<![CDATA[Execution Ballads]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/browse?tags=highway+robbery&output=rss2 Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:57:03 +1100 una.mcilvenna@unimelb.edu.au (Execution Ballads) Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[Capt. WHITNEY's Confession: OR, HIS Penitent Lamentation, Under a Sence of a Guilty Conscience, on the Day of his Execution at the Porter's Block, near Smithfield-Bars, which was on the First of February, 1693.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/1158

Title

Capt. WHITNEY's Confession: OR, HIS Penitent Lamentation, Under a Sence of a Guilty Conscience, on the Day of his Execution at the Porter's Block, near Smithfield-Bars, which was on the First of February, 1693.

Synopsis

James Whitney, a famous highwayman, is finally caught and executed for his many crimes. He is offered a reprieve if he names his accomplices, which he does, but the reprieve is never granted.

Account of Whitney's sentencing from the Old Bailey Online:
James Whitney , otherwise called Captain Whitney, Butcher , the great Highway-man, was a second time Indicted, together with Benjamin Kallow , Gent , for Robbing one John Smith at South-Mims-wash on the 10th of November last, of 100 yards of Lace, value 50 l. Neither of them made any Exceptions against the Jury; only Mr. Whitney desired none might be sworn amongst them, that were of the Hundred where the Robbery was done, which was granted by the Court; then the Witnesses were call'd and sworn for the King; The first was Mr. Smith, who said he was Robbed by seven Men, but he did not know them: The next Witness swore flatly against Mr. Whitney, that he Robbed him first, and afterward he went to Mr. Smith and Robbed him, and that he stob'd several Carriers Horses at the same time; but there was no Evidence could charge Kallow, so he was acquitted of this Indictment. Whitney being ask'd what he had to say for himself; answered in short, That he knew nothing of the Matter, and that the Man was hard-mouth'd. But was answer'd, That his mouth was soft enough to do his business. And could not prove where he was at that time, so he was found guilty of the Robbery. 

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 15 January 2019), Ordinary of Newgate's Account, February 1693 (OA16930201).

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College, Cambridge - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.186; EBBA 20801

Set to tune of...

Transcription

T He fatal day is come at last,
of sorrow, grief, and shame,
Which will the fading glory blast,
of Whitney now by name.
My wicked life has been the cause
of this sad destiny;
For since I broke the Nation's laws,
'tis just that I should die.

Here to the world I freely leave
these lines, my last farewel;
And though I do not seem to grieve,
yet conscience, like a hell,
Does wrack and fill my soul with dread,
and does against me cry;
The wicked life which I have led,
makes me afraid to die.

The dreadful oaths which I have swore,
comes fresh into my mind,
When the Great God I come before,
shall I a pardon find?
Who did for sad damnation call,
when in my villany;
I under his displeasure fall,
which makes me fear to die.

'Tis true, a chearful countenance
I seeminly do bear,
But now my most unhappy chance,
drives me unto dispair;
Were conscience clear, what would I give,
all that I have, for why?
The thoughts of how I here did live,
makes me afraid to die.

I robb'd the roads both night and day,
young harlots to maintain,
From honest men I took away,
and gave it gills again;
Whom I lov'd better than a wife,
I cannot this deny;
Yet this perfidious wretched life,
makes me afraid to die.

With loaded pistol in my hand,
myself among the rest,
Would force the travellers to stand,
with pistols at their breast,
Their purses to give up with speed,
or soon the shot should flie;
To think of which my heart doth bleed,
I am afraid to die.

What though I suffer on a tree,
it is not that I fear;
But oh! what will become of me,
if God should be severe?
To me who all my days have spent
with thieves continually,
And ne'er did in the least repent,
therefore I fear to die.

My brother Holland , and the rest
are gone five days before,
While I in sorrow am opprest,
my heart is grieved sore;
This seems a second death to be,
and I in sorrow cry,
And hope you all will pitty me,
who now at last must die.

