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=female&sort_field=Dublin+Core%2CCreator&output=atom <![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> 2024-03-29T07:12:39+11:00 Omeka https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/838 <![CDATA[A BALLAD ON THE MURDER OF MR HAYES BY HIS WIFE]]> 2019-01-18T15:27:52+11:00

Title

A BALLAD ON THE MURDER OF MR HAYES BY HIS WIFE

Synopsis

Execution by strangulation and burning at the stake of Catherine Hayes on May 9 1726 for the murder of her husband Mr Hayes by beating and dismemberment with an axe.

Set to tune of...

Chevy Chase

Transcription

In Ty-burn road a man there lived
A just and honest life,
And there he might have lived still,
If so had pleased his wife.
Full twice a day to church he went,
And so devout would be,
Sure never was a saint on earth,
If that no saint was he!
This vext his wife unto the heart,
She was of wrath so full,
That finding no hole in his coat,
She picked one in his scull.
But then heart began to relent,
And griev'd she was so sore,
That quarter to him for to give,
She cut him into four.
All in the dark and dead of night,
These quarters she conveyed,
And in a ditch in Marybone,
His marrow-bones she laid.
His head at Westminster she threw,
All in the Thames so wide,
Says she, 'My dear, the wind sets fair,
And you may have the tide.'
But Heav'n, whose pow'r no limit knows,
On earth or on the main,
Soon caus'd this head for to be thrown
Upon the land again.
The head being found, the justices,
Their heads together laid;
And all agreed there must have been
Some body to this head.
But since no body could be found,
High mounted on a shelf,
They e'en set up the head to be,
A witness for itself.
Next, that it no self-murder was,
The case itself explains,
For no man could cut off his head,
And throw it in the Thames.
Ere many days had gone and passed,
The deed at length was known.
And Cath'rine, she confess'd at last,
The fact to be her own.
God prosper long our noble King,
Our lives and safeties all,
And grant that we may warning take,
By Cath'rine Hayes's fall.

Method of Punishment

strangulation; burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

URL

Catherine Hayes Murderpedia entry
See also, Tales from the Hanging Court, by Time Hitchcock ad Roberk Brink Shoemaker (2006), pp. 48 ff
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/850 <![CDATA[A Mirror of mans lyfe made by a modest virgine Fransisca Chauesia a Nonne of the cloyster of S. Elizabeth in Spaine burned for the profession of the gospell. ]]> 2020-01-08T14:39:55+11:00

Title

A Mirror of mans lyfe made by a modest virgine Fransisca Chauesia a Nonne of the cloyster of S. Elizabeth in Spaine burned for the profession of the gospell.

Subtitle

[with separate but related verse following]

Synopsis

Axon reports that Francesca de Chaves was a nun of the order of St. Francis of Assisi who belonged to the convent of Santa Isabel in Seville, whereas the title of the broadsheet declares her to be of the cloister of St. Elizabeth. With twelve other victims, she was burned by the Inquisition on 22 Dec 1560, at the auto-da-fe in Seville.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Chetam's Library - Halliwell-Phillipps, Shelfmark: H.P.469; EBBA 36173

Transcription

THe onely God of Israell,
Be praysed evermore:
For that to gloryfie his name,
his sayntes he kepes in store.
And to declare his wonderous workes,
which past the witte of man:
How his most pure and sacred worde.
unto this virgine came.
Who closed was a cloyster Nonne,
and drownd in fylthy sinke:
By taking of the Romish cuppe,
and tasting of her drinke.
Through which both soule & body tread,
the beaten pathes to hell:
Be rent and torne in fylthy lake,
with Deviles ferce and fell.
But God in Christ our Saviour,
this Mayden toke to grace:
Who banisht quite all romish ragges,
and gods word dyd imbrace.
As in this mirrour you may see,
made by this martir bright:
Which is a lanterne to our steppes,
of pure and perfite light.
And to confirme the truth therof,
dyd seale it with her death:
With stedfast fayth in fiery flame,
dyd end her vitall breath.
O virgine pure thou art right sure,
with Christ to rayne, & grace obtaine:
Wherfore to pray, let us not staye,
our sinnes t'unfold, to God be bold.
Einis. quod. T.W.
This godly crosserowe, to christians I send with hartie desire there lives to amend.
A.
ALl faythfull hartes that feareth God,
drawe neare behold and see:
What fiery torments I abode,
for Christes most veritie,
For true it is the wicked hate.
the godly and their wayes:
with cruell deathes they bragge and prate,
whose spite right sone decayes.

B.
Beare not yourselves ye Papistes bold
In frutelesse hope to trust:
Thinking to mend whan ye ware olde,
that sinne is nert the worst.
Be rather wise and circumspecte,
repent while ye have space:
For those that be of God rejecte,
remayne in dolefull place.

C.
Consider well and call to mind,
what counsell Christ doth geve:
Unto all such as sekes to fynde,
how by his word to lyve.
Commaunding us ech one, to love,
and in him fire our fayth:
Who spent his bloud for our behoulfe,
as holy Scripture sayth.

D.
Disdayne not for to helpe the poore,
ye rich that may do so:
Who calles on you both day and night,
be wrapt in payne and woe.
For who so doth the poore despise,
and from their ayd refrayne:
From such the Lord wyll turne his eyes,
In their most nede and payne.

E.
Employe yourselves to eche intent,
that gods word doth amitte:
Obey your Prince whom he hath sent,
In Judgement seate to sitte.
Envye not ye the lowest sorte,
Nor strive not with the bande:
So shall ye winne a good reporte,
where that ye dwell on lande.

F.
Feare not those furious faythlesse sorte,
that dayly lye in wayte:
To shed your bloud they have a sporte,
and make your flesh their bayte.
For he, whose fayth you do profes,
hath promised you in dede:
For to destroye there cruelnes,
and be your helpe at nede

G.
Gape not gredely goods to gette,
the rich mans goods doth rest:
Remember flesh to be wormes meate,
from it departe we must.
Then lyve we heare whyles we abyde,
to profite our soules health:
For death he tarieth not the tyde,
but crepts on us by stealth.

H.
Hotnes of harte se that yee hate,
all ye that do love truth:
Which doth but move stryfe and debate,
eche where in age and youth.
Be poore in spirite, and meke withall,
In harte loke not aloft:
Who climmeth hyghe most lowe doth fall,
such sightes are sene full oft.

I.
Incline your eares to heare their cause,
that are with wronge opprest:

Ye ministers of Christian lawes,
to you I make request.
Let not the poore man be debarde,
to serve the riche mans turne:
If ye so do your just reward,
shall be in hell to burne.

K.
Kepe clene yourselves from fleshly deds
uncleanes put awaye:
For harlots breathes are stinking wedes
appeare they never so gaye.
Most poyson dartes they are iwysse,
that falles with such a breath:
Loke where they light they seldom misse
but strikes unto the death.

L.
Let godly love in you remaine,
and first and principall:
Above all thinges love God certayne,
your neighbour next of all.
If you so lyve without all stryfe,
then are you of that sorte:
Of whom S. John hath written ryfe,
and made a just reporte.

M
Measure by truth your graine & corne
all ye that selles the same:
Be not at any tyme forsworne,
In earnest or in game.
Nor covet for to sell more dere,
but as you may aforth:
Small tyme we have to tary here,
this lyfe is lytle worth.

N.
Note well the substance of this bill,
and what is herein pend:
Then shall ye not delite in yll,
nor yet therto attend.
Condemne it not though it be rude,
all doth not write lyke fyne:
With counsell good it is indued,
to it therfore incline.

O.
Offer to God the sacrifice,
that his word doth allowe:
Obey the powers in humble wise,
unto them see you bowe.
Who strives with them resisteth God,
as Scripture doth expresse:
They are the very skourge and rodde,
for such as do transgresse,

P.
Pitie the poore that faine would lyve
with labour of their handes:
With wrong do not your tenants greve,
you that be men of landes.
As Christian brethern ought to bee,
In fayth so to professe:
Leave of therfore your crueltie,
and practise gentlenes.

Q.
Quietly deale, quarell not yee,
that loves to lyve in rest:
This is most true to eche degree,
a quiet lyfe is best.
For quarells doth ingenger stryfe,
by stryfe oft tymes doth growe:
Such happe that some doth lose their life
they reape as they doe sowe,

R.
Ryote refrayne let reason guide
for ryote bringeth wracke:
For reason doe thou sure provide
before the time of lack.

And if in wealth you happe to flowe,
spend not away to fast,
Lest you come home by ragmans rowe,
with nifles at the last.

S.
Slaunder no weight therof beware,
evill tonges they are so vile,
That ofte they wrappe themselves in snare,
wherat their foe doth smile,
Commit your cause to god therfore,
vengeance saith he is myne.
His merry is also in store,
to those that trust in time.

T.
Trust not the trifeling talkers tale,
till truth the same have tried:
Such bringeth men oft times in bale,
this cannot be denied.
Nedes must he lye that bableth much,
note this for your discharge:
Avoyd therfore from you all such,
whose tongues doth runne at large.

V.
Vyle wanton wayes se you none use
at no tyme day nor night:
Thy fayth Christ may ne will refuse,
to speake the hartes delight.
The godly man from his good thought,
of godlines doth talke:
The wicked man in fancye nought,
his tongue doth ever walke.

X.
Christe graunt us all that do professe,
his faythfull flocke to be:
That our good works may show no lesse
but with our fayth agree.
Dead is that fayth as James doth say,
where good dedes wanteth place:
That we may dwell in Christ alwaye,
he graunt us of his grace.

Y.
Yeld laude and prayse to god above,
whose most high majestie
Sent downe his sonne for our behouf:
our saviour for to be.
Whose death hath done our sinnes away
as scripture doth record.
Let us therfore both night and daye,
geve thankes unto the Lord.

Z.
Zeale to the truth hath moved me,
this dittie to set forth:
Most humbly praying ech degree,
to take it in good worth.
None other thing is ment therby,
to witnes God I take:
But that we should lyve Christianly,
and Sathans wayes forsake.

&.
& for the same accomplishment,
with meekenes let us pray:
To God the Lord omnipotent,
that he with us alway.
Vouchsafe his holy spirite to dwel,
to guide our hartes aright:
That we may walke in his gospell,
as Children of his light.

Composer of Ballad

T. VV.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

heresy

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Seville

Printing Location

London, Fletestrete at the signe of the Faucon by Wylliam Griffith.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/862 <![CDATA[A true relation of one Susan Higges ]]> 2020-01-08T14:43:25+11:00

Title

A true relation of one Susan Higges

Subtitle

dwelling in Risborrow a towne in Buckinghamshire, and how shee lived 20. yeeres, by robbing on the high-wayes, yet unsuspected of all that knew her; till at last, comming to Messeldon, there robbing a woman; which woman knew her and called her by her name: now when she saw she was betrayed, she killed her, and standing by her while she gave three groanes, she spat three drops of blood in her face, which never could be washt out; by which whee was knowne and executed for the aforesaid murder at the assises in Lent at Brickhill. To the tune of, The worthy London prentice.

Synopsis

Susan Higges, highway robber, blackmails young men whom she finds with the maids in her house and for 20 years robs people on the highway. Her final victim, a woman, recognises her and is killed for it, but spits blood in Higges' face that will not wash off. In fear, Higges confesses her crimes.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, Shelfmark C.20.f.7.424-425; EBBA 30289

Set to tune of...

The worthy London prentice

Transcription

TO mourne for my offences, and former passed sinnes,
This sad and dolefull story, my heavy heart begins:
Most wickedly I spent my time. devoide of godly grace:
A lewder Woman never liv'd, I thinke in any place.

Nare Buckingham I dwelled, and Susan Higges by name,
Well thought of by good Gentlemen and Farmers of good fame:
Where thus.for xx. yeares at least, I liv'd in gallant sort:
Which made the Country marvell much, to here of my report.

My state was not maintained,
(as you shall understand)
By good and honest dealings, nor labour of my hand:
But by deceipt and couzening shifts the end whereof, we see
Hath ever beene repaide with shame and ever like to be.

My servants were young Countrey girles brought up unto my mind,
By nature faire and beautifull, and of a gentle kinde:
Who with their sweet intising eyes, did many Youngsters move
To come by night unto my house in hope of further love.

But still at their close meetings, (as I the plot had late)
I slept in still at unawares, while they the wantons plaid.
And would in question bring their names, except they did agree
To give me money for this wrong, done to my house and me.

This was but petty couzenage, to things that I have done:
My weapon by the high-way side, hath me much money wonne:
In mens attyre I oft have rode, upon a Gelding stout,
And done great robberies valiantly, the Countries round about.

I had my Scarfes and Vizards, my face for to disguise:
Sometime a beard upon my chin, to blinde the peoples eyes.
My Turkie blade, and Pistols good, my courage to maintaine:
Thus took I many a Farmers purse well cram'd with golden gaine.

Great store of London Marchants I boldly have bid Stand,
And showed my selfe most bravely, a Woman of my hand,
You rulsling Roysters, every one in my defence say then,
Wee women still for gallant minds, may well compare with men.

But if so bee it chanced, the Countries were beset,
With hue and cryes and warrants into my house I get:
And I so being with my Maides, would cloake the matter so,
That no man could by any meanes, the right offender know.

Yet God that still most justly, doth punish every vice,
Did bring unto confusion my fortunes in a trice:
For by a murther all my sinnes were strangly brought to light:
And such desert I had by law, as justice claim'd by right.

Upon the Heath of Misseldon, I met a woman there,
And robd her, as from market, home-wards she did repaire:
Which woman cald me by my name and said, that she me knew:
For which, even with her lifes deare bloud, my hands I did imbrew.

But after I had wounded, this women unto death,
And that her bleeding body, was almost reft of breath:
She gave a grone: and therewithall did spit upon my face,
Three drops of blood, that never could be wiped from that place:

For after I returned unto my house againe,
The more that I it washde, it more appeared plaine:
Each houre I thought that beasts, [&] birds this murther would reveale,
Or that the ayre, so vile a deede, no longer would conceale.

So heavy at my conscience, this wofull murther lay,
That I was soone inforced, the same for to beware,
And to my servants made it known,
as God appointed me:
For blood can never secret rest,
nor long unpunisht be.

My servants to the Justices,
declar'd what I had said:
For which I was attached,
and to the Jayle convaied,
And at the Sises was condemnd, and had my just desert:
Even such a death let all them have, that beare so false a heart.

So farewell earthly pleasure,
my quaintance all adue,
With whom I spent the treasure,
which causeth me to rue.
Leave off your wanton pastimes,
lascivious and ill,
Which without Gods great mercy,
doth soule and body kill.

Be warned by this story, you ru[s]sling Rosters all:
The higher that you climbe in sinne the greater is your fall:
For now the world so wicked is, in Maiden and in Wife
That few, or none, can finde the way to lead an honest life.

FINIS.

Method of Punishment

hanging?

Crime(s)

murder, highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Brickhill Assises

Printing Location

London : for F. C[oles] dwelling in the Old-Baily, [ca. 1640?]

Tune Data

The worthy London prentice first appeard in the Elizabethan period as is tself is set to All You That Love Good Fellows (Simpson 1966, pp. 13-15).

Notes

Same text as 'The sorrowful complaint of Susan Higges...' with an extra stanza second from end, and set to a different tune 'London Prentice'. Contains two different woodcuts as well.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/869 <![CDATA[Anne VVallens Lamentation, ]]> 2021-06-17T11:16:15+10:00

Title

Anne VVallens Lamentation,

Subtitle

For the Murthering of her husband Iohn Wallen a Turner in Cow-lane neere Smithfield; done by his owne wife, on satterday the 22 of Iune. 1616. who was burnt in Smithfield the first of Iuly following.

Synopsis

Anne Wallen sings from the scaffold of her remorse at the stabbing death of her husband. However, spectators at her burning were convinced it was in self-defense against a violent attacker.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 1.124-125; EBBA 20053. Audio recording by Hannah Sullivan. 

Set to tune of...

Transcription

Great God that sees al things that here are don
Keeping thy Court with thy celestiall Son;
Heere her complaint that hath so sore offended,
Forgive my fact before my life is ended.

Ah me the shame unto all women kinde,
To harbour such a thought within my minde:
That now hath made me to the world a scorne,
And makes me curse the time that I was borne.

I would to God my mothers haples wombe,
Before my birth had beene my happy tombe:
Or would to God when first I did take breath,
That I had suffered any painefull death.

If ever dyed a true repentant soule,
Then I am she, whose deedes are blacke and foule:
Then take heed wives be to your husbands kinde,
And beare this lesson truely in your minde,

Let not your tongus oresway true reasons bounds,
Which in your rage your utmost rancour sounds:
A woman that is wise should seldome speake,
Unlesse discreetly she her words repeat

Oh would that I had thought of this before,
Which now to thinke on makes my heart full sore:
Then should I not have done this deed so foule,
The which hath stained my immortall soule.

Tis not to dye that thus doth cause me grieve,
I am more willing far to die than live;
But tis for blood which mounteth to the skies,
And to the Lord revenge, revenge, it cries.

My dearest husband did I wound to death,
And was the cause h[e] lost his sweetest breath,
But yet I trust his soule in heaven doth dwell,
And mine without Gods mercy sinkes to hell.

In London neere to smithfield did I dwell,
And mongst my neighbours was beloved well:
Till that the Devill wrought me this same spight,
That all their loves are turnd to hatred quight.

John Wallen was my loving husbands name,
Which long hath liv'd in London in good fame.
His trade a Turner, as was knowne full well,
My name An Wallen , dolefull tale to tell.

Anne wallens Lamentation,
Or the second part of the murther of one John Wallen a Turner in Cow-lane neere Smithfield; done by his owne wife, on saterday the 22 of June 1616.
who was burnt in Smithfield the first of July following,
To the tune of Fortune my foe.

My husband having beene about the towne,
And comming home, he on his bed lay down:
To rest himselfe, which when I did espie,
I fell to rayling most outragiously.

I cald him Rogue, and slave, and all to naught,
Repeating the worst language might be thought
Thou drunken knave I said, and arrant sot,
Thy minde is set on nothing but the pot.

Sweet heart he said I pray thee hold thy tongue,
And if thou dost not, I shall shall doe thee wrong,
At which, straight way I grew in worser rage,
That he by no meanes could my tongue asswage.

He then arose and strooke me on the eare,
I did at him begin to curse and sweare:
Then presently one of his tooles I got,
And on his body gave a wicked stroake

Amongst his intrailes I this Chissell threw,
Where as his Caule came out, for which I rue,
What hast thou don, I prethee looke quoth he,
Thou hast thy wish, for thou hast killed me.

When this was done the neighbours they ran in,
And to his bed they streight conveyed him:
Where he was drest and liv'd till morne next day,
Yet he forgave me and for me did pray.

No sooner was his breath from body fled,
But unto Newgate straight way they me led:
Where I did lie untill the Sizes came,
Which was before I there three daies had laine.

Mother in lawe, forgive me I you pray,
For I have made your onely childe away,
Even all you had; my selfe made husbandlesse,
My life and all cause [I] did so transgresse,

He nere did wrong to any in his life,
But he too much was wronged by his wife;
Then wives be warn'd example take by me.
Heavens graunt no more that such a one may be.

My judgement then it was pronounced plaine,
Because my dearest husband I had slaine:
In burning flames of fire I should fry,
Receive my soule sweet Jesus now I die.

T: Platte.
FINIS.

Composer of Ballad

T. Platte

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed for Henry Gosson, and are to be solde/ at his shop on London bridge.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/874 <![CDATA[Constance of Cleveland. ]]> 2020-01-08T14:56:09+11:00

Title

Constance of Cleveland.

Subtitle

A very excellent Sonnet of the most faire Lady Constance of Cleveland and her disloyall Knight. To the tune of Crimson Velvet.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Shelfmark: Pepys Ballads 1.138-139 (EEBO has 3 other editions: BL 1660, BL 1675, Beinecke 1655-80); EBBA 20060

Set to tune of...

Crimson Velvet

Transcription

IT was a youthfull Knight, lov'd a gallant Lady,
Faire she was and bright, and of vertues rare:
Her selfe she did behave so courteously as may be,
Wedded were they brave, joy without compare.
Here began the griefe,
Paine without reliefe, her husband soone her love forsooke,
To women lewd of mind
Being bad inclin'd, he onely lent a pleasant looke:
The Lady she sate weeping,
While that he was keeping company with others moe:
Her words, my Love, believe not,
Come to me and grieve not,
Wantons will thee overthrow.

His faire Ladies words
nothing he regarded,
Wantonnesse affords such delightfull sport:
While they dance and sing, with great mirth prepared,
She her hands did wring in most grievous s[oo]rt.
Oh what hap had I
Thus to waile and cry, unrespected every day:
Living in disdaine,
While that others gaine all the right I should enjoy?
I am left forsaken,
Others they are taken, ah my Love, why dost thou so?
Her flatteries beleeve not, etc.

The Knight with his faire Piece, at length his Lady spied,
Who did him daily fleece of his wealth and store:
Secretly she stood, while she her fashions tried,
With a patient mood, while deepe the Strumpet swore:
O sir Knight, quoth she,
So dearely I love thee, my life doth rest at thy dispose,
By day and eke by night,
For thy sweet delight, thou shalt me in thy armes disclose.
I am thine owne for ever,
Still will I persever true to thee where ere I goe.
Her flatteries beleeve not, etc.

The vertuous Lady mild enters then among them,
Being big with child, as ever she might be.
With distilling teares she looked then upon them,
Filled full of feares, thus replied she:
Ah my Love and Deare,
Wherefore stay you here, refusing me your loving wife,
For an Harlots sake,
Which each one will take, whose vile deeds provoke much strife:
Many can accuse her,
O my Love refuse her, with thy Lady home returne:
Her flatteries beleeve not,
Come to me and grieve not, etc.

All in fury then the angry Knight upstarted
Very furious, when he heard his Ladies speech:
With many bitter termes his wife he overthwarted,
Using hard extremes, while she did him beseech.
From her necke so white,
He tooke away in spight her curious chaine of finest gold,
Her Jewels and her Rings,
And all such costly things, as he about her did behold.
The Harlot in her presence,
He did gently reverence, and to her he gave them all
He sent away his Lady,
Full of woe as may be, who in a sound with griefe did fall.

The second part, To the same tune.

AT his Ladies wrong
the Harlot fleer'd and laughed,
Inticements are so strong, they over-come the wife:
The Knight nothing regarded, to see the Lady scoffed,
This was her reward, for her enterprise.
The Harlot all this space
Did him oft imbrace, she flatters him, and thus doth say,
For thee Ile die and live,
For thee my faith Ile give, no woe shall work my Loves decay.
Thou shalt be my treasure,
Thou shalt be my pleasure, thou shalt be my hearts delight:
I will be thy darling,
I will be thy worldling, in despight of Fortunes spight.

Thus he did remaine in wastfull great expences,
Till it bred his paine, and consum'd him quite:
When his Lands were spent, troubled in his senses,
Then he did repent this his lewd delight:
For reliefe he hies,
For reliefe he flies, to them on whom he spent his gold,
They doe him deny,
They doe him defie, they will not once his face behold.
Being thus distressed,
Being thus oppressed, in the fields that night he lay,
Which the Harlot knowing,
Through her malice growing, sought to take his life away.

A young and proper Lad, they had slaine in secret,
For the gold he had: whom they did convey,
By a Ruffian lewd, to that place directly,
Where that youthfull Knight fast a sleeping lay:
The bloody dagger than,
Wherewith they kill'd the man, hard by the Knight he likewise laid,
Sprinkling him with blood,
As he thought it good,
and then no longer there he staid.
The Knight being so abused,
Was forthwith accused for this murther which was done,
And he was condemned,
That had not offended, shamefull death he might not shun.

When the Lady bright understood the matter,
That her wedded Knight was condemn'd to die,
To the King she went with all the speed that might be,
Where she did lament her hard destiny:
Noble King, quoth she,
Pitty take on me, and pardon my poore husbands life,
Else I am undone,
With my little son, let mercy mitigate this griefe.
Lady faire, content thee,
Soone thou wouldst repent thee, if he should be saved so:
Sore he hath abus'd thee,
Sore he hath misus'd thee, therefore Lady let him goe.

O my Liege, quoth she, grant your gracious favor,
Deare he is to me, though he did me wrong:
The King repli'd againe, with a sterne behaviour,
A Subject hee hath slaine, die he shall ere long,
Except thou canst find
Any one so kind, that will die and set him free.
Noble King, she said,
Glad am I apaid, the same person will I bee,
I will suffer duely,
I will suffer truely,
for my Love and husbands sake.
The King therefore amazed,
Though he her duty praised, he bade that thence he should her take.

It was the Kings command, on the morrow after,
She should out of hand, to the Scaffold goe:
Her husband pointed was, to beare the sword before her,
He must eke alas, give the deadly blow:
He refus'd the deed,
Shee bade him proceed, with a thousand kisses sweet.
In this wofull case,
They did both imbrace which mov'd the Ruffian in that place
Straight for to discover
This concealed murther, whereby the Lady saved was,
The Harlot then was hanged,
As shee well deserved,
this [did v]ertue bring to passe.

FINIS.

Method of Punishment

beheading

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Printing Location

Printed at London for I. Wright.

Tune Data

Crimson Velvet first appeared in 1596 (Simpson 1966, pp. 141-142).

Notes

invented story?
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/876 <![CDATA[Damnable Practises Of three Lincolne-shire Witches, ]]> 2021-06-12T12:04:14+10:00

Title

Damnable Practises Of three Lincolne-shire Witches,

Subtitle

Joane Flower, and her two Daughters, Margret and Phillip Flower, against Henry Lord Rosse, with others the Children of the Right Honourable the Earle of Rutland, at Beaver Castle, who for the same were executed at Lincolne the 11. of March last. To the tune of the Ladies fall.

Synopsis

The story of the Belvoir Witches, Joan Flower and her daughters Margaret and Philip, convicted in 1619 of killing the children of a noble family through witchcraft. The ballad conforms to English stereotypes of witches: a trio of women who consort with familiars and who take revenge for imagined slights.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Shelfmark: Pepys Ballads 1.132-133; EBBA 20058. Prose pamphlet - EEBO (institutional login required). Audio recording by Molly McKew. 

Set to tune of...

Transcription

OF damned deeds, and deadly dole, I make my mournfull song,
By Witches done in Lincolne-shire, where they have lived long:
And practisd many a wicked deed, within that Country there,
Which fills my brest and bosome full, of sobs, and trembling feare.

[O]ne Beaver Castle is a place, that welcome gives to all,
[B]y which the Earle of Rutland gaines the loves of great and small:
[His] Countesse of like friendlinesse, [Do]th beare as free a mind:
[Al]so from them both rich and poore, [?] helps and succour find.

[Am]ongst the rest were Witches three, [th]at to this Castle came,
[...]Margaret and Phillip Flower, [An]d Joane their Mothers name:
[Whi]ch Women dayly found reliefe, [and] were contented well:
[Th]at the last this Margret was, [rec]eived there to dwell.

