https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?tags=drawing+and+quartering&sort_field=added&output=atom <![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> 2024-03-29T01:48:29+11:00 Omeka https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/841 <![CDATA[A Congratulation on the happy discovery of the hellish fanatick plot]]> 2020-01-08T14:26:29+11:00

Title

A Congratulation on the happy discovery of the hellish fanatick plot

Synopsis

This is a Tory song attacking Whig i.e. Protestants, think 'Presbyter' refers to Stephen College, and the other names are 17C printers/publishers/booksellers: Richard Janeway, Langley Curtis, Henry Care, etc.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Huntington Library - Bindley (formerly Luttrell), HEH 135815; EBBA 32286

Set to tune of...

Now, now the Fight's done

Transcription

1.
COme now let's Rejoyce,
And the City Bells ring,
And the Bonefires kindle,
Whilst unto the KING
We pay on our Knees
The grand Tribute that's due,
Of Thanks and Oblations,
Which now we renew,
For Mercies that we
Have received of late,
From Prudence and Justice
Diverting our Fate.

2.
The Curtain is drawn,
And the Clouds are dispers'd;
The PLOT's come to light,
That in darkness did Nest:
Jack Calvin's display'd
With his Colours in Grain,
And who were the Traytors
And Villains 'tis plain:
The Traps that they laid,
And the Snares that they set,
Have caught them at last
In their own silly Net:

3.
The Foreman himself,
That Off-Spring of Hell,
In whose wicked Breast
All Treason doth dwell,
To the Tower is sent,
With his Triple Name,
Whilst the Triple-Tree groans
For his Carcass again,
And many Rogues more
Their Leader will follow
Unto the same Place,
Whilst we whoop and Hollow.

4.
The Libelling Tribe
Who so long have Reign'd,
And sowed Sedition,
Shall now be Arraign'd;
Their Shams and their Lies
Shall do them no good,
When they come to the Tree,
There's no Shamming that Wood:
Janeway and Curtis
In the Forlorn Hope,
Then Vile, Smith and Care
Shall Neck the next Rope.

5.
So, so, let them dye
That would Monarchs destroy,
And spit all their Venom
Our Land to annoy;
If that their Pow'r were
To their Malice equal,
And their Courage the same,
They'd soon ruine all;
But their Courage is low,
And their Power but small;
Their Treaon is High,
And must have a Fall.

6.
When Trojans of Old
(Our Ancestors) were
In danger of Shipwrack,
And toss'd here and there;
Great Neptune soon quell'd
Those Rebels and Storms,
With brandished Trident,
And free'd them from harms;
They fled from his Face,
Through the guilt of their Cause,
As these from our Lion,
If he stretch out his Paws.

7.
Go Devils, be gone
To the Region below,
Here's no business of yours,
Or ought left to do:
No Tempter we need,
We can act all our selves,
Without any help
From you silly Elves;
For what Presbyter Acts,
He thinks a disgrace
All Hell should out-doe him,
Or dare shew their Face.

8.
For produce all the Ill
That Hell ever hatch'd,
'Tis nothing at all,
When it comes to be match'd
With what has been Plotted
By Traytors of late,
Who aim'd at the Ruine
Of Church, and of State:
By Perjury, Bribes,
By suborning all Evil,
By Murther, and worse
Than e're came from th' Devil.

9.
Now Presbyter come
And submit thy stiff Neck,
Thou labour'st in vain
Our great Monarch to check;
Whose Power Divine
No Mortals controul,
But hazard the loss
Of both Body and Soul:
Then banish for ever
Your Commonwealth hope,
Which tends to destruction,
And ends with A ROPE.

EPILOGUE
With Wine of all sorts
Let the Conduits run free,
And each true heart drink
The KING's Health on his Knee,
No Treason shall lodge
In our Breasts while we live,
To God, and to Caesar
Their Due we will give;
We'l pray with our Hearts,
And fight with our Hands,
Against all Fanaticks,
When Great CHARLES Commands.

Method of Punishment

hanging; drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Oxford

Notes

Wikipedia: Stephen College (c.1635-1681) was an English joiner, activist Protestant, and supporter of the perjury underlying the fabricated Popish Plot. He was tried and executed for high treason.

Life: He was born about 1635, and worked at the trade of carpentry. He became known as an anti-Catholic political speaker. He had been a presbyterian until the Restoration of 1660, when he conformed to the church of England. He made himself notorious by his declamations against the papists, by writing and singing political ballads, and by inventing a weapon for self-defence at close quarters, which he called 'the protestant flail. ' He knew many persons of rank. Lord William Russell and Lady Berkeley showed him kindness.' He was one of the bitterest opponents of Lord William Stafford, and exulted over his condemnation and death. Among the writings attributed to him are coarse attacks on lawyers and Catholics,. Among these are 'Truth brought to Light, or Murder will out;' 'Justice in Masquerade, or Scroggs upon Scroggs;' another beginning ' Since Justice Scroggs Pepys and Dean did bail;' 'The Pope's Advice and Benediction to his Judge and Jury in Eutopia;' 'The Wolf Justice ' (against Scroggs); 'A Caution,' and 'A Satyr' against James, Duke of York, the Duchess of Portsmouth, and William Scroggs, whom he hated for acquitting George Wakeman.

When the parliament moved to Oxford, in March 1681, College went there on horseback, ostentatiously displaying weapons and wearing defensive armour, speaking threateningly against the king, and advocating resistance. In June 1681, after the condemnation of Edward Fitzharris, College was arrested, carried before Secretary of State Leoline Jenkins on 29 June, and committed to the Tower. He was indicted at the Old Bailey on 8 July for seditious words and actions, but saved by the influence of Slingsby Bethel and Henry Cornish, sheriffs of whig sympathies. They packed a grand jury who returned a verdict of ignoramus, or “we do not know" (i.e. "we know of no reason why he should stand trial").

At nearly two o'clock in the morning the jury retired, and in half an hour gave their verdict of guilty. The court then adjourned until ten o'clock, when sentence of death was pronounced against him. He was visited in prison by two of the university divines, Dr. Marshall and Dr. Hall, who declared him to be penitent. His family was admitted to see him, and attempts made to obtain a remission of the sentence, but the sole concession granted was that his quarters should be delivered to his friends. On 31 August he was taken in a cart to the place of execution, and made a long speech, chiefly to clear himself from the charge of being a papist. He was then hanged and quartered. His body was buried the next evening at St. Gregory's Church, by St. Paul's.
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/844 <![CDATA[A discription of Nortons falcehod Of Yorke shyre, and of his fatall farewel. ]]> 2020-01-08T14:36:58+11:00

Title

A discription of Nortons falcehod Of Yorke shyre, and of his fatall farewel.

Subtitle

The fatal fine of Traitours loe: By Iustice due, deseruyng soe.

Synopsis

A ballad commemorating the execution of nobles involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace, a widespread revolt against the rule of Henry VIII. The Pilgrimage of Grace started in late 1536 and finished in early 1537.

Stuffed full of animal lore like: 'The Crane wolde flye vp to the Sunne, I heard it once of olde', and seasoned with Biblical and classical allusions, what this exhortation against papistry and treason lacks is hard information. The family name of the Nortons is mentioned three times in connection with the gallows; nothing more specific appears.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

HuntingtonbLibrary - Britwell, Shelfmark: HEH18305; EBBA 32269

Transcription

A discription of Nortons falcehod of Yorke shyre, and of his fatall farewel.

Epigraph:
The fatal fine of Traitours loe:
By Iustice due, deseruyng soe.

OF late (alas) the great vntruth
Of Traitours, how it sped
Who list to know, shal here Single illegible lettere
How late allegeance fled.
If Riuers rage against the Sea.
And swell with soddeine rayne:
How glad are they to fall agayne,
And trace their wonted traine?
If fire by force wolde forge the fall
Of any sumptuouse place,
If water floods byd him leaue of,
His flames he wyll disgrace.
If God command the wyndes to cease,
His blastes are layd full low:
If God command the seas to calme,
They wyll not rage or flow.
All thinges at Gods commandeme~t be,
If he their state regarde:
And no man liues whose destinie
By him is vnpreparde.
But when a man forsakes the ship,
And rowles in wallowing waues:
And of his voluntarie wyll,
His owne good hap depraues:
How shal he hope to scape the gulfe?
How shal he thinke to deale?
How shal his fansie bring him sound
To Safties shore with sayle?
How shall his fraight in fine succede?
Alas what shall he gayne?
What feare by storms do make him quake
How ofte subiecte to payne?
How sundrie times in Dangers den
Is throwne the man vnwyse?
Who climes withouten holde on hye,
Beware, I him aduize.
All such as trust to false contracts,
Or secret harmes conspire?
Be sure, with Nortons they shal taste
A right deserued hire.
They can not looke for better sp_ede,
No death for such too fell?
God grant the iustice of the worlde
Put by the paynes of hell.
For such a pensiue case it is,
That English harts did dare
To passe the boundes of duties lawe,
Or of their cuntrie care.
And mercie hath so long releast
Offendours (God doth know)
And bountie of our curteous Quene
Too long hath spared her foe.
But God, whose grace inspires her harte,
Wyll not abyde the spight
Of Rebels rage, who rampe to reach
From her, her title quight.
Although shee flowe in pitifull zeale,
And loueth to sucke no blood:
Yet God a caueat wyll her lend
T'appease those Vipers moode.
A man that sets his house on fire,
Wyll seke to quench the flame:
Els from the spoyle some parte conuey,
Els seke the heate to tame.
Who s_e a penthouse wether beate,
And heares a boistrouse wynde:
But hedefull sasetie of himselfe,
Wyll force him succour fynde?
The pitifull pacient Pellican,
Her blood although sh_e shed:
Yet wyll she seme her date to end,
Or care her young be sped.
The Eagle flynges her yong ones downe
That sight of sunne refuse:
Vnperfect fowles she deadly hates,
And rightly such misvse.
The Crane wolde flye vp to the Sunne,
I heard it once of olde:
And with the kyng of byrdes did striue
By Fame, I heard it tolde
And do woe she wolde not fal f[...]e no,
But higher styll did mou[...]:
Til past her reach (saith olde reporte)
Shame made a backe recour
I touch no Armes herein at all
But shew a fable wyse:
Whose morall sence doth repr[1 span missing]
Of clymers hye the guyse.
Who buyldes a house of many [1 span missing],
and laith not ground work[1 span missing]
But doth ertorte the ground [1 span missing]g,
His buildyng can not dure[1 span missing]

