THE ARRAIGNMENT of John Selman, who was executed near Charingcross the 7. of january, 1612. for a Felony by him committed in the King's Chapel at White-Hall upon Christmas day last, in presence of the King and divers of the Nobility.   depiction of John Selman holding a purse 
LONDON, Printed by W.H. for Thomas Archer, and are to be sold at his shop in Popes-head Palace, 1612.   

A TRUE RELAtion of the apprehending, examining, committing, inditing, arraigning, and convicting of john Selman.  
THe miserable and mischievous sins that men are howerlydrawn into by the malicious means, subtle snares, enticements and allurements of the Devil: are so many and monstrous, that were not our own eyes continual witnesses of the effect which they do daily work in many, it were not possible we could or should believe that, which every minute is thrown into our own ears by the report of others.  
As for example, would or could any one be persuaded, that a man should be so audacious, or irreligious, as to venture or enter into the House of God, with a prejudicated and resolved mind, to do a deed that any honest Christian would tremble and quake, but to think upon, in regard of the time, place, and persons there present, which in brief was this. On Wednesday the 25. of December last passed, being Christmas day, one john Selman did presume to come into the Chapel at White-Hall, with intent and purpose to do that which at last he effected, which was either to cut a purse, or pic. a pocket: and hovering long about one Leonatd Barry servant to the Right Honourable, the Lord Harrington, was espied and noted by one M. double day, who for some reasons which hereafter you shall hear, did not cease with his eye to follow him, suspecting him to be such a one, as presently after by the fact, and his own confession he did approve himself to be: for john Selman, after long hawking, and following of the foresaid Leonard Barry (which was still noted by the foresaid M. Dubbleday,) the said john Selman after he had (as it seemed) purchased his prize, took his way forth of the Chapel, which M. Dubbleday perceiving, he came dirrctly to the foresaid Leonard Barry, and did ask him whether he wanted any thing out of his pockets or no: to which he answered, no surely sir I think I do not. But M. Dubbleday willed him to be sure, and thereupon Leon●●d Barry putting his hand into his pocket missed his purse, & said to M. Dubleday, Sir, I have lost my purse. Then said M. Dubleday, go with me and follow that man, for surely he hath it, meaning the foresaid john Selman: and thereupon M. Doubleday and Leonard Barry followed john Selman forth of the Chapel, and having overtaken him, M. Dubbleday stint before Selman, and caught him fast by both the Wrists, willing Leonard Barry to search his pockets, for there quoth M. Dubbleday shall you find your purse: Leonard Barry putting his hand into one of Selmans' pockets, found nothing there but a knife in a sheath: but in the other pocket he found his purse, and opening of it, he found his money all there which he had put in in the morning. The purse was a double purse of Leather into which Leonard Barry had put in twenty shillings into the one part of the purse, and twenty shillings into the other.  
The sudden coming of M. Dubbleday unto Leonard Barrie, together with his speech to him in the Chapel, as also their hasty following of Selman forth of the Chapel, caused the bystanders with admiration to look after them, and one to inquire of another, what might be the cause of that sod●ine tumult.  
In brief it came to his majesties ear, who being then in his royal person, accompanied with our gracious Queen, the thrice noble Prince, the Duke of York, and the Lady Elizabeth, with divers of the Nobility, his sacred Majesty being ready to receive the Sacrament, was somewhat disturbed with the report hereof, and thereupon his most excellent Majesty gave commandment that the malefactor should be detained and further examined.  
The celebration of the holy Sacrament being performed, which in short time after Selman was brought before the Right worshipful Sir Robert Banistre Clerke of the Greenecloth for his majesties Household, who examining the said Selman, he did confess as followeth.   

The Examination of john Selman before the Right Worshipful Sir ROBERT BANISTRE Clerke of the Greencloth for his majesties Household, taken the xxv. of December. 1611.  
FIrst he saith, that he dwelleth in Shoe Lane, and that he hath no Trade which he betaketh himself unto. Being examined of the business he had at Court, he answereth, that he had not any that was good, and further confesseth that he did in his majesties Chapel the same day take out of the pocket of one Leonard Barry servant to the L. Harington, a purse with money in it: but what sum he knows not, in regard as soon as he was possessed of it he was apprehended, and the said purse taken from him.  
john Selman having been thus examined by Sir Rober Banistre, he was by him committed to the custody of certain of the Knight Marshals men, with commandment to convey him presently to the prison of the Marshalsey.  
Now, gentle Readers, you must understand, that this Selman came into the King's Chapel in very good and seemly apparel, like unto a Gentleman, or Citizen: viz. a fair black Cloak laced, and either lined thorough or faced with velvet. The rest of his apparel in reasonable manner being answerable thereunto. Which was the cause that he without resistance had free entrance into that holy and sanctified place.  
But he had not been long in the Marshal see, ere that his gallant apparel was fetched from him, and meaner brought unto him, in which he came to his arraignment.  
On Twesday being the last of December 1611. master Richardson (Marshal of the marshal say) having received a write or warrant to that effect, did bring up his prisoner, the foresaid john Selman, to Westminster to the King's bench bar, there to receive his trial before certain of his majesties Commissioners, whose names are as followeth.  
The names of his majesties Commissioners there assembled. 

