<![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?tags=Audio+recording&output=rss2 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 03:59:58 +1100 una.mcilvenna@unimelb.edu.au (Execution Ballads) Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[¶A balade agaynst malycyous Sclaunderers.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1294

Title

¶A balade agaynst malycyous Sclaunderers.

Synopsis

A response ballad to 'A newe ballade made of Thomas Crumwell' 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.

Digital Object


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, EEBO link (institutional login required). Audio recording by Jenni Hyde.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

¶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.

Composer of Ballad

William Gray

Method of Punishment

beheading

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tower Hill

Printing Location

☜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
A Balade agaynst malycyous sclaunderers.jpg
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Tue, 23 Feb 2021 21:34:49 +1100
<![CDATA[A newe ballade made of Thomas Crumwel, called ‘Trolle on away’]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1293

Title

A newe ballade made of Thomas Crumwel, called ‘Trolle on away’

Synopsis

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.

Digital Object


Image notice

Full size image/s available at the bottom of this page.

Image / Audio Credit

Thomas Percy, Percy's reliques of ancient English poetry (London: Dent, 1910), 327-329. Audio recording by Jenni Hyde.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

beheading

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tower Hill

Printing Location

Original in Antiquarian Society, in a large folio Collection of Proclamations, &c
On Thomas Lord Cromwell from Percy's Reliques pg 1.png
On Thomas Lord Cromwell from Percy's Reliques pg 2.png
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Tue, 23 Feb 2021 21:17:48 +1100
<![CDATA[Execution of the Mannings]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1136

Title

Execution of the Mannings

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Bodleian Library, Shelfmark: Firth c.17(267); Bodleian Bod9606. Audio recording by Hannah Sullivan. 

Set to tune of...

Lord Exmouth

Transcription

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.

Composer of Ballad

anon

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder

Date

Execution Location

Horsemonger Lane Gaol, London

Notes

Prose on pamphlet, including quotes from letters by both
Execution of the Mannings.jpg
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Mon, 04 Jun 2018 09:39:09 +1000
<![CDATA[The Brick-makers Lamentation from New-gate:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/965

Title

The Brick-makers Lamentation from New-gate:

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.

Synopsis

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.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.f.20.8.40; EBBA 30185. Audio recording by Molly McKew.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

treason (false accusation)

Gender

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London, Printed for Phillip Brooksby next door to the Ball in West Smithfield.

Tune Data

Packington's Pound is often cited as Digby's Farewell, Packingtons Pound or Amintas' Farewell. The tune first appeared in 1671 and was popular for execution ballads (Simpson 1966, pp. 181-187, 564-570).
rox_2_40_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:38 +1000
<![CDATA[A looking-glass for vvanton women by the example and expiation of Mary Higgs]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/952

Title

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

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

In Summer Time

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FINIS.

Crime(s)

buggery with dog; bestiality

Gender

Date

Printing Location

[S.l.] : Printed for P. Brooksby at the Goldene Ball in West-Smith-Field neer the Hospital Gate
A looking-glass for wanton women.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:36 +1000
<![CDATA[THE VVhipster of VVoodstreet,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/942

Title

THE VVhipster of VVoodstreet,

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

Elizabeth Deacon tortures her maid to death.

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Grim King of the Ghosts

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

pardon

Crime(s)

murder, torture

Gender

Date

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

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

Date Tune First Appeared

1682

Notes

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tim Hitchcock, Robert Shoemaker, Clive Emsley, Sharon Howard and Jamie McLaughlin, et al.The Old Bailey Proceedings Online, 1674-1913 (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 7.0, 15 January 2019). Reference Number: t16900226-1 
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The Whipster of Woodstreet Pamphlet Image
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:35 +1000
<![CDATA[The Golden Farmer's Last Fareweel]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/939

Title

The Golden Farmer's Last Fareweel

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.

Synopsis

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


Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.187; EBBA 20802

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Transcription

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.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Fleet Street

Printing Location

Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.