Who sekes surmising to disp[1 span missing]
a Ruler sent by GOD:
Is subiect sure, deuoide of grace
The cause of his owne rod.
A byrde that wyll her nest defyle
By right should loose a wyng:
And then is shee no slying fowle,
But slow as other thyng.
And he that loseth all at games,
Or spendes in fowle excesse:
And hopes by haps to heale his harme,
Must drinke of deare distresse.
To speake of brydles to restrayne
This wylfull wayward crewe:
They care not for the booke of God,
To Princes, men vntrue.
To cuntrye, causers of much woe,
To faithfull fr_endes, a fall:
And to their owne estates, a styng,
To others, sharpe as gall.
O Lorde, how long these Lizerds lurkt,
Good GOD, how great a whyle
Were they in hand with feigned harts
Their cuntrye to defyle?
How did they frame their furniture?
How sit they made their tooles:
How Symon sought our englysh Troie
To bryng to Romaine scooles.
How Simon Magus playd his parte,
How Babilon bawde did rage:
How Basan bulles begon to bell,
How Iudas sought his wage.
How Iannes and Iambres did abyde
The brunt of brainesicke acts,
How Dathan, Chore, Abiram s_emd
To dash our Moyses facts.
How Romaine marchant set a fresh
His pardons braue a sale,
How alwayes some against the Truth
Wolde dreame a senceles tale.
Gods vicar from his god receaued
The keyes to lose and bynd:
Baals chaplein thoght h{is} fire wo[1 span missing]e
Such was his pagan mynd.
Good Lorde how hits the ter[...] their [1 span missing]ts
That saith such men shall be
In their religion hot nor colde
Of much varietie.
And sundry sorts of sects sur[1 span missing]
Diuision shall appeare:
Against the father, sonne sha[1 span missing]ue,
Gainst mother, daughter [1 span missing]e.
Is it not come to passe trow you?
Yea, bastards sure they be,
Who our good mother Qu_ene [1 span missing]
Withstand rebelliouslie.
Can God his vengeance long reta[1 span missing]
Where his true seruants f_ele
Iniuriouse spights of godlesse men,
Who turne as doth a whele?
No no, his suffryug long (be sure)
Wyll pay his foes at last:
His mercye moued once away,
He shall them quight out cast
With sentence iust for their vntruth,
And breakyng of his wyll:
The fruits of their sedicious s_eds,
The barnes of earth shall fyll.
Their soules God wot sore clogd wt crime
And their posteritie
Bespotted sore with their abuse,
And stand by their follie.
Their liuyngs left their name a shame,
Their deedes with poyson sped:
Their deathes a wage for want of grace
Their honours quite is dead.
Their flesh to feede the kytes and crowes
Their armes a maze for men:
Their guerdon as examples are
To dash dolte Dunces den.
Throw vp your snouts you sluggish sorte
You mumming maskyng route:
Extoll your exclamations vp,
Baals chapleines, champions stoute.
Make sute for pardons, papists braue,
For traitours indulgence:
Send out some purgatorie scraps,
Some Bulls with Peter pence.
O swarme of Drones, how dare ye styl
With labouryng B_es contend?
You sought for home from the hiues,
But gall you found in end.
These waspes do wast, their stings be out
Their spight wyll not auayle:
These Peacocks proude are naked lefte
Of their displayed tayle.
These Turkye cocks iu cullour red,
So long haue lurkt a loofe:
The Beare (although but slow of foote)
Hath pluct his wynges by proofe.
The Moone her borowed light hath lost,
Shee wayned as we see:
Who hoped by hap of others harmes,
A full Moone once to b_e.
The Lyon suffred long the Bull,
His noble mynd to trye:
Vntyll the Bull was rageyng wood,
And from his stake did hye.
Then time it was to bid him stay
Perforce, his hornes to cut:
And make him leaue his rageing tunes
In scilence to be put.
And all the calues of Basan kynd
Are weaned from their wish:
The Hircan Tigers tamed now,
Lemathon eates no fish.
Beholde before your balefull eyes
The purchace of your parte,
Suruey your sodeine sorrowful sight
With sighes of dubble harte.
Lament the lacke of your alies
Religious rebells all:
Bewepe that yll successe of yours,
Come curse your sodeine fall.
And when ye haue your guiles out sought
And all your craft approued,
Peccauimus shall be your song
Your ground worke is remoued.
And looke how Nortons sped their wills
Euen so their sect shall haue,
No better let them hope to gayne
But gallowes without graue.

{que} William Gibson.

Œ_ FINIS.

Composer of Ballad

William Gibson

Method of Punishment

hanging; drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London by Alexander Lacie, or Henrie Kyrkeham, dwellyng at the signe of the blacke Boye, at the middle North dore of Paules church.

Notes

From The Goodricke Family Files:  Richard Norton, his sons, Christopher and Marmaduke, and his brother Thomas Norton, and about fifty others of noble extraction or of other distinction were tainted of high treason 7 Nov 1569 and their possessions forfeited. Richard Norton fled to Flanders where doubtless he rejoined the Earl of Westmorland, and died there in poverty 9 Apr 1585 (aged 91), the Patriarch of the Rebellion. His brother Thomas was hanged and quartered in the presence of his nephew Christopher at Tyburn on 27 May 1570. The fate on the sons of Richard Norton was as follows: Francis, the eldest, was a fugitive with his father; John, the second, was of Ripon, was not implicated; Edmund, the third, ancestor of the Lords Grantly, was of Clowbeck, Co. York, and died there in 1610, not implicated; William, the fourth, was tried with his uncle Thomas and brother Christopher but was pardoned; George, the fifth, was a fugitive with his father; Thomas, the sixth, died without issue, was not implicated; Christopher, the seventh, was hanged and quartered with his uncle Thomas, at Tyburn, 27 May 1570; Marmaduke, the eighth, pleaded guilty but was pardoned and died at Stranton where he was buried 4th Nov 1594. He was kept a prisoner in the Tower, however, until 1572. Sampson, the ninth, and youngest son, was a fugitive with his father and was at Mechlin in 1571, then a pensioner of the King of Spain. Richard Norton had seven daughters, all well married.
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/849 <![CDATA[A looking-glass for traytors]]> 2020-01-08T16:02:52+11:00

Title

A looking-glass for traytors

Subtitle

or, High treason rewarded being a full account of the examination of the second person that was executed in Novem. 1678 by name, Edward Coleman, Esq, who was found guilty of high treason, at the Kings-Bench-Bar at VVestminter, the 27th of Nov. 1678 for plotting and contriving the death of our soveraign Lord the King, and endeavouring to change the government of the nation and utterly to extirpate the protestant religion, for which he was sentenced to be drawn, hang'd and quartered being accordingly executed the 3d. day of this instant Decemb. at Tyburn, tune of, Aim not too high, or, Fortune my foe.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Shelmark: Wood E 25. fol. (33); Broadside Ballads Online Bod881

Set to tune of...

Transcription

TIME and DEATH'S Advise to all VVicked Livers.
Beware in TIME, too High don't Climb,
for Fear you catch a Fall,
For if you do, 'tis even True,
Squire Katch will Pay you all.

Let all bold Traytors here come take a view,
How ancient Tiburn doth receive its due:
There dark designs, and hidden Treachery,
Will bring them all unto the tripple Tree.

Here Coleman, their Ring leader of great fame,
Hath brought himself unto his end with shame:
By striving to be great before his time,
He became guilty of a Horrid Crime.

Ambition is a bait the Devil lays,
To catch such haughty Spirits now adays:
And when that he hath cauht them in the Trap,
He gives them o're to ruine and mishap.

Too many are concerned in this thing,
Against Religion, and our gracious King:
But I shall now, the world to satisfie,
Tell how this grand offender came to dye.

The Prisoner being brought to VVestminster,
And there in Court, Indicted at the Bar:
His Crimes were all laid open unto view,
As horrid things, as ever Christian knew.

Now that he did contrive a fearful thing,
For to destroy our Soveraign Lord the King:
To change the fundamental Laws o'th Land,
As by the Sequel you shall understand.

To bring in Popery with all his might,
And true Religion for to banish quite:
With fire and sword, for to destroy and burn,
True Protestants, or force them for to turn.

The Evidence against him did appear,
And prov'd the accusation to be clear:
His [???} evasions could not satisfie,
The truth was as apparent as the sky.

The Tryal lasted for eight hours at least,
Where multitudes of people throng'd and prest:
Before my Lord Chief Justice he was try'd,
And many other Learned men beside.

At length the Jury in their verdict brought,
And in the Court declared as they ought:
The Prisoner of High Treason guilty was,
But being night, no sentence then did pass.

Next morning he was brought unto the bar,
Where Sentence did proceed on him so far:
That he should draw, & Hang'd, & quartered be,
For this his Treason, and his Treachery.

This was his fact and his sad fatal doom,
He gain'd by being an Agent for Rome:
I wish that all their factors which they send,
May come like him, to an untimely end.

For why they are of a malicious mind,
And unto blood and cruelty inclin'd:
They strive to bring to ruine a whole Land,
And make those fall, whom God ordains to stand.

But yet the Lord can frustrate their intent,
Although they daily are on mischief bent;
In his good time he will their Plots disclose,
That Justice may take place on such as those.

If that we serve our Maker as we ought,
He their contrivances will bring to naught:
That we may see the sad and dismal fall,
Of such as would bring ruine to us all.

But now is come his Execution day,
Where people flockt to hear what he would say:
Where for his Love and Favour to the Pope,
Iack Katch did fit him with a Hempon Rope.

His Quarters on the Gates they do expose,
To be a Terrour to the Kingdoms Foes:
That Traitours may example take thereby,
Least that they come to endless misery.

