And now, dear countrymen, having made this protestation in the most plain terms I could, without any equivocation or mental reservation whatsoever, I appeal to the eternal Judge, whether good christians ought not to believe what is here in this manner sworn by me in my present circumstance, rather than what was sworn by my accusers: whom, notwithstanding, I beg of Almighty God to forgive: as also the jury, and all others who have been in any kind concurring to my

death.

Having full time allowed him, he spoke much more to the same effect, with a clear voice, and a countenance remarkably cheerful; declaring his innocence as to any plot, his loyalty to the king, his charity to his neighbours; and expressing his love and piety to God in fervent prayers and ejaculations. He concluded with these prophetic words: though I know the affairs of the kingdom are in a bad posture, yet I hope they will be cleared ere long, and then the actors thereof will be more fully known.' Just as he went off the ladder, he was distinctly heard to say these words, sweet Jesus receive my soul.

He suffered at York, October 23, 1680, in the 46th year of his age. His quartered body was interred by his friends, and a copper plate buried with him, with the following Latin inscription. R. D. Thomas Thwing de Heworth, coll. Anglo-Duaceni sacerdos, post annos 15 in missione Anglicana transactos, eboraci condemnatus et martyrio affectus est Octob. 23, 1680. A duobus falsis testibus, ob crimen conspirationis tune temporis catholicis malitiose impositum.

WILLIAM VISCOUNT STAFFORD.*

WILLIAM HOWARD Viscount Stafford, was second son to Thomas Earl of Arundel, and uncle to Thomas and Henry, Dukes of Norfolk. In his youth he was educated with all care and industry imaginable, to improve in him the endowments of nature and grace. He was ever held to be of a generous disposition, very charitable, devout, sober, inoffensive in words, and a lover of justice. When he arrived to years of maturity, he married Mary, descended from the ancient dukes of Buckingham; grand-daughter to Edward, sister and sole heiress to Henry Lord Stafford, to whose title he succeeded, being created baron by king Charles I. anno 1640, and soon after Viscount Stafford. During the time of the civil wars he suffered much for his loyalty to the king, always behaving himself with that courage and constancy, as became a nobleman, a good christian and a faithful subject. After king Charles II. restoration, he lived in peace, plenty, and happiness; being blessed with a most virtuous lady to his wife, and many pious and dutiful children; in which state he remained till the 66th year of his age, when about Michaelmas, anno 1678, he was accused by Titus Oates of the plot, together with the Lords Powis, Petre, Arundel, and Bellasis.

'My Lord Stafford, though he immediately heard of the accusation, relying on his own innocence, never left his family, nor withdrew himself from his ordinary known acquaintance and affairs, till on the 25th of October, he was sent prisoner to the King's Bench, and from

* From Stafford's Memoirs, published 1681; his printed trial and speech, &c.

thence soon after to the Tower where he remained above two years, and then was brought to his trial, before the house of peers, Nov. 30, 1680, upon an impeachment in the name of the commons of England.'

The first day was spent in allegations, to prove a plot in general, by the depositions of Oates, Dugdale, Smith, Jennison, &c. But as these did not touch my lord Stafford in particular, the next day the managers for the house of commons, (who were of the most eloquent, and the most able lawyers in the nation,) began to attack my lord more directly by the testimonies of Oates, Dugdale, and Tuberville, having first taken care that none of his council should stand near to prompt or advise him what to answer, or what exceptions to make to their depositions. These managers with all imaginable art and malice, baited the good old gentleman for four whole days; who, though otherwise not the best qualified, as it was thought, for such a task, and upon that account pitched upon, rather than any of the other lords then prisoners, to be first brought to his trial; yet, such was the force of truth and innocence, made so good a defence, (notwithstanding the great fatigue of so many days pleading, and all the eloquence employed against him) and brought such and so just exceptions against the witnesses, and such proofs of their being perjured villains, that every unprejudiced man that will but read the memoirs of his trial, must agree that he was very unjustly condemned. However, such was the iniquity of the times, and the aversion to his religion, he was found guilty by fifty-five lords, and acquitted only by thirty-one so that sentence was passed upon him by the lord high steward. His behaviour throughout,' says the continuator of Baker, p. 705, was very composed and affecting; denying in the most solemn manner, and with all the marks of sincerity, every thing that had been sworn against him.' So this protestant historian, who adds, in the following page, that at his death, he behaved himself in a manner becoming a good man and a good christian, and still denied to the last, the treason which he had been charged with.

