"_REST you still, most gallant Lady, rest you still and weep no more!
Of fair flowers you have plenty. Spain doth yield you wondrous store.
Spaniards fraught with jealousy we oft do find;
But Englishmen throughout the world are counted kind._"
"Leave me not unto a Spaniard! Thou alone enjoy'st my heart!
I am lovely, young, and tender. Love is likewise my desert.
Still to save thee, day and night my mind is pressed:
The Wife of every Englishman is counted blessed."
"_It would be a shame, fair Lady, for to bear a Woman hence;
English soldiers never carry any such without offence._"
"I will quickly change myself, if it be so;
And like a Page will follow thee, where'er thou go."
"_I have neither gold nor silver to maintain thee in this case:
And to travel is great charges, as you know, in every place._"
"My chains and jewels every one shall be thy own!
And eke a hundred pounds in gold that lies unknown."
"_On the seas are many dangers. Many storms do there arise,
Which will be, to Ladies dreadful; and force tears from watery eyes._"
"Well in worth, I shall endure extremity:
For I could find in heart to lose my life for thee!"
"_Courteous Lady, leave this folly! Here comes all that breeds
the strife.
I, in England, have already a sweet woman to my Wife.
I will not falsify my vow for gold, nor gain;
Nor yet for all the fairest Dames that live in Spain!_"
"O how happy is that woman that enjoys so true a friend!
Many happy days GOD send her! and of my suit I'll make an end.
On my knees, I pardon crave for my offence;
Which Love and true Affection did first commence.
"Commend me to that gallant Lady! Bear to her this Chain of Gold,
With these Bracelets for a token! grieving I was so bold.
All my jewels, in like sort, take thou with thee!
For they are fitting for thy Wife: but not for me.
"I will spend my days in prayer! Love and all her laws defy!
In a Nunnery I will shroud me, far from any company!
But ere my prayer have an end; be sure of this,
To pray for thee and for thy Love, I will not miss.
"Thus Farewell, most gallant Captain! Farewell to my heart's content!
Count not Spanish Ladies wanton; though to thee my mind was bent.
Joy and true prosperity remain with thee!"
"_The like fall unto thy share, most fair Lady!_"
A very true Report of the apprehension
and taking of that arch-Papist EDMUND
CAMPION, the Pope his right hand; with
Three other lewd Jesuit Priests, and
divers other Lay people, most
seditious persons of like sort.
Containing also a controlment of a most untrue former
book set out by one A. M., _alias_ ANTHONY MUNDAY,
concerning the same: as is to be proved and justified
by GEORGE ELLIOT, one of the Ordinary
Yeomen of Her Majesty's Chamber,
Author of this Book, and chiefest cause of the
finding of the said lewd and seditious people, great
enemies to GOD, their loving Prince,
and country.
_Veritas non quærit angulos._
Imprinted at London at the _Three Cranes_ in the
Vintry by THOMAS DAWSON.
1581.
[The _Edinburgh Review_ of April 1891, in an article on _The Baffling
of the Jesuits_, states
"Until Father PARSONS landed at Dover on June 11 [and Father CAMPION
on June 25], 1580; no Jesuit had ever been seen in England. IGNATIUS
LOYOLA had been dead just twenty-five years, and two of his associates
in founding the Society of JESUS were still alive. LOYOLA during his
lifetime had admitted only a single Englishman into the order, a lad of
nineteen, of whom we know nothing but that his name was THOMAS LITH,
and that he was admitted to the novitiate in June 1555. During the next
ten years, six more Englishmen entered the order, two of them being
men of some mark--JASPER HEYWOOD, formerly Fellow of All Souls'; and
THOMAS DARBYSHIRE, who had been Archdeacon of Essex and a Canon of St
Paul's. In the next decade, about the same number of English recruits
joined the society; three, and three only, were scholars of any
reputation--PARSONS, CAMPION, and HENRY GARNET. When the Jesuit Mission
to England started, there were not thirty English Jesuits in the world."
