A Bloody newyears gift, OR A TRUE DECLAration of the most cruel and bloody murder, of master Robert Heath, in his own house at high Holborn, being the sign of the firebrand: which murder was committed by Rowland Cramphorne, servant and Tapster to the said Heath: On new-yearesday last passed in the morning, 1609.  
Whereunto is annexed, sundry exploits of Tendance, otherwise called Double diligence, servant unto Derrick the Hangman, Who with his Consort (Old doublets) was executed at Tyburn, in january last past 1609.   depiction of a hanged man (probably intended to represent Tendance) 
London printed for B. S. & W. B. and are to be sold at their shop at the great north door of saint Paul's Church. 1609.   


L A   decorative header  
To the Reader.  
IN the relation (gentle reader) of the ensuing discourse, I have been so diligent and careful, that I have rather failed to write so much as I might, than any way I come short of truth and sincerity. I heard the offender's trial and conviction, at the Session's house, and according to the instructions, there delivered in evidence, have briefly set down the whole sum in effect, though not so orderly (perhaps) as a better iudgemenr could have done. I stand free (I trust from partiality, or sinister construction) being no way waged for the one, or fearfully doubting of the other. And in the opening of such criminal cases, concerning persons of no higher quality. I am of the mind, that any writer (keeping himself within the bounds and limits of truth) hath freedom of his pen, and good ground for his publication; Because such examples remaining to posterity, do express the care and industry of precedent times, in punishing such sins, and serve as mirrors or spectacles, for others to avoid the like monstrous enormities.  
I have heard an infinite number of rumours, concerning this present murder committed, and strange constructions, upon as strange observations. I was never so giddily affected, as rashly to believe, or lean resolvedly to any, but what I both saw and heard, in the honourable Court of justice, and in the best manner I could, I have followed the course of direct information, such as from the worthy pains of the Coroner, his empaneled inquest, and the justices that had the examination of the cause, was evidently, plainly, and justly delivered.  
Therefore, with that old grammatical rule, Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum,  
I knit up this short preface, desiring that the punishment of this man's offence may so serve in example, as the like bloody sin, either in, or near this famous City, may never hereafter (by any one) be committed.  
FINIS.   

A true declaration, Of the Arraignment, Conviction, and Execution, of Rowland Cramphorne a Tapster, for most cruel and bloody murdering his Ma. Robert Heath a Cook, in his own house at high Holborn on New years day last in the morning. 1609.  
THe tragical discourse we have in hand to relate, doth first very necessarily require, that we should speak somewhat concerning the person who was the Actor of so dismal a stratageine, concerning his former life and noted behaviour, likely to suit with so wretched a conclusion: As (no doubt) there are many of this profession, who are of honest inclination and good government, though it be a quality subject to much incivility, yet this young man had been observed by divers, to be very idle in disposition, lose and giddy headed in affection and behaviour, and drink, which is the destruction of too many, had more power of him, than was seemly or convenient.  
And having by his wanton enticements, overcome the too forward yielding of a comely young Maiden, with promise of marriage, oaths and other protestations: when such time came, as she was known to be great with child, and (both for support of her bruised credit, and avoiding such scandal, as thereby might ensue to him) had betaken herself so out of sight, that no public detection should lay hold on either: She was at last delivered, and then challenging him of his former vowed faith and promise, to repair the ruin of her lost reputation, he utterly abjured any knowledge of her, or that any such matter had been done by him, threatening to have her severely punished, if she durst afterward lay any such reproach to his charge. She having no other help but patience, or any friends to stead her in so woeful an extremity, was compelled to be silent, and give over any further claim unto him, Only thus she parted from him, with these or the like speeches. Farewell Rowland, thou and none but thou (upon my soul) hast been the overthrow of a poor Maid, I forgive thee from my heart, but am persuaded, that (one day) God will revenge my cause, and (though I wish it not, for I love thee but too well) that I shall line to see thee come to some shameful end, nay worse than shame, if worse may be. For mine own part, this badge of my deserved infamy, which I bear by thee, and this poor child, the fruit of a false and perjured father: I will bear, the one as I may, and comfort the other as God shall enable me, not doubting, but I shall get a penny to buy it food, wh●n thou shalt perish in shame and disgrace.  
I could likewise here set down other known det●ctions, as of an other woman, who both before, and during all the time of his trouble was his only friend and maintainer. Likewise, what all the neighbours there about have noted, in his daily carriage and behaviour, and what hath been said concerning his Mistress: But let all these imputations now die with him, and proceed we to deliver his notorious offence.  