[...]oke unto such houshold charge, [...] unto her belongd,
[...] she possest with fraud and guile, [he]r place and office wrongd,
[...] [s]ecretly purloyned things [t]o her mother home:
[...] unlawfull howers from thence, [d]id nightly goe and come.

[...]en the Earle & Countesse heard, [...]r dealings knew,
[...]ved much that she should prove, [...] so untrue.
And so discharg'd her of the house, therein to come no more:
For of heer lewd and filching prankes, of proofes there were some store.

And likewise that her Mother was, a woman full of wrath,
A swearing and blaspheming wretch, forespeaking sodaine death:
And how that neighbours in her lookes, malitious signes did see:
And some affirm'd she dealt with Sprits, and so a Witch might be.

And that her Sister Phillip was well knowne a Strumpet lewd,
And how she had a young mans love, bewitched and subdued,
Which made the young man often say, he had no power to leave
Her curst inticing company, that did him so deceave.

When to the Earle and Countesse thus, these just complaints were made,
Their hearts began to breed dislike, and greatly grew affraid:
Commanding that she never should, returne unto their sight,
Nor back into the Castle come, but be excluded quite.

Whereat the old malitious feend, with these her darlings thought:
The Earle and Countesse them disgrac't, and their discredits wrought:
In turning thus despightfully, her daughter out of dores,
For which revengement, in her mind she many a mischiefe stores.

Heereat the Divell made entrance in,his Kingdome to inlarge.
And puts his executing wrath, unto these womens charge:
Not caring whom it lighted on, the Innocent or no,
And offered them his diligence, to flye, to run, and goe.

And to attend in pretty formes, of Dog, of Cat, or Rat,
To which they freely gave consent, and much rejoyc't thereat:
And as it seemd they sould their soules, for service of such Spirits,
And sealing it with drops of blood, damnation so inherits.

These Women thus being Divels growne most cunning in their Arts:
With charmes and with inchanting spells, they plaid most damned parts:
They did forespeake, and Cattle kild, that neighbours could not thrive,
And oftentimes their Children young, of life they would deprive.

At length the Countess and her Lord, to fits of sickness grew:
The which they deemd the hand of God, and their corrections due:
Which crosses patiently they bore, misdoubting no such deede,
As from these wicked Witches heere, malitiously proceeds.

Yet so their mallice more increast, that mischiefe set in foote,
To blast the branches of that house, and undermine the roote:
Their eldest sonne Henry Lord Rosse, possest with sicknesse strange,
Did lingring, lye tormented long, till death his life did change.

Their second sonne Lord Francis next, felt like continuing woe:
Both day and night in grievous sort, yet none the cause did know:
And then the Lady Katherin, into such torments fell:
By these their devilish practises, as grieves my heart to tell.

The second Part. To the same tune.

YEt did this noble minded Earle, so patiently it beare:
As if his childrens punishments, right natures troubles were:
Suspecting little, that such meanes, against them should be wrought,
Untill it pleas'd the Lord to have to light these mischiefes brought.

For greatly here the hand of God, did worke in justice cause:
When he for these their practises them all in question drawes.
And so before the Magistrates, when as the yongest came,
Who being guilty of the fact confest and tould the same.

How that her mother and her selfe, and sister gave consent:
To give the Countesse and her Lord, occasions to repent
That ere they turnd her out of dores, in such vile disgrace:
For which, or them or theirs should be, brought into heavy case.

And how her sister found a time, Lord Rosses glove to take:
Who gave it to her mothers hand consuming spels to make.
The which she prickt all full of holes, and layd it deepe in ground:
Whereas it rotted, so should he, be quite away consum'd.

All which her elder sister did, acknowledge to be true:
And how that she in boyling blood, did oft the same imbrew,
And hereupon the yong Lord Rosse, such torments did abide:
That strangely he consum'd away, untill the houre he died.

And likewise she confest how they, together all agreed:
Against the children of this Earle, to practise and proceed.
Not leaving them a child alive, and never to have more:
If witchcraft so could doe, because, they turnd them out of dore.

The mother as the daughters told, could hardly this deny:
For which they were attached all, by Justice speedily.
And unto Lincolne Citty borne, therein to lye in Jayle:
Untill the Judging Sizes came, that death might be their bayle.

But there this hatefull mother witch, these speeches did recall:
And said that in Lord Rosses death, she had no hand at all.
Whereon she bread and butter tooke, God let this same (quoth she)
If I be guilty of his death, passe never thorough me.

So mumbling it within her mouth, she never spake more words:
But fell downe dead, a judgment just and wonder of the Lords.
Her Daughters two their tryalls had, of which being guilty found,
They dyed in shame, by strangling twist, and layd by shame in the ground.

Have mercy Heaven, on sinners all, and grant that never like
Be in this Nation knowne or done, but Lord in vengeance strike:
Or else convert their wicked lives which in bad wayes are spent:
The feares of God and love of heaven, such courses will prevent.
FINIS.

Method of Punishment

strangling

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Lincoln

Printing Location

Printed by G. Eld. for John Barnes, dwelling in the long Walke neere Christ-Church, 1619.

Tune Data

The Ladies Fall, is also known as, In Peascod Time
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/882 <![CDATA[Lamentation of Margaret Bell, ]]> 2020-01-08T14:59:23+11:00

Title

Lamentation of Margaret Bell,

Subtitle

at present under Sentence of Death in Paisley Jail.

Synopsis

Margaret Bell murders her baby, is brought to Paisley to be executed by hanging. This song ends with her awaiting her death. But as we discover in a related ballad, 'Margaret Bell's Lament' she would be reprieved by the appeals of the people of Paisley and would be banished instead.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Copy of original in Bodleian Library, Universit of Oxford, Shelfmark: 2806 c. 14(159); Bodlein Ballads Online Bod1370;  Original available in the Murray Collection, Glasgow University Library

Transcription

From my dungeon in Paisley I send you this warning,
To shun paths of vice which leads on to crime.
too long I have run in the broad path of ruin,
But now I must die in the height of my prime.
O! col dis my cell and my chains they are weighty,
But the weight of my sins are heavier on me,
For I murdered my child, how can I look for mercy;
Oh! no, I must die upon the gallows tree.

Cold was the night on the sixteenth of November,
As straight with my child close press'd to my breast;
My bosom was swelling, my tears fast were falling,
As hush, hush, I cried, to lull my baby to rest.
By the Crofthead Bleachfield I careless did wander
To the edge of the pond where I thought none did see,
There I murdered my babe, and threw it in the water,
For which I must die upon the gallows tree.

That night with my cousin I slept at the bleachfield,
And early next morning prepared to depart;
I was told by the workers a child was found murdered,
And, oh! how the words pearc'd my poor guilty heart.
Then to Bogshaw I fled for to join my service,
But the stern hands of justice soon laid hold of me;
I was brought back to Paisley for to stand my trial,
Now my sentence is pass'd -- I must die on a tree.

The grey morn will dawn on the 26th of January
'Tis the last in this world that's allotted for me,
From my dark dreary dungeon I'll be taken that morning.
To face a gazing multitude, when hanged I shall be.
When I think of my childhood and my poor aged mother,
And the precepts she taught as I knelt at her knee;
Oh, little she thought as I lay on her bosom,
That her child Margaret Bell was to die on a tree.

And now, in conclusion, I give you all warning,
To shun evil company before its too late;
If e'er vicious thoughts should arise in your bosom,
O think on Margaret Bell and her untimely fate.
Now, farewell, vain world, and all thy false pleasures,
Your bright show of vanity is no more for me,
My days they are numbered and the moments are flying,
On the 26th of January I must die on a tree.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

infanticide

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paisley

Printing Location

James Lindsay, 9 King St, Glasgow

Notes

From National Records of Scotland:
Accused: Margaret Bell, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty - recommendation for leniency, Sentence: Death - hanging by public executioner, Petition: Remission of sentence granted under the Great Seal at High Court, Edinburgh, 7 February 1853 (see JC8/60, f.13v).. Note: Pannel drowned infant in a bleachfield dam and was sentenced to hang at Paisley on 26 January, 1853.
Victim Unnamed, female infant

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/886 <![CDATA[Margaret Bell's Lament]]> 2020-01-08T14:25:20+11:00

Title

Margaret Bell's Lament

Synopsis

Margaret Bell murders her baby, is brought to Paisley to be executed by hanging, but is reprieved by the appeals of the people of Paisley and is exiled.
The Word on the Street:
'Margaret Bell's Lament' is narrated by a woman who is being transported for the murder of her illegitimate child. There are many broadsides on this subject. Due to the social stigma attached to illegitimate motherhood, infanticide among deperate single mothers was more common in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries than it is today. The usual sentence for the crime was death, but in this case the petitioning of the people of Paisley persuaded the Crown to commute Margaret Bell's sentence to transportation. This suggests that the was a great deal of sympathy and understanding among ordinary people for the plight of such women.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

National Library of Scotland, L.C.Fol.178.A.2(028); National Library of Scotland Digital Gallery

Set to tune of...

Braes of Strathblane

Transcription

Adieu unto Barrhead, and to Neilston also
Where the river Levern it sweetly does flow,
My poor aged mother, forever farewell,
An exile for life is your poor Margaret Bell.

That perfidious young man. the cause of my pain,
For he was the first that brought me to shame ;
The cause of my misery and sad poverty,
Which causes me now a poor convict to be.

A long time we courted, his words they were mild,
At length unto him I did prove with child.
When I to this young man my state I did tell,
He treated with scorn his poor Margaret Bell.

When my child was born I was in poverty's grasp,
And adversity blew with her cold bitter blast,
While he proved false that I loved so well,
The mind became frantic of poor Margaret Bell.

My sad situation, nought but misery in my view,
And he proving false that vowed to be true ;
I could see no way for me, but beg, starve, or steal,
And satan whisper'd to me, your baby go kill.

Unto his dictation, alas, I did give way,
Which will haunt my mind till my dying day ;
The thoughts of my badness my tongue cannot tell,
Kind heaven pardon me, poor Margaret Bell.

I was tried and found guilty of base cruelty,
And received my sentence to die on a tree ;
But the people in and round Paisley did much for me ,
And petitions forwarded to the Queen's Majesty.

Now all you good people that took my cause in hand.
I'll think on your kindness when in a foreign land;
For with grateful sensations my bosom does swell,
Accept the humble thanks of poor Margaret Bell.

Run on you sweet Lever, that gentle does flow,
The blue bell and violent on your banks will grow,
The primrose and daisy will bloom on each dell,
When far from those beauties is poor Margaret Bell.

You blooming young maidens that roam free of care,
Of false-hearted young men I'd have you beware,
They may flatter and vow and fine tales may tell,
And may leave you in sorrow, like poor Margaret Bell.

Method of Punishment

hanging, transportation

Crime(s)

infanticide

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paisley

Printing Location

James Lindsay, 9 King St, Glasgow

Tune Data

Recording of The Braes o' Strathblane by Ossian

Notes

Trial papers relating to Margaret Bell for the crime of murder near bleachfield, Crofthead, Neilston parish, Renfrew. Tried at High Court, Glasgow 5 Jan 1853 Accused Margaret Bell, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty - recommendation for leniency, Sentence: Death - hanging by public executioner, Petition: Remission of sentence granted under the Great Seal at High Court, Edinburgh, 7 February 1853 (see JC8/60, f.13v).. Note: Pannel drowned infant in a bleachfield dam and was sentenced to hang at Paisley on 26 January, 1853. Victim Unnamed, female infant (http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue/JC26/1853/586)
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/895 <![CDATA[THE Unfaithful Servant; AND The Cruel Husband. ]]> 2021-06-23T10:03:00+10:00

Title

THE Unfaithful Servant; AND The Cruel Husband.

Subtitle

Being a perfect and true account of one Judith Brown, who together with her Master Iohn Cupper, conspired the Death of her Mistris, his Wife, which accordingly they did accomplish in the time of Child-bed, when she lay in with two Children, by mixing of her Drink with cruel Poyson; for which Fact she received due Sentence of Death at the late Assizes in the County of Salop, to be Burned; which was accordingly Executed upon the Old Heath near Shrewsbury, on Thursday the Twenty-first day of August, 1684.

Synopsis

A maid, in love with her master, conspires to poison her mistress shortly after she has given birth. It does not mention the sentence of the husband. (he is hanged in chains)

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.151; EBBA 20769. Audio recordings by (1) Hannah Sullivan, (2) EBBA.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

YOung Maidens all beware, that sees my Dismal state,
Endeavour now to shun the Snare, before it is too late.
I was a Servant Maid, and liv'd most happily,
Until at last I was betray'd, to this Debauchery.
Too late I do lament, my very heart doth bleed,
That ever I did give consent, to that most wicked deed.
My yielding to his ways, his wicked base desire,
Yea, by that means I end my days, in cruel flames of Fire.
Our Sins was at their grow, that none but them we blame,
To be indeed the cause we both did end our days in shame.
We could not be content, with what we first had done,
But afterwards we did invent, in worse extreams to run.
Then with my Master I, did take the cause in hand,
Resolv'd my Mistris she should dye by our most cruel hand.
Her Life we did betray, to satisfie our will.
When she alas! in Child-bed lay, poor Soul she thought no ill.
Strong poyson we contriv'd
this was our hanious Sin,
That she of Life might be depriv'd pool Soul when she lay in.
My conscience strove with me, but I a wicked elf,
Desired that my Master he, should give it her himself.
But we did disagree, as you may understand,
For Conscience would not suffer me to put it in her hand.
Though neither he nor I, had power to do this deed,
Yet all this would not satisfie, but still we did proceed.
In what she was to drink we mixt the poyson strong.
That she might take it & not think, the least of any wrong.
By which at length she dyed, and I was left behind,
To dye a cruel death beside, the horror of my mind.
Alas! you may behold,
my sad and dismal doom,
Both hands & heart, and e'ry part, in flames you'l see consume.
The Sorrow of my heart, in this extremity,
Although it is my due desert, I do for mercy cry.
Farewel my wordly Friends, and my offences foul,
Good Lord forgive me all my sins, have mercy on my Soul.
In this devouring flame, my life must now expire,
Alas my sins I needs must blam[e]
I end my days in fire.
To you that come to see, a woful sinners fall,
O let those cruel flames now be, a warning to you all.
By me a warning take, and do not run astray,
And God will never you forsake, if you his Laws obey.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Old Heath, near Shrewsbury

Printing Location

Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Guilt-spur-street, without Newgate.

Tune Data

Reference: The Rich Merchant Man (Simpson 1966, pp. 602-604), or George Barnwell

Notes

See also:
A just account of the horrid contrivance of John Cupper, and Judith Brown his servant, in poysoning his wife. [microform] Who were tryed at the assizes held at Shrewsbury; Cupper to be hang'd in chains, and Judith Brown to be burnt. Together with their dying confessions. Published by me William Smith, rector of Bitterley, their minister, to prevent false reports. (NLA, copy of BL and Bodleian originals, on EEBO)
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/902 <![CDATA[The Clippers execution, ]]> 2021-06-17T11:08:38+10:00

Title

The Clippers execution,

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

In summer time

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

clipping gold coins

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Smithfield

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

Recording is another song in that tune
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/908 <![CDATA[The lamentacion that Ladie Iane made saiyng for my fathers proclamacion now must I lese my heade. ]]> 2021-05-19T09:45:18+10:00

Title

The lamentacion that Ladie Iane made saiyng for my fathers proclamacion now must I lese my heade.

Synopsis

A ballad about the execution of Lady Jane Grey in 1554. This was most likely printed some years after the events, as a ballad sympathetic to Lady Jane would have been unprintable during the reign of Mary I.

Transcription

The lamentation that Ladie Jane made, Saiyng for my fathers proclamation now must I lose my heade .


This was the lamentacion,
That Ladie Jane made :
Saiyng, for my fathers Proclamacion,
Now must I lose my head.

But God that sercheth every harte,
And knoweth I am giltles,
Although that I now suffer smarte,
Yet, I am not worthie of this.

For when she was at the place appoincted,
Her death mekely for to take :
Her ghostly father and she reasoned.
Her praiers then she did make.

Forthe of our beddes we were fet out,
To the Tower for to go :
Yet wist we not where about,
Our fathers did make us do so.

Alas what did our fathers meane,
Both tree and fruicte thus for to spill,
Against my mynde he proclaimed me quene,
And I never consented theretill.

The lorde Gilforde my housbande,
Which suffred here presente :
The thyng our fathers toke in hande,
Was neither his nor my consente.

But seyng I am iudged by a lawe to dye,
And under whiche I was borne :
Yet will I take it pacientlie,
Laughyng none of them to scorne,

Why should I blame fortune of this,
Seyng blame it is not worthie :
Our livyng were so farre amis,
That we deserved this miserie.

For my synne I am worthie to dye,
Pride in me did so remaine :
Yet all good people praie for me,
As charitie doeth constraine.

The hedsman kneled on his knee,
To forgeve hym her death :
Frende, she saied, God forgeve thee,
With all my harte and faithe.

She kyssed hym, and gave hym a rewarde,
And saied to hym incontinente :
I praie thee yet remember afterwarde,
That thou hast headed an innocente.

She gave the Lieutenaunt her booke,
Whiche was covered all with golde,
Praied hym therein to looke,
For his sake that Judas solde.

She toke her kercher faire and swete,
To cover her face withall :
A Psalme of David she did recite,
And on the Lorde she did call.

Although this breakefast be shorte to me,
Yet in the Lorde I trust :
To suppe in the heavenlie glorie,
With Abraham that is iuste. . . .

Upon the Blocke she laied her heade,
Her death mekely to take :
In manus tuas, then she saied,
And this her ende she did make.

Imprinted at London, for Ihon Wight.

Method of Punishment

beheading

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tower of London

Printing Location

London: Ihon Wight

URL

https://archive.org/details/TransactionsOfTheRoyalHistoricalSociety1909VolIII3rdSeries/page/n69/mode/2up?q=lamentation+that

Notes

Wikipedia:  Lady Jane Grey (1536/1537 - 12 February 1554), also known as The Nine Days' Queen, was an English noblewoman who was de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553 and was subsequently executed. A great-granddaughter of Henry VII by his younger daughter Mary, Jane was a first-cousin-once-removed of Edward VI. In May 1553 Jane was married to Lord Guildford Dudley, a younger son of Edward's chief minister, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland. When the 15-year-old King lay dying in June 1553, he nominated Jane as successor to the Crown in his will, thus subverting the claims of his half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth under the Third Succession Act. During her short reign, Jane resided in the Tower of London. She became a prisoner there when the Privy Council decided to change sides and proclaim Mary as Queen on 19 July 1553. She was convicted of high treason in November 1553, though her life was initially spared. Wyatt's rebellion in January and February 1554 against Queen Mary's plans of a Spanish match led to Jane's and her husband's execution.

On the morning of 12 February 1554, the authorities took Guilford from his rooms at the Tower of London to the public execution place at Tower Hill and there had him beheaded. A horse and cart brought his remains back to the Tower of London, past the rooms where Jane remained as a prisoner. Jane was then taken out to Tower Green, inside the Tower of London, and beheaded in private. With few exceptions, only royalty were offered the privilege of a private execution; Jane's execution was conducted in private on the orders of Queen Mary, as a gesture of respect for her cousin.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/923 <![CDATA[The sorrowful complaint of Susan Higges, ]]> 2020-01-08T15:13:11+11:00

Title

The sorrowful complaint of Susan Higges,

Subtitle

a lusty Countrey Wench, dwelling in Risborrow in Buckinghamshire, who for twenty yeeres, most gallantly maintained her selfe by Robberies on the high-way side, and such like practises. And lastly, how she was executed at Brickhill, at the Assises, for a murther by her committed upon Messeldon Heath. To the tune of Lusty Gallant.

Synopsis

Susan Higges, highway robber, blackmails young men whom she finds with the maids in her house and for 20 years robs people on the highway. Her final victim, a woman, recognises her and is killed for it, but spits blood in Higges' face that will not wash off. In fear, Higges confesses her crimes.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 1.113 (cf Roxburghe 1.424-425: adds extra stanza); EBBA 20002

Set to tune of...

Lusty Gallant

Transcription

TO mourne for my offences, and former passed sinnes,
This sad and dolefull story, my heavy heart begins:
Most wickedly I spent my time. devoide of godly grace:
A lewder Woman never liv'd, I thinke in any place.

Nare Buckingham I dwelled, and Susan Higges by name,
Well thought of by good Gentlemen and Farmers of good fame:
Where thus.for xx. yeares at least, I liv'd in gallant sort:
Which made the Country marvell much, to here of my report.

My state was not maintained,
(as you shall understand)
By good and honest dealings, nor labour of my hand:
But by deceipt and couzening shifts the end whereof, we see
Hath ever beene repaide with shame and ever like to be.

My servants were young Countrey girles brought up unto my mind,
By nature faire and beautifull, and of a gentle kinde:
Who with their sweet intising eyes, did many Youngsters move
To come by night unto my house in hope of further love.

But still at their close meetings, (as I the plot had late)
I slept in still at unawares, while they the wantons plaid.
And would in question bring their names, except they did agree
To give me money for this wrong, done to my house and me.

This was but petty couzenage, to things that I have done:
My weapon by the high-way side, hath me much money wonne:
In mens attyre I oft have rode, upon a Gelding stout,
And done great robberies valiantly, the Countries round about.

I had my Scarfes and Vizards, my face for to disguise:
Sometime a beard upon my chin, to blinde the peoples eyes.
My Turkie blade, and Pistols good, my courage to maintaine:
Thus took I many a Farmers purse well cram'd with golden gaine.

Great store of London Marchants I boldly have bid Stand,
And showed my selfe most bravely, a Woman of my hand,
You rulsling Roysters, every one in my defence say then,
Wee women still for gallant minds, may well compare with men.

But if so bee it chanced, the Countries were beset,
With hue and cryes and warrants into my house I get:
And I so being with my Maides, would cloake the matter so,
That no man could by any meanes, the right offender know.

Yet God that still most justly, doth punish every vice,
Did bring unto confusion my fortunes in a trice:
For by a murther all my sinnes were strangly brought to light:
And such desert I had by law, as justice claim'd by right.

Upon the Heath of Misseldon, I met a woman there,
And robd her, as from market, home-wards she did repaire:
Which woman cald me by my name and said, that she me knew:
For which, even with her lifes deare bloud, my hands I did imbrew.

But after I had wounded, this women unto death,
And that her bleeding body, was almost reft of breath:
She gave a grone: and therewithall did spit upon my face,
Three drops of blood, that never could be wiped from that place:

For after I returned unto my house againe,
The more that I it washde, it more appeared plaine:
Each houre I thought that beasts, [&] birds this murther would reveale,
Or that the ayre, so vile a deede, no longer would conceale.

So heavy at my conscience, this wofull murther lay,
That I was soone inforced, the same for to beware,
And to my servants made it known,
as God appointed me:
For blood can never secret rest,
nor long unpunisht be.

My servants to the Justices,
declar'd what I had said:
For which I was attached,
and to the Jayle convaied,
And at the Sises was condemnd, and had my just desert:
Even such a death let all them have, that beare so false a heart.

Be warned by this story, you ru[s]sling Rosters all:
The higher that you climbe in sinne the greater is your fall:
For now the world so wicked is, in Maiden and in Wife
That few, or none, can finde the way to lead an honest life.
FINIS.

Method of Punishment

hanging?

Crime(s)

murder, highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Brickhill Assises

Printing Location

London for H.G.

Tune Data

  • Reference: Lusty Gallant (Simpson 1966 pp. 476-78) 
  • Date: Tune was already well known in 1566 
  • Link: Tune on the right is sung to tune of Lusty Gallant, tune on left is the right words, but sung to The London Prentice.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/925 <![CDATA[The vnnaturall Wife: ]]> 2020-01-08T15:13:34+11:00

Title

The vnnaturall Wife:

Subtitle

Or, The lamentable Murther, of one goodman Dauis, LockeSmith in Tutle-streete, who was stabbed to death by his Wife, on the 29. of Iune, 1628. For which fact, She was Araigned, Condemned, and Adiudged. to be Burnt to Death in Smithfield, the 12. Iuly 1628.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Papys Ballads 1.122-1.123r; EBBA 20051

Set to tune of...

Bragandary

Transcription

IF woefull objects may excite,

the minde to ruth and pittie,
Then here is one will thee affright

in Westminsters faire Citie:
A strange inhumane Murther there,
To God, and Man as doth appeare:

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my Husbands blood.
But God that rules the host of Heaven,

did give me ore to sinne,
And to vild wrath my minde was given,

which long I lived in;
But now too late I doe repent,
And for the same my heart doth rent:

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my Husbands blood.
Let all curst Wives by me take heed,

how they doe, doe the like,
Cause not thy Husband for to bleed,

nor lift thy hand to strike;
Lest like to me, you burne in fire,
Because of cruell rage and ire:

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my Husbands blood.
A Locke-Smith late in Westminster,

my Husband was by trade,
And well he lived by his Art,

though oft I him ubbraide;
And often times would chide and braule,
And many ill names would him call:

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my Husbands blood.
The second part. To the same Tune.
I And my Husband foorth had bin,

at Supper at that time,
When as I did commit that sin,

which was a bloody crime;
And comming home he then did crave,
A Shilling of me for to have:

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my Husbands blood.
I vow'd he should no Money get,

and I my vow did keepe,
Which then did cause him for to fret,

but now it makes me weepe;
And then in striving for the same,
I drew my knife unto my shame:

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my Husbands blood.
Most desperately I stab'd him then,

with this my fatall knife,
Which is a warning to Women,

to take their Husbands life;
Then out of doores I streight did runne,
And sayd that I was quite undon,

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my Husbands blood.
My Husband I did say was slaine,

amongst my Neighbours there,
And to my house they straite way came,

being possest with feare;
And then they found him on the floore,
Starke dead all weltring in his goore,

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my Husbands blood.
Life faine I would have fetcht againe,

but now it was too late,
I did repent I him had slaine,

in this my heavie state;
The Constable did beare me then
Unto a Justice with his men:

oh murther, etc.
Then Justice me to Newgate sent,

untill the Sessions came,
For this same foule and bloody fact,

to answere for the same;
When at the Barre I did appeare,
The Jury found me guiltie there:

oh murther, etc.
The Judge gave sentence thus on me,

that backe I should returne
To Newgate, and then at a Stake,

my bones and flesh should burne
To ashes, in the winde to flie,
Upon the Earth, and in the Skie.

oh murther, etc.
Upon the twelfth of Juely now,

I on a Hurdle plac't,
Unto my Excecution drawne,

by weeping eyes I past;
And there in Smith-field at a Stake,
My latest breath I there did take:

oh murther, etc.
And being chayned to the Stake,

both Reedes and Faggots then
Close to my Body there was set,

with Pitch, Tarre, and Rozen,
Then to the heavenly Lord I prayd,
That he would be my strength and ayde.

oh murther,

most inhumane,
To spill my husbands blood.
Let me a warning be to Wives,

that are of hasty kinde,
Lord grant that all may mend their lives,

and beare my death in minde,
And let me be the last I pray,
That ere may dye by such like way.

