1
50
153
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05a73b79a0243611da039f6c6c350f41
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Subtitle
Being the Last SPEECH and CONFESSION of Nine Malefactors,
and Betrayers of the Lives and Liberties of the Good People of ENGLAND.
But few Examples here are made
Of such as have our Laws betray'd:
The rest that have as ill Deserv'd
For the next Sessions are Reserv'd.
To the Tune of Packingtons Pound.
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
Packingtons Pound
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
I Am glad the happy Time is come, when Justice dare appear in open view. I am blind indeed, to signify my impartial Dispensation of Justice to all the World; but tho my Eyes are shut, my Ears are always open to the Complaints of Mankind; and amongst all the Countries I preside over, no Place has so bewailed my Absence as England. This has been
the most unhappy Nation in the World. This Place has bred the Monsters of Mankind, and under what Villanies has this brave People groan'd for many Years? But now, my Friends, I JUSTICE am return'd; and so long as you maintain your Noble English Principles, I will never forsake you: And that you may believe I resolve to establish you upon
the firmest Foundation, I have brought some of the Betrayers of your Country to be punish'd in the sight of this Great People. I have weighed these Men in my Ballance, and have found them the lightest that ever these Scals bore; therefore now my Sword takes place, I have brought them to Judgment, and will attend their Execution, and let all the Nation Triumph: for by such Sacrifices Heaven is appeased.
GOOD English-men, Women and Children give ear,
Unto the Confesson that we shall rehearse,
'Tis the dolefullest Story you ever did hear,
By ourselves writ in Prose, by Friend Bayes put in Verse.
To be great was my Scope,
To the Devil and Pope,
A Slave to Ambition, that ends in a Rope;
For betraying Fair London, her Gates claim my Quarters,
Take warning by me ye Supplanters of Charters.
I car'd not for Precedent, Conscience or Law,
Bear witness all you whom I have hang'd in the West,
If ever I valu'd Mens Lives of a Straw,
But could sentence a Prisoner, and then break a Jest.
The Sword and the Gun
Left the Work but half done,
My Breath more destructive, slew Ten for their One;
For I never gave Quarter where once I did seize,
The World curs'd me for't, but I knew whom to please.
On the Bench I could roar till I made the Walls shake,
In Court Ecclesiastick could hector the Church;
An Evidence too for a need I could make,
E're I'd suffer the Cause to be left in the Lurch.
the Curtains I got,
Spy'd a Child reaking hot,
Which the Mother n'ere bore, nor the Father n'ere got:
My Eyes are the Vouchers of what I depose,
If you question my Eyes, I appeal to my Nose.
In Wapping at last I was snap'd by surprize,
Thence dragg'd like a Varlet before my Lord-Mayor,
Where I had the Honour, in spight of Disguise,
Out of his small Senses his Lordship to scare:
Thus much by the way
Of Caution to say,
Seem'd needful, for those that their Country betray,
'Twill sooner or later bring hanging about,
So farewel, and take notice that now my Dream's out.
'TIS Matter of wonderment, how such a Varlet
As I am, and of so vile Reputation,
Should all on a sudden be clothed in Scarlet,
Of Old none but Lawyers were fit for that Station:
best to be plain,
To conceal 't is in vain,
It was to hang Armstrong that thither I came.
And if you'l know more, give ear, I beseech,
To the words of Lord Wem, in an Eloquent Speech.
The Office of Judg, 'tis true, it a Trust is,
And that you, Brother Hol. are not fit for that Place,
Because, it is plain, you want Sense, Law, and Justice.
Dispence with the Laws, we'll dispence in that Case:
Do but do as you'r bid,
You shall never be chid;
I may ride Tantivy, but you must be rid.
Young Jack will get practice, who at present has none;
So that I'm to be hang'd for the Good of my Son.
ABhorring Petitions brought me into Play,
It dubb'd me a Knight, and it made me a Judg,
I resolv'd for Advancement, I car'd not what way;
And now have Preferment that no Man will grudg:
To comply with the Court,
Without Precedent for't,
I thought three miles Whipping a Progress too short:
A Sentence that made me abhorr'd by Mankind,
Yet was sorry that I no worse Penance could find.
On Jefferies I fastened, and stuck like a Bur,
Like a Dog lick'd his Feet, slunk my Tail, hung my Ears;
But at last my Patroon kick'd me out like a Cur;
A Misfortune that then cost me many Salt Tears.
Ye Perverters of Law,
Before I withdraw,
Take a word of Good Counsel to keep you in awe:
Dispensers with Laws may escape for a Time,
But Tyburn will never dispense with the Crime.
SUborners were we, by some call'd the Pope's Mutes,
Enrich'd by destroying of Free Corporations,
And now of our Treachery reap the Just Fruits,
Who for Pelf made no Bones of destroying three Nations.
Such an infamous Brace,
Does the Gallows Disgrace,
And makes ev'n the Hangman asham'd of his Place:
He grudges his Office on such wicked Elves,
And could wish for his Part we had hanged ourselves.
Like Villains abandoning Conscience and Shame,
No Practice we baulk'd, but could Bribe, Forge and Lie;
Like Blood-hounds could dext'rously find out the Game,
While a Kennel of Witnesses kept up the Cry.
To Collogue with the Court,
Of Mens Lives we made sport;
Old Dogs at Intrigues, but now must swing for't,
With a Leash of vile Foremen of Juries that follows,
Whom we then brought to Murders, and now to the Gallows.
MAke room for such Varlets as n'ere cumber'd Sledg,
The perjur'd vile Juries three Foremen are we,
Our Number falls right, and we claim priviledg
T' have each Man his Beam on the Triangle Tree.
In Verdict agreed,
Like a true Tory Breed,
To shew ourselves Loyal, made th' Innocent Bleed:
And after like Miscreants bragg'd of our Jobbs,
But we must give place to our Orator Nobbs.
ROom, room for Old Roger, the Scourge of the Nation,
Through all my Disguises I cannot escape,
I had better have stuck to my Trade of Translation,
Than have undertook to be guide to the Crape:
I instructed the Raw,
And taught them to draw
Good sound true Divinity out of false Law:
Till Preachers and Pleaders came down with their Guinies,
Which I pocketed up, and then laugh'd at the Ninnies.
The Rights of the Subject by me were well known;
The Frame of our Government none better knew:
I wrote 'gainst my Conscience, and Knowledg, I own,
But with Fools, not Philosophers, I had to do.
Take warning each Wight
That for Pensions do write,
The practice may make a poor Scoundrel a Knight:
But when you have Scribled, Buffoon'd, and Harangu'd,
Th' next step of Preferment will be to be Hang'd.
FINIS.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tyburn
URL
https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/32789/image
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Title
A name given to the resource
A New BALLAD.
The Triumph of Justice.
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/2a2c0d23c13cee063be754d027277fdd.jpg
557df9c56c5cb89bc3a4a594bac956c9
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The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Subtitle
OR, / The Last farewell of the late Duke of Monmouth which was Beheaded on Tower-Hill on / the 15th of this Instant July 1685. / It is not well for to Rebell, / Against a Gracious Prince, / Let all beware and shun the Snare, / That would be Men of Sence.
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Execution of the Duke of Monmouth because of his rebellion against the king.
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
Russell's Farewell
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
FArewell Farewell deceitful Pride,
for thou hast me betray'd,
Upon vain hopes I here relyed,
when I the Traitor play'd:
Had I not wandred with Lord Grey,
which proves my overthrow,
I never had beheld this day,
to feel the Fatal Blow.
Too much I hearkned to that Crew,
which never did me good,
But now I bid the World adieu,
and here my dearest blood
Must be a Ransome for my Crime,
to pay the Death I owe,
And Justice now has found a time,
to strike the fatal Blow.
Alas! I have not quite forgot
the favour that I found,
When I was in that Helish Plot,
ah! this my soul doth Wound:
That I again should be misled,
into a sea of wooe,
And here I must lay down my head,
unto the fatal Blow.
My proud aspiring heart I find,
has brought me to this thing
Ah! how could I be so unkind
to such a Gracious King:
Which once did interceed for me,
as I in conscience know,
But now pale Death must set me free,
then wellcome fatal Blow.
And now at last I did Rebell,
against him in his Throne,
I was most like an Infidel,
as I may justly own:
But this has wrought my lifes decay,
and final Overthrow,
And Juyice will no longer stay,
but strike the Fatal Blow.
While I did in Rebellion stand,
some lives did you pay full dear,
A sad confusion in the Land
but now I bear a share,
And brought to my deserved doom
whether I would or no,
No Friend I have that will presume,
to stop the fatal Blow.
False Friends alas hath ruin'd me,
and brought me to this place,
And now the sad effect I see,
will end in my disgrace:
My Lady I must leave behind,
and my sweet Babes in wooe.
For Destiny hath now design'd
for me the fatal Blow:
And now my last and dying Speech,
is to advise you all,
Both friends and Foes I do beseech,
be warned by my fall:
Let Loyolty your actions Crown,
then you'l be free from woe,
And now I willingly lye down,
come strike the fatal Blow.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
beheading
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
treason
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
male
Date
Date of ballad
1685
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tower Hill
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Guilt-Spur-Street without Newgate.
URL
https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20857/album
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Title
A name given to the resource
Rebellion Rewarded with Justice.
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/56d0dc2669898767d2101b56f9824b0c.jpg
2b3c2308ab3ce400a2a049d40a6a2527
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Nicholas Balthorp prepares himself for his execution in Calais in 1550. Although his crime is not made explicit, this conforms to a tradition of martyr ballads, written in the voice of those executed for heresy.
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
When raging death with extreme paine
Most cruelly assaultes my herte,
And when my fleshe, although in vaine,
Doth feare the felinge of that smarte;
For when the swerde wil stop mi brethe,
Then am I at the poynt of death.
I call to minde the goodnes greate
The father promised to us al,
Howe that his sonne for us should sweat
Water and bloud, and drinke the gal,
And should lose the life he hathe
To pacifie his father's wrathe.
And how we shuld by his sonnes death
Knowe the father's mind and wil,
And to preserve us stil in faith
His commaundementes to fulfil;
So that, before where we were slaine,
By his bloud we might live againe.
And where in thousand yeres ther were,
Before the comming of this childe,
Mani a man that came farre
For lacke of knowledge was begild;
As Pharaoe's people, whiche did rebel
Againste Moses, deserving hel.
But when the child had shed his bloud,
He made us free wher we were bande;
He after was to us so good
To put is in the promised lande,
And brought us from the lake so depe,
Wher he him selfe of us take kepe.
Then saide I streight unto my fleshe,
The vile carkas, why doest thou fret
That of this earthe art made so neshe,
And naught thou art but wormes meat?
In the have I no delyght,
For al is vexed in sprite.
Thou haste me caused to offende
In folowing muche thi fleshely wil;
But, God willing, now I shal amend,
In token where of I do the kil,
Because thou woldest not have him forgeve
Thi shameful fauts while thou might live.
Thou didest thi selfe so muche esteme
Thou madest thi sprite the to obeye;
But thi rewarde is, as I deme,
Streight from the spirit now to decaie;
And from the world thou shalt now turne,
And be a subjecte to the worme.
As for my spirite, I trust, he shal
Amonge the auncient fathers slepe,
Readie when the Lord doth cal
His heavenlie deitie for to kepe:
This is the chiefe grounde of my faithe,
And ther upon I take my death.
What availeth anie princely power,
Yf God agreeth not them tyl?
For if the Lorde doth apointe the houre,
Thei can not worke against his wil;
So that for me he doth prevente,
For to agre I do consente.
Beare record now, ye Christian al,
That seethe the ende of this mi life,
For helpe to none of you I cal,
But unto God for mercie rife;
But this to you I calle and crye,
Witnes a christian do I die.
Forgeve me al in this worlde wide,
And praie for me whiles I do live:
For do [no] mans sake tarieth the tide,
Therfore I do you al forgeve.
In the Lordes handes I do commend
My spirite, and here I make an ende.
Finis. Qd. Nicholas Balthorpe.
Imprinted at london in Foster lane by Jhon Waley.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
beheading
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
heresy?
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
male
Date
Date of ballad
1550
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Calais
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London: John Waley, 1550
Digital Object
<br /><iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/56d0dc2669898767d2101b56f9824b0c.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="369" height="500"></iframe>
Image notice
Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.
Image / Audio Credit
Society of Antiquaries Library, Early English Book, 1475-1640 (STC), reel position 2429:09. <a href="https://www.proquest.com/eebo/docview/2240932951/citation/473697C62017455CPQ/1?accountid=12372" target="_blank">EEBO record</a> (institutional login required).
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Title
A name given to the resource
A newe balade made by Nicholas Balthorp which suffered in Calys the .xv. daie of marche. MDL.
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
An account of Anne Boleyn's rise and fall, composed as a fable about a falcon (Boleyn) and a lion (Henry VIII)
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
beheading
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
high treason
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
female
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tower Green (within the Tower of London)
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
MS reprinted in Frederick J. Furnivall, Ballads from Manuscripts, vol. I (London: The Ballad Society, 1868-72), 402-413.
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
Harleian MS. 2252, leaf 155
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Anne Boleyn's Fortune
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3917af79701bb437823f2d564c7abdeb
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
A response ballad to <a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1293">'A newe ballade made of Thomas Crumwell' </a>which tries to rehabilitate the fallen favourite, while being careful not to question the king's judgment. The author of this ballad and the previous one produced so many vitriolic ballads on the subject that they were ultimately imprisoned for a few weeks.
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1295"><em>Half Hannikin</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
¶Heue aud how rumbelow thou arte to blame
Trolle into the right way agayne for shame.
TRolle into the way / trolle in and retrolle
Small charyte and lesse wytte is in thy nolle
Thus for to rayle vpon a christen soule
Wherfore men thynke the worthy blame
Trolle into the way agayne for shame.
¶Thou makest a trollyng hyther and thyther
Somtyme thou trollest thou canst not tell whyther
But if all thy trollynges were gathered togyther
Thy trollynge might trym the and tourne the to blame
Wherfore trolle thou nowe into the way for shame
❧Although lord Crumwell a traytour was
yet dare I saye that the kynge of his grace
Hath forgyuen him that gret trespas
To tayle than on dead men / thou arte to blame
Trolle now into the way agayne for shame.
❧In that that he the law hath offended
By the lawe he is iustly condempned
This mortall lyfe / full godly he ended
Wherfore to rayle thus / thou art to blame
Trolle into the way agayne for shame.
¶For all his offences in euery thyng
He asked god mercy and grace of the kynge
And of all the wyde world / for his trāsgressyng
Thou nor no man can say nay to the same
Trolle into the way than agayne for shame
☜Thou takest his treason for thy subtyll defence
Which nowe is departed and gone from hence
But men spye the pricke of all thy pretence
Thy owne sayenges folowyng declare the same
Trolle into the way / for fere or for shame
¶Thou sayest he was with the church to quycke
Fauouryng none but of the new trycke
But nowe thou spurnest agaynst the prycke
And thou of force / must confesse the same
Trolle into the way agayne for shame
☜For bysshops haue now as they haue had
If preestes wold complayne / they were to mad
Wherfore thou apperest to be a popysshe lad
For vsyng thy popery / thou arte to blame
Trolle into the way agayne for shame.
❧For here thou vpholdest both monkes and fryers
Nunnes and noughty packes / and lewed lowsy lyers
The bysshop of Rome / with all his rotten squyers
To buylde such a church / thou arte moche to blame
Trolle nowe into the way agayne for shame.
❧May not men thynke now in the meane ceason
That thou hast deserued by ryght and by reason
As moch as he hath done for clokynge thy treason
For he was a traytour / and thou arte the same
Trolle away papyst / god gyue the shame.
¶The sacrament of the aulter / that is most hyest
Crumwell beleued it to be the very body of Chriest
Wherfore in thy writyng / on him thou lyest
For the kynge & his counsell wyll wytnesse the same
Trolle into the waye / than agayne for shame
☜Although that he of byrth were but bace
yet was he set vp of the kynges noble grace
Wherby it appereth that thou woldest deface
The kynges royall power / dispysyng the same
Trolle away traytour / god gyue the shame.
¶Is it thy facyon thus craftely to saye?
Let vs for the kynge / and his lordes praye
And than at the last / to trolle them awaye
With heue and how rumbelow / thy wordes be the same
Both written and printed / to thy great shame?
☜Hast thou no man els / thou dronken soll
But the kynge and his nobles / away for to troll
It were ynough for to cost the thy poll
Both thyne and all other / that wold do the same
Trolle away traytoure / god gyue the shame.
¶A prety wyse printer belyke he was
Which of his printyng / so lytell doth pas
To print such pylde poetry / as this same was
Lyke maker / lyke printer / two trolles of the game
A payre of good papystes / ye be payne of shame
☜God send all traytours their hole desa•tes
God send small toye / to all popysshe hartes
And euyll hap to as many as do take their partes
God send their purpose neuer to frame
But trolle them away with sorow and shame.
¶I pray god thou be not fownde one of those
That peruarteth the people / as I suppose
From redyng of gods worde / that goodly rose
Where the counsell commaundeth to occupy the same
Thou traytor allurest them this fayre floure to defame.
❧God preserue and kepe the kynges noble grace
With prince Edwarde his sonne / to succede in his place
God kepe them amonge vs / longe tyme and space
Let all his true subiectes / say Amen to the same
And they that wold otherwyse / god send them shame.
¶Finis.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
beheading
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
treason
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
male
Date
Date of ballad
1540
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tower Hill
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
☜Prentyd at London in Lombard strete nere
vnto the Stockes market at the sygne
of the Mermayde by Iohn
Gough.
Cum preuilegio Ad imprimendum solum
O domine in uirtute tua letabitur Rex, &c.
Original located in Antiquarian Society, in a large folio Collection of Proclamations, &c
Digital Object
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Image notice
Full size image/s available at the bottom of this page.
Image / Audio Credit
Society of Antiquaries Library, Early English Books, 1475-1640 (STC), Reel position 1861:04, <a href="https://www.proquest.com/eebo/docview/2240921438/citation/FD13388457C4C0BPQ/1?accountid=12372" target="_blank">EEBO link</a> (institutional login required). Audio recording by Jenni Hyde.<br /><br />
Composer of Ballad
William Gray
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
¶A balade agaynst malycyous Sclaunderers.
Audio recording
beheading
political
treason
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/155394a10b63c479929a0446a0ddabef.png
49cd191028da81e05029a30982caff2c
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/663eb7ad0aece59c963c5e0944e8be4f.png
a0120ce9c9b4f074a86416a1c9dc99f7
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/cff28fb13e1a6375bbf1ae4357bd7613.mp3
e7bbd0c7693428141a72c7040a120bfe
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
This song celebrates the beheading on Tower Hill on 28 July 1540 of Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII's chief adviser. It is the earliest English execution ballad that can be reliably dated. The singer addresses Cromwell directly, mocking his rise from a low birth to the unprecedented heights he achieved.
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1295"><em>Half Hannikin</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
Trolle on away, trolle on awaye,
Synge heave and howe rombelowe trolle on away.
Both man and chylde is glad to here tell
Of that false traytoure Thomas Crumwell,
Now that he is set to learne to spell.
Synge trolle on away.
When fortune lokyd the in thy face,
Thou haddest fayre tyme, but thou lackydyst grace;
Thy cofers with golde thou fyllydst a pace,
Synge, &c.
Both plate and chalys came to thy fyst,
Thou lockydst them vp where no man wyst,
Tyll in the kynges treasoure such things were myst.
Synge, &c.
Both crust and crumme came thorowe thy handes,
Thy marchaundyse sayled over the sandes,
Therfore nowe thou art layde fast in bandes.
Synge, &c.
Fyrste when Kynge Henry, God saue his grace!
Perceyud myschefe kyndlyd in thy face,
Then it was tyme to purchase the a place.
Synge, &c.
Hys grace was euer of gentyll nature,
Mouyd with petye, and made the hys seruyture;
But thou, as a wretche, suche thinges dyd procure.
Synge, &c.
Thou dyd not remembre, false heretyke,
One God, one fayth, and one kynge catholyke,
For thou hast bene so long a scysmatyke.
Synge, &c.
Thou woldyst not learne to knowe these thre;
But euer was full of iniquite:
Wherfore all this lande hathe ben troubled with the.
Synge, &c.
All they, that were of the new trycke,
Agaynst the churche thou baddest them stycke;
Wherfore nowe thou haste touchyd the quycke.
Synge, &c.
Bothe sacramentes and sacramentalles
Thou woldyst not suffre within thy walles;
Nor let vs praye for all chrysten soules.
Synge, &c.
Of what generacyon thou were no tonge can tell,
Whyther of Chayme, or Syschemell,
Or else sent vs from the deuyll of hell.
Synge, &c.
Thou woldest neuer to vertue applye,
But couetyd euer to clymme to hye,
And nowe haste thou trodden thy shoo awrye.
Synge, &c.
Who-so-euer dyd winne thou wolde not lose;
Wherfore all Englande doth hate the, as I suppose,
Bycause thou wast false to the redolent rose.
Synge, &c.
Thou myghtest have learned thy cloth to flocke
Upon thy gresy fullers stocke;
Wherfore lay downe thy heade vpon this blocke.
Synge, &c.
Yet saue that soule, that God hath bought,
And for thy carcas care thou nought,
Let it suffre payne, as it hath wrought.
Synge, &c.
God saue King Henry with all his power,
And Prynce Edwarde that goodly flowre,
With al hys lordes of great honoure.
Synge trolle on awaye, syng trolle on away.
Hevye and how rombelowe trolle on awaye.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
beheading
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
treason
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
male
Date
Date of ballad
1540
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tower Hill
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Original in Antiquarian Society, in a large folio Collection of Proclamations, &c
Digital Object
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Image notice
Full size image/s available at the bottom of this page.
Image / Audio Credit
Thomas Percy, <em>Percy's reliques of ancient English poetry</em> (London: Dent, 1910), 327-329. Audio recording by Jenni Hyde.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
A newe ballade made of Thomas Crumwel, called ‘Trolle on away’
Audio recording
beheading
political
treason
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Subtitle
Lord Generall of his Ma∣jesties Army, Knight of the Noble order of the Gar∣ter, who was beheaded the 12. day of this present moneth of May, 1641, The tune is Welladay Welladae
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (13 April 1593 (O.S.) – 12 May 1641) was an English statesman and a major figure in the period leading up to the English Civil War. He served in Parliament and was a supporter of King Charles I. From 1632 to 1640 he was Lord Deputy of Ireland, where he established a strong authoritarian rule. Recalled to England, he became a leading advisor to the King, attempting to strengthen the royal position against Parliament. When Parliament condemned Wentworth to death, Charles reluctantly signed the death warrant and Wentworth was executed.
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1169"><em>Welladay</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
COuntry men list to mée
patiently patiently,
And you shall heare and sée,
As time giues leasure,
The obiect of mishap.
Caught fast in his owne trap,
Cast out of fortunes lap,
Through his owne folly.
Sir Thomas Wentworth hee,
At the first at the first
Rose to great dignitie,
And was beloved,
Charles our most gratious King
Grac't him in many a thing,
And did much honour bring,
On his procéedings.
Fames Trumpèt blasoned forth
His great name, his great name
Lord president of the North,
So was he called,
And as I understand,
Hée had in Ireland,
A place of great command,
To raise his fortunes.
Mo•e honour did befall,
Vnto him unto him,
He was Lord generall,
Of the Kings army,
These titles giuen had hée
By the Kings Maiestie,
And made assuredly
Knight of the Garter.
But here's the spoyle of all,
Woe is mée, woe is mée,
Ambition caus'd his fall,
Against all reason,
Hee did our lawes abuse,
And many men misuse,
For which they him accuse,
Quite through the kingdome.
New lawes hée sought to make,
In Ireland in Ireland,
If he the word did speake,
None durst with stand him,
Hée ruld with tyranny,
And dealt most cruelly,
To men in misery,
The like was neare heard of.
The Second part,
To the same tune.
