❧ A very true report of the apprehension and taking of that arch Papist Edmond Campion the Pope his right hand, with three other lewd Iesuite priests, and diuers other lay people, most seditious persons of like sort. containing also a controlment of a most untrue former book set out by one A. M. aliâs anthony monday, concerning the same, as is to be proved and justified by George Ellyot one of the ordinary yeomen of her majesties Chamber. author of this book, and chiefest cause of the finding of the said lewd and seditious people, great enemies to God, their loving Prince and country.  Veritas non quaerit angulos. 
¶ Imprinted at London, at the three Cranes in the vintry by Thomas Dawson. 1581.   

¶ To the Christian reader, George eliot wisheth all due reverence.  
SOme experience( Christian Reader) that I haue gathered by keeping company with such seditious people as Campion and his associates are, partly moveth me to writ this book, and partly I am urged thereunto( although my wisdom and skill bee very slender to set down and pen matter of less moment then this) for that I being one of the two in commission at that time, from her highnesse most honourable privy counsel for the apprehending of the said seditious Campion, and such like, and the chiefest cause of the finding out of the said lewd people, as hereafter more at large appeareth: do think it a great abuse, that the most parte of her majesties loving subiectes, shalbe seduced to beleeue an untruth, and myself, and he which was in commission with me, whose name is david Ienkins, one of the messengers of her majesties Chamber, very vilel● slandered with a book set out by one Anthony monday, concerning the apprehension of the said lewd people, which for the truth thereof, is almost as far different from truth, as darkness from light, and as contrary to truth, as an egg is contrary in likeness to an oyster.  
And therefore, considering, I am able to report a troth for the manner of the finding and taking of the said seditious persons,( although fine skill be far from me to paint it out) hoping the wise will bear with my want therein, and esteem a true tale, bee it never so bluntly  told, rather then a lie, be it never so finely handled: I haue emboldened myself to take this Treatise in hand wherein( God willing) I will describe nothing but truth as in brief by the sequel shal appear. Which is this: That abouts four yeeres past,( the divell being a crafty fox, and chief patron doubtless of the Popes prelacy) having diuers and many Officers and inferior substitutes to the Pope his chief Viear, and intending by them, to increase the kingdom of this Antichrist. Dispersed his said officers in diuers places of this realm, where like vagrant persons,( refusing to liuewithin the lawful government of their country) they led a loose life, wandring & running hither and thither, from shire to shire, and country to country, with such store of Romish relics, popish pelf, trifles & trash, as were able to make any Christian heart( that hath seen the trial of such practifes as I haue done) eve for sorrow to bleed, only-thereby to draw the queens Maiestres subiects their heartes and faiths both from God and her highnesss, as namely by delivering unto them bulls from Rome, Pardons, Indulgences, medals, Agnus Dei, hallowed grains and beads, Crucifixes, painted pictures, & such other paltry▪ every part whereof they will not let to say to bee matters very necessary for salvation. By reason whereof( most loving Reader) I myself about that time by the space of one quarter of an year together, was deeply be witched and drawn into their darkness, as the blindest bayarde of them all. But at the last even then, by Gods great goodness, mighty providence, and especial grace, all their enchantments, witcheraftes, sorceries, devilish devises and practices we are so broken and untied in me and the brightness of Gods divine majesty shining so surely in my heart and conscience, that I perceived all their doings to bee as they are in deed, only shows without substance, manifest errors and deceitful juggling casts and none others. Notwithstanding, I determined with myself( for certain causes which I omit) to sound the depth of their devilish drifts( if I might) & the rather therefore used and frequented their companies, whereby appeared unto me not a few of their ungracious and villainous false harts faiths, and disloyal mindes, slanderous words, and most vile treasons, towards my most excellent and noble mystrys the queens majesty, and towards diuers of her most honourable privy council, in such sort as many times did make mine eyes to gush out with tears for very sorrow and fear to think of it. Wherefore lately I made my humble submission unto the right honourable her Highnesse privy council for my unlawful living as aforesaid: at whose hands I found such honourable dealing & by their means such mercy from her majesty, that I wish with all my heart all the papists which are subiects born to her high nesse to run the same course that I haue done, and then should they easily see what difference there is between the good and merciful dealing of our most gracious loving and natural prince: & the great treacheries of that great enemy to our country the Pope. For her highnesse freely forgiveth offenders, but the Pope pardoneth for money: her graces hands are continually full of mercy, ready to deliver enough freely to any that will desire and deserve it, and the Pope his great clutches and fists, are ready to deliver nothing but devilish devises and paltry stuff of his own making, to set country and country together by the ears, and yet for these hath he money. Truly it is a most lamentable case, that ever any Christian should be seduced and drawn from the true worshipping of God, and their duty to their Prince and country( as many are) by the Pope and his satanical crew. I beseech God turn their heartes, and grant us all amendment, which can neither be too timely( if it were presently) nor never too late, whensoever it shall happen, unless wilfully they proceed in their dealings, which God forbid: for humanum est errare, perseverare belluinum.  