Notes

From David Nash Ford's Royal Berkshire History 

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

Edited from Leslie Stephen's 'Dictionary of National Biography' (1888)

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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:34 +1000
<![CDATA[A warning for all desperate VVomen.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/930

Title

A warning for all desperate VVomen.

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

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

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Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

The second Part, To the same tune.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[F]INIS.

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed for F. Coules

Tune Data

The Ladies Fall (Simpson 1966, pp, 98, 104, 105, 248, 369-371, 368), is linked with In Peascod Time. Tune first appeared in 1597.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:33 +1000
<![CDATA[The plotter executed:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/920

Title

The plotter executed:

Subtitle

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

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

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

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Transcription

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

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

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

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


The second Part, to the same Tune:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

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

Notes

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

There was no proof of connivance with a plot for assassination or rebellion except the testimony of Oates and Bedloe. The jury found Coleman guilty. Scroggs replied to his solemn declarations of innocence,'Mr. Coleman, your own papers are enough to condemn you.' Next morning sentence of death and confiscation of property was pronounced, and on Tuesday, 3 December, he was executed, avowing his faith and declaring his innocence.
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:31 +1000
<![CDATA[The Lady Isabella's Tragedy;]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/907

Title

The Lady Isabella's Tragedy;

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

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

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

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

Notes

Fictional tale
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:29 +1000
<![CDATA[The Clippers execution,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/902

Title

The Clippers execution,

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

In summer time

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

clipping gold coins

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Smithfield

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

Recording is another song in that tune
Anon-The_Clippers_execution_or_Treason-Wing-C4716-1648_07-p1.tif
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:28 +1000
<![CDATA[The Bloody Murtherer:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/900

Title

The Bloody Murtherer:

Subtitle

OR, The Sorrowfull Lamentation of James Selbee, who was Executed at Goodman's-fields, on the 2d of May, for the Murther which he Com-mitted on the Body of MRS. Bartlett.

Synopsis

James Selbee goes to see a prostitute, Mrs. Barlett, and in a drunken state, stabs her to death. He tries to murder her nurse but fails and is arrested and convicted.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.200; EBBA 20814. Audio recording by Molly McKew.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

ALl you that come to see my fatal end,
Unto my dying words I pray attend;
Let my misfortunes now a warning be
To e'ry one of high and low degree.

Had I been kind and loving to my Wife,
I might have liv'd a long and happy life;
But having run a loose lascivious race,
My days will end in shame and sad disgrace.

My Duty towards God I did neglect,
Therefore what mercy can I now expect;
When I before the mighty Judge appear,
To answer for my sins committed here.

In wicked pleasures I my days have spent,
And never had the Power to Repent,
Till now at last my dismal doom I see,
The just reward of Cruel Villany

Here to the World I solemnly declare,
I seldom did frequent the House of Prayer,
But Harlots Houses and Carousing too,
And now I see what it has brought me to.

Upon a Sabbath day it happen'd so,
To mrs. Bartletts House I chanc'd to go.
One that did live by base Debauchery,
And this has prov'd a fatal day to me.

I entred in, and sat me down a while,
Then came the Harlot with a pleasing smile,
Invited me streight to an upper Room,
Where we in sin the Sabbath did consume.

The Glass with Sider then went freely round,
Nay, Mum likewise in plenty did abound,
And Cherry-brandy too, we drank beside,
'Till all my Senses they were stupyfied

I finding this, I fain would gone my way,
But Bartlett she intreated me to stay;
And further to oblige me, said that I
All night between her Nurse and she should lye.

But I despis'd the profer which she made,
Then calling to her Nurse and likewise said,
Go fetch one gill of Cherry-brandy more,
This done, then I'll hasten out of door?

Then I did take in hand a bloody Knife,
With which I soon bereaved her of life,
For why, I cut her throat immediately,
Thus Drunk I sent her to Eternity.

This done, the Nurse I strove to kill,
But Heaven would not let me have my will,
I soon was seiz'd, and unto Justice brought,
And this has now my sad destruction wrought.