Oh Father

for thy Sonnes sake,
Forgive my sinnes for aye.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

London for M. T. Widdow

Tune Data

Bragandary is a lost tune (Simpson 1966, p. 743).
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/929 <![CDATA[A New Ballad of Three Merry Butchers AND Ten High-Way Men, ]]> 2020-01-08T15:14:17+11:00

Title

A New Ballad of Three Merry Butchers AND Ten High-Way Men,

Subtitle

How three Butchers went to pay Five Hundred Pounds away, and hearing a Woman crying in a Wood, went to relieve her, and was there set upon by these Ten High-Way Men, and how only stout Johnson fought with them all, who kill'd Eight of the Ten, and last was kill'd by the Woman whom he went to save out of the Wood. To an Excellent New Tune.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Lobrary, Pepys Ballads 2.176 (cf. Roxburghe 3.496-497, EBBA 31196; Euing 1.235, EBBA 31733); EBBA 20793

Transcription

I'll tell you of a story of lovly Butchers three,
There's Wilson, Gibson, Johnson, mark well what I shall say,
For they took Five Hundred Pounds Sir for to pay it all away,
For they took Five Hundred sir for to pay it all away.

As they rid on the Road sir, and as fast as they could trig,
Strike up your hearts sayes Johnson for weel have a merry jgg
With a high ding ding, with a hoe ding ding,
with a high ding ding dee, and God bless all good people from evil company.

As they rid on the Road sir, as fast as they could hie,
Strike up your hearts says Johnson, for I hear a woman cry,
With that he steps into the Wood, and looks himself all round,
& there he spy'd a woman with her hair bound unto the ground.

O woman, O woman, quoth Johnson, hast thou no evil company
O no, O no, says the woman, and alack how can that be,
For there came ten swaggering blades by, and thus abused me,
For there came ten swaggering blades by, and thus abused me.

Johnson being of a valient heart, and he bore a valient mind;
He wrapt his Cloak about her, for to keep her from the wind.
with a high ding ding, with a hoe ding ding, with a high ding
ding dee, and God bless all good people from evil company.

Strike up your hearts sayes Johnson for its dark all in the sky
She put her finger in her Ear, and she gave a shreeking cry;
With that there came Ten swaggering Blades with their weapons ready drawn?
And they boldly came to Johnson, and bolder bid him stand;

I will not fight says Wilson, for I had rather dye,
Or I to fight sayes Gibson, for I had rather [fl]ie:
Come on, come on sayes Johnson, and fight a man so free,
Or stand you still behind my back, and I'le win the Victorie;

Then Johnsons Pistols they flew off, till five of them were slain,
And then he drew his Hanger with all his might and main,
And play'd it about so manfully, till Three more he had slain,
And play'd it about so manfully, till Three more he had slain.

Come on, come on, says the other two, and let us make away,
For if that we do hold him too't, our lives he takes away:
O no, O no, quoth the woman, and alack how can that be,
For if you do not hold him to't then hanged you shall be,

Johnson fighting these two thieves before, the woman he did not mind,
And a sighing these two thieves before, she knockt him down behind,
O woman, O woman, quoth Johnson, alack what have you done
You have kill'd the bravest Butcher that ever England won.

Just as she had killed him, there came one riding by
And saw the deed which she had done, and seiz'd her presently,
She was condemn'd for to be hang'd in Iron Chains so strong
At the place where she did Johnson that great & mighty wrong.

Method of Punishment

hanging in chains

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Printing Location

Printed for J. Bissel at the Bible and Harp in West-/ smith-field.

Tune Data

EBBA recording  to The Spanish Gypsies (Simpson 1966, pp. 675-77).
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/930 <![CDATA[A warning for all desperate VVomen. ]]> 2021-06-17T11:06:30+10:00

Title

A warning for all desperate VVomen.

Subtitle

By the example of Alice Dauis who for killing of her husband was burned in Smithfield the 12 of Iuly 1628. to the terror of all the beholders.

Synopsis

One of two ballads about Alice Davis, convicted of petty treason for the murder of her husband and burned at the stake in Smithfield, London in 1628. Davis was one of a spate of executions of women for this crime in early seventeenth-century London, and the ballad's judgmental tone is meant to teach a lesson of subservience to all listening wives.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 1.120-121; EBBA 20050.  Audio recording by Hannah Sullivan.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

UNto the world to make my moane,
I know it is a folly,
Because that I have spent my time,
which have beene free and jolly,
But to the Lord which rules above,
I doe for mercy crie,
To grant me pardon for the crime,
for which on earth I dye.

Hells fiery flames prepared are,
for those that live in sinne,
And now on earth I tast of some,
but as a pricke or pin,
To those which shall hereafter be,
without Gods mercy great,
Who once more calls us to account,
on his Tribunall Seate.

Then hasty hairebraind wives take heed,
of me a warning take,
Least like to me in coole of blood,
you burn't be at a stake;
The woman which heere last did dye,
and was consum'd with fire,
Puts me in minde, but all to late,
for death I doe require.

But to the story now I come,
which to you Ile relate,
Because that I have liv'd like some,
in good repute and state,
In Westminster we lived there,
well knowne by many friends,
Which little thought that each of us,
should have come to such ends.

A Smith my husband was by trade,
as many well doe know,
And divers merry dayes we had,
not feeling cause of woe,
Abroad together we had bin,
and home at length we came,
But then I did that fatall deede,
which brings me to this shame.

He askt what monies I had left,
and some he needes would have,
But I a penny would not give,
though he did seeme to crave,
But words betwixt us then did passe,
as words to harsh I gave,
And as the Divell would as then,
I did both sweare and rave.

The second Part, To the same tune.

And then I tooke a little knife,
and stab'd him in the heart.
Whose Soule from Body instantly,
my bloody hand did part,
But cursed hand, and fatall knife
and wicked was that houre,
When as my God did give me ore
unto his hellish power.

The deede no sooner I had don,
But out of doores I ran,
And to the neighbours I did cry,
I kil'd had my good man,
Who straight-way flockt unto my house,
to see that bloody sight,
Which when they did behold with griefe,
it did them much affright.

Then hands upon me there was lay'd,
And I to Prison sent,
Where as I lay perplext in woe,
and did that deede repent,
When Sizes came I was arraign'd,
by Jury just and true,
I was found guilty of the fact,
for which I have my due.

The Jury having cast me then,
to judgment then I came,
Which was a terrour to my heart,
and to my friends a shame,
To thinke upon my husbands death,
and of my wretched life,
Betwixt my Spirit and my flesh,
did cause a cruell strife.

But then the Judge me sentence gave
to goe from whence I came,
From thence, unto a stake be bound
to burne in fiers flame,
Untill my flesh and bones consum'd,
to ashes in that place,
Which was a heavie sentence then,
on on[e] so voyd of grace.

And on the twelfth of July now,
I on a sledge was laid,
To Smithfield with a guard of men
I streight way was conveyd,
Where I was tyed to a stake,
with Reedes was round beset,
And Fagtos, Pitch, and other things
which they for me did get.

Now great Jehovah I thee pray,
my bloudy sinnes forgive,
For on this earth most wretched I
unworthy am to live.
Christ Jesus unto thee I pray,
and unto thee I cry,
Thou with thy blood wilt wash my sinnes
away, which heere must dye.

Good wives and bad, example take,
at this my cursed fall,
And Maidens that shall husbands have,
I warning am to all:
Your Husbands are your Lords & heads,
you ought them to obey,
Grant love betwixt each man and wife,
unto the Lord I pray.

God and the world forgive my sinnes,
which are so vile and foule,
Sweete Jesus now I come to thee,
O Lord receive my Soule.
Then to the Reedes they fire did put,
which flamd up to the skye,
And then she shriek'd most pittifully,
before that she did dye.

The Lord preserve our King & Queene,
and all good Subjects blesse,
And Grant the Gospell true and free,
amongst us may encrease.
Betwixt each husband and each wife,
send lond and amitie,
And grant that I may be the last.
that such a death did dye.

[F]INIS.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed for F. Coules

Tune Data

The Ladies Fall (Simpson 1966, pp, 98, 104, 105, 248, 369-371, 368), is linked with In Peascod Time. Tune first appeared in 1597.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/931 <![CDATA[A warning for wiues, ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:44+11:00

Title

A warning for wiues,

Subtitle

By the example of one Katherine Francis, alias Stoke, who for killing her husband, Robert Francis with a paire of Sizers, on the 8. of Aprill at night, was burned on Clarkenwell-greene, on Tuesday, the 21 of the same moneth, 1629.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 1.118-119; EBBA 20049

Set to tune of...

Bragandary

Transcription

ALas what wretched bloody times doe we vile sinners live in!
What horrid and what cruell crimes are done in spight of heaven!
What barberous murders now are done none fowler since the world begun!

Oh women, Murderous women. whereon are your minds?

The Story which I now recite, expounds you meanings evill
Those women that in blood delight,
Are ruled by the Devill,
Else how can th' wife her husband kill,
Or th' Mother her owne childs blood spill,
Oh women,
Murderous women, etc.

At Cow-crosse, neere to Smithfield-barres, adjacent to the City,
A man ands wife at houshold jarres long liv'd, the more's the pitty,
Like Cat and Dog they still agree'd;
Each small offence did anger breed:
Oh Women, etc.

She oftentimes would beat him sore, and many a wound she gave him,
Yet hee'd not live from her therefore, to stay ill fate would have him,
Till she with one inhumane wound,
Threw him (her husband) dead toth' ground,
Oh women, etc.

Upon the 8 of Aprill last, betweene this man and wife,
Some certaine words of difference past; and all their cause of strife,
Was but about a trifle small, yet that procur'd his fatall fall,
Oh women, etc.

This was about the houre of tenne, or rather more that night,
When this was done, whereof my Pen, in tragicke stile doth write;
The maner of's death most strange appeares
Being struck ith' neck with a pair of sheeres,
Oh women, etc.

As many of the neighbours say, that thereabout doe dwell,
This couple had most part oth' day beene drinking, so they tell,
And comming home at night so late,
She did renew her former hate.
Oh women, etc.

The second part To the same tune

ANother woman that was there, she out oth' doores did send,
And had her fetch a Pot of Beere, oh then drew nere his end,
For ere the woman came againe,
This wife had her owne husband slaine:

Oh women,
Murderous women, whereon are your minds?

She long had thirsted for his blood, (even by her owne confession)
And now her promise she made good, so heaven gave permission
To Satan, who then lent her power
And strength to do't that bloody houre.
Oh women, etc.

It seemes that he his head did leane toth' Chimney, which she spide,
And straight she tooke, (O bloody queane) her Sisers from her side,
And hit him therewith such a stroake
Ith necke, that (some thinke) he nere spoke.
Oh women, etc.

She having done that monstrous part, (woe worth her for her labour)
No power had from thence to start, but went unto a neighbour,
And told him, that she verily thought, that she her husbands death had wrought.
Oh women, etc.

The man amaz'd to heare the same, caught hold of her, and said,
Ile know the truth, and how this came, if such a part to be plaid,
No sooner had he said the same,
But neighbours did her fact proclaime.
Oh women, etc.

Then to New Prison was she sent, because it was so late,
And upon the next day she went (through Swithfield to New Gate,
Where she did lye untill the Session,
To answer for her foule transgression.
Oh women, etc.

Where she condemned was by Law, in Clarkenwell to be burned,
Unto which place they did her draw, where she to ashes turned,
A death, though cruell, yet too milde
For one that hath a heart so vlide.
Oh women, etc.

Let all good wives a warning take, in Country and in City,
And thinke how they shall at stake be burned without pitty.
If they can have such barbarous hearts,
What man or woman will take their parts,
Oh women,
Murderous women. whereon are your minds?

Composer of Ballad

Martin Parker

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Clerkenwell

Printing Location

London for F. G. on Snow-hill.

Tune Data

Bragandary is a lost tune (Simpson 1966, p. 743).

Notes

'Middlesex Sessions Rolls: 1629', Middlesex county records: Volume 3: 1625-67 (1888), pp. 25-30.

8 April, 5 Charles I. - True Bill that, at Cowcrosse co. Midd. on the said day, Katherine Francis, late the wife of Robert Francis alias Katherine Francis late of the said parish spinster, assaulted the said Robert then her husband, and then and there murdered him by stabbing him with a pair of scissors in the neck, so that he then and there died instantly. G. D. R., . . . . April, 5 Charles I.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/937 <![CDATA[THE Chamberlain's Tragedy: ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:44+11:00

Title

THE Chamberlain's Tragedy:

Subtitle

OR, The Cook-Maid's Cruelty;
Being a true Account how she in the heat of Passion, murder'd her Fellow-servant (the Chamberlain) at an Inn, in the Town of Andever. Tune, Bleeding Heart. Licens'd according to Order.

Synopsis

A chamberlain is stabbed by a cook's maid with whom he regularly quarrels. She bemoans her fate in prison.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys 2.178; EBBA 20795

Set to tune of...

Transcription

You that have melting hearts to grieve,
This mournful Ditty pray receive,
'Tis of a bloody Tragedy,
Unheard of Matchless cruelty.
The which I shall in brief unfold,
Therefore dear People, pray behold,
The manner of this wicked deed,
It needs must make your hearts to bleed.
Two Servants in one house did dwell,
At Andever, 'tis known full well;
A Cook-maid and a Chamberlin,
Now the relation I'll begin:
The one of them was most moross,
The other was exceeding cross,
So that with heat or passion they,
Were still at parlance Day by Day.
They acted both, like Tygers wild,
They never wou'd be reconcil'd
By any admonition, no,
Till passion prov'd their overthrow.
Behold it happen'd on a day
The Chamberlin, he took his way
Unto the fire-side, where she
Was busie at her Cookery.
To make a Toast was his intent,
But she his purpose wou'd prevent,
With Knife in Hand, but still he cry'd,
He valu'd not her haughty Pride.
This rais'd her passion more and more,
So that at length she vow'd and swore,
That she wou'd stick him to the Heart,
If he did not the Room depart:
Quoth he, Are you so resolute,
Is Blood the heat of your dispute?
Yes, that it is, you Slave, quoth she,
Be gone or I shall hang for thee.
The Chamberlin reply'd again,
Your swelling words are all in vain;
I do not fear you in the least
And thus their passion still increas'd.
Quoth she, I'll not disputing stand,
To him she ran with Knife in Hand
And wounded him in woful case,
Across his Head and down his Face.
The wreaking Blood began to run,
But still the Cook-maid had not done;
Till through his Ribs, she thrust the Knife,
And so bereav'd him of his Life.
When she beheld him on the floor,
In woful streams of wreaking gore;
She then bemoan'd her dismal state,
But this repentance come too late.
Thus having his destruction wrought,
Before a Justice, she was brought,
Who soon committed her to Goal,
Where she the Murder does bewail.
Often with Tears she does reply
Why did my passion rise so high,
As for to take his Life away,
Alas! this is a dismal Day?
How shall I answer for my crime,
Who gave him not a Minutes time;
To beg a Pardon for his Soul,
In sorrow I his Death condole:
I can expect no favour here,
Who was so cruel and severe,
That for a trifle I should be,
The auther of his Tragedy.
I needs must suffer for the same,
And leave this wretched World in shame;
But woe is me, that is not all,
His Blood does for just vengance call.
The time I have to live, I'll spend,
In making God my special friend,
That when this painful life I leave,
He may in love my Soul receive.
You Serants all both far anear,
That does my sad relation hear;
Labour to live in Love I pray,
Least passion should your Lives decay.

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Execution Location

Andever

Printing Location

LONDON: Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel, in Guiltspur-street.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/942 <![CDATA[THE VVhipster of VVoodstreet, ]]> 2021-02-23T16:21:28+11:00

Title

THE VVhipster of VVoodstreet,

Subtitle

OR, A True Account of the Barbarous and Horrid Murther committed on the Body of Mary Cox, late Servant in Woodstreet LONDON.

Synopsis

Elizabeth Deacon tortures her maid to death.

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.190 (cf. HEH Miscellaneous 80079, EBBA 32182); EBBA 20805

Set to tune of...

Grim King of the Ghosts

Transcription

Assist me some mournful Muse,
while I a sad Story relate;
Let all that these Lines peruse,
lament a poor maids hard fate;
Who Guiltless and Innocent fell,
by the hands of a barbarous Dame:
As fierce as a fury of Hell,
her sexes eternal shame.

Her husband to Bristol went,
his Trade to advance at the fair:
Whilst she was on mischief bent,
such mischief she can't repair:
for suspition o're clouding her mind,
bred a tempest within her breast:
her soul like a sea with rough wind,
was ruffled and rob'd of rest.

ALl jealous she taxed her maid,
and falsly did her accuse,
With theft she did her upbraid,
and shamefully did abuse:
While the maid in her own defence, undaunted and boldly stood,
Which made the fierce Dame commence,
a Tragedy full of Blood.

she caus'd her to be fast bound
to the post of her husbands bed,
where she did her body wound,
and whipped her almost dead:
thus did she a Confession extort,
of Crimes which the Maid never knew,
tormenting her in such a sort,
as wou'd make ones heart for to rue.

This monster not satisfied yet,
tho' the blood run from every part,
Made an Iron red hot in a pet,
resolving to give her more smart,
she burnt her in shoulders and thighs,
and sev'ral times under her ears,
she wou'd not come near her Eyes,
lest th'iron shou'd be quench'd with her tears.

Her body was blister'd and whail'd,
she was burnt from the head to the heel,
her skin was so parch'd that it scal'd,
no pain like to what she did feel:
she kept in her Chamber three days, unwilling the fact shou'd be known,
And turn to her Masters dispraise,
if her cruel stripes shou'd be shown.

As soon as down stairs she came,
her Mistress was in the old mood,
The merciless savage Dame,
did thirst for her very heart's blood:
she caus'd her two Prentices then,
neck and heels the poor Creature to bind,
No tigress within her Den,
e're shew'd a more savage mind.

She kick'd her and spurn'd her about,
and bid the young Lad do the same:
Resolving to act her part out,
thus ended the tragical game,
she catch'd up a hammer in haste,
and pierc'd the maids brains at a blow,
for which, of the hemp she must taste,
old Tyburn must have her I trow.

Method of Punishment

pardon

Crime(s)

murder, torture

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed for W. Thackeray at the Angel in Duck-Lane; J. Millet at the Angel in Little-Britain; and Alex. Milbourn at the Stationers-Arms in Green-Arbour-Court in the Little-Old-Baily. Where any Chapman may be Furnished with all Sorts of Small BOOKS

Tune Data

Reference: Grim King of the Ghosts (Simpson 1966, pp. 280-282)

Date Tune First Appeared

1682

Notes

From The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Online: London's Central Criminal Court, 1674 to 1913

Elizabeth Deacon , Wife of Francis Deacon , of the Parish of St. Michael Woodstreet Whipmaker, was arraigned and tried for the murther of her Servant maid one Mary Cox , aged about 17 years . The Tryal lasted very long, and abundance of Witnesses were called for the King, amongst which were two Apprentices, viz. Edward Newhall , and Thomas Albrook , &c. The former of which declared, that, on Monday the 20th of January last, his Mistris found the Maid to have a Shilling about her, and demanded how she came by it? The Maid confest at first, that she had one 6d. of one Mrs. Baker, and the other of one Susannah Middleton ; which her Mistriss being doubtful of, she ty'd her to the Beds-post, and whipt her very sorely, and on Wednesday following she deny'd it. Upon which, her Mistriss grew extreamly enraged at her, and struck her two or three Blows with a Whip, and proceeded further in her passion, even in causing him to tye her to the Beds-post, where she whipt her in a most violent manner, until the cry'd out Murther. To prevent which, her Mistriss stopt her Mouth with her Hand, but then on the Saturday following, she tyed her Neck and Heels, and afterwards tyed her to the Beds post, burning her with the Fire-Poker upon the Neck, Shoulders, and Back, after a most inhuman manner, and then gave her a Blow on the Head with a Hammer, until she made her confess to have been confederate with some Thieves who intended to Rob her Master's House while he was at Bristol Fair. Then she had the Maid before a Justice on the next Monday, being the day before she dyed, where she confessed the like, &c.

After which, her Mistriss grew careless of her; For when she fell sick upon it, she would not let her have those Accommodations that were fit for a person in that deplorable Condition, but was heard to say, Hang her, Hang her; And that if she had not confest, she would have kill'd her. She could no ways be prevail'd upon to take any pity upon her Servant, nor give her any sustenance: But, on the contrary, cry'd out, Who can do any thing for such a Wretch? Telling them, that she had the Pox, &c. The Surgeon said, that the Stripes and Wounds did contribute towards her Death, together with a Surfeit she had taken before.

The prisoner strived to Extenuate her Crime, saying, That her Maid had wronged her several times, by making away her Goods, and Money, and had Conversation with a parcel of Thieves, and was a Girl of a very sullen, obstinate, temper; and the reason why she Whipt her, was, for opening her Dressing-Box. She called some Witnesses, who gave a favourable account of her former Education, but none that could contradict or invalidate the King's Evidence; only one of them said, that the Maid complained of a stoppage at her stomach, and a great pain in her head, before she was so used; and that she surfeited her self by eating Ice Cakes, and Apples, &c. all which did not avail her any thing; but the Jury looking upon the Heinousness of the Fact, brought in her guilty of wilful Murther.

*** The Tryals being over, the Court proceeded to give Sentence as followeth, viz. ... Received Sentence of Death Eleven. Richard Merridy, George Cox, William Harvey, Robert Hillgrave, John Anderson, (convicted about four sessions ago) Thomas Williams, Thomas Fox, John Longstaffe, Edward Richardson, Jane Smith, and Elizabeth Deacon, who pleading her Belly, a Jury of Matrons were Empannelled, whose Verdict was, that she was with quick Child. 

Supplementary material, 27th May 1691. Elizabeth Deacon , the Whip maker's Wife in Wood street, pleaded Their Majesties most Gracious and Free Pardon .

Tim Hitchcock, Robert Shoemaker, Clive Emsley, Sharon Howard and Jamie McLaughlin, et al.The Old Bailey Proceedings Online, 1674-1913 (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.0, 15 January 2019). Reference Number: t16900226-1 
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/945 <![CDATA[The Injured Children, ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:44+11:00

Title

The Injured Children,

Subtitle

OR, The Bloudy Midwife; Being A Discovery of a Barbarous Cruelty to several Children that had been made away, and buried privately in a Sellar, and two hid dead in a Hand-basket.

Synopsis

Mary Compton was found guilty of the murders of several children, some her own, some she was paid by the churchwardens to take in. Her maid was acquitted, as she knew nothing of the dead children (in the cellar) and was left with only cheese to feed the babies. Ann Davis was convicted of being an accessory to the murders and was burned in the hand.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.193; EBBA 20808

Set to tune of...

Transcription

OH! what a wicked Age is this, we Wretches do live in,
How prone we are to Wickedness, and to commit each Sin;
No day but does produce new Fact of Villainy I say,
Some Thieve, some Murders basely act,
this is done day by day.
But of all Baseness none can tell a wickeder indeed,
For when I think upon it well, it makes my Heart to bleed;
A Midwife which at Poplar dwell'd, now Newgate is her doom,
'Tis said she several Children kill'd, and hid them under Ground.
She left a Boy and Girl at home, besides an infant small,
And left them no Provision, which made the Children bawl:
They cried so loud the Neighbours heard who went for their Relief,
The Boy immediately declar'd their Misery and Grief.
I'th' Sellar on a Shelf thats high
a Basket there you'l find,
And in it two dead Children lye, which terrifie[s] my Mind:
They went and found it to be true, a dismal Spectacle,
Oh wretched Woman, why did you these little Infants kill.
I'th' Sellar by the Boys advice, they digged up and down,
Where six poor Childrens carcasses immediately were found.
Their Skulls and Bores were taken up, a dismal sight to see,
Oh Midwife, Midwife, what mad'st thou bury them privately.
Some say they're By-blows she did take, Or Bastards, which you will
And all was for the Moneys sake, these infants must be kill'd;
For 'tis supposed a sum for good she with a Child did take,
But oh! such [?]n[?]rseries for Bloud, would makes one heart to ake.
What Grief and Trouble there must be, to those that have put out
Their Children to her Custody, since now the Murder's out;
No less than eight poor Childyen found, thought to be made away,
Six private buried under ground, two in a Basket lay.
You Mothers that have Children sure, you nere will Money give,
That you for that may never more your Child see while you live,
For 'tis a comfort for to see,
the Mother Nurse its Child,
And then no Midwives Cruelty
can ever you beguile.

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed and Sold by T. Moore,
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/947 <![CDATA[The Midwife of Poplar's Sorrowful Confession and Lamentation in Newgate ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:44+11:00

Title

The Midwife of Poplar's Sorrowful Confession and Lamentation in Newgate

Subtitle

Who was Condemned to Dye for that Horrid and Unheard of Murder, which she committed on the Bodys of several young infants, whom she Starved to Death, and was accordingly Executed for the same in Holbourn, upon the 23d. of this instant October, 1693.

Synopsis

Mary Compton was found guilty of the murders of several children, some her own, some she was paid by the churchwardens to take in. Her maid was acquitted, as she knew nothing of the dead children (in the cellar) and was left with only cheese to feed the babies. Ann Davis was convicted of being an accessory to the murders and was burned in the hand.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.192; EBBA 20807

Set to tune of...

Transcription

I Am the worst of Women-kind,
Compton it is my Name,
I was to Cruelty inclin'd, and do Repent the same,
But Oh! I wish I ne're had done that wicked deed, for why,
My Thread of Life is almost spun, now I'm Condemn'd to dye.

In Poplar near fair London Town, 'twas there that I did dwell,
My Murders calls just Vengeance down, for they do far excel
The worst of Villains in the Land, as e'ery one may own,
The very truth to understand would melt a heart of stone.

For three and thirty years ago, I Midwife did begin,
And of late years assurely know, I have been murdering;
Sweet Infants from their Mothers Womb, Oh! wretched Creature, I
Starving did make their Dismal Doom, for which I now must dye.

My maid and I did go from Home, as being not afraid,
And left three Children all alone, thus was I then betray'd,
A little Boy and Girl I left,
to Nurse an infant young,
Who was of life almost bereft, thus I the Babes did wrong.

I left none but Water and Cheese, to feed the Babe that cry'd,
At which sad grief did greatly seize Neighbours on e'ery side,
The Boy he told unto them then, that they might find two more,
Young Infants in a basket dead, upon a shelf below.

This sight did much amaze them all,
so soon as they were found,
Vermin did there about them craul, as they lay above ground,
Then they dug up the Cellar floor, directed by the Boy,
And there they found two or three more,
all which I did destroy.

The Babe that in the Cradle lay, did cry for Nourishment,
They put it out to Nurse straightway, who soon to dress it went,
And as she took the Linnen off to dress it unto bed,
The very Ears were rotted off from this poor Infants head.

