February 10. 1671-79.  
I Do appoint ROBERT PAWLET to Print the TRIALS of Robert Green, Henry Berry and Laurence Hill: And that no other Person presume to Print the same.  
WILLIAM SCROGGS.   

VERITAS EX CINERIBUS REVIVISCIT 
AETATIS SUÆ 57  
The true Effigies of Sr EDMOND BURY GODFREYE Knight and justice of the Peace who was MURDERED by Papists the 12th day of October Anno. Domini. 1678. AETATIS. SUAE 57  
Sold by Arthur Tooker Stationer Print Map, And, Picture Seller At The Royal Hand & Globe Near Chareing Cross  F: H: Van. Hove. Sculp:   

THE TRIALS OF ROBERT GREEN, HENRY BERRY, & LAURENCE HILL, For the Murder of S R. Edmond bury Godfrey K nt.  
One of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of MIDDLESEX; At the Kings-Bench Bar at Westminster, Before the Right Honourable Sir WILLIAM SCROGGS K nt. Lord CHIEF JUSTICE of that Court, And the rest of His Majesty's Judges there; On Monday the 10 th'. of February 1678-79.  
Where, upon full Evidence they were Convicted, and received Sentence accordingly, on Tuesday the next day following.  
LONDON, Printed for Robert Pawlet at the Sign of the Bible in Chancery-Lane near Fleetstreet, 1679.   

THE TRIALS OF ROBERT GREEN, HENRY BERRY and LAURENCE HILL, For the Murder of Sir Edmond bury Godfrey Knight.  
ON WEDNESDAY the 5 th'. of February 1678. Robert Green, Henry Berry and Laurence Hill were brought from His Majesty's Goal of Newgate to the Bar of the Court of Kings-Bench, to be Arraigned for the Murder of Sir EDMONDBURY GODFREY, upon an Indictment found by the Grand Jury for the County of Middlesex, on Monday the morrow of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and the Court proceeded thus.  Mr. Just. Wild Arraigned the Prisoners. Clerk of the Crown Robert Green, 
Hold up thy Hand.  Henry Berry, 
Hold up thy Hand.  Lawrence Hill, 
Hold up thy Hand.  Which they severally did. 
You stand Indicted by the Names of Robert Green late of the Parish of St. Marry le Strand in the County of Middlesex Labourer. Henry Berry late of the same Parish and County Labourer. And Laurence Hill late of the same Parish and County Labourer; for that you three, together with Girald late of the same Parish and County Clerk: Dominick Kelly late of the same Parish and County Clerk: And Phillibert Vernatt late of the same Parish and County Labourer, who are withdrawn * Not having the fear of God before your eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil, the twelfth day of October, in the Thirtieth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles the Second, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. at the Parish of St. Marry le Strand aforesaid, in the County of Middlesex aforesaid, in and upon Sir Edmondbury Godfrey Knight, in the Peace of God, and of our said Sovereign Lord the King, then and there being feloniously, voluntarily, and of your malice aforethought, did make an assault; and that thou the aforesaid Robert Green a certain Linen Handkerchief of the value of six pence about the neck of the said Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, then and there feloniously, wilfully, and of thy malice aforethought, didst fold and fasten; and that thou the said Robert Green, with the Handkerchief aforesaid, by thee the said Robert Green in and about the neck of the said Sir Edmondbury Godfrey in manner and form aforesaid, folded and fastened then and there him the said Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, didst choke and strangle, of which said choking and strangling of him the said Sir Edmondbury Godfrey in manner and form aforesaid, he the said Sir Edmondbury Godfrey then and there instantly died: And that you the said Henry Berry, and Laurence Hill, together with the said Girald, Dominick Kelly and Phillibert Vernatt, then and there feloniously, voluntarily, and of your malice aforethought, were present, aiding, abetting, comforting and maintaining the aforesaid Robert Green; the aforesaid Sir Edmondbury Godfrey in manner and form aforesaid, feloniously, voluntarily, and of his malice aforethought, to kill and murder; and so you the said Robert Green, Henry Berry and Laurence Hill, together with the said Girald, Dominick Kelly and Phillibert Vernatt, in manner and form aforesaid, the aforesaid Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, feloniously, wilfully, and of your malice aforethought, did kill and murder, against the Peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity. How sayst thou Robert Green, art thou guilty of this Felony and Murder whereof thou stand'st Indicted, and hast been now Arraigned, or not guilty?  Green, 
Not Guilty.  Clerk of the Crown. 
Culprit, How wilt thou be Tried?  Green. 
By God and my Country.  Cl. of the Cr. 
God send thee a good Deliverance. How sayst thou Henry Berry, art thou guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof thou standest Indicted, and hast been now Arraigned; or not guilty?  Berry. 
Not Guilty.  Cl. of the Cr. Culprit, 
How wilt thou be Tried?  Berry. 
By God and my Country.  Cl. of Cr. 
God send thee a good Deliverance. How sayst thou Laurence Hill, art thou guilty of the Felony & Murder whereof thou standest Indicted, and hast been Arraigned, or not guilty?  Hill. 
Not Guilty  Cl. of the Cr. Culprit, 
How wilt thou be tried?  Hill. 
By God and my Country.  Cl. of the Cr. 
God send thee a good Deliverance.  Cap. Richardson. 
I desire to know when they must be brought up to be tried?  Mr. Just. Wild. 
Upon Friday next.  Cl. of the Cr. 
You shall have a Rule to bring them up on Friday.  
But on Thursday the 6 th'. of February Mr. Attorney General moved the Court that it might be deferred till Monday, that the King's Evidence might be the more ready, which was granted accordingly.  
On Monday the 10 th'. of February 1678. the said Robert Green, Henry Berry and Laurence Hill, were brought again to the Bar for their Trial, which proceeded as followeth.  Cl. of the Cr. 
Make Proclamation.  Cryer. 
O Yes.  Cl. of the Cr. 
Again, Again.  Cryer. 
O Yes, O Yes. Our Sovereign Lord the King doth straightly Charge and Command all manner of Persons to keep silence upon pain of Imprisonment.  Cl. of the Cr. 
Make an O Yes,  Cryer. 
O Yes, If any one can inform our Sovereign Lord the King, the King's Sergeant at Law, the King's Attorney General, or this Inquest now to be taken of the Felony and Murder whereof Robert Green, Henry Berry and Laurence Hill, the Prisoners at the Bar stand Indicted, let them come forth and they shall be heard, for now the Prisoners stand at the Bar upon their Delivery. And all others that are bound by Recognizance to give Evidence against the Prisoners at the Bar, let them come forth and give their Evidence, or else they forfeit their Recognizance.  Clerk of the Crown. Robert Green, 
Hold up thy Hand,  Henry Berry, 
Hold up thy Hand,  Laurence Hill, 
Hold up thy Hand.  Which they severally did. 
Those good Men that you shall hear called, and personally appear, are to pass between our Sovereign Lord the King and You upon Trial of your several Lives and Deaths; If therefore You, or any of You will challenge Them, or any of Them, your time is to speak unto them when they come to the Book to be sworn, and before they are sworn. Cryer, Make an O Yes.  Cryer. 
O Yes, You good Men that are Impanneled to inquire between our Sovereign Lord the King, and Robert Green, Henry Berry and Laurence Hill, the Prisoners at the Bar, answer to your Names, and save your Issues.  Cl. of the Cr. 
Sir William Roberts.  Cryer. 
Vouz avez, Sir William Roberts.  Cl. of the Cr. 
Sir William Roberts to the Book.  Cryer. 
Sir William Roberts look upon the Prisoners: You Prisoners look upon the Jury. You shall well and truly Try, and true Deliverance make between our Sovereign Lord the King, and the Prisoners at the Bar, whom you shall have in charge, and a true Verdict give according to your Evidence. So help you God.  And the same Oath was administered to the rest, and their Names were as follow. 

Sir William Roberts Barnt.  
Sir Richard Fisher Barnt.  
Sir Michael Heneage K nt.  
Sir Thomas Bridges K nt.  
William Avery Esq  
Charles Umphrevile Esq  
John Bathurst Esq  
Richard Gowre E Esq  
Thomas Henslowe Esq  
John Sharp Esq  
John Haynes Esq &  
Walter Moyle Esq   Cl. of the Cr. 
Cryer, Count these. Sir. William Roberts.  Cryer. 
One, etc.  Cl. of the Cr. 
Walter Moyle.  Cryer. 
Twelve, Good men and true, stand together, and hear your Evidence. Gentlemen, are you all sworn? and you that are not sworn, pray withdraw  
The Standing-place for the Jury being so thronged, that those who were sworn had not room to stand together; the Clerk of the Crown was Ordered to make Proclamation thus.  Clerk of the Crown. 
Cryer make proclamation.  Cryer. 
O yes, My Lords the King's Justices, doth straight charge and command all persons, that are not of the Jury, to withdraw forthwith, upon pain of one hundred Pounds a man.  Clerk of the Crown. 
Robert Green hold up thy hand, Henry Berry hold up thy hand, Lawrence Hill hold up thy hand. Which they severally did.  
Gentlemen, you that are sworn look upon the Prisoners, and hearken to their Charge: You shall understand, that they stand indicted by the names of Robert Green, late of the Parish of Saint Mary le Strand in the County of Middlesex, Labourer; Henry Berry late of the same Parish and County, Labourer, and Laurence Hill late of the same Parish and County, Labourer; for that they, together with, etc. (as before) against the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity. Upon this Indictment they have been arraigned, they have thereunto severally pleaded Not Guilty, and for their trials have severally put themselves upon God and their Country, which Country you are. Your charge is to inquire, whether the Prisoners at the Bar, Robert Green, Henry Berry, and Laurence Hill, or any of them are guilty of the Felony and Murder, whereof they stand indicted, or not guilty, and for them which you shall find guilty, you shall inquire what Goods or Chattels, Lands or Tenements, they had at the time of the Felony committed, or at any time since. If you find them, or any of them not guilty, you shall inquire, whether they, or any of them, that you find so not guilty, fled for the same, if you find, that they, or any of them fled for the same, you shall inquire of their Goods and Chattels, as if you had found them guilty: But, If you find them, nor any of them not guilty, nor that they did fly for it, say so, and no more, and hear your Evidence. Cryer make Proclamation.  Cryer. 
O yes, If any one will give evidence on behalf of our Sovereign Lord the King, against Robert Green, Henry Berry, and Laurence Hill, the Prisoners at the Bar, let them come forth and they shall be heard.  Then Sir Thomas Stringer, Sergeant at Law of Counsel with the King in this Cause, opened the Indictment thus; Mr. Sergeant Stringer. 
May it please your Lordship, and you Gentlemen of this Jury, The Prisoners at the Bar, Robert Green, Henry Berry, and Laurence Hill, stand indicted for that they with one Girald a Priest, one Kelly, and one Vernat, did the twelfth of October last, at the Parish of Saint Mary le Strand in this County, feloniously, wilfully, and of their malice afore thought, assault the Person of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, Knight, and that the Prisoner, Robert Green, did put about the Neck of the said Sir Edmondbury a twisted Handkerchief, and did with that twisted Handkerchief so choke and strangle the said Sir Edmondbury, that he immediately died, and that the other Prisoners, Henry Berry and Laurence Hill, with the other persons Girald, Kelly, and Vernat, were aiding and assisting the said Robert Green to murder the said Sir Edmondbury, and so the Prisoners at the Bar, with the said other persons, the said Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, did kill and murder against the King's Peace, his Crown and Dignity. To this they have pleaded not guilty, and for their trial have put themselves upon their Country, which Country you are. If we prove them, or any of them guilty, you are to find it so.  Then Sir William Jones, his Majesty's Attorney General, opened the Evidence in this manner, Mr. Atorney General. 
May it please your Lordship, and you Gentlemen of this Jury, the Prisoners who stand now at the Bar, are indicted for murder. Murder, as it is the first, so is it the greatest Crime, that is prohibited in the Second Table. It is a Crime of so deep a stain, that nothing can wash it away but the Blood of the Offender, and unless that be done, the Land in which it is shed, will continue polluted. My Lord, as murder is always a very great crime, so the murder, which is now to be tried before your Lordship, is, it may be, the most heinous and most barbarous that ever was committed. The murder was committed upon a Gentleman, and upon a Magistrate, and I wish he had not therefore been murdered, because he was a Protestant Magistrate.  
My Lord, I will not spend much of your time in making my observations before hand, because I must in this Case crave leave to do it in the conclusion of the Evidence. For I, that have made a strict examination into this matter, do find, that I shall better spend my time in making observations, and showing how the Witnesses do agree after the Evidence given than before. Therefore, my Lord, I shall at present only make a short Narrative of the fact, to show you the course of our Evidence, that it may be the better understood and remembered by the Jury.  
My Lord, upon the discovery of the late horrid Plot.—  Lord Chief Justice. And present Plot too, Mr. Attorney: But pray go on. Mr, Attorney General. 
If your Lordship please, you may call it so, for 'tis to be feared they have not yet given it over: But upon the discovery of that Plot (call it late or present) Sir Edmondbury Godfrey (whom, I suppose, the Jury all knew, and every man, that lived there abouts, must needs remember to have been a very useful and active Justice of the Peace) had taken several examinations about this matter, and perhaps some more than now are extant: (but we have proof he had some) and was very industrious in finding out the principal Actors in this Plot, among whom, some Priests and Jesuits foreseeing their own danger, and likewise the overthrow of a design which they had been so long in contriving, they had several Consultations how to prevent the discovery. And as they are men, who never stick at blood but rather account it meritorious to shed it, though never so unjustly when their Interest may be profited by it, they did resolve to secure themselves and their design by takeing away the life of this Gentleman. In order thereunto they had several meetings, and the place of their meeting, you will find by the Evidence, to be at the Blow Alehouse, and there they did consult how to take away the life of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, And they made several attempts to do it: one while they dogged him into the fields, another while they sent people to spy when he came abroad, that they might follow him into some dark Alley, or other obsure or unfrequented place, and there dispatch him; and at last, after many attempts, they succeeded in that wicked one, when the Murder was committed.  
My Lord, there are contained in this Indictment six Offenders, all principals, three of them, I think, are Priests, or at least two of them are so, that is, Father Girald an Irish man, Father Kelly likewise of the same Nation, and one Vernat, whether a Priest or Layman, I know not. These Priests (as they are always the first that contrive mischief, so they are always the first that fly punishment) have taken care for themselves and run away, and left their blind followers, the Prisoners at the Bar, whom they had drawn into this bloody act, alone to answer for it.  
The day, when this murder was committed, was Saturday the 12th of October last; and I must desire your Lordship to take notice of the day, for upon that much of the Evidence will depend. And we shall prove, that as they did before send several times to Sir Edmondbury Godfrey's house to get intelligence of his going abroad, so this very day in the morning, Hill one of the prisoners at the bar came to his house upon pretence of business with him, and as we guess, and have reason to believe, to learn whither he went that day: Green (another of the prisoners) had been there before on the same errand. And so much we shall prove to you by the people of the house Sir Edmondbury Godfrey happened about noon, or some time in the afternoon of the same day (as we have it by the confession of one of the parties) to be at an house near Saint Clement's Church, where these murderers had notice he was, and had prepared a trap for him as he came back. They had appointed men to watch him and give them notice when he did come back, and whatever his business was at the house that he was in (for it cannot yet be known) he stayed there till about seven or eight a clock at night: And your Lordship knows that at that time of the year it is then dark. He coming from about St. Clement's Church towards his own house near Charing-Cross, notice was given to the Murderers of his approach near to Sommerset-house. And thus they had laid their Bloody contrivance: Some of them were appointed to meet him at the Back-gate of Sommerset-House, and to inform him that there was a Quarrel in the Yard, and He being a man always careful to keep the Peace and Punish them that broke it, they thought it a very apt means to train him into the Yard. And when He came near the back-gate they did accordingly acquaint him that Two of the Queen's Servants were fight in the yard, and that they needed his presence to part and quiet them. He at first, thought it might be but some ordinary idle scuffle, and was not willing to go down, but being very much importuned by them, down he went through the back-gate into the yard, where were indeed two men scuffling together, but counterfeitly, the one was Berry the Prisoner here, the other was Kelly the Priest that is run away. And when Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was come, and within their reach, then, as it was before contrived, the Fray of itself ended, and Berry goes to the lower water-gate, and Mr. Prance (who was in that soul fact, but hath since repent, and hath made this discovery) to the uppergate, to keep back any casual passengers for a little while, till such time as the murder was over.  
My Lord, Things being thus prepared, whilst Sir Edmundbury Godfrey stood still, or was returning, having no more to do there, after the scuffle was thus appeased, Green one of the Prisoners, coming behind him, puts a Cravat, or a Twisted linen cloth, (which he had ready for the purpose) about his Neck. And He, Hill, and those holy Father's Girald and Kelly (with great veneration be it spoken, for men of their Order to slain their hands with the blood of an Innocent Gentleman, and that in so Treacherous a manner) All set upon him, and very manfully, being Four upon one, and he altogether surprised, threw him down and Strangled him. And this was done (as it is easy to imagine) without much noise, so that I doubt not but many that were near the place might be ignorant of it and did not hear it.  
My Lord, Though the thing was done with a great Zeal, and a very good will to dispatch him, yet it so happened, that when Mr. Prance came back from keeping Sentinel at the Gate, there was some life left in Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, he did stir his feet, and thereby they perceived that he was not quite dead. But to make through work with him, Green, (who begun, and was to give an accomplishment to this bloody fact) takes hold of his Head and twists his Neck round, and stamps upon his Breast, the marks of which outrageous cruelty did plainly appear in his body after it was found  
My Lord, after they had thus killed him, Girald the Priest thought he was not yet dead enough, and was very willing to run him through with Sir Edmundbury's own Sword, but that was not liked by the rest, lest it might be discovered by a great effusion of blood in that place: and so they forbore it for that time. Having thus dispatched him, they removed him to the Chamber of Hill where they kept him some time, and after that to another Chamber. I will not be particular herein because the Witness will give the best account of it. But after some time, (I desire it may be observed) 'twas on Monday night (two nights after the fact was committed) they brought him into another Room and laid him there, with a Cloak thrown over him. And I mention this last so particularly, because he then happened to be seen by another witness here present, who concurs as to his lying there dead, and that he saw him by the help of a dark Lauthorn, of which, and other Circumstances, I shall have occasion to make use hereafter.  
My Lord, After he had lain in Sommerset-House some days, they thought it was high time to remove him, or rather to expose him: for having now killed him they did endeavour to kill his Reputation, and lay the blame of this foul murder upon the innocent Gentleman, as if he had killed himself: And on Wednesday night, which by computation was the 16 th' of October, they carried him out of Sommerset-House in this manner. Hill having late in the night procured a Sedan, they made a shift by bending the body to a fit posture to crowd him into it; and Berry one of the murderers and Porter of Sommerset-House was of all men most proper to help them out with privacy, and therefore it was agreed between them, that whenever a man should come before and make an hem, it should be a sign to Berry to open the Gate. And my Lord, having put him into the Sedan, Mr. Prance and Girald first carried him out in it to Covent Garden, and there they rested, being something wearied with their burden, and two more supplied their rooms, and carried him to Long-Acre. Then Girald and Prance took him up again and carried him to the Grecian Church near Soho: And when they had him there, they got an horse ready and mounted him upon it, and Hill was set behind him to hold him up; by which means they carried him to the place where he was found, and there to accomplish the last part of their design, which was to murder his Reputation after they had killed his body, they took his own Sword and run him through, and left him in such a manner, as that (according to the weakness of their understanding) the world should conclude he had killed himself. In that condition was the Gentleman found. I have but little more at present to trouble you with, and that shall be to show you what the murderers did after they had committed this fact. They gave an account of it the next morning to Mr. Prance, who went no further than the Sedan went, which was to the Grecian Church: and the Priests were so far from any remorse, and had so little of humanity, (I believe there is none can think had much of Divinity) that they did in a paper set down a Narrative of this Heroic Act: and I doubt not but by this time it is sent to Rome, where it finds as great Approbation, and causes as great Joy as their other Acts of a like nature have heretofore done. Some days after the Fact was done, and to their everlasting honour thus by themselves recorded, some of these Priests had a meeting at the Queen's head at Bow, and there was the Paper produced and read, at which they were very merry, and were so loud that some of the house overheard them, and do yet remember that they read and were merry at a paper which concerned Sir Edmundbury Godfrey.  
