An exact abridgment of all the trials (not omitting any material passage therein) which have been published since the year 1678: relating to the popish, and pretended Protestant-plots in the reigns of King Charles the 2d, and King James the 2d.

THE next day, being Saturday, May 9, 1685, the Prisoner was again set to the Bar, having also been arraigned upon another Information of Perjury; which did set forth, that he being a Witness for the King, at the Trials of Ireland and the five Jesuits, did there∣in swear, that Ireland was in Town the 1st and 2d of September, and between the 8th and 12th

of Aug. 1678. and that he had forsworn himself in both Instances; to which he had pleaded Not Guilty. The Jury therefore sworn, were,

• Sir Thomas Vernon Kt.
• Nicholas Charlton Es;q
• Thomas Langham Es;q
• ...Thomas Hartop.
• ...Francis Griffith.
• ...John Kent.
• ...George Toriano.
• ...Henry Loades.
• ...John Midgley.
• ...John Pelling.
• ...Thomas Short.
• ...George Peck.

To whom the Information being read, Mr. Phipps opened the same, and Mr. Attorn Gen∣opened the Evidence. And then the Records of the two Trials were produced, and admitted. And then,

Mr. Thomas Harriot (vvho vvas Foreman of the Jury at the Trial of the five Jesuits) deposed, That Dr. Oates vvas a Witness thereat, and swore that Ireland took his leave of him and others, at the said Ireland's Chamber, between the 8th and 12th of August, 1678. And Mr. Rainsford Waterhouse, being another of the Jury at the same time, deposed the very same.

Then Mr. Foster (a Jury-man at Ireland's Trial) deposed, That the Prisoner also was a Witness then, and (swore, that the said Ireland vvas in Town the 1st or 2d of September 1678, for he had then 20 s. of him. And Mr. John Byfield, another of the same Jury, deposed the same.— To prove it false then,

Mrs. Ann Ireland deposed, That on Wednes∣day, July 31. (being St. Ignotius's day) her Mother, and She, and Brother, were invited to

Mr. Gifford's at Hammer smith; that She and her Mother staid all Night, but her Brother refused; that on Saturday following, August 3. 1678. she took leave of him, he going then out of Town to the Lord Aston's House in Hartfordshire, in order to go thence into Staffordshire; that in his absence, once one Mrs. Eagleston lodg'd in his Room, her Maid falling sick; and that he returned not till just a fortnight before Michael∣mass.

Mrs. Eleanor Ireland deposed the very same, saying, he return'd Septemb. 14 before his Trial, whereat she was a Witness, but not suffered to speak what she knew.

Then Mrs. Duddle deposed also the same Evi∣dence about his being out of Town. And the like did.

Mrs. Ouino, his Taylor's Wife, who brought him home some Clothes that had been mended; but Saturday Morning he went, and she saw him in his Boots, and he took Horse (as his Servant had testified) at the Bull-Inn in Drury-lane.

Then the Ld. Aston deposed, That Mr. Ireland came to his House at Staenden in Hartfordshire, on Saturday Night, August 3. 1678. and went with him on Monday to St. Albans, where they met with his Brother and Sister Southcoat, and thence travelled to Tixhall, where they arrived on Thursday following, Ireland (as he believes) be∣ing all this time in his Company.

Then Sir Edward Southcoat deposed, That he came to the Lord Aston's, Aug. 4. 1678. that the day following Mr. Ireland travell'd with them to St. Albans, where they met with his Father and

Mother, and lay all Night at the Bull Inn; that the next Night they lay at the George in Nor∣thampton, and on Wednesday Night at the Bull in Coventry; and the next came to Tixhall, Mr. Ireland being with them all the Journey, and staid with them there till the Tuesday following, Aug. 13. And then they went to Nantwich, and lay at the Holy-Lamb, and the next day came to Holy-Well and lay at the Star; and the next day came to Chester, and return'd the next day after to Tixhall again, being Friday, August 16. Mr. Ireland still travelling with them. That after∣wards he cannot positively say how long Ireland was at Tixhall, only that he remembred him there the day of Mr. Chetwin's Race with Sir Henry Gough, and on a Thursday upon the Bow∣ling-Green at Tixhall. But he came back with them from Tixhall the 9th or 10th of September, the first Night to the Bull in Coventry, the next to the Altar-stone at Banbury, the next to Agmon∣dishman, and the next to his Father's House in Kingston, where his Brother bought Mr. Ire∣land's Horse of him, being Thursday; and the Saturday following Ireland went to London, Sep∣temb. 14.