William Lord Knollis.  
Sir Thomas Vavasor.  
Sir Francis Backon.  
Sir Arthur Gorge.  
Sir Robert Banistre.   and others of the Green Cloth. 

Sir Edmond Bowyer.  
Sir Robert Leighe.  
and Mr. Philip Gerrard.    
The Court being set, Proclamation was made, and every man charged to keep silence, while the King's Commission was reading on pain of imprisonment.  
The commission being read, the grand inquest was called, who did appear all being his majesties servants, whose names are as followeth.  
The names of the grand inquest. 

William Lancaster, Esquire.  
Edward Blackgrave, Esquire:  
john Bull, Gentleman.  
Edward Beak, Yeoman.  
William Yates, Yeo.  
Richard Langley, Yeo.  
Robert Powlston, Yeo.  
Thomas Gawen, Yeo.  
Anthony Barklet, Yeo.  
Richard Gregory, Yeo.  
George Cordall. Yeo.  
Roger Terry. Yeo.  
William Carter. Yeo.  
Edward Kiffin. Yeo.  
john Browne, Yeo.  
john Whitlocke. Yeo.  
john Wonnam, Yeo.  
Richard Dyar, Yeo.    
These Gentlemen and Yeomen being called and sworn, Proclamation was made again, & every man charged to keep silence while the charge was given to the great Inquest, on pain of imprisonment.  
The charge being given to the Grand Inquest by Sir Francis Bacon, the King's Solister.  
The Bill of Indictment was preferred unto them, for the approbation whereof, The foresaid Leonard Barrie and Edmond Dubleday were called and sworn to give their true testimony for satisfying of the Jury, and to that purpose, Leonard was first called and charged by virtue of his oath to deliver the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, concerning the matter in question between the King's Majesty and john Selman the prisoner indicted, his testimony was as followeth.   

The evidence of Leonard Barry given to the Great Inquest.  
FIrst he said, that on Christmas day in the morning, being the xxv. of December 1611. he came into the kings Chapel at Whitehall, with intent to hear the divine service and sermon, to see his majesties Royal Person, and the celebration of the most holy & blessed Sacrament, and being there in the Chapel, the foresaid M. Dubleday came unto him, and did ask him whether he had lost any thing out of his pockets or no: to which he answered, not any thing surely sir as I think. But M Dubleday willed me quickly to search, and to be sure, and thereupon I thrust my hands into my pockets, and missed my purse: which M. Dubleday perceiving, willed me to go with him, and follow that man, pointing to Selman, which we did, and overtaking him, searched him, and with him did find my purse, and all my money, and this is all said he, that I can say: and thereupon M. Dubleday was called and charged, that by virtue of his Doth, he should likewise deliver the truth and the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, concerning the matter in question between the King's Majesty and john Selman the prisoner indicted.   