At Vol. I., p. 130, is a letter written from Goa, 10 Nov.
1579, by THOMAS STEVENS, one of these English Jesuits.
The arrest and execution of EDMUND CAMPION--in Latin,
EDMUNDUS CAMPIANUS--was one of the most important events
in our political history during the year 1581. It made
a profound impression throughout Western Europe, and
occasioned the publication of many tracts in various
languages. For further information on this subject, the
Reader is referred to _EDMUND CAMPION, A Biography_,
by RICHARD SIMPSON, London, 1867-8; and also to Mr
JOSEPH GILLOW's _Biographical Dictionary of the English
Catholics_, now in progress.
The following account of the arrest by the man who made
it, is printed from a copy of the extremely rare original
edition that is now in Lambeth Palace Library [Press
Mark, xxx. 8. 17.]. It was printed [? privately printed]
in 1581; but it was not entered at Stationers' Hall. It
was clearly produced before the execution of CAMPION, on
the 1st of December of that year; to which there is no
allusion in it; but apparently not very much earlier, for
the Writer says at page 217, "Some men may marvel that I
would be silent so long."
By this act of patriotism; GEORGE ELLIOT earned the
titles, among the Roman Catholics, of JUDAS ELLIOT,
and of ELLIOT ISCARIOT. It is however only fair to him
to state what moved him to go hunting after Priests,
Jesuits, etc.
* * * * *
ANTHONY MUNDAY, in his _Discovery of EDMUND CAMPION
and his Confederates, &c._, published on 29th January 1582, in giving
an account of CAMPION's trial, states:
GEORGE ELLIOT, one of the Ordinary Yeomen of Her Majesty's
Chamber, upon his oath, gave forth in evidence, as followeth:
That he, living here in England among certain of that sect, fell
in acquaintance with one PAYNE, a Priest; who gave him to
understand of a horrible treason intended against Her Majesty and the
State, which he did expect shortly to happen.
The order, how, and after what manner, in brief is thus:
That there should be levied a certain company of armed men; which, on a
sudden, should enterprise a most monstrous attempt. A certain company
of these armed men should be prepared against Her Majesty, as many
against my L[ord] of L[EICESTER], as many against my L[ord] T[reasurer,
Lord BURGHLEY], as many against Sir F[RANCIS] W[ALSINGHAM], and divers
others whose names he doth not well remember.
[Sidenote: Meaning the Queen of Scots. [A.M.]]
The deaths of these noble personages should be presently fulfilled: and
Her Majesty used in such sort as [neither] modesty nor duty will suffer
me to rehearse. But this should be the general cry everywhere, "Queen
MARY! Queen MARY!"
It was also appointed and agreed upon, Who should have this Man
of Honour's room, and who should have that Office. Everything was
determined. There wanted nothing but the coming over of such Priests
and others as were long looked for. [p. 72.]
Upon this report, the aforenamed GEORGE ELLIOT took occasion
to question with this PAYNE, How they could find in their
hearts to attempt an act of so great cruelty; considering how high an
offence it should be to GOD, besides great danger might arise thereby.
[Sidenote: A most traitorous and villanous answer. Of every true
subject to be read with due reverence of the person. [A.M.]]
Whereto PAYNE made answer, That the killing [of] Her Majesty
was no offence to GOD, nor the uttermost cruelty they could use to her,
nor [to] any that took her part: but that they might as lawfully do it
as to a brute beast. And himself would be one of the foremost in the
executing [of] this villanous and most traitorous action.
In _Lansd. MS._ 32, No. 60, in the British Museum, there
is a paper to the same effect, signed by G. E. [GEORGE
ELLIOT]. It is headed _Certain Notes and Remembrances
concerning a Reconciliation, &c._; and bears marginal
notes by Lord BURGHLEY.