Then Mr. John Southcoat (Sir Edward's Bro∣ther, who bought Ireland's Horse) deposed the same things, being with them all these Jour∣neys.

After him one Harrison, Sir John Southcoat's Man, who likewise travell'd with them; and was the Man that went with Ireland to London, and brought back his Horse, deposed the very same.

George Hobson (a Servant of the Lord Aston's) deposed, That he also was these Journeys, and saw Ireland every day: that after they return'd from Holy-Well to Tixall, he saw him again on August 26. and on the day he return'd thence for London, which was Septemb. 9. 1678.

George North, another of my Lord's Servants, deposed, That he travell'd at the same time, in Mr. Ireland's Company, from Standen to Tixhall; and that he saw him again at Tixhall after his re∣turn from Holy-Well, and particularly on Septemb. 9. he then going back for London.

Richard Ingletrap (the Hackney Coach-man) a Protestant, deposed, that he travell'd also from Standen to Tixhall with Mr. Ireland; and saw him August 13. when he set out for Holy-Well.

Andrew Wetton, another Protestant, deposed, that he travelled from Tixhall to Holy-Well, and so back again to Tixhall, in Mr. Ireland's Compa∣ny, looking after his Horse; and saw him that day he set out for London.

Thomas Sawyer deposed, that Ireland was at Tixhall from Aug. 8. to Aug. 13. and came a∣gain Aug. 16. and went for London Semptemb. 9. following.

Frances Allen (one of the Lord Aston's Maids, who wash'd Ireland's Linnen, and look'd to his Chamber while he was at Tixhall) deposed, that he came to Tixhall, Aug. 8. 1678. and went for Holy-Well the 13th, and returned thence the 16th, and went away the next day, she deliver∣ing him the Linnen he carried with him; and saw him several times afterwards at Tixhall,

professing her self a Protestant also.

Then Mrs. Jane Harwell deposed, that Mr. Ireland came to her House in Wolverhampton, Aug. 17. (as from Tixhall) and was every day there till the 26th, when he return'd (as she supposes) to Tixhall again. He came to her again Sept. 4. following, and staid till the 7th, when he went away for good and all. That hearing of his Trial, and what he had been accused of in De∣cember following, she sent an Express, at her own Charges to London, to a Friend, with a Pe∣tition to the King, that they might bring in Witnesses to prove this: Upon which his Exe∣cution was staid about five Weeks, and they hoped for a second Trial, but could not obtain it.

Mr. William Rushton, a Papist, deposed, that he saw Ireland in Wolverhampton, from the 18th of August to the 25th, every one of the days, except the 23d, whence he went to Litchfield.

Mrs. Katherine Wingford deposed, that she also saw Ireland from August the 18th to the 25th, sometimes at Mrs. Harwells, and sometimes at her Father's House in Wolverhampton.

Mr. William Stanley deposed, that he saw Ire∣land in Wolverhampton, on Aug. 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, and 25; and entertain'd him twice at his own House.

Mrs. Dorothy Purcel swore, she saw him also in the same Town, on August the 18th to the 23d, but would give no Circumstance whereby she might remember so particu••••rly those days.

Then one Scot swore, that he look'd to his Horse while he was in that Town, and that he

staid there about a Fortnight, but could not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 particular as to the time.

Then Mr. John Stamford deposed, that he also saw Mr. Ireland in the same Town, from Aug. 18, to 25, having known him ever since 1675.

Mrs. Katherine Fowler (Mrs. Harwell's Daugh∣ter) swore, that she saw Ireland at her Mother's House, from Aug. 17, till the 27th, 1678. see∣ing him every day except the 23d, when he went to Litchfield to the Fair.

Mr. Gifford swore, he saw him every day there, from Aug. 17, to the 26th, 1678.

Mrs. Elizabeth Gifford swore, she saw him all those days but two.

Elizabeth Keeling (Mrs. Harwell's Maid) swore, she saw Ireland, Aug. 17. till he went away, except three days she was absent at her Mother's Funeral. And she saw him again at her Mistresses, from the 4th of September to the 7th, 1678.

Mr. Richardson (an Apothecary in Wolver∣hampton, and a Protestant) deposed, that he saw a Gentleman, whom Mrs. Harwell told him was Mr. Ireland, on Aug. 19. in that Town, 1678.