O Cruel Wretch, what shall I do, a Monster to all good,
That could my bloody hands imbrew in little Infants blood,
How could I slumber Night or Day, or take one wink of rest,
While pritty Murther'd Infants lay, which might my sleep molest.

But I alas! was Seiz'd at last, and unto Justice brought,
And as along the Streets I past, I was with passion fraught,
I at my Tryal did appear, and am Condemn'd to dye,
The Laws cannot be too severe for such a Wretch as I.

And I account e're long must give, of my Offenses here,
Unto that great and mighty Judge, who will e're long appear,
How shall I look him in the face, or from his presence fly,
I have quite spent my day of Grace, who am Condemn'd to dye.

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Holborn

Printing Location

Printed for J. Bissel, at the Bible and Harp in West-Smith-Field.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/951 <![CDATA[A Cabinet of grief, ]]> 2021-02-15T13:07:18+11:00

Title

A Cabinet of grief,

Subtitle

or, The French midwife's miserable moan for the barbarous murther committed upon the body of her husband

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library, Wing / 1611:04. Recorded in EEBO (institutional login required). 

Set to tune of...

The Pious Christians Exhortation

Transcription

A CABINET of Grief: OR, THE French MIDVVIFE'S Miserable mean for the Barbarous Murther committed upon the Body o[...] her Husband

With the manner of her Co[...]veying away hi[...] Limbs and of her Execution; She being Burnt to Ashes on the 2d. of March in Leicester-Fields.

For the better impressing of this Subject on your Hearts and Minds, take these following Lines, which may be Sung [H] to the Tune of, The Pious Christians Exhortation.

A Lack! my very heart does bleed,
to see my woful Destiny,
You that my Dying Lines shall read,
I pray you all to pitty me.

A Murder here I did commit,
for which I have deserved Death,
This Crime I never shall forget,
as long as I have life or breath.

With grief and sorrow am I slain,
to see the Race that I have run,
A thousand times I wish in vain,
this Wicked deed I had not done.

It was my Husband whom I kill'd,
and Mangl'd at so strange a rate,
The World may be with Wonder fill'd,
while I this Tragedy relate.

In sorrow here my hands I wring,
on Wrack of Conscience am I rowl'd,
What did provoke me to this thing,
in brief to you I will unfold.

With care and grief I was opprest,
e're since I did become his Wife,
And never could have peace or rest,
but led a discontented life.

No Tongue is able to express
what I with him did undergo,
He Cruel was and pittiless,
which now has prov'd our overthrow.

From time to time he Riffl'd me,
scarce leaving any Cloaths to wear,
Besides his Acts of Cruelty,
this drove me into deep Dispair.

My heart was ready then to break,
in private I shed many a Tear,
As knowing not what course to take,
my sorrows they were so severe.

Against me his whole heart he set,
and often vow'd my Blood to spill,
Morning and Night when e're we met,
confusion was our Greeting still.

When him I strove to Reconcile,
saying, thou know'st how 'tis with us,
Maliciously he'd me Revile,
and swear it should be worse and worse.

Though he to Wickedness was bent,
and show'd himself so cross and grim,
I own this was no Argument
that I, alas! should Murder him.

But Sin and Satan so took place,
by living so from time to time,
For want of Gods preventing Grace,
I did commit this horrid Grime.

When Man and Wife lives at discord,
they may expect both fear and dread,
For there's no Blessing from the Lord,
where such a Wicked life is led.

For coming from bad Company,
when I was in a sweet Repose,
He from the sleep did waken me,
with many cruel bitter Blows.

This did the height of Anger raise,
when he did such unkinkness show,
That I resolv'd to end his days,
altho' it prov'd my overthrow.

To Bed he straight ways did repair,
as soon as he these Blows did give,
Thought I thy life I will insnare,
thou hast but little time to live.

I vow'd no favour to afford,
to him that us'd me so amiss,
Straight he I Strangl'd with a Cord,
when as he little thought of this.

Altho' he strugl'd for his life,
as surely very well he might,
Yet I his cruel-hearted Wife,
resolved to expell my spight.

Thus him of life I did deprive,
then in his Bed some days he lay,
My greatest care was to contrive,
how to convey his Corps away.

To bear him forth my self alone,
I cut off Head, Arms, c'ry Limb,
Had I not had a Heart of Stone,
I could hot thus have Mangl'd him.

His Head into a Vault I threw,
his Carcass on a foul Dung-hill,
His other Limbs into the Thames,
and then I thought all things was well.

Safe was I then, as I did think,
yet seiz'd I was in a short time,
For Heavens Justice would not wink
at such a black and bloody Crime.

Then to a Prison was I sent,
there to bewail my wretched state,
And there in Tears I did lament,
but this was when it was too late.

To Justice was I brought indeed,
where Conscience in my face did flye,
Guilty was all that I could plead,
I knew I did deserve to Dye.

O then my sad and dismal Doom,
soon after this I did receive,
It was in Fire to Consume,
which made my very heart to grieve.

Alas! I knew not what to say,
'tis Death alone must end the strife,
Behold this dreadful dismal Day,
the which must end my dearest Life.

Altho' I Weep and make sad moan,
as being Wounded to the heart,
I cannot chuse but needs must own
it is no more then my Desert.

To see me go some Thousands throng,
and thus in shame and much disgrace,
Through many Crowds I past along,
unto the Execution place.

Lord, tho' my Body here must Burn,
for my sad Crime so gross and foul,
Yet when I shall to Ashes turn,
receive my poor Immortal Soul.

FINIS.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Leicester-Fields

Printing Location

Licensed accordin[...] to Order Blare, at the Looking-Glass on London-Bridge. 1688.

Notes

Ballad follows a prose account of the event
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/952 <![CDATA[A looking-glass for vvanton women by the example and expiation of Mary Higgs ]]> 2021-06-23T09:38:01+10:00

Title

A looking-glass for vvanton women by the example and expiation of Mary Higgs

Subtitle

who was executed on Wednesday the 18th of July 1677 for committing the odious sin of burgery with her dog who was hanged on a tree the same day neer the place of execution shewing her penitent behaviour and last speech at the gallows, tune of In summer time.

Synopsis

Mary Higgs, executed for 'buggery' with her dog. It was a genuine case, recorded here in the Old Bailey Proceedings. The dog was also hanged alongside her.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Wood E 25 fol. (145), Wing / 2852:09. EEBO record (institutional login required). Audio recording by Hannah Sullivan. 

Set to tune of...

In Summer Time

Transcription

To a sad story now give ear,
of one who lived in this Land,
It may make the stoutest heart to fear,
and all vile Sinners trembling stand.

A wicked woman liv'd of late,
who did all honesty didain;
All Modesty she much did hate,
and to her death did so remain.

Lasciviousness she much did love,
and Buggery was her delight,
To wantonness she still did move,
not thinking it would come to light.

A Mungril Curr which she did keep,
and us'd to do that beastly act,
In Court on her did fawn and leap,
but now hath suffered for the fact.

Near Cripple-gate her dwelling-place,
where she did act this beastly sin,
Which now hath brought her to disgrace
that she long time hath wallowed in.

She took delight in drunkenness,
and as a Common Woman ?,
When she had drunk unto excess,
then God above she would defie.

Her chief desire was after mirth,
and hearing of sweet Melodies,
Thus while? she lived upon the earth,
gods holy Laws she did despise.

No precepts that could her controul,
so wicked was her wretched life,
She like a Swine in mire did rowl,
which with her Husband caus'd some strife.

Gods Holy word she much abus'd,
and did profane his Sabbath day,
The company of those refus'd
who urg'd her to Repent and Pray.

There's scarce a sin that can be nam'd,
but what she striv'd for to commit,
Her Lustful lmind was so inflam'd,
that by no means she could quench it.

But being now Condemn'd by Law,
on her past life she did reflect,
The Worm of Conscience did her gnaw,
'cause Gods Commands she did neglect.

O World, said she, thou canst not save,
this soul of mine from pain and woe,
No joys of heaven I e're shall have,
unless my sins I can forgo.

O eyes of mine that us'd to see,
and take delight in Objects fair,
Must now behold where Devils be,
poor Souls tormented in dispair.

I that was wont to sport and play,
most wantonly in many a place,
Must now depart from them away,
the Flames of hell for to imbrace,

Now unto you that stand me by,
and hear what case my soul is in,
See that you never guilty be,
of any sad and heinous sin.

Let Prayer be your meat and drink,
your cloathing be humilitie,
On Gods just Laws be sure to think,
that you the joys of Heaven may see.

When this sad wretch her speech had done
and tears in streaks run down her face;
Would melt a heart of steel or stone,
to think upon her woful case.

The Dog was hang'd with her just by,
a sad example let it be,
To all that do Gods laws defie,
and live as wickedly as she.

Strive more & more Gods ways to love,
that you may here live happily;
Then you'l not miss sweet joys above,
nor never be afraid to dye.

FINIS.

Crime(s)

buggery with dog; bestiality

Gender

Date

Printing Location

[S.l.] : Printed for P. Brooksby at the Goldene Ball in West-Smith-Field neer the Hospital Gate
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/956 <![CDATA[Some Luck Some Wit]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:43+11:00

Title

Some Luck Some Wit

Subtitle

Being a Sonnet upon the merry life and untimely death of Mistriss Mary Carlton, commonly called THE German Princess. To a new Tune, called the German Princess adieu.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburgh C.20.f.9.35; EBBA 30388

Set to tune of...

The German Princess adieu

Transcription

Farewel German Princess the Fates bid adieu whose fall is as strange as her story is true,
Her peddigree she from a Fidler does bring

and Fidlers do commonly end in a string,
How many mad pranks has she plaid on the Earth

which equally moves us to pitty and mirth,
But now for a Gamball at Christmas the fool

must shew us a trick on a three-legged Stool.
The first of her tricks was a Freak into France

to learn the French language to sing and to dance,
And who but a Taylor should lye in the lurch

to cut out her work and to lead her to Church,
He plyd her to with Gold but when all was prepard

to measure the Princess about with his yard,
She bobd off the Taylor and made him a Goose

but for all her mad pranks she must dye in a Noose.
Next after to Holland she steered her course

and there she abused a Jewelor worse,
For when he so many rich jewels had brought

seald up in a box, she another had wrought,
And thus he was chevld by the wit of the Girl

with pebbles for diamonds and Glasses for pearl,
Who after his gelding most sadly bemoans,

he quite was undone for the loss of his stones
The next that she shewd was on English-Mans jest

and though there was wit int twas none of the best
Then who but the Princess, and happy were they,

that could but obtain this so welcome a pray:
As eagerly she at the Collies did catch,

but when she was married she met with her match;
For at last an Atturney did fall in her way

who gave her his Bond and had nothing to pay.
A Brick-maker then as a Suitor did go

whose news was as strange as the news from Soho
For when he came up to his Tenement door

he found there was one in possession before,
To furnish this Room he sold all that he had

and now not to enter it made him stark mad,
But she had the money and kept him in awe

by bidding him make up his Brick without straw.
And now the young gallant that next was trappand

was a kind of a Drugster as I understand,
He thought her so rich that the prodigal fop

to gain her sold all that he had in the Shop,
But when to this prize he began to draw near

he found he had bought his Commoditie dear,
His fore-head did bud and such pains he indurd

as would not by Balsoms or Plaisters be curd
A Limner at length who had heard of her fame

would needs draw her Picture and give it a frame,
With couler and varnish she cheated the Elf

and provd that she painted as well as himself,
He made her a Face and a Robe like a Queen

and swore twas as like her as ever was seen,
But when at the Tavern she left him in paw[n]

he swore for a Princess a Beggar hed drawn
A thousand such pranks she did daily invent

and yet with her money was nevey content,
But spent it apace for the proverb you know

says wealth that comes lightly as lightly does go.
At Masques and at Revels by day and by night

with Toryes and gallants she took her delight,
She fancyd alass, it would nere be day

and so never thought of a reckoning to pay.
But what was long lookd for is now come at last

and the sentence of death on the Princess is past
Nor could she be tryd by her peers for no doubt

there was not her peer the whole nation throughout
But if any more of the gang should be found

they are born to be hangd they shall never be dround
When people must cheat to encourage their pride

it is a Dutch trick which we cannot abide.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

returning from penal transportation without permission

Gender

Printing Location

London Printed for Philip Brooksby near the Hospital-gate in West-smith-field.

Notes

Wikipedia: Mary Carleton (11 January 1642 - 22 January 1673) was an Englishwoman who used false identities, such as a German princess, to marry and defraud a number of men.

Carleton was born Mary Moders in Canterbury. According to later accounts she married a journeyman shoemaker named Thomas Stedman and gave birth to two children who died in infancy. She later left her husband to move to Dover where she married a surgeon, prompting her arrest and trial in Maidstone for bigamy.

After the trial she visited Cologne where she had a brief affair with a local nobleman. He gave her valuable presents, pressed her for marriage and began the preparations for a wedding. She, however, slipped out of Germany with all the presents and most of her landlady's money, returning to England through the Netherlands.

She returned to London in 1663 and took on the persona of an orphaned Princess van Wolway from Cologne. She claimed that she was born in Cologne and that her father was Henry van Wolway, Lord of Holmstein and that she had fled a possessive lover. She used this guise to marry John Carleton, brother-in-law of the landlord of the Exchange tavern which she frequented. After the wedding, however, an anonymous letter exposed her.

Her trial in 1663 was the first recorded appearance of Mary Carleton. She was charged for masquerading as a German princess and marrying John Carleton in London under that name. She claimed that John Carleton himself had claimed to be a lord and was trying to extract himself from marriage as he had discovered there was no money in it. Divorce would have been an unheard of scandal in those times. Both sides of the conflict published pamphlets to support their own story. Mary Carleton was eventually acquitted.

Afterwards Mary Carleton wrote her own account, The Case of Madam Mary Carleton, possibly through a ghostwriter. She also acted in a play about her life and gained a number of admirers who gave her more valuable gifts. She eventually married one of her admirers. Predictably she left him too, taking with her his money, valuables and keys while he was drunk.

Carleton next pretended to be a rich virgin heiress fleeing an undesirable suitor whom her father had arranged for her. She even arranged that someone would send her letters that supposedly contained updates of family news. When her new landlady found and read them, she was convinced and became a matchmaker between Carleton and her nephew.

Carleton arranged a new letter that claimed that her brother was dead and he had left her all he had, including her father's forthcoming inheritance. However, her father was even more determined to marry her to a suitor she detested. Her lover invited her to live with him but Carleton and an accomplice, disguised as a maid, stole his money.

Over the following ten years Carleton used similar methods to defraud various other men and landlords, often with the aid of her maid. Some of the men were too embarrassed to reveal they had been duped. She was many times accused of theft but was jailed only briefly.

She was once arrested after stealing a silver tankard, and was sentenced to penal transportation and sent to Jamaica. However, after two years she returned to London, again pretending to be a rich heiress and married an apothecary at Westminster. Naturally, she stole his money and left him.

In December 1672 Carleton was captured when a man who was searching for stolen loot recognized her. On 16 January 1673 she was tried in the Old Bailey. Because she had returned from penal transportation without permission, she received a sentence of death. She was executed by hanging on 22 January.

In 1673 Francis Kirkman wrote, and issued under his own name, The Counterfeit Lady Unveiled, a fictional autobiography.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/960 <![CDATA[The last Speech and Confession of Jannet Riddle, ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:43+11:00

Title

The last Speech and Confession of Jannet Riddle,

Subtitle

who was Execute, for murthering her own Child, in the Grass Market of Edinburgh, January 21st. 1702

Synopsis

Jannet Riddle is convicted of murdering her newborn baby and is hanged for it in the Grass Market, Edinburgh, 1702.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

National Library of Scotland, Shelfmark: Ry.III.a.10(103); The Word on the Street, National Library of Scotland Digital Gallery

Transcription

Oh! Oh! did ever any hear,
of such an one as I;
The Laws cannot be too Severe;
for it's Reason that I die,
The Cru'lest Death that e're was known,
because I did deny,
Even Life to it: when all alon,
which 'twixt my Sides did lye.

Was not I then Un-natural,
mine own Child for to Kill.
For which I am ordan'd, Sirs, all
your Eyes by Death to fill.
When I and it then parted were,
it did begin to Cry,
But I soon stop its Mouth so fair,
which 'twixt my Sides did lye.

Yea was it not great Cruelty,
that enter'd in my mind,
To dispair of GOD's great Mercy,
who Releif soon did find.
To me, who of Relief was fain,
before my Deliv'ry,
Yet to my Child, I wrought great pain,
which 'twixt my Sides did lye.

Which when Born, I did Repair,
for to commit the deed,
Not of GOD's Mercy taking care,
I caus'd my Child to Bleed,
The Div'l helpt me to go on,
and paved out the way.
How I should make my Child begon,
which 'twixt my Sides long lye.

The Worlds shame me did entice,
because I thought it great,
This Bloody act to enterprice,
for which here ends my Fate.
And having thought for to promot;
its death without delay,
i with great speed 'bout threw it's Throat,
which 'twixt my Sides long lye.

This being done, with little Grace,
where I might lay the Child;
I did Contrive for it a place,
which when alive was Mild;
Mong Feathers then the Bab I laid,
with silence great I say,
And being Dead, it Bleeding Stay'd,
which 'twixt my Sides long lye.

The Bloody Fact this being done,
I thought my self secure.
Yet GOD most High, it did think on,
He such would not endure.
But soon caus'd some as Witness stand,
that they did hear it Cry,
And that I kill'd it with my hand,
which 'twixt my Sides did lye.

I then with Boldness did soon Swear
of such me to be free,
Because I said none 'mong them there,
with Child did e're me see.
But when they also found the Child,
I likewise did deny,
That I then it my self had kill'd,
which 'twixt my Sides did lye.

Saying it was by me dead Born,
and I had laid it there,
Least any Person should me Scorn,
and Church be too severe.
They not beliving, I Confest,
at length, I was Guilty,
And that its Life I there out prest,
which 'twixt my Sides did lye.

Oh! Sad and Grivous Crueltie,
is it not for to hear,
Children Murther'd even Mothers by.
Oh! Sad for I may fear,
Eternal Misery and Woe,
may be my chance I say,
Because I wrought it's overthrow,
which 'twixt my Sides long lye.

Yet though my Sins are many LORD,
thy mercy's great are more,
The Blessing give me of thy Word,
good LORD I the implore.
Farewel O People, be you fil'd
with Joy, for I do Die,
For Murthering of my only Child,
which 'twixt my Sides did lye.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

Infanticide

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Edinburgh
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/972 <![CDATA[Chanson lamentable d'une fille de Dijon, ]]> 2020-01-08T15:28:33+11:00

Title

Chanson lamentable d'une fille de Dijon,

Subtitle

condamnee à mort, par son pere, Sur le chant du bel Adonis.

Synopsis

so far only have picture taken from van Orden, 'Female Complaintes'

Set to tune of...

Sur le chant du bel Adonis

Transcription

Fillez qui aymez honneur,
Escoutez ie vous supplie
En quelle peine & douleur
M'a mise ma grand' folie.
Ie n'avois passe quinze ans
Que m'oubliant en moy mesme
Me brusloit l'ame au dedans

rest is at BnF?

Gender

Date

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/973 <![CDATA[Chanson nouvelle d'une servante de Laon laquelle a esté bruslee toute vive pour avoir empoisonné sa maistresse, pensant avoir son Maistre en Mariage.<br /> ]]> 2020-01-08T17:41:17+11:00

Title

Chanson nouvelle d'une servante de Laon laquelle a esté bruslee toute vive pour avoir empoisonné sa maistresse, pensant avoir son Maistre en Mariage.

Subtitle

Sur le chant, Il y a un cler en ceste ville, &c.

Set to tune of...

Il y a un cler en ceste ville, &c.

Transcription

Escoutez un cas déplorable,
De moy chetive & miserable,
Qu'ay fait par trop aventureux
Par un conseil pernicieux.
Moy que estois pauvre servante,
Mal avisée & peu sçavante
Ay faict à ma maistresse tort,
la mettant du tout à mort.
C'est ennemy remply de rage,
Pour me tirer à son servage
M'est venu ainsi recevoir,
Pour mon âme excellente avoir.
Disant d'invention meschante,
Que plus je ne serois servante,
Si poison voulois acheter
Pour ma maistresse empoisonner.
Moy entant ainsi poursuivie
De ce faux Sathan par l'envie,
Je m'absenta de la maison
Pour acheter ceste poison.
Et puis par une folle rage
Je la vins metter en son potage
Dont ma maistresse par l'effort
De ce poison fut mise à mort.
Dequoy esmerveillé mon magister
Qui rien ne sçavoit du faict traistre
Que j'avois meschamment commis
Fut en grande tristesse mis.
Faisant soudain devoir extreme,
Pour donner remede à sa femme,
De courir aux Chirurgiens,
Pour y trouver quelques moyens.
Mia il n'ont seu en nulle sorte
Retarder ceste poison forte,
Dont ma bonne maistresse helas,
Fut tout soudain mise au trespas.
Mon maistre ignorant la furie
De la poison & maladie,
Fit subit ma maistresse ouvrir,
Pour le vilain faict descouvrir.
Aussi tost ma maistresse ouverte,
Ceste poison fut descouverte
Et fut tout averé le cas,
De sa mort subite & trespas.
Voyant la trahison meschante
Et que j'estois seule servante
Mon maistre s'en va au Prevost
Lequel me vient saisir bien tost.
Estant ainsi en prison mise
Et puis par la justice enquise
De ce meschant traistre forfait
Soudain j'ay confessé mon faict.
Disant que soubs espoir volage
D'avoir mon maistre en mariage
J'avois donné ceste poison
A ma maistresse en trahison.
Le cas confessé, la justice
Me condamne au dernier supplice
Et de passer par la rigueur
Du feu en tresgrande douleur.
Ainsi par ma faute insensée
Seray toute vive bruslée
Comme je l'ay bien merité
Par mon faict plein de cruauté.
Or entre vous autres servantes
Ne soyez comme moy meschantes,
Priez pour moy le doux Jesus
Conduire mon ame là sus.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Lyon: Simon Rigaud, 1606
'La Fleur du Rozier des chansons'
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/976 <![CDATA[Complainte de la Reine de France]]> 2020-01-08T14:21:39+11:00

Title

Complainte de la Reine de France

Synopsis

Marie Antoinette sings after her husband's execution

Transcription

Ce n'est donc fait o mon Epoux!
Philippe comblé sa vengeance
tu viens de tomber sous ses coups,
il n'est plus de vertus en France.
L'injustice et la cruauté
dans tous les coeurs on pris leur place,
Et la perfide lacheté
plus cruelle encore que l'audace.

Ma fille, helas! jamais tes yeux
Ne reverront ton tendre pere;
Ce parfait ouvrage des Cieux,
Elizabeth, n'a plus de frere.
Elizabeth, Elizabeth,
Models d'amour et constance,
Des barbares l'affreux projet
Accuse aussi ton innocence.

Toi qui souvent des assassins
Mon fils, as desarmé la rage,
Recois ce papier de mes mains*
Voila ton plus bel heritage.
Pardonne à tous nos ennemis
Comme ton pere leur pardonne,
L'august fils de Saint Louis*
En montant au Ciel te l'ordonne.

Vous qui souffrez, des coups du sort
N'accusez point la barbarie.
Pouriez vous bien vous plaindre encor,
En contemplant ma triste vie.
Pour vous il n'est plus de malheurs
J'en epuisai la coupe amere:
Ah! pour bien sentir mes douleurs
Faut être epouse, Reine, et mere.

Dans le chagrin mon coeur noyé,
N'a point d'azile en sa souffrance
On me refuse la pitié,*
Et Je regnois hier en France!
Ainsi quand tout me fait la loi,
Cher et tendre epoux, de te suivre
La gloire de mon jeune Roi
M'impose le tourment de vivre.

Mon fils, pour rendre à son devoir
Un peuple encore dans l'ivresse,
Pour faire cherir ton pouvoir,
Pour faire benir ta jeunesse,
Je te parlerai jour et nuit
Des douces vertus de ton pere:
Un autre y joindra le recit
Des infortunes de ta mere.

*Le Testament de Louis XVI
*Fils de St. Louis, vous montez au Ciel: Paroles prononcées par Edgeworth confesseur du Roi, aux pieds de l'echaffaud
*On a defendu aux commissaires du Temple de rendre compte de la situation des Augustes prisonniers de crainte que le peuple ne s'attendrit sur leur sort.

Composer of Ballad

words: M. Peltier, music M. Ferrari

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

guillotine

Printing Location

Se vend chez M. Fores, No. 3 Piccadilly et chez les Marchands de Musique
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/985 <![CDATA[CRIMES DE MARIE-ANTOINETTE,]]> 2020-01-08T16:54:15+11:00

Title

CRIMES DE MARIE-ANTOINETTE,

Subtitle

Veuve Capet, Guillotinée le 25 du premier mois de l'an 2 de la République française, une et indivisible (le 16 octobre, 1793. Vieux stile.
Air du malheureux Lisandre.

Set to tune of...

Air du malheureux Lisandre.

Transcription

DE peur que la race future,
D'Antoinette apprenant le sort,
Ne nous reproche un jour sa mort,
Des faux écrits par l'imposture,
Je veux montrer à l'univers
Ses crimes, ses desseins pervers;
Je veux que, du royaume sombre,
Elle entende le cri des loix:
Je veux interroger son ombre
Et qu'elle frémisse à ma voix.

Monstre échappé de Germania,
Toi qui dévastas no climats,
Ils n'ont cessé tes attentats
Que lorsqu'on fit cesser ta vie;
Par tes crimes & tes forfaits,
Vois les maux que tu nous a faits;
Non satisfaite, dans ta rage,
de ceux ou nous sommes plongés,
Nous devions tous, par ton ouvrage,
Périr l'un par l'autre égorgés.

Avant l'époque combinée
Du heureux & beau changement,
Qui rendit le français si grand
Et la france régénerée;
Par ton adresse & par le vin,
Charmant ton époux peu malin,
Oui, je vois tes mains sacrilèges,
L'endormant sur de vils excès,
Pour un frere que tu protèges,
Dépouiller l'empire francais.

Ce fut le premier de tes crimes:
Quand on débute comme toi,
On peut, sans honte & sans effroi,
Marcher d'abîmes en abîmes:
L'horreur ne quitte point tes pas,
Et, prodigue de tes appas,
De tes enfans coupable mere,
Ne retenant plus aucun frein,
Trois fois une flâme adultere
Fit germer ces fruits dans ton sein.

Je vois une femme en furie
Troubler le dedans, le dehors;
Des Flandrins & Gardes-du-Corps
Elle-même anime[r?] l'orgie.
Je la vois les encourager,
A ses yeux, faire profaner
Notre cocarde tricolore:
Par ses artifices adroits,
Je vois la blanche qu'on arbore,
Pour anéantir tous nos droits.