My Lord, This will be the course of our Evidence, and though your Lordship and the Jury will easily believe that most of these particulars must arise from one who was party to the Fact, yet my Lord, I will undertake before I have done, so to fortify almost every particular he delivers, with a concurrent proof of other Testimony, and the things will so depend upon one another, and have such a Connexion that little doubt will remain in any man's mind that is come hither without prepossession, but that Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was murdered at Sommerset-House, and that the persons who stand now Indicted for it were the murderers.  Mr. Recorder, 
My Lord, if your Lordship pleases, according as Mr. Attorney hath opened it, we desire we may call our Witnesses, and first we will call Mr. Oates.  Cryer, 
Mr. Oats, Lay your hand on the Book. The Evidence you shall give for our Sovereign Lord the King against Robert Green, Henry Berry and Laurence Hill the Prisoners at the Bar, shall be the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. So help you God.  Mr. Sol. Gen. 
Pray Mr. Oates will you give my Lord and the Jury an account what Transactions there were between you and Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and that, my Lord, is all we call him for.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
My Lord, I call this Gentleman to prove, what Examinations Sir Edmundbury Godfrey had taken, and what was his own opinion of himself about them.  Lord C. J. 
Mr. Attorney, I suppose the Use you make of it is this, to show that that might be one of the motives to these persons to do this act because he was forward in the discovery of their Plot.  L. Chief Just. 
Come Mr. Oates, pray tell your knowledge.  Mr. Oats, 
My Lord, upon the sixth of September last, I did go before Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and there upon Oath gave in several depositions, and after that I had made Oath of those Depositions, we took the Record along with us home again. And on the 28 th'. of September, after we had taken two or three Copies of this Record, we went before Sir Edmundbury Godfrey again, and Swore all the Copies we had taken, and so made them Records. My Lord, after that, the business was made known to the Council by myself, and upon Monday Mr. Godfrey came to me, which was I think the 30 th'. of September, and did tell me what affronts he had received from some great persons (whose names I name not now) for being so zealous in this business. And my Lord, he told me that others who were well inclined to have the discovery made, did think that he had not been quick enough in the Prosecution, but had been too remiss, and did threaten him that they would complain to the Parliament, which was to sit the 21 th'. of October following. My Lord, that week before Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was missing, he came to me, and told me that several Popish Lords, some of whom are now in the Tower, had threatened him, and asked him what he had to do with it. My Lord, I shall name their names when time shall come. My Lord, this is all I can say, He was in a great fright and told me he went in fear of his life by the Popish party, and that he had been dogged several days.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
Did he tell you that he was dogged?  Mr. Oates. 
Yes, he did, and I did then ask him why he did not take him man with him, he said, he was a poor weak Fellow I then asked him why he did not get a good brisk Fellow to attend him, but he made no great matter of it, he said he did not fear them, if they came fairly to work, but yet he was often threatened, and came sometimes to me to give him some encouragement, and I did give him what encouragement I could, that he would suffer in a just Cause and the like: but he would often tell me he was in continual danger of being hurt by them.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
We desire Mr. Robinson may be sworn. Which was done accordingly.  Mr. Recorder. 
Pray Sir, will you tell the Court and the Jury, what discourse you had with Sir. Edmondbury Godfrey, and what apprehensions he had concerning this business.  Tho. Robinson Esquire, Chief Prothonotary of the Court of Common-pleas. 
My Lord, Sir Edmondbury Godfrey and I were of a very ancient acquaintance for above forty years, we were bred up together at Westminster- School and continued in that acquaintance all along, except in the time of the War, and were for many years together in Commission for the peace, both for this County and this City, We met at the Quarter-Sessions for Westminster the seventh of October, which was Monday, as I take it, and meeting there, we went after the Court was up and dined with the head Bayly, as the custom is; where Sir Edmondbury Godfrey and I did discourse several things about this Plot; I said to Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, I understand you have taken several examinations about this Plot, that is now made public, truly, said he, I have, but, I think, I shall have little thanks for my pains, or some such words: saith he, I did it very unwillingly and would fain have had it done by others; why, said I, you did but what was your duty to do, and it was a very good act: pray, Sir, have you the examinations about you, will you please to let me see them; no, I have them not, said he, I delivered them to a person of quality, but as soon as I have them you shall see them. But, said I, I should be very glad to understand, Sir Edmondbury, that the depth of the matter were found out, I am afraid, said he, of that, that it is not, but discoursing further, he said to me, Upon my Conscience, I believe, I shall be the first Martyr. Why so, said I, are you afraid? No, said he, I do not fear them, if they come fairly, and I shall not part with my Life tamely. Why do not you go with a man, said I, if you have that fear upon you? Why, said he, I do not love it, 'tis a clog to a man, but, said I, you should do well to keep a man: I observe you never go with one.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
But did he tell you, Sir, that he did believe, he should be the first Martyr?  Mr. Robinson. 
Yes, He did say, upon his Conscience he did believe he should be the first Martyr, and this is all I can say of this business.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
Then if your Lordship please we will in the next place call Mr. Prance, who was drawn in to be present at this business, and who knew of all the fact, and will give you an account of the whole matter.  Then Mr. Prance was sworn. Mr. Attor. Gen. 
Pray, Sir, begin at the very beginning. The meetings you had at the Plow-Ale-House, and the sending to Sir Edmondbury's House, and all the Story.  L. Changed Just, 
Mr. Prance, pray tell us the first motives that were used to you to do this thing, and the first time it was mentioned, who they were that first mentioned it, and where.  Mr. Prance. 
My Lord, it was about a fortnight or three weeks before he was murdered, we met several times at the Plow-Ale-House.  L. Chief, 
Just, With whom?  Mr. Prance. 
With Mr. Girald, Mr. Green, and Mr. Kelly. Girald and Kelly did entice me in, and told me it was no Sin.  Mr. Recorder. 
Girald and Kelly did?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes Girald and Kelly,  Mr. Recorder. 
What are they?  Mr. Prance. 
Two Priests: And they said it was no sin, it was a charitable act: They said he was a busy man, and had done, and would do a great deal of mischief, and it was a deed of Charity to do it, and so they told the rest besides.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
Where was it they said thus?  Mr. Prance. 
They said it at the Blow, and by the Waterside.  Mr. Recorder. 
Well said, how long was it before he died?  Mr. Prance. 
A week or a fortnight before he was murdered, and Green, Hill, and Girald met there together.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
What discourse had you then?  Mr. Prance. 
There they resolved that the first that could meet with him should give notice to the rest to be ready, and so in the morning, when they went out on Saturday—  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
But before you come to that, do you know of any dogging of him into the fields.  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, it was before that I heard them say, they would and had dogged him into the fields.  L. Chief. Just. 
Who did you hear say so?  Mr. Prance. 
Girald, Kelly, and Green,  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
That Green is one of the Prisoners.  Mr. Recorder. 
Which way did they dog him? what Fields?  Mr. Prance. 
Red Lion fields, and those by Holborn.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
Why did they not kill him there?  Mr. Prance. 
Because they had not opportunity.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
Do you know of any sending to his House, or going to it?  Mr. Prance. 
One time I do know of, and that was Saturday morning, Mr. Kelly came to give me notice, that they were gone abroad to dog him, and afterwards they told me, that Hill or Green did go to his House and ask for him, but the Maid told him he was not up, and then went away, and said he would call by and by.  Hill. 
What time was that in the morning?  Mr. Prance. 
It was about nine or ten a clock in the morning.  Hill. 
And had we been there before or after?  Mr. Prance. 
You had been there before.  Mr. Recorder. 
Pray stay till such time as we have done with our Evidence, you shall have all free liberty to ask him any Question, but you must stay till we have done.  Mr. Prance. 
As soon as they heard he was within, they came out and stayed for his coming out, and dogged him.  L. Chief. Just. 
Did all three of them go to his House?  Mr. Prance. 
No, my Lord,  L. Ch. Just. 
Who was it did go?  Mr. Prance. 
Only one, either Hill, or Green.  L. Chief Just. 
How do you know that?  Mr. Prance. 
They told me so themselves, for they came to give me notice.  L. Ch. Just. 
Who told you so?  Mr. Prance. 
It was Girald and Green both.  L. Ch. Just. 
Did Green tell you that he had been there?  Mr. Prance. 
He told me one of them, but I am not certain which. And so, my Lord, after that, when he came out they dogged him that day up and down.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
Who dogged him?  Mr. Prance. 
Girald, Green and Hill dogged him into St. Clement's; and about seven a clock, Green came and gave me notice, that he was at Saint Clements, and I came to Somerset-House as fast as I could.  L. Chief. Just. 
Where were you?  Mr. Prance. 
At my own house.  L. Chief. Just. 
How far did you live from Somerset-House?  Mr. Prance. 
I lived in Princes-Street, not far from Somerset-House.  Mr. Recorder. 
Who was it gave you notice?  Mr. Prance. 
It was Green. He told me that Girald and Kelly were watching him, and that he was at Saint Clements.  L. Chief. Just. 
Where was he?  Mr. Prance. 
At Saint Clements, my Lord  L. Ch. Just. 
Where there?  Mr. Prance. 
I was not there, they told me so, and no more; and about eight or nine a clock Hill came before up the Street, and gave us notice, that we must be ready. And so, my Lord, as soon as Hill had given us notice, he went up to the Gate, and stayed there till Sir Edmondbury Godfrey came by, and then told him, there were two men a quarrelling, and desired him to come, and try whether he could pacify them; he was very unwilling; but pray, Sir, (saith Hill) you being a Justice of the Peace may qualify them, and so he went down till he came to the bottom of the Rails, and when he came to the bottom of the Rails, Green twisted his Handkerchief, and threw it about his neck, and threw him behind the Rails, and there throttled him, and punched him, and then Girald would have thrust his Sword through him, but the rest would not permit him, for fear it should discover them by the blood. And about a quarter of an hour after, I came down, and found he was not quite dead; for I laid my hand upon him, and his Legs tottered and shook, and then Green wrung his Neck quite round.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
Who was it that took him by the Neck?  Mr. Prance. 
It was Green, my Lord.  L. C. Just. 
Did you see him?  Mr. Prance. 
No, but he did tell me afterwards that he did it.  L. C. J. 
Who, Green himself?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, my Lord, for he boasted of it.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
Pray what did he do to him besides?  Mr. Prance. 
He punched him with his Knee.  L. C. J. 
Did you see him to do this? How do you know he did it?  Mr. Prance. 
He and the rest told me so afterwards.  L. C. J. 
Where were you at that time that the Handkerchief was twisted about his Neck?  Mr. Prance. 
As soon as he came down I went towards the Gate.  L. C. J. 
Who ordered you to stand at the Gate?  Mr. Prance. 
It was Hill.  Mr. Serj. Stringer. 
You watched the Water-Gate, who watched the Stairs?  Mr. Prance. 
That was Berry.  Mr. Recorder. 
Pray give an account what they did afterwards.  Prance. 
Why afterwards—  Mr. Att. G. 
Who told you that Green twisted his Neck?  Mr. Prance. 
All spoke of it.  Mr. Att. G. 
Did Hill? Mr. Prance. Yes, he, and the rest.  Mr. Att. G. 
How came you to understand that he punched his Breast?  Mr. Prance. 
Green spoke of it himself, and so did the others.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who were about his Body when you came down to the Gate?  Mr. Prance. 
All Four.  Mr. Att. G. 
Name them.  Mr. Prance. 
Hill, Green, Girald and Kelly.  Mr. Att. G. 
Was Berry there?  Mr. Prance. 
He came to them a while after.  Mr. Att. G. 
When?  Mr. Prance. 
Before they carried him into the house.  Mr. Att. G. 
How can you tell that?  Mr. Prance. 
Because he helped them to carry him in.  Mr. Sol. G. 
Where was Berry before they carried him into the house?  Mr. Prance. 
He was about the Stairs.  Mr. Recorder. 
Who was it that carried him up into the Room?  Mr. Prance. 
We all did.  Mr. Recorder. 
Pray name all that were in the Company.  Mr. Prance. 
There was Giraled, Green, Hill, Kelly, Berry and I.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who set their hands to do it?  Mr. Prance. 
We all did help; Hill went before and opened the Door, and we carried him into the Room.  Mr. Att. G. 
Whose Room was that?  Mr. Prance. 
It was at a Chamber of Hill's in Dr. Godwin's house.  Mr. Recorder. 
Was Hill Godwin's man?  Prance. 
Yes, he had been.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
Did Berry help to carry him in?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, Berry did.  Mr. Serj. Stringer. 
Was there any discourse of a Sword to be thrust through him at that time?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, Girald said he would thrust a Sword through him, but they would not let him for fear of discovery.  Mr. Att. G. 
What became of the Body?  Mr. Prance. 
It lay there till Monday Night, and on Monday it was removed into Somerset-House, and upon Monday Night Hill did show me it with a Dark Lantern.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who were in the Room then?  Mr. Prance. 
Girald, and Hill, and Kelly, and all were there. And on Tuesday Night it was brought back again: Mr. Hill would have carried him into his own Lodging.  L. 6. I 
Whither did they carry him on Monday Night?  Mr. Prance. 
Into Somerset-house.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
Is not Hill's Chamber in Somerset-house?  Mr. Serj. Stringer. 
Describe the Room Mr. Prance, as well as you can.  Mr. Prance. 
I am not certain of the Room, and so cannot describe it.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
But was not Hill's Chamber in Somerset-house?  Mr. Prance. 
'Tis in the lower part of the house in a Court.  Mr. Att. G. 
When you saw him in this Room, pray, what was thrown over him?  Mr. Prance. 
There was something, I cannot tell what; for I durst not stay long there.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
What light was there?  Mr. Prance. 
Only a Dark Lantern.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who carried it?  Mr. Prance. 
Hill carried it.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
Are you sure you saw the Body there?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, I am certain of it.  Mr. Att. G. 
What became of it after that?  Mr. Prance. 
On Tuesday Night it was carried to Hill's, the Chamber where he was first brought after he was murdered; but there was some body there, and so they could not carry it into the Room but they carried him to a Room just over against, I think they were Sir John Arundell's Lodgings, I can't tell. There it lay till Wednesday Night, and about Nine a Clock on Wednesday Night they were removing the body into the Room where it first lay; and I happened to come as they were removing it, and they were affrighted, and run away: But I spoke, and Berry came back again, and got the Body up into the Room, and about Twelve a Clock they carried it away in the Sedan.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who brought the Sedan?  Mr. Prance. 
Hill did.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who put him into it?  Mr. Prance. 
We all set our Hands to it.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who carried him out first?  Mr. Prance. 
I and Girald.  Mr. Att. G. 
Out of which Gate?  Mr. Prance. 
The Upper-Gate of the Upper-Court.  Mr. Att. G. 
How came you to have the Gate opened?  Mr. Prance. 
Berry opened it.  Mr. Att. G. 
How came he to open it?  Mr. Prance. 
Some body hemmed, and that was the Sign.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who was it that carried the Sedan first?  Mr. Prance. 
I and Girald.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who went before?  Mr. Prance. 
Green and Kelly.  Mr. Recorder. 
How far did you carry him?  Mr. Prance. 
Into Covent-Garden, and there we rested.  Mr. Att. G. 
And who took him up then?  Mr. Prance. 
Green and Kelly.  Mr. Att. G. 
How far did they carry him?  Mr. Prance. 
They carried him to Long-Acre. Then we took him up and carried him to Soe-hoe Church, and there Hill met us with an horse, and we helped the body up.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who was it that rid behind him?  Mr. Prance. 
It was Hill.  Mr. Att. G. 
What did you do with your Sedan?  Mr. Prance. 
We set it in a new house till we came back again.  L. C. J. 
You say you saw him on horseback?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, My Lord, I did.  L. C. J. 
How, in what posture?  Mr. Prance. 
Astride, his legs were forced open, and Hill held him up.  Hill. 
Did I hold him?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, you did.  L. C. J. 
Did the others go with him?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, My Lord.  L. C. J. 
Who did go with him?  Mr. Prance. 
Green, Hill, Girald, and Kelly.  Mr. Att. G. 
Pray will you tell my Lord and the Jury, what account they gave you the next morning concerning the Body, and how they had disposed of it.  Mr. Prance. 
They told me—  L. C. J. 
Who told you?  Mr. Prance. 
Hill, Kelly, and Girald.  L. C. J. 
What did they tell you?  Mr. Prance. 
First, that they had run him through with his own Sword; then thrown him into a Ditch, and laid his Gloves and other things upon the Bank.  Mr. Att. G. 
Pray tell now the story of your meeting at Bow. What was the house called you met at?  Mr. Prance. 
It was the Sign of the Queens Head.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who was it that did meet there?  Mr. Prance. 
They were Priests, I can't so well remember their names, they are written down in this paper.  Mr. Record. 
Look on the paper yourself, you can read I suppose.  Mr. Prance. 
There was one Luson a Priest, I think.  Mr. Att. G. 
Where did he live?  Mr. Prance. 
He was with Vernatt.  Mr. Att. G. 
What was the occasion of your meeting there?  Mr. Prance. 
Vernatt told me only it was to be merry there.  Mr. Att. G. 
What was the man of the House his name?  Mr. Prance. 
One Casshes.  Mr. Att. G. 
Did you dine there? Mr. Prance. Yes.  Mr. Att. G. 
What had you for dinner?  Mr. Prance. 
We had a Barrel of Oysters, and a dish of Fish: I bought the Fish myself.  L. Chief Just. 
What day was it?  Mr. Prance. 
The Friday after the Proclamation, that all the Papists were to be gone out of Town.  Mr. Record. 
Tell what company you had there, and what Discourse.  Mr. Prance. 
There was Mr. Vernatt, and I, and Mr. Girala, and that other Priest, and one Mr. Dethicke.  Mr. Att. G. 
Who sent for him?  Mr. Prance. 
Mr. Vernatt sent a Note for him by a Cobbler.  Mr. Att. G. 
Did he come upon that Note?  Mr. Prance. 
He came presently. And when he was come, than they read all the writing of the murder; for Mr. Vernatt should have been one at the doing of it but something happened he could not.  Mr. Att. G. 
Mr. Vernatt was very sorrowful at the reading of it, was he not?  Mr. Prance. 
If he was, it was because he was not there.  Mr. Att. G. 
How did he behave himself? Did he read it with any Pleasure and Delight?  Mr. Prance. 
We were all very merry.  Mr. Att. G. 
What can you say about any body's overhearing you?  Mr. Prance. 
There was a Drawer came and listened at the Door, and I hearing the Door a little rustle, went to the Door, and catched him listing, and said I to him, Sirrah, I could find in my Heart to kick you down Stairs; and away he went.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
Was Vernatt with you there that night he was murdered, the Saturday Night?  Mr. Prance. 
No, there was only the Six I have named.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
You say that you met at the Blow the first Night?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
And there you were told, That it was very charitable act to kill Sir Edmundbury Godfrey?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, I was so.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
Was it agreed there that he should be killed?  Mr. Prance. 
It was agreed there; and the first that met him were to give notice to the rest.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
Who were there?  Mr. Prance. 
Girald, Kelly, Green and I.  L. C. Just. 
When came Hill and Berry into this Cause? How came they acquainted with it?  Mr. Prance. 
They were in it before I  L. C. J. 
Who told you they were in it?  Mr. Prance. 
Mr. Girald, my Lord, told me so.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
Hill and Berry were not at the Blow, Where did you first hear them speak of it?  Mr. Prance. 
Girald and I have been at Berry's house divers times.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
But there were two meetings at the Blow, were there not?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, Yes, there were.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
And Hill was at the last meeting, was he not?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, he was, my Lord.  Mr. Att. G. 
Now I would ask you this Question, by the favour of the Court, Was there any Reward proposed by these Priests for the doing of it?  Mr. Prance. 
Girald and Vernatt did speak of a great Reward that was to be given for it.  Mr. Att. G. 
Pray, how much?  Mr. Prance. 
I do not remember what.  Mr. Att. G. 
Cannot you tell how much?  Mr. Prance. 