When the votes were passed, the lord high steward declared to the prisoner, He was found guilty of the high treason whereof he was impeached. To which my lord Stafford replied, God's holy name be praised for it. I confess I am surprised at it, for I did not expect it. But God's will be done, and your lordships'; I will not murmur at it. God forgive those who have falsely sworn against me.' Sentence was pronounced according to the usual form as in cases of treason: which my lord received with a meek and resigned countenance, and then declared in the presence of Almighty God, he had no manner of malice in his heart to them that had condemned him, but freely forgave them all.

After his return to the Tower, he employed the greatest part of his time, till his end, in recollection and devotion, by which means he seemed to receive a daily increase both of courage and comfort. The hours he spared from prayer or necessary repose, he bestowed, in part, in the entertainment of his friends, amongst whom he demeaned himself with exceeding sweetness, candour, and alacrity, which was always natural to him; but was more especially remarkable after he had an assurance of his death; insomuch that he could not endure to see any in grief or dejection on his account.

On Sunday, the 19th of December, the lieutenant of the Tower came to my lord and told him he was sorry he must bring him the ill news that he must die on the 29th of this month. To which message, he courageously replied, I must obey. Adding those words of the psalmist, This is the day which our Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Then turning to his disconsolate lady, come, said he, let us go to our prayers. And it was truly a matter of wonder, says my author, to those who lived and were conversant with him during this short remnant of his life, to see with what constancy and equal temper of mind he comported himself; what interior quiet and serenity he seemed to enjoy; what confidence he expressed in God; what charity to all, even to the worst of his enemies.

• When the hour appointed for his death drew near, he expected with some impatience the arrival of Mr. lieutenant, telling his friends that were about him, he ought not to hasten his own death, yet he thought the time long till they came to him. A gentleman, then with him, in his chamber, put him in mind that it was a cold day, and that his lordship would do well to put on a cloak, or coat, to keep him warm; he answered, he would; for, said he, I may perhaps shake for cold, but I trust in God never for fear. After some time spent in spiritual discourses, at length, about ten o'clock, word was brought him that Mr. lieutenant waited for him below; upon which he sweetly saluted his friends, bidding them not grieve for him, for this was the happiest day of all his life. Then he immediately went down and walked along by the lieutenant's chair (who had the gout) through a lane of soldiers, to the bars without the Tower. There the lieutenant delivered him to the sheriffs, and they, from thence, guarded him to the scaffold erected on Tower-hill. Several thousands of people crowded to see him, many civilly saluted him as he passed, and few there were that seemed not to have a compassion for him.

Having mounted the scaffold, there appeared in his countenance such an unusual vivacity, such a cheerfulness, such a confidence, such a candour, as if the innocence of his soul had shined through his body. And he looked death in the face with so undaunted a resolution, as gave occasion to many to say, grace had left in him no resentments of nature. After a short pause, viewing the people, and finding them attentive to what he should say, he stepped to one side of the scaffold, and with a graceful air, and intelligible voice, pronounced his last speech. In which,

First, he protested in the presence of the eternal God, and upon his salvation, that he was entirely innocent of the treason laid to his charge: then giving thanks to the divine Majesty, for the long time he had given him to prepare for death, he declared, that having well considered what could be the original cause of his having been so unjustly accused and condemned to death, he was convinced th it was no other than his religion; of which, he said, he had no reason to be ashamed; for that it taught nothing but the right worship of God, and due subordination to the king and the temporal laws of the kingdom. That he most firmly believed all the articles that the catholic church believes and teaches, as most consonant to the word of God; and that with the same catholic church, from his heart, he detested all king-killing doctrine, that his prin

ciples were entirely loyal and as for indulgences, dispensations, or pardons, pretended by the adversaries of the church to be given to murder, rebel, lie, forswear, or commit any other crime whatsoever; he professed in the presence of God, and that without any equivocation or mental reservation whatsover, that he was never taught any such thing, nor believed or practised any such thing. That if he had been really guilty of any of those crimes of which he was accused, he should have been worse than a fool, and his own self-murderer into the bargain, if he had not acknowledged his guilt; since by so doing he might have saved his life but had I a thousand lives, said he, I would lose them all rather than falsely accuse either myself or any other whatsoever.'

