A set of verses printed and published by Nathaniel Thomson, a printer, living in the parish of St. Dunstan in the West. For this publication he was prosecuted. The following is a copy of the indictment:—

Londonia. Juratores pro domino rege super sacramentum suum præsentant quod Nathaniel Thomson nuper de parochia Sancti Dunstani in Occidente in Warda de Farringdon exti Londoniam prædictam Typographus decimo die Octobris anno regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ regis Fidei Defensoris &c. tricesimo tertio illicite nequiter et malitiose machinans et intendens quietum statum et communem pacem et tranquillitatem ligeorum et subditorum dicti domini regis infra civitatem Londoniæ et alibi infra hoc regnum Angliæ inquietare et perturbare, et diversas differentias inter ligeos et subditos prædictos excitare movere et procurare, necnon quendam Titum Oates clericum unum divulgatorum anglice discoverers et testium proditoriæ conspirationis papistarum dictum dominum regem nunc ad murdrandum et veram protestantem religionem infra hoc regnum Angliæ stabilitatam et professam ad destruendam in maximum odium contemptum infamiam et scandalum cum omnibus ligeis et subditis dicti domini regis nunc eundem Titum Oates adtunc cognoscentibus et tunc imposterum cognoscendis inducere, ac diversas lites et differentias inter præfatum Titum Oates ac omnes prædictos ligeos et subditos dicti domini regis eidem Tito Oates tunc cognitos et cognoscendos excitare movere et procurare, necnon bona nomen famam testimonium et reputationem ejusdem Titi Oates pejorare et auferre postea scilicet dicto decimo die Octobris anno supradicto apud Londoniam videlicet in parochiam et warda prædictis ad nefandissimas et malitiosas machinationes et intentiones suas prædictas celerius efficienda et exequenda quoddam falsum scandalosum et odiosum libellum de et concernentem præfato Tito Oates et ad defamationem opprobium et scandalum ejusdem Titi Oates intitulatum A Dialogue betwixt the Devil and the Ignoramus Doctor illicite nequiter et malitiose devisatum compositum et scriptum per quosdam homines quorum nomina juratoribus prædictis adhuc ignota sunt ipse prædictus Nathaniel Thomson adtunc et ibidem illicite nequiter libellose et malitiose impressit et publicavit et imprimi et publicari causavit tenor cujusdem libelli sequitur scilicet:—

A Dialogue betwixt the Devil and the Ignoramus [Salamanca][215] Doctor.

Devil.

Behold from the Infernal Lake I'm come,

To fright thy Soul to its Eternal Doom:

To tell thee, Villain, that thy Reign's expir'd,

And now be sure thou shalt no longer hir'd

Be by Me, nor any of the Damn'd,

To drench in Innocent Blood this mournful Land.

Hence then begone, and do no more pursue

Villanies Hell could ne'er act, but by you:

Now Heaven stops my Power and I thy Hand,

And now I tell thee, Doctor, Thou art damn'd.

Doctor.

O Spectre! spare awhile my dreadful Doom!

Go back and tell the Damn'd, I come, I come;

Only let me compleat the Ills I've begun,

Then Heaven farewel, and unto You I come.

Devil.

The Blood o' th' Innocent aloud does cry,

Revenge, Revenge, on cursed Dr. Ti——

No more o' th' Innocent shall bleed, nor die.

Doctor.

Well, the time's come, the fatal day's at hand,

That I for ever, ever must be damn'd:

O curs'd Revenge! what Mischiefs have I done?

Abjur'd the Father, and blasphem'd the Son.

The Sacred Spirit of Truth at once have I

Banish'd; and that my vengeance I might buy,

I've caus'd the best of Innocents to dye.

See where their Ghosts appear in purple ray'd,

Victims, by Perjury above betray'd:

See how they shake their Heads, and bleed afresh;

Their wounds gape wide in their new murder'd flesh;

And these most frightful Visions come, 'cause I

Th' bloody villanous Murderer stand by.

'Tis true that I the cruel Murderer am,

And thousands more by Perjury to trepan.

I solemnly did vow, and often swear,

And none t' escape, from the Peasant to the Peer;

Nay Sacred Prelates, Princes, Queens, and Kings,

Should have made up my Bloody Offerings.

Ten thousand more of Innocents had dy'd,

'Cause I King, Queen, and Duke had Sacrificed:

Cities and Towns I'd Fir'd, if not withstood,

And quench'd the flames with Innocent Blood.

Let me but live in this world three years more,

This Island then shall swim in Christian gore;

I'le subvert Governments, and murder Kings,

Sow discord among friends: I'll do such things

Shall make the World believe there is not that

Villanous thing I have not power to act;

I'le make the World believe (let me but stay)

That Light is Darkness, and that Night is Day;

That I the Saviour of the Nation am,

And that CHRIST was of no avail to man;

Then I the Sacred Gospels will destroy,

Swear they'r but fictious Stories, and a Lye,

Perswade them that the Bible's but a Farce,

No more to be esteemed than is my A——

So I'le improve the Art of Perjury,

That none who are not skill'd in Villany

Shall live; thus will I fit this Isle for Hell,

And then adieu the World, and Heaven farewel.

Thus I a Learned Doctor will commence,

And by the People be ador'd for Nonsence,

And with Sedition I their Souls will influence.

Devil.