Then let all Loyal subjects have a care,
They be no drawn into the Popish snare,
And so God bless our King and Parliament,
And grant that of our sins we may repent.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

Fortune my Foe, is also known as Aim not too high

Notes

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

There was no proof of connivance with a plot for assassination or rebellion except the testimony of Oates and Bedloe. The jury found Coleman guilty. Scroggs replied to his solemn declarations of innocence,'Mr. Coleman, your own papers are enough to condemn you.' Next morning sentence of death and confiscation of property was pronounced, and on Tuesday, 3 December, he was executed, avowing his faith and declaring his innocence.
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/851 <![CDATA[A most ioyfull Songe, made in the behalfe of all her Maiesties faithfull and louing Subiects: ]]> 2020-01-08T14:40:10+11:00

Title

A most ioyfull Songe, made in the behalfe of all her Maiesties faithfull and louing Subiects:

Subtitle

of the great ioy, which was made in London. at the taking of the late trayterous Conspirators, which sought oportunity to kyll her Maiesty, to spoyle the Cittie, and by forraigne inuasion to ouerrun the Realme: for the which haynous Treasons, fourteen of them haue suffred death on the 20. &, 21. of Sept. Also, a detestation against those Conspira|tors, and all their Confederates, giuing God the prayse for the safe preseruation of her maiesty, and their subuersion. Anno. Domini. 1586.

Synopsis

This ballad only reports the taking of the prisoners, and is printed a month before the execution.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Society of Antiquaries of London - Broadsides, Shelmark Cab Lib g, no. 83; EBBA 36315

Set to tune of...

O man in desperation

Transcription

A most ioyfull Songe, made in the behalfe of all her Maiesties faithfull and louing Subiects: of the great ioy, which was made in London. at the taking of the late trayterous Conspirators, which sought oportunity to kyll her Maiesty, to spoyle the Cittie, and by forraigne inuasion to ouerrun the Realme: for the which haynous Treasons, fourteen of them haue suffred death on the 20. &, 21. of Sept. Also, a detestation against those Conspira|tors, and all their Confederates, giuing God the prayse for the safe preseruation of her maiesty, and their subuersion. Anno. Domini. 1586.

To the tune of: O man in desperation.

OH Englishmen with Romish harts, what Deuil doth bewitch you,
To seke the spoyle of Prince and Realme, like Traytors most vntrue.
Why is your duetie so forgot, vnto your Royall Qu_ene,
That you your faith and promise breake, O viperous broode vncl_ene.

Blessed be God who knew your thought, and brought your treason out:
And your destruction now hath wrought that made vs so in doubt.
For if you might haue had your willes to make your bloudie day,
Many a widowe and fatherlesse childe, had then cryed wellaway.

Many a Citie had bene sackt, whose houses had bene firde.
Yea, many a Peere had lost his life, these fruits you all desirde,
But now fourteene of you haue felt, that death you haue deserued,
And God (in mercie) from your hands, our prince and vs preserued.

And would you seeke your Countries spoyle, your Mother and your Nurse,
That fostred you and brought you vp, what treason may be wurse?
Why is your false and poysoned harts, surprised with such hate,
That you must nedes by forraigne power, suppresse your happy state.

Why doo you beare such foolish loue vnto the Ragges of Rome,
That you would seke swete Englands spoyle, and Princes deadly doome,
Will nothing serue your deuillish turne in this your deadly strife,
But euen the blood of your good Quene, and her to reaue of life.

Doo you not know there is a God, that guides her night and day,
Who doth reueale her foes attempts, and brings them to decay,
O wicked men with Tygers harts, nay Monsters I should say,
That sekes to spoyle so good a Quene, as none the like this day.

Her tender loue, procures your hate, her mercie makes you bolde,
Her gentle sufferaunce of your pride, presumptuous vncontrolde,
Doth make you to forget your God, your selues and dueties all,
Whereby you bend your busie braines to mischiefe and to thrall.

Know you not who her highnes is? King Henries daughter dere,
The mightiest Monarche in his dayes, or hath bene many a yere:
She is our Prince and soueraigne Quene, annointed by Gods grace,
To set forth his most sacred word, his enimies to deface.

Haue you not holy scripures read, how byrds with fluttering winges,
A Traytours thought they will betray against annoynted Kinges,
God will no secret treason hide, against a wicked Prince,
Much more, for safety of the good, their foes he will conuince.

Therefore you cruell cankred crue, why seke you mischiefe still,
For to attempt with violent handes, Gods chosen for to kill.
How dare you once in hollow hart, thinke ill of such a Quene,
Whom God himselfe doth fauour so, as like was neuer sene.

Haue you such wicked hatefull hartes, in thirsting after blood,
That with false Iudas you can beare, two faces in one hoode?
Too often hath her Maiesty behelde without mistrust,
The outwarde smiles of Crokadiles, whose harts were most vniust.

O liuing Lord who would suppose that vnder veluets fine,
Such cankred poyson should be hid, as hath bene found this time.
Is this the precious faithfull fruite, which doth from Papists spring?
Are these the workes whereby they thinke Gods Kingdome for to win?

Is not their gredie thirsting throates yet satisfied with blood?
When as it streamde downe Paris streets, much like to Nylus flood.
Or are they not yet dronke enough, in quaffing bloody bowles,
But looke they for a second draught among vs English soules.

O England, England yet reioice, thy God beholdeth all,
And he hath giuen for euermore thy foes a shamefull fall.
By him all Kinges and Princes raigne, he giues them life and breath,
He hath set vp and will maintaine our Queene Elizabeth.

The secret drift and ill intent, of her late hatefull foes,
Vnto all faithfull Subiects ioyes, the Lord did well disclose.
Yea many Traytors false of faith, through his most mighty power,
Are taken in most happy time, and sent vnto the Towre.

Which happy sight for all to see, did glad eche Subiect true,
And many thousands ranne apace, those Caytiues vile to viewe.
Whom when the people did espie, they cryed lowde and shryll,
There goe the Traytors false of faith, which sought our Queene to kill.

There goe the wretched wicked ones, her Citie meant to spoyle,
And murther all her Citizens, but now they haue the foyle.
There goe the enimies of the Realme, did thinke to ouerrunne
All England: to let in the Pope, but now Gods will is doone.

God sent them now their due deserts, as they in hart conspyrde,
To take away our gracious Queene, and Citie to haue fyrde.
God graunt we neuer liue to see, that dismall day to haue,
Who blesse our noble Qu_ene and Realme, and eke her Citie saue.

And thus the people still did cry, both men and women all,
And children yong did shout alowde, and Traytors Traytors call.
Yea thousands trudging to and fro, to meete them still did runne,
And some stoode fasting all the day, till that day light was doone.

To see these Traytors taken so, their harts for ioy did spring,
And to declare this perfect ioy, some ranne the Belles to ring.
The Belles I say did brauely ring, that day and all the night,
And throughout stately London streetes reioyced euery wight.

And when the day was past and gone, and that the night drewe neere,
The worthy Citizens many a one, prepared their good cheare.
And Bondfyres did they merely make, through all the streetes that time,
And in the streetes their Tables stoode, prepared braue and fine.

They came together (gladly all, and there did mery make,
And gaue God thankes with cheerefull hates, for Queene Elizabeths sake.
In solempne Psalmes they sung full sweete, the prayse of God on hie,
Who now and euer keepes our Queene from Traytors tyranny.

But when our noble gratious Queene, did vnderstand this thing,
She writ a letter presently, and seald it [...]th her Ring.
A Letter such of royall loue, vnto her Subiectes eares,
That mooued them from watry eyes, to shed forth ioyfull teares.

O noble Queene without compare, our harts doth bleed for woe,
To thinke that Englishmen should seeke, thy life to ouerthroe.
But here we humbly do protest, oh gracious Queene to thee,
That Londoners will be loyall still, whilst life in them shall be.

And all that would not gladly so, spend forth their dearest bloode,
God giue to them a shamefull ende, and neuer other good.
And Lord with hart to thee we pray, preserue our noble Queene,
And still confound her hatefull foes, as they haue alwayes beene.

FINIS.


T. D.

Composer of Ballad

T.D. Thomas Deloney

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Lincoln's Inn Field

Printing Location

London, by Richard Iones

Notes

Wikipedia: John Ballard was arrested on 4 August 1586, and presumably under torture he confessed and implicated Babington. Although Babington was able to receive the forged letter with the postcript, he was not able to reply with the names of the conspirators, as he was arrested while seeking a licence to travel in order to see King Philip II of Spain, with the purpose of organising a foreign expedition as well as ensuring his own safety.

The identities of the six conspirators were nevertheless discovered, and they were taken prisoner by 15 August 1586. Mary's two secretaries, Claude de la Boisseliere Nau (d. 1605) and Gilbert Curle (d. 1609), were likewise taken into custody and interrogated. The conspirators were sentenced to death for treason and conspiracy against the crown, and were sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. This first group included Babington, Ballard, Chidiock Tichborne, Sir Thomas Salisbury, Robert Barnewell, John Savage and Henry Donn. A further group of seven men, Edward Habington, Charles Tilney, Edward Jones, John Charnock, John Travers, Jerome Bellamy, and Robert Gage, were tried and convicted shortly afterward. Ballard and Babington were executed on September 20 along with the other men who had been tried with them.

Such was the horror of their execution that Queen Elizabeth ordered the second group to be allowed to hang until dead before being disembowelled. Queen Mary herself went to trial at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire and denied her part in the plot, but her correspondence was the evidence; therefore, Mary was sentenced to death. Elizabeth signed her cousin's death warrant, and on 8 February 1587, in front of 300 witnesses, Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed by beheading.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/855 <![CDATA[A proper new Ballad, breefely declaring the Death and Execution of I4. ]]> 2020-01-08T14:41:20+11:00

Title

A proper new Ballad, breefely declaring the Death and Execution of I4.

Subtitle

most wicked Traitors, who suffered death in Lincolnes Inne feelde neere London: the 20 and 21. of September. 1586.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

National Library of Scotland - Crawford, Shelfmark: Crawford.EB.1027; EBBA 33717

Set to tune of...

Weep, weep

Transcription

REjoyce in hart good people all,
sing praise to God on hye:
Which hath preserved us by his power,
from traitors tiranny.
Which now have had their due desarts,
in London lately seen:
And Ballard was the first that died,
for Treason to our Queene.
O praise the Lord with hart and minde,
sing praise with voices cleere:
Sith traiterous crue, have had their due,
to quaile their parteners cheere.

