Sir William Fleetwood (1535-1594).
[938]Sir Miles[939] Fleetwood, Recorder of London, was of the Middle Temple; was Recorder of London, when King James came into England; made his harangue to the City of London (ἀντανάκλασις), 'When I consider your wealth I doe admire your wisdome, and when I consider your wisdome I doe admire your wealth.' It was a two-handed rhetorication, but the citizens tooke <it> in the best sense.
He was a very severe[940] hanger of highwaymen, so that the fraternity were resolved to make an example of him[941]: which they executed in this manner: They lay in wayte for him not far from Tyburne, as he was to come from his house at ... in Bucks; had a halter in readinesse; brought him under the gallowes, fastned the rope about his neck and on the tree, his hands tied behind him (and servants bound), and then left him to the mercy of his horse, which he called Ball. So he cryed 'Ho, Ball! Ho, Ball!' and it pleased God that his horse stood still, till somebody came along, which was halfe a quarter of an hour or +. He ordered that this horse should be kept as long as he would live, and it was so—he lived till 1646:—from Mr. Thomas Bigge, of Wicham[942].
One day goeing on foote to Yield-hall, with his clarke behind him, he was surprised in Cheapside with a sudden and violent looseness neer the Standard. He[943] ... bade his man hide his face943[943]....
His seate was at Missenden in the county of Bucks, where his descendents still remaine.
He is buried at ... in com. Bucks.