There was to be a good Reward from my Lord Bellasis, as they said.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
You had several meetings you say, Did you there resolve what should be the way of doing it?  Mr. Prance. 
Girald was resolved to kill him that Night; and if he could not get him into a more convenient Place, he would kill him with his own Sword in the Street that leads to his own house.  Mr. Record. 
Who was that, that resolved so?  Mr. Prance. 
It was Girald.  Mr. Record. 
The Priest rather than fail was resolved to do that act of Charity himself.  Mr. Att. G. 
I would now ask you a Question, which though it does not prove the persons Guilty, yet gives a great strength to the Evidence. Do you know Mr. Bedlow, Mr. Prance?  Mr. Prance. 
I do now know him.  Mr. Att. G. 
Had you ever any Conference with him before you was committed to Prison?  Mr. Prance. 
Never in all my life.  Mr. Att. G. 
Were you ever in his Company in your life before, that you know of?  Mr. Prance. 
No, not that I remember.  Mr. Att. G. 
Well, you shall see how far he will agree with you.  Mr. Record. 
Now they may ask him any Questions, if they please, for we have done with him.  L. C. J. 
Let them if they will.  Hill. 
My Lord, In the first place I humbly pray that Mr. Praunce's Evidence may not stand good against me, as being perjured by his own Confession.  L. C. J. 
How?  Hill. 
I suppose my Lord, it is not unknown to you that he made such an open Confession before the King.  L. C. J. 
Look you Sir, I will tell you for that, I do not know that ever he made a Confession to contradict what he had said upon his Oath.  Hill. 
He was upon his Oath before.  L. C. J. 
Yes, he had accused you upon Oath, but afterwards, you say he confessed that it was not true; but that Confession that it was not true, was not upon Oath: How is he then guilty of Perjury?  Hill. 
My Lord, if a man can swear a thing, and after deny it, he is certainly perjured.  L. C. J. 
If a man hath great horrors of Conscience upon him, and is full of fears, and the guilt of such a thing disorders his mind, so as no make him go back from what he had before discovered upon Oath, you can't say that man is perjured if▪ he don't forswear it: But I believe no body did believe his denial, because his first discovery was so particular, that every man did think his general denial did only proceed from the disturbance of his mind. But have you any mind to ask him any Questions?  Mr. Record. 
We can prove, that immediately after he retracted his recantation.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
Try if you can trap him in any Question.  Hill. 
Pray what hour was it, that I went to Sir Edmundbury Godfrey's?  Mr. Prance. 
About 9 or 10 a Clock, I am not certain in the hour.  L. C. J. 
No, no, a man cannot be precise to an hour; but prove you what you can.  Hill. 
I have a great many Witnesses besides the Justice of my Cause, that I was not out of my house that day.  L. C. J. 
You shall be heard for that, but the present matter is, Whether you will ask him any Questions or no?  Hill. 
My Lord, 'tis all false that he says, and I deny every word of it, and I hope it shall not be good against me.  L. C. J. 
Well, Mr. Berry, will you ask him any Questions?  Berry. 
Mr. Prance, who was in my house at that time you speak of?  Mr. Prance. 
There was your Wife there, and several other persons besides.  Berry. 
Who were they?  Mr. Prance. 
There were divers people, it is an Alehouse.  Berry. 
But who? Can you name any of them?  Mr. Prance. 
There was Girald, and Kelly and I.  L. C. J. 
Why, did you not all know Mr. Prance?  Berry. 
My Lord, I knew him as he passed up and down in the house  L. C. J. 
Why, what an Answer is that? what do you mean by his passing up and down in the house?. Did you never drink with him?  Berry. 
Drink with him, my Lord? Yes.  L. C. J. 
Yes? Why people don't use to drink as they go along.  Berry. 
It was in other Company that came to my house, no acquaintance of mine.  L. C. Just. 
Was not Mr. Prance known by you all Three? Which of you can deny it? What say you Hill?  Hill. 
My Lord, I did know him.  L. C. Just. 
What say you Green?  Greene. 
Yes, I did know him?  Mr. Att. Gen. 
But yet my Lord, we shall prove in the Course of our Evidence, that upon their Examinations, they did deny they ever knew him; But because the Prisoners give us this Occasion, I desire Mr. Prance may give an Account of one thing. He was Concerned in this very Fact, and there was no other way to get any Proof of it, than by the discovery of one among themselves. He was once of that Religion, or else he had never been Concerned in this thing. And your Lordship will find, that Mr. Prance, whilc he was of that Religion, and not sure of his Pardon, was under some Disturbances and Fears, which prevailed with him to come before the KING, and deny what he had Sworn. But my Lord, which is very Observable, this Gentleman that had made that denial before the KING, was so far Convinced, that he had done amiss in it, and so troubled that he had done it, that he desired Capt. Richardson (as soon as he Returned back to Prison) to carry him back to the KING again: for he must go back, and make good that Confession which he at first had made▪ For it was every word True. And being for the KING, we desire Capt. Richardson may be Sworn.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
Can you tell where Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was dogged.  Mr. Prance. 
No my Lord, I cannot.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
You say they did tell you, that they Dogged him up and down; Did not they tell you from whence they Dogged him, when they killed him?  Mr. Prance. 
No, they did not.  L. C. Just. 
Mr. Richardson, were you by when Mr. Prance denied all that he had Confessed?  Capt. Richardson. 
My Lord, upon the Sunday Night before the Prorogation of the last Parliament, I Received a Letter from one of the Lords of the Council, to bring up Mr. Prance before the Lords of the Committee for his Examination. When I brought him thither, I found Mr. Prance was disturbed, and desired to speak with the KING; and I carried him into the King's Closet, where he fell down on his Knees, and said, He was Innocent, and they were all Innocent; and that was the Substance of all he said. I than had him up to the Council, where he said the same thing. The Lords asked him, Whether any body had been Tampering with him, he answered no. My Lord, when I came home, I was no sooner got within the Doors, but he begged of me (for God's sake) to go back to the KING, and to acquaint Him, not only that what he had now said, was False; but that all which he had sworn before, was Truth. And if his Majesty would send him a Pardon, he would make a great Discovery. And my Lord, more than that, he said, It was Fear, that made him Recant; and he gave a full satisfaction, that it was only out of an Apprehension that his Life was not secure, that his Trade would be lost among the Roman Catholics; and in case he had his Pardon, and were Saved, he should have been in danger of being Murdered by them.  Lord Chief Justice. 
Now you have an Account Mr. Hill how he came to Deny, and how soon he Recanted his Denial.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
You are upon your Oath Mr. Prance, Is this all true that he hath said?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, my Lord, it is.  Mr. Recorder. 
How hath he behaved himself since that time?  Capt. Richardson. 
As soberly as can be, since he had his Pardon.  Mr. Attorney General. 
Pray, since that time, have you had any Discourse with him? And how did he Carry himself?  Capt. Richardson. 
Very soberly.  Mr. Attorney General. 
Did he express any Abhorrence of the Practice of that Church?  Capt. Richardson. 
Yes, my Lord, he did so.  Mr. Attorney General. 
I hope it will make all People Abhor and forsake them in time, if these be their Practices. In the next place my Lord, we will call Mr. Bedlow, who, though he was not present at the Murder, yet he saw the Body after it was Dead in Somerset-House, which goes to the Matter as to the Place; and he will give you some Circumstances which will very much Corroborate the Testimony of Mr. Prance.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
What time was it before they carried him in, after they had killed him.  Lord Chief Justice. 
Brother, I think they say, between eight and nine they Decoyed him down through the Water-gate. Was it not so?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, my Lord.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
How long had they killed him before they carried him into the Room?  Mr. Prance. 
About a quarter of an Hour.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
Had he his Sword about him?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, it was found run through him.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
Did Sir Edmondbury Godfrey himself draw his Sword?  Mr. Prance. 
No, he was Strnngled by Surprise, by getting a thing about his Neck, and prevented him of drawing his Sword.  Lord Chief Justice. 
They were Persons that were ready prepared for him, they would not Permit him to Defend himself.  Mr. Sergeant Stringer. 
My Lord, before Mr. Bedlow be Sworn, I desire a little to open what we call him to. My Lord, there were four Priests that did design this Murder. Le Fair, and Welsh, and Girald and Kelly, besides the other Priests; and they Treated with Mr. Bedlow for Four Thousand Pounds to undertake to Kill a Gentleman. My Lord, he did Promise to undertake it, but failing of his Promise, afterwards. Le Fair met him, and told him it was done. And told him, he should have half that Reward to help to carry him off; and withal, carried him into the Room where the Body was. And he will tell you, that Prance was in the Room when he saw him; and though he never knew Prance before, yet when he met with him in the Lobby of the Lords House, he knew him again, and Charged him as the Man that Committed this Fact. And he will Acquaint your Lordship, that Le Fair saw the Body likewise, and gave Mr. Bedlow an Account of the Murder, with the same Circumstances that Prance now Relates it.  Then Mr. Bedlow was Sworn. Mr. Recorder. 
Mr. Bedlow, Pray do you direct your Discourse to the Jury.  Lord Chief Just. 
Mr. Attorney, Pray do you Ask him your Questions, that you may put him in that Method you would have him take, to give his Evidence.  Mr. Attorney Gen. 
My Lord, I would first Ask him this Question: What Conference he had with any persons, Priests or Others, about Murdering any body?  Mr. Bedlow. 
My Lord and the Jury, I have at other times, and in other places, proved what Familiarity I have had with the Priests and Jesuits; and 〈◊〉 I have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Court, and Others, about it, yet I have done my Duty in endeavouring so to do. My Lord, I have been several times Treated with, not only about the Plot, but by several Persons about Murdering of a Gentleman. They never told me who it was that was to be Murdered; but if I would Undertake it, they, that is, Le Fair, and Prichard, and Mr. Kaines, and several other Priests, who discoursed with me about it, would find out some to Assist me, and my Reward should be very Considerable.  Lord Ch. Just. 
When was this?  Mr. Bedlow. 
It was in October last, about the beginning, or latter end of September.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Well Sir, Go on.  Mr. Bedlow. 
I did Adhere to them all along, for I had a mind to Discover two Years ago, but was prevented; and I only drilled them on, to know the Party, that I might prevent them. But they would never Discover the Party.  Mr. Attorney General. 
Prithee come to this particular part of the Story.  Mr. Bedlow. 
Afterwards they set me to insinuate myself into the Acquaintance of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, not telling me they had any design upon him.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Who did?  Mr. Bedlow. 
Le Fair, and Pritchard, and Welsh.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Girald was not one, was he?  Mr. Bedlow. 
No my Lord. But they told me that afterwards they would have me introduce them into his Acquaintance. And I had been, I think, Six or Seven days together with Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, at his House, and had got much into his Acquaintance.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
By what means did you get into his Acquaintance?  Mr. Bedlow. 
Why, I pretended to get Warrants for the Good Behaviour against persons, that there were none such.  Lord Chief Just. 
Well, and what then?  Mr. Bedlow. 
This was the Week before the Saturday that he was Killed; and I was there every day but Saturday. On the Friday I went to the Grey-Hound-Tavern, and I sent my Boy to see if Sir Edmondbury Godfrey were at Home. Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was not at Home then.  Lord Chief Just. 
When was that?  Mr. Bedlow. 
The very Day before he was Killed. If he had been at Home, I would have gone over to him, and would have desired him to come over to them.  Lord Chief Justice. 
Were the Priests there?  Mr. Bedlow 
Yes, my Lord, there was Pritchard, and Le Fair, and Welsh, and Kaines, and another; five Jesuits: and as I said, I sent my Boy to see if he were at home, and he brought me word he was not; and if he had, I was to have gone to him, to have fetched him thither, that they might Insinuate themselves into his Acquaintance. And indeed, they had Tongue enough to wheedle themselves into any one Acquaintance. So he not being at home, we came into the City, two of the Jesuits and I.  Mr. Attorn. Gen. 
Which two?  Mr. Bedlow. 
Le Fair and Welsh. The next Morning. Le Fair came to my Chamber, and I was not then within; but by Accident I met him, about four of the Clock in Lincolnes-Inn-Fields. We went to the Palsgraves' Head Tavern; where falling into Discourse, he told me there was a Gentleman that was to be put out of the way; that was the Phrase he used, he did not really say Murder him; for they don't count it Murder.  Lord Chief Justice. 
No, No, they put it into softer Terms.  Mr. Bedlow. 
They told me it was to be done to Night. I asked who it was, they said it was a very material Man: For he had all the Informations that Mr. Oates. and Dr. Tongue had given in; that several had been employed in the doing of it, that several Attempts had been made, and that they had missed several Opportunities, and had not done it till then; but if he should not be taken out of the way, and the Papers taken from him, the business would be so Obstructed, and go near to be Discovered, to that Degree, that they would not be able to bring this Design to pass, but must stay till another Age before they should Effect it. I asked him again, who it was, he said he would not tell me, but it was a very material Man. I told him, that according to my Promise I would Assist; but in such a Case, I should need a great many Men to be with me, he being so considerable a Person. I asked him then, where the Money was, that was formerly promised? he told me no worse a Man was Engaged for it, than my Lord Bellasis, and Mr. Coleman had order to pay it.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
What was that Reward?  Mr. Bedlow. 
Four Thousand pound.  Lord Chief Justice. 
Who was it that first named this Gentleman to you to be Sir Edmondbury Godfrey?  Mr. Bedlow. 
They never named him to me at all.  Lord Chief Justice. 
Let us know when you first knew it to be Sir Edmondbury Godfrey.  Mr. Bedlow. 
I parted with him then, but came not according to my Promise. I was to meet him at the Cloisters at Somerset-House that night; but I knew their Design was to Murder some body, and I would not come. I saw him no more till Monday Night, than I met him in Red-Lyon-Court, where he put up his Cane to his Nose; as who should say, I was to blame in not keeping my Promise. And we went together to the Grey-Hound-Tavern in Fleetstreet, where he charged me with my breach of Promise. I told him I was taken up by other Company, and unless they would tell me who it was I was to Kill, I would have no hand in it: For I did not know but that it might be my own particular Friend. And I would not murder any private person, unless I knew who it was, and for what Reason. Well, says he, we will tell you more anon if you meet me to night at Somerset-House, at nine a Clock. I did meet him exactly at that time in the Cloisters, where we walked and talked a great while. And then he took me into the middle of the Court, and told me, you have done ill, that you did not help in this business; but if you will help to carry him off, you shall have half the Reward. Why said I, Is he Murdered? Yes, said he; May not I see him, said I? Yes, you may, said he: and so took me by the hand, and led me into the Room through a dark Entry. In the Room were a great many, I can't tell who they all were.  Mr. Attorney Gen. 
How many were there?  Mr. Bedlow. 
There might stand a great many behind one another. I saw Four or Five.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
What kind of Light had they, Mr. Prance?  Mr. Prance. 
It was a middle-sized Lantern.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
Was it a small Light, or a great Light?  Mr. Bedlow. 
It was a small Light.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
Had they no Light, but that Lantern?  Mr. Bedlow. 
No: And they did not open it till I had had a turn about in the Room.  Lord Chief Justice. 
Did they discourse of carrying him away then?  Mr. Bedlow. 
Yes, they did.  L. Ch. Just. 
Did you know him, when he lay Dead there?  Mr. Bedlow. 
Yes, your Lordship shall hear how I came to know him. One stepped to the Body, and threw off the thing that laid upon him, and I went and Looked upon him; and he had got about his Neck, such a kind of a fashioned Cravat as this about my Neck; and I went to try, and could not get my Finger in betwixt. So I saw him, his Bosom was all open, and I knew him presently: For those Jesuits that were there, were not those who had employed me to insinuate myself into his Acquaintance; and so they thought I had not known him. I Asked who it was, they said it was a man that belonged to a person of Quality. I was mightily struck and daunted, when I knew him: I would said have persuaded them to have Tied Weights at his Head and Feet, and Thrown him into the River, and afterwards I would have dragged for him, and took him up there. But they did not think that so safe. No (said they) we will put it upon himself, there are none but Friends concerned. I Asked Le Fair, how they would get him out? They said, In a Chair. Then I Asked them, which way they would get him into the Chair, and out of the Gate. They said The Porter was to sit up to let them Out.  Mr. Recorder. 
What Porter?  Mr. Bedlow. 
The Porter of the House.  Mr. Recorder. 
Who, Berry?  Mr. Bedlow. 
Yes. As for that Hill, or the Old Man, I do not know that I ever had any particular knowledge of them; but only I looked upon them as ill-designing men, seeing them in the Chapel.  Lord Chief Just. 
Did you see ere a one of the Three Prisoners there at that time?  Mr. Bedlow. 
No my Lord: But I have such a Remembrance of Faces, that I could tell, if I saw them again, any that I did see there, though the Light was but small. They told me They had Strangled him; but how, I did not know. When they pressed me to help to carry him out, I then Excused myself, and said, It was too Early to carry him out yet; but about Eleven or Twelve a Clock would be a better time. And I assured them I would come again. Said Le Fair to me, Upon the Sacrament you took on Thursday, you will be at the Carrying Off of this Man at Night. I promised him I would. And he went away, and left me there. I made what speed away I could, for I was very Unsatisfied in myself; having so great a charge upon me, as the Sacrament of the Altar, which after the discovery of the Plot, was Administered to me twice a Week to conceal it, I could not tell how to discover: I went then to Bristol, but very restless and disturbed in my mind; and being persuaded by what God was pleased to put into my mind, calling to remembrance that some Murders had been already committed, and greater ones were daily intended, I was at last convinced, and could not longer forbear discovery. I wrote to the Secretary of it, and went to the Parliament and gave in my information. And one day I met with Mr. Prance in the Lobby, and knew him, and apprehended him.  Mr. Att. G. 
I will ask you one question, Had you any discourse with Mr. Prance between the time you saw him with the Body, and the day he was apprehended.  Mr. Bedlow, 
No, I never saw him to this day, to have any converse with him.  Mr. Justice Wild, 
Did not you see Hill that night when you were to have carried him away?  Mr. Bedlow, 
No my Lord.  Mr. Justice Wild, 
Nor Green, nor Berry?  Mr. Bedlow, 
Green I did see about the Court, and Berry I was told was to open the Gate that Monday night. But my Lord, when they found I did not come again, they desisted that night, and kept it off longer, for fear I should come again to stop them.  Mr. Att. G. 
He did not refuse to help them, but promised to do it and failed: and they finding that he had failed them, would not let the body lie where it was for fear of discovery, but removed back again.  Mr. Justice Dolben, 
What did Prance say, when you first took notice of him?  Mr. Bedlow, 
I understood aftewards that he was taken upon suspicion, because at that time, his Maid had made a discovery, that he was about that time out of his Lodgings. And while he was there in the Constable's hands Mr. Oates came by, and he desired to see him; and presently after I came thither, and the Constable asked him, Mr. Prance, will you see Mr. Bedlow? No, he said, he would not: Then he put his Hat over his eyes that I might not see his face, and kept it so. The press being great, and being desirous to be private myself, I spoke to the Guard to put all out that had no business there, and they cried out, that all should avoid the Room but Mr. Bedlow and his Friends. And when he was going out with the rest, he lift up his Hat to see his way; and though before I did not mind him, yet I happened at his passing by me to cast my eyes upon his face, and presently knew him, and cried, Oh! pray Sir stay, you are one of my friends that must stay here. And I presently charged my Guards to take charge of him. Saith the Constable, he is my Prisoner: Is he so, said I? Then you have a very good Prisoner, and pray look safe to him. And then when I went into the House of Lords, I made out my charge against him.  Mr. Recorder, 
Now if the Prisoners have any questions to ask Mr. Bedlow, they may have free liberty to do it.  Hill, 
I never saw him before in my life.  L. C. J. 
Do you know any of them?  Mr. Bedlow, 
I know Mr. Berry, and Green very well.  L. C. J. 
Pray Mr. Prance, was the Darklanthorn at Hill's Lodging, or at the other place?  Mr. Prance, 
At the other place.  L. C. J. 
Look you here Mr. Prance, They carried him to Hill's on Saturday night, and he lay there till Monday night: What time on Monday-night was it that they removed him into Somerset-house?  Mr. Prance, 
I was not there when they did remove him.  L. C. J. 
What time did you see him there?  Mr. Prance, 
About Nine or Ten a Clock.  L. C. J. 
