<![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=63&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Multiple&output=rss2 Sat, 30 Mar 2024 01:42:58 +1100 una.mcilvenna@unimelb.edu.au (Execution Ballads) Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[Een nieu Liedeken, van de wreede Justitie des Keysers binnen Praghe,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1292

Title

Een nieu Liedeken, van de wreede Justitie des Keysers binnen Praghe,

Subtitle

als mede vande Heerlicke Victoryen die den Grave van Mandtsveldt, den Graven van Jagers Dorp, den Grave van Theuren tegen de Keyser ende den Hartogh van Beieren, gekregen hebben

Synopsis

Dutch song about the Old Town Square execution in Prague on 21 June 1621, of Czech rebels involved in the Bohemian Revolt, who sought to overthrow Spanish Habsburg imperial domination.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Geuzenliedboek, (NiGeuLb(3)1645), song #23 - Den Haag KB: 5 D 32:3. Full text available from ProQuest (insitutional login required). Nederlandse Liederenbank entry.

Set to tune of...

Alsoo 't beghint

Method of Punishment

multiple

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Old Town Square, Prague
1292 84.pdf
1292 85.pdf
1292 86.pdf
1292 87.pdf
1292 88.pdf
1292 89.pdf
]]>
Tue, 02 Feb 2021 12:52:39 +1100
<![CDATA[Ein ander Marter-Lied, von vier Personen zu Mastricht An. 1570 getödt.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1290

Title

Ein ander Marter-Lied, von vier Personen zu Mastricht An. 1570 getödt.

Subtitle

Im Thon, Entlaubet ist der Walde. Oder, All die ihr jetzund.

Synopsis

Neeltgen, an Anabaptist martyr, a woman of 75 years, was burned at the stake on 24 January 1570 at Maastricht, Dutch province of Limburg, together with her daughter Trijntgen. They had been arrested on 24 November 1569, and were severely tortured. Neeltgen and Trijntgen belonged to the small Mennonite congregation of Maastricht, of which Arent van Essen and his wife Ursel (Ursula) had suffered martyrdom on 10 January 1570. When Ursel was led to the execution place, Neeltgen had loudly called from the window of the prison, so that all the people gathered to observe the execution could hear: "Dear sister, contend manfully, for the crown of life is prepared for you." Neeltgen herself also died steadfast (Zijpp 1957).

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Pamphlet images in the public domain, sourced from hymnany.org - 28. Nun hoert ihr freund ehrsamen

Set to tune of...

Entlaubet ist der Walde.
or
All die ihr jetzund.

Transcription

1.
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen,
Wie daß das Häufflein klein
Bezeuget Gottes Namen,
Die rechte Wahrheit rein,
Es steht also geschrieben
In Gott’s Wort überall,
All die Gottselig leben,
Man ihn verfolgen soll.

2.
Ein jeder mag zuhören,
Der offene Ohren hat,
Wie vier Freund auserkohren
Zu Mastricht in der Stadt
Bezeugt mit ihrem Blute
Ihren Glauben so fein,
Fromm waren sie von Muthe,
Deß werd ihr hören schein.

3.
Als man, wie ich besinn mich,
Schrieb neun und sechtzig Jahr,
Novembris vier und zwantzig,
Um die zwölff Uhren klar,
Des Nachts ist umgegangen
Der Burgermeister stoltz,
Und wütende gefangen
Ein Bruder hieß Arnold.

4.
Den thät er mit sich leyten
Aufs Rathhaus in der Nacht,
Gleich ein Stund thät er beten,
Da ging er fort mit Macht
Um zwey Fraülein zu holen,
Die er erstmahls ließ frey
Fing darnach drey zu malen,
Da war einkommen bey.

5.
Biß Morgens sie da waren
Alle zusammen froh,
Sie fürchten kein Beschären
Trösten einander so,
All mit dem Wort des Herren;
Darauf sie hatten baut,
Gottes Lob zu vermehren
Stund ihr Begier betraut.

6.
Vor den Herren gemeine
Jede den Glaub bekandt,
Die rechte Wahrheit reine,
Und sprachen mit Verstand,
Wie viel ihm war gegeben
Nach Gottes G’lubde gut,
Durch seinen Geist erheben,
Darnach man sprechen thut.

7.
Schnell ohne langs beyten
Anseht ihr böß Vorspiel,
Sie thäten Urseln leyten
Aufs Dinghaus mit Unwill
Darum daß sie nicht wolte
Verwilligen das Böß,
Dräuten sie ihr ohn Schulde
Die Pein und Marter groß

8.
Sanfftmüthiglich von Sinnen
Thät sies ertragen all,
Das ewig Gut zu g’winnen
Begehrt sie in dem Fall.
Ihr Mann Arnd deßgleichen
Geführt wird auf die Pfort,
Daß man ihn thät abweichen,
Braucht man viel Schmeichel Wort.

9.
Sein Frau war alt von Jahren
Wohl fünff und siebentzig.
Darzu in dem Beschwären
Noch frisch und lebendig,
In ihrem Glauben kräftig,
Der in ihr hat gewerckt,
Lob sey dir Gott Allmächtig,
Daß du sie so gestärckt.

10.
Leiden sah man sie beyde,
Sie und ihr liebes Kind,
Gar freulich zu bereitet
Tratens dahin geschwind.
Da hat Ermgen gesungen
Gehend über die Straß,
Durch Freud darzu gedrungen,
Die sie bewieß mit Maß.

11.
Nach dem Dinghaus sie mußten
Beyde zusammen gahn.
Ihrn Glaube zu verwüsten
Hielten die Herren an,
Mit Mönchen und mit Pfaffen,
Auch Hochgelehrten staht,
Gott hat behüt sein Schafe,
Wohl für den Wölfen fred.

12.
Erstmahls sie da begunnen
Mit Arndt dem lieben Mann,
Der noch hat überwunden,
Dennoch sagt man davon,
Daß er gepeinigt worden
Sechs oder sieben mal.
Um sein Seel zu ermordten
Thät man solchs principal.

13.
Ursel seine Hausfraue,
Mußt zweymal auf die Banck,
In der Pein doch getreue
Blieb sie ihr Lebenlang,
Diß g’schach in zweyen Tagen,
Merck wohl auf diß Geschicht
Es wär schwerlich zu tragen,
Der Herr machts aber leicht.

14.
Lob sey dem Herren geben
Davon zu aller Zeit,
Es ist doch nicht geblieben
Bey dieser Pein und Speit,
Dann in kurtzem Termiene
Hat sie noch eins geschmeckt,
Von diesem sauren Weine,
Den süssen, Gott ihr reckt.

15.
Knüpffen sah man ihr Hände
Zusammen binden fest,
Dahinten an dem Ende
Der Hencher hielt das letzt,
Und hat sie von danieden,
Der Erden aufgelößt,
Ihr das Hembd aufgeschnitten,
Und ihren Rück entblößt

16.
Und geisselt sie unmäßig,
Ist das nit grosse Klag?
Mit Ruthen überflüßig,
Zweymal auf einen Tag.
Man sagt von diesem Speite,
Der diesen Rath so gab,
Das war ein Jesuite,
Der sie wolt führen ab.

17.
Neelgen nun alt in Süchte,
Zur Pein ward hingeleyt,
Das mußt seyn ihr gerichte.
Da sie nun hört Bescheyd
Auf die Bank ist gelegen,
Ist ihn doch nichts geschiet.
Man thät frey zu ihr sagen,
Diß ist ihr erste nit.

18.
Treingen itzt liebe Tochter
Und Schwester in dem Herrn,
Wird auch durch den Versucher
Gepeint gar hart und schwer,
Da wird sie abgenommen,
Und auf ein Bett gethan,
So bald sie zu sich kommen,
Mußt sie noch eins daran.

19.
Sie ward gepeinigt schwörlich,
Voraus auf dieser Bahn
Da rieff sie offenbarlich,
O Herr wollst mir beystahn,
Und meinen Mund bewahren.
Ihr Gebet ward erhört,
Ihr Brüder zu befahren,
Tragen sie wenig Wort.

20.
Ich lob (sprach sie) den Herren,
Da sie nun war gepeint,
Ihr Mutter war nicht ferren
Verborgen, wie es scheint.
Als sie ihr Tochter hörte,
Sprach sie, Ist das mein Kind?
Ja Mutter, sie antworte,
Und küßten sich geschwind.

21.
Im siebenzigsten Jahre,
Gleich auf den neunten Tag,
Wird Urseln offenbahre,
Und Arndten da er lag,
Daß man sie solt verbrennen
Jedes an einem Stock,
Als sie das hond verstanden,
Sind sie doch nicht verschrock.

22.
Sie waren nur voll Freude
Denselben Tag und Nacht
Mit Gottes Lob all beyde
Hond sie den Tag verwacht
Hertzlich thät sie verlangen,
Biß komm der Lösungs Tag,
Zu gehn in Christi Gangen,
Wie man des Morgens sach.

23.
Kommen ist da ein Botte
Zu Urseln mit Befehl,
Derselb hat ihr das Gute-
Sprechen verbotten schnell,
Von seiner Herren wegen,
Die da waren present,
Ihr müßt keins Ruffens pflegen,
Sprach er, im gehn zum End.

24.
Kentlich und offenbahre
Sprach Ursel zu der Stund,
Vor den Herren all gare:
Mag ich aus Hertzen Grund
Nicht ein klein Liedlein singen,
Reden von Gottes Wort?
Und da sies wolt vollbringen,
Haben sies dran verstört.

25.
Und sprachen, Wir nun rouchen,
Was sie hat in dem Sinn:
Drum Hencker wollst gebrauchen
Dein Instrument an ihn’n,
Wie dir danns ist befohlen.
Da stopfft er ihn’n den Mund
Mit eim Holtz unverholen,
Ein Tuch er drüber bund.

26.
Als man sie nun solt leiten
Vom Dinghaus, ‘s Wolck zulieff,
Treingen mußt droben beyten,
Durchs Fenster aber rieff
Vom Dinghaus das ist kennlich,
Und hat zur Urseln geschreyt,
Lieb Schwester streit doch männlich,
Die Kron ist dir bereit.

27.
Da ist Ursel gekommen
Nach dem Freythoff gegahn,
Die Sprach war ihr benommen,
Des Weynet mancher Mann
Thäten darüber klagen.
Ursel stieg auf mit Sputh,
Ins Häußlein ohn Verzagen,
Wie Schlacht-Schäflein gut.

28.
Den Mund sie ihr verbunden,
Wie der Frauen geschach.
Kein Böß sie an ihr funden,
Deßgleichen man nich sach,
Dieb, Mörder läßt man sprechen
Was ihnen nöthig ist
Aber den Gottes Knechten
Wehrt mans zu aller Frist.

29.
O Gott da mußt geschehen
Das Brandopffer bequem,
Welchs nach Pauli gebieten
Vor Gott ist angenehm.
In denselbigen Tagen
Ward ihr Mann auch verbrendt,
Sah fröhlich ohn Verzagen,
In seinem letzten End.

30.
Auf den Plan stieg er fröhlich,
Da er sein G’bet erst thät,
Als das geschehen endlich,
Stund er auf von der Statt,
Und ging zum Häußlein innen,
Sein Kleider abgelegt,
Der Stadtvogt Böß von Sinnen
Zum Hencker hat gesagt,

31.
Fahr fort mit deim Betreiben,
Da ward das Feur gestocht,
Wie Moses thut beschreiben,
Das Opffer wird gekocht.
Zum Rauchwerck unsers Herren
Ward er verordnet fein,
Die Kron der ewigen Ehren
Wird nun sein eigen fein.

32.
Ein fröhlich Botschaft werthe
Kriegten die andern zwo
Eringen die sehr begehrte,
Deß war auch Triengen froh,
Daß sie auch musten sterben,
Und gehn denselben Gang,
Um die Kron zu erwerben,
Ward ihn’n die Zeit zu lang.

33.
Ruh suchten sie dort oben,
Bey ihrem Vater fein,
Der sie nun ließ beproben,
Als liebe Kindern sein,
Nicht über ihr Vermögen,
Welchs ist erschienen klar,
Er thät ihn’n Hülff zufügen,
In ihrem Leiden schwar.

34.
Wunderlich sie verbleyten,
Waren froh all die Nacht,
All Trübsal stund zue Seiten
Haben den Tag verwacht.
Da hat maus auch thun binden,
Mit Holtz den Mund verstopft,
Und diese zwo Gefründen
Auch mit eim Tuch verknüpft.

35.
Nach dem Freythoff sie gingen
Mit einem guten Muth,
Da man sie solt umbringen,
Treingen arbeit mit Sputh
Fleißig mit ihren Händen
An dem das knüpffet war
Daß sie auflößt die Bänden,
Und redet offenbahr.

36.
Und weil sie nun dermassen,
So sprechen solt und rieff,
Wolt mans ihr nicht zulassen,
Darum der Hencker lieff,
Daß er ihr solchs verletzet,
Sein Hand auf ihren Mund
Mit allem Fleiß er setzet,
Wieß sie ins Häußlein rund

37.
Nun sind sie abgescheyden
In Frieden alle gar.
Ein wenig sie nur beyten,
Wohl unter dem Altar.
Sie werden nun mit zarten
Kleideren seyn bekleidt,
Und noch ein wenig warten.
Die Kron ist ihnen bereit.

38.
Liebe treibt uns ihr Herren,
Das nehmt uns nicht vor Quat,
Wie wir euch heut erklären
Diese schändliche That,
Ein recht Gricht solt ihr halten
Das lehret euch Gottes Wort,
Welches ihr nicht solt verhalten
Dem der es gerne hört.

39.
O weh dem Potentaten!
O weh der grossen Rott!
Weh denen die da rathen
Zu dieser Missethat,
Und sich doch Christen rühmen,
O weh der grossen Schand!
Euch soll nicht Wunder nehmen,
Warum Straff kommt ins Land.

40.
Werd ihr die Ding nicht büssen,
So werd ihr allesamt
In kurtzem sterben müssen,
Das merck O Niederland!
Ihr Fürsten und ihr Herren.
Reich, Arm, Frau oder Mann,
Was ihr nicht habet gerne,
Solt ihr keim andern thun.
AMEN.

Crime(s)

heresy

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Maastricht, the Netherlands

Printing Location

Ausbund, das ist Etliche Schöne Christliche Lieder wie sie in dem Gefängnüss zu Bassau in dem Schloß von den Schweitzer-Brüdern, und von anderen rechtgläubigen Christen hin und her gedichtet worden...

Notes

Zijpp, Nanne van der. (1957). Neeltgen (d. 1570). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online.
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 1.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 2.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 3.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 4.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 5.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 6.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 7.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 8.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 9.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 10.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 11.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 12.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 13.png
Nun hört ihr Freund ehrsamen 14.png
]]>
Mon, 09 Mar 2020 14:48:51 +1100
<![CDATA[End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1285

Title

End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners

Subtitle

Oder So genannten Spändl-Hießl : Dann seiner zweyen unglückseeligen Cammeraden Gregori Vircker, Und Johannes Millner

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Pamphlet: Deutsches Volksliedarchiv Freiburg i.Br. (Bl 7596). VD Lied digital.


Set to tune of...

Entsetzlich bitterer Schmerz / etc.

Transcription

Das Erste:

1. Nicht wundere dich O Welt! das man den Spändl-Hießl heut dir vor d’Augen stellt / gebunden und bestrickt / wird er zum Todt geschickt / es kommt der wohl verdiente Lohn vor seine Missethat / nicht spat.

2. O Zeitung voller Noth! so soll [?]ann gestorben seyn / O all zusaurer [?]odt! ich kenne deinen Grimm / ich [?]ttere vor der Stimm / die schon in meinem Ohren schallt / und spricht da[?] strenge Wort : fort! fort.

3. Fort Leuthner / sey bereit / zu leyden jenen strengen Streich / den die Gerechtigkeit / hat deinen halß bestellt / das Urtheil ist gefallt / und also [?] ache dich gefast / auf dise ferne Reiß / mit Fleiß.

4. Gar wohl ich habs verdient / weil ich so voller Laster mich / gantz unverschambt erkühnt / kein Sünd war mir zu groß / O schwärer Herzens-Stoß! nun aber fihlt das hange Hertz ein unverfälschte Reu / darbey.

5. In Ehe hab ich gelebt / und doch O Boßheit! stäts darbey nach frembder Lust gestrebt / nach disen fragt ich nicht / zu brechen Treu und Pflicht / war mir ein gantz geringe Sach / nun da ich bald vergeh / thuts weh.

6. Ich machte falsche Brieff / mein Feur-Drohen hats gemacht / daß niemand sicher schlieff / war ich ins Kerckers-Schooß / macht ich mich wider loß / nun aber werd ich von dem Todt / und seiner Tyraney / nicht frey.

7. Gesellschafft böser Leuth / war meiner Seelen aufenthalt / und mein Ergößlichkeit / mit denen ich verricht / was mire den Halß zerbricht / O Jugend frau / doch sihe zu / auf wem du hast gebaut / und traut.

8. Die Kirchen-Rauberey / den Diebstahl an geweyhten Orth / trib ich ohn allen Scheuh / Gott ließ also geschehen / und mich zur Straffe gehn / nun aber kombt die Zahlung-Zeit / sie druckt mich allzusehr / und schwär.

9. Ich hab nicht dran gedacht / da ich auß Raub und Dieberey / ein Hand-[?] hab gemacht / daß es ein Fäller [?] em Nächsten also frey / zu neh-[?] was er offtermahls erworben also heiß / mit Schweiß.

10. Der Laster seynd so vil daß ich sie jetzt an meinem End / nicht alle melden will / ach wär ich auch vergwist / daß der mir gnädig ist / vor dessen strengen Richter-Stuhl / erzittern wird mein Hertz / O Schmertz.

11. Nun schlägt die Todtesstund / ach daß ich mich doch in die Erd / anjetzt verkrichen kunt / so därfft nicht jedermann / mein Schande sehen an / O saurer Gang! O Schmertzens-Tritt! ach Rath-Hauß! ach! O wehe-adieu.

12. Jetzt steh ich vor Gericht / und höre was mir die Justiß / vor grädigs Urtheil spricht / ich küß den Todtes-Stab / den ich verdienet hab / und eyle ohne alle Forcht / zum neuen Wagen nauf / im Lauff.

13. Mann führt mich immer fort / man führet mich zu meiner Rahe / zu mein Vergnügens-Orth / ich bin bereit darzu / du aber Schöpffer du / du Ancker meiner Seeligkeit / bleib du an meiner Senf / allzeit.

14. Ich she den scharpfen Stahl / mit dem ich jetzt die schwäre Schuld / auf einen Streich bezahl / O Schwerdt ich küsse dich / dann du erlö est mich / von der betrübten Gfangenschafft / von aller Noth / im Todt.

15. Dir aber grosser Gott / fall ich zu Fuß in meinem Geist / was acht ich disen Spott / verzeyh du mir die Schuld / und schenck mire deine Huld / daß ich von allen Sünden frey / den letzten Sieg erwirb / und stirb.

16. Nun Erde gute Nacht / von [?]einem bösen Lebens-Lauff / wird jetzt [?] Schluß gemacht / wer disen schauen [?] der spiegle sich daran / ich aber fall auf meine Knye / und wart auf meinen Todt / in Gott.

17. O JESU steh mir bey / vertreib der Höllen folle Macht / mein Gott sey mir getreu / nun schon das Auge bricht / die Zunge nichts mehr spricht / so wird doch der erlöste Geist [?] eben Lob und Preyß / ich [?]

18. Mein Gott ich fahr dahin / hie ligt der Cörper schon entseelt / ohn Krafft / Berstand / und Sinn / ich habe wol gekriegt / weil ich durch Bllut gesiegt / und durch mein letzten Todtes-Kampff / kan gehn in Himmel ein / gantz rein.

Method of Punishment

breaking on the wheel, beheading, hanging

Crime(s)

murder, robberty

Gender

Date

Printing Location

n.p. 1725 'Gedruckt in disem Jahr'
End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners 1.png
End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners 2.png
End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners 3.png
End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners 4.png
End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners 5.png
End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners 6.png
End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners 7.png
End-Urtheil, Deß In Hungarn, Oesterreich, und Steyermarckt sattsamb bekannten Mathiä Leuthners 8.png
]]>
Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:56:43 +1100
<![CDATA[Ein ander Marter-Lied von achtzehen Personen, auf einen Tag zu Salzburg verbrennt]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1283

Title

Ein ander Marter-Lied von achtzehen Personen, auf einen Tag zu Salzburg verbrennt

Subtitle

Im Thon, Entlaubet ist der Walde, Oder,
Ich stund an einem Morgen. Oder:
All die ihr jetzund etc.

Set to tune of...

Entlaubet ist der Walde, or
Ich stund an einem Morgen, or
All die ihr jetzund

Transcription

1.
Ach Gott com Himmelreiche,
Nim deiner Schäflein wahr,
Laß sie von dir nicht weichen,
Ihr ist ein kleine Schaar,
Halt sie in deiner Hute,
Hilff ihn’n aus Jammers Noth,
Das Their sie jagen thute,
Müssen leiden den Todt.

2.
Man legt sie hart gefangen.
In eines Kerckers Grund,
Dem Herren sie lobsangen
Und preißten ihn mit Mund,
O Herr laß dichs erbarmen,
Und dir geklaget seyn,
Komm bald zu Hilff uns armen,
Halt und im Willen dein.

3.
Sie woll’n uns von dir dringen
Mit ihrem hohen Pracht,
Grimmig darwider ringen,
Verleih dein Göttlich Macht.
Mir hond kein’n andern Herren
Im Himmel noch auf Erd.
Was wir von ihm begehren
Deß werden wir gewährt,

4.
Christus sendt aus sein Boten
Beut uns sein Reich mit an,
?ie alle Welt verspotten,
Mit grosser Freud und Wonn.
Wir haben aufgenommen
Des Herren Reich und Gnad.
?ie Pfaffen drüber brummen,
Hassen und früh und spath.

5.
Sie hons verborgen sehre,
Mehr dann fünff hundert Jahr,
Mit ihrer falschen Lehre
Verführt ein grosse Schaar,
?reten sein Wort mit Füssen,
Es muß verachtet seyn.
?err gib ihn daß sies bützen,
Und thun den Willen dein.

6.
Zu Saltzburgists geschehen,
Ists nicht eine grosse Klag?
Mancher Mann hat gesehen,
Daß man auf einen Tag
Achtzehen thät verbrennen,
Allein um Christi Lehr,
Die sie thäten bekennen,
Daß Er allein wär Herr.

7.
Das Bild woltens nicht ehren,
Noch das Their bäten an,
Ihr Wort und Lehr nicht hören,
Kein Zeichen woltens han
Des Widerchristens Hauffen,
In ihrer Stirn noch Hand,
Drum dorfften sie nicht kauffen,
Noch verkauffen im Land.

8.
Bey Christo sind sie blieben,
Sein Zeichen g’nommen an.
Ihr Namen sind geschrieben
Im Buch des Lebens stahn,
Als Christelich Ritter
Erlangten sie die Kron,
Im Feuer sehr heiß und bitter,
Die ewig Freud und Wonn.

Crime(s)

heresy (Anabaptism)

Gender

Printing Location

Ausbund, das ist Etliche Schöne Christliche Lieder wie sie in dem Gefängnüss zu Bassau in dem Schloß von den Schweitzer-Brüdern, und von anderen rechtgläubigen Christen hin und her gedichtet worden...‎page 164
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Tue, 03 Mar 2020 22:58:57 +1100
<![CDATA[Trauriges Abschieds-Lied, einer Mutter mit ihren vier Söhnen,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1272

Title

Trauriges Abschieds-Lied, einer Mutter mit ihren vier Söhnen,

Subtitle

welche zu Mannheim wegen vielen Räubereyen und Mordthaten hingerichtet worden sind

Synopsis

Mother and four sons sentenced to be executed in Mannheim for multiple crimes of murder and robbery.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Deutsches Volksliedarchiv Freiburg i.Br. (Bl 5666). VD Lied digital. 


Transcription

1.
Ich will euch was Neues singen,
Ihr Christen nehmt’s in Acht,
Ihr werd ja gleich vernehmen,
Was sich begeben hat.
Es ist ja noch nicht lang,
Zu Mannheim wird bekannt,
Da führt man vier Personen,
Hinaus mit gewehrter Hand.

2.
Eine Mutter mit vier Söhnen,
Führt man auf die Richtstatt,
Sie müssen Urlaub nehmen,
Von ihrer Bruderschaft.
Liebe Kinder verzeihet mir,
Weil die Schuld ist an mir,
Daß ihr euer junges Leben,
Müßt lassen jetzund hier.

3.
Es ist schon alles verziehen,
Herzliebste Mutter mein,
Gelobt sey und gepriesen,
Die Herrschaft zu Mannheim.
Weil sie so gütig ist,
Ein gnädiges Urtheil spricht.
Wir hätten zwar verdienet,
Noch viel ein schärfer Gericht.