Shortly after my submission and reconciliation as aforesaid. It pleased my Lords of her Highnesse most honourable privy council to grant the commission that I before spake of, to myself, and to the said david Ienkins, for the apprehension of certain lewd Iesuite Priestes, and other seditious persons of like sort, wheresoever wee should happen to find them within england. Whereupon wee determined a certain voyage, in which Edmond Campion the aforesaid Iesuite and others were by us taken and brought to the tower of London in manner as hereafter followeth▪   

The true maner of taking of Edmond Campion and his assotiates.  
IT happenend that after the receipt of our commission aforesaid, we consulted between ourselves, what way were best to take first, for we were utterly ignorant, where or in what place certainly to find out the said Campion, or his compéeres. And our consultation was shortly determined, for the greatest part of our travell and dealings in this service, did lye chiefly vpon mine own determination, by reason of mine acquaintance and knowledge of diuers of like sect. It then presently came to my remembrance of certains acquaintan●e which I once had with one Thomas Cowper a cook, who in november was too years, served M. Thomas Roope● of Kent, where at that time I in like maner served, and both of us about the same month departed the said▪ master Rooper his service, I into Essex, and the said Cowper to Lyforde in berkshire, to one master Yates, from whence within one half year after, I was advertised in Essex that the said cook was placed in service, and that the said master Yates was a very earnest Papist, & one that gave great entertainment to any of that sect: which tale being told me in Essex two years before we entred this journey, by Gods great goodness came to my memory, but even the day before we set forth. hereof I informed the said david Jenckins being my fellow in Commission, & told him it would be our best way to go thythee first, for that it was not meant that we should go to any place, but where in deed I either had▪ acquaintance, or by some means possible in our journey, could get acquaintance, and told him we would dispose of our journey in such sort as we might come to the said maister-Yates vpon the Sunday about eight of the clock in the morning, where, said I, if we find the said cook, and that there be any mass to be said there that day or any massing Priest in the house, the cook for old acquaintance, & for that he supposeth me to be a papist will bring me to the sight thereof. And vpon this determination, we set front London the xiiii. day of July last, and came to the said master Yates house the xvi. of the same month being Sunday, abouts the hour aforesaid, where without the gates of the same house we espied one of the seruants of the house, who most likely seemed by reason of his lying aloof, to be as it were a scout watcher, that they within might accomplish their secret matters more safely. I called the said seruant, and enquired of him for the said Thomas Cowper the cook, who answered that he could not well tell, whether he were within or not. I prayed him that he would friend me so much as to see, and told him my name, the said seruant did so( it seemed) for the cook came forth presently unto us, where we sate still vpon horseback, and after a few such speeches as betwixt friend and friend when they haue been long as under were passed, still sitting upon our Horses, I told him that I had longed to see him, and that I was then traveling into Darbiesheire to see my friends, and came so far out of my way to see him, and said I, Now I haue seen you, my mind is well satisfied, and so fare, you well, No, saith he, that shal you not do before dinner. I made the matter very earnest to be gone, & he more earnest & importune to stay me.( But in truth I was as willing to stay as he to haue me.) And so perforce there was no remedy but stay we must, and having lighted from horseback, and being by him brought▪ into the house, and so into the Buttery, and there caused to drink: presently after, the said cook came and whispered with me, and asked whether my friend( meaning the said Jenckins) were within the Church or not, therein meaning whether he were a papist or no, to which I answered, he was not, but yet( said I) he is a very honest man and one that wisheth well that way. Then said the cook to me will you go up, by which speech, I knew he would bring me to a mass, and I answered him, and said, yea for Gods sake, that let me do, for seeing I must needs tarry, 