Peace thou prophane wretch, hold, villain, hold,

For now with Heaven and Earth thou art too bold,

And I must tell thee, another Winter old

Thou shall not be, thy life and soul are sold:

When flat on th' Altar Thou thyself didst lay,

Remember that thou gav'st thy Soul away

To me; and swor'st for ever thou'dst be mine,

Might'st thou but compass thy Hellish Design,

To imbrue thy Hands in Innocent Blood,

And murder all who had the face of good:

Devils and Hell thou hast in this outdone,

By thy damn'd Perjury ith' face oth' Sun.

Hence then begone to Hell, away, away,

For in this place thou shalt no longer stay.

[Spoken by an old Acquaintance.]

Why how now Doctor, vanish'd fled and gone,

What none but Monsieur Devil and You alone?

Are all you Papists come to this damn'd end,

Thus to be hamper'd and ridden by a Fiend?

Unpitied ly; blaspheme and groan thy last,

Belch forth thy unhallow'd Soul, and blast

Hell itself, with thy unsanctified Breath,

And groveling ith' shades of Eternal Death,

I leave thee. Ha, ha, ha, ha, poor Doctor,

Good Night little good Mr. Devil's Doctor.

In contemptum dicti domini regis nunc, legumque suarum, ad magnum opprobium scandalum defamationem et infamiam præfati Titi Oates, in magnam perturbationem pacis dicti domini regis et populi sui inquietudinem, in malum exemplum omnium aliorum consimili casu delinquentium, ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[216]

The result of the prosecution does not appear.

I have not been able to meet with a copy of the original verses, which, no doubt, would be printed in the form of a broadside; but they are reprinted in a little book entitled "A Collection of 86 Loyal Poems, all of them written upon the two late plots, viz., The Horrid Salamanca Plot in 1678, and the present fanatical conspiracy in 1683." Collected by N[athaniel] T[hompson.] 1685.

256.

The true Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City and Country. No. 83, From Friday, April 16, to Tuesday, April 20, 1680.

Ditto——No. 84, From Tuesday, April 20, to Friday, April 23, 1680.

These periodicals, copies of which are preserved in the British Museum Library, were printed and published by Nathaniel Thompson and William Badcock, and a prosecution was thereupon instituted against them. They were tried and found guilty, and a fine of £3 6s. 8d. set on each of them. The following is a copy of the information:—

Memorandum quod Creswell Levinz miles attornatus domini regis nunc generalis qui pro eodem domino rege in hac parte sequitur in propria persona sua venit hic in curiam dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium, die Mercurii proximo post quindenam Paschæ isto eodem termino, et pro eodem domino rege dat curiam hic intelligi et informari, quod Nathaniel Thompson de parochia Sancti Dunstani in occidente Londoniæ Printer, et Willielmus Badcocke de parochia Sanctæ Bridgettæ alias Brides Londoniæ Wiredrawer, machinantes et malitiose intendentes agitare et procurare seditionem, litem, et discordiam inter diversos fideles subditos dicti domini regis nunc infra hoc regnum Angliæ, et præcipue inter gubernatores, inhabitantes, et parochianos parochiæ Sanctæ Bridgettæ alias Brides Londoniæ, et gubernationem, necnon gubernatores ejusdem parochiæ in contemptum, scandalum et infamiam cum prædictis parochianis prædictæ parochiæ Sanctæ Bridgettæ alias Brides inducere et inferre, decimo sexto die Aprilis, anno regni dicti domini regis nunc tricesimo secundo, apud parochiam Sancti Dunstani in occidente in warda de Farringdon extra Londoniam, quoddam odiosum, scandalosum, et diffamatorium libellum, intitulatum The True Domestic Intelligence or News both from City and Country causaverunt, et uter eorum causavit imprimi, publicari, et dispergi in, per, et trans totam civitatem Londoniæ, et diversos alios comitatus et locos infra hoc regnum Angliæ, in quoquidem libello (inter alia) continetur quædam falsa, ficta, seditiosa, et scandalosa materia prout sequitur in hiis Anglicanis verbis, videlicet, Several persons, Parishioners of St. Bride's, London, are going about in that Parish to get Subscriptions for destroying the Antient Annual Elective Vestry in that Parish, and to set up instead thereof a Rump Vestry for life; wherefore all the said Parishioners that are Rumpishly affected, may first consider the Act of Parliament, and his Majesties late Proclamation about tumultuous and factious Petitions for alteration of established Lawes and Customs, which will direct in this case. And note, the different effect of the said Vestries is this, That if any person of the Annual Elective Vestry do unlawfully, or against the good of the Parish, he may be turned out at the next Election, but the Rump Vestry are above that Interruption. Et postea iidem Nathaniel et Willielmus ulterius machinantes et malitiose intendentes defamare et scandalizare prædictos gubernatores prædictæ parochiæ Sanctæ Bridgettæ alias Brides et gubernationem ejusdem parochiæ et seminare litem et discordiam inter prædictos gubernatores et parochianos ejusdem parochiæ Sanctæ Bridgettæ et eosdem in contemptum et ignominiam inferre et ducere postea scilicet vicesimo die Aprilis, anno regni dicti domini regis tricesimo secundo supradicto, apud parochiam Sancti Dunstani in occidente prædictam, in warda de Farringdon extra Londoniam prædicta, quoddam alium libellum scandalosum diffamatorium intitulatum The True Domestic Intelligence or News both from City and Country similiter causaverunt, et quilibet eorum causavit imprimi, publicari, et dispergi, in, per, et trans totam civitatem Londoniæ, et diversos alios comitatus et locos infra hoc regnum Angliæ, in quoquidem libello ultimo mencionato (inter alia) continetur hæc alia falsa, ficta, seditiosa, et scandalosa materia, prout sequitur in hiis aliis Anglicanis verbis et figuris sequentibus videlicet The great point now depending in St Bride's Parish, London, To advise how some persons may spend and waste the parish money and goods at pleasure, and how to secure the Officers from giving an honest account, and how some may lord it, and keep the rest of the parishioners in awe and incline them to give treats to be equally and lawfully dealt with. The opinion is summ'd up in short thus, That the crafty guilty ones should wheedle in the simple ones, about the eighth part of the Parishioners that do pay to the poor, and name themselves the majority, and subscribe their names for getting 15 or 20 persons composed into a Rump Vestry for life; And if 3 or 4 dissenting persons from the Church joyn with the rest 7 or 800, call them all such; and it will operate effectually, as 'tis conceived, or else be sure at the choice of Vestrymen to wheedle, wrangle, evade, shuffle, and hector the people, if possible, into a belief, that they are not themselves, and that a Negative Vote is senseless, and was never used in a free choice, but that 10 hands in the affirmative shall carry it against 2 or 300 that would be of the negative, else at the last shift allow onely the majority to be guess'd at without the distinction by Pole or Negative Vote with Hands. Note the Authority of St. Bride's Annual Elective Vestry is chiefly this, to honestly and prudently manage the Parish Moneys, Goods, Lands, and Tenements, and prevent the mis-applying, imbezeling, or wasting any of the same. Now, whether the antient Annual Elective Vestry, or an innovated select Rump Vestry for life, are the fittest for that purpose, it is referred to any indifferent honest man to judge. In magnum scandalum et contemptum dicti domini regis, et magnum nocumentum ignominiam, litem, et discordiam prædictorum gubernatorum ac parochianorum, et inhabitantium parochiæ Sanctæ Bridgettæ, alias Bride's, prædictæ, in malum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium, et contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc, coronam et dignitatem suas.[217]