Upon Friday, being the 17 of February, Rowland Cramphorne was endighted and arraigned at the Session's house in the old bailie, before my Lord Mayor, and his majesties Commissioners in case of justice; of wilful murder and petty treason, for murdering his M. Robert Heath, with an iron fire fork, giving him his deaths wound upon his head. He pleaded to his inditement, not guilty, and for his further trial, did put himself upon God and his Country, according to the ordinary proceeding in the like cases. hereupon, divers good and substantial witnesses were there produced, that had before given in their Evidence to the Coroners inquest. But in regard they were many, to the number of twelve, or there about: the proofs that were most pregnant, and nearest to the purpose, were only made use of, which was the maid servant of the house, the boy also of the house, who was bedfellow to Rowland, a Gentleman lodging in the house, and a joiner being the next neighbour, who heard the noise in the house, when the bloody act was performed.  
The effect of the maids Evidence, was, that her master, being one that kept much company, been abroad, and came home somewhat disguised in drink, where sitting down in his kitchen by the Fire, after the departure of two or three friends that had come in, and there fitten a while with him; he fell asleep in his Chair, his wife going to bed about nine of the clock. And because the key of her Chamber Door was missing, and her husband used often to c●me late to bed, she would hau● the maid set the Table against the door when she came to bed, that so she mighth me knowledge of her husbands coming, she said she did. None now remained up in the house, but the Maid and Rowland, except the Gentleman that lay in the house, who having been hidden by Master Heath to supper, and failing thereof by reason of his hosts late coming in went up into his Chamber, and two more with him, where having a Fire made him, and calling for a pot of beer. Rowland brought him up a jug that held six penny worth of Beer, whereof the Gentleman drinking but once, and being over-watcht with sitting up the night before at play: leaning backward to his bed, he fell a sleep, not waking again until he heard the Chimes go twelve a clock. In this time, the other men that were there, had drunk up the drink, and departed while he slept, but at what time, he knew not. He awaking, and finding his fire ●ut, his friends gone, and himself to be very cold, knocked for the Tapster, who coming up to him, and resolving him how long he had slept, and of the others departure: the Gentleman desired to have some more fire, but the Tapster made answer, that there were no Faggots in the house, albeit there was then above two hundred in the Seller. He then required to have a pot of Beer, but the Tapster replying, that he had lost the key, would let him have none. Then the Gentleman saying, that he was both cold and dry, said he would go forth and knock up some body, where he might have both fire and drink: where to the Tapster was very willing, making offer to go with him: but when he heard the Gentleman say, that in regard it was solate, he would not stay long the Tapster's mind was altered, and would not go at all. Whereupon, missing the sheets upon his bed, and the Rug also, which being brought up by the maid, and by her and Rowland was laid upon the bed: the Gentleman, cold as he was, and without any drink, was feign to go to bed, as himself being there present, delivered in his Evidence, as hath been briefly declared.  
The Maid, perceiving her Master to sit still sleeping, and that it was passed two of the clock, locking and bolting the doors both backward and forward with her own hands went up to bed, setting the Table against the door, as her Mistress had bidden her: now was Rowland left alone with his Master, when as it after fell out, the devil prevailed so far with him, to do that horrible deed of darkness. For albeit he went to bed to the boy, whom before he had made drunk both with beer & sack: yet the boy felt when he arose away from him, but could not tel● when he came to bed again: And the maid before her going to bed, had lighted a whole Candle and let by her master which she found in the morning turned downward into the socket of the Candlestiks, not fully a quarter burned.  
Now in this dead silence of the early morning, between two or three of the clock, the joiner and his wife being in bed, and a friend of theirs lying in the chamber likewise in the under bed, heard a great noise in master heaths house, as it were the fall of stools or Chairs: in so much as the stranger said unto them (bearing the joiners dogs keep such a coil, the one howling, and the other barking:) he wondered how they could sleep, when so great a noise was near them. The joiners wife answered, that being newyears day, surely master heaths folks were up at work, about their Pies or such like business: moreover, they heard the door open, which served to the room where Rowland lay and within a small while after, they heard it shut again: for the Chamber where they lay, was just over the said room, and the door was never opened or shut, but it would much shake their bed. And the joiner would have risen to see who went out at that door, but that his wife persuaded him to the contrary.  
at this time (as by all circumstances appeareth) was this unnatural deed done, and the murderer, hoping to outface the matter, as he afterward did, goes to bed again, leaving the doors open every way, saving that of his own lodging, which is on the same floor, and but divided from the Shop: which leaving of the doors thus wide open, must needs be about six of the clock, because a maid servant to a Barber, had been there after five a clock for six, and found them then to be fast shut. Not long after, the maid of the house ariseth, and coming down in the dark, feels about the dresser board, and finds the candle, so put out as before hath been declared. And having lighted it, sees the woeful spectacle of her master: whereat being affrighted, she goes and wakes dog-sleeping Rowland, and tells him what he knew too well, that her m●ister was murdered: marry god forbidden says Rowland, it is too true replies the Maid, Peace. peace says Rowland. And being demanded, wherefore he said so: made answer for fear of affrighting his Mistress.  