HE hath done thousands wrong
As tis knowao as tis knowae
And cast in prison strong,
Our Kings liege people,
Such cruelty possest
His black polluted brest,
Hée thought himselfe well blest,
In acting mischiefe.
But those that clime highest of all
Oftentimes oftentimes,
Doe catch the greatest fall,
As here appeareth,
By this unhappy wight,
Who wrong'd his Countryes right,
And over came by might,
Our good kings subiects.
To London Tower at last,
He was brought, he was brought,
For his Offences past,
And just deservings,
And after certainely,
He was condemn'd to dye,
For his false trechery,
'Gainst King and Country.
It being the twelth day
In this moneth of May,
As true reports doe say,
Hée came to his tryall,
The Nobles of our land,
By Iustice Iust command,
Past sentence out of hand,
That he should suffer.
When the appointed time,
Was come that he should dye,
For his committed crime,
The ax being Ready,
Vp to the scaffold hee,
Was brought immediately,
Where thousands came to sée,
Him take his death.
After some Prayers said,
And certaine spéeches made,
O' th' block his head he layd,
Taking his farewell.
The heads-man bloodily,
Divided presently,
His head from his body,
With hées keene weapon.
Heauen grant, by his downefall
That others may take héed,
Lord send amongst us all,
True peace of conscience,
And may our King and Quéene,
Amongst us long be séene,
With all their braunches greene,
To all our comfort.
Composer of Ballad
Laurence Price
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
beheading
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
treason
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
male
Date
Date of ballad
1641
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tower Hill
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London, printed for Richard Burton, and are to be sold at the horse shooe at the Hospitall gate in Smithfield.
Tune Data
BBB, 747-8
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The true manner of the life and Death of Sir Thomas Wentworth, late Lord Lievtenant Deputy of Ireland,
-
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cb54e802037a15b172ba0d414f5e0d99
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
Bragandary
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
witchcraft
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
female
Date
Date of ballad
1653
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Salisbury
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.
Image / Audio Credit
<span>Manchester Central Library, <span>BR f 821.04 B49, </span></span><a href="http://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/36038/citation" target="_blank">EBBA 36038</a>
Digital Object
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Sal]isbury Assizes. [?]ard of Witchcraft.
English
Female
hanging
witchcraft
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/f742e0e25eacece69a76f1c868618935.jpg
61dae2ea200fe9939221d07bb694dbc7
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
Doctor Faustus (<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1134">Fortune My Foe</a>)
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Three old women are convicted of witchcraft in Exeter. It is claimed that they poisoned livestock and children, and bewitched people.
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
witchcraft
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
female
Date
Date of ballad
1682
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Exeter
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.
Image / Audio Credit
British Library - Roxburghe, <span>C.20.f.8.531, </span><a href="http://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/31034/citation" target="_blank">EBBA 31034</a>
Digital Object
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Witchcraft discovered and punished.
English
Female
hanging
witchcraft
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/28bcb2b612578b2e5d550837c57eb97a.gif
42e603cdb1698d7e8dad208a80a7a428
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
Aim Not Too High (<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1134">Fortune My Foe</a>)
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
William Harrison is murdered by his servant, and the servant's brother and mother. They are punished but claim that Harrison will return alive again within seven years. Two years later Harrison, who had been in Turkey, returns and it is believed that Widow Perry, the mother, was actually a witch who had bewitched him.
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
AMongst those wonders which on early are shown,
In any age there seldom hath béen known,
A thing more strange then that which this Relation,
Doth here present unto your observation.
In Glocestershire as many know full well,
At Camben Town a Gentleman did dwell,
One Mr. William Harrison by name,
A Stewart to a Lady of great fame.
A Widdow likewise in the Town there was,
A wick wretch who brought strange things to pass,
So wonderful that some will scarce receive,
[...]hese lines for truth nor yet my words beleive.
[...] such as unto Cambden do resort,
Have surely found this is no false report,
Though many lies are dayly now invented,
This is as true a Song as ere was Printed.
Therefore unto the story now give ear,
This Widow Pery as it doth appear,
And her two sons all fully were agréed,
Against their friend to work a wicked déed.
One of her Sons even from a youth did dwell,
With Mr. Harrison who loved him well,
And bred him up his Mother being poor,
But sée how he requited him therefore.
For taking notice that his Master went,
Abroad to gather in his Ladies rent,
And by that means it was an usual thing,
For him great store of money home to bring.
He thereupon with his mischevous mother,
And likewise with his vile ungodly Brother,
Contriv'd to rob his Master, for these base
And cruel wretches were past shame and grace.
One night they met him comming into Town,
And in a barbarous manner knockt him down,
Then taking all his money quite away,
His body out of sight they did convey.
But being all suspected for this déed,
They apprehended were and sent with spéed,
To Glocester Goal and there upon their Tryal,
Were guilty found for all their stiff denyal.
JT was supposed the Gentleman was dead,
And by these wretches robd and Murthered,
Therefore they were all thrée condem'd to death,
And eke on Broadway-hill they lost their breath.
One of the Sons was buried with his Mother,
Vnder the Gibbet, but the other Brother,
That serv'd the Gentleman was hang'd in Chains,
And there some part of him as yet remains.
But yet before they died they did proclaim
Even in the ears of those that thither came,
That Mr. Harison yet living was
And would be found in less then seven years space.
Which words of theirs for truth do now appear
For tis but two year since they hanged were,
And now the Gentleman alive is found
Which news is publisht through the Countrys round
But lest that any of this truth shall doubt,
Ile tell you how the business came about
This Widow Pery as tis plainly shown
Was then a Witch although it was not known.
So when these Villains by their mothers aid
Had knockt him down (even as before was said)
They took away his money every whit,
And then his body cast into a pit.
He scarce was come unto himself before
Another wonder did amaze him more,
For whilst he lookt about, he found that he
Was suddainly conveyd unto the Sea.
First on the shore he stood a little space
And thence unto a rock transported was,
Where he four days and nights did then remain
And never thought to see his friends again.
But as a Turkish ship was passing by
Some of the men the Gentleman did spy,
And took him in and as I understand,
They carried him into the Turkish Land.
And there (not knowing of his sad disaster)
They quickly did provide for him a Master,
A Surgeon or of some such like profession,
Whose service he performed with much discretion.
It séems in gathering Hearbs he had good skill,
And could the same excéeding well distil,
Which to his Master great content did give,
And pleas'd him well so long as he did live.
But he soon dyd, and at his death he gave him,
A piece of plate that so none should enslave him,
But that his liberty be might obtain,
To come into his native land again.
And thus this Gentleman his fréedom wrought;
And by a Turky Ship from thence was brought;
To Portugal, and now both safe and sound,
He is at length arrived on English ground.
Let not this séem incredible to any,
Because it is a thing afirmed by many,
This is no feigned story, though tis new,
But as tis very strange tis very true.
You sée how far a Witches power extends,
When as to wickedness her mind she bends,
Great is her Malice, yet can God restrain her,
And at his pleasure let her loose or chain her.
If God had let her work her utmost spight,
No doubt she would have kild the man outright,
But he is saved and she for all her malice,
Was very justly hang'd upon the Gallows.
Then let all praise to God alone be given,
By men on earth as by the Saints in heaven,
He by his mercy dayly doth befriend us,
And by his power he will still defend us.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging, hanging in chains
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder, witchcraft
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
multiple
Date
Date of ballad
1662
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Gloucester
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London
Subtitle
formerly Stewart to the Lady Nowel of Cambden, who was supposed to be Murthered by the Widow Pery and two of her Sons, one of which was Servant to the said Gentleman. Therefore they were all three appprehended and sent to Gloucester Goal, and about two years since arraigned, found guilty, condem|ned, and Executed upon Broadway hill in sight of Cambden, the mother and one Son being then buried under the Gibbet, but he that was Mr. Harrisons Servant, hanged in Chains in the same place, where that which is remaining of him may be seen to this day, but at the time of their Execution, they said Mr. Harrison was not dead, but ere seven years were over should be heard of again, yet would not confess where he was, but now it ap[...]ears the Widow Pery was a witch, and after her Sons had ro[...]d him, and cast him into a Stone Pit, she by her witch-craft conveyed him upon a Rock in the Sea near Turkey, where he remaind four days and nights, till a Turkish Ship coming by, took him and sold him into Turky, where he remained for a season, but is now through the good providence of God returnd again safe to England, to the great wonder and admiration of all that know the s[...]me. This is undenyably true, as is sufficiently testified by the Inhabitants of Cambden, and many others thereabouts.
To the Tune of, Aim not too high.
Image / Audio Credit
Bodleian 18713, Wood 401(191), <a href="http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/edition/18713">Bod18713</a>
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/28bcb2b612578b2e5d550837c57eb97a.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="500"></iframe>
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Title
A name given to the resource
Truth brought to light. Or, Wonderful strange and true news from Gloucester shire, concerning one Mr. William Harrison
English
Female
hanging
hanging in chains
Male
murder
witchcraft
-
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f33b9ad44d459d3eff78c1fd0482162a
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/698e70222cf19e542a7f67ac5e670c76.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Shelfmark: Pepys Ballads 1.115; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/32619/image" target="_blank">EBBA 32619</a>
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Rogero</em>, which is also known as <em>Slumbring Sleepe</em>
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
John Spenser in a drunken rage, hits Randall Gam who dies from his injuries seven weeks later. Gam has many supporters who succeed in having Spenser convicted of murder and hanged in chains.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging in chains
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Date
Date of ballad
1597-1626 ?
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Burford, near Nantwich
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Imprinted at London for I. Trundle
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
KInd Youngmen all mee give eare,
observe these lessons well;
For undeserved my death I tooke,
and sad is the tale I tell.
I prisoned pent, I lie full fast,
sure Heaven hath decreed:
That though I thrived, yet at last,
bad fortunes should proceed.
I that for practise passed all,
in exercises strong,
Have he ere for one offence but small.
been pent in Prison long.
Kind Countrymen, fa ire warning take,
beeing bad, amend your lives,
For sure Heaven will them forsake,
that doe forsake their wives.
I have a wife, a loving wife,
a constant, and a kind;
Yet proud of gifts, I turnd my life,
and falce she did me find:
Heaven shewed his part in making me,
proper in limbes and face,
Yet of it I no true use made,
but reapt thereby disgrace.
For being proud in dancings art,
most womens loves I gaynd:
By them a long time was my life
in gallant sort maintaynd:
No Mayden young, about the towne,
but joyful/ was to see
The face of Spenser and would spend,
all for to daunce with mee.
I spent my time in Ryoting,
and proudly led my life,
I had my choyce of damsels fayre,
what card I for my wife,
If once she came to intreat me home,
i 'd kick her out of doors,
Indeed I would be ruld by none,
but by intising whores.
At length being pledging of a Glasse,
my hopes I did confound:
And in my rag I feld my friend,
with one blow to the ground.
For this offence, he being dead,
and I in Prison cast:
Most voyd of hopes this rashing hand
hath Spensers name disgrast.
None but my wife will visit me,
for those Ilov 'd before,
Being in this sad extremytie,
will visit me no more,
No helpe I find from these false friends,
no food to inrich my life:
Now doe ! find the difference true,
twixt them and a constant wife
But she poore soule, by my bad meanes,
is quit bereft of all:
She playes the part of a Constant wife,
although her helpes be small.
Young men, youngmen, take heed by me
shun Dangers, Brawles, and Strife:
For though he fell against my will,
I for it loose my life.
0 live like men and not like me,
of no good giftes be proud:
For if with you God angry be,
from his vengeance nought can shroud.
Make use of what you have practis'd well.
and not in vitious meanes,
If in rare gifts you do excell,
yet trust not Vitious Queanes.
For lust doth fully fill their Vaynes,
and apt they be to intise:
0 therefore shunne their company,
like good men still be wise.
Example truely take of me,
all Vitious courses shunne:
For onely by bad company,
poore Spenser is undone.
F I N I S. by John Spenser.
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Title
A name given to the resource
Iohn Spenser his Repentance in Prison, Written with his owne hand as he lay in Chester Castle.
English
hanging in chains
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/16b89779b173daecb53a471c913a7e90.jpg
885acf551b2f3871027e202c64784243
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/16b89779b173daecb53a471c913a7e90.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
<div class="thumbnail-container">
<div class="thumbnail"></div>
</div>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Shelfmark: Pepys Ballads 5.5; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/22222/image" target="_blank">EBBA 22222</a>
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1170"><em>Russell's Farewell</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
1.
YOu noble Lords of high Degree,
that see my dismal Doom,
Have some regard to pity me,
who now alas! am come
To dye an ignominious Death,
as well it doth appear;
While I declare with my last Breath,
the Laws are most severe.
2.
In Scotland was I bred, and born
of noble Parents there;
Good Education did adorn
my Life, I do declare:
No Crime did e'er my Conscience stain,
till I adventured here,
Thus have I reason to complain,
the Laws are most severe.
3.
In Flanders I the French have fac'd,
likewise in Ireland,
Still eagerly pursu'd the Chace,
with valiant heart and hand:
Why was not I in Battel slain,
rather than suffer here
A Death which Mortals doth disdain;
the Laws are most severe.
4.
I did no hurt nor wrong intend,
I solemnly protest;
But merely for to serve my Friend,
I granted his Request,
To free his Lady out of Thrall,
his Joy and only Dear;
And now my Life must pay for all,
the Laws are most severe.
5.
I coming from my Native Land,
in this unhappy time,
Alas! I did not understand
the Nature of the Crime;
Therefore I soon did condescend,
as it doth well appear,
And find therein I did offend,
the Laws are most severe.
6.
In the same Lodging where I lay,
and liv'd at Bed and Board,
My Landlord did my Life betray,
for Fifty pounds Reward:
Then being into Prison cast,
although with Conscience clear,
I was arraigned at the last,
the Laws are most severe.
7.
The Lady would not hear my moan,
while dying Words I sent;
Her cruel Heart more hard than stone,
could not the least relent;
But triumph in my wretched State,
as I did often hear;
I fall here by the hand of Fate,
the Laws are most severe.
8.
Will not my good and gracious King
be mercifull to me?
Is there not in his Breast a Spring
of Princely Clemency?
No, not for me, alas! I dye,
the hours drawing near;
To the last Minute I shall cry
the Laws are most severe.
9.
Farewell dear Country-men, said he,
and this tumultuous noise;
My Soul will soon transported be
to more Coelestial Joys;
Tho' in the Blossom of my Youth,
pale Death I do not fear,
For to the last I'll speak the Truth,
the Laws are most severe.
10.
Alas! I have not long to live,
and therefore now, said he,
All that have wrong'd me I forgive,
as God shall pardon me;
My Landlord and his subtle Wife,
I do forgive them here,
Farewell this transitory Life,
the Laws are most severe.
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
Assisting to steal an heiress
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Date
Date of ballad
1690
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tyburn
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Capt. Johnsons last Farewel: Who was arraigned for being assisting in the stealing a young Heiress, for which he received Sentance of Death, and was accordingly Executed at Tyburn, the 23th. of this instant December, 1690.
assisting to steal an heiress
English
Male
-
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f89f1b763776c94f4c191296aad1aac5
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The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
no tune indicated
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1866
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Article from <em>The Times</em>, 10 January 1866, page 12, Column E: <br /><br />"EXECUTION AT STAFFORD.—Charles Christopher Robinson was executed on Tuesday morning in front of the county gaol at Stafford, in presence of 4,000 spectators. Before his death he acknowledged the justice of his sentence. On the scaffold he exclaimed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” His death was not instantaneous. He made a statement to the chaplain, but wished it to be kept from the public. Robinson would have been 19 next May. His victim was somewhat older, but she would have been only in her 19th year. They had for a long time been affianced, and lived together in the house in which the murder was committed. The facts of the murder may be briefly told. On the afternoon of Saturday, the 26th of August, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher went out for a drive into the country, leaving Robinson and Harriet Seager alone in the house, with a young man named Wilson, a companion of Robinson, in the garden. During the afternoon the girl was seen by a servant girl of Mr. Fisher’s brother, who had gone to the house on an errand, crying as she stood cleaning knives in the brewhouse. Robinson at the time stood leaning against the door. Shortly afterwards a nephew of Mr. Fisher, a little boy, saw Robinson strike Seagar (sic) with his open hand in her face because she would not allow him to kiss her. The young man alluded to left about 4 o’clock, and Robinson, who had been shooting sparrows with him in the garden with a small gun, went into the house. About a quarter-past 4 the neighbours were alarmed by a cry that Robinson had shot Harriet, and upon entering the brewhouse the poor girl was found lying dead on the floor in a pool of blood, with her throat cut. At the time the neighbours entered the house Robinson was observed coming down stairs, with an open razor in his hand. He was then in his shirt sleeves, for he had not washed or dressed himself during the day. He went into the scullery where his victim lay dead on the floor, and, standing in front of a looking-glass that was hanging upon the wall, he deliberately cut his throat three times with the razor. At this juncture he was secured, a surgeon was sent for, and his self-inflicted wounds were sewn up after some resistance on his part. The defence upon the trial, however, was, first, that Seager had committed suicide, and that the prisoner in grief attempted his own life; and next, that he was insane when he committed the murder, insanity being hereditary in his family, as was shown by the fact of his half-sister being then in a lunatic asylum. It could not, however, be shown that he was insane either before or after the murder. The executioner was a man named Smith, of Dudley, who has for some years performed the duties of hangman at Stafford."
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Stafford
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
no details
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
Come all you feeling Christians,
Give ear unto my tale,
It's for a cruel murder
I was hung at Stafford Gaol.
The horrid crime that I have done
Is shocking for to hear,
I murdered one I once did love,
Harriet Segar dear.
Charles Robinson it is my name,
With sorrow was oppressed,
The very thought of what I've done
Deprived me of my rest:
Within the walls of Stafford Gaol,
In bitter grief did cry,
And every moment seemed to say
"Poor soul prepare to die!"
I well deserve my wretched fate,
No one can pity me,
To think that I in my cold blood,
Could take her life away,
She no harm to me had done,
How could I serve her so?
No one my feelings now can tell,
My heart was full of woe.
O while within my dungeon dar,
Sad thoughts came on apace,
The cruel deed that I had done
Appeared before my face,
While lying in my prison cell
Those horrid visions rise,
The gentle form of her I killed
Appeared before my eyes.
O Satan, Thou Demon strong,
Why didst thou on me bind?
O why did I allow they chains
To enwrap my feeble mind?
Before my eyes she did appear
All others to excell,
And it was through jealousy,
I poor Harriet Segar killed.
May my end a warning be
Unto all mankind,
Think on my unhappy fate
And bear me in your mind.
Whether you be rich or poor
Your friends and sweethearts love,
And God will crown your fleeting days,
With blessings from above.
Digital Object
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Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Image / Audio Credit
Image credits required
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
A Copy of Verses on the Awful Execution of Charles Christopher Robinson, For the Murder of his Sweetheart, Harriet Segar, of Ablow Street, Wolverhampton, August 26th.
English
hanging
Male
murder
-
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db1accb8600ceabad775a22240f90444
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3ba3d2b16d46dcf31dedcf827308a7a3
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1170"><em>Russell's Farewell</em></a>
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1693
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
James Whitney, a famous highwayman, is finally caught and executed for his many crimes. He is offered a reprieve if he names his accomplices, which he does, but the reprieve is never granted. <br /><br />Account of Whitney's sentencing from the <a href="https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=OA16930201n2-1&div=OA16930201#highlight" target="_blank">Old Bailey Online</a>: <br />James Whitney , otherwise called Captain Whitney, Butcher , the great Highway-man, was a second time Indicted, together with Benjamin Kallow , Gent , for Robbing one John Smith at South-Mims-wash on the 10th of November last, of 100 yards of Lace, value 50 l. Neither of them made any Exceptions against the Jury; only Mr. Whitney desired none might be sworn amongst them, that were of the Hundred where the Robbery was done, which was granted by the Court; then the Witnesses were call'd and sworn for the King; The first was Mr. Smith, who said he was Robbed by seven Men, but he did not know them: The next Witness swore flatly against Mr. Whitney, that he Robbed him first, and afterward he went to Mr. Smith and Robbed him, and that he stob'd several Carriers Horses at the same time; but there was no Evidence could charge Kallow, so he was acquitted of this Indictment. Whitney being ask'd what he had to say for himself; answered in short, That he knew nothing of the Matter, and that the Man was hard-mouth'd. But was answer'd, That his mouth was soft enough to do his business. And could not prove where he was at that time, so he was found guilty of the Robbery. <br /><br /><em>Old Bailey Proceedings Online</em><span> (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 15 January 2019), </span><em>Ordinary of Newgate's Account</em><span>, February 1693 (OA16930201).</span>
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
highway robbery
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Porter's block, near Cow Crosse, Smithfield, London
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London: Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
T He fatal day is come at last,
of sorrow, grief, and shame,
Which will the fading glory blast,
of Whitney now by name.
My wicked life has been the cause
of this sad destiny;
For since I broke the Nation's laws,
'tis just that I should die.
Here to the world I freely leave
these lines, my last farewel;
And though I do not seem to grieve,
yet conscience, like a hell,
Does wrack and fill my soul with dread,
and does against me cry;
The wicked life which I have led,
makes me afraid to die.
The dreadful oaths which I have swore,
comes fresh into my mind,
When the Great God I come before,
shall I a pardon find?
Who did for sad damnation call,
when in my villany;
I under his displeasure fall,
which makes me fear to die.
'Tis true, a chearful countenance
I seeminly do bear,
But now my most unhappy chance,
drives me unto dispair;
Were conscience clear, what would I give,
all that I have, for why?
The thoughts of how I here did live,
makes me afraid to die.
I robb'd the roads both night and day,
young harlots to maintain,
From honest men I took away,
and gave it gills again;
Whom I lov'd better than a wife,
I cannot this deny;
Yet this perfidious wretched life,
makes me afraid to die.
With loaded pistol in my hand,
myself among the rest,
Would force the travellers to stand,
with pistols at their breast,
Their purses to give up with speed,
or soon the shot should flie;
To think of which my heart doth bleed,
I am afraid to die.
What though I suffer on a tree,
it is not that I fear;
But oh! what will become of me,
if God should be severe?
To me who all my days have spent
with thieves continually,
And ne'er did in the least repent,
therefore I fear to die.
My brother Holland , and the rest
are gone five days before,
While I in sorrow am opprest,
my heart is grieved sore;
This seems a second death to be,
and I in sorrow cry,
And hope you all will pitty me,
who now at last must die.
I sigh at my sad destiny,
my very heart does bleed:
Alas! why did they flatter me,
with hopes of being freed?
Why did they bring me a reprieve?
O tell me, tell me why?
Yet I at last the world must leave,
and be compell'd to die.
Farewel thou world, I must imbrace
the bitter pangs of death,
And here in shame and sad disgrace,
surrender up my breath;
For which this day I hither came,
so sad's my destiny;
And tho' I startle at the same,
'tis just that I should die.