In Sodoms sins, you know her days she spent,
Yet this can be no proper Argument,
That I should thus her bloody Butcher be,
Therefore I suffer for my Villany.

My loving Wife, a Thousand times farewel,
Thy sorrows here no Tongue or Pen can tell
Yet God above I hope will still provide,
For thee and all thy little ones beside.

O let me be a warning to you all,
That comes this day to see my dismal fall,
Serve ye the Lord and shun all evil ways,
And by that means you may prolong your days,

Lord tho' my sins are of a scarlet dye,
Yet let my Prayers come up to thee on High.
My supplications unto thee I'll make
Oh save my soul e'en for thy mercies [sake.]

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Goodman's fields

Printing Location

Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, and J. Back.

Tune Data

Fortune my Foe, also known as, Aim not too High
PepysC_2_200_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:28 +1000
<![CDATA[The Araignement of John Flodder and his wife,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/896

Title

The Araignement of John Flodder and his wife,

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

hanging in chains

Crime(s)

arson

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Imprinted at London for John Trundle, dwel-
ling in Barbican at the signe of the No body.
The names in the Kings Letters Pattents, to
gather up the mony, are these following.
John Moore.
Steven Agas.
Robert Carre.
John Doffeelde.
William Horsnell.
Esa Freeman.
Robert Agas.
William Rowse.
The Countries and Cities, graunted for these
men to gather in, are these following.
London and Westminster: Middlesex, Essex, Kent,
Hartford, Surry, and Sussex: with the Cities of
Canterburie, Rochester, and the Cinque Ports,
with the Citie of Chester.
PepysC_1_130r_131r_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:27 +1000
<![CDATA[THE Unfaithful Servant; AND The Cruel Husband.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/895

Title

THE Unfaithful Servant; AND The Cruel Husband.

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Old Heath, near Shrewsbury

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

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

Notes

See also:
A just account of the horrid contrivance of John Cupper, and Judith Brown his servant, in poysoning his wife. [microform] Who were tryed at the assizes held at Shrewsbury; Cupper to be hang'd in chains, and Judith Brown to be burnt. Together with their dying confessions. Published by me William Smith, rector of Bitterley, their minister, to prevent false reports. (NLA, copy of BL and Bodleian originals, on EEBO)
PepysC_2_151_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:27 +1000
<![CDATA[THE Bloody-minded Husband;]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/892

Title

THE Bloody-minded Husband;

Subtitle

OR, The Cruelty of John Chambers, who lately lived at Tanworth, in Warwick-shire, and conspir'd the Death of Wife, hiring a Servant to Shoot her with a Musket, which he accordingly did, for which they were both Arraign'd, found Guilty, and Executed for the same.

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.169; EBBA 20786

Set to tune of...