What time was it that you saw him there Mr. Bedlow?  Mr. Bedlow, 
It was after Nine my Lord.  Mr. Prance, 
They had then removed him to Somerset-house, and Mr. Hill asked what they intended to do with the Body? They said, they would carry it out that night, but they did not. But there the Darklanthorn was, and on Tuesday-night they removed him back again.  Mr. Att. G. 
Now my Lord, if you please, we shall go on to call some Witnesses that were not present at the Murder; for direct Evidence, as to that, can come only out of the mouth of some that were concerned in it; but to corroborate by concurrent circumstances, the Testimony which hath been already given. And first we shall call the Constable, to prove that he found Sir Edmondbury Godfrey in the Fields, in the same manner in which Mr. Prance says they told him they left him.  L. C. I 
Mr. Attorney, you promised you would prove, that when these persons were examined, they did deny before the House of Lords, that they knew Prance.  Mr. Att. G. 
My Lord, in that we were mistaken, I understand now, it was only Berry denied that he did know Girald.  L. C. J. 
Why, did you never know Mr. Gerald?  Berry, 
Never in my life.  L. C. J. 
Mr. Prance, have not you seen Girald with Berry?  Mr. Prance, 
Yes, I have, but they usually went by several Names.  L. C. J. 
Did you ever see Girald in Hill's company?  Mr. Prance, 
Yes, that I have.  L. C. J. 
Was there no Sentinel set that Monday-night, that Saturday-night, and that Wednesday-night?  Mr. Prance, 
My Lord, I am not certain, I took notice of none; if there were any, they were at Berry's House, and he opened the Gate, when we came out with the Sedan.  Mr. Att. G. 
Mr. Berry, I suppose, could take order with the Sentinel, and give them some entertainment in his own Lodg.  Then Mr. Brown the Constable was Sworn. Mr. Recorder, 
Pray, in what posture did you find Sir Edmundbury Godfrey?  Mr. Brown, 
I found him, my Lord, in a Ditch, with his Sword through him, and the end of it was two handfuls out of his back.  L. C. J. 
Was he Bloody?  Mr. Brown, 
There was no Blood at all, there was no Blood in the Ditch.  L. C. J. 
Was the Sword sticking in his Body?  Mr. Brown, 
Yes, My Lord, but there was no Blood at all when it was taken out; they had run it into another place, but that happened to be against a Rib, and so it could not go through; but there was no blood there.  Mr. Justice Jones, 
Was there any bruises on his Breast?  Mr. Brown, 
He did look black about the Breast.  Mr. Att. G. 
My Lord, I would ask, whether his Neck were broken?  Mr. Brown, 
Yes, I suppose it was.  L. C. J. 
How do you know it?  Mr. Brown, 
It was very weak, and one might turn his Head from one Shoulder to the other.  L. C. J. 
Where was his Stick and Gloves?  Mr. Brown, 
They were on the Bankside.  L. C. J. 
Whose Sword was it?  Mr. Brown, 
His Servants said it was his own.  Mr. Att. G. 
Pray, had he any Money in his Pocket?  Mr. Brown, 
Yes, a great deal of Gold and Silver.  L. C. J. 
Ay, Ay, for they count Theft Sin, but not Murder.  Mr. Justice Wild, 
They left that, to let men think he murdered himself.  L. C. J. 
Well, will you ask this Witness any questions before he goes?  Capt. Richardson, 
They say they will ask him none.  Mr. Att. G. 
Then we desire to call the Surgeons that viewed and opened the Body, Mr. Skillard, and Mr. Cambridge; both whom were Sworn.  Mr. Att. G. 
We begin with Mr. Skillard, Pray, Sir, inform my Lord and the Jury, Did you see the Body of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey?  Mr. Skillard, 
Yes, I did view the Body.  Mr. Att. G. 
When? what time did you see it?  Mr. Skillard, 
About Twelve of the Clock.  Mr. Att. G. 
What day of the Week was it?  Mr. Skillard, 
On Friday, the next day after he was found.  Mr. Att G. 
Did you observe his Breast? how was it?  Mr. Skillard. 
His breast was all beaten with some obtuse weapon, either with the feet or hands, or something.  Mr. Att. G. 
Did you observe his neck?  Mr. Skillard 
Yes, it was distorted.  Mr. Att. G. 
How far?  Mr. Skillard. 
You might have taken the Chin and have set it upon either Shoulder.  Mr. Att. G. 
Did you observe the wound?  Mr. Skillard. 
Yes, I did. It went in at one place and stopped at a Rib, the other place it was quite through the Body.  Mr. Att. G. 
Do you think he was killed by that wound?  Mr. Skillard. 
No, for then there would have been some evacuation of Blood, which there was not. And besides his bosom was open, and he had a Flannel Waistcoat and a Shirt on; and neither those, nor any of his Clothes were penetrated.  Mr. Att. G. 
But are you sure his neck had been broken?  Mr. Skillard. 
Yes, I am sure.  Mr. Att. G. 
Because some have been of opinion, that he hanged himself, and his Relations to save his estate run him through; I would desire to ask the Chirurgeon what he thinks of it.  Mr. Skillard. 
There was more done to his neck than an ordinary suffocation; the wound went through his very heart, and there would have appeared some blood, if it had been done quickly after his death.  Mr. Att. G. 
Did it appear by the view of the body that he was strangled or hanged?  Mr. Skillard. 
He was a lean man, and his muscles if he had died of the wound, would have been turgid: and then again all strangled people never swell, because there is a sudden deprivation of all the spirits, and a hindering of the Circulation of the blood.  Mr. Att. G. 
How long do you believe he might be dead before you saw him?  Mr. Skillard. 
I believe four or five days. And they might have kept him a week and he never swelled at all, being a lean man. And when we ripped him up, he began for to putrify, we made two incisions to give it vent, and the liquor that was in his body did a little smell. The very lean flesh was so near turned into putrefaction, that it stuck to the Instrument when we cut it.  Mr. Recorder. 
My Lord here is another Chirurgeon, Mr. Cambridge; Pray Sir are you sworn.  Mr. Cambridge. 
Yes, I am.  Mr. Recorder. 
When did you see the body of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey?  Mr. Cambridge. 
Upon friday, the very same day the Gentleman did. I found his neck dislocated, and his breast very much beaten and bruised. And I found two punctures under his left Pap, the one went against the Rib, the other quite through the body under the left Pap.  Mr. Att G. 
Do you believe that wound was the occasion of his death?  Mr. Cambridge. 
No, I believe it was given him after his death.  L. C. J. 
And his neck was broke?  Mr. Cambridge. 
His neck was dislocated, Sir.  Mr. Att. G. 
Why, that is broken. Now my Lord we shall call Sir Edmundbury Godfrey's Maid, Elizabeth Curtis. Swear her. Which was done.  Mr. Recorder. 
Your Lordship knows that Mr Prance did say in the beginning, that they had been several times at his House enquiring for him: now we call this person to tell you what she knows about that.  Mr. Att. G. 
Elizabeth Curtis, look upon the Prisoners, and tell my Lord and the Jury whether you know any of them or no.  Elizabeth Curtis. 
This man that I now hear called Green, my Lord, was at my Masters about a fortnight before he died.  L. C. J. 
What to do?  Eliz. Curtis. 
I don't know, but he asked for Sir Edmondbury Godfrey.  L. C. J. 
What time of the day was it?  Eliz. Curtis, 
It was in the morning.  Mr. Att G. 
What did he say?  Eliz Curtis, 
He asked for Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, and when he came to him, he said, Good morrow, Sir, in English, and afterwards spoke to him in French, I could not understand him.  Mr. Recorder, 
I desire she may consider well, and look upon him.  Eliz. Curtis, 
That is the man.  Green. 
Upon my Soul I never saw him in all my life.  Eliz. Curtis, 
He had a darker coloured Periwig when he was there, and was about a quarter of an hour talking with my Master.  Mr. Att. G. 
Are you sure this was the man?  E. Curtis, 
Yes, I am, and that other man Hill was there that Saturday morning, and did speak with him before he went out.  L. C. J. 
That you will deny too?  Hill, 
Yes, I do.  L. C. J. 
How do you know he was there?  E. Curtis, 
I was in the Parlour at that time, making up the fire.  L. C. J. 
Had you ever seen him before that time?  E. Curtis, 
No, never before that time. I went into the Parlour to carry my Master his Breakfast, and brought a bunch of Keys with me in, and there Hill was with him. And I went up stairs about some business, and came down again wanting the Keys, which I had left upon the Table; and Hill was all that time with my Master.  Mr. Sol. G. 
How do you know he was there?  E. Curtis, 
I was in the Parlour and stirred up the fire, and he was there a good while.  Mr. Just. Jones, 
How long after did you see him again?  E. Curtis, 
Not till I saw him in Newgate.  Mr. Just. Jones, 
How long was that afterwards?  E. Curtis, 
A month ago. But it is not the man that brought the note to my Master.  Mr. Att. G. 
What note?  E. Curtis, 
A note that a man brought to my Master that night before.  Mr. Att. G. 
What is become of that Note?  E. Curtis, 
My Lord, I cannot tell, my Master had it.  Mr. Att. G. 
Prithee, tell us the story of it.  E. Curtis, 
There was a man came to my Master's House, and asked if Sir Edmondbury Godfrey were within. He said he had a Letter for him; and showed it me, it was tied up in a knot. I told him my Master was within, but busy; but said I, if you please I will carry it into him: he did so, and I gave it to my Master; when I went out again, the man stayed and asked for an Answer: I went in again and told my Master that the man required an Answer. Prithee, said he, tell him I don't know what to make of it.  Mr. Just. Wild, 
When was that?  E. Curtis, 
On Friday night.  Mr. Just. Wild, 
When? The Friday night before he was murdered?  E. Curtis, 
Yes.  Mr. Att. G. 
But you Swear that Hill was there the Saturday morning.  E. Curtis, 
Yes, he was.  Mr. Sol. G. 
In what Clothes was he then?  E. Curtis, 
The same Clothes that he hath now.  Mr. Just. Wild, 
Are you sure they are the same Clothes?  E. Curtis, 
Yes.  Mr. Sol. G. 
Here is a great Circumstance my Lord. I asked her what Clothes he was in when he came to Sir Edmondbury's; and she saith, the same that he hath now.  L. C. J. 
Have you ever shifted your Clothes?  Hill, 
No indeed, I have not.  E. Curtis, 
But for the man that brought the Note, I cannot Swear it is he.  Hill, 
But she did say when she came to see me in Newgate, that she never saw me in my life; and my Lord I hope I have sufficient Witnesses to prove where I was that morning.  L. C. J. 
She says, she cannot Swear you were the man that brought the Note.  Hill, 
My Lord, I desire she will tell me about what time it was I was there.  E. Curtis, 
It was about nine or ten a Clock.  Mr. Att. G. 
That agrees with Mr. Praunces' exactly in point of time. Now if your Lordship please, we will proceed and call Mr. Lancellot Stringer, and Mr. Vincent.  Mr. Recorder, 
My Lord, we do call these Witnesses to prove, that these men had meetings with Mr. Prance at the Blow.  [Then was Lancelot Stringer sworn.] Mr. Recorder. 
Pray tell my Lord and the Jury whether you know Mr. Prance.  L. Stringer. 
Yes, Sir, I do.  Mr. Recorder. 
Have you seen him at the Blow at any time?  L. Stringer. 
Yes, Sir, I have.  Mr. Recorder. 
In what company there? Was Mr. Green there?  L. Stringer. 
Yes, he was.  Mr. Recorder. 
Which was he? He points to him.  Mr. Recorder. 
And who else?  L. Stringer. 
There was that Hill.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
How often?  L. Stringer. 
Several times.  L. C. J. 
How long before Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was murdered?  L. Stringer. 
I cannot tell, my Lord.  L. C. J. 
Do you remember any other company was with him?  L. Stringer. 
Yes, there were several other company.  Mr. Recorder. 
Name them.  L. Stringer. 
There was Mr. Fitz-Girald and Mr. Hill.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
And yet Hill saith he never saw Girald.  L. Stringer. 
And there was Kelly, he was another of them, and Prance.  L. C. J. 
Did you know Vernatt?  L. Stringer. 
Yes, my Lord.  L. C. J. 
How now? What say you to it Mr. Hill, and Mr. Green? Were you never at the Blow, drinking with Mr. Prance?  Hill. 
Yes, my Lord, several times.  L. C. J. 
What say you, Mr Green?  Green. 
I have drank with him there.  L. C. J. 
Do you know Girald?  Hill. 
I know one Girald?  Mr. Sol. Gen. 
Now will your Lordship please to let me prove, that at the Council he owned he knew Girald and Kelly, and now 'tis proved he hath been in Kelly's company, he says he does not know Girald.  Hill. 
My Lord, that was a mistake, for I do know Kelly by sight, that is, I knew two Men that used the Chapel very much, and he was one of them.  L. C. J. 
But you, Witness, say you have seen Girald and them together?  L. Stringer. 
Yes, I have.  L. C. J. 
How many times?  L. Stringer. 
I cannot tell how many, my Lord, several times.  L. C. J. 
Have you seen them twice together?  L. Stringer. 
Yes, I have.  Mr. Recorder. 
Now to settle it I would ask him, with your Lordship's favour, when he came to live with his Master. You, young Man, when did you come to live with your Master at the Blow?  L. Stringer. 
Why, I have been with him two years.  Mr. Rec. 
But when was it you came last to live at the Blow?  L. Stringer. 
In Bartholomew-tide last.  Mr. Recorder. 
It was but five Weeks before Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was Murdered.  L. C. J. 
Do you, Green, know Mr. Girald?  Green. 
Yes, I do.  Mr. Recorder. 
Then pray Swear Mr. Vincent. [Which was done.  Mr. Recorder. 
Come, pray Sir, do you live at the Blow?  Vincent. 
Yes, Sir, I do.  Mr. Recorder. 
Then pray, do you tell my Lord, and the Jury, if you know any of the Prisoners at the Bar, and which of them.  Vincent. 
I know Mr. Green.  Mr. Recorder. 
Do you know any body else?  Vincent. 
Yes, I know Hill, and I know Mr. Berry.  Mr. Rec. 
Have you seen these persons at your House?  Vincent. 
Yes, I have.  L. C. J. 
With whom?  Vincent. 
I can't tell every body with whom they were.  L. C. J. 
Were they there with Prance?  Vincent. 
Yes, Sir.  L. C. J. 
Did you know one Girald?  Vincent. 
Yes, Sir.  L. C. J. 
Hath he been at your house?  Vincent. 
Yes, Sir, he hath.  L. C. J. 
Who was with him?  Vincent. 
I can't tell justly.  L. C. J. 
Did you know Kelly?  Vincent. 
Yes, I did.  L. C. J. 
Hath he been there?  Vincent. 
Yes, he hath.  L. C. J. 
In what Company?  Vincent. 
With Prance.  L. C. J. 
And with any of the Prisoners?  Vincent. 
Yes, but I can't tell particularly with whom.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
Now, my Lord, as these were meetings before the fact was committed to consult how to do it; so we at the beginning told you of a meeting after it was done, and that was at Bow. We shall therefore call some Witnesses as to that; and they are Richard Cary, and William Evans. First swear Richard Cary. [Which was done.  Mr. Recorder. 
Do you remember you were sent of a message from the Queens-Head at Bow, and whether? Pray tell my Lord, and the Jury.  Cary. 
I remember it very well; there were three Gentlemen that sent for me to the Queens-Head, and I being sent for did come, and when I came up stairs, they asked me if I knew Poplar, I said I knew it very well. Then they asked me if I knew Mr. Dethick, I told them I thought I did. Then said they, you must carry this Letter to George Dethick, Esq at Poplar, and deliver it to his own hands, and to no body else. Accordingly away I went, and carried the Letter: I went to the door, and asked if he were within; his Man said he was above stairs, but they would call him to me; and calling him to me, Sir, said I, there are some Gentlemen at the Queens-Head at Bow that have sent me with a Letter to you. So he looked upon the Letter, and, saith he, go and tell them I will be with them presently. So, may it please you, my Lord, I came again, and when I came, the Gentlemen were there still. Well, said they, go and drink a Glass of Claret, which stood upon the Table, and they gave me sixpence, and I went away.  Mr. Recorder. 
Pray look upon Mr. Prance, can you remember whether that man was there?  Cary. 
There were three of them, and he looks like one.  Mr. Recorder. 
Mr. Prance, do you remember this was the man you sent?  Mr. Prance. 
Yes, my Lord, this was the same man that was sent.  L. C. J. 
Well, call the other.  [Then William Evans, the Boy of the House at the Queens-Head, was sworn] Mr. Recorder. 
Hark you, do you remember any Company that was at your Master's house two or three Months agone?  W. Evans. 
Yes, I do.  Mr. Recorder. 
Do you remember that you heard them talk any thing there?  W. Evans. 
They pulled out a Paper and read it.  L. C. J. 
You Boy, do you know Mr. Dethick?  W. Evans. 
Yes, I do.  L. C. J. 
Was he there?  W. Evans. 
He did come to them, my Lord.  Mr. Recorder. 
What had they to Dinner there?  W. Evans. 
They had Flounder.  Mr. Recorder. 
Who bought them?  W. Evans. 
One of them, I can't tell who.  Mr. Recorder. 
What had they else?  W. Evans. 
A Barrel of Oysters.  Mr. Recorder. 
Pray give my Lord an account what you observed and heard.  W. Evans. 
Sir, I know nothing but that they pulled out a Paper, and read it, and named Sir Edmondbury Godfrey's Name. And while I was at the door, some body came and threatened to kick me down stairs.  L. C. J. 
He saith just as Mr. Prance said in every particular.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
Now if it please your Lordship, we desire to call Sir Robert Southwell, to prove what Mr. Prance said before the Council, and how particular he was; and did to some of the Lords, who were sent with him to Somerset-House, point out the places.  Mr. Sol. Gen. 
We call him to show, that when Prance was examined before the King, he was sent with some of the Lords, and Sir Robert Southwell, to Somerset-House, where he pointed with his Finger, and showed the places where all was done, and so we shall show your Lordship and the Jury, how exact he was in every thing.  Then Sir Robert Southwell was sworn. Mr. Recorder. 
Pray Sir Robert, will you tell your knowledge?  Sir Robert Southwell. 
My Lord, I was upon the twenty fourth of December waiting upon his Majesty in Council, and Mr. Prance was sent for, to speak his knowledge concerning this Murder, and he then gave a general Account of things, which, because it did relate to that Bench, and this Corner, and that Room, and that Passage, and that Gallery, it was not understood by the Board, and thereupon his Majesty thought fit to appoint my Lord Duke of Monmouth, and the Earl of Ossory, and Mr. Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen, to go thither, and take the Examination upon the place, and Report it to the Board: And I, being Clerk of of the Council, though not in waiting at that time, and having taken notice of what Mr. Prance had there deposed, I did wait upon those Lords, and took the Examination upon the Place. And what I did take upon the place, This was done here, and that there, I drew up into a Report, and the Report is Signed by those two Noble Lords, and was read that Afternoon at the Board; and to that I refer myself.  Mr. Attorn. Gen. 
Pray Sir Robert, Did he show the particular places to those Lords?  Sir Robert Southwell. 
Yes, he did. First, the Bench whereon they were sitting when Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was coming down; then the Corner into which they drew him when they had strangled him; then the place where one Berry went to stay, which was at the Stairs that lead to the Upper Court, than a little door at the end of the Stables, which lead up a pair of Stairs, and at the head of the Stairs a long dark Entry, and at the top of those Stairs, a door on the left hand, which being opened, showed us eight steps, which lead up to the Lodgings that were Dr. Godwins: In which Hill was said to be inhabitant for seven years before. And assoon as we were gone two steps, there was a little Closet or Cabinet on the right hand, in which there was a Bed, and there he showed my Lords, This is the place where we handed him up first, and here we left him, said he, in the care of Hill for two nights.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
You were there, Sir Robert Southwell upon the place, when he showed them these things?  Sir Robert Southwell. 
Yes Sir, I was there.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
Was it answerable to what he had declared to the King and Council?  Sir Robert Southwell. 
Yes, it was answerable to all things he had said in the morning.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
And suitable to what he says now?  Sir Robert Southwell. 
