for a Pen and Ink, bid the Gentle man write the Discharge as effectually as he would which he signed: Adding, That he was now sensible my Lord Chancellour had been a very ill Man, and done very ill Things. If he was thus censured by his Master for his former Services, and he had a bad Opinion of him without Prophecy any Man might pre dict his Service and Interest was ceased and his Life would have been like the Scape-Goat, he must have born all their Crimes, and been beheaded for his own, for no less Indignation than Death was couched in the Words. Thus may be seen what would have been his End.
The Court by this Time beginning to scatter, and the Prince of Orange approaching, the King thought fit to withdraw him self upon Notice of which the Lord Chancellor betook himself
to Wapping, disguised like a Sea-man, in*Order to his Escape to Hamborough in a Collier but being discovered, he was brought before Sir Chapman, Lord Mayor of the City of
* And behold thou art taken in thy Mischief, because thou art a bloody Man. — Sam. 16. v.
2
;
8.
J. ;
it
;
;
;
;
;
?
it
I
I
of,
330 'ZE&e %ift ant> 2Deat& of
London, in a strange Disguise, very different from the Habit in which he formerly appeared : And by Reason of the Lord Mayor's Indisposition, he not being able to Commit him, he offered to go to the Tower, to be out of the Hands of the Rabble, who there in great Numbers with Clubs and Staves, threatned him with present Destruction; but having a Guard of the Train'd-Bands to conduct him, he got thither safe, and soon after was charged in Custody by a Warrant of Commitment from the Lords at Whitehall, where he continued under much Affliction and Indisposition; having since moved for his Habeas Corpus to be bailed, but was not able to attain it. He had not been in the Tower many Days, but as 'tis said (whether true or
no, I cannot
sight of which he said to the Bearer, /
left still; but upon opening the Barrel, he found them to be only
affim)
see
I
have some Friends
he had a Barrel of Oysters sent him, upon
Friends that were impatient till they gave him a Prospect of his future Destiny, for verily the mighty Present was nothing but a
good able Halter. Now, as I said before, whether this Passage be true or no, I cannot say, but this I am sure (if we consider his Lordship's Life and Cruelties), the Moral of it is very good.
The Humble Petition of the Widows and Fatherless Children in the West of England.
We, to the Number of a Thousand and more, Widows and Fatherless Children, of the Counties of Dorset, Somerset, and Devon, our dear Husbands and tender Fathers, having been so Tyrannously Butcher'd, and some Transported, our Estates Sold from us, and our Inheritance cut off by the Severe and
Harsh Sentence of George Lord Jeffreys, now, we understand, in the Tower of London, a Prisoner, who has lately, we hear, endeavoured to excuse himself from those Tyrannical and
Illegal Sentences, by laying it on Information by some Gentle men, who are known to us to be good Christians, true Protes tants and Englishmen, We your Poor Petitioners, many
Hundreds of us, on our Knees have begg'd Mercy for out Dear Husbands and Tender Parents, from his Cruel Hands, but his Thirst for Blood was so Great, and his Barbarism so Cruel, that instead of Granting Mercy to some, which were made appear to be Innocent, and Petitioned for by the Flower of the Gentry of the said Counties, he immediately caused them
to be Executed ; and so Barbarously, that a very good Gentle woman at Dorch, begging on her Knees the Life of a Worthy Gentleman, to Marry him, and make him her Husband ; this
g not Common
vile Wretch, havinI Civility with him, and laying
aside that Honour and Respect due to a Person of her Worth,
told her,
Petition
Come,
your Meaning, some Part of your shall be, that after he is Hang'd
know Iwill grant, which
living, and soe
I will give Orders to the
4
JLavb (Beorge 3|effregg.
331
and Quartered, you shall have that Member you best like when
These, with many Hundred more Tyrannical Acts, are ready to be made appear in the said Counties, by Honest and Credible Persons ;
and therefore your Petitioners desire, that the said George Jeffreys, late Lord Chancellour, the Vilest of Men, may be brought down to the Counties aforesaid, where we, the good
Women in the West, shall be glad to see him ; and give him another manner of Welcome than he had Three Years since.
Andyour Petitioner shall ever Pray, &c.
Thus he continued for some Months in the Tower, his Chronical Indispositions, the Stone, Ore. encreasing very fast upon him.