257.

Directions to a Painter. 1680.

On February 20th, 1680, a Warrant was issued by His Majesty in Council, to the Stationers' Company, for the seizing of this "scandalous and dangerous pamphlet," which was accordingly done, and about 1,200 copies were found, and burnt, by His Majesty's Order, at Whitehall-gate.

258.

The Observator in Question and Answer, No. 27, Saturday, June 25, 1681.

This Periodical, a copy of which is preserved in the British Museum Library, was printed and published by Joan Broome, and a prosecution was therefore instituted against her. The indictment is as follows:—

Londonia, Juratores pro domino rege super sacramentum suum præsentant quod Johanna Broome, nuper de parochia Sancti Gregorii in warda de Castlebaynard Londoniæ prædicta vidua, Deum præ oculis suis non habens, sed instigatione diabolica mota et seducta, et falso, et malitiose machinans et intendens pacem et communem tranquillitatem hujus regni Angliæ perturbare, ac diversas dissensiones et differentias inter diversos ligeos et subditos dicti domini regis Religionis Protestantis suscitare et movere et proditorie conspirationes Papistarum contra dictum dominum regem nunc supprimere, necnon machinans et contrivans discordiam inter dictum dominum regem et ligeos et subditos suos infra hoc regnum Angliæ suscitare et movere, et dictum dominum regem in displicentiam et suspicionem erga Communes hujus regni Angliæ nuper in Parliamento assemblatos excitare, vicesimo quinto die Junii anno regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ regis, Fidei Defensoris &c. In tricesimo tertio et diversis aliis diebus et vicibus tunc antea vi et armis, &c., apud Londoniam videlicet in parochia et warda prædictis falso, nequiter, libellose, et malitiose impressit et publicavit, et imprimi et publicari causavit quendam fictum falsum et scandalosum libellum de et concernentem præfatos ligeos et subditos, necnon Communes hujus regni Angliæ nuper in Parliamento assemblatos, intitulatum The Observator in Question and Answer devisatum scriptum et compositum per quosdam homines juratoribus prædictis adhuc ignotos, in quoquidem libello continentur hæc ficta, falsa, libellosa, et scandalosa verba sequentia:   Q.   Why should not we Encounter those addresses now with Petitions?   A.   I'le dictate a petition to ye, If you'le write it; but do it faithfully, then and without Interruption; (and upon my Soul) I'le speak the sense of the Party as near as I can.   Q.   I'le be Just to ye: And now begin when you will, I'm ready for you.   A.   Your Majestse's most humble and obedient Subjects, having suffer'd many Disappointments, by reason both of Short and of Long Parliaments, and the late executing of the Law, against Dissenters: The Pretences of Tyranny and Popery being grown Stale; the Popish Plot drawn almost to the Dregs, and the Eyes of the People so far open'd, that they begin to see their Friends from their Enemies; to the Disheartening of All True Protestants, and the Encouraging of the sons of the Church, We your Majestie's Dissenting Subjects, being thereby brought unto so low a state, That without a timely Relief, we the Godly People of the Land must Inevitably perish; May it please your Majesty to grant the Right of Calling and Dissolving Parliaments, Entring into Associations, Leagues and Covenants; The Power of the Militia; War and Peace; Life and Death; The Authority of Enacting, suspending, and Repealing Laws, to be in your Liege People, the Commons of England, And these things being granted, (whereof your Petitioners stand in Great need) If your Majesty wants either Men, or Moneys for the support of your Royall Dignity and Government, your Majesty shall see what we your Loyall Petitioners will do for you.   Q.   What a Rogue are you to make me write such a Petition?   A.   And what a Fool were you to expect others? for all the Rest is Cant and Gibbrish, But this is English. Ad magnam disturbationem pacis dicti domini regis, in malum exemplum omnium aliorum in consimili casu delinquentium, ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[218]