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
From <a href="http://www.executedtoday.com/2014/12/19/1694-james-whitney-highwayman/" target="_blank">executedtoday.com</a>: Dapper highwayman James Whitney was hanged at Smithfield on December 19th 1694. A monument to the allures and the perils of a midlife career change, Whitney threw over a tiresome life as the proprietor of an inn in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire,* purchased with his liquidation the accoutrements of the gentleman thief, and took to the road. <br /><br />“Captain” Whitney — he had no right to the rank he appropriated for himself — was one of those stickup men who greatly esteemed the pose of honor associated with his new calling. On one occasion, he relieved a gentleman traveler of a large sack of silver on Newmarket Heath, but when his victim pleaded the length of his journey Whitney opened the bag to its former owner with an invitation to take what he would need. <br /><br />The man plunged his hands in and hauled out as much as they would carry, leading Whitney to remark with a smile, “I thought you would have had more conscience, sir.” <br /><br />In another fine caper (there are more of them assembled here) Whitney told a man to stand and deliver, only to have the traveler reply that he was about to say the same back to him. The two robbers laughed at their encounter and went their separate ways, but Whitney later chanced to turn up at the same inn as his so-called brother plunderer and overhear him regaling his fellows with the tale of having outwitted a highwayman by pretending to be one of the same profession. <br /><br />Whitney stalked the man and a companion out of the hostel the next morning and this time robbed them successfully: “You should have kept your secret a little longer, and not have boasted so soon of having outwitted a thief. There is now nothing for you but to deliver or die!” Nobody likes your stories anyway, you blowhard. <br /><br />True, James Whitney ended his adventure at the gallows: death is the fate of us all. From his day to ours, folk toiling away the ceaseless lonesome days between ashes and ashes have understood the soul’s stirring to exalt their scant mortal hours with deeds of valor and romance and derring-do. And as Whitney himself is said to have remarked to a miser whose lucre he was seizing, “Is it not more generous to take a man’s money from him bravely, than to grind him to death by exacting eight or ten per cent, under cover of serving him?”** <br /><br />Nobody knows any of James Whitney’s peers in the publican guild, but as Captain Whitney he joined England’s most legendary gentleman outlaw in verse:<br />When Claude du Val was in Newgate thrown, <br />He carved his name on the dungeon stone; <br />Quoth a dubsman, who gazed on the shattered wall, <br />“You have carved your epitaph, Claude du Val, <br /><br />Du Val was hanged, and the next who came <br />On the selfsame stone inscribed his name; <br />“Aha!” quoth the dubsman, with devilish glee, <br />“Tom Waters, your doom is the triple tree!” <br /><br />Within that dungeon lay Captain Bew, <br />Rumbold and Whitney — a jolly crew! <br />All carved their names on the stone, and all <br />Share the fate of the brave Du Val! <br /><br />Full twenty highwaymen blithe and bold, <br />Rattled their chains in that dungeon old: <br />Of all that number there ‘scaped not one <br />Who carved his name on the Newgate Stone. <br /><br />* The George Inn. A map search does yield a The George in Cheshunt; whether this is actually the same facility where our famous highwayman once earned a lawful keep, I have not been able to establish.
URL
<a href="https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=OA16930201n2-1&div=OA16930201#highlight">'Ordinary of Newgate's Account, 1st February 1693'</a>, <em>The Proceedings of the Old Bailey - London's Central Criminal Court, 1674 to 1913</em> <br /><br /><a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=vWyoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT100&lpg=PT100&dq=captain+whitney+executed+1693&source=bl&ots=KMoM9KipU1&sig=Acq-3V95udQBifQoFtZmQ2GnRbg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQgKC938zbAhVGKZQKHWuoDBIQ6AEIQTAK#v=onepage&q=captain%20whitney%20executed%201693&f=false">'January 6, 1693'</a> in <em>Tyburn: The Story of London's Gallows</em>, by Robert Bard <br /><br /><a href="http://www.pascalbonenfant.com/18c/newgatecalendar/james_whitney.html">'James Whitney'</a>, <em>Website of Pascal Bonenfant</em>, by Stephan Hart<br /><br /><a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=9coiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA134&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false" target="_blank">'Whitney' </a> in <em>Lives and Exploits of the Most Noted Highwaymen, Robbers and Murderers of All Nations, Drawn from the Most Authentic Sources and Brought Down to the Present Time,</em> by Charles Whitehead
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/3a2ddc86299d6465a8a1d6913e5fe420.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="800" height="480"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College, Cambridge - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.186; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20801/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20801</a>
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Capt. WHITNEY's Confession: OR, HIS Penitent Lamentation, Under a Sence of a Guilty Conscience, on the Day of his Execution at the Porter's Block, near Smithfield-Bars, which was on the First of February, 1693.
English
hanging
highway robbery
Male
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/79a7bbd9a44a9b0c284233d444c6ce1c.png
71a69f4cdfbc70dc84bad144396d4d1e
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1540
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
burning
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
The Gospell.
NOwe it is true, that I harde tell
Whiche to me is no great meruell
Barnes the bolde / the vicar of hell
In learnynge som sayde, he dyd excell
Yet he expoundeth, wronge the gospell
Wrestyng and wrythyng it lyke a false fryer.
Which hath brought hym to a fayre fyer.
Of prechynge
Many he hath / to the trade brought
By his teachynge and preachyng, in pulpyt al ofte
Sayenge (we haue founde) that no ma[n] hath sought
Our wyttes, our lernynge, the spryte in vs wrought
Deceyuyng the people / tyl his workes came to nought
Suche was the study, of the false fryer
Who is now brent, in a fayre fyer.
Of fastyng and praying.
His carnall belly-ioye, whiche neuer wolde faste carnall] carnanall 1540
Gullynge and drynkynge, as he wolde braste
Despysyng al prayers / sayeng our wynd we dyde waste
And all holy sayntes, he dyde out_caste
To turne mens hertes, tyl nowe at the laste
He is prouyd an herytyke, and a false lyer
And brent to poudre, in a fayre fyre.
Of Dissimulacion.
Many thynges / he wolde, haue brought to passe.
[Through dissymulacion / ................................] leaf bisected, with loss of text here and in the next line
To blynde the people [styll, warne and .................]
But what he thought (the Sacrament was)
I wyll not iudge, but we maye synge, and say (alas)
That euer was borne, this Antechrist fryer
Which by true iudgement, was brent in the fyer.
Of Holy-breade and Holy-water.
God blessed the erth, and the fyrst creature
That euer was made of, mans nature
Moche more blessed is he, that is our sauyour
Receyuyng his baptysme / blessed the water
In thy name Iesus, the worlde to endure
This name ones spoken, with hartty desyre
Shall halowe / both bread, water and fyer.
Of lawe,
Yf his great-graund-father /longe had ben suffered
Both gods lawe, and mans lawe, wold haue ben subuertid
Lyke bestyall beastes, we shulde then haue raygned
Wtout lawe or good ordre, he had so Imagynyd
After the luteryan fasshyoned, but god be thanked
To put in our Kynges hed: further to enquyre
Of the false heretyke, and braynles fryer.
Of Prestes to haue wyues.
¶All thynges in commune, is the luteryans lyfe
A preest / a fryer, must nedes haue a wyfe
Who wolde blame Barnes then, to begyn the stryfe
Betwene the spyrytuall, and temporall, it was ryfe
It grudged, good mens conscyence, this great myschefe
And the conuycyous wordes of the false fryer
Whiche for his heresyes, is burnt in a fayre fyer.
Of Repentaunce.
O howe [lyk]e / a Christen man he dyed hole torn in leaf, with loss of text here and in the next line
Styffly hol[dy]nge / his handes by his syde
Sayeng, yf euer were any saynt / that dyed
I wyll be one / that must nedes be tryed
Without repentaunce, the deuyll was his gwyde
All this he sayd / lyke a false lyer
Yet all coulde not saue hym, from the fayre fyer.
Of Presumpcion.
To se the pryde / and great presumpcyon
Of the false heretyke, that wolde become
A saynt in the deuyls name, throughe dissimulacyon
Without gods mercy / it is his confusyon
I praye god there be no mo (I saye but mom)
Awaye with hym, away with hym, quod barnes the fryer
Somtyme in the pulpyt, and nowe in the fyer
Of Reliquis.
Hys stampynge, his starynge, is [.......]ne. leaf torn away, with loss of text here and in the two following lines
Thankes be to god, and our kyng a[l]one
And that I myght haue, of hym a stynky[nge] bone
To make it a relyke / for he sayd, there is none
That he coulde fynde, in Mathewe or in Iohnn
Whether he sayd true / or spake lyke a lyer
Let other trye the trueth / for he was / an heretyke fryer
Of a Marter.
[O] holy Barnes / of all Heretykes the father leaf damaged
[Y]e be a saynte / yet ye [be no confessour] leaf bisected, with loss of text here and in the next line
[..........................................]
[Sm]ylynge and iestynge / when ye lyste clatter leaf damaged with loss of text here and in the following three lines
[Bu]t I thynke surely, ye be a stynkynge marter
[W]ho that thynketh contrary, thynketh lyke a lyer
L[e]t hym that so thynketh / beware of the fyer
Of his Newe lernynge.
Take hede and beware / of his false doctryne
And to bele[u]e Christes churche, let vs inclyneletter illegible
Our hertes to god, and to our kynge, both thyne and myne
To serue them truely / with hart diuyne
Then mayst thou saye, thou drawest the tr[ewe] lyne leaf damaged with loss of text here and in the following two lines
Le[t] of his newe lernyng, I the requyre
An[d] gyue [n]o credence, to the heretyke fryer
[A]nd nowe louyngly, let vs all [with o]ne voyce pray. leaf damaged with loss of text here and in the next line
For the preseruacyon, of Henry, our m[ost no]ble kynge
And katherine / our Quene, that they togyther may
Prosperously contynue, to theyr hertes desyrynge,
And Edwarde our Prynce that most angelyke thyng
That they all-togyther, may long lyue and reste
And after with hym to raygne / Qui in celis est
Amen.
God saue the Kynge.
Imprynted at London in Pater_noster_rowe by Iohnn_Redman, for Richard_bankes,
Cum priuilegio Regali. et Ad imprime[n]dumimprimendum] imprimemdum 1540 solum
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Robert Barnes (c. 1495 – 30 July 1540) was an English reformer and martyr, burned for heresy under Henry VIII.
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
heresy
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Smithfield, London
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London: John Redman for Richard Bankes, 1540
URL
<a href="https://www.otago.ac.nz/english-linguistics/tudor/Barnes1473-5.html" target="_blank">'The Study and Fruits of Barnes Burned in West Smithfield'</a><em><em>, </em>Textbase of Early Tudor English Website</em>, The University of Otago<br /><br />More information on Robert Barnes' execution in <em><a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=DTTVBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA285&lpg=PA285&dq=ballad++heretic&source=bl&ots=8ifn1g7H3C&sig=rITSXuLuJ5nIWs5rxB-2dvEWyIQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjz6rvgjb7bAhXEnJQKHeRwCbsQ6AEIUDAG#v=onepage&q=ballad%20%20heretic&f=false" target="_blank">The Cambridge History of Early Modern English Literature</a>, </em>edited by David Loewenstein and Janel Mueller.
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/79a7bbd9a44a9b0c284233d444c6ce1c.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Foxe's Book of Martyrs Plate IV - <em>Barnes and his Fellow-Prisoners Seeking Forgiveness, </em>by Joseph Martin Kronhein (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Martin_Kronheim_-_Foxe%27s_Book_of_Martyrs_Plate_IV_-_Barnes_and_his_Fellow-Prisoners_Seeking_Forgiveness.png" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>). <span>This work is in the </span><strong><a class="extiw" title="en:public domain" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain">public domain</a></strong><span> in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the </span><a class="extiw" title="w:List of countries' copyright length" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries%27_copyright_length">copyright term</a><span> is the author's </span><strong>life plus 100 years or less</strong><span>.</span>
Subtitle
borned in west smythfelde in London the .xxx. daye of Iuly in the .xxxii. yeare of the raygn of our Soueraygne Lorde Kynge Henry the viij. Newely compyled, and nowe newely Imprynted.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
This lytle treatyse declareth the study and frutes of Barnes
burning
English
heresy
Male
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/595ecb895693901572e2944eef92a9ad.jpg
ce0530257fa835e67ccce3ec4ecee0ca
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1849
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Hodges (from Pitt's) Wholesale Marble Warehouse, 31 Dudley St, 7 Dials
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
See the scaffold it is mounted,
And the doomed ones do appear?
Seemingly borne wan with sorrow,
Grief and anguish, care and pain.
They cried the moments [sic] is approaching,
When we together must leave this life,
And no one has the least compassion,
On Frederick Manning and his wife.
Maria Manning came from Sweden,
Brought up respectable we hear,
And Frederick Manning came from Taunton
In the county of Somersetshire.
Maria lived with noble ladies,
In ease, and splendour, and delight.
But on one sad and fatal morning,
She was made Frederick Mannings wife.
She firtt [sic] was courted by O'Connor,
Who was a lover most sincere,
He was possessed of wealth and riches,
And loved Maria Roux most dear.
But she preferred her present husband,
As it appeared, and with delight,
Slighted sore Patrick O'Connor,
And was made Frederick Manning's wife.
And when O'Connor knew the story,
Down his cheeks rolled floods of tears,
He beat his breast, and wept in sorrow,
Wrung his hands and tore his hair,
Marie dear how could you leave me,
Wretched you have made my life,
Tell me why you did deceive me,
For to be Frederick Manning's wife.
At length they all were reconciled,
And met together night and day,
Maria by O'Connor's riches,
Dressed in splendour fine and gay.
Though married yet she corresponded
With O'Connor all was right,
And oft he went to see Maria
Frederick Manning's lawful wife.
At length they plann'd their friend to murder
And for his company did crave,
The dreadful weapons they prepared,
And in the kitchen dug his grave.
And as they fondly did caress him,
They slew him - what a dreadful sight.
First they mangled, after robbed him,
Frederick Manning and his wife.
They absconded, but was apqrehended [sic],
And for the cruel deed was tried,
When placed at the bar of Newgate,
They both the crime strongly denied,
At length the jury them convicted,
And doomed them for to leave this life,
The judge pronounced the awful sentence,
On Frederick Manning and his wife.
Return he said to whence they brought you
From thence unto the fatal tree,
Fnd [sic] there together be suspended,
Where multitudes your fate may see.
Your hours recollect is numbered,
You betrayed a friend and took his life.
For such there's not one spark of pity,
As Frederick Manning and his wife.
See what numbers are approaching,
To Horsemonger's fatal tree,
Full of bloom in health and vigour,
What a dreadful sight to see.
Old and young pray take a warning,
Females lead a virtuous life,
Think upon that fatal morning,
Frederick Manning and his wife.
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1186"><em>Just Before the Battle Mother?</em></a> [no indicated tune]
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
Lots of printing errors in this pamphlet. Appears that printer did not have enough correct type.
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Marie Manning (1821–13 November 1849) was a Swiss domestic servant who was hanged outside Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London, England, on 13 November 1849, after she and her husband Frederick were convicted of the murder of her lover, Patrick O'Connor, in the case that became known as the "Bermondsey Horror." It was the first time a husband and wife had been executed together in England since 1700.
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/595ecb895693901572e2944eef92a9ad.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Harvard Law School Library Special Collections, Harvard University; Rare (Trials Broadside 286), <a href="https://curiosity.lib.harvard.edu/crime-broadsides/catalog/46-990095439080203941" target="_blank">Record ID: 990095439080203941</a>
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Multiple
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Life of the Mannings executed at Horsemonger Lane Go[...] on Tuesday 13th Nov 1849
English
Female
hanging
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/4c21c32babfd4785b81215e32f6f2a75.jpg
82cc0716321b02fb29047216cf1cb1a8
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1849
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
Attention give, both old and young
Of high and low degree;
Think, while this mournful tale is sung,
Of our sad misery.
We've slain O'Connor, both good and kind,
Who oft to us has been a friend,
For which we must our lives resign,
Our time is near an end.
Oh! hark, what mean that dreadful sound?
It sinks deep in our souls.
It is the bell that sounds our knell,
How solemn is the toll.
See, thousands are assembled
Around the fatal place,
To gaze on our approaching fate,
And witness our disgrace.
Let pilfering passions not intrude,
For to lead you astray,
From step to step it will delude,
And bring you to dismay.
Think of the wretched guilty Mannings,
Who thus die on a tree,
A death of shame, we've nought to blam
But our own base infamy.
Mercy on earth we'll not iimplore,
To crave it would be vain.
Our hands are dyed with human gore,
None can wash off the stain.
But the merits of a Saviour,
Whose mercy alone we crave,
Good Christians pray, so thus we die,
We may has pardon have.
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
First person voice of Mannings at their execution
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Paul, Whitechapel
(printing details partially torn)
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Marie Manning (1821–13 November 1849) was a Swiss domestic servant who was hanged outside Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London, England, on 13 November 1849, after she and her husband Frederick were convicted of the murder of her lover, Patrick O'Connor, in the case that became known as the "Bermondsey Horror." It was the first time a husband and wife had been executed together in England since 1700.
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/4c21c32babfd4785b81215e32f6f2a75.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="500"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Harvard Law School Library Special Collections, Rare Trials Broadside 122, <a href="https://curiosity.lib.harvard.edu/crime-broadsides/catalog/46-990080893890203941" target="_blank">Record ID: 990080893890203941</a>
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Multiple
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Life Confession & Execution, of Mr. & Mrs. Manning, for the murder of Mr. O'Conner [sic], with copies of the letters.
English
Female
hanging
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/3d17f5735577146ad6ef347bd807dbb1.png
f2424759419864303464de09d089aa64
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1140"><em>The Wife's Dream</em></a>
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1849
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
London, Horsemonger Lane Gaol
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
Another shocking murder I have for to declare,
At Bermondsey, near London, number three, Minerva Square,
Master and Mistress Manning, if you'll listen here awhile,
For the murder of O'Connor, a man from Erin's Isle.
O'Connor was a Guager in the London Docks,
An invitation from Maria to dine with her he gets,
She desired him to attend at five the next day,
The Mannings were determined Patrick Connor for to slay.
O'Connor left his lodgings - to the Mannings went straightway,
But little did he think that night that they would him betray,
But those two barbarians, as you shall understand,
For a long time previous this horrid deed had planned.
They shot him with a pistol - with a crowbar bruised his head,
They stripped the clothes from off his back when that he was dead
His legs they doubled up and with a cord them tied,
They buried him in a hole by their kitchen fireside.
That evening after the murder, Maria Manning went
Unto O'Connor's lodgings - on robbery she was bent,
She took both cash and documents, and many other things,
From O'Connor's lodgings, at different times she brings.
She took the train from London to Edinburgh town,
There she was apprehended all for that murderous crime,
Then they conveyed her back again to London with all speed,
There to take her trial for that horrid barbarous deed.
Frederick George Manning to the Isle of Jersey went,
To shun the ends of justice, for America he was bent,
Then he was taken prisoner for the murder they had done,
He said, 'Is that wretch taken?' - meaning Mistress Manning.
They told him she was taken - they knew he meant his wife,
He said, 'Then I am satisfied, for that will save my life,
'Twas she who fired the pistol - gave O'Connor his death wound,'
But they brought Manning back with them to famed London town.
Their trial it is over and they are both condemned to die,
May the Lord have mercy on your souls, the judge to them did cry
And I hope this will a warning be unto both young and old,
Never to commit a murder for the sake of cursed gold.
Composer of Ballad
J. Clark
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Marie Manning (1821–13 November 1849) was a Swiss domestic servant who was hanged outside Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London, England, on 13 November 1849, after she and her husband Frederick were convicted of the murder of her lover, Patrick O'Connor, in the case that became known as the "Bermondsey Horror." It was the first time a husband and wife had been executed together in England since 1700.
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/3d17f5735577146ad6ef347bd807dbb1.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="500"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Bodleian Library - Shelfmark: Firth c.17(268); <a href="http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/edition/9607" target="_blank">Bodleian Bod 9607</a>
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Title
A name given to the resource
A new song on the Mannings
English
Female
hanging
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/064e8218da072841215f5a0c329f741b.jpg
5ee118674aeb34d277f8387cbd72734e
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/c7cff496d6f39ff2f55d1c7da0ce510d.mp3
0483e70ea5af1209308243ff12bcc18e
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Text
Any textual data included in the document
Sad was the awful moments,
And dreadful was the sight,
Upon last Tuesday morning,
To Manning and his wife.
When thousands did assemble,
That spectacle to see,
A man and wife suspended,
Upon the fatal tree.
CHORUS
What thousands did assemble,
Around that fatal tree,
The murderers of O'Connor,
That fatal morn to see.
Thousands from every quarter,
Before the break of day,
Towards Horsemonger's dreary gaol,
So swift did bend their way.
Frederick Manning and his wife,
One moment to behold,
Upon the fatal platform
How dreadful to unfold.
Just at the fatal moment,
The hour of eight o'clock,
Frederick Manning and his wife,
Appeared upon the drop.
The minister repeating,
May God receive your souls.
In the midst of life we are in death,
Then awful was the fall.
What numbers congregated,
That horrid sight to see,
Fred[erick] and Maria Manning,
Launched into eternity
In youth, in health and vigour
But nothing could them save,
And now they lie together,
Mouldering in the silent grave.
Manning in his dying moments,
Declared it was his wife,
Who planned O'Connor's murder
And took away his life.
It was her who with the pistol,
Her friend betrayed and shot,
When he her husband was not nigh
The sure and fatal shot.
Their heavenly Judge all secrets knows,
And marks what each does say,
And he will tell them to account,
Upon the judgement day.
May one all both great and small,
By their unhappy fate,
Consider and take warning,
Before it is too late.
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Lord Exmouth</em>
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1849
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Marie Manning (1821–13 November 1849) was a Swiss domestic servant who was hanged outside Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London, England, on 13 November 1849, after she and her husband Frederick were convicted of the murder of her lover, Patrick O'Connor, in the case that became known as the "Bermondsey Horror." It was the first time a husband and wife had been executed together in England since 1700.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
Sad was the awful moments,
And dreadful was the sight,
Upon last Tuesday morning,
To Manning and his wife.
When thousands did assemble,
That spectacle to see,
A man and wife suspended,
Upon the fatal tree.
CHORUS
What thousands did assemble,
Around that fatal tree,
The murderers of O'Connor,
That fatal morn to see.
Thousands from every quarter,
Before the break of day,
Towards Horsemonger's dreary gaol,
So swift did bend their way.
Frederick Manning and his wife,
One moment to behold,
Upon the fatal platform
How dreadful to unfold.
Just at the fatal moment,
The hour of eight o'clock,
Frederick Manning and his wife,
Appeared upon the drop.
The minister repeating,
May God receive your souls.
In the midst of life we are in death,
Then awful was the fall.
What numbers congregated,
That horrid sight to see,
Fred[erick] and Maria Manning,
Launched into eternity
In youth, in health and vigour
But nothing could them save,
And now they lie together,
Mouldering in the silent grave.
Manning in his dying moments,
Declared it was his wife,
Who planned O'Connor's murder
And took away his life.
It was her who with the pistol,
Her friend betrayed and shot,
When he her husband was not nigh
The sure and fatal shot.
Their heavenly Judge all secrets knows,
And marks what each does say,
And he will tell them to account,
Upon the judgement day.
May one all both great and small,
By their unhappy fate,
Consider and take warning,
Before it is too late.
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
Prose on pamphlet, including quotes from letters by both
Composer of Ballad
anon
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/064e8218da072841215f5a0c329f741b.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="374" height="500"></iframe> <br /><iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/c7cff496d6f39ff2f55d1c7da0ce510d.mp3" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="374" height="50"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Bodleian Library, Shelfmark: Firth c.17(267); <a href="http://ballads.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/view/edition/9606" target="_blank">Bodleian Bod9606</a>. Audio recording by Hannah Sullivan. <br /><br />
Image notice
Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.
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Title
A name given to the resource
Execution of the Mannings
Audio recording
English
Female
hanging
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/ee72375b8a64c71f8a091e10b3dd9892.tif
c8738ed379b5455c5f40a794d4534d59
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
NOw Katherine de Medicis hes maid sic a Gyis
To tary in Paris the Papistes ar tykit
At Bastianes brydell howbeit scho denyis
Giue Mary slew Hary, it was not vnlykit
Yit a man is nane respectand this number
I'dar not say wemen hes wyte of this cummer.
Yone Mask the Quene mother hes maid thame in France
Was maikles and saikles, and schamfully slane
Bot Mary conuoyit and come with ane dance
Quhill Princes in Sences was fyrit with ane trane
Baith tressonabill murtheris, the ane and the vther
I go not in Masking mair with the Quene Mother.
Italianes ar Tyranis, and tressonabill Tratoris:
For gysours deuysours, the Guysianis ar gude
Bot Frenche men ar trew men, and not of thair natouris
Than Charlie I farlie thow drank thy awin blude
I wyte bot thy Mother wit, wemen ar vane
In greis neir to Ganyelon nor grit Charlie Mane.
Thy style was Treschristien maist Cristen King
Baith hiest and friest, and neist the Impyre
Bot now Prouest Marschell in playing this spring
And ressoun for tressoun prouokis God to Ire
Beleuis thow this trumprie sall stablische thy style?