Next, Babington that Caitife vilde,
was hanged for his hier:
His Carkasse likewise quartered,
and Hart cast in the fier.
Was ever seene such wicked troopes,
of Traytors in this Land?
Against the pretious woord of truthe,
and their good Queene to stand?
O praise, etc.

But heer beholde the rage of Rome,
the fruits of Popish plants,
Beholde and see their wicked woorks,
which all good meaning wants.
For Savage also did receave,
like death for his desert:
Which in that wicked enterprise,
should then have doon his part.
O praise, etc.

O cursed catifes void of grace,
will nothing serve your turne,
But to beholde your Cuntries wrack,
in malice while you burne.
And Barnwell thou which went to view,
her grace in each degree:
And how her life might be dispatcht,
thy death we all did see.
O praise, etc.

Confounding shame fall to their share,
and hellish torments sting:
That to the Lords annointed shall,
devise so vile a thing.
O Techburne what bewitched thee?
to have such hate in store:
Against our good and gratious Queene,
that thou must dye therefore.
O praise, etc.

What gaine for Traitors can returne?
if they their wish did win:
Or what preferment should they get,
by this their trecherous sinne.
Though Forraine power love Treason well,
the Traitors they dispise:
And they the first that should sustaine,
the smart of their devise.
O praise, etc.

What cause had Tilney Traitor stout,
or Abbington likewise:
Against the Lords annointed thus,
such mischeef to devise.
But that the Devill inticed them,
such wicked woorks to render:
For which these seven did suffer death,
the twentith of September.
O praise, etc.

Seaven more the next day following,
were drawen from the Tower:
Which were of their confederates,
to dye that instant hower.
The first of them was Salsburie,
and next to him was Dun:
Who did complaine most earnestly,
of proud yong Babington.
O praise, etc.

Both Lords and Knights of hye renowne,
he ment for to displace:
And likewise all our Towers and Townes,
and Cities for to race.
So likewise Jones did much complaine,
of his detested pride:
And shewed how lewdly he did live,
before the time he died.
O Praise etc.

Then Charnock was the next in place,
to taste of bitter death:
And praying unto holy Saints,
he left his vitall breath.
And in like maner Trauers then,
did suffer in that place:
And fearfully he left his life,
with Crossing breast and face.
O praise, etc.

Then Gage was stripped in his shirt,
who up the Lather went:
And sought for to excuse himselfe,
of Treasons falce intent.

And Bellamie the last of all,
did suffer death that daye:
Unto which end God bring all such,
as wish our Queenes decay.
O praise, etc.

O faulce and foule disloyall men,
what person would suppose:
That Clothes of Velvet and of Silke,
should hide such mortall foes.
Or who would think such hidden hate,
in men so faire in sight:
But that the Devill can turne him selfe,
into an Angell bright.
O praise, etc.

But Soveraigne Queene have thou no care,
for God which knoweth all:
Will still maintaine thy royall state,
and give thy foes a fall.
And for thy Grace thy Subjects all,
will make their praiers still:
That never Traitor in this Land,
may have his wicked will.
O praise, etc.

Whose glorious daies in England heere,
the mighty God maintaine:
That long unto thy Subjects Joye,
thy Grace may rule and raigne.
And Lord we pray for Christes sake,
that all thy secret foes:
May come to naught which seeke thy life,
and Englands lasting woes.
O praise the Lord with hart and minde, etc.

The names of 7. Traitors
which were Executed on
Tuesday being the xx
of September
1586.

John Ballard Preest.
Anthony Babington.
John Savage.
Robert Barnwell.
Chodicus Techburne.
Charles Tilney.
Edward Abbington.

The names of the other
vij. which were Exe-
cuted on the next
day after.

Thomas Salsbury.
Henry Dun.
Edward Jhones.
John Trauers.
John Charnock.
Robert Gage.
Harman Bellamy.

Composer of Ballad

T.D. Thomas Deloney

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Lincoln's Inn Field

Printing Location

London, at the Long Shop adioyning vnto Saint Mildreds Churche in the Pultrie by Edward Allde.

Tune Data

Weep, weep (Simpson 1966, pp. 660-61).
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/856 <![CDATA[A proper newe Ballad, declaring the substaunce of all the late pretended Treasons against the Queenes Maiestie, and Estates of this Realme, by sundry Traytors: ]]> 2020-01-08T14:41:51+11:00

Title

A proper newe Ballad, declaring the substaunce of all the late pretended Treasons against the Queenes Maiestie, and Estates of this Realme, by sundry Traytors:

Subtitle

who were executed in Lincolnes-Inne fielde on the 20. and 21. daies of September. 1586.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Society of Antiquaries of London - Broadsides, Shelfmark: Cab Lib g; EBBA 36317

Set to tune of...

Wilsons new tune

Transcription

A proper newe Ballad, declaring the substaunce of all the late pretended Treasons against the Queenes Maiestie, and Estates of this Realme, by sundry Traytors: who were executed in Lincolnes-Inne fielde on the 20. and 21. daies of September. 1586.
To Wilsons new tune.

WHen first the gracious God of heauen, by meanes did bring to light:
the Treasons lately practised, by many a wicked wight.
Against their Prince whose life they sought, & many a noble Peere:
the substance of whose treasons strange, you shal most truly heare.

O Lord preserue our noble Queene, her Counsaile long maintaine:
Confound her foes and graunt her grace in health to rule and raigne.

Their Treasons once discouered, then were the Traytors sought:
some of them fled into a Wood, where after they were caught.
And being broughte vnto the Tower, for ioye the Belles did ring:
and throughout London Bonefiers made, where people Psalmes did sing

O Lord preserue our noble Queene, &c.

And set their Tables in the streetes, with meates of euery kinde:
where was preparde all signes of ioye, that could be had in minde.
And praysde the Lord most hartely, that with his mightie hand:
he had preserued our gracious Queene, and people of this Land.

O Lord preserue our noble Queene, &c.

Which thing was taken in good parte, by our renowned Queene:
who by her Letters gaue them thankes, as playnly may be seene.
Assuring them that all her care, was for their safetie still:
and that thereby she would deserue, their loue and great good will.

O Lord preserue our noble Queene, &c.

The Traytors well examined, (whom God himselfe bewrayed:)
their Treasons knowne, then were they straight to Westminster conuaied.
Whereas they all indited were, of many a vile pretence:
seauen pleaded guiltie at the Barre, before they went from thence.

The maner how they did begin, herein will playne appeare:
their purposes in each respect, you shall most truely heare.
Herein vnto you will be seene, if they had not bene foylde:
our Queene, our Realme, yea rich and, poore together had bene spoilde.

One Sauidge lurking long in Fraunce, at Rheames did there remaine:
whom Doctor Gifford did perswade, great honor hee should gaine.
If that he would goe take in hand, (these matters very straunge:)
first to depriue our gracious Queene, Religion for to chaunge.

And then for to inuade the Realme, by troupes of foraine power:
to ouerthrowe the gouernment, and kill her in her Bower.
Or forceably to dispossesse, the Queene of Englands Grace:
and to proclaime the Scottish Queene, and set her in her place.

Which matter Sauidge promised, his full performance too:
so that he might see warrant with, safe Conscience so to doo.
The Doctor vowed by his Soule, and bad him vnderstand:
it was an honourable thing, to take the same in hand.

When Sauidge heard that merites were, to him therby so rife:
he vowed for to doe the same, or else to lose his life.
And shortly into England hyed, and did imparte the same:
to Babington of Darby shire, a man sure voyd of shame.

And tolde him how that he had vowed, to doe it or to dye:
desiring him of helpe and ayde, and that immeadiatly.
A Iesuit Priest whom Ballard hight, came ouer to that end:
he came also to Babington, and dayly did attend.

Still to perswade him that he would, attempt and take in hand:
this vilde and wicked enterprise, and stoutly to it stand.
And tolde him that he should haue ayde, of sixtie thousand men:
that secretly should landed be, and tolde him how and when.

And in respect of all his paines, he truely might depende:
that it was lawefull so to doe, Renowne should be the end.
But let all Traytors nowe perceiue, what honor he hath wonne:
whose trayterous head and wicked heart, hath many a one vndone.

This proude and hautie Babington, in hope to gaine renowne:
did stirre vp many wilfull men, in many a Shire and Towne.
To ayde him in this deuilish act, and for to take in hand:
the spoyle of our renowned Prince, and people of this Land.

Who did conclude with bloodie blade, a slaughter to commit:
vpon her Counsell as they should, within Star Chamber sit.
Which is a place wheras the Lordes, and those of that degree:
yeeldes Iustice vnto euery man, that craues it on their knee.

Yea famous London they did meane, for to haue sackt beside:
both Maior and Magistrates therin, haue murdered at that tide.
Eache riche mans goodes had beene their owne, no fauour then had serued:
nought but our wealth was their desire, though wee and ours had starued.

Besides these wicked practises, they had concluded more:
the burning of the Nauie and, the cheefest Shippes in store:
With fire and sworde they vowed, to kill and to displace:
eache Lord Knight and Magistrate, true subiects to her Grace.

They had determinde to haue cloyde, and poysoned out of hand:
the cheefe and greatest Ordinaunce, that is within this Land.
And did entend by violence, on rich men for to fall:
to haue their money and their Place, and to haue spoild them al.

The Common wealth of England soone, should therby haue bene spoylde:
our goodes for which our Parents and, our selues long time haue toylde.
Had all bene taken from vs, besides what had ensued:
the substaunce proueth playnely, to soone wee all had rewed.

Those were the Treasons they conspyrde, our good Queene to displace:
to spoyle the states of all this Land, such was their want of grace:
But God that doth protect her still, offended at the same:
Euen in their young and tender yeares, did cut them of with shame.

These Traytors executed were, on Stage full strongly wrought:
euen in the place where wickedly, they had their Treasons sought.
There were they hangde and quattred, there they acknowledged why:
who like as Traytors they had liued, euen so they seemde to dye.

O wicked Impes, O Traytors vilde, that could these deedes deuise:
why did the feare of God and Prince, departe so from your eyes.
No Rebelles power can her displace, God will defend her still:
true subectes all will lose their liues, ere Traytors haue their will.

How many mischiefes are deuisde? how many wayes are wrought:
how many vilde Conspyracies against her Grace is sought.
Yet God that doth protect her still, her Grace doth well preserue:
and workes a shame vnto her foes, as they doe best deserue.