Transcription

GOod People all I pray attend, and mind
This Mournful Ditty and you'll quickly find,
That cruel Sins does in this Kingdom Reign,
Of which we have just reason to Complain.
To see how Men run on their wicked Race
With eagerness, as being void of Grace;
Taking delight in those Notorious Crimes,
Which are the cause of our Distracted times.
Some Men with wanton Harlots leads their Life,
And slights the kind Embraces of a Wife;
Till ruin and destruction proves their fate,
And then at length Repentance comes too late.
As by these Mournful Lines it will appear,
John Chambers, living in fair Warwick-shire,
And at the Town of Tanworth, I declare,
A loose lascivious life he did lead there.
Keeping a wanton Harlot Company,
But for his loving Wife continually
He then abus'd, and likewise hated so.
That at the length it prov'd his overthrow.
That he those sinful pleasures might enjoy,
Alas! he study'd dayly to destroy
The Life of his right lawful loving Bride,
Unto that end he many methods try'd.
As from her Brothers House with him she went,
His cruel heart to wickedness was bent;
He did attempt to Drown her by the way,
Yet Providence preserved her that day.
Tho' at this time he could not have his will,
His most inraged Malice reigned still;
So that he neither night nor day could rest,
Making the thoughts of Murder in his breast.
Two Soldiers then he labour'd to employ,
In this most horrid cruel Villany;
Yet tho' he proffer'd them large Money then,
They would not be such bloody-minded Men.
Tho' he did with these disappointments meet,
Yet he was still resolved to compleat
This bloody Murther on his loving Wife,
And in short space bereave her of her Life.
He hir'd then a Servant of his own,
Declaring that it never would be known.
This said, the Wretch did not disputing stand,
But straightways took the Bloody work in hand.
Now while they did their Treachery conceal,
Poor heart, who was set at her Spinning-Wheel,
Free from the thoughts of either dread or fear,
Who little knew her Death was drawing near.
Servant and Master being both agreed,
A Muskuet straight they Charge, and Load with speed;
The Servant coming to his harmless Dame,
He Shot her through the Body with the same.
Just as she had receiv'd the fatal Wound,
And languishing, lay sprawling on the ground,
Her Husband came for to Salute her then,
Like a false wretch, the very worst of Men.
But she (alas) refus'd his Judas Kiss,
And with her dying voice, she told him this:
By Murther now you have procur'd my death,
And with those words she yielded up her breath,
Master and Man was then to Prison sent,
In order for a Lawful Punishment:
Nay, likewise when Assizes came at last,
They for this Murder was Arraign'd and Cast.
Now on the day that he was brought to Dye,
The Master call'd to all the standers by;
Wishing that they by him might warning take,
And all lewd Womens Company forsake.
For they alone, alas! has Ruin'd me,
And now this day my dismal Doom I see;
Had I been kind and loving to my Wife,
I might have liv'd a long and happy Life.
Farewel the World, and all vain Pleasures here,
Good God, when I before thy Throne appear,
Altho' my Sins are many, gross and foul,
Do thou be merciful, and save my Soul.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tamworth, Warwickshire

Printing Location

Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Giltspur/ street, without Newgate.

Tune Data

Fortune my foe is also known as Aim not too high (recording is Fortune my foe)
PepysC_2_169_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:27 +1000
<![CDATA[Sir Thomas Armstrong's Farevvel:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/889

Title

Sir Thomas Armstrong's Farevvel:

Subtitle

Who for High-Treason (conspiring against the Life of the King, and his Royal Brother, and the subversion of the Government;) was on the 14th. day of Iune, 1684. condemned to be Drawn, Hang'd, and Quarter'd; and was accordingly executed at Tyburn, on the 20th. of the said Month, in the view of many Spectators.

Synopsis

Sir Thomas Armstrong was executed in 1684 for his involvement in the Rye House Plot which planned to assassinate Charles II and his brother and heir James II. Armstrong was not executed in the usual place for nobility, Tower Hill, but instead he was drawn on a hurdle to Tyburn, where he was hanged and quartered. This was the most shameful way to be executed, and is why Armstrong sings that 'the thoughts of a Rope are most dreadful to me,/That must hang for my Crimes at the 3 cornerd tree'.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, C.20.f.10.29, Page 4.29; EBBA 30947. Audio recording by Molly McKew. 

Set to tune of...

Transcription

Farewel Worldly Pleasures and fading delight,
For now all my days must be turnd into night,
Now suffer I must, and the race I have run,
Has shortned my days, and my thred it is spun:
Oh wretch that I was for to Plot or Conspire
Against that good Prince, who the world do admire!
And now for the same I am in a sad plight,
A poor, and distressed, unfortunate Knight.

How might I have lived in splendour and fame,
That now by true Subjects am greatly to blame:
No pitty I find there is falls to my share,
My spirits decay, and I fall in despair,:
But how could I expect any favour to find,
That harbourd such thoughts in my treacherous mind
All you that in mercy do fix your delight,
Now pitty etc.

My days, that long time I in pleasure did spend,
In shame and disgrace like a Traytor I end;
Though it grieves me to think, yet confess it I must,
The Sentence past on me is nothing but just;
For the deeds I have done, & the words I have said,
Were I to be punishd by losing my Head,
Grim death would the less then my senses affright,
That am a distressed etc.

