A NARRATIVE of the Proceed at the Sessions, HELD IN justice-hall AT THE OLD-BALY.  
SHOWING The Several Crimes of the malefactors; VIZ.  

Treasons,  
Murders,  
Robberies,  
Burglaries, and  
Felonies.   
There were Sixteen burned in the hand, Three Men, and Three Women Condemned, but two of them pleaded their Bellies, and were Reprieved by the Court, there were four to be transported, and one to stand in the Pillory.  

With Allowance;  
Roger L'Estrange.   
Printed for john Millet. 1676.   

A Narrative of the Proceed at the Sessions, etc.  
EVery Age, nay, every Sessions brings forth new Crimes, and many times more Prodigious than the former, of which I shall give you a Cursery: the first account of such as were tried this Sessions in the Old-Bayly, was a Murder committed by a Boy, aged thirteen years and a Month: in Christmas time he unhappily quarrelled with another Boy, being his Fellow-Apprentice, about their Aprons: the Prisoner cut the others Apron-strings, and the other attempting to cut his, the Prisoner took a Threepenny Knife, and stabbed him in the Belly: then he run out, and cried, Lord Jesus Receive my Soul, Daniel has Killed me: The Young Youth was committed to the Gatehouse, he living near Westminster, and from thence brought to Newgate, and Tried at the Old-Bayly: he had been taught how to excuse the Fact, but his Memory was as much Corrupted as his mind, so that he made an imperfect excuse, pretending that he had the Knife in his hand, and the other came running towards him, and stumbled upon the point of his Knife, but it appeared to be otherwise to the Jury, and they brought him in, Guilty of Manslaughter.  
The next Fact appeared to be much more Barbarous than the former, a man living in White-chappel, was Arrested by a Marshal's-man, and as soon as the Officer told him of the Arrest, he with a bloody hand, and barbarous mind, thrust a very strange Weapon into his Belly, that being done, with as much vigour and as little sense and grace, he thrust at another, but his nimble body escaped his malicious purpose, and an unexpected Multitude surprised him, and took him Prisoner: when the danger of his further mischief was over, they begun to parley with him, and asked why he would do so Barbarous an act? he replied, That if he had not Killed the Bailiff, he should have gone to the marshalsea on foot, but now he was to go to Newgate in a Coach: but though he seemed to be of a resolute mind, and of an undaunted courage, yet by a serious consideration, he pleaded eagerly to excuse the Fact. but all in vain, for he was found, Guilty of Murder.  
After these, another was brought to the Bar for Murder, it appeared that he was making a joynt-stool in Clarendin-house, and one that seemed to have some interest there, told him that he should not do it there, the other replied, he would: then the other struck him, and his strokes were answered with a blow with a Miller, upon his arm: the other that was Killed challenged him to fight, which he refused to do, than he went to lock him in, but the other frustrated his designs: the slain struck at him three or four times, and he then smote him on the head with his Saw, and his Hat being off, he pierced his Scull, and the wound reached very near his Brains, upon which, within less than two days he Died, the Provocations being considered by the Jury, he was only found, Guilty of Manslaughter.  
Then succeeded the Trial of a very Young Youth, who was Indicted for Stealing one quarter of a Yard of Silk-Lutestring, and a quarter of a yard of Mascarade from a Tailor, to whom he was a Probationary Apprentice: upon his Indictment he Childishly and Innocently pleaded Guilty to the Felony: but the Court, by reason of his Youth, ordered him to be brought back to the Bar to plead to his Bill, and he pleaded not Guilty, and was quitted.  
There was likewise an Irishman Tried, for Stealing two hundred pounds from his Master, but though several Circumstances seemed to stick as close to him as the Chain to his Leg; yet nothing could be fully proved against him, and therefore he was acquitted.  
There was another arraigned for Felony and Burglary, but would not Plead till his Wife, who was accused with him might be released; The Court urged him in vain, and told him the Press was ready: he confidently replied, that he was as ready for the Press: but the Court having enough to do that day, did l●t him alone till another, and ere that time was expired, possibly he would alter his Resolution.  