Yes, suitable to what he says now, but only now he says more than he said then. And as to what he says about the Chambers of Sir John Arundel, they could not be Sir John's Lodgings, for they were not capable of receiving a Person of that Quality.  Mr. Prance. 
I said, I did believe they did belong to Sir John Arundel.  L. Chief Just. 
They were Lodgings perhaps that belonged to his Servants, though not to him.  Mr. Attorn. Gen. 
Sir Robert, I desire to know, whether Mr. Prance, when he showed these places, and made these Descriptions, did he do it with any hesitancy, or did he do it readily?  Sir Robert Southwell. 
Hitherto, my Lord, he went directly and positively, as if any body should walk to Westminster-Hall door. But afterwards, when the Lords did desire to know whither the Body was carried, he said, it was into some Room of the house by the Garden; for this is an Outer part of the House, which any body may do any thing in, without their knowledge that are within. And he undertook to lead them to the place as well as he could; and so away we went through the long dark Entry that leads into the Outer Court of the Great House; and crossing the Quadrangle, he leads us to the Piazza, and down a pair of Stairs, and so far, said he, I am sure I went; then, assoon as we were down the Stairs, there is a great Square Court, than he began to stagger, as if he did not know his way, but there was no way but to go on however, and on we went, and coming cross the Court, we came into several Rooms, and going through them, we came up Stairs again, and so into several other Rooms again. Sure, said he, we were here, but I can't tell, and he was in a great Distraction what Room he see the Body in; but, said he, thus far, I am certain I am right; which was according to the Paper, and I refer myself to that.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
But, you say, that what he had said to the Lords in the Council, was the same that he said when you were by upon the place.  Sir Robert Southwell. 
Yes.  L. Chief. Just. 
His doubtfulness of the Room does assert, and give Credit to his Testimony, and Confirms it to any honest man in England. Here, saith he, I will not be positive, but having sworn the other things which he well remembered, positively, he is made the more Credible for his doubtfulness of a thing which he does not remember, which a man that could swear any thing would not stick at.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
Besides, he was not there but by night, and all the Light he had was a dark Lantern.  Mr. Sol. Gen. 
Now, Sir Robert, I would ask you one Question, if you please, Do you remember that Hill was Examined at the Council about this matter?  Sir Robert Southwell. 
My Lord these are the Notes that I took upon these men's Examinations, if your Lordship pleases they may be read.  Mr. Recorder. 
Sir Robert, We ask you but as to one particular thing, therefore if you please to look upon it, and refresh your Memory, you may read it to yourself, and tell us only the substance; which he did.  Mr. Sol. Gen. 
Now Sir, if you please, Do you remember that Hill was there?  Sir. Rob. Southwell. 
Yes, I find he was Examined.  Mr. Soll. Gen. 
Did not he deny there that he knew Kelly, but that he knew Girald?  Sir Rob. Southwell. 
Yes, I do find it here set down that he did deny he knew Kelly, but that he knew Girald.  Hill. 
I said I knew one Girald, but not that.  Mr. Record. 
But before the Council he said he knew Girald, not one Girald.  L. Chief Just. 
This way of Answering is like the Examination that was taken lately amongst some of them. A Person was asked when he saw such a Priest? He denied that he had seen him in fourteen days. But than comes one and proves to his face, that he was with him in Company all Night, within a Week and jess. ay, says he, that's true, but I said I had not seen him in Fourteen Days. And so they may take Oaths to serve the King faithfully all the Days of their Lives, but in the Nights they may murder him, and keep their Oaths for all that.  Mr Just. Dolben. 
I would know, whether the Girald you know be a Priest or no?  Hill. 
He is not.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
Then you do not know Girald the Priest?  Hill. 
No, I do not.  Mr. Recorder. 
Call Mr. Thomas Stringer. And he was sworn.  Mr. Recorder. 
Pray Mr. Stringer, will you tell my Lord and the Jury what it was that Mr. Berry said about any directions he had to keep all Persons out of Somerset-House, about the twelfth or fourteenth of October last?  Mr. T. Stringer. 
My Lord, upon his Examination before the Lords of the Committee, Berry did say he had Orders from the Queen, or in the Name of the Queen, That he should suffer no Strangers, nor any Persons of Quality to come into Somerset-House.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
When was it he was to keep them out?  Mr. T. Stringer. 
The 12th 13th and 14th of October.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
What, three days?  Mr. T. Stringer. 
Two or three days. And he said that the Prince did come, and he did refuse him, and sent him back again.  Mr. Record. 
Did he say he ever had any such Directions before?  Mr. T. Stringer. 
No: he said he never before had any.  L. Ch. Just. 
It was a very unlucky thing that he had it then.  Berry. 
The Prince might have gone in if he would.  Mr. T. Stringer. 
You said you did refuse him, you had order to let none come in.  L. Ch. Just. 
Had you any such Order?  Berry. 
Yes, my Lord, I had such an Order from the Queen's Gentleman-Usher.  L. Ch. Just. 
Had you never had such before?  Berry. 
Yes, I have had before, since the Queen came to Somerset-House.  L. Ch. Just. 
Mr. Stringer swears you said you had not any before.  Berry. 
Yes, I had.  L. Ch. Just. 
Why did you deny it then?  Berry. 
I did not deny it; besides, there were several went in.  Mr. Record. 
We have proved indeed, five or six did go in.  L. Ch. Just. 
For how many days had you that Order?  Berry. 
Two days.  L. Ch. Just. 
Which two days?  Berry. 
The eleventh and twelfth, I think thereabouts.  Mr. Record. 
Did you say before the Lords, that you never had such Orders before?  Berry. 
No, I did not.  L. Ch. Just. 
Mr. Berry, When you were examined before the Lords, Did you not say you never had such Orders before?  Berry. 
No, I did not say so, my Lord, as I know of; for they did not examine me about that.  L. Ch. Just. 
You said you would prove it under his own Hand. Prove that.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
Mr. Stringer, Did he write his Name to his Examination?  Mr. T. Stringer. 
Yes, he did to one Examination.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
Pray look upon that, Is that his Hand?  Mr. T. Stringer. 
This was read to him before he Signed it, and then he did Sign it.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
I would said show it to him, to see whether he Would own it or no.  Berry. 
Yes, that is my Hand.  Then the Clerk of the Crown read it. Cler. of th' Cr. 
This is subscribed by Henry Berry. The Information of Henry Berry, Porter at the Gate of Somerset-House; taken before the Right Honourable the Marquis of Winchester. This Deponent saith, That about the 12th, 13th, and 14th of October last, he had Order to tell all Persons of Quality, that the Queen was private, and that they were not to come in; and this Deponent saith, The Queen continued so private for two days.  L. Ch. Just. 
Where is that part of the Examination wherein he said, he never had any such Order before?  Mr. T. Sringer. 
He did say so, but it is not in that that hath his Hand to it.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
Pray, my Lord, observe this is a kind of reflecting Evidence, and I Would have no more made of it than the thing will bear.  L. Ch. Just. 
They only bring it, and make use of it against Berry, as a pretence of his.  M. Just. Wild. 
But it is a very reflecting Evidence.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
Surely there is no body here that offers it as such: We use it only to this purpose, to show that Berry, who was a Party to this Murder, did use all the means that he could to keep it private; and ●ndeavoured to prevent Strangers coming in that Night to discover it, and therefore pretended these Orders.  
If he had any such Orders, I suppose he will prove them, we do not say he had them; but 'tis a great Evidence, when he pretended to such privacy, that he and his Fellows had something to do that was not fit to be known by every body.  Mr. Record. 
He may make use of any body's Name, and pretend what he will; but I suppose he will prove it from the Gentleman-Usher, if it be true.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
We have one Witness more to call, my Lord, and that is one Farr. Call Stephen Farr.  
Which was done, and he sworn.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
He is a Neighbour to Berry, and will give your Lordship an Account what Applications have been made to him, to tamper with him for Money, to keep away, and not give Evidence in this Cause. Pray Sir, are you Mr. Berry's Neighbour?  Farr. 
Yes Sir, I am.  Mr. Att Gen. 
Pray then tell what you know.  Farr. 
I know him very well, his Wife hath been with me last Week, and asked me if I knew what time he was with me on Wednesday, the 16th of October. I desired time to recollect myself: And she called four or five times after, and I did recollect my Memory and told her, That I was not with him at all that Wednesday.  L. Ch. Just. 
Why, this was reasonable, and fair enough to do.  Mr. Att. Gen. 
It was so, my Lord, but pray had you no Money offered you?  Farr. 
No Sir, none at all; and I told her I could not remember that I was with him that day.  Berry. 
But you may remember it very well, when I came from the Queen, I came to you.  Farr. 
My Lord, I was out of Town that Wednesday, from two a Clock in the Afternoon, till nine at Night.  L. Ch. Just. 
Well, well, this is nothing: The Woman was willing if she could, to have counterproved the Evidence, and what she did was fair; she offered no Money, nor did it in an indirect way.  Mr. Att Gen. 
My Lord, We have now done with our Evidence for the King, and leave it till we hear what they say.  L. Ch. Just. 
What do you say for yourselves, you shall have all the free liberty you will desire?  Hill. 
In the first place, I take God to be my Witness, that I am wholly innocent, as to the Matter that is charged upon me: And as to what is said, that I dogged Sir Edmundbury Godfrey; I can prove that I went into my Lodging at eight a clock, and did not stir out.  L. Ch. Just. 
Come, call your Witnesses.  Hill. 
Marry Tilden, Katherine Lee, Mrs. Broadstreet, and Daniel Grace.  L. Ch. Just. 
Let them come in there.  Then Mary Tilden was first examined. Mr. Att. Gen 
This is Doctor Godwin's Niece, and his Housekeeper.  L Ch. Just. 
Well, what do you ask her?  Hill. 
I desire to know what you can say about my being in my Lodging, and not going out.  Marry Tilden. 
He hath lived in our Family seven or eight Years.  L Ch. Just. 
Your Family, What is your Family?  Marry Tilden 
With my Uncle?  L Ch. Just. 
Who is Your Uncle.  Marry Tilden. 
Doctor Godwin; we left him in the House always when we were absent from it, he was always a trusty Servant, never kept ill hours, always came home by eight a Clock at Night.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
Always, For how long?  Marry Tilden. 
Ever since we came over last into England.  Mr. Just Dolben. 
When was that?  Marry Tilden. 
In April last.  L. Ch. Just. 
Were you there that Night Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was killed?  Marry Tilden. 
I was.  L. Ch. Just. 
What Night was that?  Marry Tilden. 
I don't know, my Lord, I heard of it in the Town.  L. Ch. Just. 
When did you first hear of it?  Marry Tilden 
The Thursday that he was found.  L. Ch. Just. 
Did you not hear of it on the Wednesday?  Marry Tilden 
Yes, I did.  L. Ch. Just. 
Who could tell you the Wednesday before?  Marry Tilden. 
Why, my Lord, in the Town it was said he was missing from Saturday, and a Thursday he was found.  L. C. J. 
What can you say concerning Hill, that he was not out after eight a clock that night?  Marry Tilden. 
He was a very good Servant to my Uncle, and never kept ill hours, but always came in by eight a clock or before.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
Were not you out yourself that night?  Marry Tilden. 
No not I, never out after that hour.  L. C. J. 
Pray how can you give such an account of Mr. Hill, as if he was always in your company?  Marry Tilden. 
He came in to wait at Table, and did not stir out afterwards.  L. C. J. 
Pray what Religion are you of? are you a Papist?  Marry, Tilden. 
I know not whether I come here to make a profession of my Faith.  L. C. J. 
Are you a Roman Catholic?  Marry Tilden. 
Yes.  L. C. J. 
Have you a dispensation to eat Suppers on Saturday-nights?  Mr. Recorder. 
I hope you did not keep him company after Supper all night.  Marry Tilden. 
No I did not, but he came in to wait at Table at Supper.  L. C. J. 
I thought you had kept fasting on Saturday-nights.  Marry Tilden. 
No, my Lord, not on Saturday-nights.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
How many Dishes of Meat had you to Supper?  Marry Tilden. 
We had no Meat, though we did not fast.  L. C. J. 
Can you speak positively as to this night, the Saturday that he was killed?  Marry Tilden. 
He was at home that night.  L. C. J. 
And where was he the Sunday?  Marry Tilden. 
He was at home.  L. C. J. 
And you are sure he was at home every night?  Marry Tilden. 
Yes, while we were in Town.  L. C. J. 
Where was you all that Wednesday-night you speak of?  Marry Tilden. 
I was at home in my Lodging.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
How is it possible for you to say, that Hill, who was not your constant Companion, did not go out afterwards?  Marry Tilden. 
No, he was not my constant Companion.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
How then can you charge your Memory that he was at home?  L. C. J. 
Come, you are to speak truth, though you are not upon your Oath. Can you charge your memory to say, that he came in constantly at eight a clock at night?  Marry Tilden. 
Yes, I can, because I saw him come in constantly; and when he came in, I always sent my Maid to bar the door.  L. C. J. 
Maid, can you say that he was always at home at night?  Marry Tilden. 
I can say he never was abroad after eight at night.  Mr. Recorder. 
Why you did not watch him till he went to bed, did you?  Marry Tilden. 
We were always up till eleven a clock at night.  Mr. Att. G. 
Was he in your company all that while?  Marry Tilden. 
I beg your pardon; if your Lordship saw the Lodgings, you would say it were impossible for any to go in or out, but that they must know it within. We were constant in our hours of going to Supper; our doors were never opened after he came in to wait at Supper.  L. C. J. 
You may say any thing to a Heretic for a Papist.  Mr. Justice. Dolben. 
This is a mighty improbable business.  Mr. Justice. Wild. 
Where was he a Wednesday-night?  Marry Tilden. 
At home.  L. C. J. 
They have a general Answer for all Questions.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
Who kept the Key of your Lodgings?  Marry Tilden. 
The Maid.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
Hath Hill never kept the Key?  Marry Tilden. 
No, my Lord, the Maid.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
How do you know but that the Maid might let him out?  Mr. Prance. 
My Lord, Mrs. Broadstreet said at first there was but one Key; but before the Duke of Monmouth she said there was six or seven Keys.  L. C. J. 
Look you what tricks you put upon us to blind us. You come and tell us that he was every night at home by eight a clock, and did not stir out, for there was but one Lock, and the Maid kept the Key; and yet there were three or four Keys to it.  Marry Tilden. 
There was but one Key to that which kept the door fast.  L. C. J. 
Prance, how many Keys were there?  Mr. Prance. 
She confessed there were four or five.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
What time was it that you carried him out of Somerset-House on Wednesday-night?  Mr. Prance. 
It was about ten or eleven of the clock. Hill went to fetch the horse.  Marry Tilden. 
We had never been out of our Lodgings after eight a Clock, since we came to Town.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
When were you out of Town?  Marry Tilden. 
In October.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
Nay, now, Mistress, you have spoiled all; for in October this business was done.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
You have undone the man, instead of saving him.  Marry Tilden. 
Why, my Lord; I only mistook the Month.  L. C. J. 
You Woman (speaking to Mrs Broadstreet what Month was it you were out of Town?  Broadstreet. 
In September.  L. C. J. 
'Tis apparent you consider not what you say, or you come hither to say any thing will serve the turn.  Marry Tilden. 
No, I do not, for I was out of Town in September, came to Town the latter end of September.  L. C. J. 
You must remember what you said, that you came to England in April last, and from that time he was always within at eight a clock at night.  Marry Tilden. 
Except that time that we were out of Town, which was in September the Summertime. And it is impossible but if the Body was in the House, as Prance said it was, but I must see him, or some of us must. I used to go every day into that little Room for something or other, and I must needs see him if he were there.  L. C. J. 
You told me just now you were not upon Confession; and I tell you now so, you are not. Then Mrs. Broadstreet was examined.  Mr. Justice Jones. 
Well, Woman, what say you?  Broadstreet. 
We came to Town upon a Monday, Michaelmas-day was the Sunday following; and from that time neither he nor the Maid used to be abroad after eight a clock: we kept very good hours, and he always waited at Supper, and never went abroad after he came in to wait at Supper: and the Lodging was so little, that nothing could be brought in, but they must know that were within.  L. C. J. 
This is a lower Room than the Chamber, is it not?  Mr. Prance. 
'Tis even with the Dining-Room, my Lord.  L. C. J. 
What say you, Sir Robert Southwell?  Sir Ro. Southwell. 
My Lord, it is an extraordinary little place; as soon as you get up eight steps, there is a little square Entry, and there is this Room on the one hand, and the Dining-Room on the other. I think there is a pair of stairs to go down at one corner of the Entry, as I think, but the Body was laid in a little square Room at the head of the steps.  L. C. J. 
And must you go into the Room to go to the Dining-Room?  Broadstreet. 
No, 'tis a distinct Room; but the Key was always in the door, and every day some body went into it for something or another.  L. C. J. 
Will you undertake to say it was always in the door?  Broadstreet. 
Yes, it constantly was.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
For my own part I will not judge you: but that his Body should be carried there about nine a clock at night a Saturday-night, and remain there till Monday-night, 'tis very suspicious, that if you were in the House, as you say you were, and used to go into that Room every day, you must either hear it brought in, or see it.  Broadstreet. 
But we did neither, my Lord.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
It is well you are not Indicted.  Broadstreet. Mr. Prance, 
you know all these things to be false, Mr Prance.  Mr. Prance. 
I lay nothing to your charge; but you said before the Duke of Monmouth, that Hill was gone from his Lodgings before that time.  L. C. J. 
What say you, Sir Rob. Southwell?  Sr. Rob. South. 
There arose a little quarrel between them about the time that Mr. Hill did leave those Lodgings. Prance said it was a Fortnight after; Hill said when he was upon his Examination, that the same Saturday that Sr. Edmondbury was missing, he was treating with his Landlord, and from that time, to the time he went to his new House, it was about a Week or a Fortnight.  L. Ch. Just. 
But he did pretend he was gone before?  Broadstreet. 
No my Lord, I did not.  L. Ch. Just. 
To Witnesses upon Oath Swore it, and you said it yourself, and gave it under your Hand.  Broadstreet. 
My Lord?—  L. Ch. Just. 
Nay you will not hear, but you will talk, you say one thing now, and you set another under your Hand.  Mr. Att. G. 
Have you not a Brother that is in the Proclamation, one Broadstreet a Priest?  Broadstreet. 
I have a Brother whose name is Broadstreet.  Mr. Att. G. 
Is he not a Priest, and in the Proclamation?  Broadstreet. 
I hope, I must not Impeach my Brother here I said upon my Oath he came to Town a Monday, and Michaelmas day was the Sunday following, and Lawrence Hill went away a Fortnight after.  Sr. Rob. South. 
She Swore then two or three Days after Michaelmas Day.  L. Ch. Just. 
You must know we can understand you through all your Arts. It was not convenient for you at that time to say, that Mr. Hill went away about a Fortnight after Michaelmas, for then the thing that was charged to be done part of it in your House, would have been within the Fortnight, for it was the 12 th' of October, but than you said only two or three Days.  Sr. Rob. South. 
She did say my Lord, that about Miclemas two or three or four Days after he went away:  Broadstreet. 
I beg your pardon, I only said I could not tell the time exactly.  L. Ch. Just. 
Well have you any more to say.  Marry Tilden. 
There was never a Day but I went into that Room for something or other, and if any body came to see me, there was so little space that the Footmen were always forced to be in that Room.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
Were you there upon Sunday?  Marry Tilden. 
Yes, my Lord, I was.  Mr. Just. Dolb. 
Well I will say no more, call another Witness.  Hill. 
Katherine Lee.  L. Ch. Just. 
What can you say, Maid?  Lee. 
My Lord, I did never miss him out of the House at those Hours.  L. Ch. Just. 
May be you did not look for him.  Lee. 
I did go down every Night to the Door to see if it were locked, and I went into the Parlour to see that things were safe there.  L. Ch. Just. 
You are a Roman Catholic, are you not?  Lee. 
Yes, I am.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
Might not he go out of the House, and you never the wiser?  Lee. 
Yes, for I did not watch him continually.  Capt. Richardson. 
All that she says may be true by the Place. The Servants keep down a pair of Stairs in the Kitchen, and any one may come in or go out having so many Keys, and they not know it that are below.  Lee. 