It will probably be new to most readers that ELLIOT's
arrest of CAMPION was a pure matter of accident. ELLIOT
went to Lyford Manor House more particularly in search of
PAYNE the Priest, and found CAMPION there by chance. The
Jesuit had been secretly, but securely, wandering through
the land from one Roman Catholic household to another,
for more than a year; despite the _utmost_ efforts of the
English Government to put their hands on him: and at last
he becomes their prisoner almost by a pure accident.
CAMPION was lodged in the Tower on the 22nd July 1581.
Two days later, ANTHONY MUNDAY's _Brief Discourse of the
taking of EDMUND CAMPION &c._, was entered at Stationers'
Hall [ARBER, _Transcript &c._, II. 397]. It was therefore
very hurriedly written, and mainly from information
supplied by Master HUMPHREY FOSTER, High Sheriff of
Berkshire: who, being himself a Roman Catholic, had been
very slack at the capture of CAMPION [p. 214]; but who,
for his own protection, puts a better face on things in
MUNDAY's hurriedly written _Discourse, &c._ See pages
207, 215, 217.
It is as a reply to this tract of MUNDAY's, that ELLIOT
wrote the following Text in 1581. In February 1582, they
were however good friends again; as will be seen at page
223.]
_To the Christian Reader, GEORGE ELLIOT wisheth all due
reverence._
SOME experience, Christian Reader, that I have gathered by keeping
company with such seditious people as CAMPION and his associates are,
partly moveth me to write this book; and partly I am urged thereunto
(although my wisdom and skill be very slender to set down and pen
matter of less moment than this) for that I (being one of the Two in
Commission at that time from Her Highness's most honourable Privy
Council for the apprehending of the said seditious CAMPION and such
like; and the chiefest cause of the finding out of the said lewd
people, as hereafter more at large appeareth) do think it a great abuse
that the most part of Her Majesty's loving subjects shall be seduced to
believe an untruth; and myself and he which was in Commission with me
(whose name is DAVID JENKINS, one of the Messengers of Her Majesty's
Chamber) very vilely slandered with a book set out by one ANTHONY
MUNDAY concerning the apprehension of the said lewd people--which, for
the truth thereof, is almost as far different from truth as darkness
from light; and as contrary to truth as an egg is contrary in likeness
to an oyster.
And therefore considering I am able to report a truth for the manner
of the finding and taking of the said seditious persons; although fine
skill be far from me to paint it out: hoping the wise will bear with
my want therein, and esteem a true tale, be it never so bluntly told,
rather than a lie, be it never so finely handled--I have emboldened
myself to take this treatise in hand; wherein, God willing, I will
describe nothing but truth; as by the sequel shall appear. Which is
this:
That about four years past [?1578], the Devil (being a crafty fox
and chief Patron doubtless of the Pope's Prelacy; having divers and
many Officers and inferior substitutes to the Pope, his chief Vicar;
and intending by them to increase the kingdom of this Antichrist)
dispersed his said Officers in divers places of this realm: where,
like vagrant persons (refusing to live within the lawful government of
their country) they lead a loose life; wandering and running hither
and thither, from shire to shire and country [_County_] to country,
with such store of Romish relics, Popish pelf, trifles, and trash as
were able to make any Christian heart, that hath seen the trial of such
practices as I have done, even for sorrow to bleed. Only thereby to
draw the Queen's Majesty's subjects their hearts and faiths both from
GOD and Her Highness; as namely, by delivering unto them _Bulls_ from
Rome, _Pardons, Indulgences_, Medals, _Agnus DEI_, hallowed grains and
beads, crucifixes, painted pictures, and such other paltry: every part
whereof they will not let [_stop_] to say to be matters very necessary
for salvation.
By reason whereof, most loving Reader, I myself, about that time
[1578], by the space of one quarter of a year together, was deeply
bewitched and drawn into their darkness, as the blindest bayard of
them all. But at the last, even then (by GOD's great goodness, mighty
providence, and especial grace) all their enchantments, witchcrafts,
sorceries, devilish devices and practices were so broken and untied in
me; and the brightness of GOD's divine majesty shining so surely in my
heart and conscience: that I perceived all their doings to be, as they
are indeed, only shows without substance, manifest errors and deceitful
juggling casts, and none others.