But the thoughts of a Rope are most dreadful to me,
That must hang for my Crimes at the 3 cornerd tree,
And there in the view of a thousand, or more,
Receive what I long had deserved before.
Oh Justice severe! how swift are thy wings
To pursue the Blood-suckers of mercifull Kings;
Who in thoughts are oppressed by day and by night,
Like me a distressed etc.

Though I had got over and crossed the Seas,
My mind was afflicted, my soul not at ease,
My conscience was filled with horrour and d[r]ead,
That Vengeance would follow where ever I fled;
And now to my sorrow most certain I find
That which so long time hath afflicted my mind,
And w[i]ll now put an end to my joy and delight,
Tha[t] am a distressed unfortunate Knight.

Method of Punishment

drawing, hanging, and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

Printed for J. Wright, J. Clark, W. Thackery, and T. Passenger.

Tune Data

Packington's Pound is often cited as Digby's Farewell, Packingtons Pound or Amintas' Farewell. The tune first appeared in 1671 and was popular for execution ballads (Simpson 1966, pp. 181-187, 564-570).
rox_4_29_2448x2448.jpg
Old Campidoglio Rome.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:26 +1000
<![CDATA[Iohn Spenser a Chesshire Gallant,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/880

Title

Iohn Spenser a Chesshire Gallant,

Subtitle

his life and repentance, who for killing of one Randall Gam: was lately executed at Burford a mile from Nantwich. To the tune of in Slumbring Sleepe.

Synopsis

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.

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Shelfmark: Pepys Ballads 1.114; EBBA 20047

Set to tune of...

Slumbring Sleepe, which is also known as Rogero

Transcription

Kind hearted men, a while give eare
and [plainely] Ile unfold
The sadd[est tale that] ever yet,
by mortal man was told.
One Spenser brave, of Cheshire chiefe,
for men of brave rega[rd]e:
Yet hee unto his Countries griefe,
did good with ill reward.

At Acton, neere Nantwich was borne
this man, so famde of all;
Whose skill at each brave exercise,
was not accounted small:
For beating of the war-like Drumme,
no man could him surpasse:
For dauncing, leaping, and such like,
in Cheshire never was.

For shooting none durst him oppose,
hee would ayme so faire and right;
Yet long he shot in crooked Bowes,
and could not hit the white:
For striving still more things to learne,
the more he grew beloved;
No Shomaker but Spenser brave,
by women was so prooved.

Those qualities did draw his minde,
from reason quite and cleane,
And vildly hee'd forsake his wife,
for the love of every Queane:
By Women he maintayned was
in parill fine and brave,
John Spenser could no good thing want,
for he could but aske, and have.

In Silkes and Sattins would he goe,
none might with him compare;
No fashion might devised be,
but his should be as faire;
When as (God knowes) his wife at home
should pine with hungry griefe,
And none[wo]uld pitty her hard case,
or lend her some reliefe.

Whilst hee abroad did flaunt it out
amongst his lustfull Queanes,
Poore soule of force she sits at home,
without either helpe or meanes.
Thus long he lived basely vild,
[containd] of all thats good,
Till at the last of hard mischance,
he did shead Giltlesse Blood.

One Randall Gam being drunke,
with Spenser out did fall:
And he being apt to Quarilling,
would not be rul'd at all.
Bout about the Pledging of a Glasse,
to which he would not yeeld,
He vowed he either would be pledg'd
or answered fayre in field.

This answer Randall Gam did deny,
which Spencer plainly found,
And being rag'd he strucke on blow,
feld Randal gam to the ground.
Seven weekes upon this he lay,
ere life from him did part:
And at the last to earth and clay,
his Body did convert.

Then Spenser was in prison cast
his friends full farre did ly,
For frindship in them proved cold,
and none would come him nie.
That man being kild, beloved was well
of all men farre and neare,
And some did follow Law so farre,
did cost poore Spenser deare.

For though he kild him by mischance,
yet Law him so disdaines.
That for his unrespected blow,
he there was hangd in Chaines.
He that was kild, had many friends,
the other few or none,
Therefore the Law, on that side went,
and the other was orethrone.

