Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

Iurie impannelled for him; to whom, in effect, these speeches were deliuered.

Robert Drewrie, the prisoner, standing at the barre, had traytorously, wilfully, and in contempt of the statute made to the contrarie, departed out of this land, wherein he was borne, and at Valedolid in Spayne, where by Parsons means, a seminary for English students was erected, as the like were at Rome and Rhemes, hadde bin made a pricste by the bishop of Leon, by authority deriued from the pope. Sithence which time, he had returned back into this land, to reconcile, seduce, and withdraw his maiesties subiectes from their naturall dutie, loue, and allegeance, to a forraigne

seruice and obedience.

Then diuers traitorous and dangerous papers were shewen, which had bin taken in his custody, and whereof he would gladly haue acquitted himselfe, but that they were manifestly prooued to be his. One of them seemed to be Parsons opinion concerning the oath in the late made statute, which he vtterly disallowed any catholique to take, appearing to haue vsed the popes censure therein; whereupon the bull, or breefe, to that purpose, seemeth to take effect.-The others were also of a traytorous nature, tending to the abuse and corrupting of poore simple soules, and stealing all duty and allegeance from them. There were likewise two Letters openly read, the one from certaine priestes, prisoners sometimes in the Clinke, to the arch-priest, maister Blackwell, requiring his iudgement in matters, when they laboured and hoped for tolleration in religion: The other was maister Blackwells answere therto; both which though he would haue cunningly auoyded, yet it appeared what reckoning he made of them.

When he had answered for himselfe so much as he could, relying still vpon his priesthoode, and vrging that to be the cheefest matter of his offence, though many times the contrary was deliuered to him, the Iurie passed vppon him, and founde him Guilty of high-treason, wherevpon he was sent away til the time of iudge

day following, it shall not be much differing from our purpose to handle, and say somewhat, in the mean while, concerning the tryall and conuiction of Humphrey Lloyd, endicted there vpon wilfull murder, hauing slaine master Thomas Morris, one of the ordinary yeomen of his maiesties guarde, not long before, in Chauncery-lane.

Hauing libertie graunted to speake, and aunswere for himselfe what he could, Robert Drewrie very shallowly sought to insinuate, that, if it were treason in him to be a priest, then it was the like in saint Augustine, saint Bernard, and other reuerend fathers of the church, who receiued their priesthoode by authority from God; and so did he presume to haue doone the like, for the saluation of his owne soule, and many others beside; which purposely he came hether to do, according to his office and function. His sillie suggestion was presently reprooued, that, notwithstanding the great difference beetweene his priesthoode, and that of the fathers before named, yet priest-ment; which because it was not til Wedneshoode solie was not imputed to him for treason; for that profession, though neither liked, nor allowed by vs, he might vse and exercise in the parts beyond the seas, keeping himselfe there; but not heere within his maiesties kingdome, where, both he, and all other of his ranke, did very well know, and therefore could not plead any ignorance therein, that sundry good and sufficient lawes, heeretofore made, had enacted it to be treason, for any subiect borne to forsake bis native dutie, and, being made priest by authority deriued from the pope, to com home again into this land, and, in meere contempt of the king and his lawes, to reconcile, seduce, and alienate loyall subiects harts from loue, iast regard, and dutie to their soueraigne, and subiecting them in obedience to a forraigne gouernment. Drewrie made aunswere, he could not, neither would he deny, but that he came hether to exercise the office of a priest, according as he had alreadie doone, in winning of soules; but he would not admit, that he had seduced any, or in any sort diswaded them, but only for the good of their soules. Being afterward vrged with his maiestics great mercy, who had, to him and all other of his coate, granted his generall pardon; and why he did not, according to the proclamation, depart the land, when it was so expresly commaunded? He made aunswere, That he wanted means: When it was prooued to him, that not only did the king allow such conuenient transporting, but also enabled them with mony; and therefore his stay could not be otherwise, but meerely in traytorous contempt of the kings lawes: Whereto he could make no reply.

