Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

church. Then pulling his hat down over his eyes, he said, in the name of our Lord, go on, and so settled himself to his devotions.

The place designed for execution was St. Thomas's Watering. In his way thither he was met by the earl of Rutland and captain Whitlock, on horseback, who, coming to the hurdle, asked him, what he was, of what age, and for what cause he was to die? He answered, my name is John Rigby, a poor gentleman of the house of Harrock, in Lancashire: my age about thirty years; and my judgment and condemnation to this death, is only and merely for that I answered the judge that I was reconciled, and for that I refused to go to church. The captain wished him to do as the queen would have him, and conform; and turning to the sheriff's deputy, conferred with him about the matter; then riding again with the earl to the hurdle, and causing it to be stopped a little, he asked Mr. Rigby, are you a married man, or a bachelor? Sir, said he, I am a bachelor; and more than that, I am a maid that is much, said the captain, for a man of your years, you must have strove much against your own flesh. I would be loth, said Mr. Rigby, to speak any thing contrary to the truth; I am indeed a maid, and that is more than I needed to say. The captain concluded; Then I see thou hast worthily deserved a virgin's crown: I pray God, send thee the kingdom of heaven; I desire thee, pray for me. And so they rode to the place of execution, and staid there, till the officers were about to drive away the cart, and then posted away, much admiring his courage and constancy. The captain often related these particulars, and declared, that he had never seen his fellow for modesty, patience, and resolution in his religion.

When Mr. Rigby was taken off the hurdle and brought to the cart, he knelt down and said aloud, his Pater, Ave, Credo, and Confiteor; in the last of which, he was interrupted by the ruder sort of people crying out against him, for praying to saints. When the executioner helped him up into the cart, he gave him an angel of gold, saying, Here, take this in token that I freely forgive thee and all others that have been accessory to my death. Then viewing the multitude, which was very great, and making the sign of the cross, with a cheerful countenance, holding his hands before his breast, he spent a little time in silent prayer. When the rope was to be put about his neck, he first kissed it, and then began to speak to the people, but was interrupted by More, the sheriff's deputy, bidding him pray for the queen, which he did, very affectionately. Then the deputy asked him, What traitors dost thou know in England? God is my witness, said he, I know none. What! saith the deputy again, If he will confess nothing, drive away the cart; which was done so suddenly, that he had no time to say any thing more, or recommend his soul again to God, as he was about to do.

The deputy shortly after commanded the hangman to cut him down, which was done so soon, that he stood upright on his feet, like to a man a little amazed, till the butchers threw him down: then coming perfectly to himself, he said aloud and distinctly, God forgive you. Jesus, receive my soul. And immediately, another cruel fellow standing by, who was no officer, but a common porter, set his foot upon Mr. Rigby's throat, and so held him down, that he could speak no more.

THOMAS SPROTT-THOMAS HUNT.

223

Others held his arms and legs, whilst the executioner dismembered and bowelled him. And when he felt them pulling out his heart, he was yet so strong, that he thrust the men from him, who held his arms. At last they cut off his head and quartered him, and disposed of his head and quarters in several places in and about Southwark. The people, going away, complained very much of the barbarity of the execution; and generally, all sorts bewailed his death.

His execution is mentioned by Howes, upon Stow, in his chronicle.

THOMAS SPROTT, AND THOMAS HUNT, PRIESTS.*

THOMAS SPROTT was born in the parish of Schelsmere, near Kendal, in Westmoreland, and performed his higher studies in the English college of Douay; where he was ordained priest, in 1596, and sent, the same year, upon the English mission.

Thomas Hunt was born in Norfolk, and was a sceular priest of the English college of Seville: who, being sent upon the English mission, and there falling into the hands of the persecutors, was committed prisoner to Wisbich castle; from whence, he, with five more, made their escape, some few months before his second apprehension and execution. The history of which, is as follows:

In the month of July, 1600, search being made in and about Lincoln, after certain malefactors, who had committed a robbery, the searchers found, at the Saracen's Head, in Lincoln, Mr. Sprott and Mr. Hunt, strangers to the people of the house, and close up in their chambers; whom they vehemently suspecting to be the men they were seeking after, took up, upon suspicion, and strictly examined, what was their names? their places of abode? what business they followed? what had brought them thither? what acquaintance they had in that city or neighbourhood, &c. So that, to be rid of the importunity of these questions, and of the suspicion of being robbers, they confessed, that they were catholics, who had come thither in hopes of living there more quietly for a time, than they could do where they were more known. The officers searched their mails, and found there, the holy oils, and two breviaries, which gave suspicion that they were priests. Whereupon, they were brought before the mayor, and by him examined upon these four articles.

