https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=55&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1678&output=atom <![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> 2024-03-29T02:09:39+11:00 Omeka https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/966 <![CDATA[Treason justly punished: ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:43+11:00

Title

Treason justly punished:

Subtitle

or, A full relation of the condemnation and execution of Mr. William Staley who was found guilty of high treason, at the Kings-bench-barr at Westminster, on Thursday the 21st. of Nov. 1678. For speaking dangerous, and treasonable words against his most Sacred Majesty the King. For which he was sentenced to be drawn, hang'd, and quartered. And was accordingly executed upon Tuesday the 26th. of this instant Nov. 1678. at Tyburn. Tune of, The rich merchant-man &c. VVith allowance.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Houghton Library, Harvard University, Shelfmark EBB65; EBBA 35048

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Transcription

O Stay, and lend an Ear,
you Loyal Subjects all,
And by this Story you shall hear,
behold a Traytors fall:
Who was by due desert,
found guilty of a crime;
The like where of hath not been known,
in any Age or Time.

This William Staley, he
by Trade a Gold-smith was,
And near to Coven-Garden liv'd,
as now it came to pass:
Who being void of grace,
and blinded with false zeal,
Of late spoke Treason at a place,
which he could not conceal.

A Papist he was bred,
one of the Popish Crew,
And was by Jesuits Mifled,
which he too late did rue:
Such Principles he learnt,
beyond the Ocean Main,
As brought him to a shameful End,
with Torture and with Pain.

Great Malice in his mind,
this wicked wretch did bear,
And likewise was to blood inclin'd,
as doth too plain appear:
Where I shall now relate,
how he to Tryal came:
Where thousands flocked to the place
to hear and see the same.

UNto the Kings-Bench-Bar,
the Prisoner was brought in,
Where he Indicted was, for words
of Treason, 'gainst our King:
Which was by Evidence
of witnesses, made clear,
By Gentlemen of worth and note,
who did the Treason hear.

O wicked Bloody wretch,
to think of such a thing,
He said himself, with his own hands,
would kill our Soveraign King:
To which he for himself
could answer very small,
Which did unto the purpose tend,
in presence of them all.

A learned Jury there
impannel'd was that time,
Who quickly did consider of
the Traytors hamous crime:
Which did appear so plain,
that in a little space,
They quickly gave their verdict in,
not moving from the place.

Where he was Guilty found
of Treason, which he spoke,
with Malice and with bloody thoughts
when none did him provoke:
The judge then Sentence gave,
that he should for the same
Be Hang'd, and drawn, and quartered
being so much to blame.

Then was he carried back
in Prison to remain,
Until the doleful, dismal day
of Execution came:
Where he had time and space,
his faults for to bewail,
Unless he was so void of grace,
no comfort could prevail.

And now the fatal day
being come, which was so nigh,
Great store of People flocked there
to see the Prisoner dye:
Who was brought to the place,
to undergo his Doom,
Which was a great and vile disgrace
to all the sons of Rome.

His Quarters are to be
disposed on each Gate,
That every one who see the same,
may all such Treason hate:
And that the Popish crew
may see what they deserve,
For seeking to destroy a King,
whom God will long preserve.

For all such Bloody men
shall have a fall, no doubt,
And all their Treasons and their Plots
in time shall be brought out:
That they and all their Friends,
their just desert may have,
For striving to be high and great,
and others to enslave.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

[London] : Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and I. Clarke, [1674-1679]
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/928 <![CDATA[Treason Rewarded at TIBURN: ]]> 2020-01-08T15:13:59+11:00

Title

Treason Rewarded at TIBURN:

Subtitle

Or, The TRAITORS Downfal.
Being a full Account of the Conviction, and Condemnation of Ireland, Pickering, and Grove; Who were Tryed at the Sessions-House in the Old-Baily, upon the 17th. of December, 1678. And found Guilty of Contriveing the Death of our Soveraign Lord the King, and for Subverting the Protestant Religion, and the Government of the Three Nations; for which they received Sentence to be Drawn, Hang'd, and Quartered: And Two of them, viz. Ireland and Grove, were accordingly Executed at Tiburn the 24th. of January following; As a warning for all Trai|tors, to take Example by their fall. To the Tune of, Digby's Farewel.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, Wood E 25(99)

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Transcription

LEt all Loyal Subjects look well to their Hits,
For Popish Contrivers are out of their Wits;
They seek to destroy our Religion and King,
And all the three Nations to ruine to bring:
But God in his mercy, doth cross their Designs,
And all their Conspiracies still Countermines.

