Imprinted at London at the _Three Cranes_ in the Vintry,
by THOMAS DAWSON.
1581.
On 12 March 1582, there was entered for publication at
Stationers' Hall [ARBER, _Transcript &c._, II. 408.] _A
brief Answer made unto two seditious Pamphlets_. By A. M.
[ANTHONY MUNDAY.] The _Preface to the Reader_ is however
dated "From Barbican, the 22 of March 1582."
We give here the beginning of this _Answer_; the side
notes being, of course, the comments of ANTHONY MUNDAY.
[Sidenote: Not for their religion; but for High Treason. [A.M.]]
NOT long after I had published [on 22 January 1582] my book called _The
Discovery of CAMPION_; there came unto my hands a seditious
pamphlet in the French tongue, intituled _The History of the Death
which the Reverend Father, Master EDMUND CAMPION Priest, of
the Society of the name of JESUS, and others have suffered
in England for the Catholic, or Romish, religion or faith, the 1st
December 1581_; adding underneath _Translated out of English into
French_.
When I had thoroughly perused this book, noting the traitorous effects
and slanderous speeches therein contained, receiving the judgment
likewise of divers learned and godly men: as well to correct the
manifest untruths wherewith this pamphlet is notably stuffed, as also
that the godly and virtuous may discern their apparent impudency and
wicked nature; I resolved myself to shape a brief _Answer_ to such a
shameless libel; myself being therein untruly and maliciously abused.
[Sidenote: The manner of the aforesaid traitorous book. [A.M.]]
First, our nameless historiographer, because he would aim his course
after some odd manner of conveyance, taketh occasion to begin his book
with the taking of CAMPION, his bringing to the Tower, what
happened in his time of stay there, and lastly his martyrdom (as he
termeth it) with two other holy and devout Priests; and, in this manner
continuing his unadvised labour, he beginneth as hereafter followeth:
[Sidenote: To build upon hearsay proveth but a slender foundation.
[A.M.]]
_GEORGE ELLIOT (sometime servant to Master THOMAS
ROPER; and since belonging to a Gentlewoman, the widow of Sir
WILLIAM PETRE: in whose service he made show to be a sound
and good Catholic) not long since committed a murder, as men say: for
which offence, fearing the danger that was like[ly] to ensue, he went
and submitted himself to one of the chief Lords in the Court; and, the
better to win his favour, on his own behalf promised to deliver into
his hands the Father EDMUND CAMPION._
_This promise, saith he, was received; and unto the said
GEORGE and an Officer, was delivered Commission to take and
apprehend the said EDMUND CAMPION._
_Then went they on their way, and coming into Berkshire to [the] house
of one Master YATE; GEORGE ELLIOT met with the Cook of the house with
whom he was very well acquainted, because they had before both served
one Master._
[Sidenote: His Master was then in the gaol at Reading. Judge then how
CAMPION could be within "with his Master." [A.M.]]
_The Cook, thinking no ill, began to tell him many things; and that
Father CAMPION was in the house with his Master._
_Upon which report, GEORGE sent his fellow to the Justice, who
was a very great Calvinist. And he in mean while was brought into the
house by the said Cook: where, like another JUDAS, traitor
and disloyal, he first attended the sacrifice of the Mass which was
celebrated that day by the Father EDMUND, as also a Sermon
which he made. In which time behold a good man came running, willing
them to take heed of a present treason._
_Scantly was all carried away that had served for the Mass and the
Sermon; but the Justice was there arrived with [a] very great force,
besetting the house round about, that none should escape away._
_After very diligent search through all the chambers and other
more secret places; they were determined to return, as not finding
anything, until they were advertised (either by GEORGE, who
had understood it of the Cook; or by some other) of a certain corner,
more dark and subtle; where they found the Father EDMUND and
two other Priests hidden: who, the same day, with Gentlemen and other
persons, were sent up to London; a spectacle of great joy unto their
adversaries._
This much of our French historian's words, I thought good in this
place to set down: because the disproof thereto annexed may discover
what truth all they of this sect frequent in any of their actions.
[Sidenote: By that which followeth, written by GEORGE ELLIOT
himself; consider the truth of this report. [A.M.]]
This aforenamed GEORGE ELLIOT came home unto my lodging [? in
Barbican, see page 221; and in February 1582]; where I shewed him the
slanders that were used of him in the French book.
Whereupon, taking good advice, and noting the circumstances that
so highly touched him; upon his conscience, he delivereth this
unreprovable Answer.
_GEORGE ELLIOT his Answer, to clear himself of the former
untrue Objections._
ABOUT three years since [? 1578] it was my fortune to serve Master
THOMAS ROPER of [Orpington in] Kent. With whom I had not stayed past
eleven weeks, but PAYNE the Priest (of whom mention is made [see page
205] in the _Discovery of CAMPION_ set forth by the Author of this book
[_i.e._ ANTHONY MUNDAY]) inticed me [in November 1578] from thence to
serve my Lady PETRE, to whom the said PAYNE served craftily as Steward
of her house.
[Sidenote: Who frequenteth their company shall find all their dealings
disloyal and traitorous. [A.M.]]
With her I continued almost two years [? Nov. 1578-Nov. 1580]. In
which time, being myself bent somewhat to that religion, frequenting
the company of a number of Papists, I perceived their dealings to be,
as they are indeed, full of wicked treasons and unnatural dispositions,
too bad to be named. The conceit whereof (examining first my duty to
GOD, next my love to my Princess [_Sovereign_], and last the care
of my country,) by the grace and permission of GOD, offered me so
great disliking of their dealings that, so warily and conveniently
as I might, I weaned my affection from their abominable infection:
nevertheless using their companies still, for that it gave me the
better occasion to see into the depth of their horrible inventions.
From my Lady PETRE, in November was twelvemonth [1580], by
entreaty I came to Master ROPER's again. With whom I continued
till Whitsuntide last [14th May 1581], when my conscience hardly
digesting such a weighty burden as with their devices and practices it
was very sore ladened; I was constrained to give over that slavish kind
of life, and humbly committed my reconciliation to the Right Honourable
and my good Lord, the Earl of LEICESTER: to whom I made known
the grievous estate of my life which, for the space of four years, I
had endured amongst them.