O heauenly God preserue our Queene, in plentie health and peace:
confounde her foes, maintaine her right, her ioyes O Lord increase.
Lord blesse her Counsaile euermore, and Nobles of this Land:
preserue her Subiects, and this Realme, with thy most mightie hand.

FINIS.

Composer of Ballad

Thomas Nelson

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Lincoln's Inn Field

Printing Location

London, Thomas Purfoote for Edward White

Tune Data

Wilsons new tune (Simpson 1966, p. 792)

Notes

Wikipedia: John Ballard was arrested on 4 August 1586, and presumably under torture he confessed and implicated Babington. Although Babington was able to receive the forged letter with the postcript, he was not able to reply with the names of the conspirators, as he was arrested while seeking a licence to travel in order to see King Philip II of Spain, with the purpose of organising a foreign expedition as well as ensuring his own safety. The identities of the six conspirators were nevertheless discovered, and they were taken prisoner by 15 August 1586. Mary's two secretaries, Claude de la Boisseliere Nau (d. 1605) and Gilbert Curle (d. 1609), were likewise taken into custody and interrogated.

The conspirators were sentenced to death for treason and conspiracy against the crown, and were sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. This first group included Babington, Ballard, Chidiock Tichborne, Sir Thomas Salisbury, Robert Barnewell, John Savage and Henry Donn. A further group of seven men, Edward Habington, Charles Tilney, Edward Jones, John Charnock, John Travers, Jerome Bellamy, and Robert Gage, were tried and convicted shortly afterward. Ballard and Babington were executed on September 20 along with the other men who had been tried with them. Such was the horror of their execution that Queen Elizabeth ordered the second group to be allowed to hang until dead before being disembowelled.

Queen Mary herself went to trial at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire and denied her part in the plot, but her correspondence was the evidence; therefore, Mary was sentenced to death. Elizabeth signed her cousin's death warrant, and on 8 February 1587, in front of 300 witnesses, Mary, Queen of Scots, was executed by beheading.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/859 <![CDATA[A Terror for TRAITORS ]]> 2020-01-08T14:42:27+11:00

Title

A Terror for TRAITORS

Subtitle

Or, Treason Justly punished.
[Be]ing a Relation of a Damnd Conspiracy against the life of the King, and the Subversion of the Government, hatchd and contrived by ill-affected Persons, namely, Captain Thomas Walcot, William Hone, and John Rouse, who were drawn, hangd, and quarterd, for High-Treason, on Friday the 20. of this instant July: As also, the Lord Russel, who was beheaded in Lincolns-Inn-fields, on the 21. of the same Moneth, whose Fatal and deserved Punishments, may be a Warning for all others to avoid the like Crimes. To the Tune of, Digbys Fare-well, Or, On the bank of a River, etc.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

British Library - Roxburghe, Shelfmark: C.20.f.9.796; EBBA 31479

Set to tune of...

Transcription

YOU Traytors of England how dare you Conspire,
Against such a Prince whose love we admire?
And against his dear Brother that Royal brave Sparke,
Right Heir to the Crown, sweet James Duke of York.
But yet I do hope, that theyl ner have their will,
To touch our dear Princes who nere thought them ill; O Russel you ploted against a good King.
Whose fame through all Nations in AEurope doth Reign

But Heavens will protect him and still be his guide,
And keep him from danger and be on his side;
And all that do plot against him or the Heir,
I hope that their Feet will be catcht in a snare:
By this Conspiration your Ruine youve caught,
And under a hatchet your head you have brought:
O Russel you plotted, etc.

You might have livd manie a year in much Fame,
And added much Honour unto your good Name;
But now this a blot in your Scutcheon will be,
For being concerned with this gross Villany;
But now your dear Parents in heart may lament,
Without all dispute theyve but little content, To think that you plotted, etc.

Your Lady may grieve, and lament for her loss,
To lose you for Treason it proves a great cross,
But it was no more than what was your desert,
No reason but that he should taste of the smart:
[But] had you then been [a] good S[ubject] indeed,
You would not have sufferd, you would have been freed.
But Russel you plotted, etc.

Now let me but ask you a question or two,
What would you have had, or intended to do?
The Laws of this Nation ye would have thrown down,
Then ye would have aimd at the Scepter and Crown;
But Heaven I hope will all Plotting disclose,
And the Laws of the Nation shall punish the Foes Of our great Monarch, and gracious good King, Whose Fame through all Nations in AEurop doth Reign.

When Persons have Honor and Pleasures great store,
Yet still they are having and gruding for more;
Their hearts are deceitful and puffed with pride,
And Lucifer certainly stands by their side,To things most unlawful he makes them conspire,
But he laughs at them all when they stick in the mire, O Russel you plotted, etc.

True Subjects of England are filled with fears,
And for their great Soveraign they shed many tears,
To think this no reason will Traytors convince,
But still theyle be plotting against a good Prince:
Those that should have been a great help to the Land,
They sought for our ruine we well understand. But Russel you plotted, etc.

There was Walcot and Rouse were both in the plot,
And Hone I do reckon must not be forgot;
At Tyburn for certain, each man took his turn,
And then in the fire their bowels did burn,
A death so deserving, none will deny:
For sure they plotted against a good King,
Whose Fame through all Nations in AEurop doth Reign.

Let this be a warning to Rich and to Poor,
To be [true] to their King, and to plot so no more,
And that our good King may have Plenty and P[eace,]
And the Loyal Subjects may daily increase,
There never were People more happy than we,
If unto the Government all would agree. Then hang up those Traitors who love not the King, Whose Fame through all Nations in AEurope doth Reign.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering; beheading

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Lincoln's Inn Fields

Tune Data

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

Notes

Wikipedia: William Russell, Lord Russell (29 September 1639 - 21 July 1683) was an English politician. He was a leading member of the Country Party, forerunners of the Whigs, who opposed the succession of James II during the reign of Charles II, ultimately resulting in his execution for treason. This was followed by the Rye House Plot, a plan to ambush Charles II and his brother James at the Rye House, Hoddesdon, on their way back to London from the Newmarket races. However the plot was disclosed to the government.

Unlike several of his co-conspirators, Russell refusing to escape to Holland. He was accused of promising his assistance to raise an insurrection and bring about the death of the king. He was sent on 26 June 1683 to the Tower of London, where he prepared himself for his death. Monmouth offered to return to England and be tried if doing so would help Russell, and Essex refused to abscond for fear of injuring his friend's chance of escape. However, he was tried and convicted of treason and sentenced to death by beheading.

Russell was executed by Jack Ketch on 21 July 1683 at Lincoln's Inn Fields. The execution was said to have been conducted quite poorly by Ketch. Ketch later wrote a letter of apology. Russell was lauded as a martyr by the Whigs, who claimed that he was put to death in retaliation for his efforts to exclude James from succession to the crown. Russell was exonerated by the reversal of attainder under William III of England. Ketch's execution of Lord Russell at Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683 was performed clumsily; a pamphlet entitled The Apologie of John Ketch, Esquire contains his apology, in which he alleges that the prisoner did not "dispose himself as was most suitable" and that he was interrupted while taking aim.

On that occasion, Ketch wielded the instrument of death either with such sadistically nuanced skill or with such lack of simple dexterity - nobody could tell which, that the victim suffered horrifically under blow after blow, each excruciating but not in itself lethal. Even among the bloodthirsty throngs that habitually attended English beheadings, the gory and agonizing display had created such outrage that Ketch felt moved to write and publish a pamphlet title Apologie, in which he excused his performance with the claim that Lord Russell had failed to "dispose himself as was most suitable" and that he was therefore distracted while taking aim on his neck.

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/860 <![CDATA[A Triumph for true Subiects, and a Terrour vnto al Traitours: ]]> 2020-01-08T14:42:46+11:00

Title

A Triumph for true Subiects, and a Terrour vnto al Traitours:

Subtitle

By the example of the late death of Edmund Campion, Ralphe Sherwin, and Thomas ['Thomas' crossed out; 'Alexander' written above it in ink] Bryan, Iesuites and Seminarie priestes: Who suffered at Tyburne, on Friday the first Daye of December. Anno Domini. 1581.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Society of Antiquaries of Lodon - Broadsides, Shelfmark: Cab Lib g; EBBA 36313

Composer of Ballad

William Elderton?

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London, Richard Iones, dwellinge ouer agaynst the Faulcon, neare Holburne Bridge. Anno. I58I.

Notes

Wikipedia: Saint Edmund Campion (24 January 1540 - 1 December 1581) was an English Jesuit priest, executed as a traitor, but regarded by the Catholic Church as a martyr.

Committed to the Tower of London, he was questioned in the presence of Queen Elizabeth, who asked him if he acknowledged her to be the true Queen of England. He replied she was, and she offered him wealth and dignities, but on condition of rejecting his Catholic faith, which he refused to accept. He was kept a long time in prison and reputedly racked twice. Despite the effect of a false rumour of retraction and a forged confession, his adversaries summoned him to four public conferences (1, 18, 23 and 27 September 1581).

Although still suffering from his ill treatment, and allowed neither time nor books for preparation, he reportedly conducted himself so easily and readily that he won the admiration of most of the audience. Tortured again on 31 October, he was indicted at Westminster on a charge of having conspired, along with others, in Rome and Reims to raise a sedition in the realm and dethrone the Queen.

Campion was sentenced to death as a traitor. He answered: "In condemning us, you condemn all your own ancestors, all our ancient bishops and kings, all that was once the glory of England -- the island of saints, and the most devoted child of the See of Peter." He received the death sentence with the Te Deum laudamus. After spending his last days in prayer he was led with two companions, Ralph Sherwin and Alexander Briant, to Tyburn where the three were hanged, drawn and quartered on 1 December 1581. He was 41 years of age.

Edmund Campion was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 9 December 1886. Blessed Edmund Campion was canonized nearly eighty-four years later in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales with a common feast day of 4 May. His feast day is celebrated on 1 December, the day of his martyrdom. The actual ropes used in his execution are now kept in glass display tubes at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire; each year they are placed on the altar of St Peter's Church for Mass to celebrate Campion's feast day - which is always a holiday for the school.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/866 <![CDATA[An admonition to Doctor Story ]]> 2020-01-08T14:52:25+11:00

Title

An admonition to Doctor Story

Subtitle

beeing condemned of high Treason, sent to him before his death, but because it came to late to his hands; it is now put in print th[at it ma]y be a warning to all other papists whereby they may repent and c[all to God f]or mercy, cleue to his holy woord and liue ac[cording to the]Doctrine of the same.