Then Plotters who Act for old Nick and the Pope,
You see at the last you may swing in a rope.

Here's Ireland, Pickering, and Grove to make three,
Who have been all Brothers in iniquity;
Are now come to answer for all their foul Crimes,
Which they have been plotting this juncture of times.
Their hidden designs they are all come to light,
And now to the World they must bid a Good-night.

Then Plotters who Act for old Nick and the Pope,
You see at the last you may swing in a rope.

This present December, the seventeenth day,
These three grand contrivers were brought all away;
Vnto the Old-Baily, where Iustice remain'd.
[...]
Such Evidence plainly against them appear'd,
As made them despair of all hopes to be clear'd.

Then Plotters who Act for old Nick and the Pope,
You see at the last you may swing in a rope.

'Twas prov'd they conspired to Murder our King,
And Popery into the Land for to bring;
To alter the Laws, and to make themselves great,
And to our Religion, to give the Defeat:
All this was attested by Evidence clear,
Which unto the Iury most plain did appear;

Then Plotters who Act for old Nick and the Pope,
You see at the last you may swing in a rope.

For which horrid Crimes they were guilty brought in,
And then to give Sentence the Iudge did begin,
that they should return to the place whence they came,
A place of great Note, which is Newgate by name;
From thence unto Tiburn be drawn on a Sled;
First hang'd, & then Quartered before they were dead:

Then Plotters who Act for old Nick and the Pope,
[...]

The second Part,
To the same Tune.

This Sentence of Horror upon them did fall,
Who would have brought ruine and woe to us all,
And now to prepare for their end they retire,
Who were so inclined to Blood and to Fire:
Some more of their Gang are put off for a time,
Who likewise concerned are, in the same Crime:

Then Plotter who Act for old Nick and the Pope,
You see at the last you may swing in a rope.

But now came the Day for to finish their Doom,
Where with a strong Guard they to Tiburn did come;
With hearts full of sorrow, though laden with guilt,
For that the foundation was fallen which they built:
As for their Confessions but little they said,
Their Crimes to their consciences closely were laid:

Then Plotters who Act for old Nick and the Pope
You see at the last you may swing in a rope.

Not all the Popes Masses these Traytors could save,
Nor Irelands Bull, that could Iustice out-brave;
Nor Grove, his Evasions avail'd not a whit,
For now unto Fate they are forc'd to submit:
They that did expect to see other men fall,
Are now by their King-leaders brought into thrall;

Then plotters who Act for old Nick and the Pope
You see at the last you may swing in a rope.

And thus our grand Foes, that for mischief do watch,
will all by degrees, come shake hands with Jack Ketch
Have patience, and time will bring all unto light,
That they are contriving, though dark as the night:
They strive but in vain against God that's on high,
Beholding their Plots with an All-seeing eye:

Then plotters who Act for old Nick and the Pope
You see at the last you may swing in a rope.

Then let all Romes Agents despair for to see,
Our Nation submit unto their Tyranny;
Their Priests and their Iesuits may pack away,
For here they will find it too hot for to stay:
God bless our good King, and his Counsel preserve,
That from true Religion they never may serve,

And let those who Act for old Nick and the pope,
At last come to Tiburn and swing in a rope.

FINIS.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London, printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and J. Clarke

Tune Data

Packington's Pound is often cited as Digby's Farewell,Packingtons Pound or Amintas' Farewell. The tune first appeared in 1671 and was popular for execution ballads (Simpson 1966, pp. 181-187, 564-570).
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/920 <![CDATA[The plotter executed: ]]> 2021-02-23T16:28:15+11:00

Title

The plotter executed:

Subtitle

or, The examination, tryal, condemnation, and execution, of Edward Coleman Esquire. Who was convicted of high treason, the 27th. day of November, at the King-Bench-Barr at VVest-minster, for plotting against the life of his most sacred Majesty, and for endeavouring to subvert the government, and the true Protestant religion establisht: he received sentence the 28th. day of November 1678. to be drawne hang'd, and quartered, and was executed at Tyburn the 3d. Of December: with his last speech and confession, made by him at the place of execution. To the tune of, Captain Digby, or, Packington's pound.

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.32; EBBA 30386

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Transcription

Death being forc'd to come before his hour,
Brings with him TIME, by his strong Might and Power,
To warn all Papists, ne'r more to conspire,
For if they do, Iack Katch will pay their Hire;
When as he Catcheth them by'th Neck with Rope,
He needs no Butter, as they say, nor Sope.