Upon Sunday in the afternoone, being the 18th of January, the forenamed Humphrey Lloyd. and Thomas Morris meeting together in Aldersgate-streete, in the companie of certaine other of theyr friendes, went into the Halfe Moone tauerne to drink, where they had no such plenty of wine, as to cause distemper, or otherwise, that way, to procure impatience.-But it was deliuered in euidence, that some speeches concerning religion passed betweene them; wherein Morris touched Lloyd to be a dissembler, as neither hot nor cold, but, if any thing at all, it was, indeede, best affected to popery, as afterwarde it plainely appeared. It hapned, that the lie was retorted between them, which vrged Morris to cast a cuppe of wine in Lloyds face, and Lloyd therevpon threwe a rowle of bread at the head of Morris. A further and more dangerous strife had presently ensued, but that honest friendes on both sides, being present, did so discreetely deale with them, that they grew friendes againe, drank to one another, and no hart-burning outwardly perceiued; till at length, Lloyde renewing remembrance of the former speeches, a more heauier falling out had thereon hapned, but that the friendes, as before, pacified them again; but yet menacing words passed from eyther, Mor

ris threatning to bee euen with Lloyds bald pate, and Lloyde woulde try acquittance with the others cods-heade; so that they parted with tearmes of enmity.

On the Wednesday next ensuing, Lloyd and a gentleman, in a white coloured cloake, stand, ing talking together at Lincolns Inn Gate, it hapned Morris and a friende of hys with him to passe by; the friende saluted Lloyd, as Lloyd did the like by him; and uery soone after, the gentleman in the white cloake, that had stoode talking with Lloyd being sent by him, as it appeared, followed Morris, as Lloyd likewise, and, rounding him in the eare, which the friende then with Morris could not heare, hee perceiued an alteration in the countenance of Morris, and the like in Lloyd, who by this time was come to them; which he being desirons to remooue, as standing an equall friende to them both, desired them, if any thinge were amisse betweene them, to let him perswade a friendly agreement, and not to grow into any vnciuill behaviour in the open street, to the wounding of their credite and reputation, as also, what danger might otherwise ensue, was doubtful to be gathered. Lloyd made aunswere, that he was good friendes with his cozen Morris, and loued him as deerly as any in England. Whereto Morris instantly replied, Wiit thou neuer leaue thy dissembling? Dost thou pretend to loue me so deerely, and hast euen now sent me a challenge by this man? Lloyd immediately returned him this aunswere: that, if he hadde sent him a challenge, he was come in person to auns were it, and would perfor.me it there, or any where els. Thus his malicious intent very plainely appeared. What other words passsed betweene them, I know not, neither could they bee heard by any standers by; but forthwith they drewe out both theyr weapons, notwithstanding all intreaty to the contrary and indeede Lloyd did drawe to soone, to expresse his bloody and vnquencheable malice, for he soon gaue to Morris his deaths wound, wherevpon he fell downe presently, not speaking one word.-And, to witnesse the more his cruell and bloodie hatred, he strake twice or thrice at him, when he was downe, cutting him ouer the head, and otherwise wounding him; yet he pleaded, that he did all this but in hys own defence.-All this, which hath bin breefelie reported, being much more circumstantially deliuered in euidence, and by oath approued to his face, he sought to extenuate his offence by verie shallow speeches, vtterly impertinent, and most against himselfe, in due consideration of his friuolous allegations: for he had bin a man of more dangerous quality, then was conceived in his present tryall, hauing tasted the kings most gracious mercy, and had beene borne withall beyond his deseruing. It was also told him, how farre he had waded in Watsons treason, and was also a partaker in the Gunne-powder Plotte, sending shot; and powder also, to them in Wales; in all which the mercie of his maiesty had looked more mildly vpon him, then himselfe coulde

:

|

|

desire, or any way deserue. But the justice of heauen very manifestly appeared, that so false and hollow a bart, sullied with the detested guilt of treason, must now, in a wilful and malicious act of blood and murder, declare itselfe to the whole worlde, and the vpright censure of lawe this way depriue him of life, that had felte mercie before, in a heauier offence. Here is also to be noted, that, as the quarrel first hapned on talk of the popish religion, so now Lloyd discouers him in his colours. For, though it was told him, that he had very confidently deliuered himselfe to be otherwise, and which himselfe was not able to denye; yet nowe Drewrie the prieste (after his judgement) passing away by him in the docket, gaue him a publicke noted absolution, with his hand crossing him, and vsing some close speeches ; whereupon, thinking this sufficient to wash off his stayne of murder, he forthwith openly confest, that he is a Catholicke, so he had bin alwayes, and so he woulde die; as if that very name should giue fame to his foul fact, and, where he died a murderer, his owne ydle supposition of Popish absolution should make him nowe to die in the case of a martyr, and for his conscience.

