A thankfull remembrance of Gods mercy In an historicall collection of the great and mercifull deliverances of the Church and state of England, since the Gospell began here to flourish, from the beginning of Queene Elizabeth. Collected by Geo: Carleton, Doctor of Divinitie, and Bishop of Chichester.

CHAPTER XV.

QVeene Elizabeth after so many bloudy and dangerous practises attempted against her, being mightily protected by God, en∣ded her dayes in peace and safe∣ty: The enemy was not permit∣ted to hurt her, with all their bloudy and bar∣barous practises. After her, succeeded our peace∣able Salomon, King Iames, who laboured to e∣stablish peace, if it might bee: But when hee spake of peace, they prepared themselues for warre.

He was first encountred with such a practise, whereof because I know not the truth and bot∣tome, I must follow such relations as I finde. King Iames our••gracious Soueraigne, being cal∣led into the right of his owne inheritance, by the great and admirable applause and affecti∣ons of all good men from the highest to the

lowest of England: And declaring his constant resolution for the maintenance of Religion, de∣ferred his Coronation till Saint Iames day. In the meane time some vnquiet spirits entred into a conspiracy, (their vaine hopes for aduancing of their Religion, failing) their designe as is said, was to surprize the King, and Prince Henry. Of forces they presumed, meaning to retaine them prisoners in the Tower, and with treasures ther∣in to maintaine their intent, or to carry them to Douer Castle, and there by violence, either to obtaine their owne pardons, a tolleration of Religion, and a remouall of some Counsellors of state, or else to put some other proiect in execu∣tion. To conceale this treason, Watson the Priest deuised oathes for secrecie, and himselfe with Clark, another Priest taught; that the act was lawfull, being done before the Coronation: for that the King was no King before hee was annointed, and the Crowne solemnly set vpon his head.

The other persons inuolued in this practise, were Henry Brooke, Lord Cobham, Thomas Lord Gray of Wilton, Sir Walter Ralegh, Sir Griffin Markham, Sir Edward Parham, George Brooke, Bartholomew Brookesby, and An∣thony Coply. All which were apprehended and committed. The sicknesse being then rife in London, the Tearme was kept at Winchester, the place designed for their arraignement, whether they were conueied vnder strong guard. The first brought to triall was George Brooke,

brother to the Lord Cobham, Sir Griffin Mark∣ham, Sir Edward Parham, Brooksly, Coply, Wat∣son and Clark. The inditement was, that they had conspired, first to destroy the King; then to raise rebellion, to alter Religion, to subuert the State, to procure forraine inuasion. These their intents they had made known to the Lord Gray, whom they intended to make Earle Mar∣shall of England, Watson Lord Chancelour, Georke Brookes Lord Treasurer, Markham Se∣cretary: that with the King the Lords also should be surprized in their Chambers at Green∣wich, and the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London should be sent for, and so shut vp in the Tower.

George Brooke answered, that he had commis∣sion from the King to doe that he did, onely to trie faithfull subiects; but being required to shew his Commission, hee could produce none. Sir Griffin Markham, excepting onely the imputation of bloud, confessed his offence penitently; alledging it was through a discon∣tented minde, and desired the Lords to bee a meane to the King for mercy Watson and Clark, (the former of which confessed that he had drawne all those Gentlemen into those plots) like true Roman Priests, auerred that they held the King for no King, vntill hee was crowned: and therefore it could not be treason: alledging that Saul was no King, till hee was chosen in Mispeh, though hee had beene an∣nointed in Ramoth by the Prophet Samuel.

Neither Ieroboam, who in the dayes of Salo∣mon had beene confirmed by the Prophet to raigne ouer Israel, vntill the people made him King, vpon the foolish answere of Rehoboam: making no difference betweene the mediate and ordinary succession of lawfull Kings in Com∣mon-wealths established: and those which God himselfe extraordinarily aduanced to be scour∣ges to an vngratefull land. It was tould them that in England the King neuer dieth, that there is no interregnum, that the Coronation is but a ceremony to shew the King to the peo∣ple. Two dayes after was Sir Walter Ralegh brought to the barre, hee was indited for com∣bining with the Lord Cobham (his accuser as it was said in the foresaid designes) he pleaded, not guilty, and so stood for his purgation. Hee pleaded for himselfe a long time, and with some admiration of men, who thought that a man of such vnderstanding would hardly bee drawne into a plot so foule, and so foolish: yet hee was found guilty, and had sentence of death.

The like iudgement, a few dayes after, pas∣sed vpon the Lord Cobham and Gray, arraign∣ed on two seuerall dayes. The former was indi∣ted for combining with Sir Walter Ralegh, and George Brooke to procure forces from the King of Spaine, and the Arch-Duke for inuasion: the other for ioyning with the foresaid Priests, Knights, and Gentlemen in their conspiracies. Sir Edward Parham was only acquitted by the Iury. Of the rest, onely three died. Watson,

Clark, and George Brooke. Watson had before in Print laid open at large the treasonable practi∣ses of the Iesuites, and at his death left this sus∣pition on them, that they in reuenge, had cun∣ningly drawne him into this action, which brought him to his end. After this the Lords Cobham and Gray, and Sir Griffin Markham were by a Warrant to be executed the Friday next. But the King inclined to mercy, sent at the day appointed a Pardon for them; the manner whereof was such, as gaue vnexpected ioy to them that looked for nothing but death. The Pardon was brought to the place where they were to be executed, by Master Gibb a Gentle∣man, so secretly, that none present vnderstood any thing thereof: Sir Griffin Markham was first brought to the Scaffold (erected in the Ca∣stle Greene,) and made himselfe ready for the stroke of the Axe. When secretly Master Gibb deliuered to the High Shiriffe the Kings war∣rant to the contrary; who vnderstanding his Maiesties intent, tooke backe the prisoner (as if he were first to confront the two Lords, vpon some seruice of the King) and brought him vn∣to the Castle Hall. Then was the Lord Gray brought forth, who hauing poured out his prayers vnto God, at length kneeling downe for the stroke of death, the Sheriffe bad stay, telling the Lord that some further seruice was expected of him; and thereupon led him like∣wise into the Castle Hall. The Lord Cobham was last brought forth: who being in prepara∣tion,

and prayers, the Lord Gray and Sir Gr••ffin were brought backe againe. All the three prisoners appearing together on the Scaf∣fold, the Sheriffe notified his Maiesties war∣rant for the stay of the execution. At which ex∣ample of Clemency, vnexpected both of the pri∣soners and spectators, there arose great shoutes of the people, crying, God saue the King. The condemned wished that they might sacrifice their liues to redeeme their faults, and to repur∣chase so mercifull a Prince his loue.

This attempt seemed to be a matter of lesse danger, because there appeared neither strength to act the businesse intended, nor heads to car∣ry it. But our thankfulnesse must appeare to God for our least deliuerances. It is certaine by their confessions that a great mischiefe was in∣tended, howso••uer they might seeme vnable to effect it. And this we may obserue, that no trea∣son was euer attempted without a Romish Priest. The treasons attempted in England, haue that proper and peculiar marke, to haue a Priest in the practise.

Notes

• Anno 1603.