I sigh at my sad destiny,
my very heart does bleed:
Alas! why did they flatter me,
with hopes of being freed?
Why did they bring me a reprieve?
O tell me, tell me why?
Yet I at last the world must leave,
and be compell'd to die.

Farewel thou world, I must imbrace
the bitter pangs of death,
And here in shame and sad disgrace,
surrender up my breath;
For which this day I hither came,
so sad's my destiny;
And tho' I startle at the same,
'tis just that I should die.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Porter's block, near Cow Crosse, Smithfield, London

Printing Location

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

URL

'Ordinary of Newgate's Account, 1st February 1693'The Proceedings of the Old Bailey - London's Central Criminal Court, 1674 to 1913

'January 6, 1693' in Tyburn: The Story of London's Gallows, by Robert Bard 

'James Whitney'Website of Pascal Bonenfant, by Stephan Hart

'Whitney'  in Lives and Exploits of the Most Noted Highwaymen, Robbers and Murderers of All Nations, Drawn from the Most Authentic Sources and Brought Down to the Present Time, by Charles Whitehead

Notes

From executedtoday.com: Dapper highwayman James Whitney was hanged at Smithfield on December 19th 1694. A monument to the allures and the perils of a midlife career change, Whitney threw over a tiresome life as the proprietor of an inn in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire,* purchased with his liquidation the accoutrements of the gentleman thief, and took to the road.

“Captain” Whitney — he had no right to the rank he appropriated for himself — was one of those stickup men who greatly esteemed the pose of honor associated with his new calling. On one occasion, he relieved a gentleman traveler of a large sack of silver on Newmarket Heath, but when his victim pleaded the length of his journey Whitney opened the bag to its former owner with an invitation to take what he would need.

The man plunged his hands in and hauled out as much as they would carry, leading Whitney to remark with a smile, “I thought you would have had more conscience, sir.”

In another fine caper (there are more of them assembled here) Whitney told a man to stand and deliver, only to have the traveler reply that he was about to say the same back to him. The two robbers laughed at their encounter and went their separate ways, but Whitney later chanced to turn up at the same inn as his so-called brother plunderer and overhear him regaling his fellows with the tale of having outwitted a highwayman by pretending to be one of the same profession.

Whitney stalked the man and a companion out of the hostel the next morning and this time robbed them successfully: “You should have kept your secret a little longer, and not have boasted so soon of having outwitted a thief. There is now nothing for you but to deliver or die!” Nobody likes your stories anyway, you blowhard.

True, James Whitney ended his adventure at the gallows: death is the fate of us all. From his day to ours, folk toiling away the ceaseless lonesome days between ashes and ashes have understood the soul’s stirring to exalt their scant mortal hours with deeds of valor and romance and derring-do. And as Whitney himself is said to have remarked to a miser whose lucre he was seizing, “Is it not more generous to take a man’s money from him bravely, than to grind him to death by exacting eight or ten per cent, under cover of serving him?”**

Nobody knows any of James Whitney’s peers in the publican guild, but as Captain Whitney he joined England’s most legendary gentleman outlaw in verse:
When Claude du Val was in Newgate thrown,
He carved his name on the dungeon stone;
Quoth a dubsman, who gazed on the shattered wall,
“You have carved your epitaph, Claude du Val,

Du Val was hanged, and the next who came
On the selfsame stone inscribed his name;
“Aha!” quoth the dubsman, with devilish glee,
“Tom Waters, your doom is the triple tree!”

Within that dungeon lay Captain Bew,
Rumbold and Whitney — a jolly crew!
All carved their names on the stone, and all
Share the fate of the brave Du Val!

Full twenty highwaymen blithe and bold,
Rattled their chains in that dungeon old:
Of all that number there ‘scaped not one
Who carved his name on the Newgate Stone.