I went into the Chamber every morning as I went to Market.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
Have a care what you say, and mind the Question I ask you, Were you there on the Sunday in that Room where they say Sr. Edmondbury Godfrey's Body was laid?  Lee. 
I cannot say that I was in that Room, but I called in at the Door every Day, and I was the last up every Night.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
I'll say that for thee, thou hast spoke with more care than any of them all.  Then Daniel Grace was Examined L. Ch. Just 
What can you say? What Questions do you ask him?  Hill. 
I desire him to speak what he can say, where I was those 5 Days that Sr. Edmondbury Godfrey was missing.  Grace. 
I kept my Brother Hill Company, from the 8 th' of October, till he took his House, which was about the 22 or 23.  L. Ch. Just. 
What time did you use to go to Bed?  Grace. 
About 9 or 10 a Clock at Night.  L. Ch. Just. 
What time did he go?  Grace. 
When I did, but I did not see him go to Bed.  L. Ch. Just. 
Where did you lie?  Grace. 
At my own House.  L. C. Just. 
And you went home about 8 or 9 a Clock at Night to go to Bed?  Grace. 
Yes I did.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
You say he took his House the 8 th' of October, when did he go thither?  Grace. 
Yes, he took his House the 8 th' of October, but he did not go thither till the one or two and twentieth?  Mr. J. Dolb. 
But you cannot tell what he did at night.  Grace. 
No not I  Mr. Just. Dolbin. 
But you were in his Company till 8 or 9 a Clock at Night?  Grace. 
Yes my Lord I was.  L. Ch. Just. 
How far did you live off of him?  Grace. 
About a Bows shoot.  L. Ch. Just. 
Look you Mr. Hill he does you no service at all, for he says he left you about 8 or 9 a Clock at Night, and he does not know what you did afterwards. Have you any more?  Hill. 
Robert How.  L. Ch. Just. 
Come what say you?  How. My Lord, 
I met with Mr. Hill the 5 th' of October, he asked me whither I was going, I told him home, I wish said he you would go a little back with me, I am about taking of an House, and I would have you view the Repairs, accordingly we did go, and treated in the House about an agreement, for said he I will not agree with you, to the Landlord, till we know what must be repaired. On Tuesday morning we met again about 8 a Clock.  L. Ch. Just. 
What day of the Month was that?  
How. the Eight. And a Wednesday about Noon we began to work for him, to repair his House, and we wrought that Week every Day, and for twelve Days and an half in all, and he was every Day with us looking after Coals or Beer or something. on Saturday the 12 th' of October we Dined together, and parted with him about one or two a Clock, and about two a Clock I went back again to my Work, and he said he was going towards Covent Garden in St. James, but he came back again, and I was gone first, I asked my Man whether he was gone or no, he said, he was there, but did not stay.  L. Ch. Just. 
What time was that?  How. 
A little before Night.  L. C. Just. 
What Hour did your Man say that he was there?  How. 
About an Hour before they left Work.  L. Ch. Just. 
What time was that?  How. 
About four a Clock I think it was.  L. Ch. Just. 
Can you say where he was that Night?  How. 
No I cannot.  L. Ch. Just. 
What Religion are you of, are you not a Protestant?  How. 
Yes, my Lord I think so.  Mr. Recorder. 
My Lord asks you, are you a Protestant.  How. 
I was never bred up in the Protestant Religion.  Mr. Prance. 
He is a Catholic my Lord, he was the Queen's Carpenter.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
Nay now you spoil all, you must do Penance for this, what deny your Church?  Hill. 
What time was it a Saturday Morning I was with you?  How. 
About nine a Clock.  L. Ch. Just. 
How long did he stay?  How. 
From nine to two.  L. C. I 
Are you sure 'twas Nine?  How 
No man can swear punctually to an hour.  L. C. J. 
What think you of Ten?  How. 
It was thereabouts.  Mr. Recorder. 
If I am rightly informed by the Clerks, he is Outlawed for Recusancy.  L. C. J. 
Is he so? pray let us know that.  Harcourt, one of the Clerks of the Crown Office. 
My Lord, I have made out several Writs against him, for several years together, and could never get any of them Returned.  Hill. 
He tells you that I was with him from Nine a clock on Saturday morning, till One.  Mr. J. Jones. 
But that is but as true as he is a Protestant, and how true that is, you know.  Hill. 
Here is another witness, Mr. Cutler.  Tho. Cutler. 
Upon the Twelfth of October, Laurence Hill did come into my house about four or five a clock in the evening, and he stayed there till between Seven or Eight, and then his wife came for him, and said some Gentlewoman was ready for her Supper, and so he went home; and I saw him no more, till the day after he was taken.  L. C. J. 
Look you here, he speaks only about Seven or Eight a clock. Well, have you any thing more to say?  Hill. 
There is one Richard Lazinby.  Lazinby. 
My Lord, I was with him on Saturday the twelfth of October at the door, about twelve a clock.  L. C. J. 
And you dined with him and How.  Lazinby. 
Yes, Sir.  L. C. J. 
But you did not see him afterwards?  Lazinby. 
Yes, I did see him on Wednesday night, from five to seven at night.  L. C. J. 
What time was he carried out of Somerset-House?  Mr. Att. Gen. 
About eleven or twelve a clock at night.  Lazinby. 
That is the last time I was with him.  L. C. J. 
Well, have you any more?  Hill. 
Here is one Mr. Archbold, my Lord.  Archbold. 
My Lord, I had occasion for a Tailor, and I came to this man's house, to seek for one Mr. Grace, that had formerly wrought for me.  L. C. J. 
When was that?  Archbold. 
That was on Monday night. And he having formerly wrought for me, I found him at this man's house; so Mr. Grace asked me, What News? I told him, Very good News; For Prance was taken for the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey. Says Hill, I am glad of that, I wish they were all taken. I came the next day after, and they told me he was taken out of his Bed, for the Marder of Sir Edmund bury Godfrey.  L. C. J. 
Was it that very night that you came, that he was taken?  Archbold. 
Yes, it was.  L. C. J. 
You said he spoke of it before you at seven a clock, and you left him about nine, and he was taken that night, what then?  Hill. 
Why, then I had time enough to make my Escape, if I had thought myself Guilty.  L. C. J. 
As no doubt you would, if you had thought they would have been so nimble with you.  Archbold. 
He knew it the day before.  L. C. J. 
Well, have you any more to say?  Mrs. Hill. 
There is Mr. Ravenscroft, my Lord.  L. C. J. 
What, that Ravenscroft that is sent away?  Mrs. Hill. 
Yes, my Lord.  L. C. J. 
Then the Marshal must send for him, if he be a witness for the Prisoner. In the mean time, What can you say for yourself, Mr. Green?  Greene. 
My Lord, I would call my Landlord and his wife.  L. C. J. 
What are their Names?  Greene. 
James Warrior, and his wife.  L. C. J. 
Call in Green's wife, and all her Witnesses.  Then Mrs. Hill, the Prisoners wife, offered a Paper to the Court, containing Observations upon the Indictment, which she desired them to read; but it was refused, and she bid to give it her Husband. Then James Warrior was examined. L. C. J. 
What say you to your Landlord?  Greene. 
I ask him no Questions at all, but desire him to tell what he knows.  Warrior. 
I will say, that the twelfth of October, he was at my house half an hour after seven, and he was not out of my house till after ten.  L. C. J. 
How can you remember that day? What day of the week was it?  Warrior. 
It was a Saturday.  L. C. J. 
How do you remember it was so?  Warrior. 
I have recollected my memory.  L. C. J. 
By what?  Warrior. 
By my work, and every thing exactly.  L. C. J. 
When did you begin to recollect yourself?  Warrior. 
A pretty while ago.  L. C. J. 
How long after Sir Edmund bury Godfrey was murdered?  Warrior. 
A month after.  L. C. J. 
What made you to recollect yourself a month after?  Warrior. 
Because he was in Prison in the Gatehouse.  L. C. J. 
When was he taken up?  Warrior. 
He was taken up in Somerset-house, and not in my house.  L. C. J. 
But when did you recollect yourself?  Warrior. 
When he was in Prison.  L. C. J. 
But I pray remember the time when you did recollect yourself, and the occasion that made you recollect yourself when he was taken up.  Warrior. 
I remember it very well, for he had been in my house but 14 days before he was taken up.  Sir Tho. Stringer. 
He was not taken up for the Mudrer of Sir Edmund bury Godfrey, till the 24 of December.  Mr. J. Wyld. 
Pray did you never think of this till he was in Prison?  Warrior. 
It was when he was taken up.  L. C. J. 
But pray when you came to recollect yourself, how did you come to do it?  Warrior. 
I recollected it by my work.  L. C. J. 
But what gave you occasion to recollect yourself since he was in Gaol?  Sir Tho. Stringer. 
My Lord, he was put into Gaol, for refusing to take the Oaths; but he was not at all charged with the Death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey at that time.  L. C. J. 
When was he put in for the Death of Sir Edmundbury?  Sir The. Stringer. 
The 24 th' of December.  L. C. J. 
Then there is all the remaining part of October, all November, and the former part of December was passed, how could you recollect yourself of the particular day?  Warrior. 
I called it to mind by my work.  Capt. Richardson. 
My Lord, I will rectify this mistake: since their Arraignment, I went to them, to know what Witnesses they had, and Greene told me of his Landlord and Landlady; I than asked them, If they could say any thing as to this particular day? And they said they could not do him any good at all.  Warrior. 
I did not then call it to memory.  L. C. J. 
When did you call it to memory?  Warrior. 
I did say I could not do it then presently, as I have done since in five or six days.  L. C. J. 
How could you recollect it then?  Warrior. 
By the time he came into my house, which was a week before, and by the work that was done.  L. C. J. 
What could the work do as to this? Can you tell by that, any thing that is done at any time? Where were you the ninth of November last?  Warrior. 
Truly I can't tell.  L. C. J. 
Why how came you then to recollect what you did the twelfth of October, when you did not know where you were the ninth of November?  Warrior. 
I can tell a great many tokens, he was but 14 or 15 days in our house.  L. C. J. 
What did he do the twelfth of October, that you remember so particularly that day?  Warrior. 
Sir, I remember other days besides that; but I say I never knew the man out after nine a clock, in my life.  L. C. J. 
Have you any body else, for this man I can't tell what to make on't?  Greene. 
Here is the man's wife to give Evidence.  L. C. J. 
First consider what you say.  Mrs. Warrior. 
To tell you the truth, I thought the man so clear of this Fact, that I never trouble my head with it; but when Captain Richardson came to my house, I told him that he was never in our house by daytime, except being Cus●ion-layer in the Chapel, he used to come at half an hour after eleven, and many times he did desire me, because we were Protestants, to put in a little flesh meat with ours; sometimes he would sit down and eat his meat in the Kitchen, and his Wife with him; and his Wife would say to him, 'tis a troublesome time, pray see that you come home betimes. I did not at all remember the day of the month at the first, nor the Action; but my Husband and I have since remembered. We were desired by them once to eat a Fowl with them, and my Husband did command me the Sunday after to invite them to dinner with us, and I went in the morning very early, I think, and bought a dozen of Pigeons, and put them in a Pie, and we had a Loin of Pork roasted; and when he was gone to the Chapel on Saturday in the afternoon, his Wife came to me and said, my Husband is not well, and when he comes home will ask for something of Broth; and away she went to Market to buy something to make Broth of. While she was at Market, her Husband came home, and asked where his Wife was? why, Mr. Greene, said I, she is gone to Market: what an old Fool, said he, is this, to go out so late, such a night as this is? but said he again, I will go to the Coffee-house, and drink a Dish of Coffee, and pray tell my wife so. In the mean time she returned, and by that time she had been above a little while, he came in again. And Mr. Greene being there, my Husband came in, and called to me, prithee, sweetheart, what hast thou got for my Supper? prithee, said I, sweetheart thou art always calling for thy Victuals when thou comest in. Then Mr. Greene goes to the stairs, and calls to his Wife, and bids her bring him down some victuals, and she brings down the Bread and Cheese, and he stayed there till it was nine a Clock; and then saith Mr. Greene to his Wife, let us go up, for there is a Fire.  L. C. J. 
What day was this all this while?  Mrs. Warrior. 
Why, it was the Saturday fortnight after Michaelmas day.  L. C. J. 
Why might it not be that day three weeks?  Mrs. Warrior. 
It was that day he was missing.  Mr. Att. G. 
Why there was no Alarm taken of it a Sunday.  L. C. J. 
When did you begin to recollect what day it was, that they said he was missing?  Mrs. Warrior. 
On Friday morning our Milkman came and told us, that one Mr. Godfrey was found murdered; now I knew one of the Exchange of that name, and thought it might be he. And when we went up with him to his Chamber, we sat there till the Tattooe beat.  L. C. J. 
All the thing is, how do you know it was this Saturday?  Mrs. War. 
It was the Saturday fortnight after Michaelmas day.  Mr. J. Dolben. 
Are you sure it was the Saturday fortnight after Michaelmas day?  Mrs. Warier. 
Yes, we did look upon the Almanac, and reckon it so.  M. J. Dolben. 
Then that was the 10 th' of October.  L. C. J. 
Why you told him you could do him no good, and indeed you do not.  M. J. Jones. 
You and your wife speak of the same time, don't you?  Warrior. 
Yes.  L C. J. 
Have you any more Green?  Capt. Richardson. 
There is the Maid, let her come in.  L. C. J. 
What say you Maid?  Maid. 
I can say that he came in the Saturday fortnight after Quarter-day, pretty betimes.  L. C. J. 
Can you speak of any other time besides that Saturday fortnight?  Maid. 
I can tell he came in every night before 9 a clock.  Greene. 
I can take my Oath I was never out of my Lodging after 9 a clock.  Hill. 
My Lord, here is Mr. Ravenscroft now.  L. C. J. 
Mr. Ravenscroft, what can you say?  Mr. Ravenscroft. 
What I can say, my Lord, is this; This Laurence Hill, I have known him 13 or 14 Years, and he served my elder Brother so long very faithfully. Afterwards he lived with Dr. Godwin towards the latter end of the two last Years, and he married my Mother's Maid.  L. C. J. 
What Religion are you of?  Mr. Ravenscroft. 
My Father and Mother were Protestants.  L. C. J. 
But you are a Papist, are you not?  Mr. Ravenscroft. 
I have not said I am a Papist yet.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
In the mean time I say you are one.  Mr. Ravense. 
Do you so, then pray go to Southwark and see.  Mr. At. G. 
My Lord, I think, he hath taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy.  L. C. J. 
Well, pray Sir go on with your Story.  Mr. Ravenscroft. 
If it please you, upon a Saturday, a little before Christmas, there was somebody taken, I think it was one M. Prance, for I never saw the man, neither do I know him at all: and it was reported that he was taken upon the Death of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and I was glad to hear it. My house was in the Savoy. and my Father's house is in Holborn; and I used often to go and see my father, and coming home again, I went to see the Maid at her new House, she had not been long there, and she was standing at the Door of the House. I asked her what News? says she, here hath been a man here that tells us that Prance hath discovered several of the Murderers of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and they talk up and down strangely of it, and ask me whether my Husband be acquainted with him? then said I to her, is he? she answered me very well, they have been often together, and so she told me the people did mutter and talk of her Husband; but said I, what says your Husband to it? says she, he defies Prance and all his works. Said I, where is your Husband? said she, he is within; I was very glad to hear it, for, said I, he living in Somerset House, and being acquainted with Prance, I am glad to hear that your Husband can be so Courageous; so I went away and came again thither the next morning, and found he was taken the night before. All that I say then, is that it, was a good Evidence of his innocency, that when he had notice of it he did not Fly.  L. C. J. 
So then your discourse was after Archbold had been there.  Mr. Ravenscroft. 
Archbold was there before me, and had spoken this in their Company. I spoke with her that night, and the next morning too; and all that I say is, it Fight be a sign of Gild, as no doubt it is, Adam ubi es? and Couragiousness is a sign of innocency, than this man is innocent.  L. C. J. 
But you say she told you they were acquainted.  Mr. Ravenscroft. 
My Lord, I have one thing more to say. Upon the occasion of these things, this Woman hath been often with me, and hath desired to know of me what Defence she should make, for I saw Hill's Wife and Berry's Wife were all simple people without Defence for themselves, and they did desire that I would Examine and see some of the Witnesses and see how it was, and she had gotten me some papers, and I Conferred them together, there are witnesses that will attest the Copy.  Mr. At. G. 
What is all this to the purpose? only this Gentleman hath a mind to show that he can speak Latin.  Mr. Ravenscroft. 
I thank God I can speak Latin as well as any man in the Court.  L. C. J. 
Well, all this is nothing.  Mr. Ravenscroft. 
I declare it myself, if this man were Guilty, rather than I would speak for him, if there wanted a Hangman, I would do it myself.  L. C. J. 
Well Berry, what have you to say?  Berry. 
I desire Nicholas Trollop, and Nicholas Wright, and Gabriel Hasket, and Elizabeth Wilkes, and Corporal Collet may be called.  Corporal William Collet first Examined. Berry. 
Did not you place a Sentinel on wednesday night?  Collet. 
What wednesday do you speak of Sir?  Berry. 
That night the Queen went from Somerset House to Whitehall.  Collet. 
Yes. This Nicholas Trollop I placed there first, the 16. of October.  L. C. J. 
How do you remember that?  Collet. 
Because I have been called to an account before, and have given good Reasons for it. Our Company was at Somerset House when the King came from New-market, and the Queen went to Whitehall. Afterwards we were bid to fetch our Sentinels off about 3 or 4 of the Clock in the afternoon.  L. C. J. 
Did you leave any Soldiers there?  Collet. 
No, we did not, all our Company went to Whitehall.  Mr. Justice Dolben. 
Are you sure there were no Soldiers that night there?  Collet. 
Yes, we were commanded with a party to go thither again that night.  L. C. J. 
What did you do then?  Collet. 
I placed the Sentinels by the Porter's order.  L. C. J. 
Who was that, Berry?  Collet. 
No, it was one that used to go about, and give Orders where we should set them.  L. C. J. 
How did you place them?  Collet. 
This man I placed from 7 to 10, than Nicolas Wright releived him at 10, and stayed till one.  L. C. J. 
At what place?  Collet 
To the Strand-ward.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
That was the Gate they carried him out at.  L. C. J. 
Do you hear, whereabouts did you set the Sentinels? within the gate?  Collet. 
Yes, within the wicket.  L. C. J. 
That way he was carried out.  Nicholas Wright. 
There was no Sedan came out in my time.  Trollop. 
There was one came in in my time while I stood there.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Was it an empty Sedan?  Trollop. 
I suppose it was, but we had no Order to keep any out.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
But you might know whether it was an empty Sedan or no, by the going of it through the Wicket.  Collet. 
There is an empty Sedan that stands there every Night.  Trollop. 
It was set down within the Gate.  Mr. Just Jones. 
If any Sedan had gone out, you would not have stayed them, would you?  Collet. 
No, my Lord, we had no Order to stop any.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
How can you then be positive, that no one did go out?  Trollop. 
None did go out again in my time.  Mr. Just Dolben. 
Could not the Porter open the Gate, as well as you?  Collet. 
Yes, my Lord, he could, but I should have seen him then: he did not open it in my time.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
Let me ask you but one Question; Did not you go to drink, nor tipple all that time?  Trollop. 
No, nor walk a Pikes length off the Place of Sentry.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
Has not Berry an House there, hard by?  Trollop. 
Yes, but I did not drink one drop.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
How can you remember so particularly, so long ago?  Trollop. 
Why, I was twice before the Committee.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
But how long ago was it, that you were questioned about this thing, after this Night?  Trollop. 
A matter of a Month, or Six Weeks.  Collet. 
For we were examined before Prance was taken up.  Lord Ch. Just. 
You Trollop, Can you say whether it was the Sedan that used to be within?  Trollop. 
No, I cannot, but it was brought in in my time, and did not go out again.  [Then Gabriel Hasket was examined.] Berry. 
You Stood there, Sir, from One to Four.  Hasket. 
Yes, after the Clock struck One, I was put Sentinel, and stood till Four.  Lord Ch. Just. 