The evidence of Edmond Dubleday given to the great Inquest.  
FIrst he said that being in the Chapel one Christmas day last, he did espy there the foresaid Selman, whom he did much suspect to be a very lose and lewd fellow, and that made him very strictly, but covertly to watch him, notwithstanding his formality in apparel. At last he did perceive Selman to take his way out of the Chapel, after he had been long about the foresaid Leonard Barry, and thereupon he came to the said Barry, and spoke to him as aforesaid, and afterward with him did follow and apprehend the said Selman, and found about him the purse of the said Leonard Barry, and forty shillings in money therein: but M. Dubleday being demanded by the Court, what reason he had to suspect him more than any other man in the Chapel, to which he answered as followeth.  
That he having business in the Term time at Westminster Hall in the Cheker Chamber, this Selman said he, that is now prisoner was very near about me, and so near, as I could, and did wish that he had been further off, because I did assure myself that he had no good meaning to me, keeping so near me, and having no business with me, and that was the cause that I did suspect him.  
And thereupon the great Inquest being ready to go together, they were willed for their better satisfaction to stay and hear the examination and confession of the said john Selman taken before Sir Robert Banistre Clerke of the green Cloth, etc. Which examination together with the prisoners own confession was red unto them as it is before set down. All which when they had heard, they went not from the bar, but called for pen and ink, and to the indictment subscribed Billa Vera, which with a general and free consent of them all was delivered up.  
That being done, master Richardson Martial of the Marshal say was called and willed to bring in his prisoner, which he did, and he being placed at the Bar, was commanded by the name of john Selman to hold up his hand, which he did, then was the indictment read: which was this.  
john Selman, hold up thy hand, thou standest here indicted by the name of john Selman late of London yeoman, for that thou the twenty fifth day of December in the ninth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord james by the grace of God King of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith, etc. and of Scotland the five and forty, at the house of our Sovereign Lord the King, called White Hall in the County of Midlesex within the verge, our Sovereign Lord the King, being then in his Royal Majesty, at Whitehal aforesaid, withforce and Arms did make an assault upon one Leonard Barrie, and one purse of the value of one halfpenny and forty shillings ready money in the same purse, then and there being of the goods and money of the foresaid Leonard Barrie, from the person of the said Leonard Barrie, privily and without the knowledge of the said Leonard, then and there feloniously did take and carry contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, his Crown, and Dignity.  
What sayest thou john Selman to this felony, art thou guilty or not guilty, to which he answered guilty, then after some small respite or pause, he was demanded by M. Thomas Porter what he could say for himself, why sentence of death according to the law should not be pronounced against him: to which he answered not any thing but prostrating himself on his knees, submitted himself to the King's mercy, humbly praying, that after the law was executed, his body might be delivered to his wife to have Christian burial, and that the goods which he had, (part of which was well gotten, some otherwise) might not be taken from her: to which the Right Worshipful and worthy Gentleman, Sir F. B. answered: Here is an Honourable Lord, and an ancient Counsellor, that upon your true Repentance, and revealing of those of your faculty and fraternity, who are still as ready to enter into the presence Chamber of the King, as you were to enter into the King's Chapel, which is the house of God, wherein he hath promised always to be present, and therefore it may well be called the Sanctum Sanctorum. And therefore said Sir F. if you do this, upon his Honour's report to the kings Majesty, questionless your request will be granted.  
Then Selman speaking to the Commissioners, nominated one (who as he said, was then in the Hall, which could (if he would) do good service to the King, by revealing many of that profession, his name as I have heard is I. H.  
This being done, Sir Francis ●acon, to whom at that tune it did belong, proceeded to judgement, and ask on the prisoner, thus or to this effect, in some sort he spoke.  
The first and greatest sin that ever was committed was done in Heaven. The second was done in Paradise, being heaven upon earth, and truly I cannot choose but place this in the third rank, in regard it was done in the house of God, where he by his own promise is always resident, as also for that the cause of that assembly was to celebrate the Feast of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Christ jesus. And God's Lieutenant here on earth, being in God's house there present, ready to receive the holy and blessed Sacrament, all which being considered, the time, place, and persons there present, and therefore I do advise thee that as thou hast submitted thyself to the King's mercy, so thou wilt crave pardon at God's hands, who is more ready to give, than we to crave which if thou dost with a true feeling of thy sin, and repentance, and loathing of thy sin, thou shalt surely be forgiven at God's hands, and being fully persuaded thereof, I will now pronounce thy judgement, which is:  
Thou shalt be had from hence to the place from whence thou camest, and from thence be brought to the place of Execution, which shall be between Charing Cross and the Court gate, and there to be hanged by the neck till thou be dead, and so the Lord have mercy upon thy soul.   

The last speech of Selman at the place of Execution.  
I Am come (as you see) patiently to offer up the sweet, and dear sacrifice of my life, a life, which I have gracelessely abused, and by the unruly course thereof, made my death a scandal to my kindred and acquaintance: I have consumed fortunes gifts in riotous companies, wasted my good name in the purchase of goods unlawfully gotten, and now ending my days in too late repentance, I am placed in the rank of reprobates, which the rusty canker of time must needs turn to oblivion. I stand here as shames example, ready to be spewed out of the Common wealth. I confess, I have known too much, performed more, but consented to most: I have been the only corruption of many ripe witted youth, and leader of them to confusion. Pardon me God, for that is now a burden to my conscience, wash it away sweet Creator, that I may spotless enter into thy glorious kingdom. Whereupon being demanded, if he would discover any of his fraternity, for the good of the Common wealth or not: Answered, that he had already left the names of divers notorious malefactors in writing behind him, which he thought sufficient. So he requested the quietness of conscience that his soul might departed without moelstation. For (quoth he) I have deserved death long before this time, and deservedly now I suffer death. The offence I die for, was high presumption, a fact done even in the King's majesties presence, even in the Church of God, in the time of divine Service, and the celebration of the Sacred Communion, for which if forgiveness may descend from God's tribunal Throne, with penitence of heart I desire it, all which being spoken, he patiently left this world for avother life.  
But see the graceless and vnrepenting minds of such like kind of livers: for, one of his quality (a pick pocket, I mean) even at his execution, grew master of a true man's purse, who being presently taken, was imprisoned, and is like the next sessions to wander the long voyage after his grand Captain, monsieur john Selman, God if it be his blessed will turn their hearts, and make them all honest men.  
FINIS.   

 depiction of John Selman holding a purse