* The George Inn. A map search does yield a The George in Cheshunt; whether this is actually the same facility where our famous highwayman once earned a lawful keep, I have not been able to establish.
Capt Whitney's Confession.jpg
James_Whitney.jpg
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Tue, 12 Jun 2018 09:17:29 +1000
<![CDATA[La complainte de Cartouche]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/996

Title

La complainte de Cartouche

Synopsis

Cartouche was a celebrity outlaw, arrested 14 October 1721 after denunciation. He nearly escaped but a dog's barking gave him away.
Louis Dominique Garthausen, also known as Cartouche (1693, Paris - November 28, 1721, Paris; age 27-28), who usually went by the name of Louis Bourguignon or Louis Lamarre when he wanted to hide his identity, was a highwayman who terrorized the roads around Paris during the Régence until the authorities had him broken on the wheel.

Cartouche's exploits were described in ballads and popular prints and have been vividly revived in bodice-rippers and the swashbuckling romance with slapstick comedy of the film Cartouche (1962) by Philippe de Broca, starring Jean Paul Belmondo and the twenty-three-year-old Claudia Cardinale.

Set to tune of...

Il était un berger

Transcription

Enfin Cartouche est pris
Avecque sa maîtresse
On dit qu'il s'est enfui
Par un tour de souplesse
Un chien l'a fait r'pincer
Dès le matin !

On l'a mis au cachot
Avec un fort bon drille,
Sans couteau ni ciseau
Ni marteau ni faucille
Leurs mains ont fait un trou
Chez le voisin !

Il dit à la question
"- Je ne suis pas Cartouche"
Je suis Jean Bourguignon
Je ne crains point vos douches
Je suis Lorrain de nation
Je suis Lorrain"

On le mena Jeudi
En place de Grève
Tout était si rempli
Que tout le monde y crève.
Puis on l'a fait sortir
De sa prison

En montant l'escalier
De l'Hôtel de Ville
Il dit au gonfalier
"- Ami je suis débile
Donne moi un verre de vin
Mon cher ami"

On dit qu'il accusa
Grand nombre de personnes
Des pays étrangers
Des femmes, aussi des hommes
Il fut exécuté
Le vendredi.

Method of Punishment

breaking on the wheel

Crime(s)

highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Paris, Place de Greve

URL

http://www.chansons-net.com/Tine/E560.html

https://youtu.be/6HaAGL2perA

Notes

Louis Dominique Garthausen dit Cartouche (mais aussi Bourguignon ou Lamarre), né en 1693 et mort le 28 novembre 1721, était un brigand puis un chef de bande (une de ces bandes de la Cour des miracles, leur repaire, qui sévissaient à Paris au début du XVIIIe siècle, sous la Régence).

Intelligent, acrobate et spirituel, Cartouche, qui redistribue une partie du bénéfice de ses crimes aux petites gens,
gagne vite une certaine estime parmi une population exaspérée par les corruptions de l'époque.

Trahi par Gruthus, son complice qui sauve ainsi sa peau (et peut-être aussi dénoncé par une femme),
il est arrêté au petit matin dans le cabaret Au Pistolet, à la Basse-Courtille, le 14 octobre 1721.

La légende dit que réveillé à temps, il manque réussir son évasion, mais est trahi par un chien qui se met à hurler.
Mené pieds nus au Châtelet, il y est retenu enchaîné dans une cage afin de prévenir toute évasion. Il fait alors l'objet de la curiosité du Paris mondain : des comédiens du Théâtre-Français l'examinent pour mieux le jouer et des dames de première distinction, dont la maréchale de Boufflers, ainsi que le Régent lui-même, lui rendent visite. Le 21 octobre, il est écroué à la Conciergerie sur décision du Parlement qui veut stopper l'intérêt du public. Il subit la procédure judiciaire dirigée par le conseiller Arnaud de Boux, maître des requêtes dont le père avait été assassiné sur la route de Bordeaux. Cartouche nie tout, y compris son état-civil, refuse de reconnaître sa mère, et affirme ne savoir ni lire, ni écrire. Le 26 novembre, il est soumis à la question extraordinaire et subit la "torture des brodequins". Malgré son silence, il est condamné à mort.