The result of the prosecution does not appear.

259.

The Impartial Protestant Mercury, April 28, 1681.

For publishing this periodical a prosecution was instituted against Henry Carr. The information is as follows:—

Memorandum quod Samuel Astry armiger coronator et attornatus domini regis in curia ipsius regis coram ipso rege qui pro eodem domino rege in hac parte sequitur in propria persona sua venit hic in curia dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium die Sabbati proximo post Crastinum Animarum isto eodem termino, et pro eodem domino rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod Henricus Carr de parochia Sancti Sepulchri Londoniæ generosus existens perniciosa persona et machinans et malitiose intendens discordiam et scandalum inter dominum regem et populum suum et magnates hujus regni Angliæ incitare et movere vicesimo octavo die Aprilis anno regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ regis, Fidei Defensoris, &c., tricesimo tertio apud Londoniam quoddam falsum scandalosum et malitiosum libellum intitulatum The Impartiall Protestant Mercury. In quoquidem libello inter alia continetur prout sequitur. Hicks's Hall, Aprill the twenty seventh. Our Sessions for Middlesex began some days since, which 'tis said gave occasion to an old drudge at speechmaking most elegantly to exercise his talents; wherein (not to baulk the Common theme) the Dissenters and Whiggs were thrasht to atoms, and some were so unjust as to interpret it an insinuation that their Fines and Forfeitures must make up the extraordinary charges of the Government; but since 'tis notorious that the Papists have generally the better [word illegible], and are (at least) as obnoxious as other dissenters, others think the party (being an undoubted protestant as far as the law requires) intended that the laws should be briskly put in execution against them, though possibly he might mistake innocent and most useful sheep for Swine that root up the Government publicavit, et publicari causavit, ad incitandum et movendum discordiam et scandalum inter dominum regem et populum suum, et magnates hujus regni Angliæ manifesta: in malum et perniciosum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium, ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[219]

The result of this prosecution does not appear.

260.

English Liberties, or the Freeborn Subject's inheritance. 1682.

This was published by Henry Carr, for which a prosecution was instituted against him. The following is a copy of the information:—

Memorandum quod Samuel Astry Armiger, coronator et attornatus domini regis, in curia ipsius regis coram ipso Rege, qui pro eodem domino rege in hac parte sequitur in propria persona sua venit hic in Curia dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium, die Martis proximo post crastinum Sancti Martini isto eodem termino et pro eodem domino rege dat Curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod Henricus Care nuper de parochia Sancti Sepulchri London generosus, machinans et malitiose intendens agitare et procurare discordiam et scandalum inter dominum regem et populum suum, et magnates hujus regni Angliæ incitare, et movere, et gubernationem ejusdem domini regis, et administrationem justitiæ in eodem regno stabilitæ scandalizare, et in odium et contemptum ducere, decimo septimo die Octobris anno regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi, Dei gratia Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ, regis Fidei Defensoris, &c. tricesimo quarto, vi et armis, &c., apud parochiam prædictam infra Civitatem Londoniæ prædictam quoddam falsum, scandalosum, odiosum, et malitiosum libellum, intitulatem English liberties or the Freeborne Subjectes Inheritance. In quoquidam libello inter alia continetur prout sequitur. Some directions concerning the choice of members to serve in Parliament, And the Quallifications that render a Gentleman fit or unfitt, worthy or undeserving of your voices for so great a trust. 1. Avoid all such as hold any office of considerable value during pleasure they beeing subject to be overawed. Et in alio loco ejusdem falsi et scandalosi libelli continetur prout sequitur. 2. Suspect all those (especially if they are men of ill repute) who in their profession are near relations have dependency upon the Court. Et in alio loco ejusdem falsi et scandalosi libelli continetur prout sequitur in hæc verba. 3. Meddle not with such as have been or are like to prove pensioners or receive salaries for secret services publicavit, et publicari causavit, prout per prædictum falsum scandalosum et malitiosum libellum inter alia plenius liquet et apparet. In magnum scandalum et contemptum dicti domini regis, et authoritatis suæ deprivationem, necnon in contemptum legum et gubernationem hujus regni Angliæ, et administrationis justitiæ in eodem regno stabilitæ, in malum et pernitiosum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium, ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[220]

The result of the prosecution does not appear.

Part V.]

[To be continued.


INDEX

EXPURGATORIUS

ANGLICANUS:

or
A Descriptive Catalogue of the principal Books
printed or published in England,
which have been suppressed,
or burnt by the Common Hangman,
or censured,
or for which the Authors, Printers, or Publishers
have been prosecuted.