4.
Zwölf Jahr haben wirs getrieben,
Mordthat und Rauberey,
Die Kirchen ausgeraubet,
Das trieben wir ohne Scheu.
Barbara meine Mutter ist,
Sie hat uns schlecht erzogen,
O du mein Herr Jesu Christ,
Wie sind wir jetzt betrogen.

5.
Stephan thut kläglich meinen,
Und ruft seinen Jesum an,
Er möcht ihm doch verzeihen,
Die Sünd die er hat gethan.
Eins thut ihm schmerzlich kränken,
Wenn er denkt daran,
Eine schwangere Frau aufgeschnitten,
Hat ihm nichts leids gethan.

6.
Der allerjüngste Sohn,
Der heut zwölf Jahr alt ist,
Der schaut mit seinen Augen,
Wie man seine Mutter richt.
Liebes Kind, vergiß es nicht,
Dein Vater ist auch schon gericht,
Kommst du zu böser Gesellschaft,
Laß dich verführen nicht.

7.
Joseph war schon der Letzte,
Auf dieser Richterstatt,
Er thät sich fast entfetzen,
Drauf ging er so gemach,
Dort hängt mein Kamerad,
Und ich muß auf das Rad,
Das ist mir schon verheißen,
Das heißt für mich ein Grab.

8.
Bitt euch um Gottes Willen
Ihr Christen insgemein,
Thut euch ein Exempel dran nehmen
Die ihr hier versammelt seyd.
Ist das eine Mutterzucht,
Die selber ihre eigene Frucht,
Vier Kinder hat erzogen,
Dem Scharfrichter zum Meisterstück.

Method of Punishment

hanging, breaking on the wheel

Crime(s)

murder, robbery

Gender

Execution Location

Mannheim

Printing Location

no date, no printer
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Fri, 28 Feb 2020 17:13:58 +1100
<![CDATA[Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied/]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1269

Title

Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied/

Subtitle

Von einer Gottlosen Mörder-Bande/ welche in dem vergangenen Winter im Siebenbürger-Land/ unweit Ungarn/ mit Rauben/ Mörden/ Stählen/ und anderen Schand-Thaten/ grossen Freffel verübet/ doch endlich auff einem Schloß von einer Edelfrawen eingethan/ und der Justitz gefänglich überlieferet worden/ von welcher sie sämtlich den wohl-verdienten Lohn empfangen haben : Dieses alles hat der geneigte Leser in diesem Gesang außführlich zu vernemmen : Im Thon: Kompt her zu mir/ spricht Gottes Sohn/ [et]c

Synopsis

A gang of robbers is brought to justice.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Universitätsbibliothek Bern, MUE Rar alt 760 : 1:46. Public domain, digitised by e-rara.ch


Set to tune of...

Kompt her zu mir spricht Gottes Sohn

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

[Basel] : [Johann Conrad von Mechel II], Gedruckt im Jahr CHristi 1725

URL

https://www.e-rara.ch/bes_1/content/titleinfo/17299058
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 1.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 2.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 3.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 4.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 5.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 6.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 7.jpg
Ein warhafftiges aber zugleich trauriges Zeitungs-Lied 8.jpg
]]>
Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:36:44 +1100
<![CDATA[Drey warhafft und erschröckliche newe Zeitung...Von etlichen Jüden von Trient/ in Welschland...]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1265

Title

Drey warhafft und erschröckliche newe Zeitung...Von etlichen Jüden von Trient/ in Welschland...

Subtitle

Die Ander/ Von etlichen Jüden von Trient/ in Welschland ... Im Thon: Warumb betrübstu dich mein Hertz &c

Synopsis

A re-telling of the Simon of Trent story: Simon of Trent was a boy from the city of Trent whose disappearance and murder in 1475 was blamed on the leaders of the city's Jewish community, based on his dead body being found in the cellar of a Jewish family's house, and the confessions of Jews obtained under judicial torture. The song retains all the details but moves the events to Trient in Welschland, the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Universitätsbibliothek Erfurt 13 - Tp. 8° 02970 (08)


Transcription

Die andere Zeitung.

Hoert zu ihr Christen Jung und Alt
was ich euch wil anzeigen bald
so sich zugetragen hat
in einer Statt Trient
in Welschland manchem wol bekandt.

Daselbst viel Jüden gewesen
die stifften Jammer unnd grosse Pein
mit einem Christen Kind
dasselbig sie gestolen han
legten ihm groß Pein und Marter an.

Diewil hergieng ihr Ostertag
und Christen Blut ihn mangel? that
sie suchten Renck und List
eim Jüden gabens ein guten Lohn
ein Christen Kind soll stelen thun.

Ein Arzt der Jüd gewesen
darumb ihm trawet manch frommer Christ
darumb die Jüden han
den Mörder außgeschicket bald
ein Kind zu stelen mit gewalt.

Er gieng in allen Gassen rumb
thet sich uberal sehen umb
letzlich ein kleines Kind
das spilt vor seines Vatters Hauß
ein schönes Knäblein uber auß.

Simon war dieses Kindlein genandt
der Jüd der namb es bey der Hand
gab ihm die besten Wort
zu deinem Vatter ich dich wil tragen
drumb schwig das Kindlein still.

Gar schnell unter den Mantel namb
darmit wol in deß Jüden Hanß kam
Samueh’s also genandt
Ach Gott in deinem höchsten Thron
was Jammer sich thet haben an.

Die Jüden hetten ein grosse Frewd
ob diesem Kind wol zu der Zeit
gleich thetten sie fangen an
mit Nadel Pfriemen unnd anders mehr
das theten sie alles suchen her.

Da nun das Kind sein Vatter nit sah
sein liebe Mutter war auch nicht da
ein hellen schrey das Kind da thet
sein Hälßlein thetens ihm binden zu
wie ihr dann jetzt werd hören nun.

Der ein der nambs auff seinen Schoß
der ander hart darneben saß
ein Schüssel namb in die Hand
darin das Blut thet fangen auff
setz hubens schnell uberhauff.

Stochen das arme Kindelein
an seinem gantzen Leibe sein
mit Nadel unnd Pfriemen sehr
sein Hälßlein ihm zugebunden han
kein schrey es weitter nicht kundt thun.

O Vatter du allerhöchster Gott
was lidt das Kind für grosse not
in dieser stund fürwar
von der Gottlosen Jüdenschaar
die Christum auch verfolget gar.

Als es vergossen hett sein Blut
sein Leben sich jetzt enden thut
schlugen sies gar zu todt
thertens vergraben unter das Hew
daß es ihn nicht brecht ein Geschrey

Als Vatter unnd Mutter nun kamen heim
ihr Kind nicht thet? vorhanden seyn
groß Jammer hub sich an
sie lieffen in alle Gasses hin
und schryen sehr mit lautter Stimm.

Herz Jesu Christ in deinem Thron
wo bistu doch mein lieber Sohn
immermehr kommen hin
bistu ins Wasser gefallen
so muß es Gott geklaget seyn.

Die Kinder in der Statt gemein
die schryen alle uberein
die Jüden das Kind han gestolen
und genommen hin
der heylig Geist gabs ihn in sinn.

Sein Vatter unnd Mutter alle beyd
sind nider gefallen auff die Erd
in Ohnmacht lagen da
Ach Sohne liebster Sohne mein
wie bringstu uns in grosse pein.

Ein frommer Bischoff wie ich sag
der wohnet dißmals in der Statt
dem theten sie es zeigen
derselbig als ein frommer Mann
seine Trabanten bald thet schicken an.

Daß man soll suchen in der Statt
inallen Haußern wie ich sag
wie dann geschehen ist
doch kundt man diese Kindelein
nicht finden wie ich melde fein.

Die Jüden waren hart verzagt
und hielten da ein schnellen raht
wie sies wollen fangen an
daß man die sach nicht auffdeckt
wie ich dann jetzt wil singen recht.

Ins Wasser sies geworffen han
groß Stein thetens ihm hencken an
das Wasser aber nicht
das Kindelein wolt nemen an
dieweil es hert keine schuld daran.

Sie lieffen für den Bischoff hin
auß falschem erdichten sinn
ein Kindlein gefunden wer
in Samuels Keller wir zeigen an
zu neid und haß has mans uns than.

Der Bischoff als ein frommer Mann
ließ ihm sie Sach zu hertzen gahn
von stunden schicker hin
zu holen dieses Kindelein
ach Gott wie ther Vatter und Mutter sein.

Die Jüden das Kind musten greiffen an
das Blut gar bald gegen ihn sprang
hierbey thet man es sehen
daß sie dem armen Kindelein
hetten genommen das Leben sein.

Die Jüden man gefangen namb
groß Pein unnd Marter man ihn thet an
biß sie bekennet han
daß sie das Kind gestolen han
auch jämmerlich umbringen than.

Ein grosses Gut dem Bischoff han
geborten und zu geben thun
es möcht sie helffen nicht
kein Gut un Gelt wolt nemen an
das kindlein er wolt rechen thun.

Mit Zangen sie gerissen hat
und thet sie schleiffen durch die statt
in allen Gassen rumb
auch sie thet stossen mit dem Rad
endlich darauff geleget hat.

Samuel der Dieb ihm selber vergab
daß man nit mehr erfahren hat
su Pulffer verbrennen thun
Hiemit wil ich beschliessen thun
durch Jesum Christum seinen Sohn.

Method of Punishment

breaking on the wheel

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Freyburg
Drey warhafft und erschröckliche newe Zeitung 1.jpg
Drey warhafft und erschröckliche newe Zeitung 2.jpg
Drey warhafft und erschröckliche newe Zeitung 3.jpg
]]>
Sun, 23 Feb 2020 16:44:17 +1100
<![CDATA[Gewisser Bericht des Truten und Hexenbrennens Bambergischen Gebiets]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1221

Title

Gewisser Bericht des Truten und Hexenbrennens Bambergischen Gebiets

Subtitle

wie lang es gewehrt / Was für ubels / ihrer Außsag nach / sie viel Jahr hero an Menschen / Vihe / Früchten und andern verübet / was allbereit verbrennet / un vermög heiliger Göttlicher Schrifft (kein Zauberer man leben lassen) hingerichtet / Und in summa / wie sie von Teuffel betrogen un hinter das Liecht geführet worden. All frommen Christen zur sonderlichen trewherzigen Warnung in ein Lied gebracht / Im Thon: Es ist gewißlich an der zeit.

Synopsis

account of multiple witches and sorcerers burned in Bamberg region

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Set to tune of...

Es ist gewißlich an der zeit

Transcription

Dann man ansicht feßt unser zeit
in welche wir sind kommen
Findet man nichts denn Herzenleid
welch uberhand genommen
So gar daß wol nicht erger sein
fan auff Erden in aller gemein
steht es ubler alß ubel.

Wie wolt es auch nict ubel stehen
weil nicht nur sünd und schande
uber all heuffig im schwang gehn
daß fast in allen Landen
Krieg / Blutvergiessen / mord un brand
uber all auch de Oberhand
bekommen /Gott seys geklaget.

Sondern welchs zu erbarmen ist
wie auch schrecklich zu hören
daß der so sein wil ein guter Christ
sich lest so gar bethören
Daß er sich dem Teuffel ergibt
mit Leib und Seel durch ein gelübd
absaget seiner Tauffe.

Die heilige Dreyfaltigkeit
verleugnet auch dem Teuffel
sich mit Leib und Seel ganz ergert
stürzt sich ohn allen zweifel
nur schendlichen wollusts wegen
so sie mit dem Teuffel pflegen
der sie doch nur betrieget.

Ein Tausentkünstler allezeit
der Teuffel ist gewesen
welcher auch in der Christenheit
gestisstet groß unwesen
mit Hexerey und Zauberey
und durch die Unholden mancherley
zu seim Werckzeug gebrauchet.

Wie dann mehr alß denn wolbekant
im Bambergischen Lande
durch unterschiedliche Trutenbrant
solch Hexerey unn schande.
Jezund vermög heiliger Schrifft
außgerottet wird welche spricht:
Kein Zauberer solt lassen leben.

Weil sie bekennen so viel Mord
und unseglichen Schaden
gestisstel han an manchen ort
daß keine Frucht gerhaten
So viel Jahr her und ob sie wol
gerhaten sind auch etlichmal
haben sie alls verzaubert.

Daß Vieh und Menschen sind zu grund
gangen durch ihr beshweren
und bezaubert zu aller stund
des Teuffels sies thun lehren.
Verspricht ihnen darbey güldne Berg
geht doch endlich alls uberzwerg
mitbetrug sie bezahlet.

Zu Zeit sind unterschiedlich Brandt
jetzt in eim halben Jahre
gesechehen und nimmet uberhand
je mehr man brennt fürware.
Je mehr der Hexen finden sich
welchs erschrecklich und erbermlich
von Christen ist zu hören.

Die Großköpffin und Canzlerin
sampt dero beyde Töchter
der Großkopff selbst ist auch schon hin
zuin brennen sie all dochten
wegen ihrer Zauberey und Hexerey
so sie getrieben haben haben.

Die dicke Kandelgiesserin
hat auch herhalten müssen
welche lange zeit ein Trütnerin
und Zauberwerck bewiesen.
Da sie sebsten bekennet hat
sie sey froh daß man an diese stat
zum verbrennen sey kommen.

Sie sey vom Teuffel immer zu
gewesen hart geplaget
hab ihr gelassen kein rast noch ruh
ihr gewissen genaget.
Daß sie nach all dem willen sein
außstehen müssen Marter unnd Pein
die ganze zeit ihres Lebens.

Reiche Kramer ohn unterschied
wie auch fürnehme Herren
sampt dero Weibern sind dereit
verbrennt worden und werden.
Teglich mehr eingefangen viel
kein ansehen der Person gilt
Reich / Arm / Schön / Herr und Frawen.

Ein grosses Hauß mit viel gemach
ist allbreit erbawet
darein man teglich einfacht
vielen noch dafür grawet.
Doch geschict keinem kein unrecht
denn solchem zaubrischen Beschlecht
gehört mit ins Fewer.

Ein grosser Ofen ist erbawt
zu Zeilda man ein hauffen einwerffen kan
man hört und schawt
keine kan da entlauffen
Der Teuffel betrengt sie sehr
alß ob es Phantasey wer
mit den Truten verbrennen.

Uberredet die albern Leut
Er laß keinen verbrennen
Er errette sie zu rechter zeit
wie sies hernach bekennen.
Gibt ihnen ein die grosse Frewd
sey hinderstellig gar kein Leid
laß er den seinen wiederfahren.

Solch und dergleichen Ubelthat
sind abgeschaffet worden
Mit dem Schwerdt darnach man sie hat
geworffen an den orten.
Ins Fewer sie verbrant zu staub
etlichen wird auch abgehawt
die Händ werden gezwicket.

Mit glüend Zangen welche viel
und groß ubel verübet
wie denn der noch sehr viel im Spiel
welche manch Mensch betrübet.
Erkrummet / erlamt / erschreckt / getödt
Daß der es alles erzehlen thet
müst ein gantzen Tag haben.

Ach Gott erhör uns deine Kind
behüt uns fürs Teuffels listen
und vor dem zauberischen Gesind
dein recht gleubige Christen.
Gib O Heilig Dreyfaltigkeit
dir zu dinnen je und allezeit
wer das wil thun sprech Amen.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Bamberg, Germany

Printing Location

Schmalkalden
1221 Gewisser Bericht 1.jpg
1221 Gewisser Bericht 2.jpg
1221 Gewisser Bericht 3.png
1221 Gewisser Bericht 4.png
]]>
Tue, 10 Dec 2019 14:31:34 +1100
<![CDATA[Truth brought to light. Or, Wonderful strange and true news from Gloucester shire, concerning one Mr. William Harrison]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1216

Title

Truth brought to light. Or, Wonderful strange and true news from Gloucester shire, concerning one Mr. William Harrison

Subtitle

formerly Stewart to the Lady Nowel of Cambden, who was supposed to be Murthered by the Widow Pery and two of her Sons, one of which was Servant to the said Gentleman. Therefore they were all three appprehended and sent to Gloucester Goal, and about two years since arraigned, found guilty, condem|ned, and Executed upon Broadway hill in sight of Cambden, the mother and one Son being then buried under the Gibbet, but he that was Mr. Harrisons Servant, hanged in Chains in the same place, where that which is remaining of him may be seen to this day, but at the time of their Execution, they said Mr. Harrison was not dead, but ere seven years were over should be heard of again, yet would not confess where he was, but now it ap[...]ears the Widow Pery was a witch, and after her Sons had ro[...]d him, and cast him into a Stone Pit, she by her witch-craft conveyed him upon a Rock in the Sea near Turkey, where he remaind four days and nights, till a Turkish Ship coming by, took him and sold him into Turky, where he remained for a season, but is now through the good providence of God returnd again safe to England, to the great wonder and admiration of all that know the s[...]me. This is undenyably true, as is sufficiently testified by the Inhabitants of Cambden, and many others thereabouts.
To the Tune of, Aim not too high.

Synopsis

William Harrison is murdered by his servant, and the servant's brother and mother. They are punished but claim that Harrison will return alive again within seven years. Two years later Harrison, who had been in Turkey, returns and it is believed that Widow Perry, the mother, was actually a witch who had bewitched him.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Bodleian 18713, Wood 401(191), Bod18713

Set to tune of...

Aim Not Too High (Fortune My Foe)

Transcription

AMongst those wonders which on early are shown,
In any age there seldom hath béen known,
A thing more strange then that which this Relation,
Doth here present unto your observation.
In Glocestershire as many know full well,
At Camben Town a Gentleman did dwell,
One Mr. William Harrison by name,
A Stewart to a Lady of great fame.

A Widdow likewise in the Town there was,
A wick wretch who brought strange things to pass,
So wonderful that some will scarce receive,
[...]hese lines for truth nor yet my words beleive.

[...] such as unto Cambden do resort,
Have surely found this is no false report,
Though many lies are dayly now invented,
This is as true a Song as ere was Printed.

Therefore unto the story now give ear,
This Widow Pery as it doth appear,
And her two sons all fully were agréed,
Against their friend to work a wicked déed.

One of her Sons even from a youth did dwell,
With Mr. Harrison who loved him well,
And bred him up his Mother being poor,
But sée how he requited him therefore.

For taking notice that his Master went,
Abroad to gather in his Ladies rent,
And by that means it was an usual thing,
For him great store of money home to bring.

He thereupon with his mischevous mother,
And likewise with his vile ungodly Brother,
Contriv'd to rob his Master, for these base
And cruel wretches were past shame and grace.

One night they met him comming into Town,
And in a barbarous manner knockt him down,
Then taking all his money quite away,
His body out of sight they did convey.

But being all suspected for this déed,
They apprehended were and sent with spéed,
To Glocester Goal and there upon their Tryal,
Were guilty found for all their stiff denyal.

JT was supposed the Gentleman was dead,
And by these wretches robd and Murthered,
Therefore they were all thrée condem'd to death,
And eke on Broadway-hill they lost their breath.

One of the Sons was buried with his Mother,
Vnder the Gibbet, but the other Brother,
That serv'd the Gentleman was hang'd in Chains,
And there some part of him as yet remains.

But yet before they died they did proclaim
Even in the ears of those that thither came,
That Mr. Harison yet living was
And would be found in less then seven years space.

Which words of theirs for truth do now appear
For tis but two year since they hanged were,
And now the Gentleman alive is found
Which news is publisht through the Countrys round

But lest that any of this truth shall doubt,
Ile tell you how the business came about
This Widow Pery as tis plainly shown
Was then a Witch although it was not known.

So when these Villains by their mothers aid
Had knockt him down (even as before was said)
They took away his money every whit,
And then his body cast into a pit.

He scarce was come unto himself before
Another wonder did amaze him more,
For whilst he lookt about, he found that he
Was suddainly conveyd unto the Sea.

First on the shore he stood a little space
And thence unto a rock transported was,
Where he four days and nights did then remain
And never thought to see his friends again.

But as a Turkish ship was passing by
Some of the men the Gentleman did spy,
And took him in and as I understand,
They carried him into the Turkish Land.

And there (not knowing of his sad disaster)
They quickly did provide for him a Master,
A Surgeon or of some such like profession,
Whose service he performed with much discretion.

It séems in gathering Hearbs he had good skill,
And could the same excéeding well distil,
Which to his Master great content did give,
And pleas'd him well so long as he did live.

But he soon dyd, and at his death he gave him,
A piece of plate that so none should enslave him,
But that his liberty be might obtain,
To come into his native land again.

And thus this Gentleman his fréedom wrought;
And by a Turky Ship from thence was brought;
To Portugal, and now both safe and sound,
He is at length arrived on English ground.

Let not this séem incredible to any,
Because it is a thing afirmed by many,
This is no feigned story, though tis new,
But as tis very strange tis very true.

You sée how far a Witches power extends,
When as to wickedness her mind she bends,
Great is her Malice, yet can God restrain her,
And at his pleasure let her loose or chain her.

If God had let her work her utmost spight,
No doubt she would have kild the man outright,
But he is saved and she for all her malice,
Was very justly hang'd upon the Gallows.

Then let all praise to God alone be given,
By men on earth as by the Saints in heaven,
He by his mercy dayly doth befriend us,
And by his power he will still defend us.

Method of Punishment

hanging, hanging in chains

Crime(s)

murder, witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Gloucester

Printing Location

London
Truth Brought to Light.gif
]]>
Mon, 09 Dec 2019 09:48:39 +1100
<![CDATA[Ein Warhafftige Zeitung.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1215

Title

Ein Warhafftige Zeitung.

Subtitle

Von etliche[n] Hexen oder Unholden/ welche man kürtzlich im Stifft Mäntz/ zu Ascheburg/ Dipperck/ Ostum/ Rönßhoffen/ auch andern Orten/ verbrendt/ was Ubels sie gestifft/ und bekandt haben : Im Thon: Pomey/ Pomey/ ihr Polen/ [et]c.

Synopsis

multiple witches burned

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

VD17 1:691858R, SBB-PK Berlin: Ye 5581. VDLied Digital.


Set to tune of...

Pomey, Pomey, ihr Polen
(cf. Avery Gosfield re Jewish Italian songs)

Transcription

Merckt auff was ich will singen
Ir Christen jung unnd alt
Von Wunderlichen dingen
So sich gar manigfalt
in Teueschemlandt begeben hat
In manchem ort in mancher Statt
mit Hexenwethern frey
sing ich on alle schey.

Ein Berg wie ich vernommen
Ist meniglich bekandt
Sind sie zusamen kommen
Im Spessert wirt es gnandt
Der Hexenweiber jung und alt
Das mah nit alles zehlen kundt
Ihr anschlag endelich war
Alls zu erfröhern gar.

Sie theren ranzen und springen
Die Hexen jung und alt
Under denselben dingen
Neun-hundert der gestalt
Die kunst nicht länger dann ein Jar
Mit Zauberen getriben zwar
dardurch wil Weib und Mann
All lahm gemachet han.

Ir König mich verwundert
In anferleget hat
Das sollen die Neunhundert
Diß Jar ohn alle gnad
der Kinder so vil bringen umb
Als irer seyen in der Summ
Auch heissen Wein unnd Korn
Alles erfrören thon.

Als sie wider auffsassen
Führ ein jede in ir Land
Zu Füchssen unnd zu Hasen
Sie sich gemachet hand
auch wie die schwarzen Raben sein
Geflogen auff di schaff und schwein
die müsten sterben all
Da sie auffsassen bald.

Man thüt ir vil verbrennen
In manchem Land fürwar
groß ubels thons bekennen
So sie getriben zwar
Wie dann kürzlich geschehen ist
An der Bolnischen Stäng gar wol bewist
Jetzt will ich zeygen an
Was sie bekennet han.

Ein junges Schwein mercket eben
Sie außgenommen kan
allerley Frücht darneben
Haben sie drein gethan
Und es da eingenäht geschwind
Zugleich wie ein Sechswochens kind
zum Meßner glauffen dar
Das er soll leuten zwar.

Der Meßner kam geschwindt
Und wolt leuthen dem Kindt
Kein Glock wolt da nit klingen
Das war ein seltzam ding
das kinlin man besehen that
Ein junges schwein wol an d’stat
Die Weiber auß gfüllt hett
Mit ab?erley Gerreyd.

Man nam die Weiber gfangen
Da haben sie bekandt
Wann es ihn wer angangen
Solt in dem gangen land
Weder Wein noch Korn gerathen sein
Sondern erfroren inn gemein
Darauff man sie auch hat
Verbrennet an der stat.

Damit ichs turz beschliesse
Und komme zum Anfang
Bitt laßt euchs nicht verdriessen
Hört noch ein selzam ich wang
So sich in Aschenburg ? Statt
Newischen zu getragen hat
mit diser Hexen schaar
Wie ir solt hörent zwar.