The outcry of this murder being made, the joiner being up and ready, because he frequented the morning lecture at Christs-Church: among other neighbours went into the house, and being the first that laid hand upon M. Heath, heaved him up upon his buttocks, and found him not to be quite dead, for he fetched a sigh or two, and calling for Aquavitae, made means to get him up into his Chamber, but in the carriage up, his life expired. The joiner demanding in the name of God, how such a wicked deed could be done, none being in the house, but they appertaining to the house? Rowland answered, he could not tell, the doors were found wide open in the morning. The Wife of the house and the Maid, they made the like answer, and no one could presently be said who did it. But the Constable and other Officers being called for, they were carried before such Magistrates, as are to examine matters of like nature.  
Roland's money in his pocket was found to be bloody, and so was the pocket itself: he being then demanded how it so happened? made answer that it might be with helping to lift his Master, who being much besmered with blood, might bloody his hands, and so both his money and pocket might become bloody. But it was approved, and by the joiner maintained, that he laid no hand then to help up his Master, how butcherly soever he had smitten him down before. Beside, upon the Fire fork there appeared a drop of blood, as seeming that the act was therewith performed: albeit he confessed afterward, that he did it with a double jug.  
The day before, M. Heath being with some friends near unto his house, sent for beer home to his own Tapster, which was three or four several times denied him by the Tapster. And when money was sent, which made him fill the drink, yet when it was told him it was his masters, and would pay him when he came home, he caught the pot and put forth the drink again, and would send him none. Moreover, it appeared that his M. had some dislike of Roland's behaviour, and (as the neighbours have affirmed) not without good cause, so that he had told him, he should make up his account, for as near as the term was he would be rid of him. And it is said that that day when his master came home, he gave him a box or two on the ear, for denying him drink, and bade him provide himself, for he should serve him no longer.  
The jury finding him guilty of wilful murder and treason, did so deliver up their verdict, and he had sentence of death, according to law. The tuesday following being the 21, day of February; a jibbet being set up at Graies-Inne lane end, somewhat near unto the house where the murder was committed. In the after noon of the same day, Rowland Cramphorne, being laid upon a hurdle, was drawn to the place appointed for execution, where being by good and godly preachers dealt withal, to clear his own conscience, & deliver the truth in so doubtful a case, whether any other had hand or no with him in the action: he would hear no speeches concerning his mist. or the maid, but cleared them ●smuch as he could, taking all upon himself: & loath to hear any further admonishment, which with love and much charity was laboured unto him: when he was willed to make no haste, but take time to his owneliking, putting one leg beside the ladder, and they calling him yet to stay, yea the hangman offering to hold him by the choler of his doublet, he desperately threw himself off, not willing to listen to any further good counsel.   

A brief declaration of Tendance otherwise called double Diligence, servant to Derrick the hangman, who with his Consort Old Doublets, were lately executed at Tyburn, in january last 1609.  
THe royal and Princely laws and ordinances of this Realm being so strict and punishable as they are, should (as every man would judge) move all men at the very sight of the execution thereof to take warning, which way to avoid the punishments & penalties of them. But as we find and see daily, none are so apt to transgress the Law as men experienced in the Law: none more ready for imprisonment, than such as have abode the danger thereof before: so that the old Proverb is (as it were) falsified, namely, The  Child dreads the fire. For as much, as many seeing the dangerous events which are like to proceed and happen upon parties offending cannot (through the want of grace and serving of God) eschew, but rather incur the same, or worse if worse might be. As for example is to be seen, by a most ungracious, unlucky, false and dissembling villain, who was servant to the Hangman, or as some call it, his partner, who was as apt and diligent in the quick dispatching of any his old yew-fellowes or accquaintance, Cutpurses, which came under his jurisdiction, as ever any hangman (master or servant) which ever were of the three cornered order: Yet note the villainous conversation of that shameless villain. There came not (by report) any young rogue to be admitted into the order or fraternity of rogues (as the custom is among them they must) but this slave was the chief ministerer of their oaths of aleagance, to the upright man or whole assembly of rogues, because that he being at their admittance, should lightly be at their end making, so that he was as it were an Overseer of their whole lives, both beginning, continuance, and ending: and could testify at their ends whether they had done true service, in that their togish vocation whereunto they were admitted.  