Forbear your vile Ploting, all yo that design
To escape Gods Vengeance, Repent you in time,
Remember! that Princes his Vicegerents are,
Inroaled in Heaven, the chief of his care:
No Whisper in secret, but what are reveal'd,
From God there is nothing that can be conceal'd:
In vain are your Plots, when his Mercy says nay,
'tis yourselves you Insnare, you your selves are the prey.

'Tis of Coleman I sing, who once was of fame,
And good reputation, but now to his shame,
Foul Treason has sullied his Nobler parts,
And brought him to ruine, tho' just his deserts:
Twas Popish Infection to Ruine the State,
That wrought his Confusion, and hastned his Fate:
Such Desperate mallice his Prince to Betray,
But in vain are mens plotings, if heaven Gain-say

Her Highnesses Servant he lived some Years,
Till Romes Tripple Tyrant had Buzd in his Ear,
To Ruine a Kingdom, or Murder his King,
For which hed be Sainted: no sooner, this Sting
Had Poysond his Loyalty, but he begins
To start from Allegiance, and scruples no sins:
But let all beware how their King they Betray,
For Vengeance on Traytors redoubld will pay


The second Part, to the same Tune:

BY Letters from Rome, from France, and from Spain,
He suckd in the Treason, and vents it again;
To give them Intelligence how Affairs stood,
And when he Expected to Write to um In Blood:
Thus Bent on Distruction, ner Questiond to ave spead,
But Heaven Fore-shewd what hung over our Heads:
In mercy preserved us, therefore we may say,
In vain is their mallice, if he but say nay.

By Secular Powr, in the Midst of His Pride,
Hes taken, and safely to Newgate conveyd,
From whence to his Tryal in Westminster-hall,
That Great Seat of Justice, who when they did call,
Most Proudly Replyd, but his Jury brought In,
He GUILTY OF TREASON CONSPIRED had been:
Subversion and Murder intended, but stay,
In vain you Conspire, if Jehovah gain-say.

But time being spent, they the Sentance Deferr,
And He the Next morning was brought to the Barr,
Where the Judge did declare the Gracious Intent
Of a King made of Mercy, if he would Recant,
And make true Confession, a Pardon they tender,
Signed and Sealed by our Faiths Defender:
What monstrous Villain on mercy coud prey,
Or think to destroy it, when heaven said nay?

O wondrous goodness! sure Rome must confess
Her Elfs find more favour then she woud grant us:
But this grace made no impress ins obstinate breast,
He scornd at pure mercy, and tearmd it a jest:
But then the dread sentence pronouncd he should go
To the place whence he came, & from thence in full show
To all the Spectators, be Drawn on his way,
(A reward fit for Villains that Kingdoms betray.)

To the place of Destruction tencounter grim death,
And there by a Cord to resign half his breath:
His Bowels ripd out, in the flames to be cast,
His Members disseverd on Poles to be placd:
A sight full of horror, but yet its most just
That they shoud first bleed, that after blood thirst:
You merciless Jesuites who precepts convey,
To Kill, Burn and Ravish, beware the great day.

Short time after sentence strong guarded he came,
To receive the reward of his Treason and shame:
Where black guilt in his face no question did stare,
But with strong resolution he stiffled his fear:
But his conscience awakend, remorse did prevail,
And then to this purpose his sins did bewail:
Good people take warning, and do not delay,
When mercy is offerd, nor cast it away.

I might have had pardon, but now tis too late,
For then I was obstinate, scorning my fate:
But death nows too dreadful, my crimes to augment,
Whereof ive been guilty, of which I repent,
Intreating my Saviour in mercy to save,
And of those that ive wrongd, forgiveness I crave:
And for my good King I most heartily pray,
That God woud protect him the nations obey.

And let all Conspirers who seek to dethrone
A King from his right, and make Nations to groan:
With cruel destruction take warning by me,
And not seek their own ruines when they may live free,
Nor let the proud Prelate of Rome nor his Train,
Tlose Engines of mischief, whose Warrants are vain:
The fire-brands of hell, who draw Subjects away,
To plot against Princes when heaven says nay.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London, Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden Ball, near the Hospital-gate, in West-smith-field

Tune Data

Packington's Pound is often cited as Digby's Farewell,Packingtons Pound or Amintas' Farewell. The tune first appeared in 1671 and was popular for execution ballads (Simpson 1966, pp. 181-187, 564-570).

Notes

Wikipedia:  Edward Colman or Coleman (17 May 1636-1678) was an English Catholic courtier under Charles II of England. He was hanged, drawn and quartered on a treason charge, having been implicated by Titus Oates in his false accusations concerning a Popish Plot. He is a Catholic martyr, beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929.