Ein K?fraw mit verlangen
zum Ochssen gwohnet hat
Drey Burger kamen gangen
auff einen Abentspat
Ein Maß wein haben sie begert
Ettwas zü essen ohn gefehr
Ein richt Kramats rögel zür
Man in aufficken thut.

Als sie nun hetten gessen
Unnd alle waren faart
der ein thets nit vergessen
Ein Vogel auffheben that
als er nun komment thet zü hauß
Den Vogel er thet ziehen rauß
Da wars ein Ratt mit eim langen schwanz
Das war ein selzamt schanz.

Von herzen thet erschröcken
Gieng zü sein Gesellen hin
Die sach ihn thet entdecken
Darauff sie schnell unnd gschwind
Zur Würtin wider kamen ein
hiessen in tanzen ein Maß wein
Darzu mit freyem Müt
Ein Richt Kramats vögel güt.

Die Würtin die thet bringen
mehr Vögel ohne granz
Die Gäst namens geschwindt
Und giengen auß dem Hauß
Das bracht der Wirtten groß gefahr
Ratten mit langen Schwänzen zwar
man zergts der Oberkeit an
Die Wütrtin man gsangen nam.

Man thet sie gar bald fragen
Peinlichen an der stett
Da thet sie alles sagen
wie sie gei?set het
Uber Sechshundert gulden bat
Auß Ratten unnd auch Raupen zwar
Darzu wil Wein unnd Korn
Alles erfrören thon.

Weitter müß ich berichten
Zu Dipperg in der Statt
von Wunderselzam gschickten
So sich zutragen hat
Etlich Weiber man gfangen nam
welches verdroß gar sehr ir Mann
darauß kam grosse klag
Ir leben es kostet hat.

Die Wether thet man verhören
Man wolt nicht recht mit dran
die Männer theten wöhren
Den Bischoff mans zeygt an
Man solt die Weiber wie ich bericht
Doch lassen gehn sie weren nicht
Under diser Hexen schar
Der bericht ihn wider war.

Man solt sie recht hernommen
Wie ander Weiber zwar
Das thet verdriessen die Männer
sie giengen gar baldt dar
Unnd schriben ein Supplication
Den Kirchner gabens güten lon
Den brieff den solt er gan
An Sogen schlagels an.

Der sach thet man nachfragen
Als man den brieff vernam
Auff den Kirchner kam die klage
Hett den brieff gschlagen an
Man leget ihn gefangen bhend
Da bekendt er auch gleich am end
Wer in het schreiben thon
Das bracht in bösen lohn.

Man nam die Männer gfangen
Ein Kupfferschmid es war
ein Beck auch mit verlangen
Das bracht ihn groß gefahr
Da thetens bekennen für jederman
Den Bischoff woltens erschossen han
Oder eim andern geben lohn
Der es für sie hett thon.

Das Urtel wurd den Männern
Das man sie Viertheilen solt
Die Weiber auch verbrennen
Das war ein böser Sold
Weil sie ihr Churfürstliche gnad
Täglichen darzu früh und spat
Nach leib un leben schon
Wolten gestellet hon.

Zu Ostum wirdt auch gefangen
Ein Wirt wie ich euch sag
Hört weiter mit verlanngen
Was erbekennet hat
Wil Weins hab er erfrören thün
Auch Menschen unn Viech gemachet lam
Viel selzam sachen mehr
Hat er bekennet her.

Zu Künzhofen an der Tauber
auch Weiber hat verbranndt
möcht einem doch wol grawen
Was sie haben bekannt
Viel Korn und Wein habens erfröhrt
Auch manches Mütterkind erlämt
Mit salben die sie han
Die Leuth gestrichen an.

Noch eins müß ich anzeygen
Ich kans nit underlan
Ein Sprithet man in geigen
Auff irem Hexen blan
Derseln ein zerrißnen Muzen hett
Der Teuffel kam bald an der stett
Gib du dein Muzen mir
Ein Manttel gib ich dir.

Den Mantel im thet umbhencken
Damit trat stolz zu hauß
und leget in auff die bänckhe
Gieng zu Bet ohne grauß
Als er des morgens auff thet stan
Den Mantel recht wolt schawen an
Da wars ein gschundner S/Gaul
Die Zotten hiengen im umbs Maul.

Ein Sackpfeiff im auch het geben
die wolt er rüsten zu
Als er sie thet besehen
Und auch lügen darzu
Da wars ein schwarze dürrt Raz
Er warff sie nider das es schmazt
Darumb sich jederman
Mag fleißig hüten thon.

Die sach thüt recht bedencken
Ihr Christen jung und alt
Dann das find selzam schwenckt
Den Teuffel manigfalt
Laßt euch nicht so verführen thon
Jesum Christum thüt rüffen an
Das er uns helff auß aller not
Ewiglich hie und dort
Amen.

Erstlich getruckt zu Franckfurt. 1603.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

multiple (German Lands)

Printing Location

Erstlich getruckt zu Franckfurt
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Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:38:22 +1000
<![CDATA[Zwo Warhafftige / vnd doch Männiglich zuvor bekante Newe Zeitungen.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1214

Title

Zwo Warhafftige / vnd doch Männiglich zuvor bekante Newe Zeitungen.

Subtitle

Die Erste / Von dem grossen Jammer / Welcher sich begeben in der Marggraffschafft Baden / wie allda schon vber die fünfftzig Hexen / Mann / Weib / Knaben und Mägdlein / sein verbrant worden / was dieselben für schröckliche Sachen bekant haben / vnd etlich hundert Menschen durch ihr Teuffels Kunst vmb das Leben gebracht / auch die Liebe Frücht auff dem Feld verderbt / vnd was sie sonst für Vbels angericht / ist mit fleiß beschrieben / vnd in ein Gesang verfast / Im Thon: Kompt her zu mir spricht GOttes Sohn / etc.

Synopsis

Of the great misery that has occurred in the Margravate of Baden, how there over fifty witches, men, women, boys and girls were burned, what shocking things those same people confessed to, and how they through their devil's art had murdered several hundred people, also how they had spoiled the good fruits in the field, and what other evils they had wrought, is with diligence described and in a song composed.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel, Exemplar mit der Signatur: 202.70 Quod. (15), VD17 23:250479P. VDLied Digital.


Set to tune of...

Kompt her zu mir spricht Gottes Sohn

Transcription

Die Erste

HOert zu ihr Frawen vnd auch Mann / groß Wunder will ich zeigen an / so newlich ist geschehen / wie daß der böse Feind so gar / die Menschen bringt in gefahr / thu ich mit warheit sagen.

Wie ihr jetzund werd hören thun / was für jammer geschehen schon / mit dieser Teuffels Rotte / die sich dem Bösen Geist verpflicht / ja viel Vnglück han angericht / davor behüt uns Gotte.

Erstlich in deß Marggraffen Land / genent von Baden wolbekant / schon viel verbrand sein worden / zu Kupene vnd zu Rastatt / bey 50 man verbrennet hat / an diesen dreyen Orthen.

O frommer Christ thue wol verstahn / was sie für vbel han gethan / wil ich mit warheit singen / von Mann / Weib / Knaben vnd Mägdlein / was sie bekanten in der pein / wil ich euch vorbringen.

Ein junger Gesell verbrennet war / seins alters auff die 13 Jar / der bekent in der Summen / das er zu Nachts in Weibergstalt / ein rechte Teufflin mercket bald / habe zu der Ehe genommen.

Vnd mit ihr gehalten die Hochzeit / dabey auch wahren stattliche Leut / die zahl war bey 3000. sein Hochzeit wehret siben Nacht / den grossen Reiffen habens gemacht / der also vbel gehauset.

Wol in dem Würtenberger Land / wie Männiglichen wolbekant / daß der Wein ist erfroren / Gott es jhn nicht verhengen wolt / sonst in dem Land man habe / warhafftig wenig Korn.

Ein Mägdlein hat man auch verbrent / dasselbig öffentlich bekent / ihr allererst zeichen must sie an ihrem Vatter thun / an Händ und Füß erkrümmen nun / daß thet sie bald dergleichen.

Ach GOtt in deinem höchsten Thron / wie kans ein Kind eim Vatter thun / eim Stein möcht es erbarmen / O du getrewer JEsu Christ / behüt vns vor deß Teuffels list / komm du zu hülff vns Armen.

Ein reiche Bäwrin auch bekennt / wieviel sie Menschen hab verlemdt / zwey hundert / drey darneben / mit ihrer losen Zauberey / viel junge Kinder / Mann vnd Weib / hab sie bracht vmb das Leben.

Ein Hebamm auch darunder war / die bekannt vnd sagt offenbar / wie daß sie thet vmbringen 200. Kind in der Geburt / das Leben ihr genemmen wurd / das Herz möcht eim durchdringen.

Die Schwanen Wirthin zu Rastatt / gantz offentlich bekennet hat / wie sie hab zu essen geben / das Katzenfleisch für Hammel gut / das Hirn sie einmachen thut / kost manchem sein Leben.

Auch haben sie ein Pulver werht / wann sie das werffen auff die Erd / die Menschen gehn darüber / so an dem Morgen gehn von Hauß / den lincken Fuß vor setzen nauß / bekompt er das Fieber.

Vnd muß es haben ein gantzes Jar / ein gutleuth Fraw auch bey jn war / die thet ein ruthe tragen / wer nit am morgen wascht die Händ / der muß aussätzig werden geschwind / wenn sie damit thut schlagen.

Wer hie alles beschreiben wolt / ein gantzen Tag zubringen solt / Ach bittet hie allsamen / den getrewen Gott HErr JEsu Christ / daß er zerbrech deß Teuffels list / wer das begert / sprech Amen.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Margravate of Baden

Printing Location

Moltzen, 1626.
Zwo Warhafftige _ vnd doch Männiglich zuvor bekante Newe Zeitungenpg 1.jpg
Zwo warhafftige und doch Männiglich zuvor bekante Newe Zeitungen pg 2.jpg
Zwo warhafftige und doch Männiglich zuvor bekante Newe Zeitungen pg 3.jpg
]]>
Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:00:50 +1000
<![CDATA[Ein erschröckliche jedoch warhafftige und erbärmliche Newe Zeitung Von Häxenmeisteren und Zauberern von welchen so vil zarte Jugend durch deß leydigen Teüffels Betrüg seynd verführt worden]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1211

Title

Ein erschröckliche jedoch warhafftige und erbärmliche Newe Zeitung Von Häxenmeisteren und Zauberern von welchen so vil zarte Jugend durch deß leydigen Teüffels Betrüg seynd verführt worden

Subtitle

auch wie solches an tag kommen / dar von zwar etliche erlöst worden / theils aber bey 42. vom Leben zum Todt erbärmlich seynd hingerichtet worden.
Geschehen zu Reüdlingen im Herzogthumb Wirtenberg zu End deß 1665. und Anfangs diß 1666. Jahrs.
Im Thon: Wie man den Sündfluß singt.

Synopsis

42 people are executed for witchcraft in Wirtemburg in 1665/6

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin - Preußischer Kulturbesitz Ye 7541, VD17 1:693643U. VD Lied Digital.


Set to tune of...

Wie man den Sündfluß singt.

Transcription

1.
Kom her Mentsch laß dir sagen
schröckliche Wundergschicht
darvon vor wenig Tagen
mit Trauren wurd bericht
mit Kummer und mit Schmerzen
gar mancher Bidermann
mein Christ führs wol zu Herzen
dann ich trieb gar kein Schärken
drumb merckend Fraw und Mann.

2.
Ein Statt die ist gelegen
im Wirtenberger-Land
darvon ich euch will sagen
ist Keüdlingen genant
ein Mann da ward einzogen
wegen der Zauberey
und anderen Teüfferls-Künsten
die er lang triben sonsten
wurd an die Marter bracht.

3.
Darumb wolt er nichts geben
von ihn man nichts vernam
der Bôß zu ihm thät sagen
dein Kind gib mir zu Lohn
dann ich bin bey dir gewesen
dort in der Marter groß
ce sprach ja z’Nacht solst kommen
gschwind hat dFraw ihr Kind gnommen
in Jesu Christe Nam.

4.
Jörg Balle war sein Nammen
ein Rumor er anfieng
auffs new wurd er gefangen
der Jammer da angieng
sagt er sey nicht alleine
mit Zauberey behafft
sie werden noch vil finden
Weib/Mann unnd kleine Kinder
die all dem Bösen verpflicht.

5.
Der Ergst ward auch einzogen
Jost Nabel bekent doch nichts
ein Hembd man ihm anzogen
so auff ein Stund zugricht
gesponnen und gewäben
darauff bekant er frey
uber fünffzig Mägdlein und Knaben
die Künst von ihm glehrt haben
durch Teüffels hilst und List.

6.
Die Kind so er kont nennen
hat man all gschriben auff
und solche lassn kommen
fast alle auffs Rahthauß
darunder hat man gsehen
etlich gar junge Kind
die hat man thün probieren
mit Silber/Gold/D und Biren
welches ihn lieber sey.

7.
Den Kindern gab man die Wahle
sie solten nemmen fein
Duccaten/Silberkronen
oder kleine Wässerlein
die Kinder thäten langen
eins nach eim Depffel schön
daß ander ein Messer eben
sdritt Ruß unnd Biren wolt haben
für alles Gold und Gelt.

8.
Dise thät man verschliessen
wol in ein Stuben groß
zu Gott solt Männiglich rüffen
war der Gelehrten Rath
daß sie der Herz erlöse
vons Teüffels Joch und Band
der wie ein Löwrumb streichet
biß er die Mentschen erschleichet
und endtlich stürßt zugrund.

9.
Deren hat man etlich erhalten
durch Gottes Gnad und Krafft
die aber schon veraltet
legt man in Gfangenschafft
biß s Vrthel war ergangen
daß man sie mit dem Schwert
vom Leben zum Todt solt bringen
ihr Leib hernach verbrennen
nach Keyferlichem Recht.

10.
Hört Wunder liebe Christen
ein Statt-Knecht gien gar spat
ein grosser Herz solt schicken
sein Sohn und Tochter grad
der Herz sprach wart biß morgen
ich wills erfahren seibs
waß sie gelehrnet haben
wie ich vil ghört sagen
und wie es sey bewant.

11.
Morgens weckt er den Knaben
sprach Michel schlaffest wol
wüntscht ihm ein güten Morgen
der Knab ihm dancket schon
er sprach ich hab vernommen
es seyen Leuth in eim Land
können Haasen unnd Hirzen machen
ganze gJägt unnd andere Sachen
daß seynd wol gschickte Leüth.

12.
Vatter das ist kein Kunste
ich kan das alles wol
führt ihn in die grosse Stuben
macht ihm ein Gseg daher
von Hünd/Füchs/Haasen/Hirzen
auch ein Gestrüpp darzu
der Sohn darzu thät singen
dem Vatter möcht sHerz zerspringen
sprach mein Sohn es ist gnüg.

13.
Der Vatter thäte gehen
zum anderen Kämmerlein
Annelt wilst auffstehn
gehn mit der Müetterlein
so thü dich gschwind anziehen
Vatter ich fertig bin
er sprach hast nichts vernommen
in ein Land seynd Leüth kommen
können vil schöner Künst.

14.
Nämblich auß eim Tisch zäpffen
weissen undrothen Wein
die schönste Milch zu melcken
auß einem Zwähelein
wann wir nur das auch könten
es sprach das kan ich wol
er sprach so laß mich sehen
ein Melchteren thät da stehen
nun milck mir auch hierein.

15.
Daß Mägdlein fieng an melcken
auß einem Tischtüch güt
biß vast voll war die Melchtern
und sprach habt jeß vergüt
sonst müeßt die Kuh verderben
der Herz sprach milck nur fort
bald schrauwe ein Burger mit Sorgen
mein beste Kuh ist verdorben
war erst frisch und gesund.

16.
Der Herz sprach lieder Nachbaur
ich weiß wers hat gethan
gehe hin zu meiner Scheiiren
da werden zehen stan
nimb welche dir geliebet
mein Tochter hats gethan
seine Kind thät er selbs führen
auffs Rathauß zu seinen Mit-Herren
sagt wies ergangen war.

17.
Daß Urthel war gefellet
uber den Meister gschwind
an ein Saul ward er bunden
s Fewr under ihm anzündt
mit glüeenden heissen Zangen
zer?iß man ihm sein Leib
verbrent zu Staub und Aschen
weil er so Gottsvergessen
verführt manchs Mütterkind.

18.
Einen anderen lebendig
man ins Fewr gworffen hat
bey vierzig Söhn und Töchteren
gerichtet mit dem Schwert
mehrtheils hernach verbrennet
weil sie so schröckenlich
Mentchen und Viech verderbet
durch Hagel wil verhenet
und sonst vil Böses gstifft.

19.
Ihr frommen Mann und Weiber
laßt euch diß z Herzen gahn
thüt kein Gspött hierauß treiben
rüfft Jesum Christum an
der für uns ist gestorben
vergoß am Creüz sein Blüt
daß Er uns wöll erlösen
vom Teüffel und allem Bösen
Amen das werde war.

[followed by ‘Geistliches ABC’]

Partial Translation:
17.
That verdict was delivered
Swiftly upon the master
He was bound to a post,
The fire under it ignited.
With glowing hot pliers
His body was torn
Burned to dust and ashes
Because he, so godforsaken,
Ensnared many mothers’ children.

18.
Another one was
Thrown alive into the fire
With forty sons and daughters
Judged by the sword
More were then burned
Because they, so terrifying,
People and livestock ruined
Through hail much bewitched
And much further evil struck.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Wirtemburg

Printing Location

Augspurg by Christoff Schmid

Notes

Digital document also available at e-rara.ch
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Tue, 16 Jul 2019 12:21:07 +1000
<![CDATA[Life of the Mannings executed at Horsemonger Lane Go[...] on Tuesday 13th Nov 1849]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1139

Title

Life of the Mannings executed at Horsemonger Lane Go[...] on Tuesday 13th Nov 1849

Synopsis

Marie Manning (1821–13 November 1849) was a Swiss domestic servant who was hanged outside Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London, England, on 13 November 1849, after she and her husband Frederick were convicted of the murder of her lover, Patrick O'Connor, in the case that became known as the "Bermondsey Horror." It was the first time a husband and wife had been executed together in England since 1700.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Harvard Law School Library Special Collections, Harvard University; Rare (Trials Broadside 286), Record ID: 990095439080203941

Set to tune of...

Just Before the Battle Mother? [no indicated tune]

Transcription

See the scaffold it is mounted,
And the doomed ones do appear?
Seemingly borne wan with sorrow,
Grief and anguish, care and pain.
They cried the moments [sic] is approaching,
When we together must leave this life,
And no one has the least compassion,
On Frederick Manning and his wife.

Maria Manning came from Sweden,
Brought up respectable we hear,
And Frederick Manning came from Taunton
In the county of Somersetshire.
Maria lived with noble ladies,
In ease, and splendour, and delight.
But on one sad and fatal morning,
She was made Frederick Mannings wife.

She firtt [sic] was courted by O'Connor,
Who was a lover most sincere,
He was possessed of wealth and riches,
And loved Maria Roux most dear.
But she preferred her present husband,
As it appeared, and with delight,
Slighted sore Patrick O'Connor,
And was made Frederick Manning's wife.

And when O'Connor knew the story,
Down his cheeks rolled floods of tears,
He beat his breast, and wept in sorrow,
Wrung his hands and tore his hair,
Marie dear how could you leave me,
Wretched you have made my life,
Tell me why you did deceive me,
For to be Frederick Manning's wife.

At length they all were reconciled,
And met together night and day,
Maria by O'Connor's riches,
Dressed in splendour fine and gay.
Though married yet she corresponded
With O'Connor all was right,
And oft he went to see Maria
Frederick Manning's lawful wife.

At length they plann'd their friend to murder
And for his company did crave,
The dreadful weapons they prepared,
And in the kitchen dug his grave.
And as they fondly did caress him,
They slew him - what a dreadful sight.
First they mangled, after robbed him,
Frederick Manning and his wife.

They absconded, but was apqrehended [sic],
And for the cruel deed was tried,
When placed at the bar of Newgate,
They both the crime strongly denied,
At length the jury them convicted,
And doomed them for to leave this life,
The judge pronounced the awful sentence,
On Frederick Manning and his wife.

Return he said to whence they brought you
From thence unto the fatal tree,
Fnd [sic] there together be suspended,
Where multitudes your fate may see.
Your hours recollect is numbered,
You betrayed a friend and took his life.
For such there's not one spark of pity,
As Frederick Manning and his wife.

See what numbers are approaching,
To Horsemonger's fatal tree,
Full of bloom in health and vigour,
What a dreadful sight to see.
Old and young pray take a warning,
Females lead a virtuous life,
Think upon that fatal morning,
Frederick Manning and his wife.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London

Printing Location

Hodges (from Pitt's) Wholesale Marble Warehouse, 31 Dudley St, 7 Dials

Notes

Lots of printing errors in this pamphlet. Appears that printer did not have enough correct type.
Life of the Mannings executed.jpg
]]>
Mon, 04 Jun 2018 10:46:22 +1000
<![CDATA[Life Confession & Execution, of Mr. & Mrs. Manning, for the murder of Mr. O'Conner [sic], with copies of the letters.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1138

Title

Life Confession & Execution, of Mr. & Mrs. Manning, for the murder of Mr. O'Conner [sic], with copies of the letters.

Synopsis

Marie Manning (1821–13 November 1849) was a Swiss domestic servant who was hanged outside Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London, England, on 13 November 1849, after she and her husband Frederick were convicted of the murder of her lover, Patrick O'Connor, in the case that became known as the "Bermondsey Horror." It was the first time a husband and wife had been executed together in England since 1700.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Harvard Law School Library Special Collections, Rare Trials Broadside 122, Record ID: 990080893890203941

Transcription

Attention give, both old and young
Of high and low degree;
Think, while this mournful tale is sung,
Of our sad misery.
We've slain O'Connor, both good and kind,
Who oft to us has been a friend,
For which we must our lives resign,
Our time is near an end.

Oh! hark, what mean that dreadful sound?
It sinks deep in our souls.
It is the bell that sounds our knell,
How solemn is the toll.
See, thousands are assembled
Around the fatal place,
To gaze on our approaching fate,
And witness our disgrace.

Let pilfering passions not intrude,
For to lead you astray,
From step to step it will delude,
And bring you to dismay.
Think of the wretched guilty Mannings,
Who thus die on a tree,
A death of shame, we've nought to blam
But our own base infamy.

Mercy on earth we'll not iimplore,
To crave it would be vain.
Our hands are dyed with human gore,
None can wash off the stain.
But the merits of a Saviour,
Whose mercy alone we crave,
Good Christians pray, so thus we die,
We may has pardon have.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London

Printing Location

Paul, Whitechapel
(printing details partially torn)

Notes

First person voice of Mannings at their execution
Life Confession and Execution.jpg
]]>
Mon, 04 Jun 2018 10:22:50 +1000
<![CDATA[Un Crudele et compassioneuol caso, occorso nella cittöæ di Padua.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1103

Title

Un Crudele et compassioneuol caso, occorso nella cittöæ di Padua.

Subtitle

De un gentil'huomo il quale hauendo per inganno de una serua ucciso il seruitore, velenata la moglie, et cauato il core alla detta fantesca, si  finalmente appiccato lui medesimo. Con il lamento che ha fatto la gentildonna innanzi la sua morte, cosa veramente inaudita degna di pietöæ.

Synopsis

In Padua, a man kills his servant with the help of his maid, then poisons his wife, and having pulled out the heart of the said kitchen-maid, then hangs himself. With the lament of the gentlewoman just before her death.

Image / Audio Credit

Roma EX0001 Biblioteca Apostolica vaticana - Stato cittöæ del Vaticano, order from Edina, EDIT16

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 15:02:09 +1000
<![CDATA[Seconda parte delle rime raccolte nel compassioneuole successo di dui infelici amanti Hippolita, et Lodouico.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1101

Title

Seconda parte delle rime raccolte nel compassioneuole successo di dui infelici amanti Hippolita, et Lodouico.

Subtitle

Hor miseramente decapitati in Bolog. alli 3. di genaio.

Synopsis

Ippolita Pensarotti e Ludovico Landinelli

Set to tune of...

dialogues: first between Love and Death, second between Hippolita and Ludovico
Rhyme scheme: abccbddeeff
Dialogue between lovers, sonnets: abba abba cde cde

Method of Punishment

beheading

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Bologna

Printing Location

[Bologna] : apresso Alessandro Benacci, 1587.

Notes

missing a page of the dialogue between the lovers
Seconda parte della rime.jpg
Seconda parte della rime 2.jpg
Seconda parte della rime 3.jpg
Seconda parte della rime 4.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 15:02:09 +1000
<![CDATA[Il lagrimoso lamento della mag.ca mad.a Hippolita Passerotti bolognese.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1079

Title

Il lagrimoso lamento della mag.ca mad.a Hippolita Passerotti bolognese.