Notwithstanding I determined with myself, for certain causes which I
omit, to sound the depth of their devilish drifts, if I might; and the
rather therefore used and frequented their company: whereby appeared
unto me not a few of their ungracious and villanous false hearts,
faiths, and disloyal minds, slanderous words, and most vile treasons
towards my most excellent and noble mistress, the Queen's Majesty, and
towards divers of her most honourable Privy Council; in such sort as
many times did make mine eyes to gush out with tears for very sorrow
and fear to think of it.
Wherefore, lately [_about 14th May 1581_], I made my humble submission
unto the Right Honourable Her Highness's Privy Council, for my unlawful
living as aforesaid. At whose hands I found such honourable dealing,
and by their means such mercy from Her Majesty, that I wish with all my
heart all the Papists, which are subjects born to Her Highness, to run
the same course that I have done: and then should they easily see what
difference there is between the good and merciful dealing of our most
gracious loving and natural Prince; and the great treacheries of that
great enemy to our country, the Pope. For Her Highness freely forgiveth
offenders; but the Pope pardoneth for money. Her Grace's hands are
continually full of mercy, ready to deliver enough freely to any that
will desire and deserve it: and the Pope his great clutches and fists
are ready to deliver nothing but devilish devices and paltry stuff of
his own making, to set country and country together by the ears; and
yet for these, hath he money.
Truly it is a most lamentable case that ever any Christian should be
seduced and drawn from the true worshipping of GOD, and their duty to
their Prince and country; as many are by the Pope and his Satanical
crew. I beseech GOD turn their hearts, and grant us all amendment;
which can neither be too timely, if it were presently; nor never too
late, whensoever it shall happen: unless wilfully they proceed in
their dealings, which GOD forbid. For _humanum est errare, perseverare
belluinum_.
Shortly after my submission and reconciliation, as aforesaid, it
pleased my Lords of Her Highness's most honourable Privy Council to
grant the Commission that I before spake of, to myself and to the said
DAVID JENKINS, for the apprehension of certain lewd Jesuit
Priests and other seditious persons of like sort, wheresoever we should
happen to find them within England. Whereupon we determined a certain
voyage [_journey_]: in which EDMUND CAMPION the aforesaid
Jesuit and others were by us taken and brought to the Tower of London,
in manner as hereafter followeth.
_The true manner of taking of EDMUND CAMPION and his
associates._
IT happened that after the receipt of our Commission aforesaid, we
consulted between ourselves, What way were best to take first? For we
were utterly ignorant where, or in what place, certainly to find out
the said CAMPION, or his compeers. And our consultation was
shortly determined: for the greatest part of our travail and dealings
in this service did lie chiefly upon mine own determination, by reason
of mine acquaintance and knowledge of divers of [the] like sect.
It then presently came to my remembrance of certain acquaintance which
I once had with one THOMAS COOPER a Cook, who, in November [1578] was
two years, served Master THOMAS ROPER of [Orpington in] Kent; where,
at that time, I in like manner served: and both of us, about the same
month [November 1578], departed the said Master ROPER his service; I
into Essex, and the said COOPER to Lyford in Berkshire, to one Master
YATE. From whence, within one half year after [_before May 1579_], I
was advertised in Essex, that the said Cook was placed in service; and
that the said Master YATE was a very earnest Papist, and one that gave
great entertainment to any of that sect.