BY W. H. HART, F.S.A.


PRICE ONE SHILLING AND SIXPENCE.


LONDON:
JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 36, Soho Square.


1878.

HART AND SON, PRINTERS,]

[SAFFRON WALDEN.

261.

A letter to Mr. Miles Prance in relation to the murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey.

A copy of this publication is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in folio, and contains three pages. For its condemnation see article 265.

262.

A second letter to Miles Prance in reply to the Ghost of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey.

A copy of this publication is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in folio, and contains four pages. For its condemnation see article 265.

263.

The Loyal Protestant and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City and Country. No. 125, Tuesday, March 7, 1682.

A copy of this newspaper is preserved in the British Museum Library. For its condemnation see article 265.

264.

The Loyal Protestant and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City and Country. No. 127, Saturday, March 11, 1682.

A copy of this newspaper is preserved in the British Museum Library. For its condemnation see next article.

265.

The Loyal Protestant and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City and Country. No. 136, April 1, 1682.

For this, and the publications described in articles 261 to 264 importing that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey murdered himself, a prosecution was instituted against Nathaniel Thompson, William Pain, and John Farwell, and on Tuesday, June 20th, 1682, they were tried at the Guildhall, London, and found guilty. Thompson and Farwell were sentenced to stand on the pillory in the Palace Yard, the last day of Term, between the hours of Ten and One o'clock, for the space of an hour, and each of them to pay a fine of £100, and to be imprisoned until they paid it. Pain was only to pay a fine of £100. Accordingly, on Wednesday, the 5th of July, 1682, Thompson and Farwell stood in the pillory, in the Old Palace Yard, at Westminster, with this writing over their heads—

"For libelling the Justice of the Nation, by making the world believe that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey murdered himself."