Some men blame me for dissembling the matter as I did but to do my Prince & country service, I hold it lawful to use any reasonable policy. For the field is not always won by strength.  let me take some thing with me, that is good. And so we left Jenckins in the Buttery, and I was brought by the cook through the hall, the dinening Parlour, and two or three other odd rooms, and then into a faire large chamber, where there was at the same instant one Priest called▪ Satwell saying mass; two other Priestes kneeling by, whereof one was Campion, and the other called Peters alias Collington, three Nunnes, and xxxvii. other people. When Satwell had finished his mass, then Campion he invested himself to say mass, and so he did, and at the end thereof, made holy bread and delivered it to the people there, to every one some, together with holy water, whereof he gave to me parte also. And then was there a chair set in the chamber some thing beneath the altar, wherein the said Campion did sit down, and there made a Sermon very nigh an hour long, the effect of his text being as I remember, That christ wept over jerusalem, &c. And so applied the same to this our 
I had once my commission in my hand to haue dealt with them myself alone in the chamber. If I had, I pray you judge what had happened unto me.  country of England, for that the Pope his authority and doctrine did not so floorishe héere as the said Campion desired. At the end of which Sermon I got down unto the said Jenckins so soon as I could.( For during the time that the masses & Sermon was made, Jenckins remained still beneath in the Butterie or Hall, not knowing of any such matter, until I gave him some intelligence▪ what I had seen) and so we departed with as convenient expedition as we might, and came to one master Fettiplace a Justice of peace in the said country, whom we made privy of our doings therein, and required him, that according to the tenor of our commission, he would take sufficient power, and go with us thither. whereupon the said Justice of peace, within one quarter of an hour put himself in a readiness with forty or fifty men very well weaponed, who went in great hast together, with the said master Fettyplace and us to the said M. Yates his house. Where at our coming vpon the sudden, being abouts one of the clock in the afternoon of the same day, before we knocked at the gates( which was then) as before it was continually accustomend to be fast shut, the house being moted round about, within which meet was great store of fruite-trées and other trees, with thick hedge rows, so that the danger for fear of losing of the said Campion and his associates was the more doubted). we beset the house with our men round about without the Mote in the best sort we could devise, and then knocked at the gates, and were presently heard and espied, but kept out by the space of half an hour( In which time as it seemeth, they had hidden Campion▪ and the other two priests in a very secret place with: in the said house, and had made reasonable purueiance for him as hereafter is mentioned) and then they let us into the house, where came presently to our sights mystrys Yates▪ the goodwife of the house, five Gentlemen, one Gentlewoman, & three Nunnes,( the Nunnes being then disguised in Gentlewomans 
One nun got away in country maides apparel.  apparel not like unto that they heard mass in) All which I well remembered to haue seen the same morning at the Masses and Sermon aforesaid, yet every one of thē a great while denied it, & especially the said Mystrys Yates, who could 
Mystris Yates proffered us a good some of money to haue given over our search.  not be content only to make a plain denial of the said Masses, and the priests, but with great and horrible oaths forswore the same, betaking herself to the divell if any such were there, in such sort, as if I had not seen them with mine own eyes, I should haue believed 
master Yates was then as he is still in prison in Reading for papistry.  her. But knowing certainly that these were but bare excuses, and that we should find the said Campion and his compéeres if we made narrow search, I estsoones put master Fettyplace in remembrance of our Commission, and so he, myself, and the said Jenckins her majesties messenger, went to searching the house where we found many secret corners, continuing the search( although with no small toil) in the orchards, hedges, and ditches, within the Mote and diuers other places, & at the last found out master Edward Yates, brother to the goodman of the house, and two countrymen called Weblin and Maunsfielde, fast locked together in a pigeon house, but we could not find at that time Campion and the other two Priestes, whom we specially sought for. It drew then something towards evening, and doubting least we were not strong enough, wee sent our Commission to one master Foster high sheiriffe of Barkeshiere, and to one master Wisemen a Justice of peace within the same county, for some further aid at their hands. The said master Wiseman came with very good speed unto us the same evening with ten or twelve of his own men, very able men and well appointed. But the said master Foster could not be found as the