Mrs. Eleanor Graves, deposed much the like as to seeing Ireland at that time there; and that she moreover went with him Aug. 23d to Litch∣field, and return'd back with him that Night again, her Uncle Winford being with them.

Then Sir Thomas Whitegrave (a Justice of Peace in Staffor••••••••re, and a Protestant) depo∣sed, that he saw Mr. Ireland on the 29th of

August. 1678. upon Tixhall. Bowling-Green.

Mr. VVilliam Fowler, a Papist, deposed, that he saw Ireland at Tixhall, Aug. 10. 1678. and on the 27th at the Horse Race at Etching-Hill, and on the 29th upon Tixhall Bowling-green, where he saw Sir Thomas VVhitegrave also with him.

Mr. Howard swore also, that the saw Ireland at the Horse-Race, and again afterwards at Bel∣lamore, where he dined that time.

Then Mr. Drayton, (a Servant to the Lord Gerrard's Father) deposed, that he also saw Ireland at the Race, and at Tixhall, Aug. 29. when he went home with Mr. Heveningham to Aston, where he saw him the next day; and on the 31st a Hunting with his Master; and Sept. 1. at Mr. Gerrard's of Hildersham.

Sir James Simmons deposed, that he saw Ire∣land at the Horse-Race also, and on Tixhall Bowling-Green, Aug. 29. and that he came to Aston that Night, with his Father Heveningham; but he going the next day to Pancrass Fair, left him.

Mr. Green (who belonged to Sir James Sim∣monds) deposed, he saw Ireland at the Horse-Race, Aug. 27. 1678. and the next day on Tix∣hall Bowling-Green; which Night he came to Aston, and saw him a Setting there the next day, and the next day a Hunting.

Then one Fallas, (a Servant of Mr. Heveing∣ham's, and a Protestant) deposed, that Ireland came to his Master's on Aug. 29. and the next day Fish'd and Sett, and the next day Hunted,

and then went away, he looking to his Hors while there.

Then John Proctor (a Servant to Mr. Lowes, and a Protestant) deposed, that he saw Ireland at his Master's at Fulford, on Aug. 31. 1678. and the next day at Esq Gerrards at Hilder∣some.

Then Mr. John King deposed, that he saw Ireland at Hildersome, Sept. 1. 1678. where he was all Night; and the next day at Millage, where he dined, designing for Boscobel that Night.

Then Francis Lee (a Servant to Mr. Gerrard) deposed, that he saw Ireland at his Masters, Aug. 31. where he staid two Nights, and went with him thence to Millage, where they dined, and then went to Pancrass with him for two hours, and then Ireland went to Boscobel.

Then Mr. Biddolph swore, that he dined with Ireland at his Aunt Crompton's at Millage, Sept. 2. 1678.

Mrs. Crompton her self deposed, that Mr. Ire∣land dined at her House that day her Nephew Biddolph did; but could not remember any other∣wise the time.

Mrs. Palmer swore, she also dinned with Ireland at Millage, but could neither tell when, nor who were there.

Mrs. Holmes swore, she saw Ireland at Millage the beginning of Septemb. 1678. on a Monday.

Mrs. Gifford swore, she saw Ireland at Pancrass, Sept. 2. 1678. about four or five in the Afternoon.

Then Mr. Pendrel depos'd, that Ireland lodg'd at his House at Boscobel on Sept. 2. 1678. and went the next day but one to Black-Ladies, to Mr. John Giffords.

Mrs. Pendrel swore the very same.

Mr. Charles Gifford swore Ireland at his Fa∣ther's House at Black-Ladies, on Sept. 4. 1678. coming to see one Madam Wells there, where he staid an hour and half, and so went for VVolver∣hampton.

And thus was proved where Ireland was, from Aug. 3. to Sept. 14.