Le lendemain, jour pluvieux du supplice, entouré de 200 archers et ne voyant pas arriver ses compagnons qui avaient pourtant fait le serment de le libérer, Cartouche, sans doute par dépit ou par fureur, déclare vouloir faire des aveux. Ramené devant ses juges, il révèle beaucoup de choses et livre ses complices durant dix-huit heures. Des procès suivront ses déclarations jusqu'en 1723 : plus de 350 personnes seront arrêtées pour leurs liens avec ce chef de bande, dont du personnel de la suite de mademoiselle Louise-élisabeth, fille du Régent. Mais Cartouche n'est pas sauvé pour autant :l est roué* vif en place de Grève, à Paris, le 28 novembre 1721.
Les jours suivants, son cadavre est exposé dans une baraque et les curieux paient pour voir sa dépouille. Balagny le suit sur l'échafaud, puis son frère Louison, âgé de 15 ans, et d'autres complices encore. Ses acolytes les plus chanceux finissent aux galères, comme son deuxième frère Francis Antoine.
Le régime respire : c'est que certains noms proches de Cartouche sont des habitués des allées du pouvoir. Pourtant, assez rapidement à l'annonce de son arrestation puis de sa disparition, la légende de Cartouche commence. Sa mort à 28 ans en fait un héros martyr du pouvoir royal et des riches. Son histoire est reproduite sous diverses formes : poèmes, chansons populaires (La Complainte de Cartouche) et même pièces de théâtre de la Comédie-Française (Cartouche ou les voleurs de Legrand, en octobre 1721) et de la Comédie-Italienne (Arlequin Cartouche de Riccoboni père dit Lélio). En 1723, Nicolas Grandval publie un poème intitulé Cartouche ou le Vice puni. Par la suite, sa biographie, souvent romancée, sera souvent rééditée tout au long du XIXe siècle ; elle sera même complétée par des images d'épinal. Son masque mortuaire est aujourd'hui conservé au musée municipal de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

*Utilisé en Europe à partir du XVIe siècle, ce supplice est réservé aux criminels à partir de 1535 environ en France ;
auparavant, ils étaient exécutés sur le bùcher qui, à partir de cette époque, fut réservé aux hérétiques.
La roue fut le supplice réservé aux brigands, dont un exemple peut être Louis Mandrin en 1755.
(http://fr.wikipedia.org/)
]]>
Thu, 24 May 2018 13:58:37 +1000
<![CDATA[THE Penitent Highway-man:]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/941

Title

THE Penitent Highway-man:

Subtitle

OR, The Last Farewel of Mr. Biss, Who was Born at Shaftsbury, in Wiltshire, and was arrain'd and found guilty, and accordingly received Sentence of Death, and was Executed at Salisbury, on the 12th of March, 1695.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.195; EBBA 20810

Set to tune of...