messenger that went for him returned us answer. And so the said house was beset the same night with( at the least) threescore men well weaponed, who watched the same very diligently. And the next day being monday, in the morning very early, came one master Christopher Lydcot & Justice of Peace of the same shire, with a great 〈◇〉? his own men all very well appointed, whom together with his m●n, shewed such earnest, loyal, and forward service in those affairs, as was no small comfort and encouragement to all those, which were present, and did bear true hearts and good wills to her majesty. The same morning began a fresh search for the said Priests which continues with very great labour, until abouts ten of the clock in the forenoon of the same day, but the said Priestes could not bee found, and every man almost persuaded that they were not there. Yet still searching( although in 〈…〉 voided of any hope for finding of them) the said david Jenckins by Gods great goodness, espied a certain secret place, which he quickly found to be hollow, and with a p●●●e of iron which he had in his hand, much like unto an harro●tine, he forthwith did break a hole into 
master Lydcot was then hard by.  the said place, where then presently he perceived the said Priests, lying all close together vpon a bed, of purpose there▪ laid for them, where they had bread, meate, and drink, sufficient to haue relieved them, three or four dayes together. The said Jenckins then called very loudly, and said, I haue found the traitors, and presently company enough was with him, who there saw the said Priestes,( when there was no remedy for them, but no: lens volens) courteously yield themselves. Shortly after came one master 
First myself road post to the court. And after me the said messenger.  read an other Justice of peace of the said shire to be assistant in these affairs. Of all which matters news was immediately carried in great hast to the lords of the privy council, who gave further Commission, that the said Priestes and certain other their associates, should be brought to the Court under the conduction of myself and the said Jenckins, with commandement to the sheirife to deliver us sufficient aid forth of his shire, for the safe bringing up of the said people. After that the rumour and noise for the finding out of the said Campion, Satwell & Peters alias Collington, was in the said house some thing assuaged, and that the sight of them was to the people ther no great novelty. Then was the said high sheirife sent for once again, who all that while had not been seen in this service, and but then came and received into his charge the said Priestes & certain 
anthony Manday saith, the sheriff and his men gave him instructions for the setting out of the said untrue book.  others from that day until Thursday following. The fourth priest which was by us brought up to the Tower, whose name is William Fylbye was not taken with the said Campion & the rest in the said house, but was apprehended & taken in our watch by chance in coming to the said house to speak with the said Peters as he said, and thereupon delivered likewise in charge to the sheirife with the rest. upon Thursday the xx. day of July last, we set forwards from the said master Yates his house towards the court, with our said charge, being assisted by the said master Lydcot and master Wiseman, and a great sort of their men, who never left us until we came to the Tower of London. There were besides that guarded us thither fifty or threescore ●orsemen, very able men and well appointed, which we received by the said sheirife his appointment. we went that day to Henly vpon Thames, where we lodged that night, & about midnight we were put into great fear by reason of a very great cry and noise that the said Fylbye made in his sleep, which wakenend the most that were that night in the house, and that in such sort that every man almost, thought that some of the prisoners had been broken from us and escaped, although there was in and abouts the same house a very strong watch appointed and charged for the same. The foresaid master Lydcot was the first that came unto them, and when the matter was examined, it was found no more, but that the said Fylbye was in a dream, and as he said, he verity thought one to be a ripping down his body, and taking out his bowels.  
The next day being Friday, we set forward from Henly, and by the way received commandment by a purse●●unt from the lords of the privy council, that we should stay that night at Colbrooke, and the next day after being▪ saturday to bring them through the city of London unto the tower, and there to deliver them unto the charge of sir▪ O win Hopton, Knight, her majesties Leyuetenant of the same, which accordingly we did. And this in effect is the true discourse▪ that was used in the apprehension of the said Campion▪ and his associates.  