When he was drawne in the carte (with others) toward execution, and all the cartes beeing stayed before St. Sepulchers church, where the most christian and charitable deed of Master Dooue, at every such time, is worthily performed, to moue prayer and compassion in mens harts, for such so distressed: all the while that the man spake, Lloyd stopte his eares, not willing to heare any thing; but, if any Romaine Catholickes were neere, he desired such to pray for him. And so at Tyborne he did in like manner, calling to Romaine Catholickes to praye with him and for him, but no other prayers would he accept of. But, the lawe hauing censured him, and justice likewise beeing past vpon him, what else remaines to be thought, or said of him, let it be so charitably, as such a case requireth, and as becometh all honest Christians, euermore remembring, that flesh and blood is subject to frailty, and he, that boasteth most of strength, maye soonest fall and be deceiued: therefore let vs measure other mens infirmities by a considerate care of what our owne maye be, and, committing all to him that is the onely iudge of all, desire his heauenly help and assistance neuer to suffer vs to be led into the like temtations. Let vS nowe remember where we lefte before, and returne to the matter concerning the priest.In this time of respit since his condemnation, bethinking himselfe, belike, of his present dangerous condition, he solicited sundry great persons by his letters, entreating all possible fauour to bee allowed him. Among the rest, he wrote to sir Henry Mountague, recorder of London, requiring to haue some priuate speech with him. The gentleman, being of a milde and mercifull inclination, willing to do good to any, but much more to one at the point of such perill, vpon Monday morning, sent for

Drewrie downe into the sessions-house garden to him; where vrging to know what fauour he requested, and alleaging the kings great and gracious mercy to any that expressed themselues to be his louing subjects, and would take the oath of duty and obedience to him, Drewrie made voluntary tender of himselfe, that he would take the oath, acknowledging the greatnes of his maiesties mercy; and humbly required, that the like grace might bee affoorded to his brother, William Dauies, the other priest, that was condemned with him. Maister Recorder conceived very well of this his subuission, and was in his minde perswaded, that, if he had put him to the oath presently, without any refusall he would haue taken it. But he, as an vpright iusticer, very wisely considering, that, his fact being openly knowne, and the people acquainted with his dangerous practises, his publike submission, and taking the oath, would the better witnesse his obedience and submission, and proue much more pleasing then any thing done in priuate, deferred it till the time of more conueniency; so Drewrie departed vppe to his chamber again, being vsed with all kind and gentle respect.

| according as himselfe did best gather and conceiuc therof, concerning the oath of legalty and allegiance mentioned in the late statute; whereunto (as I remember) his answere was thus: "I freelye confesse, that (in my opinion) euery honest and good Catholicke may lawfully and safely take it.' Immediately, because he had made such a free confession of the oathes lawfulnes, and safety in taking, himselfe was willed to take the oath, which he had thus censured, to let the world perceiue now publickly, whether bis hand and hart held true correspondence together, and whether he were so honest and good a Catholicke, as but to expresse the loyalty of a subject, and give Cæsar his due. Now plainly appeared, both what he and such of his profession inwardly are, for he plainly refused to take the oath hauing the Booke deliuered into his owne hands, and willed to take and alledge what exceptions he colde against any part or particle of the oath, his answere was, that he did but deliuer his opinion of the oath, what any good or honest Catholicke might do, excluding himselfe out of any such titles. Neither (quoth he) can it be any waye aduantageable to me, being condemned as I am, and therefore I haue no reaThe extraordinary great Grace and Mercy, son to take it.' But then, to meet iustly with offered at the Sessions-house to Robert Drew-such cuning dissembling and equiuocating, and rie and William Davies, Priestes, on Wednesday, the 25th of February; and, lastly, the Sentence of Death pronounced against them.