Transcription

GOod People all I pray attend,
and listen now to me,
A sad Relation here I send
of Biss in Shaftsbury:
A noted Highway-man he was who on the Road did ride,
And at the length it came to pass, he was condenm'd and dy'd.
When he was to his Tryal brought, and at the Bar did stand,
He for no kind of favour sought, but there held up his Hand,
Declaring to the antient Judge, who was to try him then,
He should not bear him any grudge, he wan't the worst of Men.
He said, The Scriptures I fulfill'd, though I this Life did lead,
For when the Naked I beheld, I clothed them with speed;
Sometimes in Cloth and Winter-frize, sometimes in Russet-gray;
The Poor I fed, the Rich likewise I empty sent away.
What say you now my honour'd Lord, what harm was there in this?
Rich wealthy Misers was abhorr'd by brave free-hearted Biss.
I never robb'd nor wrong'd the Poor, as well it doth appear;
Be pleas'd to favour me therefore, and be not too severe.
Upon the Road a Man I met, was posting to a Jayl,
Because he could not pay his Debt, nor give sufficient Bayl:
A kind and loving Friend he found, that very day of me,
Who paid the Miser forty Pound, and set the Prisoner free.
Tho' he had got the Guinneys bright, and put them in his Purse,
I followed him that very night, I could not leave him thus;
Mounting my prancing Steed again, I crost a point of land,
Meeting the Miser in a lane, where soon I bid him stand:
You borrow'd forty Pounds, you know, of me this very day,
I cannot trust, before you go, I must have present pay:
With that I seiz'd & search'd him round, and rifl'd all his store,
Where straight I got my forty Pound, with twenty Guinneys more.
The Judge he made him this reply, Your Joaks are all in vain,
By Law you are condemn'd to Dye, you will no Pardon gain,
Therefore, Repent, repent with speed, for what is gone and past,
Tho' you the Poor did clothe and feed, you suffer must at last.
That word was like a fatal sword, it pierc'd him to the heart;
The Lord for Mercy he implor'd, as knowing he must part
With all his Friends and Pleasures too, to be as I have said,
At Salsbury to People's view, a sad Example made.
His melting Eyes did over-flow with penitential Tears,
To see his dismal Overthrow, just in his strenght of Years.
O kind and loving Friends, he cry'd, take warning now by me,
Who must the pains of Death abide, this day in Salsbury.
In grief and sorrow now I pass out of the World this day,
The latter minute's in the glass, therefore good People pray,
That as this painful Life I leave,
the Lord may pity take,
And in his arms my Soul receive, even for his Mercies sake.

Crime(s)

highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Salisbury

Printing Location

LONDON: / Printed for P. Brooksby, at the Golden-ball, / in Pye corner, near West-smithfield.
PepysC_2_195_2448x2448.jpg
ulf_26_The penitent highwayman.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:34 +1000
<![CDATA[THE Unfortunate WELCH-MAN; OR The Untimely Death of Scotch JOCKEY]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/938

Title

THE Unfortunate WELCH-MAN; OR The Untimely Death of Scotch JOCKEY

Subtitle

If her will Fight, her cause to right, as daring to presume To Kill and Slay, then well her may take this to be her Doom. To the Tune of, The Country-Farmer. This may be Printed, R. P.

Synopsis

Switches from male to female pronoun: not sure if this is about a man or woman. Shonny-ap-Morgan rides to London to see his nephew cousin Taffie, and befriends a Scot in a tavern, Jockey, who leaves him to cover the bill. Enraged, he kills him and is condemned to die. A gentleman robber asks not to be executed near him, further enraging Shonny.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.173; EBBA 20790

Set to tune of...

The Country Farmer

Transcription

STout Shonny-ap-morgan to London would ride,
To seek Cousen Taffie what ever betide,
Her own Sisters Son, whom her loved so dear,
Her had not beheld him this many long year:
Betimes in the morning stout Shonny arose,
And then on the journey with courage her goes,
A Cossit of gray was the best of her cloaths,
Her Boots they were out at the heels and toes.

A Sword by her side, and with Bob the gray Mare,
Her rid on the road like a Champion so rare,
At last how it happen'd to her hard lot,
To meet with young Jockey, a bonny brisk Scot:
Then Jockey was jolly, and thus he did say,
Let's gang to the Tavern, drink wine by my fay,
Then Shonny consented, and made no delay,
But Jockey left Shonny the reckoning to pay.

While Morgan was merry, and thinking no ill,
The Scotch-man he used the best of his skill,
Considering how he might scamper away,
For why Sir, he never intended to pay,
But like a false Loon he slipt out of doors,
And never intended to come there no more,
Poor Shonny-a-Morgan was left for the score,
[Cut-zo] her was never so served before.

Her paying the Shot, then away her went,
The Welch Blood was up, and her mind was bent.
For speedy persuing he then did prepare,
Then Morgan did mount upon Bob the Gray-Mare,
Then Whip and Spur stout Shonny did ride,
And overtook Jockey near to a Wood-side,
And pull'd out her Sword in the height of her Pride
And wounded poor Jockey who suddenly dy'd.