Subtitle

Qual fu decapitata in Bologna adi 3. di Genaio 1587. con il magnifico M. Ludouico Landinelli. Nuouamente posto in luce. Per M. Marc'Antonio Ferrari bolognese.

Synopsis

Ippolita Pensarotti and Ludovico Landinelli

Set to tune of...

Transcription

AHI dispietata, & inhumana sorte,
Nemica sempre a me tu sci pur stata,
Ne abandonata m hai per sin' a morte,
Contraria fusti a me da poi che nata;
Fui, dal ventre materno, e cosi strana,
Piu ch'Orsa, o Tigre, in ver di me arabbiata.
Sei stata, a me crudel' perversa e vana,
Fortuna ingrata, maledette, e ria,
Che seguir mi volesti, ö_ cruda, ö_ strana.
Tu mi fusti crudel', ma non mai pia,
Et mi tenesti sempre in guai, e pianti
E quivi mi troncasti tö_ la via.
Non valse a me virtö_, suoni, ne canti;
Che mi tenevan grata a l altre donne,
Me li hai hor tun conversi in duri pianti.
Vestir pur mi solea di Bianche gonne,
Di panni neri tu m'hai fatto un dono,
Quai denotan a me pena e passione.

[more]

Veggio ch'apertö_ hai lo Sante Braccie,
Sopra del legno della Santa Croce,
Tu il Demonio da me lunge discaccia.
A te rivolgo gl'occhi, e con la voce,
Per don ti chieggio, ahime del min fallire
Il qual tanto mi duole, e tanto nuoce.
Fa che quest* alma possa in Ciel salire,
A riposar fra l'angeliche squadre,
Che divernirvi, e pur il suo desire.
So pur Signo che con voglie leggiadre,
Tu perdonasti gia a quel ladro, quando,
Raccomandasti l'alma el spirto al Padre.
Eccomi, ch'io vengo seguitando,
Il santo e scur stendar do della morte,
E le tue pene vengo contemplando
Ho tu del Ciel benigne santa Corte,
Dinanzi al tribunal del gran motort,
Siate vi prego side e degna scorte.
Ho regina sacrata a tutte l'hore,
Prega il tuo siglio che mi dia fortezza,
Contra il salso Nemico traditore
E dona all'alma mia pace e allegrezza.
IL FINE.

Composer of Ballad

Ferrari, Marc'Antonio

Method of Punishment

beheading

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Bologna

Printing Location

In Bologna : appresso Alessandro Benacci, [1587?].

URL

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=lAEYAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA64&lpg=RA1-PA64&dq=Hippolita+Passerotti+decapitata&source=bl&ots=SDPV-4PEFs&sig=4VAp_sIUWQyL5V9UKlDxhxp9kCI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZFq5UdjwIsaWkgWFiYHQDQ&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Hippolita%20Passerotti%20decapitata&f=false

Notes

cf: Croce verses on same topic, Meryl Bailey
Il lagrimoso lamento .jpg
Il lagrimoso lamento 2.jpg
Il lagrimoso lamento 3.jpg
Il lagrimoso lamento 4.jpg
Il lagrimoso lamento 5.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 15:02:06 +1000
<![CDATA[Caso compassionevole et lacrimoso lamento di duoi infelici Amanti condannati all Giustitia in Bologna alli 3. di Genaro M.D. LXXXVII.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1072

Title

Caso compassionevole et lacrimoso lamento di duoi infelici Amanti condannati all Giustitia in Bologna alli 3. di Genaro M.D. LXXXVII.

Synopsis

Ippolita Pensarotti and Ludovico Landinelli

Set to tune of...

terza rima

Transcription

Un nuovo caso, una perversa sorte,
Di due infelici, e sfortunata Amanti
Narro, e'l lor tristo fin la cruda morte.
Ma se successo tal convien ch'io canti,
Giovenai incanti, non sdegate udire,
E prendete da lor l'essempio inanti.

Composer of Ballad

Giulio Cesare Croce

Method of Punishment

beheading

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Bologna

URL

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=-voiewiPzYUC&pg=PA327&lpg=PA327&dq=meryl+bailey+caso+compassionevole&source=bl&ots=nSNsCiqPMu&sig=tfzzIjdFiNFgvgIsaY6vOLVCku0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x1y5UYazCIXTkQX1yIGADQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=meryl%20bailey%20caso%20compassionevole&f=false
Caso compassionevole et lacrimoso lamento di duoi infelici Amanti condannati all Giustitia in Bologna pg 1.jpg
Caso compassionevole et lacrimoso lamento di duoi infelici Amanti condannati all Giustitia in Bologna pg 2.jpg
Caso compassionevole et lacrimoso lamento di duoi infelici Amanti condannati all Giustitia in Bologna pg 3.jpg
Caso compassionevole et lacrimoso lamento di duoi infelici Amanti condannati all Giustitia in Bologna pg 4.jpg
Caso compassionevole et lacrimoso lamento di duoi infelici Amanti condannati all Giustitia in Bologna pg 5.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 15:02:06 +1000
<![CDATA[Ein Warhafftige vnd gründtliche Beschreibung]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1048

Title

Ein Warhafftige vnd gründtliche Beschreibung

Subtitle

Auß demm Bistumm Würtz-vnd Bamberg / Deßgleichen von dem gantzen Fränckischen Kraiß / wie man alda so vil Hexen Mann vnd Weibspersohnen verbrennen laßt / vnd was sie nur für schröckliche Sachen bekannt haben / ist mit fleiß auß Glaubwürdigen SchreiBen zusamen getragen / Vnd inn das Lied versetzt.
Im Thon: Hilff GOTT das mir gelinge / etc.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Wolfenbüttel, Herzog-August-Bibliothek 23, [2] Bl ; 4°, C 1627A. VDLied Digital. 

Set to tune of...

Hilff Gott daß mir gelinge

Transcription

1. Hoer O mein Christ besunder 
die schröckliche Geschicht. 
also mit grossem Wunder 
davon ich euch bericht 
so gar ein jämmerliche That 
was sie da hat begeben 
Zu Würtzburg inn der Statt. 

2. Alda thut man verbrennen 
Vil Hexen Mann vnd Weib 
was sie schröcklichs bekennen 
Davon ich jetzund schreib 
das ist traurig zuhören an 
wie nun derlaidig Teuffel 
die Leuth verführen kan. 

3. Mancher Vatter vnd Mutter 
wußt nichts von seinem Kind 
manche Schwester vnd Bruder 
von andern wurd verbrennt
ja mannicher Mann von seinem Weib 
der Teuffel thet sie blinden 
An Seel vnnd auch am Leib. 

4. Ein Kramer wurdt verbrennet 
zu Würtzburg inn der Statt 
Der hat gantz frey bekennet 
daß er vom Teuffel hat 
all Monat zweintzig Thaler gut 
Zwölff Jahr jhr Haubtman gwesen 
gar fleissig dienen thut. 

5. Ein reiche Fraw darneben 
mit jhm verbrennet war 
die thet gäntzlich fürgeben 
Vnd saget also klar 
Sie hett drey hundert Fuder Wein 
Aber das Hexen Leben 
thet jhr vil lieber seyn. 

6. Wie ein Metzger vnd Gerber 
die auch haben bekennt 
Ein Beck vnd auch Schwartzferber 
Als man sie hat verbrennt 
Sprachen es müßten sie tawren doch 
wann sies nit hetten gelernet 
sie woltens lernen noch. 

7. Zu Bamberg auch deßgleiche 
verbrennt man alle Tag 
Ja mehrer theil die Reiche 
sing ich mit wahrer sag 
Ein Schulmeister war da verbrinnt 
drey Jahr das Hexen Leben 
thet lehrnen seine Kind. 

8. Dann der bekennt mit namen 
 das ist ein schröcklich Werck 
 Wie sie seyn gweßt beysammen 
 Auff dem Fraw Venus Berg 
 Eben an der Waldburgen Nacht 
 so vil inn der Welt waren 
 hond sie zusammen bracht. 

9. Ein Fahnen sie da führen 
 darinn der Teuffel war 
 gemahlet vnd gezieret 
 die Bildnuß Christi klar 
 war vnder sein Füß gethon 
 darmiter sie beredet 
 Gott soll kein Gwalt mehr hon. 

10. Deßwegen sie sehr preysen 
 jhren GOtt Lucifer 
 Ihm grosse Ehr beweisen 
 Den wahren GOtt vilmehr 
 Verfluchen sie jnnsonderheit 
 vnnd auff ein newes absagen 
 Der hochen Dreyfaltigkeit. 

11. Zum dritten mal mit Wunder 
 der Himmel offen war 
 Ein Stimm schry laut herunder 
 Heur 
 heur inn disem Jahr 
 muß das Geschlecht zu boden gohn 
 inn gantzer Welt jetzunder 
 sollen sie kein Frid hohn. 

12. Wie man schon thut erfaren 
 inn mannichem Landt vnd Statt 
 das man kein fleiß thut sparen 
 schon vil verbrennet hat 
 vnd greifft je länger vnd fester an 
 der Welt Gottloses Leben 
 Gott nimmer sehen kan. 

13. Der Bischoff wirdt jetzunder 
 verbrennen auff einmal 
 zu eim Beyspil vnd Wunder 
 ja Hundert an der Zahl 
 der gantzen werthen Christenheit 
 daß man sie soll vertreiben 
 dann es ist grosse Zeit. 

14. Wa mans nit will verbrennen 
 so geben sie sich dar 
 Frey öffentlich bekennen 
 wie kund vnnd offenbahr 
 man soll sie richten mit dem Schwerdt 
 Sie künden nicht mehr leben 
 vor lauter Angst auff Erd. 

15. Ein Müller vnd Beckh eben 
 zu Werdten inn der Statt 
 hond sie selber dargeben 
 die man verbrennet hat 
 Bekandten auch vor jrem Todt 
 vil Menschen habens verführet 
 Auß lauter Hungersnoth. 

16. Ein Edle Fraw deßgleiche 
 wie man sie hat verbrennt 
 dann sie war mächtig Reiche 
 Die schrye vor jhrem End 
 Mich rewt die gute Tag vnnd Stund 
 So wider werden haben 
 Die arme Bettelhund. 

17. Also habt jhr vernummen 
 von diser Teuffels Rott 
 so gar inn kurtzer Summen 
 Ach du mein frommer GOTT 
 Wer alles hie beschreiben will 
 Ist gar schröcklich zuhören 
 vnd auch zu lesen vil. 

18. O GOtt thu vns behüten 
 Jetzund vnd allezeit 
 vors Teuffels List vnd wüthen 
 Du hoch Dreyfaltigkeit 
 Mach der bösen Welt ein End 
 Mein Leib 
 mein Seel 
 mein Leben 
 nimb HERR inn deine Händ 
 AMEN. 


Folget die Bekandtnuß dises Vnkrauts.
ERstlich haben sie bekennt / Wann ein Hochzeiter / mit seiner Braut zur Kirchen geht / vnd mit dem lincken Fuß vor inn die Kirchen trit / so könden sie machen / das keines kein Lust mehr zum andern haben kan. 
Zum andern / Wann nun die Braut vor dem Bräutigam inn das Beth geth / so können sie dem Bräutigam sein Mannheit nemmen. 
Zum Dritten / Ein Hebamm hat bekennt / wann ein Fraw das erste Kind trag / vnd der Mann jhr die Hebamm nicht selber holl / so könne sie das Kind vmbbringen / vnd die Mutter verderben. 
Zum Vierdten / So man die Kinder vnder zwölff Wochen inn das Bad / oder Badstuben trägt / dieselbe Kinder könden sie verzaubern / daß sie weder wachßen / noch zunemmen. 
Zum Fünfften / Wann man die Stuben oder Hauß außkehr / vnnd den Vnflat hinder der Thür ligen läßt / so wollen sie denselbigen Menschen verderben. Es kan sie auch der Teuffel Leibhafftig darhindert verbergen. Auch künden sie wissen / was im gantzen Hauß geschicht. 
Zum Sechsten / Wann ein Mensch früe auffsteht / vnnd wäscht die Händ nicht / was nun derselbig Mensch angreiff den gantzen Tag / da könden sie bekommen / vnd haben macht vber alle Sach. Wer mit Viech vmbgeht / es seyen Pferdt / Kühe / Ochßen / Schwein oder Schaaff / so kan das Viech nicht gedeyen vnd zunemmen. Auch können sie die Milch / Butter / Käß vnd Schmaltz bekommen. Können auch die Kühe selber Melcken. Deßwegen sie im Franckenlandt die Milch Dieb genennt werden. 
Zum Sibenden / wann man die Füß wäscht / vnd das Wasser vber Nacht stehen laßt / so könden sie den Teuffel jren Buhlen darein baden / sonderlichen am Sambstag zu Nacht / Auch sonst vil Vnglück darmit anrichten. 
Zum Achten / Wann ein Mensch Eyr ißt / vnd würfft die Schalen inn die Schissel / vnd zertruckt sie nicht / so könden sie einen Menschen darmit verderben. Zum Neundten / wann ein Magdt oder Jungkfraw / auß dem Bad geht / vnd das Badthuch vber Nacht naß ligen laßt / so können sie demselben Menschen jhr Weibliche Blumen nemmen / vnd jhr auch nimmermehr zuhelffen sey. Zum Zehenden / Wann die Mägdtlein auff den Tantz gehen / vnnd den linckhen Schuh vor einpressen oder schnieren / so hab der Teuffel macht mit jhr zu Tantzen. Zum Eylfften / Wann man an einem Sambstag Saltz oder Eyr außleyht / so kan sie machen / daß dieselbige Nacht kein Mensch im gantzen Haus schlaffen kan / oder wol gar das Jüngst oder Eltist verderben. 
Zum Zwölfften / Noch ein andere Bekandtnuß / wie vnd durch was für List Mann vnd Weibspersohnen / hinder das Hexenwerck kommen vnd gebracht werden. 
Zum Dreyzehenden / Wann die Gesellen auf die Buhlschafft gehn / da erscheint jhn der Teuffel inn Gestallt seines Buhlen / durch die Gesellen betrogen vnnd verführt werden. 
Zum Vierzehen / Wann die Baurenknecht am Mittwochen zwischen eylff vnd zwölff Vhren / sich heimlich zu der Magdt wollen legen / So schlaffen sie beym Teuffel. Vnd also verführt werden. 
Zum Fünffzehenden / Wann die Mägdtlein inn dem Gunchelhauß oder Roggenstuben selber mit einander Tantzen / so hat der Teuffel macht vber alle die da im Hauß sein. 
Zum Sechzehenden / vnd Sibenzehenden / Bekennen das vil tausendt Mägdtlein also sind verführt worden / deßwegen die GunckelHäuser oder Roggenstuben inn der gantzen Welt solt man abschaffen. 

Also habt jhr zu einem Exempel vnnd trewhertziger Warnung / was fromme Christen seyn / gnugsamb verstanden / Alles hie zuerzehlen / wer gar schröcklich zu hören. 

Der Allmächtige GOTT vnnd Vatter / im Namen JEsu Christi / seines lieben Sohns / durch die Krafft deß H Geists / wölle vns gnädiglich behüten vnd bewahren / vor deß Teuffels Trug vnd List / vnd seim gantzen Anhang. O du H. Dreyfaltigkeit / laß dir vnser Leib vnnd Seel befohlen seyn / von nun an biß in alle ewigkeit / Amen / HErr JEsu Amen. 
E N D E.

 

1. Hear O my Christ ..
the shocking story
how with great miracle
of which I will also report

Of what occurred
In Wurtzburg in the city.

2. There were burned
Many witches, husbands and wives.
What they shockingly confessed
I can now write.
It is sad to listen to,
How the wretched devil
Can lead people astray.

3. Many a father and mother
knew nothing of their child.
Many a sister and brother
were burned by the other.
Yea, many a man by his wife.
The devil blinded them
Both in soul and in body

4 A grocer was burned
in WÙrtzburg in the city 
He quite freely confessed 
that he from the devil
all month has twenty good Thalers
twelve years formerly he was captain
Serving him industriously.

5 A rich woman darneben
burneth with him was the
thet g_ntzlich fÙrgeben
and so clear you saith
hett drey hundred cart-loads of wine
But the witches living 
 her thet much rather be .

6 How committed a butchers and tanners 
 who also 
 A Beck and also a blackdyer 
 When she has burns 
 languages äó†äó†it they would tawren but 
 when sies nit Hetten taught it 
 they woltens learn.

7 At Bamberg also de¤gleiche 
 you burn all day 
 Yes in part of several empires 
 I sing with true say 
 A schoolmaster was there burns 
 three years the witches Lehrner life 
 thet his child.

8 Then confesses with name 
 this is a schr_cklich Werck 
 How Being gwe¤t beysammen 
 Auff the woman Venusberg 
 Eben on the forest castles night 
 so much in the world were 
 hond they brought together .

9 A flags as they lead 
 darinn the Teuffel was 
 gemahlet adorned VND 
 Bildnu¤ Christ the clear 
 his foots gethon 
 darmiter was persuaded them under 
 God is no more Violence is hon .

10 De¤wegen it very praise 
 her Elohim Lucifer 
 prove him great honor 
 the true Elohim vilmehr 
 cursing them innsonderheit 
 and eye-catching one newes cancel 
 it's high- Trinity.

11 For the third time with miracles 
 the heavens were open 
 A voice crying loud herunder 
 Hear 
 hear inn this year 
 The race must go the ground 
 inn the whole world here under 
 she should not Frid scorn .

12 How does already erfaren 
 inn mannichem Lands and cities 
 that you do not see any assiduity does save 
 already much has burneth 
 greifft and the longer and firmer 
 World Godless life 
 God never kan

13 The Bischoff wirdt book now under 
 burn auff once 
 to eim example and wonders 
 even hundreds in number 
 gantzen worthy of Christendom 
 that they should sell 
 it's big time.

14 Wa mans do not want to burn 
 so they give themselves is 
 Frey publicly confess 
 as known and open bahr 
 one should judge them with the sword 
 announce you no longer live 
 from fear auff earth .

15 A miller and Beckham just 
 to Werdten inn the city 
 she hond itself dargeben 
 one has burneth 
 Bekandten even before her death 
 many people were seduced 
 by sheer famine .

16 A noble woman de¤gleiche 
 how she burns 
 she was mighty empires 
 The schrye before their end 
 Mich rewt good day vnnd hour 
 Thus resist have 
 The poor beggar's dog.

17 So you vernummen 
 of images this Teuffels Rott 
 so very inn Kurtzer sums 
 Oh my GOD pious 
 Who wants to describe everything here 
 Is schr_cklich even listen 
 and also read a lot.

18 O Elohim thu protect us 
 Jetzund and forever 
 pre Teuffels cunning and rage 
 you highly Trinity 
 do the wicked world one end 
 My body 
 my soul 
 my life 
 nimb LORD inn your dealer 
 AMEN .

 

 

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Ein Warhafftige vnd gründtliche Beschreibung.gif
Ein Warhafftige und grundtliche Beschreibung 1.jpg
Ein Warhafftige und grundtliche Beschreibung 2.jpg
Ein Warhafftige und grundtliche Beschreibung 3.jpg
Ein Warhafftige und grundtliche Beschreibung 4.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 14:57:58 +1000
<![CDATA[Drey warhafftige newe Zeittungen]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1039

Title

Drey warhafftige newe Zeittungen

Subtitle

... Die Ander: Auß dem Niderland / zwo Meylwegs von Cöln / in einem Kloster zu S. Catharinen genennet / wie es einem Schaffner darinnen / sampt seinem Weib unnd Kindern / ergangen ist / wie sie alle umb das Leben kommen seynd. Im Thon:

Synopsis

A woman in a pact with a Landsknecht (a soldier) persuades him to kill her husband; she herself kills her children; in the night locals see lights on the roof of the building, and investigate the next morning. The soldier is put on the wheel, the flesh on his breasts pulled off with burning pliers, and his hands are chopped off; she is buried alive, and has a stake struck through her heart.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Bayerische StaatsBibliothek Res/4 P.o.germ. 235,13. 

Set to tune of...

Ewiger Vatter in Himmelreich

Transcription

Hilff Gott was hört man Wunders doch
was gschehen ist unnd hört es noch
in diser Weltjetzunder:
Man sagt von widerwärtigkeit
in allen Landen weyt und breyt
in Teuschenland besunder.

Auff Wucher Gentz Hoffarth Finantz
thursich schier ein jeder besleissen
es tracht nun nach dem Zeitlichen gantz
der Arm mit dem Reichen
darauß erfolgt offt jammer und Noth
Schmerzen Elend unn groß Rummer
leztlich der bitter Todt.

Hört weitter zu ihr Menschen Kindt
schlagt dise Geschicht nicht in Mind
so newlich ist geschehen:
Im Niderland gantz wol bekandt
ein Kloster zu S. Cathrinen gnant
thu ich mit Warheith jehen.

Ein Schaffner allda wohnen thät
der hat mit seiner Frawen
vie kleine Kinder an der Stät
weytter sing ich ohn nawren
sie lebten in Frewd und Wollust groß
sechs gantzer Jar merckt eben
letzlich entstund groß Angst unnd Noth.

Das Kloster ein grossen Eingang hat
von Wein und Korn wol an statt
Von Zinz unn Stewr dergleichen:
Das kam dem Schaffner zu guren theyl
die sechs Jar versucht er selu heyl
unn wurd an gut sehr reiche.

Den armen Leuten in der not
thät er das jr abbrechen
den Arbeiternauch das täglich brot
letztlich thäts Gott an im rechen
das drauß erfolgt groß herzenleid
an im und seinen Kindern
deßgeischen an dem Weib.

Nun muß ich jetzund zeygen an
merckt auff ir Frawen und ir Mann
was sich da thät begeben:
Mit disem Schaffner und seim Weib
deßgleichen an den Kindern mit leyd
wie sie kamen umbs leben.

Die Fraw auß falschem herz unn Muth
thât irem Mann betriegen
bracht zusamen vil gele und gut
daran thu ich nit liegen
mit dem Knecht mach er sie ein Bund
heymich und gar verborgen
wie ichs will machen kundt.

Als nun der bund beschlossen ward
den ihn der böse Geist eingab
sie wolten auff von hinnen:
Das B?ut und Gelt namens mit ihn
ziehen inn frembde Lande hin
doch das mans nit wurd innen.

Das sie vom Kloster kommen zwar
heymlich und gar verborgen
die Fraw dem Knecht gab einen Rath
er solt ohn alles Sorgen
den Schaffner erschlagen unnd ermordt
ihn in das Hauß vergraben
an ein heymbliches Orth.

Der Knecht folget der Frawen rath
als er den Schaffner erschlagen hat
vergraub in die Kirchen:
Die Fraw auß Tyrannischem Scheyn
nam ir drey kleine Kinderlein
thäts jämmerlich erwürgen.

Henckt sie all drey an der stett
im Hauß an einen Balcken
das vierdt der Knecht ermörden thät
der Bößwicht und auch Schalcke
er stachs jämmerlich durch sein Herz
mit eim spitzigen Dochen
O jammer noth und schmerz.

Nun will ich jetzund zeygen an
wie sie das erste Kind hernam
unnd thets geschwind auffhencken:
Das ander es erschen haties
war ein Knäblein an der statt
lieff schnell und auch geschwindt.

Sucht seinen Vatter in dem Hauß
wolt im dasselbig sagen
lieff alle schlüpff und winckel auß
der Vatter war schon erschlagen
das wust das kleine Kindlein nit
doch meynt es sich zuretten
aber halffe alles nit.

Sie names grimmig bey der Hand
unnd henckt es hinden an die Wand
das dritt mit noch und klagen :
War ein Meidlein bey fünff Jar alt
weynet bitterlich in der Gstalt
und thet zur Mutter sagen.

Ach liebe Mutter thu mirs nit
wie dem Philipp dort hinden
ich bitt dich also fleissigklich
aber sie war verblendet
der Teuffel hät sie besessen gar
zu demselbigen male
kein Erbarmung bey it nicht war.

Sie bandt ihm Händt und Füß mit Leyd
unnd hänckt es zu den andern zwey
an den Balcken zur Stunden:
Das vierdt wolt sie auch hencken auff
da kam sie an ein Schräcken unnd grauß
verstocket und verstummet.

Fiel ob den Kindlein in ein Ohnmacht
die That wa? sie gerawen
der verzweyflet Bößwicht an der statt
erstachs ohn alleb trawren
das kleine Kinnlein an der statt
O Gott laß dichs erbarmen
die jämmerliche That.

Als nun die Kinder ein gantze Nacht
hiengen im Kloster mit Weh unnd Klag
hört was sich hat begeben:
Vil Liecher sah mann die gantz Nacht
in dem Kloster hoch auff dem Tach
hin unnd auch wider schweben.