Mais quelles sont ces assemblées,
Que j'apperçois dans ce palais?
Qui, de ces criminels projets
Inspire les noires idées?
C'est toi, trop cruelle, c'est toi:
Contre nous & contre la loi.
C'est-là même que tu présides
Et fais, pour servir tes desseins,
Nommer des ministres perfides,
Agens de tes faits clandestins.

Tu nous fais déclarer la guerre,
Et, par tes mouvemens secrets,
De la Belgique, des franais
Se fait la retraite premiere:
Aux rois & brigands conjurés
Nos plans, par toi, sont envoyés:
Si, quelquefois, sur nos armées
Triompherent les ennemis,
C'est à tes perfides menées
Que, par eux, en est dù le prix.

Je t'accuse de cet orage
Que sur nous tu fis éclater,
Le jour où l'on vit tant briller
Des sans-culotes le courage,
C'est le célevre jour du dix,
Funeste à des peres chéris:
Et de cette trame infernale
Pour encourager les agens,
D'avoir mordu plus d'une balle,
Au milieu de tes partisans.

Si Capet se fouilla de crimes,
Et s'il fut digne de la mort,
S'il a trop mérité son sort
Et fait tomber tant de victimes,
C'est toi-mme qui le perdis,
Abusant d'un coeur trop épris:
Qui, profitant de sa faiblesse,
Fit servir son crédule amour,
Aux complots machinés sans cesse
Par ton noir esprit et ta cour.

Envain je cherche en ma mémoire
Le nom des êtres abhorrés,
Dignes de t'être comparés:
Je n'en trouve pas dans l'histoire,
Pour faire un fidele tableau,
Tu fus, on peut dire en un mot,
Plus scélérat qu'Agrippine,
Dont les crimes sont inouis,
Plus lubrique que Messaline,
Plus barbare que Médicis.

Par GOURIET, fils.

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paris, Place Louis Quinze

Printing Location

De l'Imp. de GOURIET, rue S.-Etienne-des-Grs, Nos. 20 & 22.

Notes

Marie Antoinette; baptised Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna (or Maria Antonia Josephina Johanna);2 November 1755 äóñ 16 October 1793), born an archduchess of Austria, was Dauphine of France from 1770 to 1774 and Queen of France and Navarre from 1774 to 1792. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa.

In April 1770, on the day of her marriage to Louis-Auguste, Dauphin of France, she became Dauphine of France. Marie Antoinette assumed the title of Queen of France and of Navarre when her husband, Louis XVI of France, ascended the throne upon the death of Louis XV in May 1774. After seven years of marriage, she gave birth to a daughter, Marie-Thérse Charlotte, the first of four children.

Initially charmed by her personality and beauty, the French people generally came to dislike her, accusing "L'Autrichienne" (meaning the Austrian (woman) in French) of being profligate, promiscuous,[2] and of harboring sympathies for France's enemies, particularly Austria, her country of origin.[3] The Diamond Necklace incident further ruined her reputation. Although she was completely innocent in this affair, she became known as Madame Déficit.

The royal family's flight to Varennes had disastrous effects on French popular opinion, Louis XVI was deposed and the monarchy abolished on 21 September 1792; the royal family was subsequently imprisoned at the Temple Prison. Eight months after her husband's execution, Marie Antoinette was herself tried, convicted by the Convention for treason to the principles of the revolution, and executed by guillotine on 16 October 1793.

1793: "Widow Capet," Trial, and Death
Marie Antoinette on the way to the guillotine. (Pen and ink by Jacques-Louis David, 16 October 1793)
Marie Antoinette's execution on 16 October 1793.

Louis was executed on 21 January 1793, at the age of thirty-eight.[118] The result was that the "Widow Capet", as the former queen was called after the death of her husband, plunged into deep mourning; she refused to eat or do any exercise. There is no knowledge of her proclaiming her son as Louis XVII; however, the comte de Provence, in exile, recognised his nephew as the new king of France and took the title of Regent. Marie-Antoinette's health rapidly deteriorated in the following months. By this time she suffered from tuberculosis and possibly uterine cancer, which caused her to hemorrhage frequently.[119]

Despite her condition, the debate as to her fate was the central question of the National Convention after Louis's death. There were those who had been advocating her death for some time, while some had the idea of exchanging her for French prisoners of war or for a ransom from the Holy Roman Emperor. Thomas Paine advocated exile to America.[120] Starting in April, however, a Committee of Public Safety was formed, and men such as Jacques Hébert were beginning to call for Antoinette's trial; by the end of May, the Girondins had been chased out of power and arrested.[121] Other calls were made to "retrain" the Dauphin, to make him more pliant to revolutionary ideas. This was carried out when the eight-year-old boy Louis Charles was separated from Antoinette on 3 July, and given to the care of a cobbler.[122] On 1 August, she herself was taken out of the Tower and entered into the Conciergerie as Prisoner No. 280.[123] Despite various attempts to get her out, such as the Carnation Plot in September, Marie Antoinette refused when the plots for her escape were brought to her attention.[124] While in the Conciergerie, she was attended by her last servant, Rosalie Lamorlire.

She was finally tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal on 14 October. Unlike the king, who had been given time to prepare a defence, the queen's trial was far more of a sham, considering the time she was given (less than one day). Among the things she was accused of (most, if not all, of the accusations were untrue and probably lifted from rumours begun by libelles) were orchestrating orgies in Versailles, sending millions of livres of treasury money to Austria, plotting to kill the Duke of Orléans, incest with her son, declaring her son to be the new king of France, and orchestrating the massacre of the Swiss Guards in 1792.

The most infamous charge was that she sexually abused her son. This was according to Louis Charles, who, through his coaching by Hébert and his guardian, accused his mother. After being reminded that she had not answered the charge of incest, Marie Antoinette protested emotionally to the accusation, and the women present in the courtroom äóî the market women who had stormed the palace for her entrails in 1789 äóî even began to support her.[125] She had been composed throughout the trial until this accusation was made, to which she finally answered, "If I have not replied it is because Nature itself refuses to respond to such a charge laid against a mother."
Funerary monument to King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, sculptures by Edme Gaulle and Pierre Petitot in the Basilica of St Denis

In reality the outcome of the trial had already been decided by the Committee of Public Safety around the time the Carnation Plot was uncovered, and she was declared guilty of treason in the early morning of 16 October, after two days of proceedings.[126] Back in her cell, she composed a letter to her sister-in-law Madame élisabeth, affirming her clear conscience, her Catholic faith and her feelings for her children. The letter did not reach élisabeth.[127]

On the same day, her hair was cut off and she was driven through Paris in an open cart, wearing a simple white dress. At 12:15 p.m., two and a half weeks before her thirty-eighth birthday, she was beheaded at the Place de la Révolution (present-day Place de la Concorde).[128][129] Her last words were "Pardon me sir, I meant not to do it", to Henri Sanson the executioner, whose foot she had accidentally stepped on after climbing the scaffold. Her body was thrown into an unmarked grave in the Madeleine cemetery, rue d'Anjou, (which was closed the following year).

Her sister-in-law élisabeth was executed in 1794 and her son died in prison in 1795. Her daughter returned to Austria in a prisoner exchange, married and died childless in 1851.[130]

Both Marie Antoinette's body and that of Louis XVI were exhumed on 18 January 1815, during the Bourbon Restoration, when the comte de Provence had become King Louis XVIII. Christian burial of the royal remains took place three days later, on 21 January, in the necropolis of French Kings at the Basilica of St Denis.[131]

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/987 <![CDATA[DIALOGUE DE LA TIGRESSE ANTOINETTE, ]]> 2020-01-08T17:01:24+11:00

Title

DIALOGUE DE LA TIGRESSE ANTOINETTE,

Subtitle

Avec la Guillotine, le jour de son exécution.
Air: Jeunesse trop coquette.

Set to tune of...

Jeunesse trop coquette.

Transcription

La Guillotine.
DéTESTABLE Antoinette,
C'est donc en ce moment,
Que l'on va voir ta tête
Tomber sous mon tranchant,
Pour prix de tes forfaits:
C'est là ta récompense,
Ayant par tes projets,
Voulu perdre la France.

Antoinette.
Cruelle guillotine,
Que tu me fais frémir,
Lorsque plus j'examine,
Que je m'en vais mourir,
Moi qui fus ci-devant,
Souveraine sur terre:
Faut-il donc maintenant,
Terminer ma carriere?

La Guillotine.
Maudite créature,
Des français le fléau;
Ton supplice, je jure,
N'est qu'un foible tableau
Des noires cruautés,
Qui, par ta manigance,
Furent tant exercés
Sur le peuple de france.

Antoinette.
Machine épouvantable,
Effroi du genre humain,
En quoi suis-je coupable,
Explique-toi soudain,
Veux-tu me reprocher
Mon trop d'indépendance;
Tu devrois m'en passer
J'avois tout en puissance.

La guillotine.
C'est justement, coquine,
Ce dont chacun se plaint,
Le mal par origine
Dans ton coeur est empreint,
Peux-tu me dêmentir,
Te retraçant tes crimes?
Combien fis-tu périr
D'innocentes victimes?

Antoinette.
J'avouerai sans mystère,
Qu'en quittant mon pays
Je reçus ma mère
De très mauvais avis;
Moi, pour la contenter,
Jalouse de lui plaire,
Je promis d'outrager
Le françois débonnaire.

La guillotine.
C'est donc cela, cruelle,
Qui te fit un sujet
Pour troubler la cervelle
A ton mari Capet,
Sot et mal avisé,
Sans foi ni sans justice,
Il fut en verité
De tes fautes complices.

Antoinette.
Il faut en conscience
Dire qu'au dix aout,
Je fus de connivence
Avec feu mon époux:
Les Suisses nous avons
Sut gagner par finesse,
C'étoit, nous conviendrons,
Agir avec adresse.

La guillotine.
Pétion te fut propice,
Quoiqu'en te donnant tort;
Aussi pour sa malice,
Il subira ton sort,
Et tous les scélérats
Qui formèrent ta clique,
Vont tous sauter le pas,
La chose est authentique.

Antoinette.
Je sens que je succombe,
Finissons ce discours
Et que ma tête tombe;
Il le faut en ce jour.
Recevez mes adieux,
Aimable république,
J'ai les larmes aux yeux,
Voilà ma fin tragique.

FIN.

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paris, Place Louis Quinze

Notes

Wikipedia: Marie Antoinette; baptised Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna (or Maria Antonia Josephina Johanna);2 November 1755 - 16 October 1793), born an archduchess of Austria, was Dauphine of France from 1770 to 1774 and Queen of France and Navarre from 1774 to 1792. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa.

In April 1770, on the day of her marriage to Louis-Auguste, Dauphin of France, she became Dauphine of France. Marie Antoinette assumed the title of Queen of France and of Navarre when her husband, Louis XVI of France, ascended the throne upon the death of Louis XV in May 1774. After seven years of marriage, she gave birth to a daughter, Marie-Thérse Charlotte, the first of four children.

Initially charmed by her personality and beauty, the French people generally came to dislike her, accusing "L'Autrichienne" (meaning the Austrian (woman) in French) of being profligate, promiscuous, and of harboring sympathies for France's enemies, particularly Austria, her country of origin. The Diamond Necklace incident further ruined her reputation. Although she was completely innocent in this affair, she became known as Madame Déficit.

The royal family's flight to Varennes had disastrous effects on French popular opinion, Louis XVI was deposed and the monarchy abolished on 21 September 1792; the royal family was subsequently imprisoned at the Temple Prison. Eight months after her husband's execution, Marie Antoinette was herself tried, convicted by the Convention for treason to the principles of the revolution, and executed by guillotine on 16 October 1793.

Louis was executed on 21 January 1793, at the age of thirty-eight. The result was that the "Widow Capet", as the former queen was called after the death of her husband, plunged into deep mourning; she refused to eat or do any exercise. There is no knowledge of her proclaiming her son as Louis XVII; however, the comte de Provence, in exile, recognised his nephew as the new king of France and took the title of Regent. Marie-Antoinette's health rapidly deteriorated in the following months. By this time she suffered from tuberculosis and possibly uterine cancer, which caused her to hemorrhage frequently.

Despite her condition, the debate as to her fate was the central question of the National Convention after Louis's death. There were those who had been advocating her death for some time, while some had the idea of exchanging her for French prisoners of war or for a ransom from the Holy Roman Emperor. Thomas Paine advocated exile to America. Starting in April, however, a Committee of Public Safety was formed, and men such as Jacques Hébert were beginning to call for Antoinette's trial; by the end of May, the Girondins had been chased out of power and arrested. Other calls were made to "retrain" the Dauphin, to make him more pliant to revolutionary ideas. This was carried out when the eight-year-old boy Louis Charles was separated from Antoinette on 3 July, and given to the care of a cobbler. On 1 August, she herself was taken out of the Tower and entered into the Conciergerie as Prisoner No. 280. Despite various attempts to get her out, such as the Carnation Plot in September, Marie Antoinette refused when the plots for her escape were brought to her attention. While in the Conciergerie, she was attended by her last servant, Rosalie Lamorlire.

She was finally tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal on 14 October. Unlike the king, who had been given time to prepare a defence, the queen's trial was far more of a sham, considering the time she was given (less than one day). Among the things she was accused of (most, if not all, of the accusations were untrue and probably lifted from rumours begun by libelles) were orchestrating orgies in Versailles, sending millions of livres of treasury money to Austria, plotting to kill the Duke of Orléans, incest with her son, declaring her son to be the new king of France, and orchestrating the massacre of the Swiss Guards in 1792.

The most infamous charge was that she sexually abused her son. This was according to Louis Charles, who, through his coaching by Hébert and his guardian, accused his mother. After being reminded that she had not answered the charge of incest, Marie Antoinette protested emotionally to the accusation, and the women present in the courtroom and the market women who had stormed the palace for her entrails in 1789, even began to support her. She had been composed throughout the trial until this accusation was made, to which she finally answered, "If I have not replied it is because Nature itself refuses to respond to such a charge laid against a mother."

In reality the outcome of the trial had already been decided by the Committee of Public Safety around the time the Carnation Plot was uncovered, and she was declared guilty of treason in the early morning of 16 October, after two days of proceedings. Back in her cell, she composed a letter to her sister-in-law Madame élisabeth, affirming her clear conscience, her Catholic faith and her feelings for her children. The letter did not reach élisabeth.

On the same day, her hair was cut off and she was driven through Paris in an open cart, wearing a simple white dress. At 12:15 p.m., two and a half weeks before her thirty-eighth birthday, she was beheaded at the Place de la Révolution (present-day Place de la Concorde). Her last words were "Pardon me sir, I meant not to do it", to Henri Sanson the executioner, whose foot she had accidentally stepped on after climbing the scaffold. Her body was thrown into an unmarked grave in the Madeleine cemetery, rue d'Anjou, (which was closed the following year).

Her sister-in-law élisabeth was executed in 1794 and her son died in prison in 1795. Her daughter returned to Austria in a prisoner exchange, married and died childless in 1851.

Both Marie Antoinette's body and that of Louis XVI were exhumed on 18 January 1815, during the Bourbon Restoration, when the comte de Provence had become King Louis XVIII. Christian burial of the royal remains took place three days later, on 21 January, in the necropolis of French Kings at the Basilica of St Denis.

 

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/994 <![CDATA[L’execution remarquable de Mme de Brinvilliers, ]]> 2020-01-08T18:14:40+11:00

Title

L’execution remarquable de Mme de Brinvilliers,

Subtitle

qui a esté condamnée à faire amende honourable devant nostre dame, et de la conduit à la grève pour y estre décolleté et ensuite jetée au feu, pour avoir empoisonné son Pere, ses frères, et quantité d’autres gens de condition

Transcription

Il faut mourir, ma sentence est rendue,
Mais ce seul mot me rend toute esperdue,
Me faut mourir dessus un echaffaut.
C'est pour punir mes trop cruels deffauts,
Et aujourd'huy on abrège ma vie
Pour expier mes grandes perfidies.

On n'a jamais veu femme dans le monde
Ainsi que moy faire crimes immondes;
J'ay irrité et la terre et le ciel,
Et j'ay commis de grands péchés mortels,
Car j'ai tué par poison mon cher frère
Lequel m'aimoit d'une amour singulière

J'avois en main certain apotiquaire
Que je payois d'une bonne manière,
J'avois aussi un fripon de laquais
Lequel faisoit à peu près mes souhaits,
Je leur donnois de l'argent grande somme,
Et eux passoient toujours pour honneste-hommes.

De ce poison le traistre apotiquaire
Me fournissoit de beaucoup de manière:
Il enfaisoit pour un an, pour six mois,
Il m'en donnoit ainsi que je voulois
Que je faisois prendre comme une infame
A ceux de qui je voulois ravir l'ame.

Dieu tout puissant permit que ce perfide
Lequel estoit devant luy homicide
Vint à mourir, et que ses héritiers
Parmi ses biens, richesses et papiers
Trouverent las! la maudite cassette
Là où estoit le poison manifeste.

On reconnut ma grande perfidie,
Comment j'avais las! abrégé la vie
A mon frère qui me chérissoit tant,
Dont à présent j'ay le coeur mal content;
Dans l'ame j'ay très-forte repentance:
Ma teste va servir de pénitence.

Mon laquais pris, en prison on le mene
Où on luy fit souffrir beaucoup de peines,
Il raconta toute ma trahison,
Comment j'usois de ce maudit poison;
Pour ce sujet il fut mené en Grève,
Où il mourut en peines très-grièves.

Moy je m'en fuis en grande diligence
Abandonnant le royaume de France,
Je fus roder de pays en pays
Bien éloignée de parens et amis,
Pour me sauver je fus en Angleterre,
En [la] Hollande et plusieurs autres terres.

Mais Dieu, lassé de mes crime et offence
A suscité un officier de France
Qui me connut et viste me saisit:
En sauve-garde [tout] soudain il me mit,
Et à Paris on m'ameine bien viste:
Pour m'amener j'avois fort bonne suite.

Mon procès fait, ce coup il faut paroistre
Sur l'echaffaut, c'est pour couper ma teste,
Auparavant je fais déclaration
De mes forfaits et mauvaises actions,
Car j'ay commis des actions si noires
Qu'il n'y a point d'écrites dans l'histoire.

Comme j'ay dit, j'ay fait mourir mon frère
Par le poison d'une mort très-amère,
Je croyois bien faire mourir mon mary,
Mais le poison n'eut pas pouvoir sur luy:
Diligemment il usa de remede,
Et son remede à mon poison succede.

J'ay bien pis fait, mais je ne l'ose dire,
J'ay fait mourir mon pere en [grand] martyre,
En luy donnant de ce maudit poison
L'ay fait pâtir longtemps dans ma maison
Et à la fin il est mort comme etique,
Par ma fraude et ma noire pratique.

Je demande pardon à mon cher pere,
Pareillement aussi à mon cher frère,
Je demande pardon à mes parens,
Je demande pardon à mes enfans,
Je demande pardon à l'assistance,
Je meurs, je meurs avec grand repentance.

Mon cher mary, pardon je vous demande
D'avoir commis une faute si grande;
Je croyois bien vous tuer par poison
Bien préparé par ma grand trahison,
Mais Dieu très-bon vous conserve la vie:
La mienne va ce coup estre finie.

Ce n'est pas tout que de perdre la vie,
Mes entrailles s'en vont estre rotties,
Et dans ce lieu on va brùler mon corps,
Encor qu'il soit déjà au rang des morts,
Contemplez moy, très-illustre noblesse:
Ma sentence me réduit en faiblesse.

Method of Punishment

beheading, burning of remains

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paris, place de Greve

Notes

image is from another pamphlet, Musee Carnavalet, estampe HIST PC 001 TerG (in Bastien, execution publique a Paris)

Wikipedia: Marie-Madeleine-Marguerite d'Aubray, Marquise de Brinvilliers (22 July 1630 - 17 July 1676) conspired with her lover, army captain Godin de Sainte-Croix to poison her father Antonine Dreux d'Aubray in 1666 and two of her brothers, Antoine d'Aubray and Franois d'Aubray, in 1670, in order to inherit their estates. There were also rumors that she had poisoned poor people during her visits to hospitals. 

She appears to have used Tofana poison, whose recipe she seems to have learned from her lover, the Chevalier de Sainte Croix, who had learned it from Exili, an Italian poisoner, who had been his cellmate in the Bastille. Her accomplice Sainte-Croix had died of natural causes in 1672.

In 1675, she fled to England, Germany, and a convent, but was arrested in Lige. She was forced to confess and sentenced to death. On 17 July 1676, she was tortured with the water cure, that is, forced to drink sixteen pints of water. She was then beheaded and her body was burned at the stake.

Her trial and the attendant scandal launched the Affair of the Poisons, which saw several French aristocrats charged with poison and witchcraft.

 

Madame de Sevigné: Encore un petit mot de la Brinvilliers : elle est morte comme elle a vécu, c'est-à-dire résolument. Elle entra dans le lieu où l'on devoit lui donner la question ; et voyant trois seaux d'eau : Œ‚ C'est assurément pour me noyer, dit-elle ; car de la taille dont je suis, on ne prétend pas que je boive tout cela. Œé Elle écouta son arrt, ds le matin, sans frayeur ni sans foiblesse ; et sur la fin, elle le fit recommencer, disant que ce tombereau l'avoit frappée d'abord, et qu'elle en avoit perdu l'attention pour le reste. Elle dit à son confesseur, par le chemin, de faire mettre le bourreau devant elle, Œ‚ afin de ne point voir, dit-elle, ce coquin de Desgrais qui m'a prise : Œé il étoit à cheval devant le tombereau. Son confesseur la reprit de ce sentiment ; elle dit : Œ‚ Ah mon Dieu ! je vous en demande pardon ; qu'on me laisse donc cette étrange vue ; Œé et monta seule et nu-pieds sur l'échelle et sur l'échafaud, et fut un quart d'heure mirodée, rasée, dressée et redressée, par le bourreau : ce fut un grand murmure et une grande cruauté. Le lendemain on cherchoit ses os, parce que le peuple disoit qu'elle étoit sainte. Elle avoit, dit-elle, deux confesseurs : l'un disoit qu'il falloit tout dire, et l'autre non ; elle rioit de cette 1676 diversité, disant : Œ‚ Je peux faire en conscience tout ce qu'il me plaira : Œé il lui a plu de ne rien dire du tout. Penautier sortira un peu plus blanc que de la neige : le public n'est point content, on dit que tout cela est trouble. Admirez le malheur : cette créature a refusé d'apprendre ce qu'on vouloit, et a dit ce qu'on ne demandoit pas ; par exemple, elle dit que M. Foucquet avoit envoyé Glaser, leur apothicaire empoisonneur, en Italie, pour avoir d'une herbe qui fait du poison : elle a entendu dire cette belle chose à Sainte-Croix. Voyez quel excs d'accablement, et quel prétexte pour achever ce misérable. Tout cela est encore bien suspect. On ajoute encore bien des choses ; mais en voilà assez pour aujourd'hui.

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/995 <![CDATA[L'orgueil de Marie-Antoinette, confondue par la guillotine.]]> 2020-01-08T17:19:05+11:00

Title

L'orgueil de Marie-Antoinette, confondue par la guillotine.

Subtitle

Air: Bonsoir ma jeune & belle amie. Par Ladré.

Synopsis

Marie Antoinette; baptised Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna (or Maria Antonia Josephina Johanna);2 November 1755 - 16 October 1793), born an archduchess of Austria, was Dauphine of France from 1770 to 1774 and Queen of France and Navarre from 1774 to 1792. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa.

In April 1770, on the day of her marriage to Louis-Auguste, Dauphin of France, she became Dauphine of France. Marie Antoinette assumed the title of Queen of France and of Navarre when her husband, Louis XVI of France, ascended the throne upon the death of Louis XV in May 1774. After seven years of marriage, she gave birth to a daughter, Marie-Thérse Charlotte, the first of four children.

Initially charmed by her personality and beauty, the French people generally came to dislike her, accusing "L'Autrichienne" (meaning the Austrian (woman) in French) of being profligate, promiscuous,[2] and of harboring sympathies for France's enemies, particularly Austria, her country of origin.[3] The Diamond Necklace incident further ruined her reputation. Although she was completely innocent in this affair, she became known as Madame Déficit.

The royal family's flight to Varennes had disastrous effects on French popular opinion, Louis XVI was deposed and the monarchy abolished on 21 September 1792; the royal family was subsequently imprisoned at the Temple Prison. Eight months after her husband's execution, Marie Antoinette was herself tried, convicted by the Convention for treason to the principles of the revolution, and executed by guillotine on 16 October 1793.

1793: "Widow Capet," Trial, and Death
Marie Antoinette on the way to the guillotine. (Pen and ink by Jacques-Louis David, 16 October 1793)
Marie Antoinette's execution on 16 October 1793.

Louis was executed on 21 January 1793, at the age of thirty-eight.[118] The result was that the "Widow Capet", as the former queen was called after the death of her husband, plunged into deep mourning; she refused to eat or do any exercise. There is no knowledge of her proclaiming her son as Louis XVII; however, the comte de Provence, in exile, recognised his nephew as the new king of France and took the title of Regent. Marie-Antoinette's health rapidly deteriorated in the following months. By this time she suffered from tuberculosis and possibly uterine cancer, which caused her to hemorrhage frequently.[119]

Despite her condition, the debate as to her fate was the central question of the National Convention after Louis's death. There were those who had been advocating her death for some time, while some had the idea of exchanging her for French prisoners of war or for a ransom from the Holy Roman Emperor. Thomas Paine advocated exile to America.[120] Starting in April, however, a Committee of Public Safety was formed, and men such as Jacques Hébert were beginning to call for Antoinette's trial; by the end of May, the Girondins had been chased out of power and arrested.[121] Other calls were made to "retrain" the Dauphin, to make him more pliant to revolutionary ideas. This was carried out when the eight-year-old boy Louis Charles was separated from Antoinette on 3 July, and given to the care of a cobbler.[122] On 1 August, she herself was taken out of the Tower and entered into the Conciergerie as Prisoner No. 280.[123] Despite various attempts to get her out, such as the Carnation Plot in September, Marie Antoinette refused when the plots for her escape were brought to her attention.[124] While in the Conciergerie, she was attended by her last servant, Rosalie Lamorlire.

She was finally tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal on 14 October. Unlike the king, who had been given time to prepare a defence, the queen's trial was far more of a sham, considering the time she was given (less than one day). Among the things she was accused of (most, if not all, of the accusations were untrue and probably lifted from rumours begun by libelles) were orchestrating orgies in Versailles, sending millions of livres of treasury money to Austria, plotting to kill the Duke of Orléans, incest with her son, declaring her son to be the new king of France, and orchestrating the massacre of the Swiss Guards in 1792.