Then Shonney was taken and hurry'd to Jayl,
Where her till the Sessions did week and bewail,
And then at the last, by the Laws of the Land,
Was brought to the Bar to hold up her hand:
O good her Lord Shudge, poor Shonny did cry,
Now whip her and send her to Wales her Country,
Or cut off a Leg, or an arm, or an Eye,
For her is undone if Condemned to dye.

But this would not do, poor Shonny was cast,
And likewise received her Sentence at last,
A Gentleman Robber just at the same time,
Received just Sentence then due for his crime:
Then Shonny-a-morgan her shed many tears,
Her heart was possessed with sorrow and fears,
The Gentleman-Thief likewise hung down his ears
For then he expected his ancient arrears.

The day being come they must both bid adieu,
Forsaking the world and the rest of their crew,
The Spark was attir'd so gallant and gay,
But Shonny was poor and in ragged array:
Then when they came both to the Gibbet-Tree,
The Gentleman gave to the Hangman a fee,
And said let this Welch-Man hang farther from me
So vile and so ragged a Rascal is he.

The Welch-man he heard him, and was in a rage,
That nothing almost could his passion asswage;
But fretting and chaffing he thus did begin,
Her will make her know that her came of good kin,
Besides, her will tell her his hearty belief,
That her is no more then a Gentleman thief,
That rob'd on the Roads, and the plain, & the heath,
Her now will Hang by her in spight of her teeth.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, highway robbery

Printing Location

Printed for J. Deacon, at the Angel in Guiltspur-street:

Tune Data

The Country Farmer, is also known as, King James's Jig
PepysC_2_173_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:34 +1000
<![CDATA[Summers his Frolick.]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/936

Title

Summers his Frolick.

Subtitle

Shewing, How he was Condemned (this last Lent Assizes, 1693 / 4. at Alisbury) for a Highway-Man. And how he sold his body, in Goal, for eight shillings to a Surgeon, to be made an Anatomy of after it was hang'd, and how he drank the money all out in Wine before he went to be Executed.

Synopsis

While in jail, a highway robber sells his body to a surgeon for dissection after his execution, and then spends the money on wine.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Magdalene College - Pepys Library, Pepys Ballads 2.198; EBBA 20812

Set to tune of...

Transcription

G Od prosper long the Just and Good, our lives and safetys all,
A woful Frollick once there did
in Alisbury befall.
All in the Land of Buckingham
a set of Robbers dwell,
As they that on the Forrest-sides
of Whittledown can tell.
For neither Sheep, nor Cows, nor Colts,
nor Deer, nor Pigs, nor Fowl,
Can e're escape their filtching hands, but some of all are stole.
Nay, Butchers that to Market go, with honest minds, to sell
Their Goods, cannot with safety thence return Home where they dwell.
For Rogues, all night, the narrow Lanes beset, and block the Gates,
And when Men stop to open them, they strike them in their Pates.
Knock'd down a Butcher fell from Horse, all stun'd in dirt and gore,
And then they rob'd his pockets clear of what he had in Store.
Some bloody Rogues (full bad as these) took worser things in hand,
To Kill and Murther all they Robb'd, although they yield to stand.
With such was fill'd the Alisbury Goal, this Sizes Ninety Three,
A Knot of such Notorious Rogues you well can never see.
A Nd that their number might be full of Rogues of every size,
A Pick-pocket in face of Court, of a Juror made a prize.
With him seven more were then condemn'd, all Rogues as bad as he,
To take their leaves of all the World upon the Gallows Tree.
But mark my friends what now I say, and hark to this sad Ditty,
These Villains after Sentence past, had on themselves no pitty.
For, being sent from Bar to Goal, some fell to Drink and Swear,
When one would think that at that time, they should have fell to Prayer.
But they who serve the Devil long in vile and wicked ways,
To Goalers and the Hang-man too are great and certain Preys.
And when they're under locks and keys, and chains and fetters sure,
Them to repent the Devil stops, for that he can't endure.
But puts them off to rant and drink, damn and curse, and swagger,
To play at Cards and Dices too and all things that are badder.
And when they mony want, they sell their lives and bodys too,
A Story like was never read in Books both old and new.
For when that Summers in the Goal, there could not sell his Soul,
For none would bid him mony for't, it was so black and foul.
He then stood up and put to Sale his body all alive,
For to be had, when it was hang'd, for shillings three and five.
A Surgeon then to encrease his skill, in bodies to Disect,
In Goal did come and there did buy his body all compleat.
The price he paid were Shillings eight, for more it was not worth,
Unless it better prov'd when that to Hanging it came forth.
No sooner was the money paid, and put in Summers hands,
But straight he drank it out in wine, until he could not stand.
O fye on such that thus purpose their souls and bodys too!
Who first live bad and then dye worse, when they bid all adieu.
Such souls must to the Devil go, but bodies not to grave,
Who sell their bodys, that for wine some money they may have.
May all bad people warning take, from this ungodly wretch,
For lost their soul and bodes are, if they like him shall stretch.
And now the Saying is fullfill'd, which in most mouths is rife,
He sold himself, and spent it all before he lost his life.
Tho' Heraclitus Ridens is unknown, and hardly seen with eyes,
Yet wise men say, it must be he that laughs until he crys.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Alisbury, Buckinghamshire