There was no proof of connivance with a plot for assassination or rebellion except the testimony of Oates and Bedloe. The jury found Coleman guilty. Scroggs replied to his solemn declarations of innocence,'Mr. Coleman, your own papers are enough to condemn you.' Next morning sentence of death and confiscation of property was pronounced, and on Tuesday, 3 December, he was executed, avowing his faith and declaring his innocence.
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/902 <![CDATA[The Clippers execution, ]]> 2021-06-17T11:08:38+10:00

Title

The Clippers execution,

Subtitle

or, Treason justly rewarded manifested in the fearful example of two Women who were Notorious offenders, and tryed at the Old-Bayly the 13th of this present April, 1678. for clipping and defacing his Majesties Coyn, where they were found Guilty of High Treason, and received Sentence to be Drawn on a Hurdle to the place of Execution, and there their Bodies to be Burnt. One of them being accordingly Executed in Smithfield upon the 17th of the said Moneth; as a warning for all others to avoid the like Dreadful Punishment. To the tune of, In summer time.

Synopsis

'Coin-clipping' was a kind of forgery: the practice of taking small chunks of gold coins in order to melt them down and make new coins. It was considered treasonous, and so these women were burned for it.

Digital Object


Image notice

Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

Image: Bodleian Library, Wing / C4716. Recorded in EEBO (institutional login required). Audio recording by Hannah Sullivan.

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In summer time

Transcription

Lament, lament, good Christians all,
who now draw near unto this place,
To see a wretched Sinners fall,
who here doth die in great disgrace:
Although the Laws are ne'r so strict,
some daily do the same transgress,
And warnings all they do neglect;
they'r rooted so in wickedness.

As by this sad example here,
it is confirm's to every one,
Now that the Devil lays his baits,
to bring us to destruction:
For every one he hath a snare,
to please, and satisfie their mind,
And for their ruine doth prepare,
according as they are inclin'd.

This woman being Covetous,
for to grow rich it was her aim,
She did not value by what means,
which did procure her lasting shame:
Some of them did a practice make,
our Soveraigns Coyn for to deface,
Not thinking at the last to come,
To end their lives in foul disgrace.

But though they for a time did Raign,
and prosper in their wickedness,
They now are brought to open shame,
their heinious crimes for to confess:
This wretched woman being one,
who having not the Fear of God,
Now for her Crime is hither come,
to feel his dreadful heavy Rod.

Her Clipping and her Fileing Trade
in private she long time did use,
Hoping she should not be betraid,
the King and Country did abuse:
A little Girl she us'd to send
unto the Shops her Coyn to change,
And so convei'd it to her friend,
who put it off in manner strange.

At length the same suspected was,
by one that liv'd neer Temple-Barr,
who watcht the Girl when home she went
she being not of him aware:
With Officers the House they searcht,
and there one woman they did find,
With Clippings in a Handbaskit,
which did appear of the same kind.

In breaking ope another door,
they likewise plainly did perceive,
Clippings and Fileings on the floor
which carelesly they chanc't to leave;
A File, and Shears, likewise there was,
and Melting-pot, which they did use,
And all things for their purpose fit,
the blinded world for to abuse.

For which to Prison they were sent,
until their Tryal for to lye,
And time they had for to repent,
to make their peace before they dye:
Two of them Sentence did receive,
upon a Hurdle drawn to be,
And Burnt to Ashes in the Flames,
where people all the same might see.

This wretched woman being one
which here is brought unto your view,
To pay for her transgression,
because she proved so untrue:
A Spectacle of misery,
she doth appear in this same place,
Being bound the Law to satisfie,
and end her life in great disgrace.

All you good Christians who are here,
and see her sad and woful fall,
Pray that with patience she may beat,
and unto Christ for mercy call:
Who knows but that the Lord on high,
In mercy may her her soul receive,
And free her from all misery,
if firmly she in him believe.

Let her Example warn you all,
to have the Lord still in your mind;
Least to such crimes you hap to fall,
and unto Sin you be inclin'd:
Beware of filthy averice,
and strive your lives for to amend,
Do not presume to follow vice,
least you come to untimely end.

A dreadful thing it is you see,
her body in the flames to burn,
But worse when soul, and body both,
into eternal Flames shall turn.
Therefore once more I say beware,
and strive Gods mercy to imbrace,
And let it be your onely care;
to find a Heavenly resting place.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

clipping gold coins

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Smithfield

Printing Location

London[?] : Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright and J. Clarke

Tune Data

Recording is another song in that tune
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