There was not through the whole week any purse cut, but his malefactions Gentleman, was at the account making of their booties or preys, and chief sharer above all the master cutpurses about the town, say what they could or do what they could: For if he had been never so little crest, in his beastly worship's humour, by any of the trade, unless it were a great chance, either he should be abridged of the liberty of roguing, or else through his means come to be promoted to his own proper power, for he would bewray and appeach all the doings of such as liked him not.  
No cheating bargain, made either by cozeners or gamesters upon peor or silly men, neither any lock picked or house broke open, but he was made acquainted with it, else was their oath broken, and for breach thereof, such offenders lightly in lieu of their breaking of the same, either promoted to the gallows, or else betrayed by him, and throng his means to the punishment prouide● for them according to the desert of their offence, or eye clean shut out of the order. The which if any master cutpurse, had but presumed further than his authority, and had prayed or seized upon the booties of any cutpurs or slave, who was to do service to those of higher power, if the party wronged had but made way to Tendance, for so he was called, he should be sure to be heard and have remedy for his wrongs: or if any of the inferior sort had neglected any part of their duties, the which (by their oath at their stealing or admittance into the order of Rogues) they were tied unto, They were all Subject to the sentence which Tendance should pronounce against them, and in danger of such penalties, as by the general consent of their whol● Fraternity had before time been established.  
No whore or young strumpet could be admitted to be Doxis or Dells, or receive any dignity or vocation without consent of Tendance, nor none be (broken of the upright man or master Rogue) as their order is, unless by Tendance his discretion it might be thought be fitting. beggars or idle Rogues, or any such, might not be admitted into the lazy roguing order, but must first be brought before Tendance, to the end he might allow of their proceed, either old or young. Besides, be had all the whole universal prerogative in every particular, the ordinances established, for the upholding and supporting of the total fraternity of Rogues.  
But whether the fault were in the bad terms or in the want which overcrowed men's purses at their coming to the terms through that dearth and hardness which was imposed upon men of the Country, or any private falshood-were wrought among his inferiors, by detaining of the right which he should have from him. I know not▪ But as it is hard with honest men, it seems it was not beneficial to him: for he was urged to leave his superiority, and bend to a more inferior course, for he was driven by compulsion, to walk markets, fairs, throngs & crowds, & become accountable to himself of his own get as well as of others: for either he became to be a base minded cutpurse for need▪ or else he did it to pry into the dissimulations of other of his vocation.  
But he was chiefly moved to it by an other consort which was a seller of Old doublets who as his chief Counsellor, peri waded him to make trial (as it seemed) of the benefit which might grow or arise in places of resort through the cunning devices which might be put in practice: which Old doublets having obtained at his hands, and procuring him to make him his Ceequall in sharing, practised to effect as well as Tendance, and to be aiding at his hand. The one to accomplish the full prosie and insight in to the art of Roguing, the other to hans the commodity which might ensue of the benefit which other Rogues should make, which were to practise that occupation.  
Which commodity, Old doublets found sweet, by reason of the monthly bargains which he purchased with his misbegotten stock: for every offender, which Tendance should think hardly of, was sure to be trussed, specially such as had any good suits to their hacks, which through Tendance his means, Old doublets had the forsaking of, and had thereof very good pennieworths for reasonable money.  
This resolution encouraged these two proggers to persist in their calling, inso much that of late (beside the other sort) Leaden hall, Cheapside, Newgat-market, nor any other place of meeting as Westminster-hall or any such places of assembly, was voyte or desittute of the company of these two, the Captains and Liestenant of the whole band.  
So that upon a time, Tendance making trial to show his cunning over a purse, which was something dangerous and hard to come by without suspicion, suddenly was taken with the manner? and lawfully being thereof detected, was committed into the hands of such as might command him, as he before had done others. And immediately after, whether for grief or for greediness of cempante, I know not, But Oldedublets through his cunning, purchased lean to become Chamberfellow with Tendance in Newgate, where like good companions, they passed a small time away together, And being called by the reverend judges and magistrates of the land, they could scarcely answer their Faults with honesty, wherefore they were adjudged meretoriously, to endure that which their deserts desired: and in fine, having the sentence of condemnation pronounced against them, they both lovingly ended in a hempen friendship.  
Hereby may be seen the profits and fruits which may be gathered through the falseness, and undoing of others: the odiousness of such which through hope of benefit will join with others in the practising of another's hurt, and the fall which many a one hath for want of grace, though they have never so many, nor so good examples given them. Wherefore I pray God of his mercy, to amend in every one, that which is amiss, & give all men grace to eschew the way which will bring a man to his end before his time.