The most infamous charge was that she sexually abused her son. This was according to Louis Charles, who, through his coaching by Hébert and his guardian, accused his mother. After being reminded that she had not answered the charge of incest, Marie Antoinette protested emotionally to the accusation, and the women present in the courtroom äóî the market women who had stormed the palace for her entrails in 1789 äóî even began to support her.[125] She had been composed throughout the trial until this accusation was made, to which she finally answered, "If I have not replied it is because Nature itself refuses to respond to such a charge laid against a mother."
Funerary monument to King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, sculptures by Edme Gaulle and Pierre Petitot in the Basilica of St Denis

In reality the outcome of the trial had already been decided by the Committee of Public Safety around the time the Carnation Plot was uncovered, and she was declared guilty of treason in the early morning of 16 October, after two days of proceedings.[126] Back in her cell, she composed a letter to her sister-in-law Madame élisabeth, affirming her clear conscience, her Catholic faith and her feelings for her children. The letter did not reach élisabeth.[127]

On the same day, her hair was cut off and she was driven through Paris in an open cart, wearing a simple white dress. At 12:15 p.m., two and a half weeks before her thirty-eighth birthday, she was beheaded at the Place de la Révolution (present-day Place de la Concorde).[128][129] Her last words were "Pardon me sir, I meant not to do it", to Henri Sanson the executioner, whose foot she had accidentally stepped on after climbing the scaffold. Her body was thrown into an unmarked grave in the Madeleine cemetery, rue d'Anjou, (which was closed the following year).

Her sister-in-law élisabeth was executed in 1794 and her son died in prison in 1795. Her daughter returned to Austria in a prisoner exchange, married and died childless in 1851.[130]

Both Marie Antoinette's body and that of Louis XVI were exhumed on 18 January 1815, during the Bourbon Restoration, when the comte de Provence had become King Louis XVIII. Christian burial of the royal remains took place three days later, on 21 January, in the necropolis of French Kings at the Basilica of St Denis.[131]


Image / Audio Credit

BnF Franois Mittérand, Recueil de chansons Ye 56375, 161-240

Set to tune of...

Bonsoir ma jeune & belle amie.

Transcription

JOUR fatal, on connait mon crime
Je croyais qu'il étoit caché (bis).
Aujourd'ui je me vois victime
De tous tes maux (bis) que j'ai cherché. bis

Faut-il donc que la guillotine
Aujourd'ui termine mes jours!
Moi qui croyais être divine,
On reconnait tous mes détours.

Quoi donc, moi, Marie-Antoinette,
Princesse & reine des français,
Aujourd'hui l'on veut ma défaite,
Pour punir mes sanglans forfaits.

Moi qui menais à la baguette
Ce peuple qui veut mon malheur!
Que ne viens-tu cher La Fayette
Me consoler dans ma douleur.

Je croyois un jour dans mon âme,
Nager dans le sang des français,
Mais de mon infernale flame
La mort confond tous les projets.

Que d'amis j'avais dans la france,
Mais il n'osent plus me parler;
La loi leur en fait la défense
Et son glaive les fait trembler.

Il faut donc que ce fatal glaive
Ote l'existence à mon corps!
J'imagine que c'est un rêve
D'être bientôt au rang des morts.

FIN.

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paris, Place Louis Quinze
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/998 <![CDATA[La déclaration des crimes de madame de Brinvilliers, ]]> 2020-01-08T18:15:56+11:00

Title

La déclaration des crimes de madame de Brinvilliers,

Subtitle

faite par elle-même, estant prisonnière en la conciergerie du palais, au grand étonnement de tous les assistans avec les dernières parolles qu'elle a prononcée sur l'échaffaut.

Transcription

A vous, mon Dieu, je me confesse,
Comme méchante pécheresse,
Et vous prie de tout mon coeur
De prendre en gré ma pénitence,
Et me pardonner mes offences
Que je déteste avec douleur.

Je suis perverse créature,
J'ay abusé de la nature,
Plusieurs fois j'ay violé ma foy,
Je suis pleine d'ingratitude,
A mal faire j'ay fait étude
Contre vous, grand Dieu, et la loy.

Dedans ma plus tendre jeunesse
J'usois de ruses et finesses,
Je m'adonnois du tout au mal;
Quoy qu'on prit peine à m'instruire
Je ne m'amusois rien qu'à rire,
A danser et aller au bal.

Bref j'ay commis beaucoup de crimes,
De quoy je faisois peu d'estime,
Et mme par un grand effort
J'ay tant fait que mon trs-cher pre
J'ay réduit comme une mégre
Dessous l'étendart de la mort.

Un Godin et un La Chaussée
Savoient mes secrets et pensées
Comme complices de mes faits.
L'un faisoit le poison sans doute,
L'autre mettoit tout en déroute
Par les poisons les plus infects.

Godin introduit chez mes frres
La Chaussée par trop téméraire
Qui mes frres empoisonna;*
Le dernier mort sans nul doutance
Du poison donna connoissance:
La Chaussée on emprisonna.

On fit en grande diligence
Le procs sans nulle doutance
A La Chaussée trop criminel,
Qui déclara à la justice
Ses par trop détestables vices
Et son péché par trop cruel.

Godin sans nul doute il accuse,
Et point du tout il ne m'excuse:
Promptement il fut condamné
Par le sénat et la justice
Qui pour le punir de son vice
Ont commandé qu'il fut roué.**

Ce fut dans la place de Grve
Qu'il fut rompu sans nulle trve,
En présence des assistans;
Et moy sachant cette nouvelle,
Bien vite je bandé mes voiles
Pour me sauver bien loin aux champs.

Pourtant dans la ville de Liége ***
Ce caresme on me prit au piége,
Et à Paris on m'amena [april 1676]
Jusque à la Conciergerie
Pour faire enqueste de ma vie
Qui beaucoup de monde étonna.

Il y a déja quatre lunes
Qu'une prison trop importune
A renfermé mon chétif corps:
Plut à Dieu qu'une maladie
M'eust maintenant privé de vie
Et réduite au nombre des morts.

Je ne serois pas dans la crainte
De me voir mener sans nul feinte
A la mort trs-honteusement,
Quoy que mon advocat fidle [Nivelle avocat au Parlement]
Témoigne enverse moy un grand zle,
Plaidant pour moy éloquamment.

Mais ma trop maudite cassette
Cause que dessus la sellette
On m'a mis assez rudement,
Et ce qui choque plus mon âme
C'est qu'on m'a mis comme la femme
D'un berger ou d'un artisant.

Une fois j'y fus bien trois heures,
C'est pour moy piteuse demeure,
Je voudrois estre en Portugal,
Ou dans quelque autres estrange terre,
Car mes péchés me font la guerre
Et me cause un estrange mal.

Pourtant dans mes peine et souffrance
Il me faut piller patience;
Grand Dieu, ayez pitié de moy,
Je suis toute couverte de crimes,
Je suis la véritable abyme
De l'équité et de la loy.

Je perds beaucoup de personnages
Par mon poison et grand outrage,
Plusieurs sont dejà en prison
Qui pour moy souffrent grandes peines
Dans les cachots, couverts de chesnes,
En trs-grand tribulation.

De quantités je suis maudite:
On voudroit que je fus détruite,
Mon advocat tient toujours bon,
Et toujours il plaide ma cause:
Nonobstant tout cela je n'ose
Espérer sortir de prison.

De beaucoup je suis accusée
Quantités me nomme rusée
D'avoir fait ma confession.
Ma confession est écrite,
Mon advocat dessus médite,
Cherchant mon absolution.

Peut-on absoudre une personne
Qui à tout vice s'abandonne
Et délaisse son Créateur,
Qui defait pre, soeur et frre,
Et qui aux humains fait la guerre,
Les faisant mourir en langueur?

Mon poison, chose véritable,
Se pouvoit donner à la table,
A la promenade et au lit,
Aux gands, bouquets et aux épingles,
Aux médecines et seringues:
Partout il faisoit son délit.

Mais à ce coup faut que je meure;
Me voicy à ma dernire heure:
Je dis adieu à mes enfans,
A mes parens, à l'assistance,
Je meurs dans les peines et souffrance;
Mon sépulchre sera ardans.

Adieu, adieu, belle noblesse,
Toutes mes ruses et finesses
Ne m'ont servy aucunement:
Il faut paroistre en personne,
Et d'un seul coup que l'on me donne,
On me renverse au monument.

Notes:
Godin= Gaudin de Sainte-Croix, amant de la marquise, mort en juillet 1672.
La Chaussée= D'abord valet de Sainte-Croix, puis de la marquise et enfin du conseiller d'Aubray frere de cette derniere.

* en 1670

** l'arrt est du 24 mars 1673

*** she was arrested in the convent in Liege where she had taken sanctuary by the policeman Desgrais who disguised himself as an abbé








Method of Punishment

beheading, burning of remains

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paris, place de Greve

Notes

Anne Somerset - The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV (St. Martin's Press (October 12, 2003)

The affair of the poisons

Strange revelations : magic, poison, and sacrilege in Louis XIV's France / Lynn Wood Mollenauer. Pennsylvania State University Press ; [London : Eurospan, distributor], c2007

Wikipedia: Marie-Madeleine-Marguerite d'Aubray, Marquise de Brinvilliers (22 July 1630 - 17 July 1676) conspired with her lover, army captain Godin de Sainte-Croix to poison her father Antonine Dreux d'Aubray in 1666 and two of her brothers, Antoine d'Aubray and Franois d'Aubray, in 1670, in order to inherit their estates. There were also rumors that she had poisoned poor people during her visits to hospitals.

She appears to have used Tofana poison, whose recipe she seems to have learned from her lover, the Chevalier de Sainte Croix, who had learned it from Exili, an Italian poisoner, who had been his cellmate in the Bastille. Her accomplice Sainte-Croix had died of natural causes in 1672.

In 1675, she fled to England, Germany, and a convent, but was arrested in Lige. She was forced to confess and sentenced to death. On 17 July 1676, she was tortured with the water cure, that is, forced to drink sixteen pints of water. She was then beheaded and her body was burned at the stake.

Her trial and the attendant scandal launched the Affair of the Poisons, which saw several French aristocrats charged with poison and witchcraft.

 

Madame de Sevigné: Encore un petit mot de la Brinvilliers : elle est morte comme elle a vécu, c'est-à-dire résolument. Elle entra dans le lieu où l'on devoit lui donner la question ; et voyant trois seaux d'eau : Œ‚ C'est assurément pour me noyer, dit-elle ; car de la taille dont je suis, on ne prétend pas que je boive tout cela. Œé Elle écouta son arrt, ds le matin, sans frayeur ni sans foiblesse ; et sur la fin, elle le fit recommencer, disant que ce tombereau l'avoit frappée d'abord, et qu'elle en avoit perdu l'attention pour le reste. Elle dit à son confesseur, par le chemin, de faire mettre le bourreau devant elle, Œ‚ afin de ne point voir, dit-elle, ce coquin de Desgrais qui m'a prise : Œé il étoit à cheval devant le tombereau. Son confesseur la reprit de ce sentiment ; elle dit : Œ‚ Ah mon Dieu ! je vous en demande pardon ; qu'on me laisse donc cette étrange vue ; Œé et monta seule et nu-pieds sur l'échelle et sur l'échafaud, et fut un quart d'heure mirodée, rasée, dressée et redressée, par le bourreau : ce fut un grand murmure et une grande cruauté. Le lendemain on cherchoit ses os, parce que le peuple disoit qu'elle étoit sainte. Elle avoit, dit-elle, deux confesseurs : l'un disoit qu'il falloit tout dire, et l'autre non ; elle rioit de cette 1676 diversité, disant : Œ‚ Je peux faire en conscience tout ce qu'il me plaira : Œé il lui a plu de ne rien dire du tout. Penautier sortira un peu plus blanc que de la neige : le public n'est point content, on dit que tout cela est trouble. Admirez le malheur : cette créature a refusé d'apprendre ce qu'on vouloit, et a dit ce qu'on ne demandoit pas ; par exemple, elle dit que M. Foucquet avoit envoyé Glaser, leur apothicaire empoisonneur, en Italie, pour avoir d'une herbe qui fait du poison : elle a entendu dire cette belle chose à Sainte-Croix. Voyez quel excs d'accablement, et quel prétexte pour achever ce misérable. Tout cela est encore bien suspect. On ajoute encore bien des choses ; mais en voilà assez pour aujourd'hui.

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1000 <![CDATA[La Mort de Marie-Antoinette]]> 2020-01-14T14:19:34+11:00

Title

La Mort de Marie-Antoinette

Subtitle

ci-devant reine des français, condamnée et exécuté à mort, le 16 octobre, 1793.
Air connu. Par Ladré

Synopsis

Marie Antoinette; baptised Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna (or Maria Antonia Josephina Johanna);2 November 1755 äóñ 16 October 1793), born an archduchess of Austria, was Dauphine of France from 1770 to 1774 and Queen of France and Navarre from 1774 to 1792. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa.

In April 1770, on the day of her marriage to Louis-Auguste, Dauphin of France, she became Dauphine of France. Marie Antoinette assumed the title of Queen of France and of Navarre when her husband, Louis XVI of France, ascended the throne upon the death of Louis XV in May 1774. After seven years of marriage, she gave birth to a daughter, Marie-Thérse Charlotte, the first of four children.

Initially charmed by her personality and beauty, the French people generally came to dislike her, accusing "L'Autrichienne" (meaning the Austrian (woman) in French) of being profligate, promiscuous,[2] and of harboring sympathies for France's enemies, particularly Austria, her country of origin.[3] The Diamond Necklace incident further ruined her reputation. Although she was completely innocent in this affair, she became known as Madame Déficit.

The royal family's flight to Varennes had disastrous effects on French popular opinion, Louis XVI was deposed and the monarchy abolished on 21 September 1792; the royal family was subsequently imprisoned at the Temple Prison. Eight months after her husband's execution, Marie Antoinette was herself tried, convicted by the Convention for treason to the principles of the revolution, and executed by guillotine on 16 October 1793.

1793: "Widow Capet," Trial, and Death
Marie Antoinette on the way to the guillotine. (Pen and ink by Jacques-Louis David, 16 October 1793)
Marie Antoinette's execution on 16 October 1793.

Louis was executed on 21 January 1793, at the age of thirty-eight.[118] The result was that the "Widow Capet", as the former queen was called after the death of her husband, plunged into deep mourning; she refused to eat or do any exercise. There is no knowledge of her proclaiming her son as Louis XVII; however, the comte de Provence, in exile, recognised his nephew as the new king of France and took the title of Regent. Marie-Antoinette's health rapidly deteriorated in the following months. By this time she suffered from tuberculosis and possibly uterine cancer, which caused her to hemorrhage frequently.[119]

Despite her condition, the debate as to her fate was the central question of the National Convention after Louis's death. There were those who had been advocating her death for some time, while some had the idea of exchanging her for French prisoners of war or for a ransom from the Holy Roman Emperor. Thomas Paine advocated exile to America.[120] Starting in April, however, a Committee of Public Safety was formed, and men such as Jacques Hébert were beginning to call for Antoinette's trial; by the end of May, the Girondins had been chased out of power and arrested.[121] Other calls were made to "retrain" the Dauphin, to make him more pliant to revolutionary ideas. This was carried out when the eight-year-old boy Louis Charles was separated from Antoinette on 3 July, and given to the care of a cobbler.[122] On 1 August, she herself was taken out of the Tower and entered into the Conciergerie as Prisoner No. 280.[123] Despite various attempts to get her out, such as the Carnation Plot in September, Marie Antoinette refused when the plots for her escape were brought to her attention.[124] While in the Conciergerie, she was attended by her last servant, Rosalie Lamorlire.

She was finally tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal on 14 October. Unlike the king, who had been given time to prepare a defence, the queen's trial was far more of a sham, considering the time she was given (less than one day). Among the things she was accused of (most, if not all, of the accusations were untrue and probably lifted from rumours begun by libelles) were orchestrating orgies in Versailles, sending millions of livres of treasury money to Austria, plotting to kill the Duke of Orléans, incest with her son, declaring her son to be the new king of France, and orchestrating the massacre of the Swiss Guards in 1792.

The most infamous charge was that she sexually abused her son. This was according to Louis Charles, who, through his coaching by Hébert and his guardian, accused his mother. After being reminded that she had not answered the charge of incest, Marie Antoinette protested emotionally to the accusation, and the women present in the courtroom äóî the market women who had stormed the palace for her entrails in 1789 äóî even began to support her.[125] She had been composed throughout the trial until this accusation was made, to which she finally answered, "If I have not replied it is because Nature itself refuses to respond to such a charge laid against a mother."
Funerary monument to King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, sculptures by Edme Gaulle and Pierre Petitot in the Basilica of St Denis

In reality the outcome of the trial had already been decided by the Committee of Public Safety around the time the Carnation Plot was uncovered, and she was declared guilty of treason in the early morning of 16 October, after two days of proceedings.[126] Back in her cell, she composed a letter to her sister-in-law Madame élisabeth, affirming her clear conscience, her Catholic faith and her feelings for her children. The letter did not reach élisabeth.[127]

On the same day, her hair was cut off and she was driven through Paris in an open cart, wearing a simple white dress. At 12:15 p.m., two and a half weeks before her thirty-eighth birthday, she was beheaded at the Place de la Révolution (present-day Place de la Concorde).[128][129] Her last words were "Pardon me sir, I meant not to do it", to Henri Sanson the executioner, whose foot she had accidentally stepped on after climbing the scaffold. Her body was thrown into an unmarked grave in the Madeleine cemetery, rue d'Anjou, (which was closed the following year).

Her sister-in-law élisabeth was executed in 1794 and her son died in prison in 1795. Her daughter returned to Austria in a prisoner exchange, married and died childless in 1851.[130]

Both Marie Antoinette's body and that of Louis XVI were exhumed on 18 January 1815, during the Bourbon Restoration, when the comte de Provence had become King Louis XVIII. Christian burial of the royal remains took place three days later, on 21 January, in the necropolis of French Kings at the Basilica of St Denis.[131]


Set to tune of...

Air connu. Par Ladré

Transcription

AH, quel moment terrible,
Fatale nation,
De mon coeur insensible,
C'est la punition
Qu'il faut subir,
Hélas, je vais mourir,
Ah! quelle horreur,
Moi fille d'empereur.

Moi qui jadis fut reine,
L'on me condamne à mort,
Ayant brisé la chaine,
Le peuple voit mon tort,
Ma trahison,
Me fit mettre en prison,
Et mon orgueil
Me conduit au cercueil.

Pour soutenir l'empire
Contre la liberté,
Aujourd'hui si j'expire,
Je l'ai bien mérité,
Par mes forfaits
J'ai trahi les franais,
Mon grand desir
Etoit de réussir.

Autrefois à mes ordres
Le peuple était soumis,
Par mes sanglans désordres,
Des millions d'ennemis
Sont contre moi,
Par eux, Louis, leur roi,
Perdit le jour,
Aujourd'hui c'est mon tour.

Moi qui, comme une idole,
Fut du peuple adorée,
Par une libre école
Il fut trop éclairé.
A mon égard,
Sur moi jette un regard
plein de mépris,
Et sur-tout à Paris.

J'avais grande espérance
Que les rois, mes parents,
Rétabliraient en france
La puissance des grands,
Mais je vois bien
Que malgré ce soutien,
Les franais forts
Vaincront tous leurs efforts.

Madame Guillotine
Est ma dame d'honneur.
Pour moi plus de cuisine,
Adieu l'appât flatteur
Des courtisans;
Adieu tous mes amans;
Je meurs, hélas,
Par un rude trépas.

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paris, Place Louis Quinze
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1013 <![CDATA[Complainte de Marie Antoinette veuve de L. Capet; ]]> 2020-01-14T14:15:14+11:00

Title

Complainte de Marie Antoinette veuve de L. Capet;

Subtitle

Exécuté le 25me Jours du Ier Mois de la Seconde Année de la Republique Française à 11. heures du matin.
abrégé sur sa mort après avoir montré de l'audace et de la fermeté dans ses intérogatoires lorsqu'il fut question de la conduire à l'échafaud, elle demanda un carosse, ou du moins d'avoir la tête couverte d'un voile ; comme contraire à l'égalité l'on lui refusa...

Set to tune of...

O! ma tendre musette

Transcription

[...] tourmens que j'endure
[...] peindra les heurreurs?
J'ai trahi la Nature...
Et j'ai bravé ses pleurs...
Dès ma plus tendre enfance
Mon coeur dur et pervers
Brûlait d'impatience,
De perdre l'Univers.

2.
Ce n'est point la Couronne
Qui me flattait le plus....
Je regardois le Trône
Comme un rang superflus...
Mais le titre de Reine
Assurait mes forfaits
Et secondait ma haine
Pour le Peuple Français.

3.
Il me souvient encore
De ces temps de bonheur
Le Peuple entier m'adore
Et pour moi n'a qu'un coeur.
Quelle réconnoissance!
Français! Peuple Français!
Quelle est ta récompense?
Les plus infâmes traits!

4.
J'épuise tes finances,
Et je ris de tes maux:
Par mes folles dépenses
La France est un tombeau.
Hélas! le bout d'oreille
Echappe par malheur...
Le Peuple se reveille
[......................]

5.
Que faire? Que résoudre?
Je ne pouvais changer....
J'aurais bravé la foudre
Pour pouvoir me venger....
Le Clergé, la Noblesse
Méprisoient mon Epoux
La vengeance me presse...
J'ordonne un dix Août.

6.
O comble de ma rage
Et de mon désespoir!
J'appelle en vain l'orage
Il n'a plus de pouvoir...
Contre moi la Nature
S'élève en frémissant
Je dois à l'imposture
... que je ressens.

7.
Adieu charmant Versailles
Et mon cher Trianon
Adieu, cher Cornouailles
Adieu belle Malton.
Cruelle destinée!
Tu venges les Français....
Et je suis accablée
De mille mille traits

8.
Polignac dont les graces
Me plurent si longtemps
Ô évite mes traces
Auprès de ton Amant.
Adieu, belle Justine
Qui me fit tant plaisir
Ciel! par la Guillotine,
Je vais enfin mourir.

9.
Adieu, grandeur passée
Adieu tout mes plaisirs.
La Nature offensée
Veut mes derniers soupirs
Et toi cher la Fayette
Dont j'écoutai les feux...
Venges ton Antoinette
Et reçois ses adieux.

10.
Compagnes de mes crimes
Et de tous mes forfaits
Serés vous les victimes
Du courroux des Français
Destaing, Bailly, ma fille
Et toi, mon fils et toi
Ainsi que ma famille
Souvenez vous de moi.

11.
Enfers, Dieux, Peuples, flâme,
Serpens, chaines, horreurs.
Tout accable l'infâme
Et brave ses fureurs.
La chaux et le bitame
La font toujours souffrir
Le feu qui la consume
Ne put l'anéantir.

12.
Voilà donc cette Reine
Ce fléau des Français!
Qui payoit de sa haine
Leurs plus tendres bienfaits.
Cette Femme impudente
Etonne l'Univers
Et son âme arrogante
Brule dans les Enfers.

Gender

Date

Printing Location

A Paris : chez Le Fevre, [ca 1793]

URL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLbhW9qJwhU
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1015 <![CDATA[Complainte et regret d'une jeune fille, laquelle a esté exécutée dans la ville de Aure de Grace]]> 2020-01-14T14:14:39+11:00

Title

Complainte et regret d'une jeune fille, laquelle a esté exécutée dans la ville de Aure de Grace

Subtitle

en Normandie pour avoir deffaict son propre enfant. Sur le chant, Demandez l[e] à votre père pareillement à vostre mère.

Set to tune of...

Demandez l[e] à votre père pareillement à vostre mère

Transcription

Or escoutez je vous en prie,
La complainte que je vas dire
D'une fille agée de vingt ans
Qui c'est gouvernée meschamment.
Sathan maudit tout plain de rage
Ma faict faire un grand outrage
Me conseillant de paillarder:
Et puis mon propre enfant tuer.
Ne suis je pas bien miserable
J'estoit d'un lieu tres-honorable
Avoir commis ce or peché
Helas qui ma d'es-honnoré.
Mon Pere avoit en abondance
D'or & d'argent & de chevance
Pour me marié richement,
A quelque honneste marchant.
Mais Cupidon trompeur infame
Ma enflambé le corps & l'ame
J'ay voulu prendre mes esbas,
Avec un jeune Advocat.
Comme n'ayant de Dieu la crainte
Quant je seu que j'estois ensainte
[J'ay] conclu une trahison:
Mais j'en resenty le guerdon.
Dans le grenier je suis montée
[?] celle fin de l'anfantée
Enfans que nul ne me verroit
Mais le bon Dieu point ne dormoit.
Soudain je l'ay pris par la gorge
Sans avoir de luy misericorde
D'une ache je l'ay tué
Puis l'ay jetté dans les privé.
Alors voicy venir ma Mere
Qui descouvry tout mon affaire
Estant faschée & courroussée
Elle mesme ma accusée.
Me voilla prise & liée
Et dedans la prison fut menée
Enserrée bien estroittement,
En attendant mon jugement.
La justice a ordonnée
Que j'aurois les deux point couppée
Et les mamelles tenaillé,
Car je l'ay fort bien merité.
Puis apres à une potence
Seray mise pour recompence
Je prie Dieu de paradis,
Qu'il face a mon ame mercy.
Entre vous autre jeune fille
Prenez example a ma follie
Gouvernez vous plus sagement
Las que je n'ay fait en mon temps.
A Dieu mon Pere a Dieu ma Mere
Auquel j'ay grand' vitupere
Je vous crie a tous mercy,
Priez Dieu pour moy mes amis.

Method of Punishment

mutilation, hanging?

Crime(s)

infanticide

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Lyon: Simon Rigaud, 1606
'La Fleur du Rozier des chansons'

URL

https://play.google.com/books/reader?printsec=frontcover&output=reader&id=zdg5AAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA43
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1023 <![CDATA[HORRIBLE SACRILEGE <br /> Commis par Barbe Guenpelle, dans l'Eglise S. Severin, à l'endroit du S. Sacrement de l'Autel, lors que le Prestre celebroit la Sainte Messe.]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:19+11:00

Title

HORRIBLE SACRILEGE
Commis par Barbe Guenpelle, dans l'Eglise S. Severin, à l'endroit du S. Sacrement de l'Autel, lors que le Prestre celebroit la Sainte Messe.