A●ter this a Youth was tried for a burglary committed in a house at Finchley: the man said, his house was broke open, a Napkin, a Neat's, and some silver spoons were taken away, but he knew not by whom; then another Witness was called, and he said that he was in the Robbery with the Prisoner, the other denied it; then the Evidence said that he was in that, and in at least twenty other Robberies with him, and if that would not do his business, the rest should; be pleased to know that this his accuser was a very great Criminal, and said with others, to the end they should make a Candid Discovery: but the jury acquitted the young man, being satisfied that such fellows often prove lame in their prosecution, for a reward it is supposed they spare some that are Guilty, and often lay the burden upon those that least deserve it.  
There was likewise one in the Habit of a Gentlewoman, that took a Trial for stealing a Silver Tankard, and a considerable parcel of Money from a Citizen; the manner was thus; she pretendly went to provide a Lodging for a person of Honour; Stewart and another Irish Gentleman; and when she had accomplished her Designs, the Gentlemen came, and were wellcomly entertained; and it being Christmas time, at night they went to Cards with the Landlord, the Landlady being gone a visiting; in a little time they wanted some Double beer, and there was none to fetch it but the Master of the house; he therefore went to the next door and ordered the Maid to bring them in a quart or two; afterwards they wanted some Wine, he went the same way to work to supply their wants, but not long after they desired him to fetch them some double bear himself; he readily obeyed the commands of his noble, and as he thought profitable guests, and was no sooner gone, but they marched up stairs to seek out his treasures, & breaking open a closet they found a silver Tankard, & a considerable parcel of money, which they took, and left him to pay for the double ale, and not long after they met with this woman, and brought her to a Trial, who said that one of the Gentlemen was her Husband, and produced a Certifficate to affirm it, but the Jury than brought her in guilty of the fact.  
There was another woman tried for high treason; the cause was this. She came to a shop at Ludgate-hill, and desired them to change her a shilling, they perceiving it clipped told her that she deserved to be questioned how she came by it, she thereupon run away, but they being too nimble overtook her, and suspecting her guilt, carried her before a Magistrate, who committed her to prison, her lodging was searched, and Pots, shears, and clippings found in it, but the jury presumed to think it was her Husband's handiwork rather than hers, therefore acquitted her.  
There were two men drinking, and there arose a dispute between them concerning a Spanish word, one affirmed that it was not properly expressed, the other gave him provoking language for saying so, he replied, Sir I know not how to bear that affront; then said the other if you like it not follow me out; then he seemed willing, but was prevented by the rest of the company, who laboured afterwards to compose their differences, and they seeming well reconciled; the company left them, about an hour after they fell to quarrelling again, and being out of doors he that gave the unseemly language bid the other draw or else he would run him through; he thereupon unsheathed his Rapier, and in the quarrel run the challenger into the arm, the neighbours soon put a period to their fight, and parted them. But the wound proved mortal, and the other was therefore accused for the murder, but the jury perceiving by the evidence that he was compelled to draw to secure his life, brought in their verdict, Se Defendendo.  
There was a man and a Woman tried for a Burglary, but the house being broken open in the day time, it was esteemed a felony, the man was found guilty, the other acquitted being his wife.  
There was one tried for breaking open a house at Highgate, taking away a brass clock, and a Virginy-Nightingale, but though he was seen that day with the clock, yet the evidence could not swear those things were theirs therefore he was acquitted.  
There was one invicted for cutting a Gentlewoman's pocket, and taking from her a box and five shillings, and three groats, she being apprehended upon suspicion, and search being made they found a box like hers, and the same sum was in it, but she would not swear that was her box, nor that her money, every like not being the same, therefore she was in like manner acquitted.  
There was a man that came to a Watchmaker, accompanied with a footman, who desired to see some Watches for his Master; after he had seen many, he made choice of two of the best, one gold, the other filver, and the Apprentice was sent with him to bring the Watch or money for them, but when he got into the Temple, he pretended to go up stairs to his master, and so gave the young man the slip, for which he was ordered to stand in the pillory.  
There were 16 burned in the hand, 3 men and 3 women condemned; 2 of the women pleaded they were with Child, and therefore reprieved for a time by the Court; 4 ordered to be transported, & 1 to the Pillory.  
FINIS.