The Ingenious Dr. Lower was his Physician : But Nature being now tired out by a tedious Combat with his Disease, and the Guilt of his former Bloody Life, we hope it touched his
Conscience. He having, besides by his Intemperate Life,
Sheriff.
known, contracted an 111 Habit of Body, he at last very happily for himself, if not his Relations too, dy'd in the Tower the Morning, about Nine of the Clock, An. Dom.
Jeffreys's Character.
He was of Stature rather above a Middle Sort than below it ;
his Complexion inclining to Fair ; his Face well enough, full of a certain Briskness, though mixt with an Air a little malicious and unpleasant. He was a Man of tolerable Sense, and had, as of Necessity he must, by so long Practice, and going through such Publick Places, got some Law, though, as little as 'twas, more than he had Occasion to make Use of ; since the Dis pensing Power having as good as seared all Law in the King's Breast, he by that found out a more compendious Method of attaining than was formerly known. He had a pretty large Stock of 111 Nature and Witt, in which lay his greatest Excel lency, though a veryunenvy'd one. But in fine, his Brow and his Tongue were the two best Accomplishments he was Master of. —By the Help of which, and that before mentioned, by his brisk, sudden, and sharp Interrogatories, he sometimes put Falshood, and perhaps oftner the Truth out of Countenance. But that ill-favour'd Wit which he had, lay all of the wrong Side much like that of those unlucky Animals, all whose Wit lyes in Tricks and Mischief. He spoke many pleasant Things,
but very few handsom ones, disgracing all with intolerable Rail ings, mean Passions, and perfect Billings-gate, and would commonly, even upon the Bench itself, fall into Heats both as to
notoriously
1689. —Thus, Reader, you have seen the Rise and Fall of this Unfortunate, Great 111 Man ; and so, at present, after we have endeavoured his Character, we take our Farewel.
;
it,
333 W$t %itt ano SDeatf) of
Words and Actions, not only unworthy of a Judge, but even of any prudent Man. He seem'd, without wronging him, to have a great deal of Baseness and Cruelty in his Nature, having a
particular Delight and Relish in Cruelty and Blood, and such Things as give Horror and Aversion to all the rest of Mankind. He was in this Case even worse than Nero; for whereas that Monster had once so much good Nature, or at least pretended that when he was to sign a Warrant for the Execution of Male factor, he said to have wish'd He had never learn'd to write Jeffreys on the other side, then only seem'd in his Element when in the midst of Destruction and Murther. For his Religion—
What a Sort of one 'twas, his Life past sufficiently tells us; though he and his good Brother Commissioner, the Belswagger of Chester, maliciously persuade the World, that they were of the Church of England; that after they could do no more Mischief with their Lives, they might disgrace by their Death, pretending both to die in that Communion. —But 'tis mean to follow 'em any further, unless with a Wish, somewhat like that
handsome one History leaves us, That all King William's and Queen Mary's Enemies were as honourably buried, — Or, in the Inspired Words of great Person, —So, Lord, let all thine Enemies perish
Letter to the Lord Chancellour, exposing to him the Sentiments the People, with some pertinent Advice in the Conclusion.
My Lord,
I'd praise your Lordship, but you've had your Share Of that before, not too much by far
And now a nobler Field for Curses are
Yet I'll not curse, but leave you to the Croud, Who never baulk their Rage, but speak aloud
In all the Lab'rinths of your Crimes they'll track ye, Worse than ten thousand Furies they'll attack ye.
We talk not here of Penal Laws or Test,
Nor how you, King of Terrors, in the West,
With more than humane Cruelty, opprest
Those whose Shades now stab through your anxious Breast. To these leave you, each with brandish'd Dart
Throughly revenge his Quarrel at your Heart.
For me, I'll only let your Lordship see
How they resent your chang'd Felicity.
Now may you hear the People as they scoure
Along, not fear to damn the Chancellour The Women too, and all the tender Crew, That us'd to pity all, now laugh at you.
:
O
it
I
is
:
; :
if
of
I
a
A
it
:
it,
a
Horti (Beorge 3|efifcepsf.
The very Boys, how do they grin and prate,
And giggle at the Bills upon your Gate !