What Night?  Hasket. 
That Night the King came from New-market, and the Queen went from Somerset-house.  Lord Ch. Just. 
What day of the Month was that?  Hasket. 
The Sixteenth.  Lord Ch. Just. 
What day of the Week?  Hasket. 
Wednesday.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Did not you drink at Berry's then?  Hasket. 
No, I did not.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Did you see Berry then?  Hasket. 
No I did not.  Lord Ch. Just. 
He was gone before you came.  Berry. 
I was fast enough a Bed at that time.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Well, what say you more?  Berry. 
Here is my Maid, Elizabeth Minshaw, to give her Evidence, where I was that Night the Queen went from Somerset-house.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
What can you say?  Minshaw. 
May it please you, my Lord, my Master was within Doors, and about the Gate, when the Queen went away.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Who is your Master?  Minshaw. 
Mr. Berry. He was about the Gates all the Forenoon.  Lord Ch. Just. 
When was that?  Minshaw. 
The 16th. Octob. Wednesday. And assoon as the Queen was gone, my Master went out to Bowls; and when he came home again, he said he had been at Bowls.  Lord Ch. Just. 
What time did he come home?  Minshaw. 
It was Dusky, and he was not absent all Night an hour, till he went to Bed.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
When did he go to Bed?  Minshaw. 
My Lord, I suppose he went to Bed about Twelve a Clock.  Mr. Just. Wild. 
They do not charge him with any thing but what was done about the Gate.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
What time did you go to bed that Night?  Minshaw. 
Why I went to Bed about Twelve a Clock.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
And you saw him no more that Night?  Minshaw. 
No, my Lord, but he must go through my Room to go to Bed at Night, and therefore I suppose he was a Bed.  Mrs. Hill. 
I desire Mr. Prance may Swear why he did deny all this?  Lord Ch. Just. 
Stand up, Mr. Prance, that Gentlewoman does desire to know, what induced you to deny what you had said?  Mr. Prance. 
It was because of my Trade, my Lord; and for fear of losing my Employment from the Queen, and the Catholics, which was the most of my business, and because I had not my Pardon.  Mrs. Hill. 
I desire he may Swear whether he were not tortured?  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
Answer her, were you tortured to make this Confession?  Mr. Prance. 
No, my Lord, Captain Richardson hath used me as civilly as any man in England; all that time that I have been there, I have wanted for nothing.  Lord Ch. Just. 
See what he says; That he did not make this Confession by any Torture, but he made his Recantation through fear, and the thoughts of death, because he had no Pardon; and fear that he might live in want, by the loss of the Trade, prevailed with him to deny what he had confessed.  Mrs. Hill. 
It was reported about Town, that he was tortured.  Mr. Just. Jones. 
No, it was no such thing; it was only the tortures of his Conscience, for being an Actor in so great a Sin.  Mrs. Hill. 
There are several about the Court, that heard him cry out: And he knows all these things to be as false, as God is true; and you will see it declared hereafter, when 'tis too late.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Do you think he would Swear Three men out of their Lives for nothing?  Mrs. Hill. 
I desire he may be Sworn to that particular thing.  Mr. Ju. Jon. 
He is upon his Oath already, and Swears all this upon his Oath.  Mrs. Hill. 
Well, I am dissatisfied; my Witnesses were not rightly examined, they were modest, and the Court laughed at them.  Berry. 
The Sentinels that were at the Gate all Night, let nothing out.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Why you could open the Gate yourself.  Berry. 
He says, he could have seen if the Gate had been open; and that as he saw, the Gates were never opened.  Mr. Just. Dolben. 
Well, the Jury have heard all, and will consider of it.  Mrs. Hill. 
Here is another Witness, my Lord; Mr. Chevins.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Well Sir, what say you?  Chevins. 
I have nothing to say, but that I heard Mr. Prance deny all.  Lord C. J. 
Why he does not deny that now. Well, have you any more?  Chevins. 
We have no more.  Mr. Attor. Gen. 
My Lord, I must crave leave to speak a word, or two; and the Evidence having been so very long, I shall be exceeding short. I intended (when I began to open the Evidence) to have made some Observations after the Evidence ended; to show how each part of it did agree, and how the Main was strengthened by concurrent Circumstances. But in truth, the King's Evidence did fall out much better than I could expect, and the defence of the Prisoners much weaker than I could foresee. So that, I think, the proof against the Prisoners is so strong; and so little hath been alleged by them in their Defence, that it would be but loss of time to do, what I at first intended. Only I will observe, that Mr. Bedlow doth agree with Mr. Prance, as far forth as is possible; that is, in those parts of the Fact of which he pretends to have any knowledge. Yet had they never any communication one with another, as both have Sworn. And your Lordship will observe in how many particulars they do agree; namely, as to the Dark Lantern, as to the Covering of the Body in the Room; how they intended to carry the Body out in a Sedan, and the rest. So that if they had laid their heads together to contrive a Story, they could hardly have agreed in so many circumstances; and yet this they do without discoursing with each other beforehand.  
My Lord, I must likewise observe to you, that the Servants of the Blow Alehouse concur as to the Meetings there: The Maid agrees as to the Prisoners coming to Sir Edmondbury Godfrey's House, and to the time, viz. that Saturday Morning; nay, to the very Hours of Nine, or Ten a Clock; That the Constable's Relation of the posture in which the Body was found in the Field, doth perfectly agree with the Account that the Murderers gave thereof to Mr. Prance the next Morning. The Surgeons do agree with Mr. Prance, as to the manner of Sir Edmonbury Godfrey's being killed, the strangling, the bruising of his Stomach, the twisting of his Neck. And the Witnesses from Bow make it out, that Dethick was sent for; that they had a Dinner there. The Boy proves that he overheard them reading something about Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, and that they were very Merry; and that for his listening, he was threatened to be kicked down stairs.  
So that, I think, there never was an Evidence that was better fortified with circumstances than this: My Lord, I shall be bold to say, here is certainly as much Evidence, as the matter is capable of. It is not to be expected that they should call Witnesses to be by, when they do such foul Facts; so that none can Swear directly the very Fact, but such a one as was an Actor in it. All Circumstances relating to the Fact, both before, and after, are made out by concurrent testimony. And, my Lord, I must observe, that it was a Murder committed through zeal to a false Religion, and that Religion was a bond of secrecy. We all know, his Majesty hath been graciously pleased by his Proclamation, to propose a Pardon, and a Reward to the Discoverers. And yet almost without effect; Their zeal to their false Religion was a greater obstacle, than the Proclamation was an incitement, to the Discovery. And I do believe, if Mr. Prance had not had some inclination to change his Religion, you had still been without so clear a Discovery of this Work of Darkness, as now you have. I shall say no more, but conclude to the Jury with that saying, that I remember in the Book of Judges, (in the case of a Murder too, though of another Nature,) Judg. 19 30. The People said there was no such deed done, nor seen, from the day that the Children of Israel came out of Egypt: And I may say, there was never such a barbarous Murder committed in England, since the People of England were freed from the Yoke of the Pope's Tyranny; and as 'tis said there, so say I now, Consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.  Mr. Sol. Gen. 
My Lord, I would only make one Observation to your Lordship, which is this; I do not find they do in the least pretend to tax Mr. Prance, that any Person hath bribed him to give this Evidence; nor, that there was the least Reward ever proposed to him to bear Witness against them, not so much as the hopes of that Reward contained in the King's Proclamation; yet Mr. Prance, if he had had a mind to bear false Witness, might have laid hold of that opportunity; but so far was he from pretending to discover any thing, that he denied all when he was first apprehended. But after he was in Hold, and likely to be brought to Justice, and lying under the conviction of a Guilty Conscience, then, and not till then does he discover it.  
There is no Objection in the world to be made, but that since this Discovery, Mr. Prance hath retracted what he said before, but he gives you a very good account of it; the Terrors of Conscience he then lay under, the Fears that he should not be pardoned, and the apprehensions he had from the Threats on their side, and the danger of his utter ruin, put him upon that Denial.  
But, my Lord, He tells you likewise, That as soon as ever he was brought back to the Prison, he owned all he had said at first, and desired he might be carried back again to Testify the Truth of what he had first Sworn to. This, my Lord, he gives you an Account of, and the same Account does the Keeper of the Prison give too. I have nothing to say more, but only just to observe the many Circumstances whereby Mr. Prance his Testimony is fortified. Mr. Bedlow does agree with him in every Circumstance as far as his knowledge went: The Maid of the House agrees with his Testimony; that says, She saw Green at Sir Edmondbury Godfrey's several times, though here he denies he knew him. That she saw Hill there that very Morning her Master was miss: That he talked with her Master a Quarter of an hour: That she knew him by a very good token; not only by his Face, but also that he had the same Clothes on then he hath now.  
Mr. Prance hath likewise told you of another Circumstance, the meeting at the Plow-Alehouse, where they laid the whole Design of Entrapping Sir Edmondbury Godfrey: and herein he is Fortified by the Concurrent Testimony of the Master of the House, and the Servant too, though they now deny that ever they had been in his Company there; or that they so much as knew Girald; though when they were examined at the Council-Board, they said, they knew Girald, but not Kelley: and now they are pressed with it here, Hill retreats to this, That he knows one Girald, but not Girald the Priest.  
My Lord, I think the Matter is so fully, and so plainly proved beyond exception, that there needs no great Repetition in the Case: It is impossible that Mr. Prance a man of that mean Capacity should invent a Story with so many Circumstances, all so consistent, if there were not truth at the bottom of it. He shows you the particular places, from place to place, where they decoyed him in, and how they disposed of him, to the time they carried him out. And in each of these Circumstances, there is not the least improbability or cause to disbelieve him. It hath been already so fully repeated, and the plainness of the Evidence is so convincing, that I need not make more Observations upon it; But submit it to your Lordship and the Jury.  

Then the Lord Chief Justice directed the Jury in this manner:  Lord Chief Justice. 
Look you, Gentlemen of the Jury, This is an Inquisition for Innocent Blood that hath been shed, and your business is to see if you can find out the Murderers.  
We would not add Innocent Blood to Innocent Blood: but on the other-side, If you have received Satisfaction so much as the Nature of the Thing can bear, than the Land is defiled, unless this be satisfied.  
Now for that I will urge the Witness and their Testimony no further than it does appear; for You and We are all upon our Oaths to do uprightly, neither to Spare Murderers, nor Condemn the Innocent.  
In the first place, We began with Mr. Oates, and he told you, that he had some Converse with Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, and that he was threatened by some, and had no good will for his pains, in taking those Examinations he had taken, and he was afraid his Life was in danger. This he tells you was the Discourse beforehand, and this is produced to lead you to consider what sort of persons they were, of whom he was likely to have these Fears; for his Fears did arise from his having done his part, as a Justice of Peace, in taking the Examinations upon Oath.  
For the Testimony of the Fact they produce first Mr. Prance, wherein you will do well to observe all the degrees that he goes by, before the Fact, and all the Circumstances in the Transaction of that Affair, and the Parties by whom it was to be Acted: First he tells you how long it was before they could entice him to consent to such a Villainy as this was, To Murder a Man; he tells you by whom he was thus enticed, which makes the Story more probable; that is, by Girald and Kelley (two Priests) and he tells it you still more probably by their Doctrine, that it was no sin; but it was rather an Act of Charity to kill a Man that had done, and was like to do them mischief: So that if you consider the persons that Preached to him, and the Doctrine they taught, it carries a great show and presumption of Truth in itself. When they had met together at the Blow several times (which was denied by some of them, but is most manifestly proved by the Master of the House, and the Boy) and the wished for time was come; for they were to watch the opportunity, and Mr. Prance was to be at home, and they would call him to give his helping hand; he tells you, That Mr. Hill did go that Morning; for though he talks of an Errand before, yet to keep to that which is most pressing in the Evidence, he went to Sir Edmondbury's House. This he seems to deny; but the Maid does Swear it expressly upon him; and says, She came first to him, and went up Stairs, and then came back again, and still he was there. And she swears positively she knows him by his Face, and by the Clothes he then had on, which are the same Clothes he hath on now, and that that is the Man that was with her Master; and this, which they cannot disprove, half proves the matter.  
What had he to do at Sir Edmondbury Godfry's House? But that would be an hard puzzling Question to be put to him; What did you there? And therefore he is to deny it; but the Maid proves it upon him, as well as Prance. So that I would have you consider how many Witnesses you have to one thing or another, all conducing to this point.  
You have first Mr. Oates, that tells you the Discourse that passed between Mr. Edmondbury Godfrey and him, the Maid tells you, that both these Men were there, one at one time, and the other at another; and you have Mr. Prance that knew the whole Affair, who tells you so likewise, and that they were resolved to do the Work that day, in so much that if they could not do it, as they had before contrived it (and Sir Edmondbury Godfrey was sensible that he was Dogged up and down) Girald did resolve to dog him to his own Door, and kill him in the Lane that leads to his House, he would have run him through himself; and this Girald is one of those Priests, whose Church counts it no sin, but an Act of Charity, to Murder a Christian, to propagate Christianity.  
When they had waylaid him and watched his coming, from what place Mr. Prance cannot tell; for he knows nothing but what they told him, and they only named in general, that he was Lodged in St. Clement's; and thereupon one comes to acquaint him, that they would entice him in at the Watergate, by Sommerset-House, and they would do it with art enough, for they never want a contrivance for so charitable an Act; and it was upon this pretence, that there were Two men a wrangling and fight, and then he being a Justice of the Peace, was a Person that would part the Fray easily.  
And it was a probable invention: for Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was a Man that was as willing to do all acts of Justice as any one, and as little afraid to do it; for the Witness tells you before, that he said, if they did do him a mischief, they must do it basely, for he did not fear the best of them upon fair play. Then when he was desired to get himself a Man to follow him, he slighted the advice: And we all know, that he was a Man of singular Courage, and therefore it was the easier to lay a trap for him. Then saith Prance, When he was got in, Berry and I were to have several Posts, which we were to go to, I to one place, and Berry to another; and I stayed, saith he, till Green threw the Cravat about his Neck, and was assisted by Girald and the rest that were there. And then, as soon as we could imagine the thing to be done, Berry comes in, and Prance comes back from his standing, and by some Motions finds that he was alive, and that till Green twisted his Neck round; which the Surgeons say was plainly a Broken Neck, and nothing of the Wounds which were in his Body were given him while he was alive.  
When they had done this, he tells you, they carried him to Mr. Hill's Chamber: Berry, Girald, Kelly and the rest, all helped him in, and there they leave him. Then Prance goes away. This was on Saturday-night. Then Prance comes again on Munday-night, and finds him removed to another Chamber hard by, where he saw him by the light of a Dark Lantern, with something thrown over his face; and afterwards on Tuesday-night following, they did remove him back to Hill's Lodgings, and there he lay till Wednesday-night, when they carried him out.  
Saith Prance, I saw him that night; I was the Man that helped to carry him out, for it was Prance and Girald that carried him first, and it was Green and Kelly who went before, and took him up afterward. He tells you, they set him upon an Horseback, and Hill behind him. They carried him out in a Chair, which was a thing that used to come in and go out there, and so the less notice would be taken of it. I will observe to you afterwards on the Prisoner's behalf, what is said for them to all this.  
But as to Prance, you see he hath given you an Account from the top to the bottom, from the first Transaction between them, from the time of his being called by them to help in the Murder, and from his seeing the Handkerchief twisted about his Neck, his Neck twisted round; how they disposed of his Body at first, what removes they made, and when they carried him out, who were in company, who relieved them, and what became of him at last.  
He says, he saw him set up before Hill on Horseback, and they told him, they had thrown him in a Ditch, and Girald had run him through with his own Sword, and in that posture, and in that place, the Constable found him: The Surgeons tell you, that it was by the twisting of his Neck, and the Strangling, that he was killed, and not by the Wounds; and the very bruisings which Prance speaks of, were found upon the view of the Body. So that here is not any one thing, that is not backed either in some particular circumstance or other; besides Mr. Praunce's Testimony, who (alone) could give the Narrative of the Fact.  
And it is no Argument against Mr. Prance in the world, that he should not be believed, because he was a party, or because he after denied what he first said: First, because you can have no body to discover such a Fact, but only one that was privy to it: So that we can have no Evidence, but what arises from a party to the Crime: and in the next place, his denial after he had confessed it to me, does not at all sound as an act of falsehood, but fear; it is not a good Argument to say that he is not to be believed, because he denied what he once said: for he tells you, he had not his Pardon, he was in great Consternation; the horror of the Fact itself, and the loss of his Trade and Livelihood was enough to do it. But how short was his denial, and how quick was his Recantation! for he denied it before the King not upon Oath: he Swore it upon Oath, but he denies it upon his Word only; but by that time he got home to Newgate with Captain Richardson, he fell down on his knees, and begged him for God's sake to carry him back to the King, for what I did say at first, said he, is true, and this denial is false. And here could be no tampering, no contrivance made use of; no, 'tis plain there could be no art used to make him retract from his first Testimony. And these are the particulars as to Prance his Evidence.  
Then comes Mr. Bedlow, and tells you, that he was commanded by le Fair, and the Priests he was acquainted with, to insinuate himself into the acquaintance of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey; they did not tell him why; they themselves knew privately wherefore, and they did intend him as an instrument to do it, as appears afterwards. He tells you, he got into his acquaintance, by pretending to go for Warrants for the good Behaviour and the Peace, as he knew Sir Edmundbury Godfrey was willing to have the Peace kept; and he was with him every day almost, for a Week or more.  
Then the Priests come a little nearer, and tampered with him to kill a man, an ill man for their turn, and that Mr. Bedlow should be very well rewarded, he should have Four thousand pounds to kill that Gentleman; but still they kept the name secret. He promised them fair, but broke his word. Afterwards he meets this Companion that he had most confidence in, and being taxed with his breach of Promise, said he, I had business, I could not come. Well, said his Companion, you should have been as good as your word; but the thing is done, the person is killed, and I would have you help to carry him away. He promises to do it, and to meet him at Somerset-house; accordingly he comes upon Monday in the Evening, and about 9 or 10 of the Clock at night, Mr. Bedlow swears, that in this Chamber that Prance says he was laid in, he did see the Body, by the help of a dark Lantern; and his Face was covered with a Cloak or a Mantle, or some such thing thrown over him.  
And these two men, viz. Mr. Prance and Mr. Bedlow, as the Counsel have observed, had not any Confederacy together, for they both swear, that they never had any converse at all; and if it be so, than it is impossible for two men so to agree in a tale with all circumstances, if they never conversed together, but it must be true.  
It is hardly possible for any man to invent such a Story, for Prance it is, I believe. I find it is no hard thing for the Priests to contrive such an Action; but for two Witnesses to agree in so many material Circumstances with one another, that had never conversed together, is impossible.  
If all this had been a Chimaera, and not really so, then Prance must be one of the notablest Inventors in the world: And there must have been the mightiest chance in the world, that Mr. Bedlow and he should agree so in all things; and that the Maid should swear that Hill was there that Morning; and that the Constable should find the Body, just as they told Prance they had left him.  
So that upon the matter you have two Witnesses almost in every thing; for Mr. Bedlow, seeing him in the place murdered, is a plain Evidence that the thing was done; and all the other Witnesses, speaking to Circumstances both before and after, make the Evidence plain, that these were the Persons who did it. And I see nothing incoherent in all Mr. Praunce's Testimony.  
I would not urge this so, if I was not satisfied in my own Conscience that the Relation is true in the Prisoner's defence, there is but one thing, that hath any sort of weight; for the young Gentlewoman talking of his being constantly at home at eight of the Clock, is nothing, for she says they always go to Bed about nine a Clock, and they give no Answer to this, but that it could not be done in their House but they must know of it; but do not show how that must needs be; so that all their Evidence is slight, and answers itself, or else not possible to be true. All the Testimony that is considerable in this matter, is that which Berry produces; and that is concerning the Sentinels who kept the Guard that Wednesday Night the Body was carried out, and he says there was no Sedan carried out. And although this Evidence be produced but by one of them, yet 'tis to the Benefit of them all three; for if it were certain and infallibly true, that the Sentinels did so watch at the Gate, that no Mortal could go out of the place; and if the darkness of the Night might not hinder him from seeing what might go out; or that Mr. Berrys Voice being known to him, he might not call to him, and so Mr. Berry might open the Gate without any great Caution, or more particular Observation by the Sentinel, so that this might escape his observation or remembrance, and yet that the Sentinel be an honest Man and speak true as he thinks to his best remembrance, which I leave to your consideration. But there is one thing the other Sentinel tells you, that about eight or nine a Clock (for he went off at ten) there was a Sedan brought in, and he did not see it go out; and so says he that watched from ten to one, and this is the only thing which hath any Colour in it, in behalf of the Prisoners. But he that says there was no body went out, says also that he never saw the Sedan; but the Sentinel that was relieved, says; that he saw it go in. Now how far that single Testimony of Nicolas Wright the Sentinel will weigh, who says that none went out, I leave with you, which may be mistaken either by reason of the darkness of the Night, or those other Particulars I have observed to you.  