Printing Location

Printed for J. Deacon at the Angel in Guilt-spur-street, without Newgate.
PepysC_2_198_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:34 +1000
<![CDATA[The sorrowful complaint of Susan Higges,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/923

Title

The sorrowful complaint of Susan Higges,

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Lusty Gallant

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Method of Punishment

hanging?

Crime(s)

murder, highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Brickhill Assises

Printing Location

London for H.G.

Tune Data

  • Reference: Lusty Gallant (Simpson 1966 pp. 476-78) 
  • Date: Tune was already well known in 1566 
  • Link: Tune on the right is sung to tune of Lusty Gallant, tune on left is the right words, but sung to The London Prentice.
PepysC_1_113_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:32 +1000
<![CDATA[THE Bloody-minded Husband;]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/892

Title

THE Bloody-minded Husband;

Subtitle

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

Digital Object


Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

Transcription

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

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

murder, highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Tamworth, Warwickshire

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

Fortune my foe is also known as Aim not too high (recording is Fortune my foe)
PepysC_2_169_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:27 +1000
<![CDATA[Luke Huttons Lamentation,]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/885

Title

Luke Huttons Lamentation,

Subtitle

which he wrote the day before his Death, being condemned to be hang'd at York, for his Robberies and Trespasses committed thereabouts.

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

Pepys 2.147; National Library of Scotland - Crawford, EB.554, EBBA 32986; University of Glasgow Library - Euing 1.189, EBBA 31944

Set to tune of...

Wandering and wavering

Transcription

I Am a poor Prisoner condemned to die
ah wo is me, wo is me, for my great folly
Fast fettered in Irons in place where I lye be warned young wantons, hemp passeth green holly.
My Parents were of good degree
By whom I would not ruled be Lord Jesus receive me, with mercy relieve me, Receive O sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

My name is Hutton, yea Luke of bad life ah wo is me, etc.
Which on the High-way did rob Man and Wife be warned
Inticed by many a graceless mate
Whose Counsel I repent too late. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Not twenty years Old (alas) was I
ah wo is me, etc.
When I began this Fellony be warned
With me went still twelve Yeomen tall
Which I did my twelve Apostles call Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

There was no Squire nor Baron bold ah wo is me, etc.
That rode by the way with silver and gold be warned
But I and my Apostles gay
Would lighten their load ere they went away. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

This news procured my Kinsfolks grief ah wo is me, etc.
That hearing I was a famous Thief[,] be warned
They wept, they wailed, they wrung their hands
That thus I should hazzard life and lands Lord Jesus forgive me etc.