Which tale, being told me in Essex two years before [1579] we entered
[on] this journey, by GOD's great goodness, came to my memory but even
the day before [13th July 1581] we set forth. Hereof I informed the
said DAVID JENKINS, being my fellow in Commission, and told
him it would be our best way to go thither first: for that it was not
meant that we should go to any place but where indeed I either had
acquaintance; or by some means possible in our journey, could get
acquaintance. And told him we would dispose of our journey in such sort
as we might come to the said Master YATE's upon the Sunday
about eight of the clock in the morning: "where," said I, "if we find
the said Cook, and that there be any Mass to be said there that day,
or any massing Priest in the house; the Cook, for old acquaintance and
for that he supposeth me to be a Papist, will bring me to the sight
thereof."
And upon this determination, we set from London [on Friday] the 14th
day of July last; and came to the said Master YATE's house,
the 16th of the same month, being Sunday, about the hour aforesaid.
Where, without the gates of the same house, we espied one of the
servants of the house, who most likely seemed, by reason of his lying
aloof, to be as it were a Scout Watcher, that they within might
accomplish their secret matters more safely.
I called the said servant, and enquired of him for the said THOMAS
COOPER the Cook.
Who answered, That he could not well tell, whether he were within or
not.
I prayed him that he would friend me so much as to see; and told him my
name.
The said servant did so, it seemed; for the Cook came forth presently
unto us where we sat still upon horseback. And after a few such
speeches, as betwixt friend and friend when they have been long
asunder, were passed; still sitting upon our horses, I told him That I
had longed to see him; and that I was then travelling into Derbyshire
to see my friends, and came so far out of my way to see him. And said
I, "Now I have seen you, my mind is well satisfied; and so fare you
well!"
"No," saith he, "that shall you not do before dinner."
I made the matter very earnest to be gone; and he, more earnest and
importune to stay me. But in truth I was as willing to stay as he to
have me.
And so, perforce, there was no remedy but stay we must. And having
lighted from horseback; and being by him brought into the house, and so
into the buttery, and there caused to drink: presently after, the said
Cook came and whispered with me, and asked, Whether my friend (meaning
the said JENKINS) were within the Church or not? Therein
meaning, Whether he were a Papist or no?
To which I answered, "He was not; but yet," said I, "he is a very
honest man, and one that wisheth well that way."
Then said the Cook to me, "Will you go up?" By which speech, I knew he
would bring me to a Mass.
And I answered him and said, "Yea, for God's sake, that let me do: for
seeing I must needs tarry, let me take something with me that is good."
[Sidenote: Some men blame me for dissembling the matter as I did:
but to do my Prince and country service, I hold it lawful to use any
reasonable policy. For the Field is not always won by strength.]
And so we left JENKINS in the buttery; and I was brought by the Cook
through the hall, the dining parlour, and two or three other odd
rooms, and then into a fair large chamber: where there was, at the same
instant, one Priest, called SATWELL, saying Mass; two other Priests
kneeling by, whereof one was CAMPION, and the other called PETERS alias
COLLINGTON [_or rather_ COLLETON]; three Nuns, and 37 other people.
When SATWELL had finished his Mass; then CAMPION he
invested himself to say Mass, and so he did: and at the end thereof,
made holy bread and delivered it to the people there, to every one
some, together with holy water; whereof he gave me part also.
[Sidenote: I had once my Commission in my hand to have dealt with
them myself alone in the Chamber. If I had, I pray you judge what had
happened unto me.]
And then was there a chair set in the chamber something beneath the
Altar, wherein the said CAMPION did sit down; and there made
a Sermon very nigh an hour long: the effect of his text being, as I
remember, "That Christ wept over Jerusalem, &c." And so applied the
same to this our country of England for that the Pope his authority and
doctrine did not so flourish here as the same CAMPION desired.
At the end of which Sermon, I gat down unto the said JENKINS
so soon as I could. For during the time that the Masses and the Sermon
were made, JENKINS remained still beneath in the buttery or
hall; not knowing of any such matter until I gave him some intelligence
[of] what I had seen.
And so we departed, with as convenient expedition as we might, and
came to one Master FETTIPLACE, a Justice of the Peace in the
said country [_County_]: whom we made privy of our doings therein; and
required him that, according to the tenour of our Commission, he would
take sufficient Power and with us thither.