Da nun das Volck im Flecken zwar
mit Schröcken hätt vernommen
wie dises Zeichen gsehen war
auff den Morgen thäten kommen
zehen gewehrter Mann zuhand
das Kloster thet man bschawen
hört weiter ihr Christen allsandt.

Da sie ins Kloster kamen zwar
die Fraw erschrack der grossen Gfahr
thät solchs dem Knecht verkünden:
Der Knecht wolt springen zum Ladennauß
sie namen ihn gfangen ohn Grauß
da sahen sie die Kinder
jämmerlich hangen wie ich sag

mit Schräcken unnd mit Klagen
O weht der jämmerlichen That
der Schaffner war auch erschlagen
man führts gen Cöln inn die Statt
da thäten sie bekennen
vor eim Ersamen Weisen Rath.

Das Urtheyl war gefället drat
das man solt richten mit dem Rad
den Knecht thu ich euch sagen:
Zween Griff mit glüenden Zangen schon
solt man nach seinen Brüsten thon
beyde Händt auch abschlagen.

Auff der Wahlstatt vor jedermann
thät man die Fraw herführen
kläglich als ich euch zeyge an
must sie ihr Leben verlieren
lebendigs mans begraben hat
ein Pfaal durch ihr Herz gschlagen
gelegt under das Rad.

Method of Punishment

breaking on the wheel, impalement

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Cologne/Cöln

Printing Location

Niclaus Schreiber, Cöln
Drey warhafftige newe Zeitungen...Auß dem Niderland pg 1.jpg
Drey warhafftige newe Zeitungen...Auß dem Niderland pg 3.jpg
Drey warhafftige newe Zeitungen...Auß dem Niderland pg 4.jpg
Drey warhafftige newe Zeitungen...Auß dem Niderland pg 5.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 14:57:56 +1000
<![CDATA[Cantiques de plusieurs autheurs:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1008

Title

Cantiques de plusieurs autheurs:

Subtitle

ou sont comprins ceux des cinq prisonniers executez pour le tesmoignage de l'Evangile, à Lyon, au mois de Juin, L'an de nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ. 1553

Synopsis

LES CINQ DE LYON (11).

Lausanne, comme Genve, voyait affluer dans ses murs des réfugiés, et, dans son académie récemment fondée, des jeunes gens venus de France se formaient en vue d'y retourner pour exercer le ministre évangélique. Pierre Viret, pasteur de l'église de Lausanne et Théodore de Bze, professeur à l'Académie, donnaient une attention toute spéciale à la préparation de ces candidats au ministre, qui étaient surtout candidats au martyre. C'est de Lausanne que partirent, au printemps de 1552, cinq étudiants franais, munis de lettres de recommandation des pasteurs de cette ville, auxquelles Calvin joignit la sienne, à leur passage à Genve. C'étaient Martial Alba, de Montauban ; Pierre Escrivain, de Boulogne en Gascogne ; Bernard Seguin, de la Réole en Bazadois Charles Favre, de Blanzac en Angoumois, et Pierre Navihres, de Limoges. Leur but, en rentrant dans leur pays, était, dit l'un d'eux, de Œ‚ servir à l'honneur et à la gloire de Dieu et tâcher d'amener à la connaissance de son Fils Jésus-Christ tous ceux qu'il lui plairait d'appeler par leur moyen. Œé Entre Genve et Lyon, ils rencontrrent un homme qui se rendait comme eux à Lyon et qui les invita à le venir voir ; ils se rendirent à cette invitation, mais, comme ils étaient à table chez lui, le prévôt, escorté de ses sergents, fit irruption dans la maison et les arrta. C'était le 1er Mai 1552. Conduits dans les prisons de l'archevque, ils furent examinés sur leur foi, reconnus entachés d'hérésie et livrés au bras séculier. Mais ils en appelrent de cette sentence, et, grâce à l'intervention des autorités bernoises qui les réclamrent comme leurs écoliers, ils obtinrent un sursis qui fit traîner en longueur leur procs pendant plus d'une année.

Cette année de captivité nous a valu de précieuses lettres, dont les unes ont été publiées dans le Martyrologe de Crespin, tandis que les autres, conservées à la bibliothque vadiane de Saint-Gall, n'ont été mises en lumire que de nos jours (12) Il semble que Dieu ait voulu que ces jeunes lévites, à défaut du ministre de la parole auquel ils s'étaient préparés, aient pu ainsi rendre témoignage par leurs écrits en attendant de le faire par leur mort sur le bùcher.

Bornons-nous à citer un court extrait de l'une de ces lettres, pour montrer dans quelles dispositions ces jeunes gens se préparaient à la mort :

Œ‚ Nous ne voyons devant nos yeux que confusion, cruels tourments et l'horrible face de la mort ; nous mourons tous les jours et à toute heure pour notre Seigneur Jésus et pour l'espérance que nous avons en lui, toutefois nous ne perdons courage aucunement, ni ne nous troublons point ; mais, étant assurés et certains de l'amour et charité que notre bon Dieu nous porte, étant environnés de ses ailes, et cachés sous les plaies de Jésus-Christ, nous dépitons toute la rage du monde et du diable, de la mort et de l'enfer, et nous réjouissons d'une joie et liesse incompréhensible et inénarrable, attendant, en grand désir et repos de conscience, cette bienheureuse journée en laquelle notre Seigneur apparaîtra pour nous recueillir en son royaume céleste, auquel nous vivrons et régnerons avec lui éternellement. N'avons-nous donc pas grande matire de nous réjouir et de nous glorifier en la croix de notre Seigneur Jésus, puisque notre bon Dieu nous fait tant de bien et d'honneur que de nous recevoir au nombre de ses martyrs, nous qui ne sommes que pauvres vers de terre, et de nous retirer de ce val de misres et de maux pour nous emmener en son royaume éternel ? Oui, vraiment (13) ! Œé


Pendant leur long emprisonnement, les cinq étudiants eurent à subir les assauts des prtres et religieux qui avaient mission de les ramener au giron de l'Eglise romaine. Ils eurent aussi à tenir tte aux tentatives de parents et d'amis qui essayaient de les décider à sauver leur vie en reniant leur foi. D'autre part, ils reurent d'abondantes consolations par les lettres que leur écrivirent Calvin et Viret et par les sympathies des fidles dont l'écho réussissait à percer les murs de leur prison.

öó la fin de février 1553, arriva de Paris l'arrt de la Cour du Parlement qui rejetait l'appel des cinq étudiants. Un dernier effort, tenté par les seigneurs de Berne auprs du cardinal de Tournon, retarda encore l'issue du procs. Le 16 mai enfin, ils reurent avis que leur pourvoi était rejeté, et lecture leur fut faite de la sentence qui les condamnait à tre brùlés vifs le jour mme. Ils se mirent alors à prier et à chanter des psaumes, en attendant d'tre menés au supplice. Sur la charrette, ils entonnrent le psaume IX, puis s'encouragrent en répétant des passages de l'écriture, et témoignrent leur foi, en récitant le symbole des apôtres.

Arrivés à la place des Terreaux, ils furent attachés au poteau qui surmontait le bùcher. Le plus âgé, Martial Alba, fut attaché le dernier. Il demanda la permission d'embrasser ses frres et ils échangrent le suprme baiser, en se disant : Œ‚ Adieu, mon frre ! Œé Au milieu des flammes qui bientôt les envelopprent, on entendit ces mots : Œ‚ Courage, frres, courage ! Œé Œ‚ Ce furent là, Œé dit Crespin, Œ‚ les dernires paroles entendues du milieu du feu, qui bientôt consuma les corps de ces cinq vaillants champions et vrais martyrs du Seigneur. Œé


Set to tune of...

Psalms, various

Transcription

Le premier Cantique ou chanson des cinq prisonniers de Lyon.

Sur le chant du Pseaume 143

Quatriesme Chanson.
Sur le chant, du Psalme. 137

Dedans Lyon ville tres renommee,
Nous souspirons en prison bien fermee
Nous souvenant de l'habitation
Du bon pais & congregation,
Ou nous soulions, tant aux champs qu'en la ville
Ouir prescher le tressainct Evangile.
Certainement nous sommes en detresse,
Non pour prison, on peine qui nous presse
Mais pour autant que pas magnifier
Nous ne pouvons, n'aussi glorifier
Nostre bon Dieu, & ouyr sa Parolle:
Qui noz esprits resjouit & console.
Car maintenant, estans melancoliques,
Sommes contrains d'ouir propos iniques,
Le plus souvent conter & reciter,
Las, tel propos ne sont qu'à inciter
L'ame & le corps à faire chose infame,
Qui devant Dieu les pollue & diffame.
Beaucoup aussi de parolles lubriques,
Nous entendons, & chansons impudiques,
A haute voix en prison resonner,
Et ce pendant on nouse pense estonner,
Si nous chantons les divines louanges,
De nostre Dieu en ces prisons estranges.
Voila pourquoy nostre coeur tant aspire
A toy Seigneur, & qu'il crie & souspire,
En desirant qu'en liberté remis
Tost nos soyons, à fin qu'au large mis,
Nous annoncions à gens de toutes guises
Tes grans bontez parfaictes & exquises.
Doncques Seigneur, par ta grande clemence,
Aye de nous s'il te plaist souvenance,
Pour nous tirer de ceste affliction:
Car puis apres de saincte affection,
Te servirons en toute nostre vie:
Maugré qu'en ait l'Antechrist plein d'envie:
Et en prison quoy qu'on nouse dise ou face
Ne delaissans ave joyeuse face,
A te chanter, o Seigneur nostre Dieu,
Confesserons en toute place & lieu,
Qu'a toy tout seul se faut fier & croire,
Partant Seigneur n'imprime en ta memoire
Tant de pechés, qu'en ce bas territoire,
Nous commettons tous les jours contre toy
Engrave aussi dedans noz coeurs ta loy
Pour te servir obeir & complaire,
Si que tousiours craignions de te desplaire.
Princes Bernois nous avons esperance,
Que Dieu par vous donnera delivrance,
A nous voz humbles & petis escoliers,
Par vous serons de prison deliez,
Si plaist à Dieu, & au bon Roy de France:
Et plus n'aurons dedans Lyon souffrance.

Autre chanson.
Sur le chant, du Psalme XLVI (46)

Puis qu'adversité nous offence,
Seigneur Dieu sois nostre deffence,
Au besoing montre toy amy:
Pour repousser nostre ennemy,
Long temps y a c'est chose seure
Sans ton secours qui nous asseure,
Que de nous eut esté vainqueur,
Et nous eust fait perdre le coeur.
Car Seigneur tu vois leur courage,
Tant enflammé, & plein de rage,
Qu'il nous poursuit journellement,
A la mort tres cruellement:
Voire à grand tort, mesme sans cause:
Car contre luy aucune chose,
N'avons commis, n'aussi pensé:
Dont tenir se puisse offensé:
Nous n'avons offensé en somme
Dedans Lyon femme ny homme,
Dont vient cela donc o Seigneur,
Qu'il nous tient si grande rigueur?
C'est pour autant que l'Evangile
Nous confessons de coeur agile
Et que n'avons point approuvé,
Ce que les Papes ont trouvé.
Donc s'il te plaist Dieu, nostre Pere,
Voy par pitié le vitupere,
Que nous souffrons journellement,
Pour ta Parolle seulement.
Regarde & voy, que d'heure en heure,
Crainte de mort en nous demeure,
Car si aux hommes regardons:
Rien que la mort nous n'attendons.
Si tost qu'on vient ouvrir la porte,
Nostre chair craint en telle sorte:
Qu'elle juge subitement,
Que c'est pour aller au torment.
Incontinent si fort nous tremble,
Le pouvre coeur, las qu'il nous semble,
Que le bourreau nous vient querir,
Pour au feu nous faire mourir.
O pouvre chair par trop fragile.
Pourquoy crains-tu pour l'Evangile,
Et pour verité endurer:
Pour puis apres tousjours durer?
Considere & pense en toy-mesme,
Que Jesus mainte angoisse extreme,
Helas, en ce monde a souffert:
Pour tes pechez en croix offert.
Mourir par feu, c'est mort tresdure
A toute humaine creature:
Mais toutesfois c'est peu de fait,
Du feu qui nostre corps deffait.
O combien plus est redoutable,
Le feu d'enfer au miserable,
Qui par peché sera vaincu,
Et selon Dieu n'aura vescu.
Or sus arriere peur & crainte,
Meure ton effort & attainte,
C'est peu de fait, c'est peu de cas,
De ce qu'endurons icy bas.
Car c'est une chose certaine,
Que tout torment & toute peine,
Qu'on nous pourroit mettre en avant,
Passeront tost comme le vent:
Et pource toute defiance
Delaissons, & nostre fiance
En Dieu mettons entierement,
Qui nous sauvera vrayement.
Cependant faisons luy prieres
Mes compaignons amis & freres,
Qu'il luy plaise nous pardonner.
Et ne nous point abandonner.














Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

heresy

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Lyon, Place des Terreaux

URL

http://www.regard.eu.org/Livres.14/Portraits-recitséhuguenots/10.php#n11
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 13:58:38 +1000
<![CDATA[Complainte détaillée.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/980

Title

Complainte détaillée.

Subtitle

Sur l'assassinat commis par un Boulanger de Sceaux & sa femme, envers un Marchand de Bestiaux de Lonjumeau.
Air: Si j'avois eu la crainte du bon Dieu.

Set to tune of...

Si j'avois eu la crainte du bon Dieu.

Transcription

APprochez peuple tendre,
avec humanité,
venez donc pour entendre
l'horrible cruauté
de moi & de ma femme:
hélas! vraiment
il faut être dans l'ame
bien méchant.

Nous faisions bon commerce,
gagnant bien de l'argent,
pain, grains de toute espece,
vivant fort aisément;
mais l'on devient perfide
par malheur
lorsque l'ambition guide
notre coeur.

Nous faisions résidence
depuis long-tems à Sceaux;
nous avions connoissance
d'un Marchand de bestiaux,
faisant affaire ensemble,
très-souvent:
quand j'y pense, j'en tremble,
trait sanglant!


Un jour, pour marchandise
chez nous il se rendit;
avec grande franchise
aussi-tôt il nous dit
qu'il avoit bonne somme
en son gousset:
mais hélas! le pauvre homme
se perdoit.

Pour avoir ses richesses
nous lui faisions accueil;
mais ces traîtres carresses
le menoient au cerceuil,
ayant bu, sans défiance,
quelques coups,
à dormir il commence
près de nous.

Ma femme, la premiere
d'un sabot se saisit,
d'une main meurtriere
tout de sang le couvrit;
aussi tôt je me leve
en vrai bourreau,
d'un marteau je l'acheve,
quel tableau.

Tous deux d'un air terrible,
après lui acharnés
de cent coupls on le crible
sans en être étonnés:
après, d'une serviette
bien marquée
nous lui couvrons la tête
tout tachée.

Nous le menons ensuite
dessus le grand-chemin:
mais on connut bien vite
quel étoit l'assassin;
voyant notre serviette
toute en sang,
on vient, on nous arrête
dans l'instant..

A un supplice infâme
nous sommes condamnés,
la noirceur de notre âme
nous y a entraînés,
que chacun nous contemple
maintenant
ah, c'est périr ensemble
tristement.

Le mari à sa femme.

Trop malheureuse femme,
faut il ainsi finir?
j'en sens dedans mon âme
un cuisant repentir;
& ce que je regrette
fortement
de nos enfans la perte
maintenant.

La femme à son mari.

Dans mon coeur la tendresse
se reveille à présent:
faut-il qu'on les délaisse
hélas si tristement
faut qu'on les abandonne
c'est certain:
que le Seigneur leur donne
meilleure fin.

Vous qui de nos supplices
êtes les spectateurs,
évitez tous les vices
qui causent nos malheurs;
que chacun de vous tremble
de tels coups
& vivez bien ensemble
chers époux.

Crime(s)

murder, robbery

Gender

Date

Notes

followed by Dialogue entre Cartouche et Mandrin, sur la réception de Desrues en Enfer.
Air: Il est en peine. Par DesHayes
IMG_1799.jpg
IMG_1800.jpg
IMG_1801.jpg
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 13:58:34 +1000
<![CDATA[The complaint and lamentation of Mistresse Arden of Feversham in Kent,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/959

Title

The complaint and lamentation of Mistresse Arden of Feversham in Kent,

Subtitle

who for the loue of one Mosbie, hired certaine Ruffians and Villaines most cruelly to murder her Husband; with the fatall end of her and her Associats.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.156-157; EBBA 30458

Set to tune of...

Transcription

AY me, vile wretch, that ever I was borne,
Making my selfe unto the world a scorne:
And to my friends and kindred all a shame,
Blotting their blood by my unhappy name.
Unto a Gentleman of wealth and fame,
(One Master Arden, he was calld by name)
I wedded was with joy and great content,
Living at Feversham in famous Kent.
In love we livd, and great tranquility,
Untill I came in Mosb[i]es company,
Whose sugred tongue, good shape, and lovely looke,
Soone won my heart, and Ardens love forsooke.
And living thus in foule adultery,
Bred in my husband cause of jealousie,
And lest the world our actions should bewray,
Wee did consent to take his life away.
To London faire my Husband was to ride,
But ere he went I poyson did provide,
Got of a Painter which I promised
That Mosbies sister Susan he should wed.
Into his Broth I then did put the same,
He likt it not when to the boord it came,
Saying, Theres something in it is not so[un]d,
At which inragd, I flung it on the ground.
Yet ere he went, his man I did conjure,
Ere they came home, to make his Master sure,
And murder him, and for his faith and paine,
Susan, and store of gold that he should gaine.
Yet I misdoubting Michaels constancy,
Knowing a Neighbour that was dwelling by,
Which, to my husband bore no great good will,
Sought to incense him his deare blood to spill.
His name was Greene; O Master Green (quoth I)
My husband to you hath done injury,
For which I sorry am with all my heart,
And how he wrongeth me I will impart.
He keepes abroad most wicked company,
With whores and queanes, and bad society;
When he comes home, he beats me sides and head,
That I doe wish that one of us were dead.
And now to London he is rid to roare,
I would that I might never see him more:
Greene then incenst, did vow to be my friend,
And of his life he soone would make an end.
O Master Greene, said I, the dangers great,
You must be circumspect to doe this feat;
To act the deed your selfe there is no need,
But hire some villaines, they will doe the deed.
Ten pounds Ile give them to attempt this thing,
And twenty more when certaine newes they bring,
That he is dead, besides Ile be your friend,
In honest courtesie till life doth end.
Greene vowd to doe it; then away he went,
And met two Villaines, that did use in Kent
To rob and murder upon Shooters hill,
The one calld Shakebag, tother namd Black Will.
Two such like Villaines Hell did never hatch,
For twenty Angels they made up the match,
And forty more when they had done the deed,
Which made them sweare, theyd do it with al speed
Then up to London presently they hye,
Where Master Arden in Pauls Church they spy,
And waiting for his comming forth that night,
By a strange chance of him they then lost sight.
For where these Villaines stood & made their stop
A Prentice he was shutting up his shop,
The window falling, light on Blacke-Wills head,
And broke it soundly, that apace it bled.
Where straight he made a brabble and a coyle,
And my sweet Arden he past by the while;
They missing him, another plot did lay,
And meeting Michael, thus to him they say:
Thou knowst that we must packe thy Master hence
Therefore consent and further our pretence,
At night when as your Master goes to bed,
Leave ope the doores, he shall be murthered.
And so he did, yet Arden could not sleepe,
Strange dreames and visions in his senses creepe,
He dreamt the doores were ope, & Villaines came,
To murder him, and twas the very same.
The second part. To the same tune.
HE rose and shut the doore, his man he blames,
which cunningly he strait this answer frames;
I was so sleepy, that I did forget
To locke the doores, I pray you pardon it.
Next day these Ruffians met this man againe,
Who the whole story to them did explaine,
My master will in towne no longer stay,
To morrow you may meete him on the way.
Next day his businesse being finished,
He did take horse, and homeward then he rid,
And as he rid, it was his hap as then,
To overtake Lord Cheiney and his men.
With salutations they each other greet,
I am full glad your Honour for to meet,
Arden did say; then did the Lord reply,
Sir, I am glad of your good company.
And being that we homeward are to ride,
I have a suite that must not be denide,
That at my house youle sup, and lodge also,
To Feversham this night you must not goe.
Then Arden answered with this courteous speech,
Your Honours pardon now I doe beseech,
I made a vow, if God did give me life,
To sup and lodge with Alice my loving wife.
Well, said my Lord, your oath hath got the day,
To morrow come and dine with me, I pray.
Ile wait upon your Honour then (said he)
And safe he went amongst this company.
On Raymon-Downe, as they did passe this way,
Black-will, and Shakebag they in ambush lay,
But durst not touch him, cause of the great traine
That my Lord had: thus were they crost againe.
With horrid oathes these Ruffians gan to sweare,
They stampe and curst, and tore their locks of haire
Saying, some Angell surely him did keepe.
Yet vowd to murther him ere they did sleepe.
Now all this while my husband was away,
Mosby and I did revell night and day;
And Susan, which my waiting maiden was,
My Loves owne sister, knew how all did passe.
But when I saw my Arden was not dead,
I welcomd him, but with a heavy head:
To bed he went, and slept secure from harmes,
But I did wish my Mosby in my armes.
Yet ere he slept, he told me he must goe
To dinner to my Lords, heed have it so;
And that same night Blacke-will did send me word,
What lucke bad fortune did to them offord.
I sent him word, that he next day would dine
At the Lord Cheinies, and would rise betime,
And on the way their purpose might fulfill,
Well, Ile reward you, when that you him kill.
Next morne betimes, before the breake of day,
To take him napping then they tooke their way;
But such a mist and fog there did arise,
They could not see although they had foure eyes.
Thus Arden scapd these villaines where [?]
And yet they heard his horse goe by that way,
I thinke (said Will) some Spirit is his friend,
Come life or death, I vow to see his end.
Then to my house they strait did take their way,
Telling me how they missed of their pray;
Then presently, we did together gree,
At night at home that he should murdered be.
Mosby and I, and all, our plot thus lay,
That he at Tables should with Arden play,
Black-will, and Sakebag they themselves should hide
Untill that Mosby he a watchword cride.
The word was this whereon we did agree,
Now (Master Arden) I have taken ye:
Woe to that word, and woe unto us all,
Which bred confusion and our sudden fall.
When he came home, most welcome him I made,
And Judas like I kist whom I betraide,
Mosby and he together went to play,
For I on purpose did the tables lay.
And as they plaid, the word was straightway spoke,
Blacke-Will and Sakebag out the corner broke,
And with a Towell backwards puld him downe,
which made me think they now my joyes did crowne
With swords and knives they stabd him to the heart
Mosby and I did likewise act our part,
And then his body straight we did convey
Behind the Abbey in the field he lay.
And then by Justice we were straight condemnd,
Each of us came unto a shamelesse end,
For God our secret dealings soone did spy,
And brought to light our shamefull villany.
Thus have you heard of Ardens tragedy,
It rests to shew you how the rest did die:
His wife at Canterbury she was burnt,
And all her flesh and bones to ashes turnd.
Mosby and his faire Sister, they were brought
To London for the trespasse they had wrought,
In Smithfield on a gibbet they did die.
A just reward for all their villanie,
Michael and Bradshaw, which a Goldsmith was,
That knew of letters which from them did passe,
At Feversham were hanged both in chaines,
And well rewarded for their faithfull paines.
The painter fled none knowes how he did speed,
Sakebag in Southwarke he to death did bleed,
For as he thought to scape and ran away,
He suddenly was murdered in a fray.
In Kent at Osbridge, Greene did suffer death,
Hangd on a gibbet he did lose his breath:
Blacke-Will at Flushing on a stage did burne,
Thus each one came unto his end by turne.
And thus my story I conclude and end,
Praying the Lord that he his grace will send
Upon us all, and keepe us all from ill,
Amen say all, ift be thy blessed will.

Method of Punishment

burning, hanging, hanging in chains,

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Execution Location

Various: Canterbury (burning), Smithfield (hanging), Feversham (hanging in chains), Osbridge in Kent (hanging)

Printing Location

Printed at London for C.W.