Synopsis

John Story, a priest who had helped persecute Protestants is executed for high treason under Elizabeth I.
In the course of slurring papists and saints, this piece names many of the English Catholic martyrs, including Thomas More, John Felton, and the Nortons.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Huntington Library - Britwell, Shelfmark: HEH18286; EBBA 32151

Transcription

BEstur your stomps good Story now, the gallous [...]ore
I am sory you came so late, that you must hang alone.
If you had come but one yeer past, company you migh[t] [...]
John Felton & the Nortons bothe, of you would have been glad
Alas what luck had you good man, to bide from hence so long
And hang behinde your company, no dout you had gr[...]
But sith Dame Fortune so dooth frown, and your [...]
I see that weeping wil not help, it boots not to be [...]
Therfore I wish you to repent, while you have time [...]
Lay holde on Faith in Christes blood, and call to God [...]
And now prepare your self with speed, to sail up Holbou[rn] [...]
And drinck you of that deadly cup, that you to us did fil[...]
Gods woord must needs be prooved true, which you doo st[...] [...]ave
Such measure as your self did give, such measure shall you have.
Remember wel your crueltye, in killing of Gods Saints:
whose blood for vengeaunce stil dooth cry, & god hearth their complaint.
& you have now your just reward, which you have wel deserved:
Because from God & princes lawes, so tratorously you swarved.
As I hear say you doo appele, unto your God the Pope:
But his Pardons cannot prevaile, to save you from the rope.
Nor yet his Masses many folde, they cannot you defend:
From Tiburn neither yet from hel, except you doo amend.
but when these newes are brought to Rome, how that you are attainted
Of high treason and hangd therfore, no dout you shal be Sainted.
These names & titles shall you have, in Rome when you be dead:
The Pope no dout wil you inrole, under his bulles of lea[...]
A Doctor and a Confessor, thus shall you be extolde:
A Martyr and a Saint also, but yet a traitor bolde.
That day that you hanged shal be, it shall be holy day:
And so ordained by the Pope, that men to you may pray.
Thus shall you be canonized, as Saint as I have said:
Then to be hangd for high treason, what need you be afraid?
For you shall have Trentalls great store, of Masses said & sung:
And all the belles that be in Roome, for your soule shal be rung.
If some good popish catholike, of your hart could take holde:
And bring it to the Pope in Rome, it should be shrinde in golde.
Because that in the Popes defence, you dyed so bolde and stout:
If that your soule doo go to hel, the Pope wil Masse it out.
And place you by his owne white side, where all the saints doo dwel
In that heaven which him self hath made, not very far from hel.
Where you shall have such plesant joyes, Masse & mattens by note
Saint Pluto there sings Masse him self, in a red firye cote.
Saint Dunstone is one of his clarkes, Saint Hildebrand another
There shall you see Saint Dominick, and S. Francis his brother.
Saint Fryer Forest is the Preest, to hear the Saints confession:
Saint Fryer Bacon beres the Crosse, before them in p[roc]ession.
There shall you meete S. Thomas Becket, that had the g[...] [...]ine
And S. Thomas of Harefordshere, bothe costly brave [...]
There shall you meete S. Boniface, S. Remige and S. [...]
Saint Brigid and S. Clare the Nun, with the holy ma[...]
There shall you meete S. Cardinall Poole, & sw[...]
S. Thomas More a traitor stout, with the ho[...]
There shall you see that blessed Saint, Pope Ur[ban]
Who was the first that did invent, and make Corps Chri[sti]
These Saints and ye[...] [...]o, with all the Sleepers seve[n]
Shall meete you wit[...] [...]n, and welcome you to H[eaven]
And there you shall h[...] [...]ing stil, from morning v[...]
And meete with your familier freends, S. Edmond and S. S[...]
Saint Christopher that late was hangd, at Tiburn you b[...]
There shall you meete S. Felton to, with many [...]
All these Good Saints as I have said, wil meet [...]
And bid you welcome into Heaven, with joy whe [...]
Then al these Angels & these Saints, with great mirth [...]
Unto the high infernall seat, and set you next the kin[...]
You shall be made the cheefest Saint, and sit aboove th[...]
Higher then ever Dunstone was, or any Preest of Ba[...]
You shal be judge of all the Saints, and highest in C[...]stion:
Even as you heer upon Earth were, to maintain superstion.

Math. 6.

The popes
Heaven next
house to
hel.

These are
the Popes
Saints.

Loke in Le
gend aurea
and there
shall you
finde what
S Remege
was.

Sir Tho-
mas More
once Lord
chaunceler
of England.

Loke in the
Festival for
the seven
Sleepers.

Boner and
Gardener.

Norton.

But yet I dout you shall not skape, the Purgatory flame.
[I]f Masses and Diriges doo not help, to save you from the same.
Of whiche I knowe you shall lack none, for many wilbe fain:
[T]o have a thousand for your sake, to fetch you out again.
[B]ut you shall Masses great store have, in the heaven where you go:
[T]hat wil keep you from Purgatory, if that the Pope say no.
[T]hus maister Doctor have I tolde, your joyes after this life:
Because with Gods woord & your Prince, you dye so far at strife.
These be the joyes that you shall have, in the Popes heaven to reign:
But in Gods heaven where true joyes be, no traitor shall remain
No Papist nor Idolater, that doo refuse gods woord:
No worshipper of Images, shall stand before the Lord,
Nor yet Rebellious Massemonger, that dooth his Prince despise:
Against all Popish blood suckers, the Lord wil turn his eyes.
No witch nor wicked whoremonger, which your pope dooth defend
No Conjurer nor yet such like, to Gods heaven shall ascend.
No Buggerers orels yet baudes, in Gods heaven shal have place:
No Briber nor Simoniack, nor Perjurer past grace.
No supersticious Hereticks, nor mainteners of whores:
No Sectaries nor Sodomits, shall come within heaven doores,
All wilful virgins with their vowes, professing to live chaste:
That godly mariage doo contemn, from Gods heaven shall be cast.
And such were all your popish Saints, that I before have named:
with all these sinnes moste horible, the moste of them were blamed
But in such filthy stincking Saints, the Lord hath no delight:
And from the joyes celestiall, he wil exclude them quite.
But these Saints that in Gods heaven, shall have their habitation:
Who by true faith in Christes blood, doo seek their whole salvation
And such as doo unfainedly, beleeve Gods holy woord:
Whose life and good profession, together doo accord.
And live like subjects to their prince, obeying godly lawes:
Not thus to hang like traitors stout, as doo you popish dawes.
Lo maister Doctor these be they, whom we good Saints doo call:
One of these Saints doo plese God more, then doo the popes saints all
And if you be unhangd as yet, God graunt you may repent:
That you may be one of these Saints, of Christe omnipotent.
But if you be all redy hangd, I leave you to your judge:
And let the Papists by you take heed, how they doo spurn & grudge
Against God and their lawful Queene, I would not wish them run
Lest that they drink of that same cup, as you before have doon.
God be thanked that our Queene, begins to look about:
To draw the sword out of the shethe, to weed such trators out.
Therfore you popish traitors all, forsake your Roomish sects:
Obey your Queene like subjects true, or els beware your necks.
Take heed how you provoke your Prince, at any time to wrath:
Whose angre is saith Salomon, the messanger of death.
The Kings displeasure is even as, the roaring Lions voice:
Then to provoke the Queene to wrath, papists doo not rejoice.
Abuse not the Queenes lenity, that shee to you dooth showe:
What small vantage is got therby, some papists late doo knowe.
Consider what great benefits, we have of her good grace,
Shee dooth maintain Gods holy woord, to shine in every place.
How godly hath she ruled us, by wise councels advice:
Of such a precious jewel you, papists knowe not the price.
Shee seeketh to doo harme to none, but to doo all men good:
Yea, to her foes that sought her death, she hath not sought their blood
Til now of late they did rebel, high treason to conspire:
Then was it time to cut them of, and hang them somewhat hier.
To end, God save her majestye, from bloody papists vain:
And Lord send her olde Nestors yeeres, w us to live and reigne.

It is time.

Pro. 20.

A tiborne
tippets.

Composer of Ballad

Iohn. Cornet. Minister.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

London, the long Shop adioyning vnto Saint Mildreds Chruche in the Pultrie, by Iohn Allde

Notes

John Story, a Catholic priest who had helped Bishop Bonner to persecute Protestants during the reign of Mary, and who subsequently worked as a censor for the Spanish Inquisition in Flanders, was kidnapped out of Flanders and returned to England in 1570. On 1 June 1571 he was executed for treason.

The spectacle of his trial moved St. Edmund Campion, who was present, to reconsider both his own position and his Catholic duty. In 1886, John Story was beatified by Pope Leo XIII owing to a papal decree originally approved by Pope Gregory XVI in 1859.

]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/867 <![CDATA[AN ELEGIE On the never to be forgotten Sir Thomas Armstrong Knight; ]]> 2020-01-08T14:52:37+11:00

Title

AN ELEGIE On the never to be forgotten Sir Thomas Armstrong Knight;

Subtitle

Executed for Conspiring the Death of His most Sacred Majesty, and Royal Brother, June 20. 1684. With some Satyrical Reflections on the whole Faction.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Huntington Library - Bridgewater, Shelfmark: HEH 134747; EBBA 32147

Transcription

Stand forth ye damn'd deluding Priests of Baal,
And sound from out each Trumpet Mouth a Call
Let it be loud and shrill, that ev'ry Man
May hear the noise, from Beersheba to Dan;
To summon all the Faction, that they may
In doleful Hums and Haws, bewail this day,
And to their Just Confusion howl and roar,
For the great Bully of their Cause, is now no more.

But now methinks I hear the Faction cry,
Ohone! Where's all thy Pomp and Gallantry?
Thy Great Commands, they Interest and thy State?
The many Crouds which did upon thee wait?
When thou like Atlas on thy shoulders bore,
That mighty World which we so much adore
That Pageant Heroe, Off-spring of a Whore.