Whereupon the said Justice of Peace, within one quarter of an hour, put
himself in a readiness, with forty or fifty men very well weaponed: who
went, in great haste, together with the said Master FETTIPLACE
and us, to the said Master YATE his house.
Where, at our coming upon the sudden, being about one of the clock in
the afternoon of the same day, before we knocked at the gates which
were then (as before they were continually accustomed to be) fast
shut (the house being moated round about; within which moat was great
store of fruit trees and other trees, with thick hedge rows: so that
the danger for fear of losing of the said CAMPION and his
associates was the more doubted); we beset the house with our men round
about the moat in the best sort we could devise: and then knocked at
the gates, and were presently heard and espied; but kept out by the
space of half an hour.
In which time, as it seemeth, they had hidden CAMPION and the
other two Priests in a very secret place within the said house; and had
made reasonable purveyance for him as hereafter is mentioned: and then
they let us into the house.
[Sidenote: One Nun got away in country maid's apparel.]
[Sidenote: Mistress YATE proferred us a good sum of money to
have given over the search.]
Where came presently to our sight, Mrs YATE, the good wife
of the house; five Gentlemen, one Gentlewoman, and three Nuns: the
Nuns being then disguised in Gentlewomen's apparel, not like unto that
they heard Mass in. All which I well remembered to have seen, the same
morning, at the Masses and Sermon aforesaid: yet every one of them a
great while denied it. And especially the said Mistress YATE;
who could not be content only to make a plain denial of the said Masses
and the Priests: but, with great and horrible oaths, forsware the same,
betaking herself to the Devil if any such there were; in such sort as,
if I had not seen them with mine own eyes, I should have believed her.
[Sidenote: Master YATE was then, as he is still, in prison in
Reading, for Papistry.]
But knowing certainly that these were but bare excuses, and that we
should find the said CAMPION and his compeers if we made
narrow search; I eftsoons put Master FETTIPLACE in remembrance
of our Commission: and so he, myself, and the said JENKINS Her
Majesty's Messenger, went to searching the house; where we found many
secret corners.
Continuing the search, although with no small toil, in the orchards,
hedges, and ditches, within the moat and divers other places; at
the last [we] found out Master EDWARD YATE, brother to the
good man of the house, and two countrymen called WEBLIN
and MANSFIELD, fast locked together in a pigeon house: but
we could not find, at that time, CAMPION and the other two
Priests whom we specially sought for.
It drew then something towards evening, and doubting lest we were not
strong enough; we sent our Commission to one Master FOSTER,
High Sheriff of Berkshire; and to one Master WISEMAN, a
Justice of Peace within the same County; for some further aid at their
hands.
The said Master WISEMAN came with very good speed unto us the
same evening, with ten or twelve of his own men, very able men and well
appointed: but the said Master FOSTER could not be found, as
the messenger that went for him returned us answer.
And so the said house was beset the same night with at the least three
score men well weaponed; who watched the same very diligently.
And the next day, being Monday [17th July 1581], in the morning very
early, came one Master CHRISTOPHER LYDCOT, a Justice of Peace
of the same shire, with a great sort [_company_] of his own men, all
very well appointed: who, together with his men, shewed such earnest
loyal and forward service in those affairs as was no small comfort and
encouragement to all those which were present, and did bear true hearts
and good wills to Her Majesty.
The same morning, began a fresh search for the said Priests; which
continued with very great labour until about ten of the clock in the
forenoon of the same day: but the said Priests could not be found, and
every man [was] almost persuaded that they were not there.
[Sidenote: Master LYDCOT was then hard by.]
Yet still searching, although in effect clean void of any hope for
finding of them, the said DAVID JENKINS, by GOD's great goodness,
espied a certain secret place,[4] which he quickly found to be hollow;
and with a pin of iron which he had in his hand much like unto a harrow
tine, he forthwith did break a hole into the said place: where then
presently he perceived the said Priests lying all close together upon
a bed, of purpose there laid for them; where they had bread, meat, and
drink sufficient to have relieved them three or four days together.