According to the custome in such cases obserued, the tryall and condemnation of Robert Drewrie passing, as hath beene already declared, on the Fryday before; on Wednesday following, being the fiue and twentieth day of February, the prisoner was brought to the barre againe; where it being tolde him, that he had been already arraigned vpon high-treason, and had pleaded thereto, Not guilty, but, for his tryall, had put himselfe vpon God and his countrey, the countrey had found and deliuered him vppe Guilty; it now remained to hear what he could say for himselfe, why Iudgement of Death should not be pronounced against him. He replyed, as he had done before, that he took himselfe not to be conuicted of treason, but onely for his priest-hoode; which if the law made treason, he had nothing to say, but appealed to the kinges grace and mercy.

|

to discouer such apparant falshood, that no less admired, then most worthy gentleman, sir Henry Mountague, knight, recorder of the cittie of London, as he had many times before, so still he continued, in displaying the subtil slights of so dangerous a person, and what hurt ensued to the state by such as he was. To drive him nowe from these ydle suggestions, and to lay open the kings most royall mercy, though not so much as in truth it deserued, yet sufficiently able to conuince such impudence, he told him, that he was a poore minister of iustice vnder his maiesty, and hadde such true acquaintance with his euer-royall and mercifull inclination, that harty sorrow, or repentance, in an offender, no sooner colde be discerned, but he was euen as readie to giue pardon and forgiucnes, and rather did superabound in grace, then secke after blood; and therefore willed him to let all the people there perceiue, whether he would accept of this proffered grace, or no. Nay, more; because euery one was not acquainted with the oath contained in the Heereupon, his voluntarie offer, to take oath statute, and (perchance) might conceite otheron the Monday before, was rehearsed to him.wise thereof, then in equity it deserued, the And it was further tolde him, that now it was apparently perceiued, how collorably he cloaked his private and pernicious dealing, auswering by equiuocation, and setting downe one thing vnder his owne hand, then afterward speaking dyrectly against the same. For proofe whereof, his owne letter, written sithence the time of his condemnation, to a person of great honor, was there read; and as much thereof, as concerned the present occasion then in hand, was the more insisted vpon. Wherin (if my memory faile me not) it appeared, that he had bin requyred to set downe his censure and opinion,

clearke was commaunded to read it there publickly, and himselfe to except against it whatsoeuer he could alledge. The clearke accordingly began, as followeth, reading it destinctly, as it is in the booke.

V

The OATH of every true and honest Subiect. "I A. B. do truely and sincerely acknowledge, professe, testific, and declare in my conscience, beefore God and the worlde, that our soueraigne lorde king James is lawtull and rightfull king of this realine, and of all other his maiesties dominions and countries: And that the

of honest or good Catholickes, but apparant traytors to the king and state, in saying one thing, and dooing the contrary; in making an outward shew of duty and obedience under hand-writing, and reseruing a trayterous intention in their close bosome; wherein the grosse deceiuing and abusing of too many ouer-credulous soules, being falsely perswaded of such men, otherwise then they are indeede, is very much to be pitied and lamented: for they do but judge by the exteriour habit of smooth sanctitie and holines, and not by the close seducing of them and their soules. Religion is the cloake cast ouer intended treason, and holy protestations hide hollow-harted practises, more deuillish then (in plaine meaning) ean easily be doubted, and far more daungerous, then weake capacities are able to discouer, as, very excellently and elegantly, was there plainely approued.

Another allegation also (as impertinent) did Drewrie make, in saying: That a French priest, or Spanish priest, comming into this land to exercise their function at either of their lord ambassadors, or otherwise, they might, in like manner, be tearmed traytors: whereas all the by-standers were euen ready to hisse him, knowing very well, and, as it was with good discretion, answered him, that such priestes neither were or colde be reckoned subiects to this state, nor were they enabled to deal in such daungerous manner with our people, wanting our language, and credit, in such a case to countenance them, as (by their slye insinuating) they being borne subiects, and credited more than beseemed, did too much preuaile by. And as freely might such ambassadours haue inen of spiritual office about them, being of their owne countrey, as ours are allowed the