Synopsis

2 September 1693 between 5-6am
Elisabeth Chateauroux enters church of St. Sacrament and tips over chalice during mass.

Transcription

Chrétiens écoutez jeunes & vieux
Un grand sacrilege odieux
Arrivé dans la Sainte Eglise
De Saint Severin sans feintise
De Paris trés-assurément
Envers le tres-Saint Sacrement.
Une fille pour le certain
S'en vint des cinq heures au matin
Animée de l'esprit du diable,
Attaquant le Sang adorable
De JESUS que le Prestre offroit
Pour nos pechez comme l'on voit.
Ce saint Prestre devotieux
Disant la Messe dans ces lieux
Avecque grande reverence
En presence de l'assistance,
Cette fille icy se leva
Et le Calice renversa.
Comme le Prestre le tenoit
Entre ses mains & l'élevoit
Cette abominable tigress
Le Sang de Jesus elle renverse,
Qui est son Dieu, son Juge Puissant
Voilé dessous ces accidens.
Et alors tous les assistans
Ayant veu ce fait tres-méchant
Se levant si tost s'écrierent
Attestant cette temeraire
Pour savoir d'elle ce délit
Commis au sang de Jesus-Christ.
Le Commissaire du cartier
L'interrogea sans plus tarder,
De sa trop grande perfidie
Commis envers le Fruit de Vie,
connoissant son crime en effet
L'on la mena au Chastelet.
Elle declara ensuivant
Qu'il y avoit plus de deux ans
Qu'elle avoit eu envie faut croire
De faire cette action noire
Envers Jesus le Tout-Puissant
Qui repose au S. Sacrement.
Aprés luy avoir demandé
Son nom, son lieu pour assuré
Elle dit Barbe je m'appelle
Fille de M. Jean Quenpelle,
Qui demeuroit en son vivant
Ruö‚ Zacarie assurément.
Et méme qu'à S. Severin
Elle avoit esté pour certain
Dedans l'Eglise Baptisée,
Et qu'elle étoit chose assurée
De la Parroisse assurément,
Connuö‚ des petits & des grands.
La Justice ayant sceu son nom
Ont connue son méchant renom,
Faisant enqueste de sa vie,
Dont la voicy je certifie,
Comme l'on a sceu des voisins
Qui vivent en veritables humains.
Ils disent tous en verité,
Méchante fille elle a esté,
Libertine dés sa jeunesse,
Abandonnée au jeu sans cesse,
Des-obeö¿ssance en tout temps
A son pere, mere, parens.
Cette méchante, ce dit-on,
N'avoit Foy ny Religion,
Ne voulant nullement connoistre
Les Sacremens de Dieu son Maistre,
Et de son Curé se mocquoit,
Et de tout ce qu'il luy disoit.
Pour la corriger de son mal
L'on l'a fait mettre à l'Hospital,
L'enfermant chose tres certaine,
Estant là comme dans la géne,
Bien huit ans elle y a esté
Pour punir sa méchanceté.
Venant malade dans ce lieu
L'on la mena à l'Hotel-Dieu.
Elle en est sortie bien guerie,
Et pour faire sa tyrannie
S'en fut ainsi à S. Severin,
Accomplir son méchant dessein.
Aussi dans son aveuglement
Pousse de l'esprit de Satan
A fait ce sacrilege énorme
Envers JESUS devant les Hommes,
Et dit encor qu'elle le feroit
Si a recommancé estoit.
Et que c'est par méchanceté
Qu'elle a fait cette cruauté,
Et par ainsi son esperance
Est d'estre penduö‚ d'assurance.
Et aussi brùlée sur le champ,
Et les cendres jettées au vent.
Aussi pour reparation
De cette cruelle action,
Plusieurs bons Prestres venerables
Ont fait tous amande honorable
La corde au col se prosternant
Devant Dieu au S. Sacrement.
S'est-il jamais veu sous le Ciel
Un fait plus énorme & cruel
Que de s'adresser à son Maistre,
Celuy qui nous a donné l'estre,
Adorons-le avec amour
Au S. Sacrement a toùjours.

Crime(s)

heresy

Gender

Date

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1024 <![CDATA[L'Empoisonneuse Hélène JéGADO, Accusée d'avoir attenté à la vie de 37 personnes, dont 25 ont succombé.<br /> <br /> ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:19+11:00

Title

L'Empoisonneuse Hélène JéGADO, Accusée d'avoir attenté à la vie de 37 personnes, dont 25 ont succombé.

Synopsis

Hélne Jégado (1803äóñ1852) was a French domestic servant and serial killer. She is believed to have murdered as many as 36 people with arsenic over a period of 18 years. After an initial period of activity, between 1833 and 1841, she seems to have stopped for nearly ten years before a final spree in 1851.
Hélne Jégado was born on a small farm in Plouhinec (Morbihan), near Lorient in Brittany. She lost her mother at the age of seven and was sent to work with two aunts who were servants at the rectory of Bubry. After 17 years, she accompanied an aunt to the town of Séglien. She became a cook for the curé where an incident arose where she was accused of adding hemp from his grain house to his soup.

Her first suspected poisoning occurred in 1833 when she was employed by another priest, Fr. Franois Le Drogo, in the nearby village of Guern. In the three months, between June 28 and October 3, seven members of the household died suddenly, including the priest himself, his aging mother and father, and her own visiting sister, Anne Jégado. Her apparent sorrow and pious behaviour was so convincing she was not suspected. Coming shortly after the cholera epidemic of 1832 the deaths may have been put down to natural causes.

Jégado returned to Bubry to replace her sister where three people died in the course of three months, including her other aunt, all of whom she cared for at their bedside. She continued to Locminé, where she boarded with a needleworker, Marie-Jeanne Leboucheräóîboth Leboucher and her daughter died and a son fell ill. It is possible that the son survived because he did not accept Jégado's ministrations. When in the same town, the widow Lorey offered Jégado a room, she died after eating a soup her new boarder had prepared. In May 1835, she was hired by Madame Toussaint and four more deaths followed. By this point in time, she had already put seventeen people in their graves.

Later in 1835, Jégado was employed as a servant in a convent in Auray, but rapidly dismissed after several incidents of vandalism and sacrilege.

Jégado worked as a cook in other households in Auray, then Pontivy, Lorient, and Port-Louis where she was employed only briefly in each one. Often, someone fell ill or died. Among her most infamous murders is of a child, little Marie Bréger, who died at the Château de Soye (Ploemeur) in May 1841, ten years and one month before her final arrest. Most victims died showing symptoms corresponding to arsenic poisoning, though she was never caught with arsenic in her possession. There is no record of suspected deaths from late 1841 to 1849, but a number of her employers later reported thefts; she was apparently a kleptomaniac and was caught stealing several times.

Her career took a new turn in 1849 when she moved to Rennes, the capital city of the region.
Arrest

In 1850, Jégado joined the household staff of Théophile Bidard, a law professor at the University of Rennes. One of his servants, Rose Tessier, fell ill and died when Jégado tended her. In 1851, one of the other maids, Rosalie Sarrazin, fell ill as well and died. Two doctors had tried to save Sarrazin and because the symptoms were similar to those of Tessier, they convinced the relatives to permit an autopsy. Jégado aroused suspicion when she announced her innocence before she was even asked anything, and she was arrested July 1, 1851.

Later inquiries linked her to 23 suspected deaths by poisoning between 1833äóñ1841, but none of these was thoroughly investigated since they were outside the ten-year limit for prosecution and there was no scientific evidence. Local folklore has attributed to her many unexplained deaths - some of which were almost certainly due to natural causes. The most reliable estimate is that she probably committed about 36 murders.
Trial

Jégado's trial began December 6, 1851 but, due to French laws of permissible evidence and statute of limitations, she was accused only of three murders, three attempted murders and 11 thefts. At least one later case appears to have been dropped since it involved a child and police were reluctant to upset the parents by an exhumation. Jégado's behaviour in court was erratic, changing from humble mutterings to loud pious shouting and occasional violent outbursts against her accusers. She consistently denied she even knew what arsenic was, despite evidence to the contrary. Doctors who had examined her victims had not usually noticed anything suspicious, but when the most recent victims were exhumed, they showed overwhelming evidence of arsenic and possibly antimony.

The defence lawyer, Magloire Dorange, made a remarkable closing speech - arguing that she needed more time than most to repent and could be spared the death penalty since she was dying of cancer anyway.

The case attracted little attention at the time, pushed off the front pages by the coup d'état in Paris.

Jégado was sentenced to death by guillotine and executed in front of a large crowd of onlookers on the Champ-de-Mars in Rennes on February 26, 1852.

Set to tune of...

Fualdès

Transcription

Qui pourrait, chrétiens fidles,
Ecouter, sans en frémir,
Un récit qui fait pâlir
Mille actions criminelles?
Pour des forfaits aussi grands
Est-il assez de tourments?

Chez un bon prtre de Guerne,
Nommé Monsieur Le Drogo,
La fille Hélne Jégado,
Qu'un mauvais esprit gouverne,
Vient demander humblement
De server pour de l'argent.

A l'église du village
On la voit soir et matin,
Cachant, sous un air benin,
Ses goùts de libertinage;
Pour un ange on la prendrait,
C'est un démon fieffé.

La mort, dans chaque demeure,
Va la suivre maintenant;
Le poison, souple instrument,
Pour elle tue à toute heure,
Aujourd'hui toi, lui demain;
Hélne assouvit sa faim.

Sept personnes innocentes
Meurent à ce premier coup;
Cela suffit pour un coup.
Hélne a les mains sanglantes;
Elle a pris un laid chemin,
Et le suit jusqu'à la fin.

Bubry verra trois victimes
Succomber au noir poison;
C'est dans la mme maison
Qu'elle accomplit tant de crimes.
Où donc est-il le vengeur,
Pour arrter sa fureur?

Déjà les gens la souponnent,
On la regarde passer,
On craindrait de l'aborder.
Des bruits à l'entour bourdonnent:
C'est un tre malfaisant;
Gardez-vous, son foie est blanc.

Dans un couvent elle cache
Ses traits qui causent l'horreur,
Mais où perce sa noirceur.
Le démon vient, qui l'arrache
Au remords, au repentir:
Les innocents vont souffrir.

Elle engage ses services
Dans Pontivy, dans Auray,
Dans Locminé, Plumeret,
Et reprent ses maléfices.
Partout le mortel poison
La suit dans chaque maison.

On la voit aux lits funbres,
Comme un gardien vigilant;
Elle veille à tout instant,
Comme un ange de ténbres.
Elle sent un doux plaisir
A voir les autres souffrir.

Le monstre sur eux se penche
Et jouit de leur douleur;
Elle y trouve son bonheur.
L'enfer prendra sa revanche.
Il y a un vengeur au ciel:
C'est le Dieu juste, éternel.

Le crime entraîne le crime,
Le faux pas suit le faux pas;
Ds lors on n'arrte pas
Qu'on n'ait roulé dans l'abîme,
Où les vices confondus
Rongent ceux qu'ils ont perdus.

Du meurtre Hélne lassée
Songe à voler son prochain;
Ce qui tombe sous sa main,
Elle le prend, empressée;
Pour embellir ses amours
Il lui faut de beaux atours.

A Rennes enfin elle arrive
Méditant d'autres forfaits:
Car dans ses desseins mauvais
Elle était fort inventive;
Mais la justice de Dieu
Devait la prendre en ce lieu.

Rose Tessier, domestique,
Bientôt succombe à la mort,
Et peut-tre un mme sort,
S'il faut en croire la chronique,
Frappait Franoise Huriaux
Qui fuit, échappe à ses maux.

Rosalie, ô pauvre fille,
La dernire tu péris;
Ta douceur, ton frais souris
Et ta figure gentille,
Non, rien ne peut adoucir
Le monstre; il faut mourir.

Mais la justice sévre
A la fin rend un arrt,
Hélne est prise au filet:
La loi la tient dans sa serre.
Misérable! il faut payer
La peine de tes forfaits.

On la saisit, on l'arrte,
On la traîne au tribunal:
Hélne, le jour fatal
Va faire tomber ta tte.
Tu voudrais bien nier,
Cent témoins t'ont accusé.

La coupable repentante,
Avant l'exécution,
A fait sa confession.
Mieux valait tre innocente.
Les juges doivent frapper;
C'est Dieu qui doit pardonner.

MORALITé

Si l'esprit du mal vous tente,
Chrétiens, sachez résister;
Car Dieu sait où retrouver
Le serviteur, la servante,
Qui se croyaient assurés
De voir leurs crimes cachés.

Method of Punishment

guillotine

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Rennes, Champ de Mars

URL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9l%C3%A8neéJ%C3%A9gado
http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/Accused/00000016.htm

Notes

Meazey, Peter (1999), La Jégado: Histoire de la célbre empoisonneuse, Guingamp (22)and paperback (2006).

see Vincent Morel, p. 50 of thesis, and p. 56 of catalogue for two complaintes, one like this, the other to an unidentified tune.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1066 <![CDATA[Ein warhafftiges newes Klaglied von einer Jungfrawen mit namen Dorothea ]]> 2021-03-26T13:40:32+11:00

Title

Ein warhafftiges newes Klaglied von einer Jungfrawen mit namen Dorothea

Subtitle

wie sie umb der Augspurger Confession oder bekandtnuß des Christenlichen Glaubens jämerlich unnd erbermlich mit dem Schwerdt hingericht ist worden / und auch Christum mit mundt und herzen frey bekandt hat / biß um jr letstes endt / durch den Cardinal zü Triendt / welches geschehen ist in dism 1573 Jar.

Synopsis

A young woman named Dorothea is executed for her Protestant beliefs

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Zentralbibliothek Zürich PAS II 10/24.

Set to tune of...

Steh ich allhie verborgen [?]

Transcription

Es war ein Gott förchtiges
unn Christenliches Jungfrewelin
Gottes wort unnd Catechismus
hat sie gelernet fein.

Ir namm Dorothea
ist weit und breit bekandt
Mit fleiß in irer Jugend
wol zü der Predig gieng.

Schamhafftig und fein stille
Hielt sie sich alle zeit
Und lebt noch Gottes willen
Acht keiner uppigkeit.

Armen war sie geneiget
Und diener in mit fleiß
Ir hilff sie in erzeiget
Gott lob ehr und preiß.

Weh thet es dem alten Drachen
Und kund das leiden nit
Speiit fewr auß seinem Rachen
Verfolgung er anricht.

Das Megdtlin wolt man zwingen
Zü der Abgötterey
Dem feindt wol es nit gelingen
Christum bekandt sie frey.

Mit worten süß unnd sawre
Man sie bereden wolt
Sie stund fest wie ein Maure
Im fewr wie das gold.

Kein Marter pein noch schmerzen
Von Christo sie abwandt
Mit irem enundt und hertzen
den Glauben sie bekandt.

Ein urteil ward gefellet
Verdienet het sie den Todt
Gar ritterlich sie sich stellet
Unnd schreiet ernstlich zü Gott.

Herr Christ in deine hende
Mein seel befihlich dir
Bescher mir ein Seligs ende
Mit deim Geist steh bey mir.

Deinem name zü ehren
wie ein Christ sterb ich heüt
Ach hilff das sich bekehren
Die armen blinden leut.

Als nun das schötte Jungfrewelein
Durchs Schwerd gerichtet ward
Ins schöne Paradeiß
Kom ich nach meinem Todt.

Composer of Ballad

Berck, Wilhelm

Crime(s)

heresy

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Trent

Printing Location

Getruckt durch Wilhelm Berck von Cöln

Notes

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1099 <![CDATA[Pietoso lamento che fece la signora Prudenza anconitana prima che fosse condotta alla giustizia ]]> 2020-01-14T13:56:44+11:00

Title

Pietoso lamento che fece la signora Prudenza anconitana prima che fosse condotta alla giustizia

Subtitle

coll'aggiunta di tutto il caso successo di nuovo, quanto disse, e scrisse di propria mano

Synopsis

Prudenzia Anconitana

Set to tune of...

terza rima and sonnet

Transcription

Fuggir non si puö_ mai quel che'l Ciel vuole,

Gender

Date

Printing Location

In Lucca : presso Francesco Bertini, 1818

URL

http://opac.sbn.it/opacsbn/opac/iccu/scheda.jsp?bid=IT\ICCU\RMLE\057249
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1217 <![CDATA[Witchcraft discovered and punished. ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:43+11:00

Title

Witchcraft discovered and punished.

Subtitle

Or, the Tryals and Condemnation of three Notorious Witches, who were Tryed the last Assizes, holden at the Castle of Exeter, in the County of Devon: where they received Sentance for Death, for bewitchng several Persons, destroying Ships at Sea, and Cattel by Land, &c.

Synopsis

Three old women are convicted of witchcraft in Exeter. It is claimed that they poisoned livestock and children, and bewitched people.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.8.531, EBBA 31034

Set to tune of...

Doctor Faustus (Fortune My Foe)

Transcription

NOw listen to my Song good People all,
And I shall tell what lately did befall,
At Exeter, a place in Devonshire,
The like whereof of late you nere did hear.

At the last Assizes held at Exeter,
Three Aged Women that Imprisoned were
For Witches, and that many had destroyd;
Were thither brought in order to be tryd.

For Witchcraft, that Old Wicked Sin,
Which they for long time had continued in:
And joynd with Satan, to destroy the good,
Hurt Innocents, and shed their harmless blood.

But now it most apparent does appear,
That they will now for such their deeds pay dear:
For Satan having lulld their Souls asleep,
Refuses Company with them to keep.

A known deceiver he long time has been,
To help Poor Mortals into dangerous Sin;
Thereby to cut them off, that so they may,
Be plungd in Hell, and there be made his Prey.

So these Malicious Women at the last,
Having done mischiefs, were by Justice cast:
For it appeard they Children had destroyd,
Lamed Cattel, and the Aged much annoyd.

Having Familiars always at their beck,
Their Wicked Rage on Mortals for to wreck:
It being provd they used Wicked Charms,
To Murther Men, and bring about sad harms.

And that they had about their Bodys strange
And Proper Tokens of their Wicked Change:
As Pledges that to have their cruel will,
Their Souls they gave unto the Prince of Hell.

The Country round where they did live came in,
And all at once their sad complaints begin:
One lost a Child, the other lost a Kine,
This his brave Horses, that his hopeful Swine.

One had his Wife bewitched, the other his Friend,
Because in some things they the Witch offend:
For which they labour under cruel pain,
In vain seek remedy, but none can gain.

But Roar in cruel sort, and loudly cry,
Destroy the Witch, and end our misery:
Some used Charms by Mountabanks set down,
Those cheating Quacks, that swarm in every Town.

But alls in vain, no rest at all they find,
For why? all Witches to cruelty are enclind:
And do delight to hear sad dying groans,
And such laments, as woud pierce Marble Stones.

But now the Hand of Heaven has found them out,
And they to Justice must pay Lives, past doubt:
One of these Wicked Wretches did confess,
She Four Score Years of Age was, and no less.

And that she had deserved long before,
To be sent packing to the Stigian shore:
For the great mischiefs she so oft had done,
And wondered that her Life so long had run.

She said the Devil came with her along,
Through Crouds of People, and bid her be strong:
And she no hand should have, but like a Lyer,
At the Prison Door he fled, and nere came nigh her.

The rest aloud, cravd Mercy for their Sins,
Or else the great deceiver her Soul gains;
For they had been lewd Livers many a day,
And therefore did desire that all would Pray

To God, to Pardon them, while thus they lie
Condemned for their Wicked Deeds to Die:
Which may each Christian do, that they may find
Rest for their Souls, though Wicked once inclind.

FINIS.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Exeter
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1218 <![CDATA[Sal]isbury Assizes. [?]ard of Witchcraft. ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:43+11:00

Title

Sal]isbury Assizes. [?]ard of Witchcraft.

Subtitle

Being a true Relation of one Mistris Bodnan living in Fisherton, next house but one to the Gallowes, who being a Witch seduced a Maid, called by name, Anne Stiles, to the s[a]me abominab[le] and detested action of VVitchcraft; which VVitch for that action was executed the 19 day of March 1653.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Manchester Central Library, BR f 821.04 B49, EBBA 36038

Set to tune of...

Bragandary

Transcription

WHen men and Women leave the way
of God, and goodnesse quite,
They practice mischief every day
and therein take delight
The Divel then is nye at hand
When these things he doth understand,
You that will goe,
High or low
Resolve upon this doubt.

As by the Story you shall heare
if you will list a while
The Divell lately did appeare;
and a Woman did beguile
But she did make the way before,
And in her heart did him adore
You that will goe, etc.

In Fisherton this dame did dwell
of conversation bad
She did converse with the Divell of Hell,
which made her friends all sad,
Unto the Divell she gave her soule
Sealed in a bloudy scroule,
You that will goe, etc.

Mistris Bodnam was her name,
who daily undertooke
To helpe men to stolne goods againe,
even with her cunjuring booke
A looking glasse she had likewise,
To shew the Theeves before their eyes
You that will goe, etc.

Amonge the rest a Maid then went,
her name was Annis Stiles
About stolne goods in discontent
but the Divill her beguiles
The Divill did the Witch perswade
For to seduce this silly maid
You that will goe, etc,

She gave the Maid a Looking glasse
on which she looked on
But at the length it came to pas
she was to soone undone,
For want of wisdome and true grce,
She was undone in little space,
You that will goe, etc.

Sweetheart quoth she if that you please,
I will teach you my art,
So you may live in wealth and ease
according to your heart
If you your Soule the Divell will give
In health and wealth you then may live,
You that will goe, etc.

To soone alas she did consent
and seald it with her blood,
Which made her afterwards repent,
when as she understood
That she must loose the joyes of heaven
For some Toyes unto her given
You that will goe,
High or low,
Resolve upon this doubt.

[The secon]d part to the same tune.

AT length it came for to be known,
how she had simply run
Then to the Witch she made her mone.
and said she was undone
She said to London she would flye,
For feare least both of them should dye,
You that will goe
High or low,
Resolve upon this doubt.

The Witch was willing thereunto,
and bid her fly with speed
She was at Stockbridge taken though,
for that notorious deed,
The Divill cast her to and froe
As all the company did know
You that will goe, etc,

When in the chamber she came in,
the Divell tost her about
She askt the divell where heed bin
to give her such a floute,
Then all the standers by amaz'd,
Upon each other then they gaz'd,
You that will goe, etc,

A Gentleman great paines did take,
with her the people say,
And she to him her minde did breake
and for her he did pray,
She told him the old witch was cause
That she had broke Gods holy lawes
You that will goe, etc.

Foure dayes together she was vext
tormented grievously
And in her mind was sore perplex[t]
that some thought she would d[?]

The Divell like a Snake apeard
Which all the country people feard
You that will goe, etc,

But when the old Witch came in sight,
then did she take her rest,
And she did sleepe well all that night
as plainly is exprest,
She said when as she walkt againe,
She praised God she felt no paine
You that will goe, etc.

She told the Gentleman that she
would tell him all her art
And that he should inriched be
by what she should impart
She told him that she knew full well,
She should be a great Lady in hel.
You that will goe,etc.

The old Witch executed was,
this moneth the 19. day.
She ever had a face of Bras
as all the people say,
Insteed of pensivenesse and prayer
She did nought but curse and sware,
You that will goe, etc,

God nothing had to do with her
she said most desperately
She swore and curst and kept a stur
and desperately did dye
Let all good people therefore say
[?]their hearts with me and pray,
[You that w]ill goe
High or low,
Resolve upon this doubt.

Lond[on ?]

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Salisbury
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1228 <![CDATA[Een droevig Verhael van een Gravinne die onthalst is, in het Graefschap Hanover]]> 2020-02-04T15:59:43+11:00

Title

Een droevig Verhael van een Gravinne die onthalst is, in het Graefschap Hanover

Subtitle

dewelke bevrugt was, en schandig van haer minnaer verlaten wierd, waer door sy haer Kintje had omgebragt, en daarom ook sterven moest,

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Pamphlet: Leiden UB: 1497 H 16, Nederlandse Liederenbank

Set to tune of...

Hemels Oppervoogt

Transcription

Komt hier omstanders vroom,
Wilt met aendagt horen,
Dat ik u stel te voren;
Neemt dit stuk in agt,
hoe dat een Graef zijn Suster is bedrogen,
door een Jonkman schoon seer groot van magt,
Een heer van groote staet;
die dees dame minde;
door liefde gaet hy hem aen haer verbinden,
En brengt de Gravin,
Met haer wil en zin,
onder de Linde.

Voogdesse van mijn ziel,
ik kom u begroete;
ik bid u wilt versoeten;
mijn droevige smert,
ik blijf u slaef, ik buyg mijn voor u voeten,
door liefde die ik draeg in mijn Jonk hert,
ik bid u schoon Godin
wilt mijn smeken agten,
dat mijn druk in blijdschap mag versagten,
het stilt mijn groote rouw,
Jk bid u schoon Jonkvrouw,
verhoort mijn klagten.

Wel Jonker hoog van staet,
Wilt mijn refaseeren,
ik bid u wilt dog keere,
En u zinnen slaet,
op een schoon Daem en wilt daer mee spanceeren;
en verhaelt aen haer u soete praet,
Gy zijt wel be- quaem,
Met smeken en vleyen,
om een schoone maegt soo te verleyen,
daerom gaet van mijn,
Gy komt in valsche schijn,
Mijn hier bestreyen.

Og zuyvere Gravin,
edel van geslagte,
Jk bid u wilt versagte,
soo mijn wedermin,
En laet mijn niet in liefde zoo versmagten;
Wilt mijn klagten agten
hout u wreedheyd in;
Jk zweer by 's hemels Throon,
en by den God vol waerden,
Wilt dees brief en trouw van mijn aenvaerden;
Jk ben u minnaer trou;
ik kies u voor mijn vrouw,
hier op der aerden.

Neemt gy mijn voor u vrou,
Gy zijt dan mijn beminde,
Zoo wil ik mijn verbinden,
Jn den egten trou,
Komt dan mijn lief onder de groene linde,
Dat ik mag genieten een kus van jou,
Op u lipjes soet,
Die mijn ziel genaken,
Laet ons samen minne-lusjes smaken,
Gy zijt mijn goddin,
Mijn hert mijn ziel en zin,
Jk zal u nooyt verlaten.

Siet in dese schijn,
heeft haer bedrogen;
Gink datelijk uyt haer oogen;
Zy bleef van hem bevrugt,
Doen was de trou en liefde weggevlogen;
De Gravin die bleef in ongenugt,
zy was quijt haer lief
en daer toe in schande,
Gink treuriglijk alleen in haer Waranden;
Og! Hemel wat een spijt;
Mijn eer die ben ik quijt,
Den Satan haer aenranden.

O God komt staet mijn by,
Hoord mijn droeve klagten,
Ey wilt mijn rou versagte,
Want ik ben in ly,
Jk weet geen raed ik mag mijn kind versmagten,
Dan ben ik van dese schande vry,
Mijn Broeder weet het niet,
en komt het niet te hooren,
Daerom zal ik mijn kindtje gaen versmoore,
Zy baert een schoone Zoon,
onder een roosen Boom,
Zy die v ermoorden.

Toen zy haer kindtje schoon;
had gebragt om 't leven,
Zy heeft haer gaen begeven,
Van den roosen boom,
Haer Kamenier die 't had verspiet by desen,
Maekten 't kenbaer aen de Graef seer vroom,
die van stonden aen,
zijn Zuster aenrande;
Wat hebt gy gedaen in de Warande,
Hebt gy omgebragt,
U lieve kind versmagt,
O gruwel schande.

Sy bad om lijfs gena,
Aen de Graef verheven,
De Gravin daer en tegen,
Sprak dat is geen Regt,
Zie wel wat gy doet, wilt de saek overwegen,
Wel was dit niet een groot wonder slegt,
Zy heeft de dood verdient,
Straft haer aen het leven,
Gy kunt geen moord aen u Zuster vergeven,
ontziet u lant en eer,
Eer dat u straft den Heer,
Zy heeft de Moord bedreven.