Behold ye stubborn Crew, the certain Fate
That waits upon the hardened Reprobate.
See; the effects of Treason's Terrible,
In this life Infamy, and i'th' next a Hell,
While Heav'n attends on Kings with special Care,
The Traitor to himself becomes a snare:
Drove out like Cain, to wander through the World,
By his own thoughts into Distraction hurl'd,
Despis'd by all, perplext with hourly fear,
And by his Friends push't like the hunted Deer,
Like a mad Dog, still houted as he ran,
A just Reward for th' base Rebellious man.

How often has kind Heaven preserv'd the Crown,
And tumbled the Audacious Rebel down?
How many Warnings have they had of late?
How often read their own impending Fate?
That still they dare their wicked Acts pursue,
And know what Heaven has ordain'd their due?
That man who cou'd not reas'nably desire
To raise his Fortunes, and his Glories higher,
Who did enjoy, unto a wish, such store,
That all his Ancestors scarce heard of more,
Shou'd by his own procuring fall so low,
As if he'd study'd his own overthrow,
Looks like a story yet without a Name,
And may be stil'd the first Novel in Fame?
So the fam'd Angels, Turbulent as Great,
Who always waited 'bout the Mercy-Seat,
Desiring to be something yet unknown,
Blunder'd at all, and would have graspt the Crown,
Till Heaven's Great Monarch, saw they wou'd Rebel,
Then dasht their Hopes, and damn'd them down to Hell.

And now methinks I see to th'fatal place
A Troop of Whiggs with Faction in each Face,
And Red-swoln Eyes, moving with mournful pace,
Pitying the Mighty Sampson of their Cause,
Cursed their Fates, and Railing at the Laws.
The Sitters too appear, with sniveling ryes
To celebrate their Stallions Obsequies;
From th' Play-house and from Change, how they resort,
From Country, City, nay, there's some from Court,
From the Old C---ss wither'd and decay'd,
To a Whigg Brewers Youthful Lovely Maid.
Gods! What a Troop is here? sure Hercules
Had found enough so many Whores to please.

Repent, ye Factious Rout, Repent and be
Forewarn'd by this bold Traytors Destiny.
Go home ye Factious Dogs, and mend your Lives;
Be Loyal, and make honest all your Wives.
You keep from Conventicles first, and then
Keep all your Wives from Conventicling Men.
Leave off your Railing 'gainst the King and State,
Your foolish Prating, and more foolish Hate.
Obey the Laws, and bravely act your parts,
And to the Church unite in Tongues and Hearts;
Be sudden too, before it proves too late,
Lest you partake of this bold Traytors Fate.

And if the Faction thinks it worth the Cost,
(To keep this Bully's Name from being lost)
To raise a Pillar, to perpetuate
His Wond'rous Actions, and Ignoble Fate,
Let 'em about it streight, and when 'tis done,
I'le Crown the Work with this Inscription.

Bold Fame thou Ly'st! Read here all you
That wou'd this Mighty Mortal know;
First, he was one of low degree,
But rose to an Hyperbole.
Famous t'excess in ev'ry thing,
But duty to his God, and King;
In Oaths as Great as any He,
That ever Grac'd the Tripple Tree;
So Absolute, when Drencht in Wine,
He might have been the God o' th' Vine.
His Brutal Lust was still so strong,
He never spar'd, or old, or young;
In Cards and Dice he was well known,
T'out-cheat the Cheaters of the Town.

These were his Virtues, if you'd know
His Vices too pray read below.

Not wholly Whig, nor Atheist neither,
But something form'd of both together,
Famous in horrid Blasphemies,
Practic'd in base Adulteries.
In Murders vers'd as black, and foul
As his Degenerated Soul.
In's Maxims too, as great a Beast, *His Father
As *those his honest Father drest. was a Groom.
The Factious Bully, Sisters Stallion:
Now Hang'd, and Damn'd, for his Rebellion.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

LONDON, Printed for William Bateman, in the / Old Change.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/873 <![CDATA[Certayne versis writtene by Thomas Brooke Gentleman<br /> ]]> 2020-01-08T14:55:54+11:00

Title

Certayne versis writtene by Thomas Brooke Gentleman

Subtitle

in the tyme of his imprysonment the daye before his deathe who sufferyd at Norwich the .30.of August. 1570.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Shelfmark: Arch. A c.7; Bodleian Ballads Online Bod3372

Transcription

Certayne versis / writtene by Thomas Brooke Ge~tleman / in the tyme of his impryso~ment / the daye before his deathe / who sufferyd at Norwich / the. 30. of August. 1570.

I Languishe / as I lye /
And death doth make me thrall /
To cares which death shall sone cut of /
And sett me quyt / of all.

yett feble fleshe would faynt /
To feale so sharpe a fyght /
Saue Fayth in Christ / doth comfort me /
And sleithe such fancy quyght.

For fyndyng forth howe frayle /
Eache wordly state doth stande /
I hould him blyst / that fearyng God /
Is redd of such a band.

For he that longest lyues /
And Nestors yeares doth gayne /
Hath so much more accompte to make /
And fyndyth Lyfe but vayne.

What cawse ys then to quayle /
I am called before /
To tast the Ioyes which Christis bloode /
Hath bowght and layde in store.

No no / no greter Ioye /
Can eny hart posses /
Then throwgh the death to gayne a lyfe /
Wyth hym in blyssednes.

Who sende the Quene long lyfe /
Much Ioye and contries peace /
Her Cowncell health / hyr fryndes good lucke /
To all ther Ioyes increase.

Thus puttyng vppe my greaues /
I grownde my lyfe on God /
And thanke hym with most humble hart /
And mekelye kysse his rodde.

Finis /


{quod} Thomas Brooke.

Seane / and allowyd / accordynge to the Quenes Maiestyes Iniunction.

God saue the Quene

Imprynted at Norwich in the Paryshe of Saynct Andrewe / by Anthony de Solempne. 1570.

Composer of Ballad

Thomas Brooke [?]

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Norwich, Norfolk

Printing Location

Norwich in the Paryshe of Saynct Andrews by Anthony de Solempne

Notes

From the Holinshed Project, 1587, vol. 6, p. 1221: The seauen and twentith of Male, Thomas Nor|ton and Christopher Norton of Yorkshire,The Nor|tons execu|ted. being both condemned of high treason for the late rebellion in the north, were drawen from the tower of London to Tiborne, and there hanged, headed, and quartered. In this yeare also conspired certeine gentlemen with other in the countie of Norffolke,Conspiracie in Norffolke and where|vpon it tooke beginning. whose purpose was on Midsummer daie at Harlestone faire, with sound of trumpet and drum to haue rais [...]d a num|ber, and then to proclame their diuelish pretense a|gainst strangers and others. This matter was vtte|red by Thomas Ket one of the conspiracie vnto Iohn Kenseie, who foorthwith sent the same Ket with a conestable to the next iustice, before whome and o|ther iustices he opened the whole matter. Wherevp|on maister Drue Drurie immediatlie apprehen|ded Iohn Throckmorton, and after him manie gen|tlemen of the citie of Norwich, and the countie of Norffolke, who were all committed to prison, and at the next sessions of goale deliuerie at the castell of Norwich, the seauentéenth of Iulie before sir Robert Catlin knight lord chéefe iustice, Gilbert Gerard the quéenes attornie generall, and other iustices, ten of them were indicted of high treason, and some others of contempt. Diuerse of them were condemned, and had iudgement the one and twentith of August: and afterward thrée of them were hanged, bowelled, and quartered, which were Iohn Throckmorton of Nor|wich gentleman, who stood mute at his arreignment, but at the gallows confessed himselfe to be the chéefe conspirator, and that none had deserued to die but he, for that he had procured them. With him was execu|ted Thomas Brooke of Rolsbie gentleman on the thirtith of August; and George Dedman of Cringle|ford gentleman was likewise executed the second of September.
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/889 <![CDATA[Sir Thomas Armstrong's Farevvel: ]]> 2021-06-12T12:10:32+10:00

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).
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/891 <![CDATA[Sr. Thomas Armstrongs Last Farewell to the VVORLD: ]]> 2020-01-08T16:09:50+11:00

Title

Sr. Thomas Armstrongs Last Farewell to the VVORLD:

Subtitle

He being Condemned for HIGH-TREASON, and Conspiring the Death of the KING and the DUKE, and subverting the Government of these three Kingdoms A SONG.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Huntington Library - Bridgewater, HEH 134748; EBBA 32148

Set to tune of...

State and Ambition

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

LONDON, Printed for J. Dean Bookseller in Cranborn-Street, near Newport-House, / in Leicester-Fields.

Tune Data

Reference: State and Ambition (Simpson 1966, pp. 683-5)
Date tune first appeared: 1683
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/901 <![CDATA[The Bully WHIG: ]]> 2020-01-08T15:04:27+11:00

Title

The Bully WHIG:

Subtitle

OR, The Poor Whores Lamentation for the Apprehending OF Sir THOMAS ARMSTRONG.

Synopsis

Sir Thomas Armstrong was implicated in the the Rye House Plot (1683), an alleged Whig conspiracy to assassinate or mount an insurrection against Charles II of England because of his pro-Roman Catholic policies. The plot drew its name from Rye House at Hoddeston, Hertfordshire, near which ran a narrow road where Charles was supposed to be killed as he traveled from a horse meet at Newmarket. After fleeing to Amsterdam Armstrong was kidnapped by the King's agents and brought back to London in chains. After being hung and quartered his head was stuck on a pike at the gates of St. James Palace. It was later judged by Parliament that Sir Thomas had been unjustly executed and his principal accuser was expelled from Parliament.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Huntington Library, Bridgewater, HEH 134741; EBBA 32146

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Ah! Cruel Bloody Fate!

Transcription

I.
AH! Cruel Bloody Tom!
What canst thou hope for more,
Than to receive the Doom
Of all they Crimes before?
For all they bold Conspiracies
Thy Head must pay the score;
Thy Cheats and Lies,
Thy Box and Dice,
Will serve thy turn no more.

II.
Ungrateful thankless Wretch!
How could'st thou hope in vain
(Without the reach of Ketch)
Thy Treasons to maintain?
For Murders long since done and past,
Thou Pardons hast had store,
And yet would'st still
Stab on, and kill,
As if thou hop'dst for more.