He being dead, two Milke white Doves,
did hover over his head,
And would not leave that hartlesse place,
after he three howers was dead.
Two mile white Butterflies did light,
upon his Breches there:
And stood Confronting peoples sight,
to their amase and feare.

Though he was vildly bent in life,
and hangd the Law to quit;
Yet he was stolne away by his wife,
and Buryed in the night.
His true repentance is exprest,
within the second part:
With all his Gilt he hath confest,
when troubled was his heart.

FINIS. by Thomas Dickerson

Kind Youngmen all to mee give eare,
observe these lessons well;
For undeserved my death I tooke,
and said 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 heere for one offence but small.
been pent in Prison long.
Kind Countrymen, faire 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 gayne:
By them a long time was my life
in gallant sort maintaynd:
No Mayden young, about the towne,
but joyfull 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 whore.

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 I lov'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 I 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.

O 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:
O 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.

FINIS. by John Spenser.

Composer of Ballad

Thomas Dickerson

Method of Punishment

hanging in chains

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Execution Location

Burford, near Nantwich

Printing Location

Imprinted at London for I. [John] Trundle
PepysC_1_114_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:25 +1000
<![CDATA[Damnable Practises Of three Lincolne-shire Witches,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/876

Title

Damnable Practises Of three Lincolne-shire Witches,

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The second Part. To the same tune.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

strangling

Crime(s)

witchcraft

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Lincoln

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

The Ladies Fall, is also known as, In Peascod Time
Damnable practices of three lincolnshire witches.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:24 +1000
<![CDATA[CRIMINALS CRUELTY.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/875

Title

CRIMINALS CRUELTY.

Subtitle

Giving a Just and true Account of one Iohn Wise, who together with Richard Iones, and Charles Tooley yet untaken, did one Sunday night being the twentieth of April, commit that Barbarous and Unnatural Murther on Elizabeth Fairbank, Widdow, who lived in a Seller, at Picadilly, that Robbed and Rifled her, being of Money and Plate, and Rings, for which fact Iohn Wise at present was found guilty, and accordingly received the due Sentance of Death, the which was Executed on Friday, the 17tnth, of this instant October, 1684. at PICKADILLY.

Synopsis

Three men, John Wise, Richard Jones, and Charles Tooley rob a widow and murder her; Jones and Tooley go on the run the next day but Wise is arrested. Tooley confesses on his deathbed, which his wife reveals and the other two are then punished. The last two stanzas are in Wise's voice.

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.153; EBBA 20771. Audio recording by Molly McKew.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

O H! this would make a stony heart Lament,
That men should be so vild and insolent:
They will proceed in their unlawful trade,
Though many still are sad examples made.

They'l Rob, and will defraud men of their due
Not fearing any thing that will ensue:
And in A Pitious course of Life run on,
Contrary to the Law of God and man.

Thus do they work their wits both night and day,
Still to contrive how they may work their prey:
Their wills are working to a base intent,
But yet at last too late they may repent.

When people by their care doth something save,
They'l Rob them of their lives for what they have:
This is the highest act of Villany,
Their guiltless blood it will for Vengeance cry.

Alas, that any Murther should lye hid,
From true Discovery, the Lord forbid:
Though they commit it ne'r so secretly,
They cannot hide from Gods all-seeing-eye.

Last April the twentieth day at night,
Those Villains did commit a sad Exploit:
Three Criminals together they agreed,
And did commit a Murther there indeed--

The Widdow Fairbank as it's known full well,
She in a Cellar all alone did dwell:
To whom those Villains went without delay,
And of her life and goods they made their pray.

They with a Hankerchief did stop her breath,
They also broke her neck, thus wrought her death;
They robbed her, and then away they fled,
And leaving of her murthered on the Bed.

At length it seems one coming down that night,
Where they beheld this sad and dismal sight,
Undoubtedly it did them much surprize,
To see this sudden change before their eyes.

Those Criminals made their escape away,
That night to Westminster without delay:
Then Richard Jones, Charls Tooley, and John Wise,
Among them they did share that fatal prize.