They made me a Jaylor a little before oh wo is me, etc.
To keep in Prison Offendors sore be warned
But such a Jaylor was never known
I went and let them out every one. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

I wis this sorrow sore grieved me ah wo is me, etc.
Such proper men should hanged be be warned
My Office then I did defie
And ran away for company. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Three years I lived upon the Spoil ah wo is me, etc.
Giving many an Earl the foyl be warned
Yet did I never kill man nor wife
Though lewdly long I led my life. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

But all too bad my deeds have been ah wo is me, etc.
Offending my Country, and my good Queen be warned
All men in York-shire talk of me
A stronger Thief there could not be Lord Jesus forgive me, with mercy relieve me, Receive O Sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

UPon Saint Lukes day was I born ah wo is me, ah wo is me, for my, etc.
Who want of Grace hath made me scorn
be warned young wantons, hemp, etc.
In honour of my Birth=day then
I rob'd in bravery nineteen men Lord Jesus forgive me, with mercy relieve me, Receive O sweet Saviour, my Spirit unto thee.

The Country were to hear this wrong ah wo is me, etc.
With Hues and Cryes, persued me long be warned
Though long I scap'd. yet loe at the last
At London I was in Newgate cast. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Where I did lye with grieved mind ah wo is me, etc.
Although my Keeper was gentle and kind be warned
Yet was he not so kind as I
To let me go at liberty.
Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

At last the Sheriff of York-shire came ah wo is me, etc.
And in a Warrant he had my name be warned
Quoth he at York thou must be try'd
With me therefore hence must thou ride Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Like pangs of Death his words did sound ah wo is me, etc.
My hands and arms full fast he bound be warned
Good Sir, quoth I, I had rather stay
I have no heart to ride that way. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

When no intreaty would prevail ah wo is me, etc.
I called for Wine, Beer, and Ale be warned
And when my heart was in woful case
I drank to my friends with a smiling face Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

With clubs and staves I was guarded then ah wo is me, etc.
I never before had such waiting men be warned
If they had ridden before me amain
Be-shrew me if I had call'd them again Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

And when unto York that I was come ah wo is me, etc.
Each one on me did cast his doom be warned
And whilst you live, this sentence note
Evil men can never have good report. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Before the Judges then I was brought ah wo is me, etc.
But sure I had a careful thought
be warned
Ninescore Indictments and seventeen
Against me there were red and seen. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

And each of those were fellony found ah wo is me, etc.
Which did my heart with sorrow wound
be warned
What should I herein longer stay
For this I was condemned that day, Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

My Death each hour I did attand ah wo is me, etc.
In prayers and tears my time I did spend be warned
And all my loving friends that Day
I did intreat for me to pray. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

I have deserved Death long since ah wo is me, etc.
A viler sinner lived not than I be warned
On Friends I hoped life to save
But I am fitted for the grave. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Adieu my loving friends each one ah woe is me, etc.
Think on me Lords when I am gone be warned
When on the Ladder you do me view
Think I am neerer Heaven then you. Lord Jesus forgive me, etc.

Method of Punishment

hanging

Crime(s)

highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

York

Printing Location

London, Printed for J. Wright, J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger.

Notes

This is another version of a Luke Hutton pamphlet, to same tune, but printed many years later.
Crawford_1_554_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:25 +1000
<![CDATA[A true relation of one Susan Higges]]> https://omeka.cloud.unimelb.edu.au/execution-ballads/items/show/862

Title

A true relation of one Susan Higges

Subtitle

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

Synopsis

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

Digital Object

Image / Audio Credit

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

Set to tune of...

The worthy London prentice

Transcription

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FINIS.

Method of Punishment

hanging?

Crime(s)

murder, highway robbery

Gender

Date

Execution Location

Brickhill Assises

Printing Location

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

Tune Data

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

Notes

Same text as 'The sorrowful complaint of Susan Higges...' with an extra stanza second from end, and set to a different tune 'London Prentice'. Contains two different woodcuts as well.
rox_1_424-425_2448x2448.jpg
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Thu, 24 May 2018 13:43:22 +1000