The following is a copy of the information:—

Memorandum quod Robertus Sawyer miles, Attornatus domini Regis nunc Generalis, qui pro eodem domino Rege in hac parte sequitur, in propria persona sua venit hic in curiam dicti domini Regis, coram ipso Rege apud Westmonasterium, die Mercurii proximo post quindenam Paschæ isto eodem termino, et pro eodem domino Rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari, quod die Martis proximo post crastinum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis, termino Sancti Hillarii annis regni domini Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo et tricesimo primo, in curia dicti domini Regis coram ipso Rege apud Westmonasterium, eadem curia apud Westmonasterium in comitatu Middlesexiæ tunc tenta existente, per sacramentum duodecim juratorum proborum et legalium hominum comitatus Middlesexiæ prædictæ tunc et ibidem juratorum et oneratorum ad inquirendum pro dicto domino Rege et corpore comitatus prædicti, extitit præsentatum quod Robertus Greene nuper de parochia Sanctæ Mariæ le Strond in comitatu Middlesexiæ Laborer, [   ] Gerrald nuper de parochia prædicta in comitatu prædicto clericus, Henricus Berry nuper de parochia prædicta in comitatu prædicto Laborer, Laurencius Hill nuper de parochia prædicta in comitatu prædicto Laborer, Dominicus Kelly nuper de parochia prædicta in comitatu prædicto clericus, et Philbert Vernat nuper de parochia prædicta in comitatu prædicto Laborer, Deum præ oculis suis non habentes, sed instigatione diabolica moti et seducti, duodecimo die Octobris anno regni domini Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ Regis Fidei Defensoris &c. tricesimo, vi et armis &c. apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Strond prædictæ in comitatu Middlesexiæ prædictæ in et super quendam Edmundum Berry Godfrey militem, in pace Dei et dicti Domini Regis nunc adtunc et ibidem existentem, felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata, insultum fecerunt. Et quod prædictus Robertus Greene quoddam sudarium panni lini anglice a linen handkerchiffe, valoris sex denariorum, circa collum ipsius Edmundi Berry Godfrey adtunc et ibidem felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata, plicavit, et fixavit anglice did fold, and fasten. Et quod prædictus Robertus Greene cum prædicto sudario sic per ipsum Robertum Greene plicato et fixato circa collum ipsius prædicti Edmundi Berry adtunc ipsum prædictum Edmundum Berry Godfrey felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata, suffocavit et strangulavit anglice, choake and strangle, de quibusquidem suffocatione, et strangulatione ipsius Edmundi Berry Godfrey prædicti, per ipsum prædictum Robertum Greene in forma prædicta factis et perpetratis, ipse prædictus Edmundus Berry Godfrey adtunc et ibidem instanter obiit. Et quod prædicti [   ] Gerrald, Henricus Berry, Laurentius Hill, Dominicus Kelly, et Philbert Vernat, adtunc et ibidem felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata fuerunt præsentes, auxiliantes, abettantes, comfortantes, assistentes, et manutenentes præfatum Robertum Greene ad prædictum Edmundum Berry Godfrey in forma prædicta felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata, interficiendum et murdrandum. Et sic juratores prædicti adtunc dixerunt super sacramentum suum prædictum quod prædictus Robertus Greene, [   ] Gerrald, Henricus Berry, Laurencius Hill, Dominicus Kelly, et Philbert Vernat, modo et forma prædictis, præfatum Edmundum Berry Godfrey felonice, voluntarie, et ex malitia sua præcogitata, interfecerunt et murdraverunt, contra pacem dicti domini Regis nunc, coronam et dignitatem suas &c., per quod præceptum fuit vicecomiti comitatus prædicti quod non omitteret &c. quin caperet eos si &c., ad respondendum &c. Quodque postea, scilicet die Mercurii proximo post crastinum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis, termino Sancti Hillarii, anno regni domini Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo et tricesimo primo supradicto coram domino Rege apud Westmonasterium venerunt prædicti Robertus Greene, Henricus Berry, et Laurencius Hill sub custodia Willielmi Richardson generosi tunc custodis gaoli dicti domini Regis de Newgate virtute brevis dicti domini Regis de Habeas Corpus ad subjiciendum, recipiendum &c. in cujus custodia præantea ex causa predicta commissi fuerunt ad barram prædictæ curiæ dicti domini Regis tunc et ibidem ducti in propria persona sua, et adtunc et ibidem statim de præmissis prædictis eis superius impositis separatim allocuti qualiter se velint inde acquietari separatim, dixerunt quod ipsi in nullo fuerunt inde culpabiles et inde de bono et malo posuerunt se separatim super patriam. In quaquidem causa taliter processum fuit quod prædictus Robertus Greene, Henricus Berry, et Laurencius Hill postea scilicet die Lunæ proximo post octabas Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis termino Sancti Hillarii annis regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo et tricesimo primo supradictis, in prædicta curia dicti domini Regis coram ipso Rege apud Westmonasterium prædictum in comitatu Middlesexiæ prædictæ, pro felonia et murdro prædictis in indictamento prædicto specificatis et contentis per quandam juratam patriæ debito modo triati fuerunt et adtunc et ibidem legitimo modo pro felonia et murdro prædictis convicti et attincti fuerunt, prout per recordum inde in prædicta curia dicti domini Regis coram ipso Rege apud Westmonasterium in comitatu Middlesexiæ prædictæ remanens filatum plenius liquet et apparet. Qui quidem Robertus Greene, Henricus Berry, et Laurencius Hill postea debito modo executi fuerunt, et pænam mortis subierunt juxta formam et effectum judicii et attincturæ prædictorum. Cumque etiam quidam Milo Prance, super triationem prædictum fuit testis productus et juratus ex parte dicti domini Regis nunc adtunc et ibidem legitimo modo dedisset materialem evidenciam versus prædictos Robertum Greene, Henricum Berry, et Laurencium Hill ad probandum ipsos fore culpabiles de felonia et murdro prædictis in indictamento prædicto specificatis. Et quidam Willielmus Bedlowe, Johannes Browne, Elizabetha Curtis, Zacharias Skillarne, et Nicholaus Cambridge super triationem prædictum fuerunt testes similiter producti et jurati ex parte dicti domini Regis, et diversas materiales evidentias versus prædictos Robertum Greene, Henricum Berry, Laurencium Hill, ad probandum ipsos fore culpabiles de felonia et murdro prædictis in eodem indictamento mentionatis dederunt. Cumque etiam prædicti [   ] Gerrald, Robertus Greene, Laurencius Hill, Dominicus Kelly et Philbert Vernat tempore feloniæ et murdri prædictorum fuerunt Papistæ et manutentores Romanæ superstitionis. Et prædicti [   ] Gerrald, Dominicus Kelly, et Philbert Vernat fugam fecerunt et ad indictamentum prædictum adhuc non comparuerunt nec aliquis eorum comparuit. Cumque etiam super visum corporis prædicti Edmundi Berry Godfrey mortui jacentis quædam inquisitio debito modo capta fuit coram Johanne Cooper generoso tunc uno coronatorum dicti domini Regis comitatus Middlesexiæ prædictæ per sacramentum proborum et legalium hominum comitatus Middlesexiæ ultra numerum duodecim personarum per quamquidem inquisitionem compertum fuit quod quidam malefactores ignoti felonice et ex malitia sua præpensa ipsum Edmundum Berry Godfrey strangulaverunt