III.
Yet Tom, e'r he would starve,
More Blood resolv'd to've spilt;
Thy flight did only serve
To justifie thy Guilt:
While They whose harmless Innocence
Submit to Chains at home,
Are each day freed,
While Traytors bleed,
And suffer in their room.

IV.
When Whigs a PLOT did Vote,
What Peer Justice fled?
In the FANATICK PLOT
Tom durst not shew his head.
Now Sacred Justice rules above,
The Guiltless are set free,
And the Napper's napt,
And Clapper clapt
In his CONSPIRACY.

V.
Like Cain, thou hast a Mark
Or Murder on thy Brow;
Remote, and in the dark,
Black Guilt did still pursue:
Nor England, Holland, France or Spain,
The Traytor can defend;
He will be found
In Fetters bound,
To pay for't in the end.

VI.
Tom might about the Town
Have bully'd, huff'd and roar'd,
By every Venus known,
Been for a Mars ador'd:
By friendly Pimping and false Dice
Thou might'st have longer liv'd,
Hector'd and shamm'd,
And swore and gam'd,
Hadst thou no Plots contriv'd.

VII.
Tom once was Cock-a-hoop
Of all the Huffs in Town;
But now his Pride must stoop,
His Courage is pull'd down:
So long his Spurs are grown, poor Tom
Can neither fly nor fight;
Ah Cruel Fate!
That at this rate
The Squire shou'd foil the Knight!

VIII.
But now no remedy,
It being his just Reward;
In his own Trap, you see,
The Tygre is ensnar'd;
So may all Traytors fare, till all
Who for their Guilt did fly,
With Bully Tom
By timely Doom
Like him, unpity'd die.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

high treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

Sold at the Entrance into the Old-Spring-Garden, 1684.

Tune Data

Reference: Simpson 1966, pp. 4-6

Notes

The EXECUTION of SIR THOMAS ARMSTRONG A TRAYTOR AT TYBURN On FRIDAY, the Twentieth of June 1684

From Curiosities of Street Literature, by Charles Hindley, p.168 

The Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, about nine o'clock in the morning, coming to Newgate and demanding their prisoner, he was forthwith delivered to them, and put into a sledge and drawn to the place of execution, attended by a numerous guard, and as great a number of spectators, of all degrees and qualities, as have been seen on such occasions. Tho' he affected an air of courage, yet something of sullenness and reserve appeared in his countenance.

He employed the time he was drawing to Tyburn in reading The Whole Duty of Man, till he came within sight of the gallows, and then he laid it by, and with lifted up hands and eyes, addressed himself to Heaven, till he came beneath the tree, where he remained about a quarter of a hour in the sledge; before he ascended the cart that stood ready for him, he desired the Sheriff to admit Dr Tennison to come to him; and having delivered a paper to the Sheriff, the Doctor kneeled down with the prisoner, and prayed with him about a quarter of an hour, during all which time the prisoner preserved a becoming and heroick countenance, little daunted with the terror of that fate he was in view of; but rising from his devotions, be pulled off his cravat and hat, which he gave to his servant who attended him, and had followed him by the sledge-side, when kneeling down himself, he prayed for a short time with fervency and devotion, begging pardon of his God for those manifold and crying sins he had too often been guilty of, and concluded with a resignation of himself to the God of heaven and earth, before whose judgement seat he was forthwith to appear, desiring that the whole world would forgive him, with, with whom he hoped to die in peace and charity. Having thus ended these devotions, he again stood up, and putting of his periwig, he had a white cap delivered to him, which he put on; and being soon tyed up, the chief of his discourse was addressed to a gentleman who stood by him; and after a short space, holding up his hands, he again renewed his prayers; his visage little changing all the time, till the very moment the cart drew away; the Executioner having pulled the cap over his eyes, he continued his prayers all the time, and even whilst he hung he hung, as long as life was in him, and he had the command of his lips; after he had hung about half an hour, and the executioner had divested him of his apparel, he was cut down according to his sentence, his privy members burnt, his head cut off, and shew'd to the people as that of a traitor, his heart and bowels taken out and committed to the flames, and his body quartered into four parts, which with his head, was conveyed back to Newgate, to be disposed of according to His Majesty's pleasure.


Wikipedia:  Sir Thomas Armstrong (c. 1633 - 20 June 1684) was an army officer and MP executed for Treason. During the Interregnum he was a supporter of Charles II, participating in the plot to seize Chester Castle in 1655, and carrying funds from Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford to Charles in exile. He was possibly imprisoned for a year on his return. In 1657 he married Catherine niece of Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon.

Following the Restoration, he received, in February 1661, a commission with the Horse Guards. In August 1675 Armstrong killed the son of one of the queen's ladies-in-waiting at a London theatre. Armstrong was pardoned on the grounds that his opponent had drawn first.

Armstrong served with James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth in France from 1672, fighting at the Siege of Maastricht (1673) and alongside the Dutch, in 1678. He was wounded at St Denis. In 1679 helped suppress the covenanter rising and fought at the battle at Bothwell Bridge.

Monmouth's influence secured him as MP for Stafford in March 1679 to the first Exclusion Parliament. Following the Rye House Plot in 1683 he was indicted for high treason. He fled to Cleves and then Rotterdam but was captured and sentenced to death by Judge Jeffreys. Armstrong was executed on 20 June 1684. His head was affixed to Westminster Hall, three of his quarters were displayed in London, and the fourth at Stafford.
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/920 <![CDATA[The plotter executed: ]]> 2021-02-23T16:28:15+11:00

Title

The plotter executed:

Subtitle

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

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

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

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Transcription

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

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

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

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


The second Part, to the same Tune:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

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

Notes

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

There was no proof of connivance with a plot for assassination or rebellion except the testimony of Oates and Bedloe. The jury found Coleman guilty. Scroggs replied to his solemn declarations of innocence,'Mr. Coleman, your own papers are enough to condemn you.' Next morning sentence of death and confiscation of property was pronounced, and on Tuesday, 3 December, he was executed, avowing his faith and declaring his innocence.
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/924 <![CDATA[The traytors last farewell: ]]> 2020-01-08T15:13:23+11:00

Title

The traytors last farewell:

Subtitle

or, Treason miraculously discover'd Being a full and true account of one Sir Thomas Armstrong, who with other rebels, had conspired the death of our soveraign Lord the King, and subverting the government: and though he fled beyond the seas for refuge, yet there the hand of justice found him out; and was brought back to England, where he received the due sentence of death, which was accordingly executed on the 20th. of this instant June, 1684. To the tune of, Let Oliver now be forgotten.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Houghton Library, EB75 P4128C no. 319; EBBA 34455

Set to tune of...

Let Oliver now be forgotten

Transcription

Old Tony he led you to Ruin,
to kick against Power and State,
But now it has prov'd your undoing,
for all he'd a Politick Pate:
For now you may see they look sowre,
The Law has invincible Power,
And I do hope will all Traytors devour,
Now 'tis in vain for to babble and prate.

O Armstrong, you see your Condition,
you find what your Plotting hath done,
Your Pride and your haughty ambition,
did force you from England to run:
For the old course you were taken,
Loyal Allegience forsaken,
It doth appear such Laws you were making,
But now it will fill you with horror and fear.

Sure Armstrong was highly besotted,
to act in so horrid a thing,
For treacherously you have Plotted,
against a most Soveraign King:
And when you heard the Narration,
Of the Kings Proclamation,
The Sea you crost, forsaking the Nation,
But now all your hopes is drowned at last.

For hatching and Plotting of Treason,
O Armstrong you entred your hand,
Contrary to Law, Right, or Reason,
against the great King of the Land:
Every Wheel was in motion,
They did it in point of Devotion,
At last for fear you crossed the Ocean,
And now a fine halter doth fall to your share.

You aim'd at the very Foundation,
our gracious good King and the Heir,
The strength and the stay of the Nation,
but now you are catcht in the Snare:
For Armstrong you dy'd a Traytor,
Gray will be found little better,
When he comes here early or later,
And Ferguson too [??] come in for a share.

These were the Blades of Sedition,
maintainers of Tony's Old Cause,
That rail'd against Lawful Succession,
to tread down our National Laws:
Yea both the Prince and his power,
Dayly they sought to devour,
They would have sent Loyal hearts to the Tower
Without all dispute this was their intent.

Those Villains then in the conclusion,
had they but obtained their will,
The Land would have been in Confusion,
and innocent Blood for to spill:
Then let us pray for the King and respect him
The Heavens I hope will direct him,
With all his Train ever protect him,
And send him a long and prosperous Reign.

But Armstrong was never so daunted,
no, ne'r since he first drew his breath.
O then he with Horror was haunted,
when he receiv'd Sentence of Death:
He fain would have have [sic] come to a Tryal,
But yet there was a denial,
O Armstrong, you had better been Loyal,
Then to be found to be one of the Crew.

But let him have what he deserved,
and give to each Traytor his due,
Let Charles our good King be preserved,
from all the implacable Crew:
Let Drums and Trumpets sound it,
Hang up each treach'rous Round-head,
So let them swing, thus be confounded,
While we that are Loyal cry, God save the King.

FINIS.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

[London] : Printed for I. Deacon at the Angel in Guilt spur-Street without Newgate

Tune Data

Let Oliver now be forgotten is also known as How Unhappy is Phillis in Love, and first appeared in 1681 (Simpson 1966, pp. 320-22).
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https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/928 <![CDATA[Treason Rewarded at TIBURN: ]]> 2020-01-08T15:13:59+11:00

Title

Treason Rewarded at TIBURN:

Subtitle

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

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The second Part,
To the same Tune.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FINIS.

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

Packington's Pound is often cited as Digby's Farewell,Packingtons Pound or Amintas' Farewell. The tune first appeared in 1671 and was popular for execution ballads (Simpson 1966, pp. 181-187, 564-570).
]]>
https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/966 <![CDATA[Treason justly punished: ]]> 2020-01-14T13:15:43+11:00

Title

Treason justly punished:

Subtitle

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

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Houghton Library, Harvard University, Shelfmark EBB65; EBBA 35048

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

hanging, drawing and quartering

Crime(s)

treason

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tyburn

Printing Location

[London] : Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and I. Clarke, [1674-1679]
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