But this is all that can overthrow the whole series of the Evidence that hath been given by Mr. Prance, upon whom I find not the least reflection, except you will call that one, which to me as it is circumstanced, is rather an Argument for him then against him, viz▪ his going off from what he said. And what Sr. Robert Southwel says is regardable, that when he showed them the Place where he was strangled, the House to which he was first carried, he did it very readily and confidently, but was puzzled to find out the Room where he was removed, when he saw him by the dark Lantern, and would not positively assert where it was, which shows the integrity of the Man, who would else have gone through without boggling; for if all were a lie, why should he stick at one thing more than another, but have shown some Room or other? but when he was confident, he appeared so, and when he was doubtful he appeared so, and so showed himself an honest Man.  
These are the particular matters, and as near as I can remember, all that hath been materially offered for the Prisoners against the King's Evidence. For the Testimony of the Landlord Warrior and his Wife, it is plainly spoken of another time, for it was the Saturday after the Thursday he was found, the 19 th' of October. So that they speak nothing but what is true, and yet nothing to the Purpose; for the Question is of that which was done the 12 th', but they speak of a time when the Tragedy was passed, so that there is only the single Evidence of one Witness, the Sentinel, which must be opposed to all the concurring Evidence given against them.  Berry. 
There was Sentinels placed at every one of the Gates.  L. Ch. Just. 
That is nothing, for we speak only of this Gate, the great Gate, but I will tell you what there is that does not arise from these Witnesses, but from the nature of the thing they were about, and the Persons that transacted it, that gives credit to the Testimonies of the Witnesses, so as to incline any one to believe them, as things stand at this day in reference to the known design of the Priests to subvert our Religion, for they must justify one ill by another, and the mischiefs they have done will not be safe, unless they do more.  
And for the Priests being the Preachers of Murder, and your sin, that ' 'tis Charity to kill any man that stands in their way. Their Doctrine will make you easily believe their Practice, and their Practice proves their Doctrine; such courses as these we have not known in England till it was brought out of their Catholic Countries; what belongs to secret Stranglings and Poisonings, are strange to us, though common in Italy. But now your Priests are come hither to be the Pope's Bravo and to Murder Men for the honour of his Holiness; and as they are Inhuman, so they are Unmanly too: for Sr. Edmondbury Godfrey had not been afraid of two or three of your Priests, if they would have dealt fairly with him.  Berry 
He was a Gentleman that I never spoke with in all my life.  L. Ch. Just. 
You must say and believe as your Priest will have you, and in such actions as these, as your Priests suggest to you, so does the Devil to your priests; If you are upon the matter necessitated to what they will have you think; for though your Priests Preach up freedom of Will, yet they allow none to the understanding. They hold you may do good or evil, but will not suffer you to understand right and wrong, for you cannot be perfectly theirs, if you have any thing of your own to guide yourselves by.  
I know that every body of that party is apt to say their Priests own no such thing, but it is notoriously known to all the World that they both Print it and Practise it. What shall any of you dispute the Power of a Pope saith a Jesuit, or of a Pope and a Council say the most moderate Priests? Have you power to say how far you will be a Papist and how far not? you may as well bound the Sea, and bid it go thus far and no farther, as limit the Pope's Authority. I wonder any Man should be of that Persuasion, and yet keep his Reason, much less turn from our Religion to theirs, if he considers how they impose, and what Mischiefs and Blood you are involved in, by your Priests that have Alarmed the Nation. For I will affirm, the greatest mischief the Papists have received, come from their Priests, who have such unworthy and unmanly ways of setting up their Religion: What do they think it an Act of Charity to kill men, or is the Christian Religion or yours, to be promoted by such means as these? No Gentlemen, 'tis the fault of your Doctrine, and 'tis a monstrous mistake in you, if you think that you have any power of your own, whilst you continue in their persuasion.  
I know some will ascribe all to Conscience that guides them, and that even these mischiefs are but the effects of their Religious obedience; but they are indeed the Consequences of the blindness of their obedience. I wonder how any Man can have the Face thus to disorder a whole Nation, and yet pretend Conscience for it. Let no Man tell me, Oh! Sir, We desire none of these Mischiefs you talk of: What, not if Religion requires it, or if the Pope says it does? Hath not the Council of Lateran decreed, that every Popish Prince ought to root out Heresy upon pain of Damnation? You must: can you go and tell the Pope how far you will believe, or what you ought to do? You may as well tell me that if he were once with us, and had the Power he once had, he would leave us to ourselves, and that if he had the same Ability, he would not have the same Tyranny.  
And therefore all the Roman Catholik Gentlemen in England would do very well to consider, how much it concerns Christianity not to give offence; And if they cannot at this time live in a Protestant Kingdom with security to their Neighbours, but cause such fears and dangers, and that for Conscience sake, let them keep their Consciences, but leave the Kingdom. If they say, why should not we stay here while we do no mischief; alas that's not in your power. You cannot be quiet in your own Religion, unless you disturb ours; and therefore, if to show your Consciences, you acquit the Country, and let the inconveniencies light on yourselves only, I should then think you had Zeal, though not according to Knowledge; and not ascribe it to any Plot, but to the simplicities of understanding.  
But in short, there is a monstrous Evidence of the whole Plot itself by this fact; for we can ascribe it to none, but such ends as these, that such a man must be killed; for it must be either because he knew something the Priests would not have him tell, or they must do it in Defiance of Justice, and in terror to all them that dare execute it upon them; which carries a great Evidence in its self, and which I leave to your consideration, having remembered as well as I could, the proofs against them, and all that is considerable for them. Add to this, the Condition that we are in at this time, and the eagerness of the pursuit that these Priests make to gain the Kingdom, that for my own part I must put it into my Litany, That God would deliver me from the delusion of Popery, and the Tyranny of the Pope: for it is a Yoke which we who have known Freedom cannot endure, and a Burden which none but that Beast who was made for Burden, will bear. So I leave it to your Consideration upon the whole matter, whether the Evidence of the Fact does not satisfy your Consciences, that these men are Guilty. And I know you will do like honest men on both sides.  Then the Jury withdrew to consider of their Verdict, and after a short space returned again. Cl. of the Cr. 
Gentlemen, answer to your Names. Sir William Roberts.  Sir William Roberts. 
Here, and so the rest.  Cl. of Cr. 
Gentlemen, are you all agreed of your Verdict?  Omnes. 
Yes.  Cl. of Cr. 
Who shall say for you?  Omnes. 
Our Foreman.  Cl. of Cr. 
Robert Greene hold up thy hand, (which he did) Look upon the Prisoner; how say you, is Robert Greene Guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof he stands Indicted, or not Guilty?  Foreman. 
Guilty.  Cl. of Cr. 
What Goods or Chattels, Lands or Tenements?  Foreman. 
None to our knowledge.  Cl. of Cr. 
Henry Berry, hold up thy hand, (which he did) Look upon the Prisoner. How say you, is Henry Berry Guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof he stands Indicted, or not Guilty?  Foreman. 
Guilty.  Cl. of Cr. 
What Goods or Chattels, Lands or Tenements?  Foreman. 
None to our knowledge.  Cl. of Cr. 
Lawrence Hill hold up thy hand, (which he did) How say you, is Lawrence Hill, Guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof he stands Indicted, or not Guilty?  Foreman. 
Guilty.  Cl. of Cr. 
What Goods or Chattels, Lands or Tenements?  Foreman. 
None to our knowledge.  Cl. of Cr. 
Harken to your Verdict as the Court hath recorded it. You say that Robert Greene is Guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof he stands Indicted. You say that Henry Berry is Guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof he stands Indicted. You say that Laurence Hill. is Guilty of the Felony and Murder whereof he stands Indicted; And that neither they, nor any of them, had any Goods or Chattels, Lands or Tenements, at the time of the Felony committed, or at any time since to your knowledge. And so you say all.  Omnes. 
Yes.  Lord Ch. Just. 
Gentlemen, You have found the same Verdict that I would have found if I had been one with you; and if it were the last word I were to speak in this world, I should have pronounced them Guilty.  At which words, the whole Assembly gave a great shout of Applause. Mr. Att. Gen. 
Will your Lordship please to give Judgement this Evening, I know it is not usual the same day.  Mr. Justice Wild. 
My Lord, I am ready.  L. C. J. 
No Brother, I am to sit at Nisi prius this Afternoon, and 'tis time we broke up the Court.  Cl. of Cr. 
Cap. Richardson, you shall have a Rule to bring them up to morrow; and then the Court broke up.  On Tuesday the 11 th'. of February, the Prisoners were brought again to the Bar in order to receive their Sentence; and the Court proceeded thus. Mr. Recorder, 
My Lord, as I was directed by Mr. Attorney, these Prisoners being Convicted of Murder, I do for the King pray Judgement upon them; but I must first acquaint your Lordship, that immediately after their Conviction, one of the Officers, a Tipstaffe, pretending it was his Fee, took their clothes off their backs.  L. C. J. 
Who is that Officer?  Mr. Recorder, 
One Ashby.  L. C. J. 
Call him, Why do you offer to meddle with these men's clothes?  Ashby. 
It hath been an ancient Custom this 40 years, some of us have known it, that the Marshal hath the upper Garment of all Prisoners tried at this Bar.  L. C. J. 
Is there any such Custom Mr. Waterhouse? 
Speaking to a Clerk of the Crown-Office.   Waterhouse. 
No my Lord, that I know of.  L. C. J. 
Here is Mr. Waterhouse that hath known the practice of the Court this Threescore years, says there is no such thing. Either restore them their clothes, or we will take some other course with you. Are they in your Custody pray?  Mr. J. Dolben. 
I do not know that my Lord, I think they always plead in Custody of the Marshal.  Mr. J. Wyld. 
But this seems a very barbarous thing, to take their clothes off their backs.  Mr. J. Dolb. 
It doth so Brother, and they must be restored.  L. C. J. 
Yes, yes, you must restore them.  Ashby. 
They shall be, my Lord.  Mr. Recorder. 
I pray your Judgement.  L. C. J. 
Ask them what they can say to hinder Judgement.  Cl. of Cr. 
Robert Greene hold up thy hand, (which he did) Thou hast been Indicted of Felony and Murder, thou hast been thereupon Arraigned, thou hast pleaded thereunto not guilty, and for thy Trial thou hast put thyself upon God and thy Country, which Country hath found thee guilty, what hast thou to say for thyself, why the Court should not proceed to give Judgement of Death upon thee, and award Execution according to the Law?  Cap. Richardson. 
What have you to say for yourself?  Greene. 
I declare to all the world, that I am as innocent of the thing charged upon me, as the Child that is in the Mother's Womb. I die innocent, I do not care for death, I go to my Saviour, and I desire all that hear me to pray for me. I never saw the man to my knowledge alive or dead.  Cl. of Cr. 
Henry Berry, hold up thy hand, (which he did) Thou hast been Indicted of Felony and Murder, etc. What canst thou say? etc.  Berry. 
I do declare I am not guilty of any thing in the World of this.  L. C. J. 
We do not expect much from you, and it is no great matter; for your Confession will do us little good, but only for yourselves. We regard it not otherwise, because the Evidence was so plain, that all mankind is satisfied there is no scruple in the thing; and we know you have either downright denials, or evasions, or equivocating terms for every thing; yet in plain dealing, every one that heard your Trial hath great satisfaction; and for my own particular, I have great satisfaction that you are every one of you guilty.  Cl. of Cr. 
Lawrence Hill, hold up thy hand, (which he did) Thou hast been Indicted of Felony and Murder, etc. What canst thou say? etc.  Hill. 
I have nothing to say for myself, but that God Almighty knows my Innocence.  Cl. of Cr. 
Cryer▪ make an O yes.  Cryer, 
O yes, Our Sovereign Lord the King doth straight charge and command all manner of persons to keep silence whilst Judgement is giving upon the Prisoners Convicted, upon pain of Imprisonment; Peace about the Court.  
Then Mr. Justice Wyld, who as second Judge in that Court, pronounceth the Sentence in all Criminal Matters, (except High Treason) spoke to the Prisoners thus:  Mr. J. Wyld, 
You that are the Prisoners at the Bar, you have all three been Indicted for a detestable Murder, and thereunto have pleaded not guilty, and put yourselves for your Trial upon your Country, and your Country, upon a clear and pregnant Evidence, I believe to the Satisfaction of all good men, that were indifferent, have found you guilty. I have little Comfort to say any thing to you, because I observe your Obstinacy at the Bar; but it is so generally among you all, you will confess nothing to the Death.  Greene. 
God forbid Sir.  Mr. J. Wyld. 
But though I am of another Persuasion than you, and know you have no Charity for me, yet I have Charity for you. And if I shall say any thing, it is out of a zealous Affection I have for your Souls; God knows, I speak it upon no other grounds; though the Offence be horrid, yet I commiserate your persons.  
For the Nature of your Offence it is Murder; He that sheds man's blood, by Man shall his blood be shed; for in the Image of God created he him. So saith God to Noah, intimating and declaring thereby, That the intention of God Almighty in the making of that Law, was the preservation of mankind: and that he will not admit or suffer his Image to be defaced or destroyed. If it shall be accounted Treason against Earthly Princes to deface their Images, is it not much more Treason against the great God of Heaven and Earth, to deface his Image, who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Greatness of this Sin struck such a damp and horror upon the Soul of Cain, that it made him cry out, his Punishment was greater than he could bear, or, as our Bible's have it in the Margin, his Iniquity was greater than could be forgiven; and it shall come to pass, that whosoever meeteth me, shall slay me. Being Conscious to himself, that it was just and lawful, that whosoever did meet with him should slay him. And God himself doth set forth the heinousness of this offence, when he tells him, his Brother's blood cried to him, that is, cried unto God from the Earth, for Vengeance. Blood it is of a crying nature, and will never cease crying, till it find out the manslayer.  
It is an Offence so heinous in the Eye of God, that he will not endure it in a Beast; God saith, he will require it of a Beast. And doth God require Blood of a Beast, a brutish Creature void of all Reason, and will he not require it much more of Man, whom he hath endued with those two great Faculties of Reason and Understanding? And certainly if Murder in general be enquired after, I may well say this of yours, there hath not been committed a more impudent and barbarous Murder in this Civilised Nation by one Subject upon another. And observe how you did effect this Murder, with baseness enough. See the baseness of it: As the Devil was the Father of Lies, so he was a Murderer from the beginning; and you first begun your Murder with an Hellish studied and premeditated Lie. Knowing that this Gentleman was a person very vigorous in the Execution of his place, that would omit no Opportunity of doing his Office; you pretend you have occasion for him, and by this means draw him into your snare; where what you do, you do cowardly and basely, first disarm him, then fall all upon him, and murder him; as the Prophet David saith of the ungodly man, first gets the Righteous man in his Net, and then ravisheth him.  
Had such a thing as this been acted by us Protestants in any Popish Country in the World, I doubt there would scarce have been one of us left alive. They would not have taken this course that hath been taken with you, to admit us to a fair Trial; no, they would have made their own hands their Avengers: But God be praised, we are of another Religion, and of another Persuasion. We leave Vengeance to God, and under him to the Magistrate, who beareth not the Sword in vain, as you now find.  
If I could abstract folly from wickedness, certainly it was one of the greatest pieces of folly and sottishness in the world: For what could be your end in it? Did you think that all the Magistrates in England were lodged in Sir Edmondbury Godfrey? that if he were taken out of the way, there were not men of Spirit and Courage, as faithful and diligent as he was? Trouble not yourselves, nor let those of your Persuasion trouble themselves, there are a numerous Company of Magistrates in this Kingdom, that will do the same thing, and act in, and execute their Offices with the same Courage.  
And as to the manner of the Murder, whom have you destroyed? A Magistrate; For what? For the Execution of his Office. One that was a Conservator of the Peace; and whose study it was to preserve you in Peace, on him you have violated the Peace, and nothing less would satisfy you than his precious Life. An Affront to the Law, to the Magistrate, to the King, to the Nation; yea to God himself, upon whom an higher Affront could hardly have been put. For the Magistrate is God's Ordinance, God hath set him up to avenge himself upon the wicked, and to reward the good; and he doth not bear, as it is a sign by you he hath not born, the Sword in vain.  
I might say much more concerning the heinousness of this Offence; but had I the tongue of Men and Angels, I could not say enough to set out the horror of it. And now let me tell you, I do not speak this to insult and domineer over you; I praise God I am of another spirit; he knows I have another end in what I say, and my end is merely this, to persuade you from the foulness of your fact, to make a good use of it; that the horridness of your sin, may make the greater and deeper impressions on your Spirits; and so make your repentance more sincere and efficacious. Had you as many years to live as you have hours, it were little enough to bewail this horrid Offence. But on the other side, as that will be little enough, yet let me give you this comfort, you have time enough, if you make a good use of it, to make your peace with God.  
Pray let me dehort you from one thing; and that is this, Do not be of the Opinion of those wicked miscreants the Jesuits, that have put you upon this matter; for I have so much Charity for you as to believe, they made it a matter of Religion to you, and justifiable upon that account. Do not think so, for the Law of God is indispensible, and no power under Heaven can Licence to murder. So that though the Offence in them is abominable, yet in you 'tis an Offence too, and an horrid one. And when you have considered it as such, I then desire you to take a right course to make your peace with God: For you must pass under another Judgement than that of man, and that shortly you must stand before the Judge of Heaven and Earth. And therefore if by this means you can prevent that future Judgement, you will have Just cause to thank God that you had your punishment here on earth. Therefore let me advise you to spend every minute you have left, in a free acknowledgement of all your Offences: For certainly some sin went before, or this had never come after. One sin dogs another, and makes way for the Commission of another.  
And what must you rely upon? not upon any trash or trumpery, not upon any merit of your own, there is but one Saviour and Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. And I would advise you in the words of that great Cardinal, one that was one of the greatest men of your Religion, Bellarmine I mean, who, having made a scrutiny, which was the safest way for securing Heaven, made the conclusion thus, To trust Only upon the Lord Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation; which I advise you to do.  
I have now done what I intended to say to you; and what I have said, I spoke to deliver my own Soul, and upon no other account. I now pronounce the Judgement which the Law hath appointed to pass upon such Malefactors; and that is this;  
That you go from hence to the place from whence you came, and from thence to the place of Execution, where you shall be severally hanged by the Neck, till you are severally dead; and the Lord have mercy upon your Souls.  Hill, 
I humbly beg one favour, that I may have the privilege to see my Wife and Children, and my Brother, before I die, sometimes.  L, C, I, 
God forbid else,  Hill, 
Any day I hope my Lord.  L, C, I, 
Captain Richardson, let them have the liberty of seeing their Friends, but do it with care and caution.  Mr. I, Wyld, 
And I will say this more to you, if you will have any Religious Protestant Divines to come to you, they shall be sent you, but none of your Priests.  Hill, 
I desire only my Relations.  Mr, J. Wyld, 
You shall have them, and we offer you the others.  Green, 
I have no Relations that are Catholics, but two, and they are not Priests. God bless the King; and I desire all good people to pray for us.  L, C, I, 
Mr. Astry let the Rule be entered for their Execution on Monday next.  
Cl, of the Crown, Captain Richardson, you shall have the Rule for their Execution on Monday next.  
Then the Keeper carried away the Prisoners to the Gaol to be reserved till their Execution.    
On Friday the 21 st. of February following, the Prisoners, Robert Greene and Laurence Hill, were Executed, according to the Sentence pronounced against them. 
FINIS.