Some men may marvel that I would bee silent so long for the setting out of the manner of their takinges, considering I find myself agréeued with the same untrue report set out before by the said A. M. In good faith I meant nothing less, then to take any such matter in hand, if so great an vutruth had not been published against us, that were doers in those affairs, and besides hitherto diuers other weightier business haue partly hindered me therein.  
But now at the last, although very late, I haue rudely set down the verity in this matter, thinking it, better to tell a true tale by leisure, then a lie in hashe, as the said A. M. by his former book hath done to his own discredit, the deluding of her majesties liege people, and the slander of some which haue intermeddled in the said cause.  

¶ The names of those that were taken and brought up to the Tower of London as aforesaid.  
1 Edmond Campion Iesuite and priest.  


Priestes.  
2 Thomas Satwell.  
3 John Peters alias Collington  
4 William Fylbye.    


Gentlemen.  
5 Edwarde Yates.  
6 Edward Keynes.  
7 humphrey Keynes.  
8 John Co●●o●.  
9 William Ilsley.  
10 John jacob.    


Husbandmen and neighbors thereby.  
11 John Manusfielde.  
12 William Weblyn.     
Since the committing of the persons before name to the Tower as aforesaid, there hath been for my service done in those and such like affairs, no small nor few brags, fastings, 
Campion when he first saw me after his apprehension, said vn to me, that my service done in the taking of him would bee unfortunate to me. And in our journey towards the Tower, he advised me to get me out of England for the fafetie of my body.  curses & evil wishes given out against me by such as( if they were known) deserve both little liberty and small favour. Some of my friends haue doubted least that sort of lewd people would do their good wills to hurt me, by some secret devise, as conjuration▪ witchcraft, or such like, the which I rather think to be true, for that shorly after the foresaid business ended, it pleased GOD to visit me with some sickness after I was gone to bed at night which in deed for two or three houres handled me something hardly. But God I take to witness I never was of that opinion, that it came to me by any other means, but onely by riding post two or three journeys about the business aforesaid, yet within one day or two after my sickness, there came to a neighbours house where I lodged in southwark one Mystrys Beysaunt a widow, whose abode is most about Saint Mary overies, and at the least by report smelleth of papistry, & asked the good wife of the house for me, and what shée had lately heard of me, shée answered shée knew me not, nor nothing shée had heard of me. Then said mystris Beysaunt, the very truth is, it is he that took Campion and the rest of the company that are in the Tower, and was the cause that master Roper and diuers other good men are troubled, and the last day( saith shée) he did fall mad in the 
It seemeth she was privy to some secret practise against me.  street, and was carried so into his lodging, and is not like to escape with life. I pray you inquire further of him, and let me haue knowledge thereof. So that hereby I may plainly see, that the papists take great care for me, but whether it be for my weal or woe, and what her meaning was let the world judge. But let the divell, the Pope, and them do what they can, my faith standeth so sure on Christ Jesu my saviour, that through him I defy them all.  
There hath been great murmuring and grudging against me, about the committing of the foresaid master Thomas Roper, and many faults haue been found for the same. What I did therein I mean not héere to recite, but my dealings in those causes are known to such as before whom I think the fault finders dare not show their faces. But whatsoever I did against him I would haue done against mine own Father, the case standing as it did, yet such find faults to make the matter seem more odious to the world against me, do not stick to report and say that the said master Roper hath brought me up from my childhood, to this day, at his onely charges, which is is so false as God is true. For although I was his servant, I continued with him in all, not past one year.  
But to conclude, a great number of such like untruths haue been published against me, and no few bold brags as report goeth. I could name some if I would, but I let them pass, unless I be commanded to the contrary by such as haue authority to deal with me therein. God grant them amendment( I mean not towards myself) or else make their doings known in such sort as they may haue their deservings, or at least be put to the mercy of her majesty, to whose highnesse Jesus send long life, a prosperous reign, with all ioy and felicity.  
Amen.  
George eliot.   

Imprinted at London at three Cranes in the vintry, by Thomas Dawson▪ 1581