1st. Whether they had been at the church within these ten or twelve years?

2dly. If the pope should invade the realm, whether they would take part with him, or with the queen?

* From Dr. Worthington's relation of sixteen martyrs, published at Douay, in 1601; the bishop of Chalcedon's catalogue, and Raissius's catalogue of the martyrs of Douay college.

3dly. Whether they did take the queen to be the supreme governess of the church of England?

4thly. Whether they were priests or no?

To these questions, they both returned the same answers in substance, viz: to the first, That they were brought up from their infancy, in the catholic faith, and were never at the protestant church. To the second, That when such a case shall happen, which is not likely, they will answer it. To the third, That the pope is supreme head upon earth, of the catholic church throughout the world. To the fourth, they answered as before, That they were catholics, and further, they thought themselves not bound to answer.

Nevertheless, upon this last article they were immediately arraigned, it being the time of the summer assizes, before judge Glandvil; and an indictment was drawn up against them, that they were seminary priests, and consequently traitors; and though their being priests was neither proved nor confessed, nor any witnesses produced to avouch it, the judge directed the jury to find them guilty; which they did: though, as it seems, with great repugnance of conscience, perfectly compelled to it by the sharp words of the judge, who was very positive in the matter, and told them, they must needs bring in their verdict so. Soon after, the judge gave sentence of death, according to the usual form as in cases of high treason; which the servants of God joyfully heard, giving God thanks for so great a favour, and pardoning their persecutors. But both before and after their condemnation, they were attacked by some protestant preachers upon the articles of their religion, whom they so confuted and confounded, that the magistrates commanded the ministers to hold their peace. They made use of their own far stronger arguments of hurdles, halters, knives and fire, which these two servants of God courageously met, and gloriously conquered.

They were executed at Lincoln, some time in July, 1600.

'Not many days after,' says Dr. Worthington, in his relation printed and published in the beginning of the following year, p. 99, Mr. Glandvil, their judge, received also his own judgment: for, riding abroad for his pleasure, near to his own house, with one man, suddenly, in the plain field, he fell from his horse to the ground, the horse not stumbling at all, but running away a great pace. The servant stept quickly to his master, and essaying to help him up, found him dead; whereat being much astonished, he posted as fast as he could to the next village, crying, that his master was dead. The people, in haste, running to the place, found it so: and not knowing who else could be charged with it, they presently apprehended the same servant, upon suspicion that he had murdered his master; but, upon viewing the corpse, they saw evidently, that no man had done this act; for they found part of his brains strangely coming forth, both at his nose and mouth, not having any other hurt in his head, but towards the right side, behind, a great dimple or hole, wherein a child might have put his fist; yet neither his skin, nor his hat, broken at all, nor a hair of his head wanting, to any man's judgment. They found likewise, his right shoulder sore scorched, like burned leather, as black as pitch; and from thence along upon his arm, a great gash, as if it had been

made with a knife, but not deep; and in the calf of his leg, on the same side, they found another hole, about an inch broad, and three inches deep, and (which is most strange,) not so much as a thread of his hose, nor of his other apparel, could be found to be broken. The horse that run away, with much ado was taken, but could by no means be brought hear to the place where his master fell down.' So far the printed relation.

The execution of Mr. Sprott and Mr. Hunt, is mentioned by Howes upon Stow, in his chronicle.