Next day they were in a most wooful case,
Their very Conscience flying in their face,
When Jones and Tooley thought of what they'd done
They were possest with fear, and forc'd to run.

But Wise was taken, and in Prison cast,
And Tooleys wife returned again at last:
Then all their Villany was open laid,
By what her Husband on his Death-bed said.

Thus may we see, how Murthers are found out
By what strange means it may be brought about:
For God who is the Righteous Judge of all,
Such Criminals he will to Justice call.

Wise was Arraigned, in process of time,
And was found Guilty of this cruel Crime:
He then received Sentence for to dye,
The Just reward of this his Cruelty.

Now may this grieve some hundreds for to see,
That he deserv'd to dye so shamefully:
O that his death may now a warning be,
To every one of high or low degree.

All you that sees or hears my fatal end,
Observe my words, to you a dying friend:
In evil Courses never take delight,
It is the ready Rode to ruine quite.

I do Repent that e're I run astray,
I might have lived many a happy day:
My Wicked life has hastned death more soon,
And now my Morning Sun goes down at Noon.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

robbery, murder

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Piccadilly

Printing Location

Printed for I. Deacon, at the Angel in Guiltspur-street,/ without Newgate.

Tune Data

Fortune my foe, is also known as, Aim not too high
PepysC_2_153_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:24 +1000
<![CDATA[Anne VVallens Lamentation,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/869

Title

Anne VVallens Lamentation,

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object


Image notice

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

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

T: Platte.
FINIS.

Composer of Ballad

T. Platte

Method of Punishment

burning

Crime(s)

murder

Gender

Date

Printing Location

Printed for Henry Gosson, and are to be solde/ at his shop on London bridge.
PepysC_1_124-125_2448x2448.jpg
Anne Wallens lamentation.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:23 +1000
<![CDATA[A letter to Rome, to declare to ye Pope, Iohn Felton his freend is hangd in a rope:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/848

Title

A letter to Rome, to declare to ye Pope, Iohn Felton his freend is hangd in a rope:

Subtitle

And farther, a right his grace to enforme, He dyed a Papist, and seemd not to turne.

Synopsis

The singer gleefully transmits the news of John Felton's execution to the Pope, sarcastically asking him to gather up the parts of his body now strewn around London, and to rescue his soul from Purgatory. For more on Felton's life, see notes below the ballad.

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

Huntington Library - Britwell, Shelfmark: HEH18325; EBBA 32412. Audio recording by Jenni Hyde.

Set to tune of...

Transcription

A letter to Rome, to declare to ye Pope,
Iohn Felton his freend is hangd in a rope:
And farther, a right his grace to enforme,
He dyed a Papist, and seemd not to turne.

To the tune of Row well ye Mariners.

WHo keepes Saint Angell gates?
Where lieth our holy father say?
I muze that no man waytes,
Nor comes to meete me on the way.
Sir Pope I say? yf you be nere,
Bow downe to me your listning eare:
Come forth, besturre you then a pace,
Fo I haue newes to show your grace.
Stay not, come on,
That I from hence were shortly gon:
Harke well, heare mee,
What tidings I haue brought to thee

The Bull so lately sent
To England by your holy grace,
Iohn Felton may repent
For settyng vp the same in place:
For he vpon a goodly zeale
He bare vnto your common weale
Hath ventured lyfe to pleasure you,
And now is hangd, I tell you true.
Wherfore, sir Pope,
In England haue you lost your hope.
Curse on, spare not,
Your knights are lyke to go to pot.

But further to declare,
He dyed your obedient chylde:
And neuer seemd to spare,
For to exalt your doctrine wylde:
And tolde the people euery one
He dyed your obedient sonne
And as he might, he did set forth,
Your dignitie thats nothyng worth.
Your trash, your toyes,
He toke to be his onely ioyes:
Therfore, hath wonne,
Of you the crowne of martirdome.