Our God is not deid yit, be doand ane quhyle.
Suppois that the Papistes deuysit this at Trent
To ding vs and bring vs with mony lowd lauchter
With sic cruell Murther is Christ sa content
To take the and make the ane Sanct for our slauchter
Albeit he correct vs, and scurge vs in Ire
Be war with the wand syne he wapis in the fyre.
For better is pure men nor Princes periurit
Baith schameles and fameles, we find thame sa fals
With sangis lyke the Seryne our lyfis thow allurit
Ouirsylit vs begylit vs with baitis in our hals
Or as the fals Fowler his fang for to get,
Deuoiris the pure volatill he wylis to the net.
In Ilis nor in Orknay, in Ireland Oneill
Thay dar not, thay gar not, thair liegis be stickit
Solyman, Tamerlan, nor yit the mekle Deill
Proud Pharao, nor Nero, was neuer sa wickit
Nouther Turk nor Infidell vsis sic thing
As be their awin burreo, being ane King.
Baith auld men and wemen, with babis on thair breist
Not luking nor huking, to hurll thame in Sane
All beand murdreist downe, quhat do ye neist
Processioun, Confession, and vp Mes agane
Proud King Antiochus was sum tyme als haly
And yit our God guschit out the guttis of his belly
Thy Syster thou maryit, thy Saces was sour
Sic cuikrie for luikrie was euill Interprisit
Ye maid vs the Reid Freiris, and rais in an hour
Abhorring na gorring that micht be deuisit
Thou playit the fals Hypocreit fenyeing the fray
But inwart ane rageing wolf waitand thy pray.
That France was confidderat with Scotland I grant,
Baith actit, contractit, and keipit in deid
The kyndnes of Cutthrottis, we cure not to want
Denyis thame, defyis thame, and all thair fals seid
It was bot with honest men we maid the band
And thou hes left leifand bot few in that land.
Our faith is not warldly we feir not thy braulis
Thocht hangmen ouirgang men, for gaddaring our geir
Ye kill bot the Carcase, ye get not our Saulis
Not douting our shouting is hard in Goddis eir
The same God from Pharo defendit his pepill
And not yone round Robene that standis in your stepill.
Now wyse Quene Elizabeth luik to your self
Dispite them, and wryte thame, ane bill of defyance
The papistis and Spanyards, hes partit your pelf
As newly and trewly was tald me thir tythance
Beleue thay to land heir, and get vs fornocht
Will ye do as we do, it salbe deir bocht.
Giue pleis God we gre sa, and hald vs togidder
Baith surely and sturely, and stoutly gainstand thame
They culd not weill conqueis vs, culd ye considder
For our men are dour men, and likis weill to land thame
Quhen Cesar him self was chaist, haue ye foryet
And baith the Realmes be aggreit, tak that thay get.
For better it is to fecht it, defendant our lyfis
With speir men and weir men, and ventour our sellis
Nor for to se frenche men deflorand our wyfis
Displace vs, and chace vs, as thay haue done ellis
I meane quhen the Inglismen helpit at Leith
And gart thame gang hame agane spyte of thair teith.
I cannot trow firmely that Frenchmen ar cummen
Persayfand thame haifand, thame selfis into parrell
The Lord saue Elizabeth, thair ane gude woman
That cauldly and bauldly, debait will our quarrell
With men and with money, baith Armour and graith
As scho hes befoir tyme defendit this Faith.
Thocht France for thair falset be drownit in dangeris
For causis and pausis thay plait into Pareis
Yit [...]e ar in war estait waitand on strangeris
No[...] gyding deuyding, our awin men from Mareis
Go weid the calf from the corn, calk me thair dures
And slay or ye be slane, gif sic thing occures.
Bot how can ye traist thame, that trumpit yow ellis
Decoir thame, do for thame, or foster thair seid
And thay may anis se thair time, tent to your sellis
Baith haitfull, dissaitfull, ye deill with in deid
Anis wod and ay the war, with quhat ye do
And mak thame fast in the ruit gif thay cum to.
God blis yow my brether, and biddis yow gudnicht
Obey God, go say God, with prayer and fasting
Christ keip thie pure Ile of ouris in the auld rihct
Defend vs and send vs, the life Euerlasting
The Lord send vs quyetnes, and keip our young king
The Quene of Inglands Maiestie, & lang mot yai Ring.
Quod Simpell.
FINIS.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
Scots English
Date
Date of ballad
1572
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Imprentit at Sanctandrois be Robert Lekpreuik
[Printed at St André by Robert Lekprevik]
Composer of Ballad
Robert Simpell, 1530? - 1595
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
male
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/ee72375b8a64c71f8a091e10b3dd9892.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="500" height="600"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Reproduction of original in the British Library, STC / 22203, Huth 50 [11]; <a href="http://gateway.proquest.com.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/openurl?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2003&res_id=xri:eebo&rft_id=xri:eebo:image:182327" target="_blank">EEBO Record</a> (institutional login required).
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Title
A name given to the resource
ane new ballet set out be ane Fugitiue Scottisman that fled out of Paris at this lait Murther.
English
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/2ac8c70350f91a83c87197be9448c5f9.jpg
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Gilderoy</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
GIlderoy was a bonny Boy, had roses tull his shun,
His stockins made of the finest silk, his garters hanging duwn:
It was a comely sight to see, he were so trim a Boy;
He was my Joy and Heart's Delight, my handsom Gilderoy.
Oh, sick a charming eyen he had, a breath as sweet as rose,
He never wore a Highland-plad, but costly silken cloaths:
He gain'd the love of Ladies gay, there's none to him was coy;
Ah, way's me, Ise mourn this day for my dear Gilderoy.
My Gilderoy and I was born both in one Town together,
Not passing seven years ago, since one did love each other:
Our Daddies and our Mammies both, were cloath'd with mickle joy,
To think upon the bridal-day, betwixt I and my Gilderoy.
For Gilderoy, that Love of mine, geud faith Ise freely bought
A wedding-sark of Holland fine, with silk in flowers wrought;
And he gave me a wedding-ring, which I receiv'd with joy;
No Lads or Lasses e'er could sing, like my sweet Gilderoy.
In mickle joy we spent our time, till we was both fifteen,
Then gently he did lay me down, amongst the leaves so green;
When he had done what he could do, he rose and gang'd his woy,
But ever since I lov'd the Man, my handsom Gilderoy.
While we did both together play, he kiss'd me o're and o're;
Geud faith it was as blith a day,
as e'er I saw before;
He fill'd my heart in e'ry vein, with love and mickle joy;
But when shall I behold again, mine own sweet Gilderoy?
'Tis pity Men should e'er be hang'd, that takes up Womens geer,
Or for their pelfering sheep or calves,
or stealing cow or mare;
Had not our laws been made so strict, I'd never lost my Joy,
Who was my Love and Heart's Delight, my handsom Gilderoy.
'Cause Gilderoy had done amiss, must he be punish'd then?
What kind of cruelty is this,
to hang such handsom Men?
The Flower of the Scotish Land, a sweet and lively Boy,
He likewise had a Lady's hand, my handsom Gilderoy.
At Leith they took my Gilderoy, and there, God wot, they bang'd him,
Carry'd him to fair Edenburgh,
and there, God wot, they hang'd him,
They hang'd him up above the rest, he was so trim a Boy,
My only Love and Heart's Delight, my handsom Gilderoy.
Thus having yielded up his breath, in cyprus he was laid;
Then for my Dearest, after death, a funeral I made;
Over his grave a marble-stone I fixed for my Joy;
Now I am left to weep alone, for my dear Gilderoy.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English, Scots
Date
Date of ballad
1683-1703 ?
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Woman laments execution of her lover Gilderoy
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
LONDON: Printed for C. Bates, at the Sun and Bible, in Pye-corner.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
poaching
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Edinburgh
Tune Data
<em>Gilderoy</em> (Simpson 1966, pp. 252-54)
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/2ac8c70350f91a83c87197be9448c5f9.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
<span>Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 5.354; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/22181/image" target="_blank">EBBA 22181</a></span>
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Scotch Lover's Lamentation: OR, GILDEROY's Last FAREWEL.
English
hanging
Male
poaching
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/54b80ed2ffe34c3df7f261efbe6cb976.jpg
8b0e8c8f72ccf6c09d5ce8fe2d2f4c82
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8a5d7166858e3c3a5787c23437c7cb45
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1173"><em>The Rich Merchant Man</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
O Stay, and lend an Ear,
you Loyal Subjects all,
And by this Story you shall hear,
behold a Traytors fall:
Who was by due desert,
found guilty of a crime;
The like where of hath not been known,
in any Age or Time.
This William Staley, he
by Trade a Gold-smith was,
And near to Coven-Garden liv'd,
as now it came to pass:
Who being void of grace,
and blinded with false zeal,
Of late spoke Treason at a place,
which he could not conceal.
A Papist he was bred,
one of the Popish Crew,
And was by Jesuits Mifled,
which he too late did rue:
Such Principles he learnt,
beyond the Ocean Main,
As brought him to a shameful End,
with Torture and with Pain.
Great Malice in his mind,
this wicked wretch did bear,
And likewise was to blood inclin'd,
as doth too plain appear:
Where I shall now relate,
how he to Tryal came:
Where thousands flocked to the place
to hear and see the same.
UNto the Kings-Bench-Bar,
the Prisoner was brought in,
Where he Indicted was, for words
of Treason, 'gainst our King:
Which was by Evidence
of witnesses, made clear,
By Gentlemen of worth and note,
who did the Treason hear.
O wicked Bloody wretch,
to think of such a thing,
He said himself, with his own hands,
would kill our Soveraign King:
To which he for himself
could answer very small,
Which did unto the purpose tend,
in presence of them all.
A learned Jury there
impannel'd was that time,
Who quickly did consider of
the Traytors hamous crime:
Which did appear so plain,
that in a little space,
They quickly gave their verdict in,
not moving from the place.
Where he was Guilty found
of Treason, which he spoke,
with Malice and with bloody thoughts
when none did him provoke:
The judge then Sentence gave,
that he should for the same
Be Hang'd, and drawn, and quartered
being so much to blame.
Then was he carried back
in Prison to remain,
Until the doleful, dismal day
of Execution came:
Where he had time and space,
his faults for to bewail,
Unless he was so void of grace,
no comfort could prevail.
And now the fatal day
being come, which was so nigh,
Great store of People flocked there
to see the Prisoner dye:
Who was brought to the place,
to undergo his Doom,
Which was a great and vile disgrace
to all the sons of Rome.
His Quarters are to be
disposed on each Gate,
That every one who see the same,
may all such Treason hate:
And that the Popish crew
may see what they deserve,
For seeking to destroy a King,
whom God will long preserve.
For all such Bloody men
shall have a fall, no doubt,
And all their Treasons and their Plots
in time shall be brought out:
That they and all their Friends,
their just desert may have,
For striving to be high and great,
and others to enslave.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1678
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
[London] : Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and I. Clarke, [1674-1679]
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging, drawing and quartering
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
treason
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tyburn
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/54b80ed2ffe34c3df7f261efbe6cb976.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Houghton Library, Harvard University, Shelfmark EBB65; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/35048/image" target="_blank">EBBA 35048</a>
Subtitle
or, A full relation of the condemnation and execution of Mr. William Staley who was found guilty of high treason, at the Kings-bench-barr at Westminster, on Thursday the 21st. of Nov. 1678. For speaking dangerous, and treasonable words against his most Sacred Majesty the King. For which he was sentenced to be drawn, hang'd, and quartered. And was accordingly executed upon Tuesday the 26th. of this instant Nov. 1678. at Tyburn. Tune of, The rich merchant-man &c. VVith allowance.
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Title
A name given to the resource
Treason justly punished:
drawing and quartering
English
hanging
Male
treason
-
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3ca2d6ea20cfbb9b369864758d5fccea
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1174"><em>Packington's Pound</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
Good people come hither and listen a while,
Ile tell you a story shall make you to smile
For such a bold project there never was heard,
As now in this Ballad shall soon be declard;
The Brick-makers they
This project did play,
The Elventh of August as people do say:
Let this be a warning that others take heed;
Their court of in-justice will smart for the deed.
In Rainy wet weather it was I suppose,
When each bonny Brick-maker steeled his nose,
They drink their cups round, & do merrily prate
Each Brick-maker seemed a Lord in conceit;
Whilst thus they Carrouse,
And call on the House,
One of them his bread and his cheese he did lose
And one in the company there he did atackt,
As guilty of Fellony for this bold act.
They calld him Dick Lambart whom he did accuse,
Who, he said, such activity often did use;
And there for his life he would have him be tryd
A Judge and a Jury this deed should deside;
A Court there was calld,
The Cryer he bawld
And there with his flounder-mouth loudly he yauld.
And then on the bench for a judge there set down
One in a red wastecoat which servd for a gown.
A Judge and a Jury, and Clarks did appear,
A Sheriff and also a Hangman was there,
The Judge being set and prisoner brought forth
The plaintiff be there on a brickbat took oath,
that to his great cost
Too lately he lost,
Some bread & some cheese which he savd for a toast,
And that Richard Lambart had taken his peck,
Who for it deservd to be noosd by the neck.
For this he had sentance by which he was forst
To be burnt in the hand with an apple hot roast
And afterwards he on that apple must feed,
This Sentance he had for his Fellonious deed;
But now comes the worst
More bad then the first,
Poor Richard his fortune it was so accurst;
A Witness held forth, and he there did declare,
That Richard spoke Treason and he did it hear.
He said the Kings drums they did make a great sound
But in the midst of them no guts to be found,
And that the Kings horses with Iron were shod,
And often on dirt and on stones they have trod;
That they so were fed
With butter and bread,
They lost all the Rases what ever was laid:
And that the Kings Goshauks had got no more foul
Then is in the night-bird thats called an Owl.
This was the Indictment on which he was tryd,
The Jury was sworn on a Brickbat beside,
The Evidence there did make it out plain
And Lambart away from the Bar he was tane;
Their Jury went out,
And brought it about,
That Lambart was guilty of Treason no doubt;
And then by the Judge he was sentencd, that he,
Should hang by the neck on the Tiborn Tree.
A Clay cart they got, and a horse int beside,
And put Lambart in it, and him fast down tyd,
And then unto th Gallows they do him convey,
With a Guard of their Officers all on the way,
A Brickbat to read,
As they did proceed,
And then on the Gallows they hangd him indeed:
Thus have you heard of the Brick-makers Court,
who hang men in earnest, and count it their sport.
A Groom of the Kings stables came riding that way,
Seeing this rebel rout to them did say,
I see youve condemned this man in the Town,
But heres a reprieve and he must be cut down:
This being done,
Away then did run,
This Court of In-justice each mothers Son.
The Judge and the Hangman was tane in the act
And two of the Jury-men since for that fact.
This court of In-justice appeared in time
At Seshions house there for to answer their crime
A hundred pound is laid on each head,
Or else due imprisonment till it be paid:
In New-gate they are,
Remaining in care,
Of farther punishment they are in fear:
And thus you have heard of the Brick-makers Court
Who hang men in earnest & count it their sport.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1672-1696 ?
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
A group of bricklayers, after drinking, hold a mock trial (a common enough practice for guild members) for one of their number accused of stealing bread and cheese from another member. He is burned in the hand by a hot apple and then has to eat it. Then someone accuses him of treason and he is taken to be hanged. A groom of the king's stables tells them he is to be cut down and several of the group are arrested and imprisoned at Newgate for their actions.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London, Printed for Phillip Brooksby next door to the Ball in West Smithfield.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
treason (false accusation)
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tyburn
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/8d6865da6d6b54d04b43bc1007109b7d.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe> <br /><iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/4dfe0f68a8f483087faedfe8dc645155.mp3" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="300" height="50"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
<span>British Library - Roxburghe, C.f.20.8.40; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/30185/image" target="_blank">EBBA 30185</a>. Audio recording by Molly McKew.<br /><br /></span>
Tune Data
<em>Packington's Pound</em> is often cited as <em>Digby's Farewell,</em> <em>Packingtons Pound</em> or <em>Amintas' Farewell.</em> The tune first appeared in 1671 and was popular for execution ballads (Simpson 1966, pp. 181-187, 564-570).
Subtitle
OR, A true Report of the Indicting, Arraignment, Tryal, and Convicting of four of the Brick-makers Court of In-justice: for the Notorious Riot committed on the Body of one Richard Lambart, Brick-maker of Fullum, who they Arraigned Indicted, and had almost Executed, for some pretended idle words. Their Examination, and Tryal, and Sentence they are to undergoe, exprest as followeth.
Image notice
Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Brick-makers Lamentation from New-gate:
Audio recording
English
hanging
Male
treason (false accusation)
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/3ed0d4bc889b5138e7f54c2d90e36798.jpg
59144c9a3f1f54e01cf76cfc764c46c4
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d0be62589839253654b585fb01414347
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
1.
Oh, see the fleet-foot hosts of men who speed with faces wan,
From farmstead and from thresher's cot along the banks of Ban.
They come with vengeance in their eyes; too late, too late are they,
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
2.
Oh Ireland, Mother Ireland, you love them still the best,
The fearless brave who fighting fall upon your hapless breast.
But never a one of all your dead more bravely fell in fray,
Than he who marches to his fate on the bridge of Toome today.
3.
Up the narrow street he stepped, so smiling, proud and young,
About the hemp-rope on his neck, the golden ringlets clung;
There's ne'er a tear in his blue eyes, fearless and brave are they,
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
4.
When last this narrow street he trod, his shining pike in hand,
Behind him marched, in grim array, a earnest stalwart band.
To Antrim town! To Antrim town, he led them to the fray,
But young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
5.
The grey coat and its sash of green were brave and stainless then,
A banner flashed beneath the sun over the marching men;
The coat hath many a rent this noon, the sash is torn away,
And Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
6.
Oh, how his pike flashed in the sun! Then found a foeman's heart,
Through furious fight, and heavy odds he bore a true man's part.
And many a red-coat bit the dust before his keen pike-play,
But Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
7.
There's never a one of all your dead more bravely died in fray
Than he who marches to his fate in Toomebridge town today;
True to the last! True to the last, he treads the upwards way,
And young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome today.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1898
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Irish ballad about United Irishman and outlaw Roddy McCorley, written for the 100th anniversary of the United Irishmen rebellion in Ireland, by Ethna Carbery
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Toome Bridge
Composer of Ballad
Ethna Carbery
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roddy_McCorley" target="_blank">Wikipedia:</a> Roddy McCorley (died 28 February 1800) was an Irish nationalist from the civil parish of Duneane, County Antrim, modern day Northern Ireland. Following the publication of the Ethna Carbery poem bearing his name in 1902, where he is associated with events around the Battle of Antrim, he is alleged to have been a member of the United Irishmen and claimed as a participant in their rebellion of 1798. <br /><br />Roddy McCorley was the son of a miller and was born near Toome in the parish of Duneane, County Antrim. A few years before the 1798 rebellion McCorley's father is believed to have been executed for stealing sheep. These charges may have been politically motivated in an attempt to remove a troublesome agitator at a time of great social unrest. Following his father's execution, his family were evicted from their home. <br /><br />There is uncertainty as to whether McCorley was actually actively involved with the predominantly Presbyterian United Irishmen or the predominantly Catholic Defenders. McCorley's role in the 1798 rebellion itself is unrecorded. In a poem written 100 years after the rebellion by Ethna Carbery, he is claimed to have been one of the leaders of the United Irishmen at the Battle of Antrim, however there is no contemporary documentary evidence to support this claim or prove that he was even active in the rebellion. <br /><br />After the rebellion, McCorley joined a notorious outlaw gang known as Archer's Gang, made up of former rebels and led by Thomas Archer.Some of these men had been British soldiers (members of the Irish militia) who changed sides in the conflict, and as such were guilty of treason and thus exempt from the terms of amnesty offered to the rank and file of the United Irishmen.This meant that they were always on the run in an attempt to evade capture. This "quasi-rebel" group were claimed to have attacked loyalists and participated in common crime. It is believed that McCorley was caught whilst in hiding, having been betrayed by an informer. <br /><br />After McCorley was arrested he was tried by court martial in Ballymena on 20 February 1800 and sentenced to be hanged "near the Bridge of Toome", in the parish of Duneane. His execution occurred on 28 February 1800. This bridge had been partially destroyed by rebels in 1798 to prevent the arrival of loyalist reinforcements from west of the River Bann. <br /><br />His body was then dismembered and buried under the gallows, on the main Antrim to Derry road. A letter published in the Belfast Newsletter a few days after McCorley's execution gave an account of the execution and how McCorley was viewed by some. In it he is called Roger McCorley, which may be his proper Christian name. <br /><br />“Upon Friday last, a most awful procession took place here, namely the execution of Roger McCorley who was lately convicted at a court-martial, to the place of execution, Toome Bridge, the unfortunate man having been born in that neighbourhood. <br />As a warning to others, it is proper to observe that the whole of his life was devoted to disorderly proceedings of every kind, for many years past, scarcely a Quarter-sessions occurred but what the name of Roger McCorley appeared in a variety of criminal cases. <br />His body was given up to dissection and afterwards buried under the gallows…thus of late we have got rid of six of those nefarious wretches who have kept this neighbourhood in the greatest misery for some time past, namely, Stewart, Dunn, Ryan, McCorley, Caskey and the notorious Dr. Linn. The noted Archer will soon be in our Guard-room.” <br /><br />In 1852, McCorley's alleged nephew Hugh McCorley was appointed foreman of construction of a new bridge across the River Bann at Toome. Hugh made plans to recover his uncle's body and on 29 June 1852, buried him in an unmarked grave at Duneane parish graveyard. <br /><br />His great-grandson, Roger McCorley, was an officer in the Irish Republican Army in the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921).
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
The melody for Roddy McCorley was later used in the song, Sean South from Garryowen, which tells the story of a failed IRA attack on a Royal Ulster Constabulary Barracks in County Fermanagh in 1957.
Digital Object
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Ballad of Roddy McCorley
English
hanging
Male
treason
-
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c6a2e1c336e5f76ed42502ac5665bc47
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
YOU Parents all that now these Lines do hear,
Observe them well, Im sure youll shed a Tear,
The like of this scarce ever yet was known,
The World it is so very wicked grown.
In Wiltshire, there a wealthy Man did dwell,
He had one only Son, tis known full well:
His Parents they did greatly him adore,
And he indeed was Heir to all their Store.
His tender Father, as we understand,
Was snatchd away by Deaths most cruel Hand;
Before his Son arrivd to sixteen Years,
Leaving his Loving Wife in Floods of Tears.
She very tender was of her Son dear,
The best that could be bought this Son must wear,
And all he desird, she neer it denyd,
At length he grew to such a Height of Pride:
At Cards and Dice her Substance hed confound,
Nothing but Vice did in this Youth abound;
He oft would curse his Mother to her Face,
When she did tell him of his wickd Race.
At last unto a charming Maiden fair,
He married was, as I to you declare,
Six hundred Pounds he had with her tis known,
But her dear Parents they were dead and gone.
He seemed for to love her as his Life,
But now observe what caused all the Strife;
He on a Woman Harlot cast an Eye,
And often would frequent her Company.
The richest of Attire he woud her buy,
He spard no Cost, but let his Money fly,
For to maintain his Harlot in her Pride,
Nothing that she did ask must be denyd.
At last his Wife she of the same did hear,
And oft would say to him my dearest Dear,
These wicked Courses that you do take, in Time,
To Poverty they will bring me and mine.
Two lovely Children by his Wife he had,
Which might have made a Fathers Heart full glad,
But he was barbarous. cruel and severe,
To his Wife, his Mother, and his Children dear.
At last his Substance very short did grow,
Yet to his wicked Harlot would he go;
And when his Money it grew very scant.
His Miss grew cold, and seemed discontent.
Saying, this Trade will never do with me,
Then to his Wife and Children would he flee,
Their Rings and Cloaths, and all that he could find,
Hed bring to her, their cries he did not mind.