ROBERT NUTTER, AND EDWARD THWING, PRIESTS.*

[ocr errors]

ROBERT NUTTER, brother of Mr. John Nutter, who suffered in 1584, was born in Lancashire, and performed his higher studies in Douay col. lege, during its residence at Rhemes, where he was ordained priest, December 21, 1581, with Mr. George Haydock, and divers others; and, in the beginning of the following year, was sent upon the English mission. Here I find him prisoner, in the Tower, in February, 1583-4, where he was put down in a dungeon, for seven-and-forty days, loaded with chains for the greater part of the time, and twice tortured and in the November following, was lodged again in the same hole, and remained there for two months and fourteen days. See the journal of things transacted in the Tower, from 1580 to 1585, published with Dr. Saunders, and Mr. Rishton's history of the schism. In 1585, he was sent into banishment, with many other priests, who being brought by their keepers from their several prisons to the Tower wharf,' says Dr. Worthington, (who was himself one of the number,) p. 91, and there commanded to enter into a ship ready provided to carry them into banishment, declared publicly to the commissioners, that they did not accept of that banishment, as of any grace or mercy at all; for they had not committed any fault, neither against their queen nor country, as this pretended mercy falsely supposed; and therefore, in express terms, required rather to be tried, and to answer their accusers at Westminster, and at Tyburn, than to be thus carried against their wills out of their native country, from their friends and neighbours, whom they were to serve according to their priestly functions; affirming, moreover, that though per force they were carried away, yet they would assuredly return to the same work, as soon as God and their spiritual superiors, would permit them so to do.'

[ocr errors]

Mr. Nutter, for his part, was as good as his word; and, after having visited his old mother college, at Rhemes, and made some short stay

*From Dr. Worthington's relation of sixteen martyrs, printed in 1601, and Dr. Champney's manuscript, and the Douay diary.

there, he returned upon the mission. He fell again, not long after, into the hands of the persecutors, and was committed to Wisbich castle, where I find him prisoner, in 1587. Here he continued till about the beginning of 1600; when, with Mr. Hunt, and four others, he found means to escape. Then going into Lancashire, he was a third time apprehended, and, in the summer assizes, 1600, brought upon his trial, condemned, (barely upon account of his priestly character,) and executed at Lancaster, July 26.

Dr. Champney gives him this short eulogium, that he was a man of a strong body, but of a stronger soul; who rather despised than conquered death; and went before his companion. "Mr. Thwing," to the gallows, with as much cheerfulness and joy, as if he had been going to a feast, to the astonishment of the spectators.

Edward Thwing was born of an ancient family at Hurst, near York. He was first an alumnus of the college of Rhemes; from whence, he was sent to Rome, in 1587; but was obliged, for his health, to return again to Rhemes. Here he was presented to holy orders, and ordained priest at Laon, December 20, 1590, being at that time, it appears by the Douay diary, master of the Hebrew and Greek tongues, and professor of rhetoric in the college. He was sent upon the English mission from Douay, in 1397, after the college was returned to that university. Dr. Champney, who was personally acquainted with him, and his cotemporary at the college, gives him this character; that he was a man of admirable meekness, and of no less piety, religion, patience, and mortification; that his patience (amongst the rest of his virtues which rendered him amiable to all) was very remarkable in suffering, with wondectul tranquillity, a most painful and tedious infirmity, from an ulcer in the knee, which he had to struggle with for a long time, whilst he was at Rhemes and Douay; for which, the physicians could find no remedy. That, after his return to England, he was a most diligent labourer in the vineyard of his Lord, till his apprehension and commitment to Lanpaster castle. From whence, he thus wrote to Dr. Worthington, at that time, president of Douay college.

My self am now prisoner for Christ, in Lancaster castle, expecting nothing but execution at the next assizes. I desire you to commend me to the devout prayers of my friends with you, that, by their help, I may consummate my course to God's glory, and the good of my country. I pray God prosper you, and all yours, for ever.

From my prison and paradise, this last of May, 1600.
E. THWING.'

And in another letter, a few days before his death, he thus writes to the same.

This day the judges come to Lancaster, where I am in expectation of a happy death, if it so please God Almighty; I pray you commend mo most dearly to all your good priests and scholars, whose good endeavours God always prosper, to his own more glory. Ego autum pum dilçðar de tempus resolutionis meæ instat. Before this comes

« AnteriorContinua »