After which Dr. Oates began his Defence, urg∣ing the, great Hardship he lay under, after six Years time, to be put to disprove what was now offered against him; many of his Witnesses be∣ing since dead, and gone beyond-Sea, and many Passages forgot by him; besides, that the Di∣spute was only about a bare Circumstance of Time, when-as the Substance of his Evidence about the Plot, was not assign'd as any Perjury at all; and that this very Testimony was look'd upon as a Trick only to catch the Evidence, and was judg'd invalid at the Trials of Ireland and the five Jesuits. Urging also the Testimony of Bedloe at Ireland's Trial, vvhich amounted to the same as his, (Mr. Blaney testifying it upon Oath); as also Mr. Jennison's about Ireland's being in Town in August; saying, what Char∣ges he had been at to find out Mr. Jennison and Sarah Pain (who gave the same Evidence) but could not; calling for many Witnesses whom he had Subpaened, but not one appeared: Com∣plaining therefore of his hard Usage. He pro∣ceeded to sum up what more he had to say, protesting the Truth of what he had deposed; the little belief this Testimony formerly had, and the Interest of Papists concerned now to

bring it thus against him, saying,

That he was confident, had he been a Witness in any other Cause, he might have had fairer Quarter. And did verily believe, that at this rate, it vvas more safe for Papists to be Traitors, than for any Protestant to discover a Popish Plot.

— Begging that Counsel might be assign'd him to argue the Errors in Yesterday's Indictment, and a Weeks time to prepare, and to withdraw be∣cause of his present Illness; all vvhich vvere granted him.

And then Sol. General summ'd up the Evi∣dence; giving this Reason vvhy this Testimony was produced no sooner, viz.

Because time vvas, vvhen the City of London vvas a Refuge for High-Treason, and no Justice to be had for the King there; it being hardly safe for the Judges to sit on the Bench, by reason of the Rabble.

The Ld. Ch. Justice directed likewise the Ju∣ry, vvith some Virulency against Oates's Confi∣dence; bewailing the Death of so many Inno∣cent Men upon his Evidence; reflecting on the Insolency (as he called it) of those Times; crying out, Good God of Heaven! VVhat an Age have we liv'd in, to see Innocence suffer Punish∣ment, and impudent Falsity Reign so long! &c.

The Jury withdrawing for half an hour, brought in their Verdict, That the Defendant was Guilty of the Perjury whereof he stood In∣dicted. To which the Judges gave their Ap∣probation; and the Ld. Ch. Justice told the Jury, that by it they had Contributed, as much as in them lay, to Vindicate the Nation from

the Infamy it had so long lain under. The Court then arose.

On Monday, May 11. 1685. Mr. Wallop pro∣cured the same leave as Oates done before, for the Defendant to move in Arrest of Judg∣ment, upon the Conviction on Saturday also, which was Granted. And on Saturday, May 26. 1685. The Prisoner was set to the Bar; but his Counsel said they had nothing to say.

Then four Exceptions which the Prisoner had given in, were read, and over-ruled. And the Ld. Ch. Justice aggravated his Crime in a Viru∣lent Speech; and Mr. Justice Withyns pronounced the Judgment of the Court upon him, which was this.

1. That he should pay for a Fine, 1000 Marks upon each Indictment.

2. That he should be strip'd of all his Ca∣nonical Habits.

3. That he should stand in the Pillory before Westminster-Hall Gate upon Monday next, for an hour's time, between 10 and 12 a Clock, with a Paper over his Head (which he must first walk with round about to all the Courts in Westminster-Hall) declaring his Crime, and that was upon the first Indictment.

4. That, for the 2d Indictment, he should, upon Teusday, stand in the Pillory at the Royal-Exchange in London, for an hour, between 12 and 2 with the same Inscription.

5. On Wednesday, that he should be Whipt from Aldgate to Newgate.

6. On Friday, That he should be Whipt from

Newgate to Tyburn by the Hands of the Com∣mon Hangman.

7. And for Annual Commemorations; That upon every 24th of April, as long as he should live, he was to stand in the Pillory at Tyburn, just opposite to the Gallows, for an hour, be∣tween 10 and 12.

8. That upon every 9th of August, he was to stand in the Pillory at Westminster-Hall Gate; because he had sworn that Mr. Ireland was in Town between the 8th and 12th of August.

9. That on every 10th of August, he was to stand in the Pillory at Charing-Cross, for an hour, between 10 and 12.

10. The Like over against the Temple-Gate, every 11th of August.

11. And that upon every 2d. of September (another Notorious Day) he was to do the like at the Royal-Exchange, for an hour, between 12 and 2.

That all this he was to do every year during his Life: And be Committed a Close Prisoner as long as he liv'd.

And this, he told him, he pronounced to be the Judgment of the Court; and that if it had been in his Power to have carried it further, he should not have been unwilling to have given Judgment of Death upon him, for he was sure he deserved it.