At last this Course he could no longer run,
His Wife, poor Soul, her Substance it was gone:
His aged Mother had but little left,
And almost of her Senses was bereft.
One Day as Miss and him together were,
She in a Passion said, I do declare,
If you some Money do not get for me,
I will no longer keep your Company.
He in a Fury to his Wife went Home,
And found her with her Babes making sad Moan,
Some Money I will have, to her did say,
Or else Ill Murder you this very Day.
My Dear, said she, I have none to give you,
With that he in a Passion straightway flew,
And barring up the Door, to her did come,
And threw her on the Floor there along.
He gaggd her Mouth and bound her evry Limb,
At last one of the Children said to him,
Father, do not my Morher kill, I pray,
For a Bit of Bread we have not touchd To-day.
He turnd about, and on the Child did gaze,
The Devil did his Reason so amaze.
He with a Knife that was so keen and sharp,
Did stab this tender Babe unto the Heart.
His loving Wife she saw the Deed hed done,
While Tears did from her Eyes like Fountains run
What! dost thou weep to see thy Darling die?
I will dispatch thee likewise instantly.
Then with the Knife that killd her infant dear,
Her Throat he straight did cut from Ear to Ear:
The other Infant straight aloud did cry,
To see his Mother there a bleeding lie.
He straightway went and took her by the Hand,
While the poor Babe did there a trembling stand:
Thy Life I fain would save, to it did say,
But I do fear that you would me betray.
But three Years old, this Infant was no more,
He also laid it wallowing in its Gore:
And then to search the House he did begin,
But no Money he could find therein.
So then straightway out of the House he went,
The Doors did fasten, being discontent;
Unto his aged Mother he did go,
Whose tender Heart was over-whelmd with Woe
His Mother straightway rose her Son to meet,
And presently fetchd him some food to eat:
Saying, youre melancholy, my dear Son,
Im sorry, he replyd, for what Ive done.
For Joy his aged Mother wept amain,
And will my Son his wickedness refrain,
That I may Comfort have in thee, my Son
But little did she think what he had done.
At length this cruel Wretch, so void of Grace,
He with his Hand did strike her on the Face,
And gaggd her Mouth in dismal Sort also,
And by the Hair, he draggd her to and fro.
Unto the Orchard he did drag her there,
And on a Tree hangd her up by the Hair;
Tying her aged Arms likewise behind,
Saying, Now thy Money Ill go find.
When he had taken all that he could find,
Unto his Harlot straightway he did hie,
And told her all the Things that he had done,
And how his Mother on a Tree hed hung.
She answerd, why did you not kill her too?
Come instantly, to London let us go,
He replyd, my Dear, it shall be so,
But God above the Matter all doth know.
Next Day one of his Neghbours did espy,
His Mother hanging on a Tree so high
The same did raise the Town, the Sight to see
Who took her breathless Corpse from off the Tree.
And running straightway for to call her Son,
As soon as eer unto the House they came,
They found it fastened, no Answer made,
Which put their Hearts in further Fear and Dread.
The Doors they then broke open with all Speed,
A Sight would make a Heart of Stone to bleed,
To see the Mother and her Infants dear,
Lie in their Gore, Lord! what a sight was there.
Murder, O Lord, is hateful to thy Sight,
Thy divine Providence brings it to Light,
The Murderer was taken on the Road,
And unto Justice brought with one Accord.
He was condemnd to suffer for the the same,
And after Death for to be hung in Chains:
As soon as he came to the fatal Tree,
He wept and wrung his hands most bitterly.
Saying Christians all, pray for my sinful Soul,
My Sins indeed are very gross and foul,
My Wife, my Mother, and my Children dear,
For Murdering them I now must suffer here.
My Infants Blood for Vengeance now doth cry,
My virtuous Wife she stands before my Eyes,
My aged Mother too, methinks I see:
You graceless Children all be ruld by me.
Besure you shun lewd Harlots Company,
You with a virtuous Wife may happy be;
But I, cruel Wretch! her Blood most dear did spill,
That never did nor thought me any Ill.
How can I cast my Eyes to Heaven high?
O blessed Saviour do not me deny:
I hope good Christians for my Soul youll pray,
When this he spoke, the Cart i[t] drew away.
You Parents, and likewise you Children pray,
Observe what I do say to you this Day;
You Children mind your Parents, serve the Lord,
A Crown of Glory will be your Reward.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging in chains
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Image / Audio Credit
British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.788; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/31485/image" target="_blank">EBBA 31485</a>
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/b118a7334a2094cae002ec6457e2d05b.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="400" height="600"></iframe>
Subtitle
BEING A full and true ACCOUNT of one Mr John Jones, a Gentleman's Son in Wiltshire, whose Father left him an Estate of twelve hundred Pounds a Year, and married a Lady of a great Fortune in the same Place, but being reduced to Poverty and Want with riotous Living, he killed his wife and Children, and afterwards hanged his Mother on a tree in the Orchard. With the last dying Words of this Wretch, who was hanged before his Mother's Door, July 30 last. PROVERBS, Chap. XXX. 17. The Eye that mocketh his Father, and despiseth to obey the Voice of his Mother the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out, and the young Eagles shall eat it.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
THE DISOBEDIENT SON AND CRUEL HUSBAND.
English
hanging in chains
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/cb47a60663cb151f6d9f7cdcca0a5987.jpg
3a19620cf61c3c5d33c2a0df7c9bd405
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Banstead Downs</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
Good People, do but lend an Ear,
And a sad Story you shall hear,
A sadder you never heard,
Of due Desert and base Reward,
Which will English Subjects fright
For our New Government to fight.
Our Seamen are the onely Men
That o'er the French did Vict'ry gain,
They kept the Foe from landing here,
Which would have cost the Court full dear;
And when they for their Pay did hope,
They were rewarded with a Rope.
The roaring Canon they ne'er fear'd,
Their Lives and Bloud they never spar'd;
Through Fire and Flame their Courage flew,
No Bullets could their Hearts subdue.
Had they in Fight but flincht at all.
King James had now been in Whitehall.
Thus England, and our New King too,
Their Safety to their Valour owe;
Nay, some did 'gainst their Conscience fight,
To do some Great Ones too much Right;
And now, oh barbarous Tyranny!
Like Men they fought, like Dogs they dye.
Thousands of them their Lives did lose
In fighting stoutly with their Foes,
And thousands wero so maim'd in Fight,
That 'twas a sad and piteous sight;
And when they hop'd their Pay to gain
They have their Labour for their Pain.
Their starving Families at home
Expected their slow Pay would come;
But our proud Court meant no such thing,
Not one Groat must they have till Spring;
To starve all Summer would not do;
They must still starve all Winter too.
It might a little ease their Grief,
And give their Mis'ry some relief,
Might they in Trade Ships outward go,
But that poor Boon's denied them too;
Which is as much as plain to say,
You shall earn nothing, nor have Pay.
Their poor Wives with Care languished,
Their Children cried for want of Bread,
Their Debts encreast, and none would more
Lend them, or let them run oth' score.
In such a case what could they doe
But ask those who did Money owe?
Therefore some bolder than the rest
The Officers for their Own request,
They call'd 'em Rogues, and said, Nothing
Was due to them untill the Spring:
The King had none for them they said,
Their Betters they must first be paid.
The honest Seamen then replied
They could no longer Want abide,
And that Nine hundred thousand Pound
Was giv'n last year to pay them round,
Their Money they had earnt full dear,
And could not stay another half Year.
A Council then they streight did call
Of Pick-thanks made to please Whitehall,
And there they were adjudg'd to dye;
But no Man knows wherefore, nor why.
What times are these! Was't ever known
Twas Death for Men to ask their own?
Yet some seem'd milder than the rest,
And told them, that their Fault confest,
And Pardon askt, and humbly crav'd,
Their Lives perhaps might then be sav'd:
But they their Cause scorn'd to betray,
Or own't a Crime to ask their Pay.
Thus they the Seamens Martyrs dyed,
And would not yield to unjust Pride,
Their Lives they rather would lay down
Than yield it sin to ask their own.
Thus they for Justice spent their Blood,
To do all future Seamen good.
Wherefore let Seamen all and some,
Keep the days of their Martyrdom,
And bear in mind these dismal times,
When true Men suffer for false Crimes;
England ne'er knew the like till now,
Nor e'er again the like will know.
But now suppose they had done ill,
In asking Pay too roughly, still
When 'twas their due, and Need so prest,
They might have Pardon found at least;
The King and Queen some mercifull call,
But Seamen find it not at all.
To Robbers, Thieves, and Felons, they
Freely grant Pardons ev'ry day;
Only poor Seamen, who alone
Do keep them in their Fathers Throne,
Must have at all no Mercy shown:
Nay, tho there wants fault, they'l find one.
Where is the Subjects Liberty?
And eke where is their Property?
We're forc'd to fight for nought, like Slaves,
And though we do, we're hang'd like Knaves.
This is not like Old Englands ways,
New Lords, new Laws, the Proverb says.
Besides the Seamans Pay, that's spent,
The King for Stores, Ships, and what's lent,
Does owe Seven Millions at the least,
And ev'ry year his Debt's encreast;
So that we may despair that we
One quarter of our Pay shall see.
Foreigners and Confederates
Get poor Men's Pay, rich Men's Estates;
Brave England does to ruine run,
And Englishmen must be undone.
If this Trade last but one half Year,
Our Wealth and Strength is spent, I fear.
God bless our noble Parliament,
And give them the whole Government,
That they may see we're worse than ever,
And us from lawless Rule deliver;
For England's sinking, unless they
Do take the Helm, and better sway.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1691
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Singer decries punishment of sailors who have been deprived of pay, claiming they are martyrs, hanged for speaking up.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Tune Data
<em>Banstead Downs</em> (Simpson 1966, p. 122), is also known as <em>Come Live With Me and Be my Love</em> (Simpson 1966, p. 119-122).
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/cb47a60663cb151f6d9f7cdcca0a5987.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="500"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 5.375r-v; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/22198/image" target="_blank">EBBA 22198</a>
Subtitle
OR, The Seamen's sad Lamentation for their Faithful Service, Bad Pay, and Cruel Usage. Being a woeful Relation how some of them were unmercifully put to Death for pressing for their Pay, when their Families were like to starve. Thus our New Government does Subjects serve, And leaves them this sad choice to hang or starve. To the Tune of Banstead Downs.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The SEA-Martyrs;
English
hanging
Male
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
'Twas on Good Friday morning, all on an April day
A German ship was signalling, way out there in the bay.
'We've twenty thousand rifles here, all ready for to land.'
But no answering signal came to them
from lonely Banna Strand.
A motor-car went dashing through the early morning gloom.
A sudden crash, and in the sea, they went to meet their doom
Two Irish lads were drown'ded there, just like their hopes so grand
They would not give the signal now
from lonely Banna Strand.
'No signal answers from the shore,' Sir Roger sadly said,
'No comrades here to welcome me, alas! they must be dead;
But I must do my duty, and at once I mean to land,'
So in a boat he pulled ashore
to lonely Banna Strand.
The German ship was lying there, with rifles in galore.
Up came a British ship and spoke, 'No Germans reach the shore;
You are our Empire's enemy, and so we bid you stand.
No German boot shall e'er pollute
the lonely Banna Strand.'
As they sailed for Queenstown Harbour, said the Germans: 'We're undone
The British have us vanquish'd: man for man and gun for gun.
We've twenty thousand rifles here, that never will reach land.
We'll sink them all, and bid farewell
to lonely Banna Strand.'
The R.I.C. were hunting for Sir Roger high and low,
They found him at McKenna's Fort, said they: 'You are our foe.'
Said he: 'I'm Roger Casement, here upon my native land,
I meant to free my countrymen
on lonely Banna Strand.'
They took Sir Roger prisoner and they sailed for London Town,
Where in the Tow'r they laid him, as a traitor to the Crown.
Said he, 'I am no traitor,' but his trial he had to stand,
for bringing German rifles
to lonely Banna Strand.
'Twas in an English prison that they led him to his death.
'I'm dying for my country dear,' he said with his last breath.
He's buried in a prison yard, far from his native land
And the wild waves sing his Requiem
on lonely Banna Strand.
They took Sir Roger home again in the year of sixty five
And with his comrades of sixteen in peace and tranquil lies
His last fond wish it fulfilled for to lay in his native land
And the waves will roll in peace again
On the lonely Banna Strand.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Banna Strand (also known as "The Lonely Banna Strand" - "The Ballad of Roger Casement" is a different song) is an Irish rebel song about the failed transport of arms into Ireland for use in the Easter Rising. Authorship of the song is unknown. The final verse was written by Derek Warfield of the Wolfe Tones in 1965 when Roger Casement's remains were finally returned to Ireland.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Lonely Banna Strand
English
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/fc921693654baf83e7104c8886bd767e.jpg
c63eb006ad6250f27f21c1af3795cf57
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1702
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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.
Image / Audio Credit
National Library of Scotland, Shelfmark: Ry.III.a.10(103); The Word on the Street, <a href="http://digital.nls.uk/broadsides/broadside.cfm/id/15813" target="_blank">National Library of Scotland Digital Gallery</a>
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Jannet Riddle is convicted of murdering her newborn baby and is hanged for it in the Grass Market, Edinburgh, 1702.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
Infanticide
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Female
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Edinburgh
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/fc921693654baf83e7104c8886bd767e.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="500" height="700"></iframe>
Subtitle
who was Execute, for murthering her own Child, in the Grass Market of Edinburgh, January 21st. 1702
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Title
A name given to the resource
The last Speech and Confession of Jannet Riddle,
English
Female
hanging
infanticide
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/4d887be589eae30482b76523e1568a6a.jpg
6ea2636cd14cbec999269fa17026ffdd
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1134"><em>Fortune my Foe</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
AY me, vile wretch, that ever I was borne,
Making my selfe unto the world a scorne:
And to my friends and kindred all a shame,
Blotting their blood by my unhappy name.
Unto a Gentleman of wealth and fame,
(One Master Arden, he was calld by name)
I wedded was with joy and great content,
Living at Feversham in famous Kent.
In love we livd, and great tranquility,
Untill I came in Mosb[i]es company,
Whose sugred tongue, good shape, and lovely looke,
Soone won my heart, and Ardens love forsooke.
And living thus in foule adultery,
Bred in my husband cause of jealousie,
And lest the world our actions should bewray,
Wee did consent to take his life away.
To London faire my Husband was to ride,
But ere he went I poyson did provide,
Got of a Painter which I promised
That Mosbies sister Susan he should wed.
Into his Broth I then did put the same,
He likt it not when to the boord it came,
Saying, Theres something in it is not so[un]d,
At which inragd, I flung it on the ground.
Yet ere he went, his man I did conjure,
Ere they came home, to make his Master sure,
And murder him, and for his faith and paine,
Susan, and store of gold that he should gaine.
Yet I misdoubting Michaels constancy,
Knowing a Neighbour that was dwelling by,
Which, to my husband bore no great good will,
Sought to incense him his deare blood to spill.
His name was Greene; O Master Green (quoth I)
My husband to you hath done injury,
For which I sorry am with all my heart,
And how he wrongeth me I will impart.
He keepes abroad most wicked company,
With whores and queanes, and bad society;
When he comes home, he beats me sides and head,
That I doe wish that one of us were dead.
And now to London he is rid to roare,
I would that I might never see him more:
Greene then incenst, did vow to be my friend,
And of his life he soone would make an end.
O Master Greene, said I, the dangers great,
You must be circumspect to doe this feat;
To act the deed your selfe there is no need,
But hire some villaines, they will doe the deed.
Ten pounds Ile give them to attempt this thing,
And twenty more when certaine newes they bring,
That he is dead, besides Ile be your friend,
In honest courtesie till life doth end.
Greene vowd to doe it; then away he went,
And met two Villaines, that did use in Kent
To rob and murder upon Shooters hill,
The one calld Shakebag, tother namd Black Will.
Two such like Villaines Hell did never hatch,
For twenty Angels they made up the match,
And forty more when they had done the deed,
Which made them sweare, theyd do it with al speed
Then up to London presently they hye,
Where Master Arden in Pauls Church they spy,
And waiting for his comming forth that night,
By a strange chance of him they then lost sight.
For where these Villaines stood & made their stop
A Prentice he was shutting up his shop,
The window falling, light on Blacke-Wills head,
And broke it soundly, that apace it bled.
Where straight he made a brabble and a coyle,
And my sweet Arden he past by the while;
They missing him, another plot did lay,
And meeting Michael, thus to him they say:
Thou knowst that we must packe thy Master hence
Therefore consent and further our pretence,
At night when as your Master goes to bed,
Leave ope the doores, he shall be murthered.
And so he did, yet Arden could not sleepe,
Strange dreames and visions in his senses creepe,
He dreamt the doores were ope, & Villaines came,
To murder him, and twas the very same.
The second part. To the same tune.
HE rose and shut the doore, his man he blames,
which cunningly he strait this answer frames;
I was so sleepy, that I did forget
To locke the doores, I pray you pardon it.
Next day these Ruffians met this man againe,
Who the whole story to them did explaine,
My master will in towne no longer stay,
To morrow you may meete him on the way.
Next day his businesse being finished,
He did take horse, and homeward then he rid,
And as he rid, it was his hap as then,
To overtake Lord Cheiney and his men.
With salutations they each other greet,
I am full glad your Honour for to meet,
Arden did say; then did the Lord reply,
Sir, I am glad of your good company.
And being that we homeward are to ride,
I have a suite that must not be denide,
That at my house youle sup, and lodge also,
To Feversham this night you must not goe.
Then Arden answered with this courteous speech,
Your Honours pardon now I doe beseech,
I made a vow, if God did give me life,
To sup and lodge with Alice my loving wife.
Well, said my Lord, your oath hath got the day,
To morrow come and dine with me, I pray.
Ile wait upon your Honour then (said he)
And safe he went amongst this company.
On Raymon-Downe, as they did passe this way,
Black-will, and Shakebag they in ambush lay,
But durst not touch him, cause of the great traine
That my Lord had: thus were they crost againe.
With horrid oathes these Ruffians gan to sweare,
They stampe and curst, and tore their locks of haire
Saying, some Angell surely him did keepe.
Yet vowd to murther him ere they did sleepe.
Now all this while my husband was away,
Mosby and I did revell night and day;
And Susan, which my waiting maiden was,
My Loves owne sister, knew how all did passe.
But when I saw my Arden was not dead,
I welcomd him, but with a heavy head:
To bed he went, and slept secure from harmes,
But I did wish my Mosby in my armes.
Yet ere he slept, he told me he must goe
To dinner to my Lords, heed have it so;
And that same night Blacke-will did send me word,
What lucke bad fortune did to them offord.
I sent him word, that he next day would dine
At the Lord Cheinies, and would rise betime,
And on the way their purpose might fulfill,
Well, Ile reward you, when that you him kill.
Next morne betimes, before the breake of day,
To take him napping then they tooke their way;
But such a mist and fog there did arise,
They could not see although they had foure eyes.
Thus Arden scapd these villaines where [?]
And yet they heard his horse goe by that way,
I thinke (said Will) some Spirit is his friend,
Come life or death, I vow to see his end.
Then to my house they strait did take their way,
Telling me how they missed of their pray;
Then presently, we did together gree,
At night at home that he should murdered be.
Mosby and I, and all, our plot thus lay,
That he at Tables should with Arden play,
Black-will, and Sakebag they themselves should hide
Untill that Mosby he a watchword cride.
The word was this whereon we did agree,
Now (Master Arden) I have taken ye:
Woe to that word, and woe unto us all,
Which bred confusion and our sudden fall.
When he came home, most welcome him I made,
And Judas like I kist whom I betraide,
Mosby and he together went to play,
For I on purpose did the tables lay.
And as they plaid, the word was straightway spoke,
Blacke-Will and Sakebag out the corner broke,
And with a Towell backwards puld him downe,
which made me think they now my joyes did crowne
With swords and knives they stabd him to the heart
Mosby and I did likewise act our part,
And then his body straight we did convey
Behind the Abbey in the field he lay.
And then by Justice we were straight condemnd,
Each of us came unto a shamelesse end,
For God our secret dealings soone did spy,
And brought to light our shamefull villany.
Thus have you heard of Ardens tragedy,
It rests to shew you how the rest did die:
His wife at Canterbury she was burnt,
And all her flesh and bones to ashes turnd.
Mosby and his faire Sister, they were brought
To London for the trespasse they had wrought,
In Smithfield on a gibbet they did die.
A just reward for all their villanie,
Michael and Bradshaw, which a Goldsmith was,
That knew of letters which from them did passe,
At Feversham were hanged both in chaines,
And well rewarded for their faithfull paines.
The painter fled none knowes how he did speed,
Sakebag in Southwarke he to death did bleed,
For as he thought to scape and ran away,
He suddenly was murdered in a fray.
In Kent at Osbridge, Greene did suffer death,
Hangd on a gibbet he did lose his breath:
Blacke-Will at Flushing on a stage did burne,
Thus each one came unto his end by turne.
And thus my story I conclude and end,
Praying the Lord that he his grace will send
Upon us all, and keepe us all from ill,
Amen say all, ift be thy blessed will.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1610-1638 ?
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Arden" target="_blank">Wikipedia: </a> Thomas Arden, or Arderne, was a successful businessman in the early Tudor period. Born in 1508, probably in Norwich, Arden took advantage of the tumult of the Reformation to make his fortune, trading in the former monastic properties dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538. In fact, the house in which he was murdered (which is still standing in Faversham) was a former guest house of Faversham Abbey, the Benedictine abbey near the town. His wife Alice had taken a lover, a man of low status named Mosby; together, they plotted to murder her husband. After several bungled attempts on his life, two ex-soldiers from the former English dominion of Calais known as Black Will and Loosebag (called Shakebag in the play) were hired and continued to make botched attempts. Arden was finally killed in his own home on 14 February 1551, and his body was left out in a field during a snowstorm, hoping that the blame would fall on someone who had come to Faversham for the St Valentine's Day fair. The snowfall stopped, however, before the killers' tracks were covered, and the tracks were followed back to the house. Bloodstained swabs and rushes were found, and the killers quickly confessed. Alice and Mosby were put on trial and convicted of the crime; he was hanged and she burnt at the stake in 1551. Black Will may also have been burnt at the stake after he had fled to Flanders: the English records state he was executed in Flanders, while the Flemish records state he was extradited to England. Loosebag escaped and was never heard of again. Other conspirators were hanged in chains. One - George Bradshaw, who was convicted by an obscure passage in a sealed letter he had delivered - was wrongly convicted and posthumously acquitted.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed at London for C.W.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
burning, hanging, hanging in chains,
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Multiple
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Various: Canterbury (burning), Smithfield (hanging), Feversham (hanging in chains), Osbridge in Kent (hanging)
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/4d887be589eae30482b76523e1568a6a.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="500"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.156-157; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/30458/image" target="_blank">EBBA 30458</a>
Subtitle
who for the loue of one Mosbie, hired certaine Ruffians and Villaines most cruelly to murder her Husband; with the fatall end of her and her Associats.
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Title
A name given to the resource
The complaint and lamentation of Mistresse Arden of Feversham in Kent,
burning
English
Female
hanging
hanging in chains
Male
murder
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
A lonely wave is breaking on the rocky Antrim shore
And the sighing winds are a keening oe'r the water's solemn roar
The seabirds sweep to Heaven with a loud and piercing wail
'Tis the passing knell of one who dies in a lonely English jail
Along the sweltering Congo swamps, a ghastly silence falls
And the jungle trees hang lifeless like a thousand funeral palls
And dark-skinned men are heavy with a fear they cannot name
While their gentle friend is lead to death with mockery and shame
Ah, lordly Roger Casement you gave all a man could give
that Justice be unmocked at and that liberty might live
But you hurt the high and mighty ones in pocket and in pride
And that is why they hated you and that is why you died
They stripped you of your honours and they hounded you to death
And their blood lust was not sated when you gasped your dying breath
They tried to foul your memory as they fouled your corpse with lime
But God is not an Englishman and truth will tell with time
Ah, gentle Roger Casement you have blessed us in your death
They have tried to blot you from our minds, but we shall not forget
Your cause will be triumphant and when slavery's night is oe'r
Your bones shall rest, your last request, on your rocky native shore
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
URL
<a href="http://www.eirefirst.com/r.html#r004d" target="_blank">Ireland First! Irish Song Lyrics</a>
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Ballad of Roger Casement
English
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/de5ede78388b4b523581775b7a583796.jpg
505c0537673c1981f8062f6237fe8cae
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
I AM a blade that hath no trade, Most people do adore me,
And I can hector, swagger, and lie, And drive a town before me.