et suffocaverunt de qua obiit. Et quod quidam Nathaniel Thompson nuper de parochia Sancti Dunstani in Occidente Londoniæ Typhographus, Willielmus Payne nuper de parochia prædicta infra civitatem Londoniæ generosus, et Johannes Farwell nuper de Westmonasterio in comitatu Middlesexiæ generosus præmissa prædicta satis scientes, et existentes personæ diabolice effecti ac machinantes practicantes et totis viribus suis intendentes pacem et communem tranquillitatem hujus regni Angliæ perturbare et quantum in ipsis fuit debitum legis cursum corrumpere, subvertere, et evadere, et justitiam hujus regni Angliæ in ea parte defamare et scandalizare et tam præfatos Milonem Prance, Willielmum Bedlowe, Johannem Browne, Elizabetham Curtis, Zachariam Skillarne, et Nicholaum Cambridge quam prædictos Johannem Cooper et probos et legales homines super inquisitionem prædictam super visum corporis prædicti juratos in maximum odium contemptum et vilipendium cum omnibus ligeis subditis dicti domini Regis nunc inducere et inferre ac ad deterrendum subditos dicti domini Regis a comparendo detigendo et probando machinationes Papistorum contra dominum Regem nunc et veram religionem per legem nunc stabilitatam et impie et nefarie machinantes et intendentes ipsos prædictos [   ] Gerrald, Dominicum Kelly et prædictum Philbertum Vernat a subeundo pænas et sententias per legem super ipsos infligendas pro murdro prædicto ac ad auxiliandum et assistandum ipsos quamvis inde culpabiles fore compertos minime culpabiles ac ad decipiendum et fallandum subditos dicti domini Regis de et in præmissis cum falsis affirmantiis et agreamentis suis et causare et procurare quod creditum foret et estimaretur quod prædicti Robertus Greene, Henricus Berry, et Laurencius Hill personæ, sic ut præfertur, pro felonia et murdro prædictis prædicti Edmundi Berry convicti et executi minus rite convicti et executi fuissent, quodque prædictus Edmundus Berry Godfrey fuit felo de se et seipsum felonice murdrasset, ipsi prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne, et Johannes Farwell ad nequissimas, nefandissimas, et diabolicas intentiones suas prædictas perimplendas et proficiendas postea scilicet vicesimo tertio die Februarii anno regni domini Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo quarto apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ vi et armis &c. falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice, fecerunt, composuerunt et imprimi causaverunt quendam falsum, scandalosum, et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, A Letter to Mr. Miles Prance, in relation to the murther of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, in quoquidem libello inter alia continetur prout sequitur. And hearing that the Coroner's Jury or Inquest were first of opinion, and accordingly declared, he was felo de se; and that there was much art and skill used to procure their verdict to the contrary; more particularly, the refusing of the body, (at their instance and request) to be opened. Ac in alio loco ejusdem libelli ulterius continetur prout sequitur. They say, that if a man, or any other creature be strangled, or hanged, and his body cold, and the blood settled in the veins (as he must needs be, if your evidence be true) (evidentiam prædicti Milonis Prance innuendo) run twenty swords through such a body, not one drop of blood will come out; but on the contrary, his body, when found, was full of blood, in so much that (over and above the cakes or great gobbets of congealed putrified blood found afterwards in his cloaths) the constable when he pulled the sword out of his body, it crashed against his back bone, and gobbets of blood and water gushed or gubbled out of that wound in abundance, not only in that very place where the sword was pulled out but in all his passage to the Whitehouse; especially there where his body was lifted over two high stumps; and also when he was laid upon the table, the blood and water so issued out of that wound, that it ran from off the table upon the floor, and from thence into the cellar. So that they do aver, that that wound that he received by that sword, must of necessity be the cause of his death. Ac in alia parte ejusdem libelli ulterius continetur prout sequitur, They observe, that Bedloe's, (before the Committee of Lords), and your evidence in relation to this gentleman's death, are as different as the East is from the West; for you dog him out of St. Clement's; the other decoys him from Charing Cross; you swear he was strangled with a handkerchief near the stables going to the water-side; Bedloe, that he was smothered with a pillow in a room in the great Court in Somerset-house. You say, he took horse at Soho; Bedlow says, he took Coach at Clarendon-house, with many more such like contradictions; and considering the old proverb, fore-warn'd, fore arm'd; a further and fuller account of the whole matter expect. Quodque prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne et Johannes Farwell ad nequissimas nefandissimas et diabolicas intentiones suas prædictas perimplendas et proficiendas postea scilicet tertio die Marcii anno regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto [word defaced] apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictæ vi et armis et falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice, fecerunt composuerunt et imprimi causaverunt quendam alium falsum scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, A Second Letter to Miles Prance, in reply to the Ghost of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, in quoquidem ultimo mencionato libello inter alia continetur prout sequitur. Next, whereas my letter saith, (and that truly) that the Coroner's Jury were first of opinion and accordingly declared he was felo de se; and that much art and skill was used to procure their verdict to the contrary. Ac in alio loco ejusdem ultimo mencionati libelli inter alia continetur prout sequitur. And it would be very material, if the Coroner would declare, what he received for that job, and of whom, and what evidence he had to induce the Jury to find (as the inquisition imports) that he was strangled with a linen cloth, a matter of fact never so much as spoken of, until you came in with your evidence, which was not in some weeks after. And I do again aver, that the body was required by the jurors to be opened, and was refused; and if the body was in their and the Coroner's power (as the Ghost insinuates) such power was concealed from and denied the Jury. Et in alio loco ejusdem ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia continetur prout sequitur, He is to understand that Mr. Brown, the two surgeons (prædictos Zachariam Skillarne, et Nicholam Cambridge innuendo) and Mrs. Curtis are not competent (nor can be material) witnesses in this case. Et in alio loco ejusdem ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia ulterius continetur prout sequitur, But Mr. Prance, it will be fully proved, that the body was full of blood, and that there were cakes or gobbets of dry blood found in his cloaths, which (with his body) stunk extremely. And it will be also fully and effectually proved that his eyes, nostrils, and corners of his mouth were fly-blown. Ac in alio loco ejusdem ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia continetur prout sequitur, And