Nay, rather than be frustrate of their Hope,
The Women will contribute for a Rope :
And those fine Locks that no bless'd Spark might touch, On this Account Ketch may, they love my Lord so much.
333
Oh for Dispensing now! Ah
! Now's the Time ! Your Eloquence will hardly blanch the Crime ;
And all the Turnings of Your Proteus-Wit,
With all your little Tricks, won't help a bit :
Ev'n that fine Tongue, in which your Lordship's Trust is,
Now won't, although sometimes it baffled Justice : No Ignoramus Juries shall perplex ye,
But with their Billa Vera't now they'll vex ye. From their dire Claws, no Hiding-hole you'll find ;
They speak their own now, not a Party's Mind
Not now, as heretofore, when on the Bench
Flattery and Daubing had such Influence,
And Jeffreys for a Gift would with the Laws dispence. But granting all our Laws be out of Joint,
Why yet they do not fear to gain the Point : A High Commission may the Cause decide, Your Lordship by a Butcher may be try'd, When by Commission he is dignify'd.
His Power you must not doubt, ifhe be satisfy'd.
This 'tis they mean, 'tis this they would have done ;
But I wou'd chouse 'em ev'ry Mother's Son ; Troth I'd 'en hang my self, and soon have done.
If you've no Halter, never make a Pother ;
Take but a Greater, one's as good as t'other :
For, Lord ! Should such a Man as you submit
To be the publick Laughter of each grinning Cit ! Else, my Lord, take a Razor, never fear,
And cut your Lordship's Throat from Ear to Ear 'Tis feasible enough ; you know who did it ;
Cut both the Jug'lar Veins thro' if you can,
Else you'll say Essex was the stouter Man.
I am your Lordship's, in any Thing of This Nature.
From the little ^Jouse over-against Tyburn, where the People are almost dead with Expectation of you.
Jeffrey's ELEGY.
I very well remember on a Night,
Or rather in the peep of Morning- Light, When sweet Aurora with a smiling Eye Call'd up the Birds to wonted Melody.
:
:
334
%ty ano 2Deatlj
of
Dull Morpheus with his Weight upon me leant,
Half Waking, and yet sleeping thus I Dream'd. Methoughts I saw a Lawyer at his Book Studying Pecunia, but never Cooke ;
He scorned Littleton and Plowden too,
With mouldy Authors he'd have nought to do. Next Stage I saw him on was Hicks's-Hall,
And heard him mightily to roar and bawl, Never did City-Cryer louder yaul.
The People star'd at such a Noise uncouth,
Who is't, cries one ? Why 'tis the City's Mouth. Then straight I saw him plac'd, the more's the Pity, To be the Speaking Trumpet of the City ;
Knight and Recorder he was made together,
This Man, thought I, will live in any Weather : Money came in, he then grew mighty rich,
And to climb higher had a deadly Itch.
Then presently a Popish Priest came to him,
That Square Cap Curr, thought I, will sure undo him. Wilt thou now be preferr'd, come hither, come.
And be but reconciled unto Rome,
And for Advancement thou may'st rest upon her, None of her Sons e'er wanted Wealth or Honour. Do but declare against the Whigs, and say,
Thou hat'st the 111-contriv'd Fanatick Way.
With that, me thoughts I saw him tack about, And straight he courted that curs'd Romish Rout ; Esteem'd it Happiness enough to go,
And kiss his HoJiness's stinking Toe.
Next Place I saw him in was Justice Chair,
Whofledaway, because she saw him there. He with Commission rid the Land about, But still he aim'd to keep fair Justice out ;
With angry Look he brow-beat Rightful Cause, And his bold Hand did sacrifice the Laws, Tore 'em, or trampled on 'em with his Paws. Poor Justice, being frighted, fled from Earth To Heaven, whence she did derive her Birth ; To the Eternal Justice she did go.
And made Report what Monsters sate below. Inquisitors, like Spain, in England sate,
And at their Pleasure steer'd the Helm of State. He rid the Western Circuit all around ;
But where he came, no Justice cou'd be found : He improVd his Talents Martrys to condemn,
Hang, Draw and Quarter was his daily Theam. He bid 'em to confess, if e'er they hope
•
To be reprieved from the fatal Rope.