pope, neither of himselfe, nor by any authority of the church or see of Rome, or by any other meanes, with any other, hath any power or authority to depose the king, or to dispose of any of his maiesties kingdomes or dominions: or to authorize any forraigne prince to inuade, or anoy him, or his countries; or to discharge any of his subiectes of their allegiance and obedience to his maiesty: or to giue licence, or leaue, to any of them to beare armes, raise tumult, or to offer violence or hurte to his maiesties royall person, state, or gouernment, or to any of his maiesties subiectes within his maiesties dominions.-Also I do sweare from my hart, that, notwithstanding any declaration, or sentence of excommunication, or depriuation, made or graunted, or to be made or graunted, by the pope or his successors, or by any authority deriued, or pretended to bee deriued, from him or his see, againste the said king, his heires or successors; or any absolution of the saide subiectes from their obedience. I will beare faith and true allegiance to his maiestie, his heires, and successors; and him and them will defende, to the vttermost of iny power, against al conspiracies and attempts whatsoeuer, which shal be made against his or their persons, their crown and dignity, by reason or colour of anie such sentence or declaration, or otherwise; and will doe my best indevour to disclose and make knowne vnto his maiesty, his heires and successors, all treasons and traiterous conspiracies, which I shall know, or hear of, to be against him, or any of them. And I doe further sweare, that I doe from my hart abhorre, detest, and abiure, as impious and heretical, this damnable doctrine and position, that prince, which be excommunicated or depriued by the pope, may be deposed or mur-like, within their maisters dominions. So that dered by their subiects, or anie other whatsoeuer. And I do belieue, and in conscience am resolued, that neither the pope, nor any person whatsoeuer, hath power to absolue me of this oath, or any parte thereof, which I acknowledge by good and faithfull authority to be lawfully ministred to me, and do renounce all pardons and dispensations to the contrary. And al these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and sweare, according to these expresse wordes by me spoken, and according to the plaine and common sence, and understanding to the same words, without equivocation, or mental euasion, or secret reseruation whatsoeuer. And I do make this recognition and acknowledgment heartily, willingly and truly, vpon the true faith of a Christian. So help me God."

[ocr errors]

This Oath, which no good subiect will refuse to take, hauing beene very audibly read, well neare in the perfect hearing of euery one there present, he was required to alleadge or inferre against any part thereof what he colde. But he insisting vainely, as he had done before, that he had but giuen his opinion thereof for others, and refusing vtterly to take it himself, gaue enident and manifest testimony, that such priestes, as himselfe was, were not included in the ranke

Hee

still he wolde haue maintained that priesthoode,
and not the treacherous complotting and prac-
tises of priestes, in his understanding, was to
bee held for treason. The same grace and
fauour, which had been before extended to
Drewrie, in as ample mansure was offered to
Dauies, the other priest, and he was demaund-
ed whether he would take the oath or no.
replied, that he was a poor simple ignorant
man, and could hardly censure what thereto
belonged. For there were many learned priestes,
whose iudgements, in this case, he would first
know, and then, perhaps, he might be other-
wise altered. Wherein appeareth, that oue
only Romish rule and obseruation is a lesson
or direction to them all, and the buls or breues
of the pope are more regarded and respected
by them, than the natiue loyalty and obedience,
they owe to their king and countrey. But
mercy hath been ouer-mild too long, and won
no such grace from, as iustly was expected,
but rather hath armed them with more bold-
nesse and insolence, than either is fit in them
to offer, or standes with the wisdome of so
great a state to endure: For, Nunquid colli-

gunt de spinis uvas, aut de tribulis ficus?". Doo men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

and there to be laid vpon an hurddle, and so
drawne to the place of execution, where they
shoulde hang till they were half deade; then to
haue their secrets cut off, and with their in-
trailes throwne into the fire before their faces,
their heads to be seuered from their bodies,
which seuerally should be deuided into four
'quarters, and afterward disposed at his maies-
ties pleasure, in mean while, the Lorde to take
mercie upon their soules: and so they were
sent backe to prison againe.

4 breefe Report of the Execution of Robert
Drewrie, drawne on a hurddle in his Fryer
Benedictine habbet to Tyborne, on Thursday
the twenty-fifth of Februarie.