Notes

Wikipedia:  Thomas Arden, or Arderne, was a successful businessman in the early Tudor period. Born in 1508, probably in Norwich, Arden took advantage of the tumult of the Reformation to make his fortune, trading in the former monastic properties dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538. In fact, the house in which he was murdered (which is still standing in Faversham) was a former guest house of Faversham Abbey, the Benedictine abbey near the town. His wife Alice had taken a lover, a man of low status named Mosby; together, they plotted to murder her husband. After several bungled attempts on his life, two ex-soldiers from the former English dominion of Calais known as Black Will and Loosebag (called Shakebag in the play) were hired and continued to make botched attempts. Arden was finally killed in his own home on 14 February 1551, and his body was left out in a field during a snowstorm, hoping that the blame would fall on someone who had come to Faversham for the St Valentine's Day fair. The snowfall stopped, however, before the killers' tracks were covered, and the tracks were followed back to the house. Bloodstained swabs and rushes were found, and the killers quickly confessed. Alice and Mosby were put on trial and convicted of the crime; he was hanged and she burnt at the stake in 1551. Black Will may also have been burnt at the stake after he had fled to Flanders: the English records state he was executed in Flanders, while the Flemish records state he was extradited to England. Loosebag escaped and was never heard of again. Other conspirators were hanged in chains. One - George Bradshaw, who was convicted by an obscure passage in a sealed letter he had delivered - was wrongly convicted and posthumously acquitted.
rox_3_156-157_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:37 +1000
<![CDATA[An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/954

Title

An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel,

Subtitle

an Apprentice of London, who was undone by a Strumpet, who having thrice robbed his Master, and murdered his Uncle in Ludlow, was hanged in Chains in Polonia, and by the means of a Letter sent from his own hand to the Mayor of London, she was hang'd at Ludlow.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.26-27; EBBA 30382; Also in Bodleian

Set to tune of...

Transcription

ALL youths of fair England, that dwell both far and neer,
Regard my story that I tell,
and to my song give ear:
A London Lad I was, a Merchants Prentice bound,
My name George Barnwel who did spend my master many a pound.

Take heed of Harlots then, and their inticing trains,
For by that means I have been brought, to hang alive in chains.
As I upon a day
was walking through the street,
About my masters business, I did a wanton meet:
A dainty gallant Dame, and sumptuous in attire,
With smiling looks she greeted me
and did my name require.
Which when I had declard, she gave me then a kiss,
And said, if I would come to her, I should have more then this.
In faith my boy, quoth she, such news I can thee tell,
As shall rejoyce thy very heart, then come where I do dwell.
Fair Mistris, then said I, if I the place may know,
This evening I will be with you, for I abroad must go,
To gather money in, that is my masters due,
And ere that I do home return, ile come and visit you.
Good Barnwel then, quoth she, do thou to Shoreditch come,
And ask for Mrs. Milwood there, next door unto the Gun.
And trust me on my truth, if thou keep troth with me,
For thy friends sake, as my own heart, thou shalt right welcome be.
Thus parted we in peace, and home I passed right,
Then went abroad and gathered in by five a clock at night:
A hundred pound and one, with bag under mine arm,
I went to Mrs. Milwoods house and thought on little harm:
And knocking at the door, straightway her self came down,
Ruffling in most brave attire, her Hoods and silken gown:
Who through her beauty bright, so gloriously did shine,
That she amazd my dazling eyes, she seemed so divine.
She took me by the hand, and with a modest grace,
Welcome sweet Barnwel than, quod she, unto this homely place:
Welcome ten th[o]usand times, more welcome then my brother,
And better welcome I protest, then any one or other:
And seeing I have thee found as good as thy word to be,
A homely supper er thou part, thou shalt here take with me.
O pardon me, quoth I, fair Mistris I you pray,
For why out of my Masters house, so long I dare not stay.
Alas, good sir, she said. art thou so strictly tyd,
You may not with your dearest friend
one hour or two abide?
Fath then the case is hard if it be so, quoth she,
I would I were a Prentice bound to live in house with thee.
Therefore my sweetest George, list well what I do say,
And do not blame a woman much, her fancy to bewray:
Let not affections force
be counted lewd desire,
Nor think it not immodesty, I would thy love require.
With that she turnd aside,
and with a blushing red,
A mournful motion she bewrayd, by holding down her head.
A Handkerchief she had,
all wrought with silk and gold,
which she to stop her trickling tears against her eyes did hold.
This thing unto my sight, was wondrous rare and strange;
& in my mind and inward thoughts it wrought a sudden change:
That I so hardy was,
to take her by the hand,
Saying, sweet Mistris, why do you so sad and heavy stand?
Call me not Mistris now, but Sara thy true friend,
Thy servant Sara honouring thee, until her life doth end.
If thou wouldst here alledge thou art in years a Boy,
So was Adonis, yet was he, fair Venus love and joy.
Thus I that ner before,
of Woman found such grace,
And seeing now so fair a Dame,
give me a kind imbrace:
I supt with her that night, with joys that did abound,
And for the same paid presently, in Money twice three pound.
A hundred Kisses then for my farewel she gave,
Saying, sweet Barnwel, when shall I again thy company have?
O stay not too long my dear, sweet George have me in mind,
her words bewitcht my childishness she uttered them so kind,
So that I made a vow, next Sunday without fail,
With my sweet Sara once again, to tell some pleasant tale.
When she heard me say I, the tears fell from her eyes,
O George, quoth she, if thou dost fail thy Sara sure will dye:
Though long, yet loe at last, the pointed time was come,
That I must with my Sara meet, having a mighty sum
Of money in my hand, unto her house went I.
Whereas my love, upon her bed, in saddest sort did lye.
What ails my hearts delight, my Sara dear, quoth he,
Let not my love lament and grieve nor sighing pain and dye.
But tell to me my dearest friend, what may thy woes amend,
& thou shalt lack no means of help, though forty pounds I spend:
With that she turnd her head, and sickly thus did say,
O my sweet George my grief is great, ten pounds I have to pay,
Unto a cruel wretch, and God he knows, quoth she,
I have it not, tush, rise, quoth I, and take it here of me:
Ten pounds, nor ten times ten, shall make my love decay,
Then from his bag into her lap, he cast ten pounds straight way.
All blith and pleasant then,
to banqueting they go,
She proffered him to lye with her, and said it should be so:
And after that same time, I gave her store of Coyn,
Yea, sometimes fifty pound at once, all which I did purloyn:
And thus I did pass on, until my master then,
Did call to have his reckoning in, cast up amongst his men.
The which when as I heard, I knew not what to say,
For well I knew that I was out, two hundred pound that day:
Then from my master streight, I run in secret sort,
And unto Sara Milwood then my state I did report:
But how she usd this Youth, in this his extream need,
The which did her necessity, so oft with money feed:
The second part behold shall tell it forth at large;
And shall a Strumpets willy ways
with all her tricks discharge.

The Second Part, to the same Tune.

HEre comes young Barnwel unto,
sweet Sara his delight,
I am undone, except thou stand my faithful friend this night:
Our Master to command accounts, hath just occasion found,
And I am come behind the hand, almost two hundred pound:
And therefore knowing not at all what answer for to make,
And his displeasure to escape, my way to thee I take:
Hoping in this extreamity thou wilt my succour be,
That for a time I may remain in secret here with thee.
with that she knit & bent her brows and looking all aquoy,
Quoth she, what should I have to do with any Prentice-boy?
And seeing you have purloynd and got your Masters goods away,
The case is bad, and therefore here,
I mean thou shalt not stay.
why sweetheart thou knowst, I said, that all which I did get;
I gave it, and did spend it all, upon thee every whit.
Thou knowst I loved thee so well, thou couldst not ask the thing,
But that I did incontinent the same unto thee bring.
Quod she, thou art a paultry Jack, to charge me in this sort,
Being a Woman of credit good, and known of good report;
And therefore this I tell thee flat, be packing with good speed,
I do defie thee from my heart, and scorn thy filthy deed.
Is this the love & friendship which thou didst to me protest?
Is this the great affection which you seemed to express?
Now fie on all deceitful shews, the best is I may speed,
To get a lodging any where, for money in my need:
Therefore false woman now fare-well while twenty pound doth last
My anchor in some other Haven I will with wisdom cast.
When she perceived by his words that he had money store,
That she had gauld him in such sort it grievd her heart full sore:
Therefore to call him back again she did suppose it best,
Stay George, quod she, thou art too quick why man I do but jest.
thinkst thou for all my passed speech that I would let thee go?
Faith no, quoth she, my love to thee
I wis is more then so:
you will not deal with prentice boys I heard you even now swear,
Therefore I will not trouble you my George herk in thine ear,
Thou shalt not go this night quod she what chance so er befall,
But man wel have a bed for thee, or else the Devil take all.
Thus I that was with Wiles be-witchd & snard with fancy still,
Had not the power to put away, or to withstand her will.
Then wine and wine I called in,
and cheer upon good cheer,
And nothing in the world I thought for Sarahs love too dear:
Whilst I was in her company, in joy and merriment,
And all too little I did think, that I upon her spent,
A fig for care or careful thought when all my gold is gone,
In faith my girl we will have more, whoever it light upon:
My fathers rich, why then, quoth I should I want any gold?
With a father indeed (quoth she) a Son may well be bold:
I have a Sister richly wed, that ile rob ere ile want;
Why then quod Sara they may well consider of your scant:
nay more then this an Uncle I have at Ludlow he doth dwell,
He is a Grasier, which in wealth, doth all the rest excell.
Ere I will live in lack (quoth he) and have no coyn for thee,
Ile rob the churl and murder him, why should you not (quoth she.)
Ere I would want were I a man, or live in poor estate,
On father, friends, and all my kin, I would my talents grate.
For without mony, George, (quod she) a man is but a beast,
And bringing money thou shalt be always my chiefest guest:
For say thou shouldst pursued be with twenty hues and cries,
And with a Warrant searched for with Argos hundred eyes:
Yet in my house thou shalt be safe, such privy ways there be,
That if they sought an 100 years, they could not find out thee.
And so carousing in their cups, their pleasure to content,
George Barnwel had in little space his money wholly spent.
Which being done to Ludlow then, he did provide to go,
To rob his wealthy Uncle then,
his Minion would it so:
and once or twice he thought to take his father by the way,
but that he thought his Master there took order for his stay.
Directly to his Uncle then, he rode with might and main,
where with good welcome, and good cheer he did him entertain:
A Sennets space he stayed there, until it chanced so,
His Uncle with fat Cattel did unto a Market go.
His Kinsman needs must ride with him and when he saw right plain
Great store of Money he had took, in coming home again,
Most suddenly within a Wood, he struck his Uncle down,
And beat his brains out of his head, so sore he crackt his crown:
And fourscore pound in ready coyn, out of his Purse he took,
And comming unto London strait, the Country quite forsook.
To Sara Milwood then he came, shewing his store of gold,
And how he had his Uncle slain, to her he plainly told.
Tush, tis no matter George, quod she so we the money have,
To have good cheer in jolly sort, and deck us fine and brave.
And thus they livd in filthy sort, till all his store was gone,
And means to get them any more, I wis poor George had none.
And therefore now in railing sort she thrust him out of door,
Which is the just reward they get that spend upon a Whore.
O do me not this vile disgrace, in this my need (quoth he)
She calld him thief and murderer with all the spight might be.
And to the Constable she went, to have him apprehended,
And shewd in each degree how far, he had the law offended.
When Barnwel saw her drift, to sea he got straightway,
Where fear and dread, & conscience sting, upon him still doth stay.
Unto the Mayor of London then, he did a Letter write,
Wherein his own and Saras faults he did at large recite.
Whereby she apprehended was,
and then to Ludlow sent,
Where she was judgd, condemnd & hangd for murder incontinent,
and there this gallant quean did die this was her greatest gains,
For murder in Polonia
was Barnwel hangd in chains.
Lo heres the end of wilful youth, that after Harlots haunt,
Who in the spoyl of other men, about the streets do flaunt.

Method of Punishment

hanging, hanging in chains

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Execution Location

Ludlow and Polonia

Printing Location

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere J. Wright, and J. Clarke

Notes

see also: (1780-1812) http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/acwwweng/ballads/image.pl?ref=Harding+B+1%2818%29&id=00019.gif&seq=1&size=0

and: http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/acwwweng/ballads/image.pl?ref=Firth+c.17%2872%29&id=18762.gif&seq=1&size=1

Cf. The Unfaithful Servant: 17. For George Barnwell as black-letter ballad see Coles, F, Vere, T and Gilbertson, W in Bodleian Allegro archive as Wood 401(77); for other printings, same source, Aldermary Church Yard as Harding B 1(17), from c.Brown in London as Douce Ballads 3(40a), J. Evans in London (41 Long Lane), same source, as Harding B. 1(18) and Keys in Devonport, same source, as Firth b. 25(503).
rox_3_26-27_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:36 +1000
<![CDATA[A warning to all false Traitors by example of 14. ]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/953

Title

A warning to all false Traitors by example of 14. 

Subtitle

Wherof vi. were executed in diuers places neere about London, and 2. neere Braintford the 28. day of August, 1588. Also at Tyborne were executed the 30. day vj.namely 5. Men and one Woman. To the tune of Greensleeves.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

National Library of Scotland - Crawford, Crawford.EB.1434; EBBA 34359

Set to tune of...

Greensleeves

Transcription

YOu Traitors all that doo devise,
to hurt our Queene in trecherous wise,
And in your hartes doo still surmize,
which way to hurt our England:
Consider what the ende will be,
Of Traitors all in their degree,
Hanging is still their destenye,
that trouble the peace of England.

Will not examples make you true,
But you will still the steppes ensue,
Of the ungodly Romish crue,
that trouble the peace of England!
Remember Felton long agoe,
And Campion that was hang'd also,
With a number great of Traitors moe,
that troubled the peace of England.

Then Parrie and Throckmorton eke,
Of traiterous driftts were not to seeke,
And divers other have doone the like,
to trouble the peace of England:
And Babbington with his wicked traine,
Continually did beate their braine,
which way and how they might obtaine,
to trouble the peace of England.

But God we see hath still made knowne,
Their wicked meaninges every one,
And death hath made their harts to grone,
that troubled the peace of England:
Yet will not these examples good,
Once stay these traitors madding mood,
But still they seeke to suck the blood,
of our gratious Queene of England.

As late neer London there was seene,
Two traitors hang'd on Myle-end greene
which did take part against our Queene,
to trouble her Realme of England:
The first a Preest, his name was Deane,
The next was Weblin who did meane,
To helpe the Spaniards for to gleane,
the fruites of the Realme of England.

The next in Finsberrie feeld their died,
A Preest that was a traitor tryed,
His name was Gunter who denied,
to helpe the good Queene of England:

But he would for the Spaniards sake,
Provide invasion for to make,
And gainst our Queene their partes to take
to trouble the peace of England.

There died in Lincolnes feelde also,
Moorton a cruell traitor too:
He being a Preest with other moe,
did come to trouble our England.
And in that place there died with him,
One Moore that was a traitor grim,
who would have ventured life and lim,
to hurt the good Queene of England.

There died eke at Clarkenwell,
A Preest that was a traitor fell,
His name was Acton trueth to tell,
that troubled the peace of England:
For why, he sought for to maintaine,
The Pope and eke the Spanish traine,
And did our gratious Queene disdaine,
with all that love her in England.

Then Felton yong who did upholde,
The Pope as did his Father olde,
His false hart he to treason solde,
to trouble the peace of England:
To Braintford he was had to dye,
wheras he stoutly did deny,
To helpe our Queene and her Cuntrye,
but sought the decay of England.

And in like manner Clarkson he,
To Braintford went for company,
where both were hanged upon a tree,
as enemies to our England:
Both Preests they were of Romish rout
Who subtilly did goe about,
But yet for them it was no boot,
to hurt the good Realme of England.

At Tyborne dyed the thirteth day,
Flewert and Shelley, trueth to say,
And Leigh a preest who did denay,
to aide the good Queene of England:
Martin and Rooche that present died,
At Tyborne being Traitors tryed:
For like the rest they had denide,
to aide the good Queene of England.

One Margeret Ward there died that daye,
For from Bridewell she did convay,
A traiterous preest with ropes away,
that sought to trouble our England:
This wicked woman voide of grace,
Would not repent in any case,
But desperatly even at that place,
she died as a foe to England.

When Law had passed upon them so,
they should be hang'd and quartered too
Our Queene tooke mercy on them tho,
which sought her decay in England:
And pardoned them their greatest paine,
Yet all her pitie was in vaine,
For to aske mercy they did disdaine,
of the gratious Queene of England.

But God we see dooth still defend,
Our gratious Queene unto the end,
Gainst traitors that doo ill pretend,
to her and her Realme of England:
God graunt that we may thankfull be,
Unto his glorious Majestie,
That so defendes the soveraignty,
of the vertuous Queene of England.

The names of the 8. Tray-
tors, executed on the eight and
twentith of August.

William Deane, and Henry Webley, executed
at Myle-end.
William Gunter, executed at Fins-burye.
Robert Moorton and Hugh Moore, execu-
ted in Lincolns Inne feelde.
Thomas Acton executed at Clarkenwell.
Thomas Felton and James Clarkson, executed
neere Braintford.

The names of them that
were executed the 30. of August.

Richard Flewett, Edward Shelley, Richard
Leigh, Richard Martin, and John Rooche, execu-
ted at Tyborne.
Also at the same time one Margeret Ward
for letting a Seminarye Preeste out of Bride-
well.

Crime(s)

treason, heresy

Gender

Execution Location

various

Printing Location

Imprinted at London by Edward Allde.
A warning to all false Traitors.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:36 +1000
<![CDATA[The sad effects of Covetousness.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/922

Title

The sad effects of Covetousness.

Subtitle

Being, a Relation of a Horrid Murther, commited upon a Maid Servant, in the Town of Lyn; by her Mistriss and her Son, for the Lucre of what she had: But they being apprehended for the same, was accordingly found Guilty, and was also Executed.

Synopsis

A maidservant comes into a legacy; out of greed she is murdered by her mistress and her son, who drive a spike into her head and then try to make it look like she hanged herself.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.168; EBBA 20785

Set to tune of...

The Young-Mans Legacy

Transcription

WHile I in brief shall make appear, what sins are chiefest in this land,
Who can forbear to shed a tear, when they these Lines shall understand

Covetousness we see each day, to many other sins does lead,
And when we shall to that give way, sad murthers does from thence proceed

For money what will many do, to Satans service they'l engage,
And will their hands in blood imbrue; O! is this not a sinful age.

Tho' many for the same does stretch, yet some will eagerly run on,
And does not fear to make a breach, in all the Laws of God and Man.

Alas, we find the case is clear, offenders will no conscience make,
Although their lives do pay full dear, yet they will not their sins forsake.

And now in brief I will proceed, to tell what grieves my heart full sore,
The like of this sad bloody deed, was hardly ever heard before.

There was an honest Servant-Maid, that lived in the town of Lyn:
Who of her life was soon betray'd, By Murther that notorious sin.

It was the Mistriss and her Son, who prov'd this Maidens overthrow,
There was no Creature, no not one, when they their Cruelty did show.

To death they did this Damsel bring, she did their cruelty behold,
What tempted them to do this thing, these very Lines shall here unfold.

While she did in this place abide, a Servant with humility:
A Friend or a Relation dy'd, who left to her a Legacy.

This to her service then she brought, where wickedness was too too rife,
For this they her destruction wrought, and suddenly they sought her life.

One morning when she riss betimes, to do her work, and thought no ill,
O! then they did commit this crime, her Guiltless blood they then did spill.

They first agreed to knock her down, then presently her wicked Son,
He drove a spike into her head, to finish what they had begun.

When they had her destruction wrought. O! then the Son that wicked Elf,
Did hang her that it might be thought to all, that she had hang'd her self.

But Murther Heaven does forbid, the Blood does still for vengeance cry,
Likewise we know it can't be hid, from our great Gods all-seeing Eye.

She by their Cruelty did fall, alas! we may her grief condole,
They did not give her time to call to God, to pitty her poor Soul.

They to the Bar was brought at last, by this sad wicked Race they run,
And there by Law they both were cast,
first dy'd the Mother, then her Son.

The fruits of Murther here we see, would make a Christians heart to bleed
O that it may a warning be, to all that e're these lines shall read.

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Execution Location

Lyn

Tune Data

The Young-Mans Legacy is not in The British Broadsie Ballad and its Music (Simpson 1966).
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:31 +1000
<![CDATA[The Merites of PIRACIE]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/918

Title

The Merites of PIRACIE

Subtitle

OR, A new Song on Captain Green and his bloody CRUE: To the Tune of, My Virgins Treasure.

Synopsis

Singer calls for execution of crew of pirates

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.609; EBBA 31311

Set to tune of...

My Virgins Treasure

Transcription

OF all the pirates Ive heard or seen,
The basest and Bloodiest is Captain Green,
To treat our Merchant Ships at such a rate,
After Robbery, his Crime to aggravate,
Under pretence of setting them a shoar:
Our Merchant Men them to devore.
Which clearly is proven to be very true,
He deserves to be hangd & all his Crue:
How great was GODs providence in discovering
This odious Murther, and it to Light bring!
By a Villian pretended to marry a Lass,
That Lives in Burntisland, if it had come to pass
That he had obtained her to be his Bride,
We should never known what did Drummond betid[e]
As he was from Indies returning home,
Whom Green basly murthered, when to Malabra come;
This villian John Hynds, who at first did discover,
Deserves to be hanged, for example to other
Such Villians hereafter to deny what they say;
once out of reveange, then with both hands to play
And as for John Madder, who ought to have rather
Preserved his Country, he deserves a Tadder;
And that is too too little if he get his due:
Hes the Bloodiest Villian of all the Crue.
No Murther and Robbery was ever more clear
Made evident, than this as doth now appear,
By their own Declaration after Sentence given,
Fearing to be debarred from Heaven
If they die so hard hearted as not to confess,
Or if by confessing they may have redress:
Which if they obtain, theyl fall to a new,
To Robe, to murther, then hang all the base Crue.
Except the Chirurgion, the Cook and the Black,
That yet remains of that Bloody pack:
Because ingenious they were in their Narrations
And constant were to their first Declaration,
But for all the rest of so cruel a Crue,
Hanging is too little if they get their due,
And more especially Madder and Hynds
should be hangd, drawn, quarterd, hung in chains!
Let this to all hellish Villians hereafter prove.
A warning from falling into such crimes, least Jove
Pursue them with vengeance as he hath done Green
And his Bloody Crue, whose practise has been,
Of a long time to live by Piracie,
and Murther, which we sufficiently see;
To be most clear and evidently proven
Let Green and his Crue to the Gallows be drive[n.]

Crime(s)

piracy, murder

Gender

Date

Notes

Wikipedia:  Thomas Green (1679/1680-1705) was an English sailor and alleged pirate, who was captain of the Worcester. He was hanged on Leith sands in Scotland along with two of his crew on 11 April 1705.

Green was celebrated in a contemporary ballad:
Of all the pirates I've heard and seen
The basest and the bloodiest is Captain Green

The Worcester was seized, probably at the bequest of the Secretary of the Company of Scotland (Roderick Mackenzie), when she came into the Firth of Forth simply to weather a storm; Green and his crew were alleged to have boarded a ship, the ironically named Speedy Return, off the Malabar coast in India, killed the crew, stolen the goods on board, then sold the ship.

However, the evidence against Green has been considered flimsy; during the trial, the ship in question was never named, and neither the ship's owner nor any next of kin of the alleged deceased came forward. Furthermore, the exact time and place of the incident were never specified ("upon one or other Days of the Months of February, March, April or May, in the year 1703").

As the alleged incident was outside of Scottish waters, the veracity of the trial was also called into question; however the prosecution argued that the subjects of the piracy had, according to different witnesses, either sailed under an English flag or had spoken English, and as such, Green and his crew were subject to the justice of Admiralty. To further dispel any pretence of a fair trial, many of the crew were forbidden to provide evidence, and one of those who was allowed - the captain's Indian servant - had been "chained and nailed to the Floor of the Fore-Castle" at the time of the alleged incident." The evidence given by this hardly objective witness was accepted. The English historian G. M. Trevelyan complained that while "the 'evidence' did not even pretend to be more than hearsay [...] the court [was] drunk with patriotic prejudice."

Green was sentenced to death, originally intended for the 3 April 1705, but this was postponed for a time at the request of the Queen's Privy Council. During this time it became known to those involved in the trial that survivors of the Speedy Return had arrived back in England, and were ready to testify to the innocence of Green and his colleagues. Nevertheless, the Crown's Scottish representatives failed to stand up to an angry Edinburgh mob, and did not postpone the execution date further.

Green and two of his crew members, an Englishman, Simpson, and John Madder, a Scot, were found guilty and hanged on Leith Sands on 11 April. The men met their deaths, amongst the braying mob, with calm and resolve. It is probable that the Worcester was seized in an act of revenge against the East India Company (for whom Green had earlier worked) that had seized one of the last ships of the Company of Scotland, the Annandale, the previous year. After the executions of the three, the remaining crewmen were quietly released with no further charge. The incident caused great consternation and anger throughout much of England and provided fodder for the vitriolic patriots on both sides of the border.