The said JENKINS then called very loudly, and said, "I have
found the traitors!"; and presently company enough was with him: who
there saw the said Priests [that], when there was no remedy for them
but _nolens volens_, courteously yielded themselves.
Shortly after came one Master READE, another Justice of the
Peace of the said shire, to be assistant in these affairs.
[Sidenote: First myself rode post to the Court; and, after me, the said
Messenger.]
Of all which matters, news was immediately carried in great haste to
the Lords of the Privy Council: who gave further Commission that the
said Priests and certain others their associates should be brought to
the Court under the conduction of myself and the said JENKINS;
with commandment to the Sheriff to deliver us sufficient aid forth of
his shire, for the safe bringing up of the said people.
After that the rumour and noise for the finding out of the said
CAMPION, SATWELL, and PETERS _alias_ COLLINGTON, was in the said house
something assuaged; and that the sight of them was to the people there
no great novelty: then was the said High Sheriff sent for once again;
who all that while had not been seen in this service. But then came,
and received into his charge the said Priests and certain others from
that day until Thursday following.
[Sidenote: ANTHONY MUNDAY saith, The Sheriff and his men gave
him instructions for the setting out of the said untrue book.]
The fourth Priest which was by us brought up to the Tower, whose name
is WILLIAM FILBIE, was not taken with the said CAMPION and the rest
in the said house: but was apprehended and taken in our watch [_on
the 17th_], by chance, in coming to the said house to speak with the
said PETERS [_or_ COLLETON], as he said; and thereupon [was] delivered
likewise in charge to the Sheriff, with the rest.
Upon Thursday, the 20th day of July last [1581], we set forwards from
the said Master YATE his house towards the Court, with our
said charge; being assisted by the said Master LYDCOT and
Master WISEMAN, and a great sort [_company_] of their men; who
never left us until we came to the Tower of London. There were besides,
that guarded us thither, 50 or 60 Horsemen; very able men and well
appointed: which we received by the said Sheriff his appointment.
We went that day to Henley upon Thames, where we lodged that night.
And about midnight we were put into great fear by reason of a very
great cry and noise that the said FILBIE made in his sleep;
which wakened the most that were that night in the house, and that in
such sort that every man almost thought that some of the prisoners had
been broken from us and escaped; although there was in and about the
same house a very strong watch appointed and charged for the same. The
aforesaid Master LYDCOT was the first that came unto them: and
when the matter was examined, it was found no more but that the said
FILBIE was in a dream; and, as he said, he verily thought one
to be a ripping down his body and taking out his bowels.
The next day, being Friday [21st July 1581], we set forward from
Henley. And by the way received commandment by a Pursuivant from
the Lords of the Privy Council, that we should stay that night at
Colebrook; and the next day after, being Saturday, to bring them
through the city of London unto the Tower, and there to deliver them
into the charge of Sir OWEN HOPTON Knight, Her Majesty's
Lieutenant of the same; which accordingly we did.
And this is, in effect, the true discourse [of] that was used in the
apprehension of the said CAMPION and his associates.
Some men may marvel that I would be silent so long for the setting
out of the manner of their takings; considering I find myself
aggrieved with the same untrue report set out before by the said A.
M[UNDAY]. In good faith I meant nothing less than to take any
such matter in hand, if so great an untruth had not been published
against us that were doers in those affairs; and besides hitherto
divers other weightier business has partly hindered me therein.
But now at the last, although very late, I have rudely set down the
verity in this matter: thinking it better to tell a true tale by
leisure, than a lie in haste; as the said A. M., by his former book,
hath done to his own discredit, the deluding of Her Majesty's liege
people, and the slander of some which have intermeddled in the said
cause.
[Illustration]
The names of those that were taken and brought up to the Tower of
London, as aforesaid.