When no further good, either by testimonie | of their owne shame, or euen father-like and most kinde perswasions, could be wrought vpon either of them: first a most graue, learned, and iudicious admonition was made unto them, containing brecfely the many and extraordinarie great graces of the kings maiestie towarde menne of their condition, and howe, after graunting them first his free and generall pardon, hee neuer left off, but pursued them still with all fauours that could be deuised, as not desiring the death of any one, but rather to live quietly, like a godly, peacefull, and religious king: not enacting any new or seuere lawes against such daungerous persons, but ratifieng and confirming them that he found at his comming, which queen Elizabeth, of euer happy On the next morning, being Thursday, an memory, compulsiuely was compelled and en- hurddle being broght to Newgate, Robert forced to make against them. And yet the Drewrie, hoping yet for life, and not thinking justice of those lawes, which had been of seauen to die, as by the sequell it plainely appeared, and twenty years continuance before, his ma- hauing put on, after the maner of the Beneiestie did forbeare to execute; and finding dictine Fryers beyond the seas, a newe suit of manye, whose liues lay vnder the forfeit of the aparrell, being made of black stuffe, new law, not onely did he remitte them in grace, but shooes, stockings, and garters, and a black new likewise gave his free pardon to all; sending so stuffe priests gown, or cassock, being buttoned manie as were in durance away at his own downe before by loops and buttons, two and cost and charge, and publishing the like offer two together, to the verye foote, a new corto all other that wolde except of so kind a nered cap on his heade, and vnder it a fair benefit: as loath to meddle with their blood, wrought night-cap; was, in this manner, that were enemies to his life, and desirous to drawne along to Tyborne, where being by the win them by mercy, if they were not tco mon-executioner prepared for death, he was brought strous. Nor hath he sentenced any priest with vp into the cart, and vsing such ydle speeches, death since his comming to the crowne, but as he had don often before, that he dyed not such as were men of most daungerous qualitie, for treason, but for his priesthoode, hee was and had their hands over deep in most barbar-willed to deal more iustly, and not to abuse ous and inhumaine treasons. But when neither perswasions, sufferances, nor proclamations will serue, to keep such daungerous men out of the land, but euen, in spight of the king and his lawes, they will needs come over, and put in practice their treacherous deuyses: mercy, of necessity, must give way to iustice, and pitty preuaile no longer, when grace is dispised.

The many and excelent parts, contained in Maister Recorders learned and elegant speech, I am not able to set downe, and, therefore, do| humbly craue fauour, for but glauncing at these few: which thogh they come farre short of their just merite, yet let my good will excuse al imperfections. Being come to the very jumpe of giuing iudgement, Drewrie demanded, if, as yet, he might have fauour to speak, and, most honorably, it was answered that he might, for the king's mercy was neuer too late; therefore he was willed, not to trifle the time in friuolous speeches, but, if he wolde yet take the oath, do it and afterwards speak what further he wolde; which made all the standers by euen confounded with amazement, that grace should be so aboundantly offered vnto such froward and wilfull refusers. Drewrie wolde not yeeld to take the oath, whereupon the sentence of death was pronounced against them both. To bee conueyed thence to the place from whence they came,

VOL. II

the world nowe at his death, in vttering that which was a manifest lie and untruth. He made answere, that, in all his life-time, he had not told a lie, and then, after a short pause added, not willingly. There were certain papers shewn at Tyborne, which had bin found about him, of very daungerous and traitorous nature. And amonge them also was his Benedictine faculty vnder seale, expressing what power and authority he had from the pope, to make men, women, and children heere, of his order; what indulgences and pardons he colde graunt them, both in this life, and for multitude of yeares after their death, preseruing them both from purgatory, and warranting their entrance, by the popes keyes, into Heauen. He confessed himselfe to be a Romaine Catholick, and a priest, and desired all Romaine Catholickes to praye with him, and for him. And often looking about him, as hopinge there was some mercie for him, for feare appeared very plainely in him, when he felt the cart go away under him, and his expectation to be deceiued, he caught fast holde with his left hande on the halter about hys head, and very hardly was inforced to let it goe, but held so for a pretty while. If this were not an apparant hope of life, I refer it to better judgements then mine own. He hung till he was quite dead, and afterwards his body was quartered.

28

« VorigeDoorgaan »