Trevelyan concluded that the deaths of the three men served as an outlet for a widely held Scottish resentment of their Anglo-centric government's mismanagement. Examples of the problems partially caused by this mis-governance included the Glencoe Massacre, the ill-fated Darien Scheme (the failure of which was partially attributable to King William's concession to English mercantile interest) and the "seven ill years" (seven bad harvests experienced by Scottish farmers between 1692 and 1698, blame for which must also lie partially with archaic tools, expertise and practices in use at that time).
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:31 +1000
<![CDATA[The Lamentation of Mr. Pages Wife of Plimouth,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/913

Title

The Lamentation of Mr. Pages Wife of Plimouth,

Subtitle

Who being forced to Wed against her will, did consent to his Murder, for the love of George Strangwidge. for which Fact they suffered Death at Barnstable in Devonshire.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.170-171, (cf. Roxburghe 3.742-743, EBBA 31453; Roxburghe 3.744-745, EBBA 31455); EBBA 20787

Set to tune of...

Transcription

U Nhappy she whom Fortune hath forlorn,
Despis'd of grace, that proffer'd grace did scorn,
My lawless love hath luckless wrought my woe,
My discontent, content did overthrow.
My loathed life too late I do lament,
My woful deeds in heart I do repent:
A Wife I was that wilful went awry,
And for that fault am here prepar'd to dye:
In blooming years my Fathers greedy mind,
Against my will a match for me did find,
Great wealth there was, yes, gold and silver store,
But yet my heard had chosen one before.
Mine eyes dislik't my Fathers likeing quite,
My heart did loath my Parents fond delight:
My greedy mind and fancy told to me,
That with his Age my Youth could not agree.
On knees I pray'd they would not me constrain,
With tears I cry'd, their purpose to refrain:
With sighs and sobs I did them often move:
I might not Wed whereas I could not Love.
But all in vain my speeches still I spent,
My Mothers will my wishes did prevent,
Though wealthy page possest the outward part,
George Strangwidge still was lodged in my heart.
I Wedded was and wraped all in woe,
Great discontent within my heart did grow:
I loath'd to live, yet liv'd in deadly strife,
Because perforce I was made pages Wife.
My chosen eyes could not his sight abide,
My tender Youth did loath his aged side,
Scant could I tast the meat whereon I fed,
My Legs did loath to lodge within his bed.
Cause knew I none, I should despise him so,
That such disdain within my heart did grow:
Save onely this, that fancy did me move,
And told me still George Strangwidge was my love.
Lo here began my downfal and decay,
In mind I mus'd to make him straight away:
I that became his Discontented Wife,
Contented was he should be rid of Life.
Methinks the Heavens cry vengeance for my fact,
Methinks the World condemns my monstrous act,
Methinks within my conscience tells me true,
That for that Deed Hell fire is my due.
My pensive Soul doth sorrow for my Sin,
For which offence my soul doth Bleed within,
But mercy Lord, for mercy still I cry,
Save thou my soul, and let my body dye.
Well could I with that page enjoy'd his life,
So that he had some other to his Wife:
But never could I wish of low or high,
A longer life than see sweet Strangwidge Dye.
O woe is me that had no greater grace,
To stay till he had run out natures race:
My Deeds I rue, but more I do Repent,
That to the same my Strangwidge gave consent.
You Parents fond that greedy minded be,
And seek to graft upon the Golden tree:
Consider well, and rightful judges be,
And give your Doom, 'twixt parents love & me.
I was their Child, and bound for to obey,
Yet not to love where I no love could lay,
I married was in muck and endless strife,
But faith before had made me Strangwidge Wife.
O wretched world whom canker'd rust doth blind
And cursed men who bear a greedy mind:
And hapless I whom Parents did force so,
To end my Days in sorrow, shame, and woe.
You Devonshire dames, & courteous Cornwal Knights,
That here are come to visit woful wights,
Regard my grief, and mark my woful end,
But to your Children be a better friend.
And thou my Dear which for my fault must Dye,
Be not afraid the sting of Death to try:
Like as we liv'd and lov'd together true,
So both at once let's bid the World adieu.
Ulalia thy friend doth take her last farewel
Whose soul with thee in Heaven shall ever dwell,
Sweet Saviour Christ do thou my soul receive,
The World I do with all my heart forgive.
And Parents now whose greedy mind doth show,
Your hearts desire, and inward heavy woe:
Mourn you no more, for now my heart doth tell,
E're Day be done, my Soul shall be full well.
And Plimouth proud I bid thee now farewel,
Take heed you Wives, let not your hands Rebel,
And farewel life wherein such sorrow shows,
And welcome Death that doth my Corps inclose.
And now sweet Lord forgive me my misdeeds,
Repentance crys for Soul that inward bleeds,
My Soul and Body I commend to thee,
That with thy Blood from Death redeemed me.
Lord bless our King with long and happy life,
And send true Peace betwixt each Man and Wife:
And give all Parents Wisdom to foresee,
The match is marr'd where minds do not agree.

The lamentation of George Strang-
widge, who for consenting to the Death of Mr.
Page of Plimouth, suffered Death at
Barnstable .
T He Man that sighs end sorrows for his sin,
The Corps which care & woe hath wraped in:
In doleful sort records her Swan-like Song,
That waits for death, and loaths to live so long.
O Glansfield cause of my commited Crime,
So wed in Wealth as Birds in Bush of Lime:
What cause had'st thou to hear such wicked spight
Against my Love and eke my hearts delight.
I would to God thy wisdom had been more,
Or that I had not entred in thy door:
Or that thou hadst a kinder Father been
Unto thy child, whose Years are yet but green.
The match unmet which thou for me didst make,
When aged page thy Daughter home did take;
Well may'st thou cue with tears that cannot dry,
Which is the cause that four of us must die.
Ulalia more brighter than the Summers Sun,
Whose beauty has for ever my Love won:
My soul more sobs to think of thy disgrace,
Then to behold my own untimely race.
The deed late done in heart I do repent,
But that I lov'd I cannot yet relent:
Thy seemly sight was ever sweet to me,
Would God my Death could thy excuser be.
It was for me alas thou didst the same,
On me by right they ought to lay the blame:
My worthless love hath brought my life in scorn,
And woe is me that ever I was born.
Farewel my love, whose Royal heart was seen,
I would thou hadst not half so constant been:
Farewel my Love, the pride of plimouth Town,
Farewel the Flower whose beauty is cut down.
For twenty Years great was the cost I know,
Thy unkind Father did on thee bestow:
Yet afterwards so sowre did Fortune lowre,
He lost his joy and Child within an hour.
By wrong and woe to God I do commit,
Who was the cause of matching them unfit:
And yet I cannot so my guilt excuse,
We gave consent his life for to abuse.
Wretch that I am, that my consent did give,
Had I deny'd, Ulalia still should live:
Blind fancy said, this suit do not deny:
Live thou in bliss, or else in sorrow dye.
O Lord forgive this cruel deed of mine,
Upon my soul let beams of mercy shine:
I n justice Lord do thou no vengeance take,
F orgive us both, for Jesus Christ his sake.

The Complaint of Mrs. Page for
causing her Husband to be Murthered, for the love
of George Strangwidge , who were execu-
ted together.
I F ever woe did touch a womans heart,
Or grief did gall for sin the outward part:
My conscience then and heavy heart within,
Can witness well the sorrow for my sin.
When Years were Young, my father forc'd me wed
Against my will, where fancy was not fed:
I was content their pleasure to obey,
Although my heart was linkt another way.
Great were the gifts they proffered in my sight,
With wealth they thought to win me to delight,
But Gold nor gifts my mind could not remove
For I was linkt whereas I could not love.
Methought his sight was loathsome to my Eye,
My heart did grudge against him inwardly :
This discontent did cause my deadly strife,
And with his wealth did cause a grievous life.
My constant love was on Young Strangwidge set,
And woe to him that did our welfare let:
His love so deep a root in me did take,
I would have gone a beging for his sake.
Wronged he was through fond desire of gain,
Wronged he was even through my Parents plain:
If faith and troth a perfect pledge might be,
I had been Wife unto no man but he.
Eternal God forgive my Fathers Deed,
And grant all Parents may take better heed.
If I had been but constant to my friend,
I had not matcht to make so bad an end.
But wanting Grace I sought my own decay,
And was the cause to make my Friend away;
And he on whom my earthly joys did lye,
Through my amiss a shameful Death must die.
Farewel sweet George, always my loving friend
Needs must I laud and love thee to the end:
And albeit that Page possest thy due,
In sight of God thou wast my Husbandtrue.
My watry eyes into the Heavens I bend,
Craving of Christ his mercy to extend
My bloody deed do me O Lord forgive,
And let my Soul within thy Kingdom live.
Farewel false world, and friends that fickle be,
All Wives farewel, example take by me.
Let not the Devil to murder you entice,
Seek to escape such foul and sinful vice.
And now, O Christ to thee I yield my breath,
Strengthen my faith in bitter pangs of Death:
Pardon my faults and follies I thee pray,
And with thy blood wash thou my sins away.

Composer of Ballad

Thomas Deloney

Method of Punishment

burning, hanging

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Execution Location

Barnstaple, Devonshire

Printing Location

Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackery, and T. Passinger.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:30 +1000
<![CDATA[The Lamentation of Master Pages wife of Plimmouth,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/912

Title

The Lamentation of Master Pages wife of Plimmouth,

Subtitle

who being enforced by her Parents to wed him against her will, did most wickedly consent to his murther, for the loue of George Strangwidge: for which fact she suffered death at Barstable in Deuonshire. Written with her owne hand a little before her death.

Synopsis

Contains 3 ballads: one in the voice of Mistress Page, one in voice of George Stangwidge, and the third in Page's voice again

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 1.126-127 (See also Roxburghe 1.162-163, EBBA 30122; Euing 1.192, EBBA 31948); EBBA 20054

Set to tune of...

Transcription

The Lamentation of Master Pages wife of Plimmouth, who being enforced by her Parents to wed him against
her will, did most wickedly consent to his murther, for the love of George Strangwidge: for which fact
she suffered death at Barstable in Devonshire. Written with her owne hand a little before
her death. To the tune of Fortune.

UNhappy she whom fortune hath forlorne,
Despis'd of grace, that proffered grace did scorne,
My lawlesse love that lucklesse wrought my woe,
My discontent content did overthrow.

My loathed life too late I doe lament,
My hatefull deed with heart I doe repent:
A wife I was that wilfull went awry,
And for that fault am here prepar'd to die.

In blooming yeares my fathers greedy minde,
Against my will a match for me did finde:
Great wealth there was, yea gold and money store,
But yet my heart had chosen long before.

My eye mislik't my Fathers liking quite:
My heart did loath my Parents fond delight:
My grieved minde and fancy told to me,
That with his age my youth could not agree.

On knees I crav'd they would me not constraine,
With teares I cryde their purpose to refraine:
With sighes and sobs I did them often move,
I might not wed whereas I could not love.

But all in vaine my speeches still I spent,
My Fathers will my wishes did prevent:
Though wealthy Page possest my outward part,
George Strangwidge still was lodged in my heart.

I wedded was but wrapped in all woe,
Great discontents within my heart did grow,
I loath'd to live, yet liv'd in deadly strife,
Because perforce I was made Pages wife.

My chosen eyes could not his sight abide,
My tender youth did scorne his aged side,
Scant could I taste the meat whereon he fed,
My legs did loathe to lodge within his bed.

Cause knew I none I should despise him so,
That such disdaine within my minde did grow,
Save onely this that fancy did me move,
And told me still George Strangwidge was my love.

But here began my downefall and decay,
In mind I mus'd to make him straight away,
I that became his discontented wife:
Contented was he should be rid of life.

Me thinkes that heaven cries vengeance for my fact,
Me thinkes the world condemnes my monstrous act,
Me thinkes within, my conscience tells me true,
That for that deede hell fire is my due.

My pensive life doth sorrow for my sinne,
For this offence my soule doth bleed within,
Yet mercy Lord, for mercy still I cry,
Save thou my soule and let my body dye.

Well could I wish that Page enjoyed his life,
So that he had some other to his wife:
But never would I wish of low or hie,
A longer life and see sweet Strangwidge dye.

Ah woe is me that had not better grace,
To stay till he had run out Natures race:
My deed I rue, but more I doe lament,
That to the same my Strangwidge gave consent.

You Parents fond that greedy minded be,
And seeke to graft upon a golden tree:
Consider well, and rightfull Judges be,
And give your doome twixt Parents love and me.

I was their child and borne for to obey,
Yet not to wed where I no love could lay.
I maried was to mucke and endlesse strife,
But faith before had made me Strangwidge wife.

Ah wretched world which cankred rust doth blind,
And cursed men that beare a greedy mind,
And haplesse I whom Parents did force so,
To end my dayes in sorrow, shame and woe.

you Devonshire dames, & courteous Cornwal knights
That here are come to visit woefull wights:
Regard my griefe and marke my woefull end,
And to your Children be a better friend.

And thou my deare which for my fault must die,
Be not afraid the force of death to trie,
Like as we liv'd and lov'd together true,
So both at once let's bid the world adue.

Ulalia thy friend doth take her last farewell,
Whose soule with thine, in heaven shall ever dwell,
Sweet Saviour Christ doe thou my soule receive,
The world I doe with all my heart forgive.

And Parents now, whose mournfull minds doe show
Your hearts disease and inward heavie woe,
Mourne you no more, for hope my heart doth tell,
Ere day be done, that I shall be full well.

And Plimmouth proud I bid thee eke farewell,
Take heed you wives let not your hands rebell:
And farewell life wherein such sorrow flowes,
And welcome grave which must my corpes inclose.

And now sweet Lord forgive me my misdeeds,
Repentance cries for soule that inward bleeds:
My soule and body I commend to thee,
That with thy blood from death redeem'd it free.

Lord blesse our King with long and happy life,
And send true love betwixt each Man and Wife:
And give all Parents wisedome to foresee,
The match is marr'd where minds doe not agree.
Finis


The Lamentation of George Strangwidge, who for
consenting to the death of Master Page of Plim-
mouth, suffered death at Barstable. 1609,

THe man that sighes and sorrowes for his sinne,
The corpes which care and woe hath wrapped in
In dolefull sort records his Swan-like Song,
That waits for death and loaths to live so long.

O Granfield cause of my committed crime,
Snared in wealth as birds in bush of lime:
What cause hadst thou to beare such wicked spight,
Against my good and eke my loves delight.

I would to God thy wisedome had beene more,
Or that I had not entred in thy doore:
Or that thou hadst a kinder Father beene
Unto thy child, whose yeares are yet but greene.

The match unmeet which thou for muck didst make:
When aged Page thy Daughter home did take:
Well maist thou rue with teares that cannot dry,
Which was the cause that foure of us must die.

Ulalia faire, more bright then summers Sunne,
Whose beauty had my heart for ever won:
My soule more sobs to thinke of thy disgrace,
Then to behold mine owne untimely race.

The deed late done in heart I doe lament
But that I lov'd I cannot it repent:
Thy seemely sight was ever sweet to me,
Would God my death might thy excuser be.

It was for me alas thou didst the same,
On me of right they ought to lay the blame:
My worthlesse love hath brought my life in scorne,
Now woe is me that ever I was borne.

Farewell my Love whose loyall heart was seene,
Would God thou hadst not halfe so constant beene:
Farewell my Love, the pride of Plimmouth Towne,
Farewell the Flower whose beauty is cut downe.

For twenty yeares, great was the cost, I know
Thy unkind Father did on thee bestow:
Yet afterward so sore did fortune [l]owre,
He lost his joy and child within an houre.

My wrong and woe to God I doe commit,
This was the fault by matching them unfit,
And yet my guilt I cannot so excuse,
I gave consent his life for to abuse.

Wretch that I am, that I consent did give,
Had I denied, Ulalia still should live:
Blind fancy said, her sute doe not deny,
Live thou in blisse, or else in sorrow die.

O Lord forgive this cruell deed of mine,
Upon my soule let beames of mercy shine:
In justice Lord doe thou no vengeance take,
Forgive us both for Jesus Christ his sake.


The sorrowfull complaint of Mistris Page, for causing her
Husband to be murthered, for the love of George
Strangwidge, who were executed together.

IF ever woe did touch a Womans heart,
Or griefe did gaule for sin the inward part
My conscience then and heavy heart within,
Can witnesse well my sorrow for my sin.

When yeares were young my Father forst me wed,
Against my will, where fancy was not led,
I was content his pleasure to obey,
Although my heart was linkt another way.

Great were the gifts they proffered to my sight,
With wealth they thought to win me to delight:
But gold nor gift my heart could not remove,
For I was linkt whereas I could not love.

Me thought his sight was loathsome in mine eye,
My heart did grudge against him inwardly
This discontent did cause my deadly strife,
And with his wealth I liv'd a loathsome life.

My constant love was on young Strangwidge set,
And woe to them that did our welfare let:
His love in me so deepe a roote did take,
I could have gone a begging for his sake.

Wronged he was even through my Parents plaine,
Wronged he was through fond desire of gaine,
If faith and troth a perfect pledge might be,
I had beene wife unto no man but he.

Eternall God forgive my Fathers deed,
And grant all maidens to take better heed,
If I had constant beene unto my friend.
I had not matcht to make so bad an end.

But wanting grace, I sought my owne decay,
And was the cause to cast my friend away:
And he in whom my earthly joyes did lie,
Through my amisse, a shamefull death must die.

Farewell sweet George, my loving faithfull friend,
Needs must I laude and love thee to the end
And albeit that Page possest thy due,
In sight of God thou wast my husband true.

My watry eyes unto the heavens I bend,
Craving of Christ his mercy to extend,
My bloody deed, O Lord doe me forgive,
And let my soule within thy Kingdome live.

Farewell false world and friends that fickle bee,
All wives farewell, example take by me:
Let not the Devill to murther you intice,
Seeke to escape each foule and filthy vice.

And now, O Christ, to thee I yeeld my breath,
Strengthen my faith in bitter pangs of death:
Forgive my faults and follies I thee pray,
And with thy blood wash thou my sinnes away.
FINIS.

Composer of Ballad

Thomas Deloney

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Barnstaple, Devonshire

Printing Location

London Printed for H. Gosson

Notes

From Ben Jonson: Dramatist, by Anne Barton, 1984, p. 11:

[Ben Jonson's] Page of Plymouth clearly drew upon the sensational murder for which Ulalia Page and her lover George Strangwidge were executed at Barnstaple in March 1589/90. Three contemporary ballads, two of them probably the work of Thomas Deloney, survive to indicate the general nature of the plot. Like the anonymous Arden of Feversham (1591) or Wilkins's The Miseries of Enforced Marriage (1606), this was a domestic tragedy. Dekker, indeed, was still exploiting the genre in 1621 in the somewhat more volatile company of John Ford and William Rowley when he worked up The Witch of Edmonton. ... The ballads themselves, although the speakers (Strangwidge and Mistress Page) never question the justice of their own death sentences, nevertheless come down emotionally on the side of true love. They are unequivocal in their condemnation of the parents whose greed forced their young daughter into marriage with a rich old curmudgeon, when they knew her heart had already been bestowed elsewhere...

cf. 'The Murder of Page of Plymouth,' from Sundry Strange and Inhumaine Murthers, Lately Committed (1591), reprinted in Blood and Knavery: A Collection of English Renaissance Pamphlets and Ballads of Crime and Sin, ed. Joseph H. Marshburn and Alan R. Velie (Rutherford, N. J.: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1973), p. 62.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:30 +1000
<![CDATA[The Lady Isabella's Tragedy;]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/907

Title

The Lady Isabella's Tragedy;

Subtitle

OR, The Step-Mothers Cruelty. Being a Relation of a most Lamentable and Cruel Murder, committed on the body of the Lady Isabella, the only Daughter of a Noble Duke occasioned by the means of a Step-Mother and the Master-Cook, who were both adjudged to suffer a Cruel death, for committing the said Horrid Act.

Synopsis

A fictional ballad, included here to demonstrate how similar they were - in lyric, melody, and appearance - to ballads about genuine events. A wicked stepmother conspires with the cook to kill her stepdaughter. He kills her and bakes her into a pie, but the scullery boy is an eye-witness and warns the duke before he eats his daughter. The murderers are executed and the scullery boy becomes heir to the dukedom.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

University of Glasgow Library - Euing Ballads 1.182; Pepys 2.149; EBBA 31937. Audio recording by Molly McKew.

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Transcription

THere was a Lord of worthy fame and a Hunting he would ride,
Attended by a noble Train, of Gentry by his side,
And whilst he did in chase remain, to see both sport and play,
His Lady went as she did feign, unto the Church to pray.

This Lord he had a Daughter fair whose beauty shin'd so bright:
She was belov'd both far and near of many a Lord and Knight.
Fair Isabella was she call'd, A Creature fair was she,
She was her fathers only joy, as you shall after see.

But yet her Cruel step-Mother, did envy her so much,
That day by day she sought her life her Malice it was such.
She bargain'd with the Master-Cook to take her life away,
And taking of her Daughters Book she thus to her did say.

Go home sweet daughter, I thee pray go hasten presently.
And tell unto the Master-Cook these words that I tell thee.
And bid him dress to dinner straight, that fair and milk white Doe,
That in the Park doth shine so bright, there's none so fair to show.

THis Lady fearing of no harm, obey'd her Mothers will,
And presently she hasted home her mind for to fulfill.
She straight into the Kitchin went, her message for to tell:
And there the Master-Cook she spy'd who did with malice swell.

You Master-Cook it must be so, do that which I thee tell
You needs must dress the milk-white doe, which you do know full well.
Then straight his cruel bloody hands, he on the Lady laid,
Who quivering and shaking stands, whilst thus to her he said.

Thou art the Doe that I must dress, see here behold my Knife,
For it is pointed presently, to rid thee of thy life.
O then cry'd out the Scullen boy as loud as loud might be,
O save her life good Master-Cook, and make your Pies of me.

For pitty sake do not destroy, my Lady with your Knife,
You know she is her fathers joy, for Christs sake save her life.
I will not save her life he said, nor make my Pies of thee,
But if thou do this deed bewray thy Butcher I will be,

But when this Lord he did come home for to sit down and eat,
He called for his Daughter Dear, to come and carve his meat.
Now sit you down this Lady said O sit you down to meat,
Into some Nunnery she is gone, your Daughter dear forget.

Then solemnly he made a vow before the company,
That he would neither eat nor drink, until he did her see.
O then bespake the Scullen boy, with a loud voice so high,
If that you will your Daughter see, my Lord cut up that Pye.

Wherein her flesh is minced small; and parched with the fire:
All caused by her Step-Mother, who did her death desire.
And cursed be the Master-Cook, O cursed may he be,
I proffered him my own hearts blood, from death to set her free.

Then all in black this Lord did mourn, and for his Daughters sake
He judged for her Step-mother, to be burnt at a Stake,
Likewise he judg'd the Master-Cook in boyling Lead to stand,
and made the simple Scullen Boy, the Heir to all his Land.

Method of Punishment

burning at stake (for stepmother), boiling lead (for male cook)

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in Pye-corner.

Tune Data

The Ladies Fall (Simpson 1966, pp, 98, 104, 105, 248, 369-371, 368), is linked with In Peascod Time.

Notes

Fictional tale
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:29 +1000
<![CDATA[The Bloody Butcher, And the two wicked and cruel Bawds:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/899

Title

The Bloody Butcher, And the two wicked and cruel Bawds:

Subtitle

Exprest in a woful Narrative of one Nathaniel Smith a Butcher, who lived in Maypole-Alley near the Strand; his Wife having been all day in the Market selling of Meat, in the evening went with her Husband to an Alehouse, where they stay'd till ten of the clock. and then went home together, and being in their lodging, demanded of her the Money she had taken that day, but she (being great with child and peevish) refused to give it him, he taking his Butchers-knife in his hand stabb'd her in the back, whereof she instantly dyed, for which he was Apprehended, Condemned, and Executed at Tyburn, April the 24th. 1667. As also another Relation of a Ravisher, who in a Bawdy-house (assisted by two Women) ravished a Girle.

Synopsis

2 stories: one of domestic violence ending in murder, the other of the rape of a child with two women as accessories.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Glasgow University Library - Euing, Shelfmark: Euing Ballads 20; EBBA 31663

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Transcription

What horrid execrable Crimes,
Possess us in these latter Times;
Not Pestilence, nor Sword, nor Fire,
Will make us from our Sins retyre.

Two sad Relations that befel
Us in this Month, I shall you tell,
As dismal dreadful Deeds they be,
As ever you did hear or see.


One was the Murther of a Wife,
By wrathful Hand, and bloody Knife;
T'other declares those that defil'd,
The Virgin body of a Child.

A Butcher, as we understand,
Liv'd near the May-pole in the Strand;
Nathaniel Smith, who lost his life,
For the sad slaughter of his wife.

After so many years their hands,
Had been conjoyn'd in wedlock bands,
Whereby came many Children small,
One wretched hour confounds them all.

This Butchers Wife did keep a Seat
I'th Market-place to sell her Meat;
And was by all report that's made,
A careful house-wife in the Trade.