I have a wife of wanton strife, She drives me to trapan, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.
With my silk hose, and square toed shoes, I hector, swear, and swagger;
And every coxcomb that I meet, I push him with my dagger.
At cards and dice I am the man, I am the noted gamester;
I love my health, and cock my felt, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.
O then I go to the Royal Exchange, Where merchants they are walking;
All this seems something odd to me, They idly are talking;
But if a purse, or a gold watch, Come by the slight of hand, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the swaggering Man, Sir.
From thence I to the tavern go, Where a waiter does attend me,
I call for liquor of the best, The ladies do commend me.
Behind the door there stands my score, The shot they do demand, Sir,
I nothing say, but hike my way, There goes the Swaggering Man, Sir.
From thence I go to Pater-noster-row, Where they deal in silk and sattin;
I pay for one and hike off three, All this is no false latin;
But if I am catchd, O then Im snatchd, And obliged to give an answer,
Im guilty found, and must come down, From being a Swaggering Man, Sir.
But now I have spent, all my means, Among those rakish fellows;
And am at last condemnd and cast, To hang upon yon gallows:
I sail to Tyburn in a cart, My body to advance, Sir,
The ladies cry as I pass by, Dont hang the Swaggering Man, Sir.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
robbery, theft
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tyburn
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/de5ede78388b4b523581775b7a583796.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="400" height="600"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.484; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/31180/image" target="_blank">EBBA 31180</a>
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
THE Swaggering Man.
English
hanging
Male
robbery
theft
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/a10bde515ebc16794f20ce3ea3543094.jpg
76bf4864e4196786fb9dfccd8b0612ab
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>The German Princess adieu</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1673-1696 ?
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Carleton" target="_blank">Wikipedia:</a> 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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />In 1673 Francis Kirkman wrote, and issued under his own name, The Counterfeit Lady Unveiled, a fictional autobiography.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London Printed for Philip Brooksby near the Hospital-gate in West-smith-field.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
returning from penal transportation without permission
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Female
Age
Age of the person condemned in the ballad.
30
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/a10bde515ebc16794f20ce3ea3543094.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
British Library - Roxburgh C.20.f.9.35; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/30388/image" target="_blank">EBBA 30388</a>
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.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Some Luck Some Wit
English
Female
hanging
returning from penal transportation without permission
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/d134768fcc513ba4022e4dfe8f544ad4.jpg
d5c9a3cdef0c6fc6dbaa895e3e968846
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
GOOD Lord John is a hunting gone,
Over the Hills and Dales so far,
For to take Sir Hugh in the Grime.
For stealing of the Bishops mare
He derry derry down
Hugh in the Grime was taken then,
And Carried to Carlisle town;
the merry Women came out amain,
Saying the name of Grime shall never go down
He derry derry dow
O then a Jury of Women was brought,
Of the best that could be found
Eleven of them spoke all at once,
Saying the name of Grime shall never go down
he derry derry down
And then a Jury of men was brought,
More the pity for to be;
Eleven of them spoke all at once,
Saying Hugh in the Grime you are guilty etc
Hugh in the Grime was Cast to be hangd,
Many of his Friends did for him leet,
For 15 foot in the Prisin he did Jump,
With his hands tyed fast behind his back etc.
then bespoke our good lady Ward,
As she set on the Bench so high,
A peck of white pennys ill give to my lord
If hell grant Hugh Grime to me, he etc.
And if it be not full enough,
Ill stroke it up with my Silver Fan,
And if it be not full enough,
Ill heap it up with my own hand, etc.
Hold your tongue now lady Ward,
And of Your talkitive let it be
there is never a Grime came in this Court
That at thy biding shall saved be,
then bespoke our good lady Moor,
As she sat on the Bench so high
A Yoke of Fat Oxen ill give to my lord
If hell grant Hugh Grime to me, etc.
Hold Your tongue now good lady Moor,
and of Your talkitive let it be,
there is never a Grime came to this Court,
that at thy biding shall saved be, etc.
Sir Hugh in the Grime lookd out of the door
With his hand out of the Bar,
there he spyd his Father dear
tearing of his Golden Hair. he derry, etc
Hold your Tongue good Father dear,
And of your weeping let it be
For if they hereave me of my life;
they cannot bereave me of the Heavens so high
Sir Hugh in the Grime lookd out at the door
Oh! what a sorry heart had he
There spyd his Mother dear,
Weeping and wailing Oh! woe is me, etc.
Hold Your tongue now Mother dear
And of Your weeping let it be;
For if they bereave me of my life,
they cannot bereave me of Heavens Fee, etc.
Ill leave my Sword to Johnny Armstrong
That is made of Mettal so fine:
That when he comes to the Border side;
he may think of Hugh in the Grime. he derry etc
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1741-1762 ?
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Sir Hugh in the Grime (Hughie Graeme or Graham) stole a mare from the Bishop of Carlisle, by way of retaliation for the Bishop's seduction of his wife. He was pursued by Lord Scroop, taken, and conveyed to Carlisle and hanged.
Scott suggested that Hugh Graham may have been one of four hundred Borderers accused to the Bishop of Carlisle of various murders and thefts about 1548.
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
<strong>From <a href="http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/h/hughtheg.html" target="_blank">Henry's Songbook:</a></strong><br /><br /><em>Hugh the Graeme</em><br /><ul><li>(Trad)
<p>Our lords hae to the hunting gane<br />A-hunting o' the fallow dear<br />And they hae gripped Hughie Graham<br />For stealing o' the bishop's mare</p>
<p>Well lowse my right hand free, he said<br />And put my brand intae the same<br />He's ne'er in Carlisle toon the day<br />Daur tell the tale tae Hughie Graham</p>
<p>They've ta'en him tae the gallows hill<br />And he looke`d up at the gallows tree<br />Yet ne'er did colour leave his cheek<br />Nor did he even blink his ee</p>
<p>And ye may gie my brother James<br />My sword that's bent in the middle clear<br />And bid him come at twelve o'clock<br />To see me pay the bishop's mare</p>
<p>And ye may gie to my brother John<br />My sword that's bent in the middle broon<br />And bid him come at two o'clock<br />To see his brother Hugh cut down</p>
<p>And ye may tell my kith and kin<br />I never did disgrace their blood<br />And if they meet the bishop's cloak<br />To mak' it shorter by the hood</p>
</li>
</ul>
[1880:] There are two editions of [this song], one of which was supplied by Burns to The Scots Musical Museum. It was obtained by Burns from oral tradition in Ayrshire, but the poet touched up some of the stanzas, and added the third and the eighth [nos. 2 and 3 above]. The other copy was obtained by Scott from his friend Laidlaw, and was published in the Minstrelsy. There is a ballad entitled The Life and Death of Sir Hugh of the Grime in D'Urfey's Pills to Purge Melancholy, which contains practically the same story. The story upon which the ballad is supposed to be founded is a traditional one, and is to the effect that Aldridge, the Bishop of Carlisle, about 1560 seduced the wife of Hugh Graham, one of the chiefs of the Border, and Graham, unable to bring the prelate to justice, made a raid, and with other spoil carried off a fine mare belonging to Aldridge. He was pursued by Sir John Scroope, captured and brought back to Carlisle, where he was hanged for felony. All attempts to save his life failed, and popular tradition attributes the stubbornness of the Bishop to his desire to get rid of the chief obstacle of his guilty passion. The Bishop was no favourite, and hence probably the animus against him in the ballad; for, as a rule, the old ballad mongers were not very hard upon lawless lovers. <br /><br />[In Burns' version,] Stirling, and not Carlisle, is made the scene of the execution [...]. It was for the Bishop's 'honour' that Hughie must die, the word honour perhaps suggesting that the Bishop's 'mare' had a meaning which may be easily conjectured. [The] ballad ends with the fierce dying words of Hughie <br /><br />Remember me to Maggy my wife <br />The niest time ye gang o'er the moor <br />Tell her she staw the Bishop's mare <br />Tell her she was the Bishop's whore <br />And ye may tell my kith and kin <br />I never did disgrace their blood <br />And when they meet the Bishop's cloak <br />To mak' it shorter by the hood <br /><br />Tradition does not say whether these dying injunctions were fulfilled, but if they were not it may certainly be assumed that it was not out of want of disposition on the part of the Grahams to revenge the death of Hughie upon the Bishop. (Ord, Glasgow Weekly Herald, July 10) <br /><br />[1964:] We do not know if Hugh Graeme, the border raider, is a figure of history or fiction. Several versions of the ballad set the scene of his plundering activities in the neighbourhood of Carlisle, and we are reminded that in 1548, complaints were laid to the Lord Bishop of Carlisle against more than four hundred freebooters and outlaws, of whom Hugh may have been one. The present version places the action further north, in the neighbourhood of 'Strievelin toun' (Stirling), but as with the Border versions, the sympathies are all with the bad-man and all against the authorities. Hugh was perhaps unusually well-favoured in having the Earl of Home's wife to speak up for him, though her intervention was fruitless. <br /><br />The earliest printed form of the ballad appears - a little surprisingly, perhaps - in the compilation of mainly saucy songs known as Durfey's 'Pills to Purge Melancholy' (1720), but it was already quite an old song then. Once common, the ballad seems to have become very rare in tradition. Only one version is reported in the twentieth century, obtained by the diligent Scottish collector Gavin Greig from Mrs. Lyall of Skene, near Aberdeen. Mrs. Lyall's excellent Dorian tune is the one used here by Ewan MacColl. (Notes Ewan MacColl & A. L. Lloyd, 'English and Scottish Folk Ballads') <br /><br />- Susanne Kalweit and Henry Kochlin
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London: Printed and sold by L. How.
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
poaching
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Carlisle
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/d134768fcc513ba4022e4dfe8f544ad4.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="800" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.456-457; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/31128/image" target="_blank">EBBA 31129</a>
Subtitle
OR A New Song made on Sir Hugh in the Grime, who was Hang'd for stealing the Bishops Mare.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Sir Hugh in the Grimes Downfall.
English
Male
poaching
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/17f921c8806b86a2659518f34df304f4.jpg
e4ccdde8a3a4248b6ef0f7dbab987f94
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em><a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1173">The Rich Merchant Man</a></em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
ALL youths of fair England, that dwell both far and neer,
Regard my story that I tell,
and to my song give ear:
A London Lad I was, a Merchants Prentice bound,
My name George Barnwel who did spend my master many a pound.
Take heed of Harlots then, and their inticing trains,
For by that means I have been brought, to hang alive in chains.
As I upon a day
was walking through the street,
About my masters business, I did a wanton meet:
A dainty gallant Dame, and sumptuous in attire,
With smiling looks she greeted me
and did my name require.
Which when I had declard, she gave me then a kiss,
And said, if I would come to her, I should have more then this.
In faith my boy, quoth she, such news I can thee tell,
As shall rejoyce thy very heart, then come where I do dwell.
Fair Mistris, then said I, if I the place may know,
This evening I will be with you, for I abroad must go,
To gather money in, that is my masters due,
And ere that I do home return, ile come and visit you.
Good Barnwel then, quoth she, do thou to Shoreditch come,
And ask for Mrs. Milwood there, next door unto the Gun.
And trust me on my truth, if thou keep troth with me,
For thy friends sake, as my own heart, thou shalt right welcome be.
Thus parted we in peace, and home I passed right,
Then went abroad and gathered in by five a clock at night:
A hundred pound and one, with bag under mine arm,
I went to Mrs. Milwoods house and thought on little harm:
And knocking at the door, straightway her self came down,
Ruffling in most brave attire, her Hoods and silken gown:
Who through her beauty bright, so gloriously did shine,
That she amazd my dazling eyes, she seemed so divine.
She took me by the hand, and with a modest grace,
Welcome sweet Barnwel than, quod she, unto this homely place:
Welcome ten th[o]usand times, more welcome then my brother,
And better welcome I protest, then any one or other:
And seeing I have thee found as good as thy word to be,
A homely supper er thou part, thou shalt here take with me.
O pardon me, quoth I, fair Mistris I you pray,
For why out of my Masters house, so long I dare not stay.
Alas, good sir, she said. art thou so strictly tyd,
You may not with your dearest friend
one hour or two abide?
Fath then the case is hard if it be so, quoth she,
I would I were a Prentice bound to live in house with thee.
Therefore my sweetest George, list well what I do say,
And do not blame a woman much, her fancy to bewray:
Let not affections force
be counted lewd desire,
Nor think it not immodesty, I would thy love require.
With that she turnd aside,
and with a blushing red,
A mournful motion she bewrayd, by holding down her head.
A Handkerchief she had,
all wrought with silk and gold,
which she to stop her trickling tears against her eyes did hold.
This thing unto my sight, was wondrous rare and strange;
& in my mind and inward thoughts it wrought a sudden change:
That I so hardy was,
to take her by the hand,
Saying, sweet Mistris, why do you so sad and heavy stand?
Call me not Mistris now, but Sara thy true friend,
Thy servant Sara honouring thee, until her life doth end.
If thou wouldst here alledge thou art in years a Boy,
So was Adonis, yet was he, fair Venus love and joy.
Thus I that ner before,
of Woman found such grace,
And seeing now so fair a Dame,
give me a kind imbrace:
I supt with her that night, with joys that did abound,
And for the same paid presently, in Money twice three pound.
A hundred Kisses then for my farewel she gave,
Saying, sweet Barnwel, when shall I again thy company have?
O stay not too long my dear, sweet George have me in mind,
her words bewitcht my childishness she uttered them so kind,
So that I made a vow, next Sunday without fail,
With my sweet Sara once again, to tell some pleasant tale.
When she heard me say I, the tears fell from her eyes,
O George, quoth she, if thou dost fail thy Sara sure will dye:
Though long, yet loe at last, the pointed time was come,
That I must with my Sara meet, having a mighty sum
Of money in my hand, unto her house went I.
Whereas my love, upon her bed, in saddest sort did lye.
What ails my hearts delight, my Sara dear, quoth he,
Let not my love lament and grieve nor sighing pain and dye.
But tell to me my dearest friend, what may thy woes amend,
& thou shalt lack no means of help, though forty pounds I spend:
With that she turnd her head, and sickly thus did say,
O my sweet George my grief is great, ten pounds I have to pay,
Unto a cruel wretch, and God he knows, quoth she,
I have it not, tush, rise, quoth I, and take it here of me:
Ten pounds, nor ten times ten, shall make my love decay,
Then from his bag into her lap, he cast ten pounds straight way.
All blith and pleasant then,
to banqueting they go,
She proffered him to lye with her, and said it should be so:
And after that same time, I gave her store of Coyn,
Yea, sometimes fifty pound at once, all which I did purloyn:
And thus I did pass on, until my master then,
Did call to have his reckoning in, cast up amongst his men.
The which when as I heard, I knew not what to say,
For well I knew that I was out, two hundred pound that day:
Then from my master streight, I run in secret sort,
And unto Sara Milwood then my state I did report:
But how she usd this Youth, in this his extream need,
The which did her necessity, so oft with money feed:
The second part behold shall tell it forth at large;
And shall a Strumpets willy ways
with all her tricks discharge.
The Second Part, to the same Tune.
HEre comes young Barnwel unto,
sweet Sara his delight,
I am undone, except thou stand my faithful friend this night:
Our Master to command accounts, hath just occasion found,
And I am come behind the hand, almost two hundred pound:
And therefore knowing not at all what answer for to make,
And his displeasure to escape, my way to thee I take:
Hoping in this extreamity thou wilt my succour be,
That for a time I may remain in secret here with thee.
with that she knit & bent her brows and looking all aquoy,
Quoth she, what should I have to do with any Prentice-boy?
And seeing you have purloynd and got your Masters goods away,
The case is bad, and therefore here,
I mean thou shalt not stay.
why sweetheart thou knowst, I said, that all which I did get;
I gave it, and did spend it all, upon thee every whit.
Thou knowst I loved thee so well, thou couldst not ask the thing,
But that I did incontinent the same unto thee bring.
Quod she, thou art a paultry Jack, to charge me in this sort,
Being a Woman of credit good, and known of good report;
And therefore this I tell thee flat, be packing with good speed,
I do defie thee from my heart, and scorn thy filthy deed.
Is this the love & friendship which thou didst to me protest?
Is this the great affection which you seemed to express?
Now fie on all deceitful shews, the best is I may speed,
To get a lodging any where, for money in my need:
Therefore false woman now fare-well while twenty pound doth last
My anchor in some other Haven I will with wisdom cast.
When she perceived by his words that he had money store,
That she had gauld him in such sort it grievd her heart full sore:
Therefore to call him back again she did suppose it best,
Stay George, quod she, thou art too quick why man I do but jest.
thinkst thou for all my passed speech that I would let thee go?
Faith no, quoth she, my love to thee
I wis is more then so:
you will not deal with prentice boys I heard you even now swear,
Therefore I will not trouble you my George herk in thine ear,
Thou shalt not go this night quod she what chance so er befall,
But man wel have a bed for thee, or else the Devil take all.
Thus I that was with Wiles be-witchd & snard with fancy still,
Had not the power to put away, or to withstand her will.
Then wine and wine I called in,
and cheer upon good cheer,
And nothing in the world I thought for Sarahs love too dear:
Whilst I was in her company, in joy and merriment,
And all too little I did think, that I upon her spent,
A fig for care or careful thought when all my gold is gone,
In faith my girl we will have more, whoever it light upon:
My fathers rich, why then, quoth I should I want any gold?
With a father indeed (quoth she) a Son may well be bold:
I have a Sister richly wed, that ile rob ere ile want;
Why then quod Sara they may well consider of your scant:
nay more then this an Uncle I have at Ludlow he doth dwell,
He is a Grasier, which in wealth, doth all the rest excell.
Ere I will live in lack (quoth he) and have no coyn for thee,
Ile rob the churl and murder him, why should you not (quoth she.)
Ere I would want were I a man, or live in poor estate,
On father, friends, and all my kin, I would my talents grate.
For without mony, George, (quod she) a man is but a beast,
And bringing money thou shalt be always my chiefest guest:
For say thou shouldst pursued be with twenty hues and cries,
And with a Warrant searched for with Argos hundred eyes:
Yet in my house thou shalt be safe, such privy ways there be,
That if they sought an 100 years, they could not find out thee.
And so carousing in their cups, their pleasure to content,
George Barnwel had in little space his money wholly spent.
Which being done to Ludlow then, he did provide to go,
To rob his wealthy Uncle then,
his Minion would it so:
and once or twice he thought to take his father by the way,
but that he thought his Master there took order for his stay.
Directly to his Uncle then, he rode with might and main,
where with good welcome, and good cheer he did him entertain:
A Sennets space he stayed there, until it chanced so,
His Uncle with fat Cattel did unto a Market go.
His Kinsman needs must ride with him and when he saw right plain
Great store of Money he had took, in coming home again,
Most suddenly within a Wood, he struck his Uncle down,
And beat his brains out of his head, so sore he crackt his crown:
And fourscore pound in ready coyn, out of his Purse he took,
And comming unto London strait, the Country quite forsook.
To Sara Milwood then he came, shewing his store of gold,
And how he had his Uncle slain, to her he plainly told.
Tush, tis no matter George, quod she so we the money have,
To have good cheer in jolly sort, and deck us fine and brave.
And thus they livd in filthy sort, till all his store was gone,
And means to get them any more, I wis poor George had none.
And therefore now in railing sort she thrust him out of door,
Which is the just reward they get that spend upon a Whore.
O do me not this vile disgrace, in this my need (quoth he)
She calld him thief and murderer with all the spight might be.
And to the Constable she went, to have him apprehended,
And shewd in each degree how far, he had the law offended.
When Barnwel saw her drift, to sea he got straightway,
Where fear and dread, & conscience sting, upon him still doth stay.
Unto the Mayor of London then, he did a Letter write,
Wherein his own and Saras faults he did at large recite.
Whereby she apprehended was,
and then to Ludlow sent,
Where she was judgd, condemnd & hangd for murder incontinent,
and there this gallant quean did die this was her greatest gains,
For murder in Polonia
was Barnwel hangd in chains.
Lo heres the end of wilful youth, that after Harlots haunt,
Who in the spoyl of other men, about the streets do flaunt.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1674-1679
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
see also: (1780-1812) http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/acwwweng/ballads/image.pl?ref=Harding+B+1%2818%29&id=00019.gif&seq=1&size=0 <br /><br />and: http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/acwwweng/ballads/image.pl?ref=Firth+c.17%2872%29&id=18762.gif&seq=1&size=1 <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/bbals_20.htm" target="_blank">Cf. The Unfaithful Servant: </a>17. For George Barnwell as black-letter ballad see Coles, F, Vere, T and Gilbertson, W in Bodleian Allegro archive as Wood 401(77); for other printings, same source, Aldermary Church Yard as Harding B 1(17), from c.Brown in London as Douce Ballads 3(40a), J. Evans in London (41 Long Lane), same source, as Harding B. 1(18) and Keys in Devonport, same source, as Firth b. 25(503).
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere J. Wright, and J. Clarke
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging, hanging in chains
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
robbery, murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Multiple
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Ludlow and Polonia
Image / Audio Credit
British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.9.26-27; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/30382/image" target="_blank">EBBA 30382</a>; Also in <a href="http://bodley24.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/acwwweng/ballads/image.pl?ref=Douce+Ballads+3%2840a%29&id=15627.gif&seq=1&size=0" target="_blank">Bodleian</a>
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/17f921c8806b86a2659518f34df304f4.jpg" frameborder="0" width="500" height="420"></iframe>
Subtitle
an Apprentice of London, who was undone by a Strumpet, who having thrice robbed his Master, and murdered his Uncle in Ludlow, was hanged in Chains in Polonia, and by the means of a Letter sent from his own hand to the Mayor of London, she was hang'd at Ludlow.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
An Excellent Ballad of George Barnwel,
English
Female
hanging
hanging in chains
Male
murder
robbery
-
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23d716c59c2706b3ffad781c87574871
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Greensleeves</em>
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1584-1627 ?
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Imprinted at London by Edward Allde.
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
treason, heresy
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Multiple
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
various
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/eef1312bbee0fe6753f7785fbbc1e1a1.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="320" height="500"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
National Library of Scotland - Crawford, Crawford.EB.1434; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/34359/image" target="_blank">EBBA 34359</a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
YOu Traitors all that doo devise,
to hurt our Queene in trecherous wise,
And in your hartes doo still surmize,
which way to hurt our England:
Consider what the ende will be,
Of Traitors all in their degree,
Hanging is still their destenye,
that trouble the peace of England.
Will not examples make you true,
But you will still the steppes ensue,
Of the ungodly Romish crue,
that trouble the peace of England!
Remember Felton long agoe,
And Campion that was hang'd also,
With a number great of Traitors moe,
that troubled the peace of England.
Then Parrie and Throckmorton eke,
Of traiterous driftts were not to seeke,
And divers other have doone the like,
to trouble the peace of England:
And Babbington with his wicked traine,
Continually did beate their braine,
which way and how they might obtaine,
to trouble the peace of England.
But God we see hath still made knowne,
Their wicked meaninges every one,
And death hath made their harts to grone,
that troubled the peace of England:
Yet will not these examples good,
Once stay these traitors madding mood,
But still they seeke to suck the blood,
of our gratious Queene of England.
As late neer London there was seene,
Two traitors hang'd on Myle-end greene
which did take part against our Queene,
to trouble her Realme of England:
The first a Preest, his name was Deane,
The next was Weblin who did meane,
To helpe the Spaniards for to gleane,
the fruites of the Realme of England.