as to the seventh and last paragraph, which relates only to the difference betwixt yours and Mr. Bedlow's evidence, I must take notice, that what you and he swear are very contradictory. Et in alio loco ejusdem ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia ulterius continetur prout sequitur, But I cannot omit to take further notice of Mrs. Curtis's affidavit in relation to the drops of wax found upon the cloaths, in which I cannot say but she may swear true: but this I do aver, that if it be so, those drops were put upon the cloaths long after he was found, and after the jury had sat on the body; for there was no such thing then on the cloaths. And I suppose this was some artifice used by those, who, either out of interest or design, were desirous to confirm his being murthered at Somerset-House. Ac ulterius idem Attornatus dicti domini Regis nunc Generalis pro eodem domino Rege dat curiam hic intelligi et informari quod prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne, et Johannes Farwell in ulteriorem prosecutionem prædictæ falsæ nequissimæ et malitiosæ machinationis et intentionis suarum prædictarum postea scilicet septimo die Marcii anno regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto supradicto apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictam vi et armis &c. falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice composuerunt, fecerunt, et imprimi causaverunt quendam alium falsum scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, The Loyal Protestant, and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City and Country, in quoquidem ultimo mentionato libello continetur prout sequitur, That there is not in the said letter (prædictum falsum scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum A Letter to Mr. Miles Prance, in relation to the murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey præantea primo mencionatum innuendo) the least item or circumstance, but what will be by undeniable evidence made out to be the truth: So the said Mr. Prance, having not as yet vouchsafed an answer to that letter, he will speedily receive a further letter relating to that murther; wherein the further truth will not only be fully set forth, and other circumstances set out. Et ulterius idem Attornatus dicti domini Regis nunc Generalis pro eodem domino Rege dat curiam hic intelligi et informari quod prædictus Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne, et Johannes Farwell in ulteriorem prosecutionem prædictæ falsæ nequissimæ et malitiosæ machinationis et intentionis suarum prædictarum postea scilicet undecimo die Marcii anno regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto supradicto apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictam vi et armis, falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice composuerunt, fecerunt, et imprimi causaverunt quendam alium falsum scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, The Loyal Protestant and True Domestick Intelligence, or News both from City and Country, in quoquidem ultimo mentionato libello inter alia continetur prout sequitur, Whereas Dick Janeway in this Day's Mercury, promises an answer to the late Letter to Mr. Prance, &c. This is to give him and all the world notice, that such an answer is impatiently expected by the author of that letter, who questions not but to prove every tittle of that letter to the satisfaction of all mankind: And besides he is very desirous that the Courantier (according to his last Pacquet of Advice from Rome) would go on, and use his interest, to procure the Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen and Common Council of London, to inspect the Truth of that letter; whereby it will appear inevitably that there is not one Papist or popishly affected person concerned in that letter, or in the proof of the particulars thereof; but the same (with divers other material circumstances relating to the murther of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and the fraud and blind put upon the world in relation thereto) will be more fully, plainly and manifestly proved, without giving ill words, or scurrilous language, or reflections to any person that really are or supposed to be therein concerned in any circumstance whatsoever. Et ulterius idem Attornatus dicti domini Regis nunc Generalis pro eodem domino Rege dat curiam hic intelligi et informari quod prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne et Johannes Farwell in ulteriorem prosecutionem prædictæ falsæ nequissimæ et malitiosæ machinationis et intentionis suarum prædictarum postea scilicet primo die Aprilis anno regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto supradicto vi et armis &c. apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictam falso, illicite, injuste, nequiter, malitiose, scandalose, et diabolice fecerunt composuerunt, et imprimi causaverunt quendam alium falsum, scandalosum et defamatorium libellum intitulatum, The Loyal Protestant, and True Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City and Country, in quoquidem ultimo mentionato libello inter alia continetur prout sequitur, Last Wednesday, Nathaniel Thompson, (upon summons) appeared before the Lords of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council, about the letters to Mr. Miles Prance, concerning the death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey where he justified the matter, and produced the authors, who are ready to prove (by undeniable and substantial witnesses, not in the least accused, or suspected of Popery, as the malicious party do suggest) that every tittle and iota of those letters are true. Quodque in alia parte ejusdem ultimo mentionati libelli inter alia continetur prout sequitur, Mr. Thompson and the gentlemen his friends, are to attend the next Wednesday at Council where they do not doubt but that Honourable Board will put them into a method to prove the whole, or any particular which their Honours in their great wisdom shall think convenient to be brought to the test or examination. Et ulterius idem Attornatus dicti domini Regis nunc Generalis pro eodem domino Rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod prædicti Nathaniel Thompson, Willielmus Payne, et Johannes Farwell vicesimo tertio die Februarii anno regni dicti domini Regis nunc tricesimo quarto supradicto diversis aliis diebus et vicibus inter prædictum vicesimum tertium diem Februarii anno tricesimo quarto supradicto et diem exhibitionis hujus informationis apud parochiam Sanctæ Mariæ le Bow Londoniæ prædictam scienter, et quilibet eorum scienter prædictos separales libellos fore falsos malitiosos et scandalosos et seditiosos vi et armis &c. falso illicite injuste nequiter malitiose scandalose et diabolice prædictos falsos malitiosos scandalosos et seditiosos libellos utteraverunt, publicaverunt et quilibet eorum utteravit et publicavit, in contemptum legum hujus regni Angliæ manifestum, ac scandalum et defamationem publicæ justitiæ ejusdem, in malum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium, ac contra pacem dicti domini Regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.

266.

The Memoirs of James Lord Audley Earl of Castlehaven, his engagement and carriage in the Wars of Ireland, from the year 1642 to the year 1651. Written by himself. London. 1680.