One fatal Evening being come,
From Market, to her latest home,
She and her Husband both went then,
To a Victualling-house and staid till ten.

The second part, to the same tune.

Then went together home, where when
A little season they had been;
He in a bold imperious way,
Demands the Coin she took that day.

She being with Child, and fretful too,
What he commands she would not do;
Which, with his drink begat a rage,
Nothing but Murther could asswage.
Words made his passion mount up higher
She was the bellows, he the fire:
Words are but wind, buy yet they do,
Pierce through the Soul and Body too.

The Devil had subdued him there,
And whisper'd Murther in his ear;
Which he impatient of delay,
Doth perpetrate the readiest way.

With a strong long sharp-poynted knife,
Into the back he stabs his wife:
Flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone,
With one dead-doing blow is gone.

She faltred, fainted, fell down dead,
Upon the ground her bloud was shed;
The little Infant in the womb
Received there both Life and Tomb.

Then was he Apprehended, by
Some Neighbours that did hear her cry
But Murther, murther, and for this,
He judgd and Executed is.

Let this a warning be to those,
Whose Passions are their greatest Foes:
And let all Women have a care,
To stir those that impatient are.

Ten angry words with wrath and knife,
Has kil'd a husband and a Wife;
An Infant too, which makes up Three,
And ruin'd a whole family.

But mischiefs seldome come alone,
My Muse hath yet another Groan;
A sigh, a tear, and much of moan,
To tell a Deed but lately done.

There was one Mary, a grand Bawd,
That liv'd by Lechery and Fraud;
Assisted by her Daughter Bess,
Did keep a house of wickedness.

They liv'd at Westminster, where they,
Many a Virgin did betray:
Those wicked actions made them rue,
This fact they did, which I'le tell you.

It seems a fellow thither came,
To pacifie his lustful flame;
Having a fire of Drink before,
Came to be quenched by a Whore.

They being destitute, did meet,
A Neighbours Daughter in the street;
A pretty Child, and as 'tis told,
By many, but of Ten years old.

Yet she is tempted in by them,
To serve their turn in that extream,
And then deliver'd up to One,
Was more a Devil than a Man.

Unto this weak unwary Child,
That was unfit to be defil'd;
In order to their base Design,
They give it Brandy, Ale, and Wine.

Their hot Guest for a Wench doth call,
They brought him One, but very small;
It serv'd his turn, and he did fly,
At his small Game, they standing by,

The Child resisted and cryed out,
The old Bawd choak'd her with a Clout
Stop'd in the mouth; the Fellow spoil'd,
With furious lust the fainting Child.

The Fellow having Ravished,
This tender Child, away he fled:
But what he was, or who, is known
Not as I hear, to any one.

The two that held, and stopt her breath,
Most justly now have suffer'd Death;
Such pitty 'tis that he is free'd,
By flight, that did the filthy Deed.

Thus have I told you Two sad Crime,
Committed in these worst of Times;
Let all that hear me now, by this,
Take warning not to do amiss.

Return to God, reform your Lives,
Men be not bitter to your wives:
Wives love you Husbands, for bad words
Have drawn a hundred thousand swords.

Let Love and Patience both agree,
To keep us all in Amity;
Then all our bloody Broyls will cease,
God save the King, and send us Peace.


Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, rape

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London, Printed by E. Crowch, for F. Coles, / T. Vere, and J. Wright.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:28 +1000
<![CDATA[The Araignement of John Flodder and his wife,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/896

Title

The Araignement of John Flodder and his wife,

Subtitle

at Norwidge, with the wife of one Bicks, for burning the Towne of Windham in Norfolke, upon the xi. day of June last 1615. Where two of them are now executed, and the third reprived upon further confession. To the tune of Fortune my foe.

Synopsis

After the town of Windham, Norfolk, is burned, three people are convicted of arson: John Flodder and his wife, and a Mrs. Bicks, all known vagrants. Bicks repents before her execution, but Flodder is unrepentant. He is hung in chains, while his wife is given a temporary reprieve due to pregnancy. Because of this, she confesses that a second fire was planned and that Bicks' husband was party to the plan. The audience is advised to exile beggars and vagrants from their towns.

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads Pepys 1.130-131r; EBBA 20056

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Transcription

BRave Windham late, whom Fortune did adorne,
With Buildings fayre, & fresh as Sommers morne:
To coale-blacke Ashes now, quite burned downe,
May sorrowing say, I was a gallant Towne.
Yea all my state and glory is put by,
For mourning on the ground my Buildings lye:
My Goods consum'd, my Dwellers brought full low,
Which now goe wandring up and downe in woe.
Three hundred dwelling Houses of account,
Which did to fourtie thousand pounds amount,
Are all consumd and wasted quite away,
And nothing left, but ruine and decay.
Woe worth the causers of this blacke misdeed,
That makes a thousand hearts with sorrow bleed:
A thousand hearts with wringing hands may say,
In Windham towne this was a wofull day.
The deed was done by such unhallowed hands,
Whose rigour card not for a thousand Lands,
The Earth it selfe, if that it flam'd with fier,
Were as these damned harlets did desier.
One Flodder and his cursed wife, were those,
Which wrought this famous towne these sodaine woes:
Confederate with one Bickes wife; which three,
Unto this cursed action did agree.
As Rogues and Beggars wandring up and downe,
They went to seeke reliefe from towne to towne:
And lived by the usage of bace sinne,
As custome trayneth all such livers in.
[?] sure the Divell or else some Feend of his,
[?] aved them unto this foule amisse,
With Fire to wast so brave a Market towne,
That florisht faire, with Riches and Renowne.
A Fier that was devised of the Divell,
A Fier of all the worst, and worse then evill:
Wilde fier it was, that could not quenched bee,
A Ball thereof [la]y kindling secretly,
Within an Eaves, not seene of any man,
A Match gave fier, and so it first began:
In Service time, when people were at Prayers,
As God required, and not on worldly cares.
A time that such a chaunce could hardly bee
Prevented by mans helpe, as man might see:
For on a sodaine kindled so the flame,
That mazed people could not quench the same.
Within two howers the towne was burned quite,
And much good Wealth therin consumd outright:
The Free-schoole house, with many a gallant Hall
With Aged people, and poore Children small.
Such woes were never seene in any place,
Nor never men remaind in heavier case:
Strange doubts were made how first the fire begun
That hath so many good mens states undone.
At last this Flodder, with his wandring Mates,
Which daily beg'd for food at rich mens Gates,
Examined were, where soone their guiltie tongues
Confest the chiefe occasions of these wronges.
And so with hearts bespotted with blacke shame,
They were araigned, and judged for the same,
To suffer death, a recompence to make,
For this offence, they thus did undertake.

The Second part of the Araignement of Flodder and his wife etc.
To the same tune.

ANd when their day of death drew neere at hand,
According to the Judges just commaund,
Before ten thousand peoples wondring eyes,
This Flodder like a damned monster dyes,
A selfe-wild Papist, of a stubborne heart,
That would but small submission from him part:
But boldly died as though he had done well,
And not been guiltie of this fact of Hell.
His hated body still on Earth remaines,
(A shame unto his kin) hangd up in Chaines:
And must at all no other Buriall have,
But Crowes & Ravens mawes to make his grave
But Bicks his wife in signe of penitence,
With weeping teares bewayled her offence:
And at her death, confest with grieved minde,
This deed beyond the reach of Woman-kind.
And how most leawdly she had lived long,
A shamefull life, in doing deeds of wrong:
And trode the steps of Whoredome day by day,
Accounting sinne and shame, the better way.
And how that shee, was will'd to put her hope
At last, to have a Pardone from the Pope
For all her sinnes: for which, she did repent,
And sayd, no Pope, but Christ was her content.
And as for Flodders wife, the chiefe herein,
And damded leader to this wilfull sinne,
Being bigg with child, reprived was therefore,
To give that life, which in her Wombe she bore.
But having now deliverance of her Child,
All further hopes of life, are quite exild.
Yet hope of life, hath made her now confesse,
The Townes proceeding dangers and distresse.
And how the rest should all have burned beene,
So with a second Fire to waste it cleane:
And how the Husband of the woman dead,
Had given consent to have this mischiefe spread.
Likewise one Hicks, a fellow of good age,
She sayd, his credite and his word did gage,
To be a furtherer to this damned deed,
That now hath made a thousand hearts to bleed.
But let no such accursed wretch as this,
The course of Law and Justice looke to misse:
But with repentance true prepare for death,
As most unworthy of a minuts breath.
And now let Englands Townes both farre & neere
With wisedome still prevent like chance, & feare,
And weed away from every place and Cittie,
Such idle Drones, you cherish with your pittie.
Yet in your hearts let Charitie remaine,
And freely give, to buyld this Towne againe.
And in your Prayers desire the Lord of heaven,
That bountious guiftes may thereunto be given.
Our royall King, with good and gracious hand,
Have graunted them, the bounties of our Land:
In every Church that gathering there may bee,
As by his Letter patents we may see.

Method of Punishment

hanging in chains

Crime(s)

arson

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Imprinted at London for John Trundle, dwel-
ling in Barbican at the signe of the No body.
The names in the Kings Letters Pattents, to
gather up the mony, are these following.
John Moore.
Steven Agas.
Robert Carre.
John Doffeelde.
William Horsnell.
Esa Freeman.
Robert Agas.
William Rowse.
The Countries and Cities, graunted for these
men to gather in, are these following.
London and Westminster: Middlesex, Essex, Kent,
Hartford, Surry, and Sussex: with the Cities of
Canterburie, Rochester, and the Cinque Ports,
with the Citie of Chester.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:27 +1000
<![CDATA[Caveat for Cut-purses.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/872

Title

Caveat for Cut-purses.

Subtitle

With a warning to all purse-carriers: Shewing the confi-
dence of the first, and the carelesnesse of the last; With necessary admonitions for them both, lest the Hangman get the one, and the Begger take the other. To the tune of, Packingtons pound.

Synopsis

A warning to the listener to beware of cutpurses - often sung while cutpurses would steal from unaware listeners of the ballad-singer. Ballad-singer asks not to be put in same category as thieves.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, Shelfmark: C.20.f.8.46-47; EBBA 30274

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Transcription

MY Masters and friends and good people draw near and look to your purses, for that I do say.
And though little mony in them you do bear,
it cost more to get then to lose in a day: you oft have been told both the young and the Old, and bidden beware of of the Cut-purse so bold: Then if you take heed not, free me from the curse,
Who both give you warning, for and the Cut-purse.

Youth, youth thou hadst better been starvd by thy Nurse
Then live to be hangd for cutting a purse.

It hath been upbraided to men of my Trade, that oftentimes we are the cause of this crime,
Alack and for pitty, why should it be said? as if they regarded or places or time, Examples have been Or some that were seen of Westminster hall yea the pleaders between: Then why should the Judges be free from this curse,
More then my poor self is for cutting the Purse,

Youth youth, etc.

At Worster, tis known well and even in the Jale, a Knight of good worship did there shew his fa[ce] Against the foule sinners in zeale for to raile, and so lost, ipso facto, his purse in the place: Nay once from the Seat Of judgement so great a Judge there did lose a fair purse of Velvet, Oh Lord for thy mercy how wicked or worse
Are those that so venture their necks for a purse!

Youth youth, etc.

At Playes and at Sermons, and at the Sessions, tis daily their practice such booty to make, Yea under the Gallows at Executions, they stick not the stare-abouts purses to take. Nay one without grace At a better place at Court and in Christmas, before the Kings fa[ce.] Alack then for pitty must I bear the curse,
That only belong to the cunning Cut-purse.

Youth youth thou hadst better been starved by th[y Nurse]
Then live to be hangd for cutting a pu[rse.]

BUt oh! you vile Nation of Cutpurses all, Relent and repent, and amend and be sound,
And know that you ought not by honest mens fall advance your own fortunes to dye above ground.
And though you go gay In Silks as you may, It is not the highway to Heaven as they say,
Repent then repent you for better for worse
And kiss not the Gallows for cutting a purse,

Youth youth thou hadst better been starvd by thy Nurse
Then live to be hangd for cutting a purse.

The Players do tell you in Bartholmew Faire what secret consumptions and Rascals you are,
For one of their Actors it seems had the fate by some of your Trade to be fleeced of late, Then fall to your prayers You that are way-layers,
theyre fit to chouse all the world, that can cheat Players
For he hath the Art, and no man the worse,
Whose cunning can pilfer the pilferers purse.

Youth youth etc.

The plain Country man that coms staring to London if once you come near him he quickly is undone,
For when he amazedly gaz[e]th about one treads on his toes, an[d] the other pulst out, Then in a strange place Where he knows no face, his mony is gone tis a pittiful case.
The Divel of hell in his trade is not worse
Then Gilter, and Diver, and Cutter of purse,
Youth etc.

The poor servant maid wears her purse in her placket
A place of quick feeling and yet you can take it,
Nor is she aware that you have done the feat
Untill she is going to pay for her meat. Then she cryes and rages Amongst her Baggages, and swears at one thrust she hath lost all her wa-ges
For she is ingaged her own to disburse,
To make good the breach of the cruel Cut-purse
Youth etc.

Your eyes and your fingers are nimble of growth.
But Dun many times he hath been nimbler then both
Yet you are deceived by many a slut,
But the Hang-man is only the Cut-purses cut, It makes you to vex When he bridles your necks and then at the last what becomes of your tricks
But when you should pray, you begin for to curse
The hand that first shewd you to slash at a purse,
Youth, etc.

But now to my hearers this Counsel I give,
And pray friends remember it as long as you live,
Bring out no more cash in purse pocket or wallet,
Then one single penny to pay for the Ballet, For Cut-purse doth shrowd Himself in a Cloud, theres many a purse hath been lost in a crowd
For hes the most rogue that doth crowd up & curses
Who first cryes my Masters beware of your purses.
Oh youth thou hadst better been starvd by thy Nurse
Then live to be hanged for cutting a purse.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

stealing

Gender

Printing Location

Printed for W. Gilbertson.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:24 +1000
<![CDATA[An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel an Apprentice in London,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/868

Title

An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel an Apprentice in London,

Subtitle

who was undone by a Strumpet, who thrice Robbed his Master, and Murdered his Uncle in Ludlow.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Shelfmark: Pepys Ballads 2.158-159; EBBA 20778

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Transcription

A LL Youths of fair England, that dwell both far and near,
Regard my Story that I tell and to my Song give ear:
A London Lad I was, a Merchants Prentice bound,
My name George Barnwel, that did spend my Master many a pound.

Take heed of Harlots then, and their inticing trains,
For by that means I have bin brought to hang alive in Chains.
As I upon a Day was walking through the street,
About my Masters business, I did a wanton meet,

A gallant dainty Dame, and sumptuous in attire,
With smiling looks she greeted me, and did my name require:
Which when I had declar'd, she gave me then a kiss
And said if I would come to her, I should have more than this:

In faith my Boy (quoth she) such news I can you tell,
As shall rejoyce thy very heart, then come where I do dwell.
Fair Mistris, then said I, if I the place may know,
This evening I will be with you, for I abroad must go

To gather Monies in, that is my Masters due,
And e're that I do home return, i'le come and visit you.
Good Barnwel , then (quoth she) do thou to Shoreditch come,
And ask for mistris Milwood there, next door unto the Gun.

And trust me on my truth, if thou keep touch with me,
For thy Friends sake, and as my own heart thou shalt right welcome be.
Thus parted we in peace, and home I passed right,
Then went abroad and gathered in by six a Clock at night.

An hundred pound and one, with Bag under my arm,
I went to Mistris Milwoods house, and thought on little harm:
And knocking at the door, straightway her self came down,
Rustling in most brave attire, her Hood and silken Gown.

Who through her beauty bright, so gloriously did shine,
That she amaz'd my dazling eyes, she seemed so divine.
She took me by the hand, and with a modest grace,
Welcome sweet Barnwel, then (quod she, unto this homely place:

Welcome ten thousand times, more welcome then my Brother,
And better welcome I protest than any one or other:
And seeing I have thee found as good as thy word to be,
A homely Supper e're thou part, thou shalt take here with me:

O pardon me (quoth I) fair Mistris I you pray,
For why, out of my Masters house so long I dare not stay.
Alas good Sir she said, are you so strictly ty'd,
You may not with your dearest friend one hour or two abide?

Faith then the case is hard, if it be so (quoth she)
I would I were a Prentice bound, to live in house with thee.
Therefore my sweetest George, list well what I do say,
And do not blame a woman much, her fancy to bewray.

Let not affections force, be counted lewd desire,
Nor think it not immodesty I should thy love require.
With that she turn'd aside, and with a blushing red,
A mournful motion she bewray'd, by holding down her head:

A Handkerchief she had all wrought with Silk and Gold,
Which she to stay her trickling tears, against her eyes did hold.
This thing unto my sight was wondrous rare and strange,
And in my mind and inward thoughts it wrought a sudden change:

That I so hardy was, to take her by the hand,
Saying, sweet Mistris why do you so sad and heavy stand?
Call me no Mistris now, but Sarah thy true friend,
Thy servant Sarah honouring thee until her life doth end:

If thou would'st here alledge thou art in years a Boy,
So was Adonis , yet was he fair Venus love and joy.
Thus I that ne'r before of woman found such grace,
And seeing now so fair a Dame give me a kind imbrace.

I supt with her that night with joys that did abound,
And for the same paid presently, in money twice three pound:
An hundred Kisses then, for my farewel she gave,
Saying sweet Barnwel when shall I again thy company have:

O stay not too long my dear, sweet George have me in mind:
Her words bewitcht my childishness, she uttered them so kind.
So that I made a vow, next Sunday without fail.
With my sweet Sarah once again to tell some pleasant Tale.

When she heard me say so, the tears fell from her eyes,
O George, quoth she, if thou dost fail, thy Sarah sure will dye.
Though long, yet loe at last, the 'pointed day was come,
That I must with my Sarah meet, having a mighty sum

Of Money in my hand, unto her house went I,
Whereas my Love upon her bed in saddest sort did lye,
What ails my hearts delight, my Sarah dear, quoth I ,
Let not my Love lament and grieve, nor sighing pine and dye,

But tell to me my dearest friend, what may thy woes amend,
And thou shalt lack no means of help, though forty pound I spend,
With that she turn'd her head and sickly thus did say,
O my sweet George my grief is great ten pounds I have to pay

Unto a cruel Wretch, and God knows quoth she,
I have it not, Tush rise quoth he, and take it here of me:
Ten pounds, nor ten times ten shall make my love decay,
Then from his Bag into her lap, he cast ten pound straightway.

All blith and pleasant then, to banquetting they go,
She proffered him to lye with her, and said it should be so:
And after that same time, I have her store of Coyn,
Yea, sometimes fifty pound at once, all which I did purloyn.

And thus I did pass on, until my Master then,
Did call to have his reckoning in cast up among his Men.
The which when as I heard, I knew not what to say,
For well I knew that I was out two hundred pounds that day.

Then from my Master straight I ran in secret sort,
And unto Sarah Milwood then my state I did report.
But how she us'd this Youth, in this his extream need,
The which did her necessity so oft with Money feed:

The Second Part behold, shall tell it forth at large,
And shall a Strumpets wily ways, with all her tricks discharge

The Second Part, to the same Tune.

Here comes young Barnwel unto thee sweet Sarah my delight,
I am undone except thou stand my faithful friend this night:
Our Master to command accounts, hath just occasion found,
And I am found behind the hand almost two hundred pound:

And therefore knowing not at all, what answer for to make,
And his displeasure to escape, my way to thee I take:
Hoping in this extremity, thou wilt my succour be,
That for a time I may remain in safety here with thee.

With that she nit and bent her brows, and looking all aquoy,
Quoth she, what should I have to do with any Prentice Boy?
And seeing you have purloyn'd & got your Masters goods away,
The case is bad, and therefore here I mean thou shalt not stay

Why sweet heart thou knowst, he said that all which I did get,
I have it and did spend it all upon thee every whit:
Thou knowst I loved thee so well, thou could'st not ask the thing,
But that I did incontinent the same unto thee bring.

Quoth she thou art a paultry Jack, to charge me in this sort,
Being a Woman of credit good, and known of good report:
A nd therefore this I tell thee flat, be packing with good speed,
I do defie thee from my heart, and scorn thy filthy deed.

I s this the love and friendship which thou didst to me protest?
Is this the great affection which you seemed to express?
Now fie on all deceitful shows, the best is I may speed.
To get a Lodging any where, for money in my need:

Therefore false woman now farewel, while twenty pound doth last,
My anchor in some other Haven I will with wisdom cast.
When she perceived by his words. that he had money store,
That she had gull'd him in such sort, it griev'd her heart full sore:

Therefore to call him back again, she did suppose it best.
Stay George quoth she, thou art too quick why man I do but jest;
Think'st thou for all my passed speech that I would let thee go?
Faith no. quod she, my love to thee I wis is more then so.

You will not deal with Prentice boys I heard you even now swear,
Therefore I will not trouble you, my George heark in thine ear.
Thou shalt not go to night quod she, what chance so e're befall,
But man we'l have a bed for thee, or else the Devil take all.

Thus I that was with wiles bewitcht and shar'd with fancy still.
Had not the power to put away, or to withstand her will.
Then wine and wine I called in, and cheer upon good cheer,
And nothing in the world I thought for Sarahs love too dear:

Whilst I was in her company in joy and merriment,
And all too little I did think, that I upon her spent.
A fig for care and careful thoughts, when all my Gold is hone,
I n faith my Girl we will have more, whoever it light upon.

My Father's rich, why then, quod I, should I want any Gold?
With a Father indeed, quoth she, a Son may well be bold.
I have a Sister richly wed, i'le rob her e're i'le want;
Why then, quod Sarah , they may well consider of your scant.

Nay more than this, an Uncle I have at Ludlow he doth dwell,
He is a Grasier, which in wealth doth all the rest excell:
E're I will live in lack, quoth he, and have no Coyn for thee,
I 'le rob his House, and murder him, why should you not, quoth she:

E're I would want were I a man, or live in poor Estate,
On Father, friends, and all my Kin, I would be Talons grate:
For without money, George, quod she, a Man is but a Beast,
And bringing Money thou shalt be always my chiefest Guest.

For say thou should'st pursued be with twenty Hues and Crys,
And with a Warrant searched for with Argus hundred Eyes:
Yet in my House thou shalt be safe, such privy ways there be,
That if they sought an hundred years they could not find out thee.

And so carousing in their Cups, their pleasures to content,
George Barnwel had in little space his money wholly spent.
Which being done, to Ludlow then he did provide to go,
To rob his wealthy Uncle then, his Minion would it so

And once or twice he thought to take his Father by the way,
But that he thought his master had took order for his stay.
D irectly to his Uncle then he rose with might and main,
Where with welcome and good cheer he did him entertain:

A Sennets space he stayed there, until it chanced so,
His Unkle with his Cattle did unto a market go:
His Kinsman needs must Ride with him, and when he saw right plain,
Great store of money he had took, in coming home again,

Most suddenly within a Wood he struck his Uncle down,
And beat his brains out of his head, so sore he crackt his crown:
And fourscore pound in ready coyn out of his Purse he took,
And coming into London Town, the Country quite forsook.

To Sarah Milwood then he came, shewing his store of Gold,
And how he had his Uncle stain, to her he plainly told.
Tush, it's no matter George, quod she, so we the money have,
To have good chear in jolly sort, and deck us fine and brave.

And this they liv'd in filthy sort, till all his store was gone,
And means to get them any more, I wis poor George had none.
And therefore now in railing sort, she thrust him out of door,
Which is the just reward they get, that spend upon a Whore.

O do me not this foul disgrace in this my need, quoth he,
She call'd him Thief and Murderer, with all despight might be.
And to the Constable she went to have him Apprehended,
And shew'd in each degree how far he had the Law offended.

When Barnwel saw her drift, to Sea he got straightway,
Where fear & dread & conscience sting upon himself doth stay:
Unto the Mayor of London then, he did a Letter write,
Wherein his own and Sarahs faults he did at large recite.

Whereby she apprehended was, and then to Ludlow sent,
Where she was judg'd, condemn'd and hang'd, for murder incontinent.
And there this gallant Quean did dye this was her greatest gains:
For Murder in Polonia, was Barnwel hang'd in Chains.

Lo, here's the end of wilful youth, that after Harlots haunt,
Who in the spoil of other men, about the streets do flaunt.

Method of Punishment

hanging, hanging in chains

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Execution Location

Ludlow and Polonia

Printing Location

Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passinger.

Notes

For more on this ballad and the tune it is set to, see Research by Una McIlvenna: ‘The Rich Merchant Man, or, What the Punishment of Greed Sounded Like in Early Modern English Ballads’, Huntington Library Quarterly 79, no. 2 (Summer 2016) Special Issue: 'Living English Broadside Ballads, 1550-1750: Song, Art, Dance, Culture', eds. Patricia Fumerton and Megan Palmer-Browne: 279-299
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