De Regters van het Lant
Dese zaek ook prijsen,
de Graef die liet verwijsen,
Zijn Zuster een lief pand,
zy kreeg daer vonnis klaer om door het zwaerd te sterven,
Zy bad genade aen de Broeder maer,
Genade was 'er niet,
De dood moest zy besueren,
Haer Lief die quam daer aen in groot getreuren,
En zag zijn lief in rou,
hy riep dat is mijn vrou,
Wilt het zwaerd weer keeren.

Genade en geen Regt;
Kom ik u versoeken,
Aen den Graef seer kloeken,
Guntse mijn in Echt;
het is mijn lief en u zuster vol waerden,
Daerom dog het bloedig zwaerd neerlegt,
het smeeken was om niet
De dood moest zy besueren
Zy wierd onthalst haer Lief ging droevig treure,
het was te laet bedagt,
Het Regt dat wiert volbragt,
Zijn hart moest scheuren.

Gy Jonkmans allegaer,
Wilt hier uyt nu leeren,
zoekt een maegt in eeren
en in deugde klaer,
En ook gy Dogters mee, Doet geen Jonkmans begeeren,
Zo komt gy met haer in geen gevaer,
Steekt hier niet mee de spot,
het kan u ook gebeuren,
Gelooft geen Jonkmans klagen of haer treuren,
Verzint eer gy begint,
Haer zinnen als de wind,
Zeer ligt verkeeren. EYNDE.

Come here pious bystanders,
Will you hear with attention,
What I will propose before you;
Take this piece to heart,
How that the sister of a count is betrayed,
By a young man of great power,
A lord of high state;
Who loved this lady;
By love he will attach her to him,
And take the countess,
With her will and sense,
Underneath the linden.

Guardian of my soul,
I come to greet you,
I bid you will sweeten
My sad pain,
I remain your slave, I bend before your feet,
By the love I carry in my young heart,
I pray you, beautiful goddess
Will observe my pleas,
So that it may soften the quelled happiness,
It quiets my great mourning,
I pray you, young lady,
Hear my complaints.

Well young lord high of state,
[You] want to destroy me,
I bid you to turn around,
And set your mind
To a beautiful dame and to walk with her
And tell her your sweet talk,
You are well-equipped,
With begging and flattering,
To seduce a beautiful virgin so,
Therefore leave me,
You come under false pretences,
To fight [for] me.

O pure countess,
Noble by birth,
I pray you will soften,
My answered love,
And do not let me suffocate in love;
Will you hear my complaints
Keep your cruelty contained;
I swear by heaven’s throne,
And by the precious God,
Will you accept this letter and loyalty from me;
I am your loyal lover;
I choose you to be my wife,
Here on this earth.

If you take me for your wife,
You will be my lover,
So I want to be joined
In marriage.
Come then my love under the green linden,
That I may enjoy a kiss from you,
Upon your sweet lips,
Which come close to my soul,
Let us together taste lovers-lust,
You are my goddess,
My heart, my soul and sense,
I will never leave you.

See here this sham,
He betrayed her;
As soon as he was out of her eyes;
She remained, impregnated by him,
Then the loyalty and love had flown away;
The countess remained in displeasure,
She had lost her love
And then in shame,
Went sadly to her veranda,
Oh! Heaven such regret;
My honour I have lost,
The Satan assaulted her.

O God come, support me,
Hear my sad complaints,
Yes will [you] soften my remorse,
Because I am suffering,
I do not know what to do, I may suffocate my child,
Then I am free from this shame,
My brother does not know,
And will not hear of it,
That is why I will smother my child,
She delivered a beautiful son,
Beneath a rose tree,
She killed him.

When she had killed her beautiful child,

She went away
From the rose tree,
Her chamberlain had seen her there,
And revealed it to the very pious count,
Who then
Assailed his sister;
What have you done in the veranda
Have you killed
Suffocated your sweet child
A horrible shame.

She prayed for forgiveness,
Of the elevated count,
The countess on the other hand,
Said that it was not justice,
See what you do, will [you] consider the case,
Well was this not a great wondrous crime,
She deserves death,
Punish her with life,
You cannot forgive a murder by your sister,
Respect your land and honour,
Before you punish the Lord,
She has committed the murder.

The justices of the land,
Praised this case too,
The count had [them] refer
His sister [to] a good premise,
She received there the verdict, ready to die by the sword,
She prayed for mercy to her brother but,
Mercy there was not,
She had to suffer death,
Her love arrived in great sadness,
And saw his love in mourning,
He shouted that is my wife
Will you turn away the sword.

Mercy and no justice;
I come to request from you,
To the very valiant count,
Give her to me in matrimony;
She is my love and your sister full of worth,
Therefore lay down the bloody sword,
The begging was to no effect
Death she had to suffer
She was decapitated, her love went mourning sadly,
It was too late,
The verdict was fulfilled,
His heart had to tear.

All you young men,
Will you learn from this,
Find an honourable virgin
In virtue ready,
And you daughters too, do not desire a young man,

So you will not be in danger with her,
Do not mock this,
It can happen to you too
Do not believe a young man’s words or her regret,
Think before you begin,
Her senses are, like the wind,
Very easily turned. END.

Translation by Rena Bood
 

Crime(s)

infanticide

Gender

Date

Notes

Translation notes:
[1] ‘voogdesse’ is feminine (as opposed to ‘voogd’).
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1229 <![CDATA[Een droevigh Liedt, van de Iustitie, die gedaen is binnen hoorn]]> 2020-02-04T15:59:28+11:00

Title

Een droevigh Liedt, van de Iustitie, die gedaen is binnen hoorn

Subtitle

over een seker Vrouws persoon, genaemt Mary van Rijswijck of in de wandelingh scheele Lijs, die om haer Stelen en verscheyden Huysbraken is opgehangen, op Donderdagh den 7. November 1680.

Translation: A sad song, of the justice which has been done in Hoorn, about a certain woman person named Mary van Rijswijk or in the hallways, cross-eyed Lijs, who for her stealing and several burglaries was hanged on Thursday 7 November 1680.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Pamphlet: Den Haag KB: 3 E 33, Nederlandse Liederenbank 

Set to tune of...

Hoe legh ick hier in dees ellende. - How I lie here in this misery.

Transcription

O Heere goet van grooter machten,
Waer in heb ick mijn tijdt verspilt:
Ick roep u aen met al mijn krachten;
Ick hoop dat ghy mijn helpen wilt:
En mijn o Heer genadigh wesen,
Al ghy den Moordenaer deed' voordesen.

Ick heb berouw van mijn misdaden,
Ick hoop 't niet wesen sal te laet,
Ick ben met veel sonden beladen,
O Heer, by u is altijdt readt.
O Godt wilt mijn sonden vergeten,
En schenckt mijn doch 't eeuwige leven.

Ick gingh van 't waelt Iaren dolen,
In 't soetste van mijn jonge tijdt,
De Hoer-huysen waren mijn Schoolen,
Daer in ick liep met groote:
En leerde daer veel boose streken,
Die mijn och lacy nu opbreken.

Daer na gingh ick met snoode Dieven,
Begaf mijn meed op avontuer,
Ick voeghde mijn na haer believen,
't Was somtijdts soet en somtijts suer,
Alwaer wy quamen ofte sochten,
Namen wy meerder dan wy brochten.

Soo dat geen Huys hoe seer gesloten,
Of ick wist daer te breken in!
't Heeft mij oock nimmermeer verdroten,
Ick lagh somwijlen in een Swingh,
En wist de Schilt wacht soo te houwen,
Dat mijn maets daer mochten op bouwen.

Ick heb soo menigh Huys gebroken,
Daer niemandt aen en wist,
En in gebroken fel gesproken,
't Sa smijt nu open kas en kist,
De Boer sal nu het Lagh betalen,
Daer wy de Wijn en 't bier voor halen.

Daerom ben ick al van de Heeren,
Geset met een Touw om mijn Bast,
Om mijn van Stelen af te keeren,
Smeten mijn in een Tucht-huys vast,
Ick socht daer raet om uyt te komen,
Als ick oock vonde sonder Schroomen

Ick sneed mijn haer oock van Vlechten,
En maeckte daer doen Baltjes van,
En nam een Tontel-doos met rechten,
En maeckte dat daer vuer quam an:
Om 't Tucht-huys in de Brand te steken,
Als 't Alckmaer wel is gebleken.

Noch heb ick op verscheyden Plecken
Veel Huysen in de lichte Brandt
Gestoken, en ging dan vertrecken,
Als ick dit met een boose handt,
Had uytgerecht al sonder schromen,
Dat nu soo qualijck werdt genomen.

Soo dat de wijse goede Heeren,
Mijn hebben aengeseydt de Doodt,
Om met een koordt 't mijnder oneeren,
Te sterven door benautheyt groot,
Daerom waerschouw ick man of Wijven,
Niet meer by Dievery te blyven.

Och had ick over veel Iaren,
Bedacht dat mijn nu weder vaerdt,
'k Had uyt mijn hooft gehaelt de Haren,
En had mijn liever toebedaert,
't Is nu te laet ick moet nu scheyden,
O Godt? wilt mijn Ziel nu geleyden.

'k Waerschouw nu yder niet te Stelen,
Of anders gaet ghy mee de gangh,
Dit moet nu niemandt niet vervelen,
Op dat ghy singht een ander Sangh,
En Rasphuys Boeven algelijcke,
Siet ghy daer noch vry wat te kijcke.

Vergeeft het mijn vrome Huys-luyden,
Al 't gene dat ick heb misdaen,
ick moet nu van de Aerde Vlieden,
Als een Schim die men heeft sien staen,
Vergeeft soo wordt u weer geven,
Ghy meed het Eeuwigh leven.

Adieuw voor 't laetste vriend en magen,
Adieu tot in der eeuwigheyt,
Adieuw alle die na mijn vragen,
Ick ben tot Sterven wel bereydt,
Godt wil mijn Ziel genadigh wesen,
Daer op soo Sterf ick sonder vreesen.

Roemwaerde Engelin,
Gy die door u soete loncken
Menigh Hartje hebt ontstoncken,
En gelockt tot uwe min.
Uwe nette bruyne,
En u sarp soete mont,
Hebben menigh gast bewoogen,
En sijn jeughdigh hart gewont.

Oh good Lord of higher power,
Wherein I have wasted my time:
I call to you with all my strength;
I hope that you will help me:
And be merciful to me, oh lord,
Like you were to the murderer before me.

I have remorse for my misdeeds,
I hope that it will not be too late,
I am loaded with many sins,
O lord, with you there is always wisdom/council,
O God will you forget my sins,
And grant me still the eternal life.

I wandered by the water [for] years,
In the sweetest of my young time,
The whore-houses were my schools,
Therein I walked with the great:
And learned there many evil tricks,
Which, alas, break me up now.

After that I went with nefarious thieves,
Went myself along on adventure,
I accommodated myself after her believes,
It was sometimes sweet and sometimes sour,
Wherever we came or sought,
We took more than we brought.

So that no house, no matter how closed,
Or I knew how to break into it!
It has nevermore saddened me,
I sometimes danced a swing,
And knew to keep the sentry such
That my rhythm could build on it.

I so broke into many a house,
That no one knew about,
And broken in heartlessly spoken,
Go on, now fling open till and chest,
The farmer shall now pay for all,
For which we get the wine and the beer.

That is why I am of all the Lords,
Set with a rope around my chest,
To steer me away from stealing,
Flung me into a discipline-house,
I sought council there to escape,
Which I found without scruples.

I cut my hair too from braids,
And made that into little balls,
And took a flammable-box with justice,
And took care to start a fire there,
To set the discipline-house on fire,
Like it happened in Alkmaar.

So too have I, in different places, set many houses on fire and then I went away

As I did with bad intent
Had done without scruples,
That which is now being resented.

So that the wise good Lords,
Have assigned Death to me,
To die with a cord, because of my dishonour,
By great suffocation,
That is why I warn man or wives,
Not to stay with thievery.

Oh had I over many years,
Figured out what has now come back to me,
I would have pulled the hair from my head,
And had rather tucked myself in,
It is now too late, I must divorce [from life],
O God? Will you now guide my soul.

I now warn all not to steal,
Or else you will go the same way,
This must now not bore anyone,
When you sing a different song,
And thieves of a discipline-house alike,
See you there still free to watch.

Forgive my pious house-people,
All that I have misdone,
I must now flee from the earth,
Like a shade which people have seen standing,
Forgive so you shall be given,
You with the eternal life.

Adieu for the last time, friend and virgins,
Adieu until eternity,
Adieu all who ask after me,
I am prepared to die,
God be merciful to my soul,
Thereby so I die without fear.

Glorious Angel,
You who by her sweet looks,
Ignited many a heart,
And lured to your pleasure,
Your burning net,
And your sharp sweet mouth,
Have moved many a man,
And hurt his youthful heart.

Translation by Rena Bood
 

Crime(s)

Burglary

Gender

Date

Notes

Translation Notes:
1. ‘voordesen’ literally translates as ‘before this’ or ‘beforehand.’
2. The literal translation for this phrase would be ‘I lay sometimes in a swing’ (like swing-dancing, as two lines down the speaker uses ‘maets’ i.e. ‘rhythm’).
3. ‘Sa’ is a general encouragement, so ‘go on’ is not a direct translation.
4. ‘het Lagh’ refers to the costs made by a group of people in, for example, an inn. It can also refer to the costs made by a gathering of a merry company who go out drinking.
5. ‘rechten’ is a bit tricky. It can mean ‘justice,’ but also ‘straight,’ ‘foundation,’ ‘erect,’ and ‘restore to a good condition.’
6. Literal translation would be ‘with an angry hand’ which in Dutch means with bad intent.
7. ‘gangh’ is actually ‘hallway’ so literally the speaker says that the spectator will ‘go along the hallway’
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1276 <![CDATA[ Reuevolles und zur Warnung dienendes Abschieds-Lied von der Welt, ]]> 2021-03-25T12:09:55+11:00

Title

Reuevolles und zur Warnung dienendes Abschieds-Lied von der Welt,

Subtitle

der zum Tode verurtheilten Deliquentin Theresia K*** welche in Wien den 16. März 1809, wegen verübter Mordthat an ihrem eigenen Manne, mit dem Strange vom Leben zum Tode hingerichtet worden : Zum singen eingerichtet nach der bekannten Arie: Ich war kaum sechszehn Sommer alt

Synopsis

Theresia K. murders her husband in 1809, is executed.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Pamphlet: VD Lied digitalWiener Liedflugschriften. ÖVLA Wien <ÖC Kotek 1240>


Set to tune of...

Ich war kaum sechszehn Sommer alt

Transcription

1. Hört, Freunde! hört mein Abschiedslied
Las un Arrest ich machte,
Da Re?ker von der Welt mich schied,
Das ich mir selbst zubrachte.

2. In dieser grauen Einsamkeit,
Mir selbst nun überlassen,
Muß ich des Rerkers Bitterkeit
Ertragen ganz gelassen.

3. Als ich noch dreyzehn Jahre alt,
Lebt’ ich in Jugendfreuden,
Und hüpste froh im grünen Wald,
Mich druckten keine Leiden.

4. Geführt durch meiner Eltern Hand,
War Unschuld meine Zlerde,
Es schmückte meinen Jugendstand
Nur Tugend, die ich führte.

5. Mit Jahren wuchs auch Leidenschaft,
Die mich zu Sünd verführte,
Daß ich durch ihre Wirkungstraft
Mich manchmal schwer verirrte.

6. Ich gab auf keine Lehren acht,
Die mir die Eltern gaben,
Und so fiel ich oft unbedacht
In Schlund, den Sünden graben,

7. Wie tief der Mensch nun fallen kann,
Der von der Tugend weichet,
Sey klar und deutlich jedermann
Mein Beyspiel dargereichet.

8. Seht Freunde! seht mein Elend an,
So schwer hab’ich gefehlet,
Weil ich nun statt der Tugendbahn
Das Laster hab gewählet.

9. Gemordet habe ich sogar
Den Mann, der mich geliebet,
Und der nur stets beforget war,
Daß er mich nicht beteübet.

10. Die That fühl ich nua Zentnerschwer,
Die ich begangen habe,
Weil ich geschäzet hab nicht mehr,
Sein’ mir ertheilte Gabe.

11. Den Tod, der mir bestimmet ist,
Leid ich nunmehr geduldig!
Denn jeder Mensch als mein Mitschrift
Bekennt mich dessen schuldig!

12. Ich scheide nun aus dieser Welt,
Auf der ich schwer gefehlet,
Zum Beyspeil bleibe aufgestellt
Mein Strafe unverhehlet!

13. Verlaßt in eurem Leben nicht
Den Tugendweg zu wandeln,
Und denkt allzet an eure Pflicht
Nach dem Gefez zu handeln!

14. Bleibt Gott und eurem Fürsten treu
In eurem ganzen Leben
Sonst reißt ever Glück entzwey,
Das Gott euch hat gegeben.

15. Gebt jener Stimme stets Gehör,
Die euch zum Guten leitet,
Damit euch werde mehr und mehr
Der Guadenweg bereitet.

16. Und so vermehret jederzeit
Dein Eifer, gut zu handeln,
Versäumet kein’ Gelegenheit
Als wahrer Christ zu wandeln!

17. Dann mag er kommen, wann er will,
Der Tod mit seinen Pfeilen,
Erhalten werd’t ihr stets das Ziel
In’s Himmelreich zu eilen.

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

n.l.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1278 <![CDATA[Doppeltes Todesurtheil, gefällt am 20. Januar 1890 ]]> 2021-03-24T13:43:16+11:00

Title

Doppeltes Todesurtheil, gefällt am 20. Januar 1890

Subtitle

vom Schwurgericht Elbing über die Ehefrau des Eigenkäthners Hochstein und ihre Helfershelferin, Frau Damalski

Synopsis

A woman and her neighbour murder her husband. The song is sung to the child left behind.

Digital Object

Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Pamphlet: Deutsches Volksliedarchiv Freiburg i.Br. (Bl 13267). VD Lied digital.


Transcription

Wenn Du noch einen Vater hast,
So danke, Kind, Gott auf Knieen,
Du kennst noch nicht des Lebens Last,
Richt, was es heißt, sich abzumühen.
Damit für Weib und Kind das Brot
Und was sonst für die Seinen nöthig,
Nicht sehle in der Zeit der Noth,
Ist er von früh bis Abends thätig.

Des Vaters Auge ruht auf Dir,
Wenn Dich die Mutter sorglich pfleget,
Du bist ihm seines Namens Zier,
Den er als theures Kleinod heget.
Er freut sich deiner Jugendlust
Und denkt, so bist Du selbst gewesen,
Ein Dankgefühl füllt seine Brust,
Sieht er von Krankheit Dich genesen.

Bald trittst Du in die Welt hinauß,
Der Jugend Tage sind entschwunden.
Dein Weggang auß der Eltern Hauß,
Macht auch dem Vater trübe Stunden.
Ob Du befolgst wohl seinen Rath,
Die Frage stört oft seinen Schlummer;
Ob Du wohl weichst wom rechten Pfad,
Dies macht dem Vater schweren Kummer.

Denn, hast Du keinen Vater mehr,
Fehlt Dir der beste Freund auf Erden,
Ein Freundeßherz, so liebeleer,
Kann Dir Erfatz dafür nicht geben.
So oft Du an der Mutter hand
Gehst hin zu Deines Vaters Hügel,
So sprich, Dein Aug’ empor gewandt:
“Sei Du stets meines Lebens Spiegel.”

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1288 <![CDATA[Juanita, die Giftmörderin in Spanien]]> 2021-03-18T16:58:18+11:00

Title

Juanita, die Giftmörderin in Spanien

Subtitle

Eine wahre Begebenheit, welche sich in neuester Zeit daselbst zugetragen hat

Synopsis

Juanita Junaz, a young woman in Zaragosa, is seduced by the wealthy Don Clabrio and abandoned. With her father, she plots revenge and poisons his entire family. She is dragged to the town square on an oxhide, her flesh pulling with burning pliers, and beheaded with an axe. Her father commits suicide.

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 13295). VD Lied digital.

Transcription

Das Lied.
Fern in Spanien’s schönem Lande,
Wo die gold’ne Traube reift
Und die Sonn’ mit heißem Brande
Ueber gold’ne Saaten streift,
Dort im schönen Lande eben,
Das ein Feder Dichter preis’t,
Hat sich Schreckliches begeben,
Das uns fast das Herz vereis’t.

Sie, der Mädchen schönste Blüthe,
Lebte mit dem Vater dort,
Unschuldvoll, sanft vom Gemüthe,
In des Waldes düsterm Ort.
Doch ein reicher Mann verführte
Dieses Mädchen, jung und schön;
Als er nahm, was einst sie zierte,
Ließ er sich nicht wieder sehn.

Da schwur wild der Vater Rache,
Und die Tochter schwur es mit,
Und so ging die grause Sache
Ihren festen, blut’gen Schritt.
Alles was ihm angehorte,
Ihm, der fulsch und treulos war,
Sann das Paar, wie es zerstörte
Dieses auf dem Rachaltar.

Alles, alles, mußt’ verderben
Ihn auch wild die Rache trifft,
Auch sein Weib, es mußte sterben,
Alles fiel durch heimlich Gift;
Doch das Mädchen auch traf Rache;
Denn die Rach’ gehöret Gott,
Und sie büßt’ die grause Sache
Schrecklich bald auf dem Schaffot.

Under der Vater endet plötzlich,
Denn er hat durch eigne Hand
In der Hütte sich entsetzlich
In Verzweiflungsangst verbrannt.
Und so endete ihr Lebe
Beide büßten im Berein,
Gott mög’ ihrer Seel’ vergeben,
Gnädig und barmherzig sein.

Method of Punishment

beheading, burning pliers

Crime(s)

murder (poison)

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Zaragosa

Printing Location

Hamburg : Kahlbrock, [1868]
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1296 <![CDATA[Anne Boleyn's Fortune]]> 2021-05-19T12:19:16+10:00

Title

Anne Boleyn's Fortune

Synopsis

An account of Anne Boleyn's rise and fall, composed as a fable about a falcon (Boleyn) and a lion (Henry VIII)

Transcription

In A ffresshe Mornyng Among the flowrys,
My servyce saying at Certayne owrys,
Swetly the Byrdes were syngyng Amonge The shewrys,
for þat Ioye of good fortune.

to walke A-lone I dyd me Aplye;
Among the hylles þat were so hye
I sawe A syghte, – A! for myne Iee, –
þat Came by good fortune.

I mervaylyd whate hyt sholde be:
at laste I espied A company
þat dyd Abyde all on A tree
to seke for fortune.

There Cam A fawcon fayre of flyghte,
And set hyr downe presente in syghte,
so lyke A Byrde Comlye & Bryghte,
whyche thowghte hyt good fortune.

All þat were Abyll to flee with wynge,
they were Ryghte Ioyfull of hyr Comyng,
that swetly they began to syng
for Ioye of good fortune.

A-non from there she sett hyr Iee,
she perceyvyd A mounteyne þat was so hye,
she toke hyr flyghte theder to flye,
to fynde hyt fortune.

Alone on the Toppe þer growde A brere,
þat bare well, I wotte, þe Rose so clere,
whyche fadyd no tyme of the yere;
there fownde she fortune.

In the myddes of the Busshe down dyd she lyghte,
Amonge the Rosys of golde so bryghte,
saying þus: “plesantly I am plyghte
in the prime of my fortune!”

þer Cam A lyon full lovinglye,
þat all the Smalle byrdes þer myght se,
syngyng “fayre fawCon, well-Com to me!
here ys your fortune!”

þe knot of love in hym was faste,
& so farre entryd in to hys bryste,
þat þer he chase þis byrde A neste;
svche was hyr fortune.

she spake þes words presumatlye,
& sayd: “ye Byrdes, behold & se!
do nat gruge, for þis wyll hyt be;
suche ys my fortune.”

A Mavys meke mevyd in mynde,
& sayd: “whoo wyll seke, shall fynde.
be ware A myste make yow not blynd!
truste not on fortune!”

At þe laste cam A storme, & serten thrall
sharper then ony thorne, & A grete fall:
hyt was þen to late to Crye or Call
to helpe, good fortune.

“I was A-bove; nowe am I vnder!
all byrdes may mervayle, & gretly wonder,
so sone from love dessendyd in sonder,
o! whate ys fortune?

“nowe on, nowe none; now well, now wo;
now here, now gon; now to, now froo;
thus I Alone may reporte soo,
as flateryng fortune.

“so derely Bowghte, so friendly sowghte,
And so sone made A quene!
so sone lowe browghte, haþe not ben sene:
o! whate ys Fortune?

“As sleper as yse, consumyd as snowe,
lyke vnto dyse þat men dothe throwe,
tyll hyt be hys chaunce þat he aryse, he shall not knowe
whate shalbe hys fortune.”

They dyd hyr prsente to A towur of stone,
wher as she shold lament hyr self A-lon,
& be consell; for helpe þer was none:
suche was hyr fortune!

She shayd þat “I am com in at þis lytell portall,
so lyke A quene, to Ressseve A Crowne ymperiall;
but nowe am I com to Ressseue A crown in-Mortall:"
suche ys fortune!

"for myne offence I am full woo!
& yf I had hurte my selfe, & nomoo,
I had don welle & I had don soo;
hyt was not my fortune.

"All þat folowith my lyne,
& to my favur they did enclyne,
they may well ban the tyme
þat ever they founde suche fortune!

"I had A lover stedfaste & trewe:
A-lase þat ever I chaungyd for new!
I cowde not Remembyr! full sore I rew
to haue þis fortune!

"And thow I haue my tyme mys-spent,
yet geve me no mys-Iugement!
yf god be pleasyd, be yow contente;
deme not my fortune!

"I truste to hym þat by hys fader sytte,
I haue A place in hevyn made fytte.
I aske for grace; stryke me not yett!
behold my fortune!"

She hylde vp hyr hondes on hye,
& made hyr preste & Redy to dye;
for dethe Aprochyd to hyr so nye,
to ende hyr fortune.

hyr Sowle she comendid in to the handes of Ihesu;
& where she had offendyd, sore dyd she Rewe,
And so entendyd all suche thynges to eschewe,
as was hyr fortune.

Consyder yow all, thow she wylfully dyd offend,
Consyder yow Also how she made hyr ende:
hyt is not we þat Can hyr Amende,
By Iuggyng hyr fortune.

let vs pray to god, of hys mercy & blysse
hyr to for-gyve where she hathe don Amys,
þat he may be hers, & she may be hys,
& send vs good fortune / Amen.

Method of Punishment

beheading

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Execution Location

Tower Green (within the Tower of London)

Printing Location

MS reprinted in Frederick J. Furnivall, Ballads from Manuscripts, vol. I (London: The Ballad Society, 1868-72), 402-413.

Notes

Harleian MS. 2252, leaf 155
]]>