The next in Finsberrie feeld their died,
A Preest that was a traitor tryed,
His name was Gunter who denied,
to helpe the good Queene of England:
But he would for the Spaniards sake,
Provide invasion for to make,
And gainst our Queene their partes to take
to trouble the peace of England.
There died in Lincolnes feelde also,
Moorton a cruell traitor too:
He being a Preest with other moe,
did come to trouble our England.
And in that place there died with him,
One Moore that was a traitor grim,
who would have ventured life and lim,
to hurt the good Queene of England.
There died eke at Clarkenwell,
A Preest that was a traitor fell,
His name was Acton trueth to tell,
that troubled the peace of England:
For why, he sought for to maintaine,
The Pope and eke the Spanish traine,
And did our gratious Queene disdaine,
with all that love her in England.
Then Felton yong who did upholde,
The Pope as did his Father olde,
His false hart he to treason solde,
to trouble the peace of England:
To Braintford he was had to dye,
wheras he stoutly did deny,
To helpe our Queene and her Cuntrye,
but sought the decay of England.
And in like manner Clarkson he,
To Braintford went for company,
where both were hanged upon a tree,
as enemies to our England:
Both Preests they were of Romish rout
Who subtilly did goe about,
But yet for them it was no boot,
to hurt the good Realme of England.
At Tyborne dyed the thirteth day,
Flewert and Shelley, trueth to say,
And Leigh a preest who did denay,
to aide the good Queene of England:
Martin and Rooche that present died,
At Tyborne being Traitors tryed:
For like the rest they had denide,
to aide the good Queene of England.
One Margeret Ward there died that daye,
For from Bridewell she did convay,
A traiterous preest with ropes away,
that sought to trouble our England:
This wicked woman voide of grace,
Would not repent in any case,
But desperatly even at that place,
she died as a foe to England.
When Law had passed upon them so,
they should be hang'd and quartered too
Our Queene tooke mercy on them tho,
which sought her decay in England:
And pardoned them their greatest paine,
Yet all her pitie was in vaine,
For to aske mercy they did disdaine,
of the gratious Queene of England.
But God we see dooth still defend,
Our gratious Queene unto the end,
Gainst traitors that doo ill pretend,
to her and her Realme of England:
God graunt that we may thankfull be,
Unto his glorious Majestie,
That so defendes the soveraignty,
of the vertuous Queene of England.
The names of the 8. Tray-
tors, executed on the eight and
twentith of August.
William Deane, and Henry Webley, executed
at Myle-end.
William Gunter, executed at Fins-burye.
Robert Moorton and Hugh Moore, execu-
ted in Lincolns Inne feelde.
Thomas Acton executed at Clarkenwell.
Thomas Felton and James Clarkson, executed
neere Braintford.
The names of them that
were executed the 30. of August.
Richard Flewett, Edward Shelley, Richard
Leigh, Richard Martin, and John Rooche, execu-
ted at Tyborne.
Also at the same time one Margeret Ward
for letting a Seminarye Preeste out of Bride-
well.
Subtitle
Wherof vi. were executed in diuers places neere about <em>London</em>, and 2. neere <em>Braintford</em> the 28. day of August, 1588. Also at Tyborne were executed the 30. day vj.namely 5. Men and one Woman. To the tune of Greensleeves.
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Title
A name given to the resource
A warning to all false Traitors by example of 14.
English
heresy
treason
-
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6bb63afcace1ade8395d546260447f46
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/46d9dc8d81978e34d9693f39c78ad206.mp3
a759525164ab225e3d40ad8cc1d55b22
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>In Summer Time</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1680
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
[S.l.] : Printed for P. Brooksby at the Goldene Ball in West-Smith-Field neer the Hospital Gate
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
buggery with dog; bestiality
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Female
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/1f99b17d5394a62d155c6e0e12975881.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="500" height="353"></iframe> <br /><iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/46d9dc8d81978e34d9693f39c78ad206.mp3" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="400" height="50"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Wood E 25 fol. (145), Wing / 2852:09. <a href="http://gateway.proquest.com.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/openurl?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2003&res_id=xri:eebo&rft_id=xri:eebo:citation:62369445" target="_blank">EEBO record</a> (institutional login required). Audio recording by Hannah Sullivan. <br /><br />
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.
Image notice
Full size images of all ballad sheets available at the bottom of this page.
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Mary Higgs, executed for 'buggery' with her dog. It was a genuine case, recorded <a href="https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?div=t16770711-1" target="_blank">here</a> in the Old Bailey Proceedings. The dog was also hanged alongside her.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
A looking-glass for vvanton women by the example and expiation of Mary Higgs
Audio recording
bestiality
buggery with dog
English
Female
-
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68e0c6ae95c550fbe7f88a6bae38403a
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2a0a73328caebe4bfd159bce9ec075d2
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>The Pious Christians Exhortation</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1688
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
Ballad follows a prose account of the event
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Licensed accordin[...] to Order Blare, at the Looking-Glass on London-Bridge. 1688.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
burning
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Female
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Leicester-Fields
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/5fe72360d5d62eb897a09be28ebeb69c.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="600"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library, Wing / 1611:04. Recorded in <a href="http://gateway.proquest.com.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/openurl?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2003&res_id=xri:eebo&rft_id=xri:eebo:image:105466" target="_blank">EEBO</a> (institutional login required).
Subtitle
or, The French midwife's miserable moan for the barbarous murther committed upon the body of her husband
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Title
A name given to the resource
A Cabinet of grief,
burning
English
Female
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/55b07cc737e3a2214d7e4b9d52d839e1.jpg
928e93b70307dcff8024891044c24294
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1170"><em>Russell's Farewell</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
WEll may the World against us cry,
for these our Deeds most base,
For which, alas! we now must dye, Death looks us in the face;
Which is no more than what's our due, since we so wicked were,
As here shall be declar'd to you, let Pyrates then take care.
We with our Comrades, not yet ta'en, together did agree,
And stole a Ship out from the Groyne, to Roam upon the Sea:
With which we Robb'd, and Plunder'd too, no Ship that we did spare,
Thus many a one we did undo,
let Pyrates then take care.
Our Ship being well stored then for this our Enterprise,
One Hundred and Eighty Men there was in her likewise:
We Pillag'd all we could come nigh, no Nation did we spare,
For which a shameful death we dye, let Pirates then take care.
We Robb'd a Ship upon the Seas, the Gunsway call'd by name,
Which we met near the East-Indias, and Rifled the same;
In it was Gold and Silver store, of which all had a share,
Each man 600 pounds and more let Pirates then take care.
Thus for some time we liv'd, and Reign'd as masters of the Sea,
Every Merchant we detain'd and us'd most cruelly,
The Treasures took, we sunk the Ship, with those that in it were,
That would not unto us submit,
let Pirates then take care.
Thus Wickedly we e'ery day liv'd upon others good,
The which, alas! we must repay now with our dearest blood,
For we on no one mercy took, nor any did we spare,
How can we then for mercy look, let Pirates then take care.
We thus did live most cruelly, and of no danger thought,
But we at last, as you may see, are unto Justice brought,
For Outrages of Villany, of which we Guilty are,
And now this very day must dye, let Pirates then take care.
Now farewel to this wicked World, and our Companions too,
From hence we quickly shall be hurl'd to clear the way for you,
For certainly if e're you come to Justice as we are,
Deserved death will be your doom, then Pirates all take care.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1696
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_Dock" target="_blank">Wikipedia: </a> Execution Dock was used for more than 400 years in London to execute pirates, smugglers and mutineers that had been sentenced to death by Admiralty courts. The "dock", which consisted of a scaffold for hanging, was located near the shoreline of the River Thames at Wapping. Its last executions were in 1830.The legal jurisdiction for the British Admiralty was for all crimes committed at sea. The dock symbolised that jurisdiction by being located just beyond the low-tide mark in the river. Anybody who had committed crimes on the seas, either in home waters of abroad, would eventually be brought back to London and tried by the High Court of the Admiralty. <br /><br />Capital punishment was reserved for acts of mutiny that resulted in death and for murders on the High Seas. Those sentenced to death were usually brought to Execution Dock from Marshalsea Prison (although some were also transported from the Newgate). The condemned were paraded across London Bridge past the Tower of London. The procession was led by the High Court Marshal on horseback (or his deputy). He carried a silver oar that represented the authority of the Admiralty. Prisoners were transported in a cart to Wapping, with them was a chaplain who encouraged them to confess their sins. Just like the execution procession to Tyburn, condemned prisoners were allowed to a drink a quart of ale at a public house on the way to the gallows. An execution at the dock usually meant that crowds lined the river's banks or chartered boats moored in the Thames to get a better view of the hangings. Executions were conducted by the hangmen who worked at either Tyburn and Newgate Prison. <br /><br />With a particular cruelty reserved for those convicted of acts of piracy, hanging was done with a shortened rope. This meant a slow death from strangulation on the scaffold as the drop was insufficient to break the prisoner's neck. It was called the Marshal's dance because their limbs would often be seen to 'dance' from slow asphyxiation. Unlike hangings on land such as at Tyburn, the bodies of pirates at Execution Dock were not immediately cut down following death. Customarily, these corpses were left hanging on the nooses until at least three tides had washed over their heads. This practice stopped at the end of the 18th century. In the cases of the most notorious offenders, the Admiralty would order that their bodies were to be tarred and hung in chains at either Cuckold's Point or Blackwall Point- on the River Thames - as a warning to all seafarers about the fate awaiting those who turned to piracy.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
LONDON: Printed for Charles Barnet, 1696.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
piracy
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Execution Dock
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/55b07cc737e3a2214d7e4b9d52d839e1.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.199; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20813/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20813</a>
Subtitle
OR, THE PIRATES Last Farewel To the VVorld: Who was Executed at Execution Dock, on Wednesday the 25th. of November, 1696. Being of Every's Crew. Together with their free Confession of their most Horrid Crimes.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Villany Rewarded;
English
hanging
piracy
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/d81897b4f751d0cc92ab569f3ef42e4f.jpg
1a08b44ae258094211b1ac8b1c4d6913
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The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Fond</em><em> Boy</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
N Ow, now loving People be pleas'd to draw near,
For a dismal Relation at large you shall hear,
How the innocent Blood of a Damsel was shed,
A Youth mortally wounded, the Murtherers fled;
Yet at length being seiz'd, they to Justice was brought,
At a time when all danger was past, as they thought.
The manner how they did this Murther commit,
And the time they escap'd, to the World I have writ,
That it may be a warning to others this day,
Therefore listen a while to this Ditty I pray,
In the Town of fair Slatburn a Widow did dwell,
Who had an [?] only Daughter she loved right well.
She had but that Daughter, not any Child more;
Now for her she had gather'd up Riches great store,
In broad pieces of Gold, nay, and Silver likewise;
Now the Thieves being told of this wonderful Prize,
They were never at rest, but did constantly wait
For a fit oppertunity, early and late.
While these cruel Ruffins in close ambush lay,
Like the Fox, or fierce Lyon that wait for their Prey;
The good Woman went forth, leaving no one within
But a Youth and her Daughter; the Thieves did begin
For to enter the House, and was desperate too,
And a sad bloody Slaughter did straightways ensue.
The poor frighted Damsel did trembling stand,
One of them did come to her with Pistol in hand,
And discharged the same through the midst of her head,
Blood and brains both did follow, she fell down for dead;
Yet they pinn'd he likewise with a Sword to the ground,
And the Youth that was with her receiv'd his death's wound.
Now while the young Damsel lay bath'd in her blood,
Which did flow from her Veins like a deluge or flood;
Oh! these murderous Thieves they were pleas'd to make bold
With the best of Apparel, nay, Silver and Gold,
For they rifl'd the House to replenish their store,
And was never discover'd for two Years and more.
This was to the Mother a dreadful surprize,
For to see the young Youth and her Daughter likewise,
In that bloody condition, both wreaking in gore,
Then she bitterly screak'd when she enter'd the door,
For her Daughter she found with the Sword in her side,
I am ruin'd, I'm ruin'd, her Mother she cry'd.
A young Man that had been in league with his Maid,
For the space of two Years he did lay by his Trade,
Ever searching for them, and by Fortune at last
They were taken and try'd, their head Ring-leader cast,
A ruff Villain, bold Henry Grigson by name,
He confessed the Murther, and dy'd for the same.
At length being brought to the place of his Death,
Where he was to surrender and yield up his breath,
He besought all the People that stood round him there,
For to joyn with him then in the Duty of Prayer,
That the Lord would be pleased his Sins to forgive,
So his Soul may in Heaven eternally live.
Then mounting the Ladder he bitterly wept,
Fare you well the bad Company which I have kept,
You have ruined me, for my Life's at an end;
Loving Father of Heaven on thee I depend,
For thy Mercies are many I needs must confess;
Let my Sins be forgiven tho' I did transgress.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1685
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London: Printed for I Blare, on London-bridge.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
York
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/d81897b4f751d0cc92ab569f3ef42e4f.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.182; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20798/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20798</a>
Subtitle
GIVING An Account of a Barbarous Murther Committed on the Bodies of a young Man and Maid, by Thieves, who made their escape, and was not found in two Years after; and then being apprehended, they were Arraigned, and their Ring-leader found Guilty; for which he received the due Sentence of Death, and was accordingly Executed at York late Sizes.
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Title
A name given to the resource
The York-shire Tragedy:
English
hanging
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/2b0666ad5ba3593d43daba1a0a3ec80c.jpg
0f1283368655415e9a8fc1fbb7c32738
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Hyde Park</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
THere was, I must tell you, a Jocular Spark, who Rambl'd and Revel'd at pleasure,
Young Women he often would kiss in the Dark, and tickle their Giggs out of measure;
He being a wanton young frolicksom Blade,
He was so well skill'd in the Courtezan Trade,
That in seven Weeks he declar'd that he made full thirteen poor Cuckolds in Branford.
As honest good Christians as ever broke Bread, dear friends, I would have you believe it,
Tho' each Man had lusty large Horns on his Head, alas! they could no way perceive it;
Concluding their Wives to be honest and Chaste,
Sweet Women, that hated a wanton Embrace;
Yet now after all you may pitty the Case of the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.
These Cuckolds did love this young Fop as their lives, in Taverns they tippl'd together,
In Corners he kist, and made much of their Wives, whose Heels was as light as a Feather;
They were not the Rabble, I'de have you to know,
But delicate Women as plump as a Doe,
Then listen a while and the Horns you'll hear blow of the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.
But if you wou'd know how this Mischief came out, I pray now attend to the Ditty,
This Gallant he murther'd a Man brave and stout, in cool Blood, the more was the pitty:
And while he in Prison Condemned did lye,
In sad Lamentation he often did cry,
He must ease his Conscience before he could dye, concerning these Cuckolds of Branford.
He told them that he was tormented in mind,
the Guilt like sharp Arrows run through him.
Beseeching the Keeper he would be so kind, as to send for these men to come to him;
Right earnestly he for this favour did plead,
The Keeper he could not deny him indeed,
And therefore to Newgate they sent for with speed, the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.
So soon as the Keeper he sent for them then to come to the Gallant in Prison,
It was an astonishment to these poor Men, who wonder'd what might be the reason,
But knowing him to be their Friend, they presume,
To mount Roan and Dobbin, for Newgate they come,
Not thinking that he had put Pope into Rome, and made them the Cuckolds of Branford.
As these thirteen Cuckolds did enter the Goal, it almost bereft them of Senses,
The Gallant he begg'd with a pittiful Tale, a pardon for all his offenses,
Said he, an Extravagant Race I have run,
Forgive me the Injuries which I have done,
Alas! I have wronged you every one, My Cronyes in private in Branford.
We know not wherein you have wrong'd us, they cry'd the value or weight of a farthing;
But if you will tell us the Truth, they reply'd, you shall have our absolute Pardon;
The Gallant did then on his marrow-bones fall,
And said, your good Wives they have been at my Call,
So that in a word I have Cuckold you all, while I did inhabit at Branford.
With shaking their Noddles they turn'd them about, the foremost was Cuthbert the Hatter,
Now as in a body they came trooping out, the People cry'd, What is the matter?
A Keeper that follow'd, said clear the way wide,
Pray what do you think they should be, he reply'd,
But good honest Christians, not Men that are Try'd, the thirteen poor Cuckolds of Branford.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1683-1703 ?
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
A man convicted of murder feels guilty about cuckolding thirteen men of Branford and calls them in to confess to them before he is executed.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed for C. Bates, next door to the Crown-Tavern in West-Smithfield.
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder, rape, sodomy
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Branford
Tune Data
<em>Hyde Park</em> (Simpson 1966, pp. 327-8). Recording on EBBA is wrong for the meter, recording is <em>The Crossed Couple</em>, <em>Tantara Rara Tantivy</em> (Simpson 1966, pp. 143-145).
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/2b0666ad5ba3593d43daba1a0a3ec80c.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 4.138; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/21802/image" target="_blank">EBBA 21802</a>
Subtitle
Being, An Account of a Gentleman who lay Condemn'd for the Murther of his Friend, and pretended he could not dye till he had eas'd his Conscience, in sending for thirteen Men, to beg their Pardons, whom he had Cuckolded at Branford.
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Penitent Gallant,
English
murder
rape
sodomy
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/5189faa3297c19d5283161b5889cc378.jpg
67b1540bef9ebb04e8f28b3ef1fd6342
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1170"><em>Russell's Farewell</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1693
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
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.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed for J. Bissel, at the Bible and Harp in West-Smith-Field.
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Female
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Holborn
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/5189faa3297c19d5283161b5889cc378.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.192; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20807/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20807</a>
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.
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Midwife of Poplar's Sorrowful Confession and Lamentation in Newgate
English
Female
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/dcc96f154638154d242452c4403fc2c1.jpg
c61d61963180b3c2ad9cca9b584e0910
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>The little Fishes in the Deep, knows no such Liberty</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
DELL 's Mistris dear, with Carret hair, her Love his Wisdom drown'd;
But he was Hanged at Tyburn strong, caused sorrows to abound.
My sorrow is great for his sad fate, for loss of my dear Friend;
I wish I had him by my side, sorrows would have an end.
Be gone, be gone, fond thoughts be gone, and give your sorrows o're;
My Friend that I expected down will never come no more.
Which makes my heart within me burn,
to think how I am down;
For once I was belov'd I thought, by the Wisest of the Town.
My Neighbours make a scoff at me, and Laugh at my own Door;
Because he's Hang'd that was my Friend, and will never come no more.
If my dear Friend was here again, that stands in Chirargions Hall,
My Neighbours durst not scoff at me, for he'd a plagu'd them all.
He plagu'd poor men to maintain me, and thus he led his Life,
And all was for the Love of she, that is the Taylors Wife.
He put his Father Ball to Nurse, to Deans that was his Friend:
But for the Riches that he had, he come by his sad end.
Dell Murthered his Father dear, his Brother, and his Wife:
For since they come to Edger Town, 'twas I that caus'd the strife.
His Company was as sweet to me, as Roses are in June ,
I thought he was the wisest Man, that was in Edger Town.
The Spirit of his Murthered Wife,
appears to each Man's sight,
No comfort in the World she had, as he did lead his Life
This Song is made of Dell my friend, that Kill'd his Brother Ball ,
And I which am the Taylors wife, I was the cause of all.
Since that I can't Revenged be,
of those that seek my fall,
I wish I were with my dear Friend, that stands in Surgeons Hall.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1674-1679
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
After half an hour or so, the now lifeless bodies were cut down and claimed by friends and relatives or sent for dissection at Surgeons' Hall. Fights often broke out between the rival parties over possession of the bodies. (Prior to the Murder Act of 1752, surgeons were allowed 10 bodies per year, after that they got the bodies of all murderers as well). Wealthier criminals provided coffins for themselves, the poorer ones often could not afford these. It was not unusual for their friends and relatives to sell the bodies to dissectionists.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
London , Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. W[right ] and J. Clarke.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Tyburn
Tune Data
Recording is <em>When Love With Unconfined Wings</em> (Simpson 1966, pp. 761-62)
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/dcc96f154638154d242452c4403fc2c1.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 3.333; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/21348/image" target="_blank">EBBA 21348</a>
Subtitle
To a New Tune, called; The little Fishes in the Deep, knows no such Liberty.
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Title
A name given to the resource
The LAMENTATION OF Dell's Mistris For the Loss of her Gallant.
English
hanging
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/87e88685ed7e4c268e8da3412742e658.jpg
bb8ded8e0a399289e1df66fe530992ba
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1170"><em>Russell's Farewell</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1693
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
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.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed and Sold by T. Moore,
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Female
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/87e88685ed7e4c268e8da3412742e658.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.193; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20808/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20808</a>
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.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Injured Children,
English
Female
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/93306af634d7c7db903d76b8fa720458.jpg
b69b40811cfb1d1f3d0f05ffce22d38d
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Lilli borlero</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
I have been long in Custody here, under strong Bolts a Prisoner fast,
Being possest always with a fear, that I should live to swing at the last;
Never was Man more tormented, sorrow and grief my sences does seize;
I never was pitty'd, but faith I have fitted the Hang-man, and cousen'd him of his Fees.
I have been made the scorn of the Town, who was of late next Man to a Throne;
Every Rascal's running me down,
so that I make most pittiful moan;
There's a thousand deaths invented,
for honest George, who them did displease;
but to their vexation, I shall cheat the Nation, and likewise the Hang-man of all his Fees.
I was the whipping Scourge of this age, caus[ing] good Men to suffer with shame,
[Therefore the Land] is all in a Rage, [wishing I] might partake of the same:
Some [says scourge me, others hang] me, [thus e'ry] one condemns as they please;
[But my speech] does falter, I shall scape the Halter, [and couzen] the Hang-man of all his Fees.
I wish the [rest] wou'd murder the Test, this is a Crime which none wou'd excuse;
And the good Wives that lives in the West, hopes they shall see my dye in my Shooes;
But they will not have their wishes, conquering Death does Chancellor seize;
O let them not Cavel, the Gout and the Gravel,
will couzen the Hang-man of all his Fees.
Ever since I have lain in this Den, faith I have lost the Purse and the Mace,
And am expos'd abroad amongst Men, under the terms of shame and disgrace;
Some says hang me, others flee me, and twenty Deaths more cruel then these,
But here I am lying, upon my Bed dying, I'll couzen the Hang-man of all his fees.
William and Mary being Proclaim'd, this like an Arrow went to my heart,
I with a Feavour straight was inflam'd, fearing I soon should have my desert:
Thousands waited for my Tryal, a shameful end the Rabble wou'd please,
Tho' they do crave it, they never shall have it, I'll couzen the Hang-man of all his fees.
Now when I hear King William was Crown'd, and that the loud-mouth'd Cannons [did roar,]
Presently I fell into a Swoon'd, never was man so daunted before;
And my Stony old Distemper, violently my Body did seize;
'Tis no feigned Story, but in this I glo[ry] to couzen the Hang-man of all his fees.