Let him be shryned then
Accordyng to his merits due,
As you haue others doen
That proue vnto their Prince vntrue:
For these (sir Pope) you loue of lyfe,
That wt their Princes fall at stryfe:
Defendyng of your supreame powre,
Yet som haue paid ful deare therfore.
As now, lately,
Your freend Iohn Felton seemd to try
Therfore, I pray,
That you a masse for him wyll say.

Ryng all the belles in Rome
To doe his sinful soule some good,
Let that be doen right soone
Because that he hath shed his blood,
His quarters stand not all together
But ye mai hap to ring them thether
In place where you wold haue them be
Then might you doe as pleaseth ye.
For whye? they hang,
Vnshryned each one vpon a stang:
Thus standes, the case,
On London gates they haue a place.

His head vpon a pole
Stands waueri~g in ye wherli~g wynd,
But where shoulde be his soule
To you belongeth for to fynd:
I wysh you Purgatorie looke
And search each corner wt your hooke,
Lest it might chance or you be ware
The Deuyls to catce him in a snare.
Yf ye, him see,
From Purgatorie set him free:
Let not, trudge than,
Fetch Felton out and yf ye can.

I wysh you now sir Pope
To loke vnto your faithful freendes,
That in your Bulles haue hope
To haue your pardon for their sinnes,
For here I tell you, euery Lad
Doth scoff & scorne your bulles to bad,
And thinke they shall the better fare
For hatyng of your cursed ware.
Now doe, I end,
I came to show you as a frend:
Whether blesse, or curse,
You send to me, I am not the worse.

Steuen Peele.

FINIS.

Composer of Ballad

Steuen Peele

Method of Punishment

hanging, quartering

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

St Paul's Churchyard, London

Printing Location

London, by Alexander Lacie for Henrie Kyrkham, dwellyng at the signe of the blacke Boy: at the middle North dore of Paules church.

Tune Data

Composer of tune: C. B. Hardman

Notes

Wikipedia: Blessed John Felton (died 8 August 1570) was an English Catholic martyr, who was executed during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Almost all of what is known about Felton's background comes from the narrative of his daughter, Frances Salisbury. The manuscript that holds her story has a blank where his age should be, but it does say that he was a wealthy man of Norfolk ancestry, who lived at Bermondsey Abbey near Southwark. He "was a man of stature little and of complexion black". His wife had been a playmate of Elizabeth I, a maid-of-honour to Queen Mary and the widow of one of Mary's auditors (a legal official of the papal court). He was the father of Blessed Thomas Felton.

Felton was arrested for fixing a copy of Pope Pius V's Bull Regnans in Excelsis ("reigning on high"), excommunicating Queen Elizabeth, to the gates of the Bishop of London's palace near St. Paul's. This was a significant act of treason as the document, which released Elizabeth's subjects from their allegiance, needed to be promulgated in England before it could take legal effect. The deed brought about the end of the previous policy of tolerance towards those Catholics who were content occasionally to attend their parish church while keeping their true beliefs to themselves. The reaction seemed soon to be justified: it was the publication in England of Pius's exhortation that gave the impetus to the Ridolfi plot, in which the Duke of Norfolk was to kidnap or murder Queen Elizabeth, install Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne and then become de facto king by marrying her.

The law records say that the act was committed around eleven at night on 24 May 1570, but Salisbury claims it happened between two and three in the morning of the following day, the Feast of Corpus Christi. Felton had received the bulls in Calais and given one to a friend, William Mellowes of Lincoln's Inn. This copy was discovered on 25 May and after being racked, Mellowes implicated Felton, who was arrested on 26 May. Felton immediately confessed and glorified in his deed, "treasonably declar[ing] that the queen... ought not to be the queen of England", but he was still racked as the authorities were seeking, through his testimony, to implicate Guerau de Spes, the Ambassador of Spain, in the action. He was condemned on 4 August and executed by hanging four days later in St. Paul's Churchyard, London. He was cut down alive for quartering, and his daughter says that he uttered the holy name of Jesus once or twice when the hangman had his heart in his hand. He was beatified in 1886 by Pope Leo XIII.
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