Then again declaring his abhorrence of all treason and murder, and that to his knowledge he had never spoke to, or seen Oates, or Turberville till his trial, or ever spoke with Dugdale about any treasonable matters, (whom nevertheless he heartily forgave, and all others that had any hand in his death,) he concluded his speech as follows,

I shall end with my hearty prayers for the happiness of his majesty, that he may enjoy all happiness in this world, and in the world to come, and govern his people according to the laws of God; and that the people may be sensible what a blessing God hath so miraculously given them, and obey him as they ought. I ask pardon with a prostrate heart of Almighty God, for all the great offences I have committed against the divine Majesty; and hope, through the merits and passion of Christ Jesus, to obtain everlasting happiness: into whose hands I commit my spirit, asking pardon of any person that I have done any wrong to, &c.

'I beseech God not to revenge my innocent blood upon the nation, or on those that were the cause of it, with my last breath; I do with my last breath truly assert my innocency, and hope the omnipotent, all seeing, just God, will deal with me accordingly.

His speech being ended, he delivered several written copies of it to the sheriffs, &c. Then he returned to the middle of the scaffold; where, encompassed by his catholic friends, he kneeled down, and reverently making the sign of the cross, pronounced aloud, with exceeding devotion, an excellent prayer, adapted to his present circumstances, to which he joined several pious ejaculations, wherein with singular compunction and abundance of tears, he implored the divine mercy and pardon for his sins past he recommended his soul to his dear Redeemer Jesus Christ; he blessed his holy name, and offered his life to him a willing sacrifice of gratitude, piety, and love.

'Remaining still on his knees, he again protested his innocence with all the asseverations a dying christian is capable of making. Than rising up he a second time saluted the people, telling them they had as good and gracious a king as ever reigned; and earnestly exhorting them to be faithful and constant in their allegiance to him; praying to God heartily to bless his majesty, and preserve him from his enemies; to bless the nation, to bless and be with all them there present, especially all loyal subjects; declaring again his own innocence: desiring the prayers of all good christians; begging God's mercy and pardon for his sins; asking forgiveness of all, and beseeching the divine goodness not to revenge his innocent blood upon the whole kingdom; no not upon those

by whose perjuries he was brought thither; to whom he wished from his heart no other hurt, than that they should repent and tell truth.

'Most of the auditors seemed to be touched with a sensible compassion for him; some, as he spoke, put off their hats and bowed to him, in sign that they agreed to what he said; others by distinct acclamations answered, we believe you my Lord, God bless you my Lord, &c.' Afterwards he applied himself to his friends about him, whom he lovingly embraced, and with a pleasant voice and cheerful aspect took his last leave of them for this world. Then being made ready, he knelt down before the block, and making the sign of the cross, recommended himself with great devotion to the divine mercy: he kissed the block and used several devout ejaculations, such as sweet Jesu receive my soul: into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit, &c. Then laid his head down upon the block, continuing still in prayer, and expecting the stroke of death, with wonderful courage and constancy, not showing the least sign of fear, or seeming the least to quake or tremble. After he had laid thus a good space, finding that the headsman delayed the execution of his office, he once more raised himself up upon his knees, and with a grave and serene aspect asked, Why they stayed? It was answered, for a sign. What sign will you give sir? He replied, none at all; take your own time, God's will be done, I am ready. The headsman said, I hope you forgive me, he answered, I do. Then blessing himself again with the sign of the cross, he reposed his head upon the block; which with one blow was severed from his body. He was interred privately in the Tower. He lived 68 years, and suffered on the feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, December 29, 1680.

DR. OLIVER PLUNKET, ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH, PRIMATE OF IRELAND. 1681.*

THIS apostolic man was descended of an illustrious family in the kingdom of Ireland; he was educated in the catholic religion; and finding himself called to the ecclesiastical state, went abroad into Italy, and there spent almost twenty years at Rome, partly in studying and partly in teaching divinity, where also he received the degree of doctor in that faculty and having acquired a general esteem by his virtue and learning, the See of Armagh falling vacant, he was chosen and consecrated to it, about the year 1669, and sent over to Ireland to govern the flock committed to his charge, which he did in such manner as to give great edification to the catholics, and to be much esteemed by the very protestants: in proof of which we shall here put down what some protestant historians have written of him, upon occasion of his trial and condem

nation.

And first Dr. Burnet, who was never suspected of telling a lie in favour of a papist, in his history of his own times, p. 502, acquaints us from the testimony of the Earl of Essex, that Plunket was a wise and

* From his printed trial and speech, father Corker's letters, and the historians of those times.