Some did declare I must loose my Head, others said Hanging wou'd be my Doom,
'Cause I for Honour had been misled, pleading always for Treacherous Rome;
But i'faith they're disappointed, conquering Death my Spirits does seize,
I'll make each a Lyar, and straightways expire, so couzen the Hang-man of all his fees.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1689
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed in the Year, 168[9]
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Jeffreys,_1st_Baron_Jeffreys" target="_blank">Wikipedia: </a> George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem, PC (15 May 1645 - 18 April 1689), also known as "The Hanging Judge", was a Welsh judge. He became notable during the reign of King James II, rising to the position of Lord Chancellor (and serving as Lord High Steward in certain instances). His conduct as a judge was to enforce royal policy, resulting in a historical reputation for severity and bias.<br /><br />Jeffreys' historical notoriety comes from his actions in 1685, after Monmouth's Rebellion. Jeffreys was sent to the West Country in the autumn of 1685 to conduct the trials of captured rebels. The Centre of the trials was based at Taunton. Estimates of the numbers executed for treason have been given as high as 700, however, a more likely figure is between 160 and 170 of 1381 defendants found guilty of treason. Although Jeffreys has been traditionally accused of vindictiveness and harsh sentencing, none of the convictions have been considered improper, except for that of Alice Lisle. Furthermore, as the law of the time required a sentence of death for treason, Jeffreys was required to impose it, leaving the king the option of commuting sentence under the prerogative of mercy. Arguably, it was James II's refusal to use the prerogative as much as was customary for the time, rather than Jeffreys' actions that made the government's reprisals so savage. <br /><br />During the Glorious Revolution, when James II fled the country, Jeffreys stayed in London until the last moment, being the only high legal authority in James's abandoned kingdom to perform political duties. When William III's troops approached London, Jeffreys tried to flee and follow the King abroad. He was captured in a public house in Wapping, now named The Town of Ramsgate. Reputedly he was disguised as a sailor, and was recognized by a surviving judicial victim. Jeffreys was in terror of the public when dragged to the Lord Mayor and then to prison "for his own safety". He begged his captors for protection from the mob. <br /><br />He died of kidney disease (probably pyelonephritis) while in custody in the Tower of London on 18 April 1689. He was originally buried in the Chapel Royal of Saint Peter ad Vincula in the Tower. In 1692 his body was moved to St Mary Aldermanbury. <br /><br />In his London Journal, Leigh Hunt gives the following account of Judge Jeffreys' death and burial:<br /><br />Jeffreys was taken on the twelfth of September, 1688. He was first interred privately in the Tower; but three years afterwards, when his memory was something blown over, his friends obtained permission, by a warrant of the queen's dated September 1692, to take his remains under their own care, and he was accordingly reinterred in a vault under the communion table of St. Mary, Aldermanbury, 2nd Nov. 1694. In 1810, during certain repairs, the coffin was uncovered for a time, and the public had a sight of the box containing the mortal remains of the feared and hated magistrate.<br /><br />
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/93306af634d7c7db903d76b8fa720458.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="450"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.278; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20892/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20892</a>
Subtitle
OR, His Last Sayings a little before his Death. To the Tune of, Lilli borlero.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Chancellors Resolution:
English
-
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6c703c25bf37172e5abc809cd0a4fab3
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1170"><em>Russell's Farewell</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
THis is a black and gloomy Day, dark Clouds of Grief appear;
And all my Joys are fled away,
my Soul is wrack'd with Fear:
Death with a gastful Countenance, does make me sore afraid,
For now I see I soon shall be a just Example made.
Alas my kind and loving Wife, whom I sometimes enjoy'd,
In cruel sort her dearest Life, my guilty Hands destroy'd:
Which Deed has brought me into thrall, the World may me degrade:
I am this day before you all a sad Example made.
A guilty Conscience now does fly here in this Face of mine;
Her Blood does for loud Vengeance cry to God enthron'd on high:
Therefore this World I bid adieu, since I her Life betray'd,
I am this Day in open view, a just Example made.
When I had done this bloody Deed, I was with Grief opprest;
My very Heart began to bleed,
I could not be at rest,
But was tormented still in mind, since I her Life betray'd,
And I shall be this day, I find a sad Example made.
My lawful Wife, and bosome Friend, whom I had cause to love,
I brought to an untimely end: my Crime is far above
The greatest Villain in the Land: her Life I have betray'd;
For which I shall be out of hand, a just Example made.
It is my trying Sins I know, and likewise want of Grace,
Which proves my fatal Overthrow, and brought me to this place:
My Conscience being stain'd with guilt, to dye I am afraid;
I shall be for the Blood I spilt, a just Example made.
I did destroy, as well as she, the Infant in her Womb,
If God should be severe with me, Eternal Death's my Doom,
But gracious Lord be not severe, as I have often pray'd;
Let this suffice that I am here a just example made.
Who leads a discontented Life, take Warning by my Ill,
And live in love like Man and Wife, curbing your Passions still;
For fear it proves your Overthrow, as I have often said:
In sorrow from this World I go,
a just example made.
O that my dear beloved Mate, I could recall again;
But that Repentance comes too late, my Tears are all in vain:
She now lies sleeping in the Dust, whose Life I have betray'd;
For which by justice now I must be an example made.
This very day the World I leave, therefore some pity take,
Good Lord! and here my Soul receive even for thy Mercies sake;
And cleanse me from the guilt of Sin for which I oft have pray'd;
Let it suffice that I have been a just example made.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1690
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed for I. Bissel, at the Hospital Gate in West=smithfield.
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/9d3a734bc1b84b2775f8b3e429bfc868.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.194; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20809/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20809</a>
Subtitle
OR, The Unfortunate Wife: Giving a True Account of one WILLIAM TERRY of Derbyshire, within Two Miles of Ashbourn, who murder'd his Wife Jane: For which he receiv'd due Sentance of Death, according to the Cruelty of his Crime.
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Bloody=minded Husband;
English
Male
murder
-
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Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Whipster of Woodstreet Pamphlet Image
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/2318f78b8f2f7b7c5f481338d34ced3e.mp3
7bce5088f668f5f9913658dab1c2bd1d
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Whipster of Woodstreet - Audio recording
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>Grim King of the Ghosts</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
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.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1690
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Elizabeth Deacon tortures her maid to death.
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
From <a href="https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?div=t16900226-1" target="_blank"><strong><em>The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Online: London's Central Criminal Court, 1674 to 1913</em></strong></a><a href="https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?div=t16900226-1%20" target="_blank"><br /><br /></a>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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br /> *** 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. <br /><br /> Supplementary material, 27th May 1691. Elizabeth Deacon , the Whip maker's Wife in Wood street, pleaded Their Majesties most Gracious and Free Pardon .<br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span>Tim Hitchcock, Robert Shoemaker, Clive Emsley, Sharon Howard and Jamie McLaughlin, </span><em>et al.</em><span>, </span><em>The Old Bailey Proceedings Online, 1674-1913</em><span> (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.0, 15 January 2019). Reference Number: t16900226-1 </span>
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
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
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
pardon
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder, torture
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Female
Date Tune First Appeared
1682
Tune Data
Reference: <em>Grim King of the Ghosts</em> (Simpson 1966, pp. 280-282)
Digital Object
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Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.190 (cf. HEH Miscellaneous 80079, EBBA 32182); <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20805/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20805</a>
Subtitle
OR, A True Account of the Barbarous and Horrid Murther committed on the Body of Mary Cox, late Servant in Woodstreet LONDON.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
THE VVhipster of VVoodstreet,
Audio recording
English
Female
murder
pardon
torture
-
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4ba728e166bbbe3ef5a78821c2546b1c
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1170"><em>Russell's Farewell</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
GOod People all I pray attend,
and listen now to me,
A sad Relation here I send
of Biss in Shaftsbury:
A noted Highway-man he was who on the Road did ride,
And at the length it came to pass, he was condenm'd and dy'd.
When he was to his Tryal brought, and at the Bar did stand,
He for no kind of favour sought, but there held up his Hand,
Declaring to the antient Judge, who was to try him then,
He should not bear him any grudge, he wan't the worst of Men.
He said, The Scriptures I fulfill'd, though I this Life did lead,
For when the Naked I beheld, I clothed them with speed;
Sometimes in Cloth and Winter-frize, sometimes in Russet-gray;
The Poor I fed, the Rich likewise I empty sent away.
What say you now my honour'd Lord, what harm was there in this?
Rich wealthy Misers was abhorr'd by brave free-hearted Biss.
I never robb'd nor wrong'd the Poor, as well it doth appear;
Be pleas'd to favour me therefore, and be not too severe.
Upon the Road a Man I met, was posting to a Jayl,
Because he could not pay his Debt, nor give sufficient Bayl:
A kind and loving Friend he found, that very day of me,
Who paid the Miser forty Pound, and set the Prisoner free.
Tho' he had got the Guinneys bright, and put them in his Purse,
I followed him that very night, I could not leave him thus;
Mounting my prancing Steed again, I crost a point of land,
Meeting the Miser in a lane, where soon I bid him stand:
You borrow'd forty Pounds, you know, of me this very day,
I cannot trust, before you go, I must have present pay:
With that I seiz'd & search'd him round, and rifl'd all his store,
Where straight I got my forty Pound, with twenty Guinneys more.
The Judge he made him this reply, Your Joaks are all in vain,
By Law you are condemn'd to Dye, you will no Pardon gain,
Therefore, Repent, repent with speed, for what is gone and past,
Tho' you the Poor did clothe and feed, you suffer must at last.
That word was like a fatal sword, it pierc'd him to the heart;
The Lord for Mercy he implor'd, as knowing he must part
With all his Friends and Pleasures too, to be as I have said,
At Salsbury to People's view, a sad Example made.
His melting Eyes did over-flow with penitential Tears,
To see his dismal Overthrow, just in his strenght of Years.
O kind and loving Friends, he cry'd, take warning now by me,
Who must the pains of Death abide, this day in Salsbury.
In grief and sorrow now I pass out of the World this day,
The latter minute's in the glass, therefore good People pray,
That as this painful Life I leave,
the Lord may pity take,
And in his arms my Soul receive, even for his Mercies sake.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1695
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
LONDON: / Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden-ball, / in Pye corner, near West-smithfield.
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
highway robbery
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Salisbury
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/fed8acb706ae473f0b45b3bbef140b48.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.195; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20810/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20810</a>
Subtitle
OR, The Last Farewel of Mr. Biss, Who was Born at Shaftsbury, in Wiltshire, and was arrain'd and found guilty, and accordingly received Sentence of Death, and was Executed at Salisbury, on the 12th of March, 1695.
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Title
A name given to the resource
THE Penitent Highway-man:
English
highway robbery
Male
-
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12ec1ada42465363429527258a21ce7b
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
The Murtherer's Lamentation - Pamphlet Image
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1170"><em>Russell's farewell</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
O Most unhappy men we are, this sad and dismal day,
Wrapt us in sorrow, grief, and care, alas, what shall we say?
The dying hearts within us bleed, for mercy, Lord, we cry,
Tho' for a most unchristian deed, we are condemn'd to dye .
Pale death this morning we behold,
with hearts as cold as stone;
Why did we covet cursed gold, which never was our own?
It has our sad destruction wrought, and for this villany,
Alas, we are to justice brought, in open shame to dye.
My name is Jewster , I confess, that first the plot did lay,
Yet did I not the least express, they shou'd her life betray;
But Butler enter'd first the room, to act that villany:
And now we both receive our doom, in open shame we dye .
I to my shame have done amiss, be'ng a relation near;
Of such a horrid crime at this,
the worst shall seldom hear;
That I with ruffins should combine to act that villany,
For which I must my breath resine, in open shame we dye .
First Satan tempted us to steal; we did contract that guilt,
And that we might the same conceal, her aged blood we spilt;
Thus we from sin to sin did go, in highth of villany,
And this has wrought our overthrow, in open shame we dye .
Alas, let me do what I can, declare the truth I must,
I Butler was the very man, that stopt her breath at first;
By violence I seiz'd her throat, oh horrid villany;
My soul on seas of grief does float, as being brought to dye .
Her lodger we did then surprise with the same violence,
Stopping her mouth with rags likewise,
depriving her of sence;
Yet she her reason soon obtain'd the truth to testifie,
When at the bar we was arrain'd and eke condemn'd to dye .
One being dead, the other bound,
we rifl'd then the store,
For strait in ready cash we found, nine hundred pounds and more;
We fill'd our pockets with the same, this done, we strait did fly,
Yet we was took and brought to shame, being condemn'd to dye .
Since in the blood of innocent
our hands we did imbrew;
Altho' in heart we do lament, this death is but our due;
Let others a fair warning take, by this our distany,
Who must in shame the world forsake, as being brought to dye .
Good Lord, in pity us behold, thy love we do implore,
For tho' our sins are manifold, thy mercies Lord are more;
Tho' we on earth thy laws did break, yet as this life we leave,
O save us for thy mercies sake, our sinful souls receive.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1694
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Guiltspur-street .
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Spitalfields
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/17febd39cb88decdc4d6b98641a3a2b6.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.179; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20796/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20796</a>
Subtitle
BEING An Account of John Jewster and William Butler, who where arraign'd and found guilty of the Robbery and Murther of Mrs. Jane Le-grand; for which they received due Sentence of Death, and was accordingly Executed on the 19th day of this Instant July, in Spittle-fields.
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
THE Murtherers Lamentation:
English
Male
murder
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/c3a90345ba6a3a3a9902b54797147bb8.jpg
256e2cf0c2c011428bf87927aa4153b9
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/2961d3ed3061f41c99c3e2e6aedd41be.jpg
b0d4890b69f805098504697aa29479cc
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/11c8bbc3c93bb75e565c5484e18bd2cf.mp3
24b77eb95b249d5ccfe0597e656b7fc8
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<a href="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1173"><em>The Rich Merchant Man</em></a>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
Unto you all this day,
my faults I do declare,
Alas! I have not long to stay,
I must for Death prepare;
A most notorious Wretch,
I many years have been,
For which I now at length must stretch,
a just Reward for Sin:
No Tongue, nor Pen can tell
what Sorrows I conceive;
Your Golden Farmer's last Farewell,
unto the World I leave
I having run my Race,
I now at last do see,
That in much shame and sad disgrace,
my Life will ended be:
I took Delight to rob,
and rifle rich and poor,
But now at last, my Friend Old Mob,
I ne'er shall see thee more:
No Tongue nor Pen can tell;
what Sorrows I conceive;
Your Golden Farmer's last Farewell,
unto the World I leave.
A Gang of Robbers then
myself did entertain;
Notorious hardy Highway-men.
who did like Ruffians reign:
We'd rob, we'd laugh, and joke,
and revel night and day;
But now the knot of us is broke,
'tis I that leads the way:
No Tongue nor Pen can tell
what Sorrows I conceive,
Your Golden Farmer's last Farewell
unto the World I leave.
We Houses did beset,
and robb'd them night and day,
Making all Fish that came to Net,
for still we cleared the way;
Five Hundred Pounds and more,
in Money, Gold, and Plate,
From the right Owner we have bore,
but now my wretched State,
No Tongue nor Pen can tell, etc.
We always gagg'd and bound
most of the Family,
That we might search untill we found
their hidden Treasury;
Which if we could not find,
a Pistol cock'd streightway,
Presented at their Breast, to make
them shew us where it lay:
No Tongue nor Pen can tell, etc.
The Bloud which I have spilt,
now on my Conscience lies,
The heavy dreadfull thought of Guilt
my Senses do's surprize;
The thoughts of Death I fear,
although a just Reward,
As knowing that I must appear,
before the living Lord,
No Tongue nor Pen can tell, etc.
I solemnly declare,
who am to Justice brought,
All kind of wicked Sins that are,
I eagerly have wrought;
No Villains are more rife,
than those which I have bred;
And thus a most perfidious Life
I in this world have led:
No Tongue nor Pen can tell, etc.
Long have I liv'd you see,
by this unlawful Trade,
And at the length am brought to be
a just Example made:
Good God my Sins forgive,
whose Laws I did offend,
For here I may no longer live,
my Life is at an end:
No Tongue nor Pen can tell
what Sorrows I conceive;
Your Golden Farmer's last Farewell,
unto the World I leave.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1690
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder, robbery
Gender
Gender of the person being executed.
Male
Execution Location
Location the condemned was executed.
Fleet Street
Notes
Additional information related to the ballad pamphlet or related events
<strong>From David Nash Ford's <a href="http://www.berkshirehistory.com/bios/wdavies.html" target="_blank"><em>Royal Berkshire History</em></a></strong> <br /><br /> William Davies (1627-1690) Born: 1627 in Wrexham, Denbighshire Highwayman Died: 22nd December 1690 at Westminster, Middlesex William Davies was a famous highwayman, known as the 'Golden Farmer,' from his habitually paying with gold coin to avoid identification of his plunder. It is said he often left his victims keep their jewels and other valuables. <br /><br />He was born at Wrexham in Denbighshire in 1627, but removed in early life to Sudbury in Gloucestershire, where he married the daughter of a wealthy innkeeper and had, by her, eighteen children. He moved his family to Bagshot on the Surrey-Berkshire border where he became a successful farmer until the last month of his life, but used this trade as a mere cloak. For he had early taken to the road and robbed persons returning from cattle fairs or travelling to pay rent, mainly on Bagshot Heath but also as far afield as Salisbury Plain. He was dexterous in gaining information and his character was above suspicion. <br /><br />Initially operating alone, Davies became a master of disguise and, at one time, robbed his own landlord of the annual rent money just collected from him. He later became the captain and leader of a large gang, among whom was Thomas Sympson, alias 'Old Mobb,' born at Romsey in Hampshire, who robbed for forty-five years with no other companion than the 'Golden Farmer.' Davies robbed the Duchess of Albemarle in her coach on Salisbury Plain, after a single-handed victory over her postilion, coachman and two footmen. He took three diamond rings and a gold watch, besides reproaching her for painting her face and being niggardly. Between Gloucester and Worcester, he robbed Sir Thomas Day of £60, after enticing him into a declaration that the county would make good any money lost on the highway if "betwixt sun and sun". <br /><br />Davies had begun this career as an experiment, after the King's death in 1649, when twenty-two years old. He gained something of a Robin-Hood reputation over the years, with some of his haul finding its way under the doors of local poor families. However, his wife never had any suspicion of his illegal activities and, in all the ordinary relations of life, he was eminently respectable. His charming manners enabled him to secure the fidelity of accomplices and attract the confidence of his victims. <br /><br />The ‘Golden Farmer’ retired from his profession for a few years, but was tempted back to the highway, in hope of making up a large sum for the purchase of land adjacent to his property. He had fallen out of practice and was recognised. Soon afterwards, he was discovered in Salisbury Court in Fleet Street (Westminster) which was, at that time, a kind of sanctuary. He had a narrow escape and shot a pursuing butcher. Being apprehended, he was committed to Newgate Prison, tried for the murder at the Old Bailey Sessions of 11th-17th December 1690 and his previous crimes became known. He was condemned to be hanged at the end of Salisbury Court (instead of Tyburn, as usual), where he had shot the butcher. He died on 22nd December 1690, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and was afterwards hung in chains on Bagshot Heath. Some say this was adjoining the old pub in Easthampstead that he used to frequent, now the site of a modern replacement known as the ‘Golden Farmer’. He had left affectionate messages for 'Old Mobb,' who was suspected of having betrayed him. Mobb was hanged at Tyburn on Friday 30th May 1691. <br /><br />According to George Daniel of Canonbury, the 'Golden Farmer' had been a corn-chandler in Thames Street, selling by day and despoiling the farmers at night. The contemporary ballad, his 'Last Farewell,' admits his close connection with 'a gang of robbers, notorious hardy highwaymen who did like ruffians reign;' also with housebreakers and burglars, clearing £500. one time, in money and plate.<br /><p>Edited from Leslie Stephen's '<em>Dictionary of National Biography'</em> (1888)<em><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua';font-size:xx-small;"><br /></span></em></p>
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
William Davies aka 'The Golden Farmer', a notorious highwayman is finally executed after 45 years of robbery, and is hanged in chains on Bagshot Heath, where he had committed many of his crimes.
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/c3a90345ba6a3a3a9902b54797147bb8.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe> <br /><iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/11c8bbc3c93bb75e565c5484e18bd2cf.mp3" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="400" height="50"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.187; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20802/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20802</a>
Subtitle
who was arraigned and found Guilty of wilfull Murther, and likewise many notorious Robberies; for which he received a due Sentance of Death, and was accordingly Executed on the 22d. of December, 1690 in Fleetstreet. To the Tune of The Rich Merchant-man. Licensed according to Order.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
The Golden Farmer's Last Fareweel
Audio recording
English
hanging
Male
murder
robbery
-
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/original/2d4c3e1da2f3a6776868ce45b5723653.jpg
97419f6cf7cea53a06ad85193aa6f019
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
English Execution Ballads
Execution Ballad
Set to tune of...
Melody to which ballad is set.
<em>The Country Farmer</em>
Transcription
Transcription of ballad lyrics
STout Shonny-ap-morgan to London would ride,
To seek Cousen Taffie what ever betide,
Her own Sisters Son, whom her loved so dear,
Her had not beheld him this many long year:
Betimes in the morning stout Shonny arose,
And then on the journey with courage her goes,
A Cossit of gray was the best of her cloaths,
Her Boots they were out at the heels and toes.
A Sword by her side, and with Bob the gray Mare,
Her rid on the road like a Champion so rare,
At last how it happen'd to her hard lot,
To meet with young Jockey, a bonny brisk Scot:
Then Jockey was jolly, and thus he did say,
Let's gang to the Tavern, drink wine by my fay,
Then Shonny consented, and made no delay,
But Jockey left Shonny the reckoning to pay.
While Morgan was merry, and thinking no ill,
The Scotch-man he used the best of his skill,
Considering how he might scamper away,
For why Sir, he never intended to pay,
But like a false Loon he slipt out of doors,
And never intended to come there no more,
Poor Shonny-a-Morgan was left for the score,
[Cut-zo] her was never so served before.
Her paying the Shot, then away her went,
The Welch Blood was up, and her mind was bent.
For speedy persuing he then did prepare,
Then Morgan did mount upon Bob the Gray-Mare,
Then Whip and Spur stout Shonny did ride,
And overtook Jockey near to a Wood-side,
And pull'd out her Sword in the height of her Pride
And wounded poor Jockey who suddenly dy'd.
Then Shonney was taken and hurry'd to Jayl,
Where her till the Sessions did week and bewail,
And then at the last, by the Laws of the Land,
Was brought to the Bar to hold up her hand:
O good her Lord Shudge, poor Shonny did cry,
Now whip her and send her to Wales her Country,
Or cut off a Leg, or an arm, or an Eye,
For her is undone if Condemned to dye.
But this would not do, poor Shonny was cast,
And likewise received her Sentence at last,
A Gentleman Robber just at the same time,
Received just Sentence then due for his crime:
Then Shonny-a-morgan her shed many tears,
Her heart was possessed with sorrow and fears,
The Gentleman-Thief likewise hung down his ears
For then he expected his ancient arrears.
The day being come they must both bid adieu,
Forsaking the world and the rest of their crew,
The Spark was attir'd so gallant and gay,
But Shonny was poor and in ragged array:
Then when they came both to the Gibbet-Tree,
The Gentleman gave to the Hangman a fee,
And said let this Welch-Man hang farther from me
So vile and so ragged a Rascal is he.
The Welch-man he heard him, and was in a rage,
That nothing almost could his passion asswage;
But fretting and chaffing he thus did begin,
Her will make her know that her came of good kin,
Besides, her will tell her his hearty belief,
That her is no more then a Gentleman thief,
That rob'd on the Roads, and the plain, & the heath,
Her now will Hang by her in spight of her teeth.
Language
Language ballad is printed in
English
Date
Date of ballad
1685-1688
Synopsis
Account of events that are the subject of the ballad
Switches from male to female pronoun: not sure if this is about a man or woman. Shonny-ap-Morgan rides to London to see his nephew cousin Taffie, and befriends a Scot in a tavern, Jockey, who leaves him to cover the bill. Enraged, he kills him and is condemned to die. A gentleman robber asks not to be executed near him, further enraging Shonny.
Printing Location
Location the ballad pamphlet was printed.
Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Guiltspur-street:
Method of Punishment
Method of punishment described in the ballad.
hanging
Crime(s)
Crime or crimes for which the person in the ballad is convicted.
murder, highway robbery
Tune Data
<em>The Country Farmer</em>, is also known as, <em>King James's Jig</em>
Digital Object
<iframe src="https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/files/fullsize/2d4c3e1da2f3a6776868ce45b5723653.jpg" frameborder="0" scrolling="yes" width="600" height="400"></iframe>
Image / Audio Credit
Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.173; <a href="https://ebba.english.ucsb.edu/ballad/20790/image" target="_blank">EBBA 20790</a>
Subtitle
If her will Fight, her cause to right, as daring to presume To Kill and Slay, then well her may take this to be her Doom. To the Tune of, The Country-Farmer. This may be Printed, R. P.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
THE Unfortunate WELCH-MAN; OR The Untimely Death of Scotch JOCKEY
English
hanging
highway robbery
murder