This seem'd a Favour, but he'd none forgive,
The Favour was, a Day or two to live ;
Which those had not that troubled him with Trial, Blood was his Business, and he'd have no Denial ;
His Entrails Brass, his very Heart was Steel, Poor Souls he made his Judge's Courage feel. How valiant to condemn, when in his Power, Two Hundred he could sentence in an Hour. Guilty, or not, to him was all a Case,
On Martyrs Bodies he did Honour raise,
And to destroy by Retail thought it base.
The Blood of Protestants for Vengeance cry,
And will, I fear, to all Eternity.
Although kind Death had made him scape Man's Doom, And quietly hath hurl'd him in his Tomb.
Then next methought I saw him placed higher, O wither will this Canibal aspire ?
The Purse, the Mace, and all the Honour that Belongeth to Lord Chancellor of State ;
Made fat with Treason, he did daily thrive, Till to his highest Pitch he did arrive.
The Church of England saw a Traitor lurch, Who went about to undermine their Church ;
Witness else Maudlin Colledge, and the rest, He was the stoutest Stickler for the Test,
But could not help it 'cause he was so high ; He soarM above the Sight ofhumble Eye,
Abhorr'd Petitioners, as heretofore,
Such Varlets still was banisht from his Door : Now being on the Top of Fortune's Wheel, The giddy Goddess did begin to reel-
A Warning 'tis to all depending on her,
OfIce is made the Pinacle ofHonour,
Or Glassy Substance, brittle shinning Hew,
That afar off doth make a Golden Shew.
Those that are low admire and would climb, Although they break their Necks the very Time. And now methoughts he hearing Preparations,
That were a forming in the Neighbour Nations, Prepares for his own Safety now in Time.
Thinking the Thunder would on him incline Therefore being ask'd what were the Prince's Heads Of Declaration, feelingly he said,
His Head was one, aim'd at 'mongst many others, Knowing in Villany he'd many Brothers.
With that betook him to his Heels, and run,
s
;
it,
336 %itt ano 2Deatlj, $c.
Thinking by Bribes he could not Ruin shun : He took a Collier's Coat to Sea to go ;
Was ever Chancellour arrayed so !
But like to like, he'd needs anticipate,
Devil Incarnate, Collier of State.
He dealt in Deeds of Darkness, black as Night. Such a Black Habit needs must fit him right. Brave Sight to see him in a Collier's Skin ;
Come, Pence a Piece, my Masters enter in.
My Lord Mayor swooned, and was stricken dumb, To see his metamorphos'd Lordship come.
A Countryman he flouted once, I hear,
Ask'd what he had for swearing, 'Twas too dear, You Bumpkin in the Leather Jacket there ;
To whom the Hobnail quickly did reply,
Had'st thou no more for lying, than poor I
Have here for swearing, thou might'st quickly wear A Leather one, instead of Plush Thread-bare.
Now had he seen my Lord in Colliers Buff, Bumpkin had past for Prophet sure enough.
The Mobile and Rout with Clubs and Staves, Swore that his Carcass ne'er should lye in Graves. The'y eat him up alive within an Hour,
Their Teeth should tear his Flesh, and him devour ; Limb him they would, as Boys on Shrovetide do,
Some cryed, /
And I am for his Sowse ; his Ears, another ;
Oh, cries a third, I am for his Buttocks brave,
Nine Pound of Stakes from them I mean to have ;
I know the Rogue is fleshy, says a fourth ;
For Sweet-breads, Lungs, and Heart they're nothing worth ; Yes, quoth another, but not good to eat,
A Heart of Steel will ne'er prove tender Meat.
But we must them dispose another Way,
A good Rich Lawyer will a round Sum pay, For such a Set of loud and bellowing Lungs, Enough to serve a Hundred Stentors Tongues. We'll sell his Heart to th' Pope to make a Show, A Relique on't, and he'll get Money too.
But whilst they were dividing them in Thought, The Lord Mayor order'd Soldiers to be brought, Who rescued him from out the Rabbles Power. And straight away they took him to the Tower, With much ado he there was brought at last,
for
a Wing and Arm
; for what are you ?
am
I am for his Head, says one ; for his Brains, says t'other,
To think on all his wicked Actions past.
AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE CHIEF MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK.
Ansley's(Airaham)l. ! LStSpeech. 247 —His last Letter 248 Argyle^rl), his Sufferings. .