THE EXAMINAtion, confession, and condemnation of Henry Robson Fisherman of Rye, who poisoned his wife in the strangest manner that ever hitherto hath been heard of.   printer's or publisher's device 
AT LONDON Printed by Felix Kingston for R. W. and are to be sold in Paternoster row at the sign of the Talbot. 1598.   

The Epistle to the Reader.  
GEntle Readers, amongst all the cruel Stratagems, poisonings and homicides, I have here described one, which in my judgement passeth all that ever were invented; together with God's providence in bringing it to light. And the sooner have I penned it, that others may beware of being deceived by Satan to do the like, in hope it shall be concealed.  
L. B.   

The examination, confession, and condemnation of Henry Robson Fisherman of Rye, who poisoned his wife in the strangest manner that ever hitherto hath been heard of.  
AT Rye in Sussex there dwelled a man whose name was Henry Robson, by trade he used fishing, and lived long time in very good estimation amongst his neighbours, till such time as through his lavish spending, he came greatly in debt, to his utter ruin. For when Lucifer had found a means how to accomplish his will, he never left him till by his divillish practices he had brought him to the gallows. For having lived there, and being happened into the danger of the law, his Creditors began to put him in suit: whom when he could no ways satisfy, he was cast into prison, where he long time remained languishing in woe. This Robson had a wife, who for her honest dealing & good neighbourhood, was greatly beloved both of young and old. And although she could no ways redeem him, yet did she relieve him in such sort by her diligent labour. that each one wondered at her endeavour: yet nevertheless, he little weighed neither her kindness nor the laws of God, as hereafter shall manifestly appear: but devised continually how he might make her away: who being dead, he determined to sell all that ever he could make, and being redeemed out of prison, to have conveyed himself over into the Low Countries, and there to have lived.  
Whilst these mischievous thoughts harboured in his mind, the devil stirred up the mind of one Glazier, being then in prison, to be an instrument to put this his villainy in practice: who one day finding a fit opportunity, he thus began. Faith Harry I am sorry to see thee live thus in prison, and hast been so well beloved in this town. Tush Glazier (said this Robson) 'tis too late now to be sorry, when there is no remedy: for so long as my wife liveth, it is unpossible that ever I should come out. Faith than said Glazier) sure if my wife's death could procure my liberty. I would never be in bondage, or imprisoned. No (said Robson) why my wishes can never the sooner procure her death. I but (said the other) your endeavour may, without being once suspected: and if you will take my counsel and be secret, I will warrant you she shall not long live. Which words, when Robson heard, greatly rejoicing at this good hap, he not only vowed to be secret, but also to put this in speedy execution, and during life to remain glaziers friend, if it sorted to good effect. In short time after Glazier was delivered: at which instant Robson put him in mind of his promise, which he promised presently to accomplish. And hasting down to one Fishers a Mercer in the town, bought a pennyworth of Ratsbane; and coming to the prison again, in secret he delivered it to Robson, willing him to temper it with glass small beaten, and wrapped in the skin of a shoulder of mutton, to the quantity of a hazel nut, or less, and in the night when his wife should next come to lie with him, he should convey it into her privy parts, which he would warrant without danger to him should kill her: and so he departed. O heinous crime and wicked counsel, the like whereof since Cain murdered the righteous Abel, hath not been heard of. But now mark the event: some seven days after his wife (according to her accustomed order) came to the prison, and finding her well-beloved husband, she saluted him joying of his welfare. But he who minded nought else but murder, saluted her with a dissembling show of friendship: and at night when she would have departed, he constrained her to stay all night, which was the dearest nights pleasure that ever woman had: for in the night he put in practise his former imaginations: which how it worked shall hereafter be declared. In the morning without suspect, the poor silly woman departing home, little thinking her death should so soon approach, falling close to her work, she found herself grieved, and her body began to swell more and more. For now it began to run and eat into her veins, so that with the extreme pain she was constrained to go to bed, where she lay languishing some five days. Her neighbours resorting still to comfort her, and many Physicians were sent for, all which agreed that she was poisoned. And therefore gave her many purgations, and using many other means, but all could not serve: for in their lives they had never seen nor heard of so strange an accident. When they had used all the means they could, her days of life being now finished, she took her last adieus of the world, and so died. So soon as she was dead, according to the manner, they would have prepared for her burial: but the Physicians hindered their purpose, and having obtained licence of the officers, they caused her to be ripped, where they found in every vain both glass and Ratsbane, and yet could not devise how or by what means it should come thither: for that it could not be, it should there happen by any conveyance in meat or drink: and therefore they determined to find out by some means who was the doer of this villainy. And incontivently, sending to every shop in the town to know who lately bought any Ratsbane; at the said Fishers (aforesaid) they heard that one Glazier two weeks before had there bought a pennyworth. Whereupon they made search for the said Glazier: but he having heard of this news, and knowing himself guilty of the crime, was fled away. Then they bethought how Glazier was then lately returned out of prison where Robson was, whose wife it was that was poisoned. And enquiring further when Robsons wife was with him in prison, they learned that she lay with him in the prison house not full a week before. This all being put together, they began to conjecture of the matter: and the Mayor, jurats and Recorder being assembled, they sent for Robson, who incontinent was brought before them: and being come, the Recorder (one master Boulton) began thus.  
Neighbour Robson (said he) we understand by one Glazier, that you had certain poison of him which you caused him to buy; now we have sent for you to know to what intent you bought it: for that you are suspected of the death of your wife, and by some manifestly accused. Which he hearing, began to use many protestations, that he was as ignorant both of any such poison, or of the deed, as the child newly borne. Nay (said the Recorder) if you be so obstinate, we will bring Glazier forth, who to your shame shall testify it, and then you are not only guilty of the poison, but also of the act doing: and therefore confess the truth & shame the devil. Well (said Robson) I had indeed Ratsbane: but what of that? Why didst thou deny it then (said the Recorder?) it shows a guilty conscience. But what didst thou with it, and to what intent didst thou buy it? Why (said he) the Courthouse is full of Rats, and I bought it to kill them. That is not so (said the Recorder) but the devil is the father of liars, and I fear thou art his son: confess the truth what thou didst with it. Well (said Robson) if you will needs know, I will truly resolve you. I have been long in prison, and I have often heard that poison will break open any iron lock, and therefore I bought it, thinking thereby to get my liberty. Now I have told the truth I hope you will pardon me. No (said the Recorder) thou hast not told the truth: for with it and glass mingled together thou didst poison thy wife: and therefore as thou lookest for any favour at our hands, confess how, and in what manner thou didst it, and who was thy connseller in it. Well, than I perceive (said Robson) you glut after my blood, and if it will pleasure you you shall have it. For they having told him truth, he could no longer deny it: and therefore imagining that Glazier was taken and had confessed all, he openly declared the whole manner aforesaid, how and in what manner he had done it, and for what cause, and who was his counsellor: which they hearing greatly marveled. And so for that time he was committed to prison, where he remained till the Session's day, where he was arraigned and condemned, and according to the law he was there adjudged to be hanged, which was performed.  
The Lord of his insinit grace grant every one better to withstand Satan's temptations, and esehew his subtleties, that they be not led by his allurements, nor entrapped in his snares, who seeketh by all means to bring every one to confusion.  
FINIS.