HANNAM'S Last farewell to the WORLD: Being a full and true Relation of the notorious Life and shameful Death of Mr. Richard Hannam, the great Robber of England; with the manner of his apprehension, Examination, Confession and speech made to the Sheriffs a little before his Execution in the Round in Smithfield, on Tuesday the 17. of June, 1656, a man, hanged on gallows London, Printed for Thomas Vere; and William Gilbertson, 1656. Truth to gain Credit : OR, A true and impartial Relation of the apprehension, examination, and execution of Mr. Richard Hannam, on Tuesday the 17. of June 1656. SO many and various have been the reports concerning M. Richard Hannam the grand robber of England, that merely to vindicate the truth, and really to inform the people of this Nation in each particular circumstance of the business, I have set Pen to Paper only to testify what I received from his own Mouth, and heard at his Execution. He was the Son of M. Richard Hannam a Shoemaker, born in Shafisbury a gallant Town in Dorsetshire, his parents living in very good repute, and educated him for a few years honestly, and according to their quality, but his ambitious spirit and running head, not long brooking to be curbed by the reins of unbridled youth, he took occasion to run from his Father and Mother, and came to London, where he ●ound himself an Apprentice to a Silk-weaver in Shoreditch; but being soon-out of love with that place also, as a trade too settled for his wandr●ng mind, he left that also and took upon him a Tapster's place to draw drink in a common Alehouse, unto which place resorted many people of sundry dispositions, and amongst the rest a crew of Cutters that perceiving Dick Hannam to be of a quick ingenious capacity soon invited him to leave that calling also, and to embrace their wicked society, wherein in a short time he so well profited that from a servant he became a Master, and by his exquisite skill in Thievery was able to teach his Teachers. I shall omit many of his mad pranks played in England at his first entrance into this thievish trade, because I would only mention that which is freshest in memory: about the year 1650: he travelled into Denmark, where by cunning policy & the help of his wicked Confederates he robbed the King's Treasury and conveyed away a vast sum of Money, but this not contenting his avaricious humour he passed from thence into Swedland and there robbed the Queen of 4000 l. in Money, with Rings, Plate, and Jewels, amounting to a very considerable sum, yet it had like to have cost him dear, for diligent search being made after him he was quickly apprehended and committed to the common prison, there to remain till upon trial he should be conveyed to the gallows: but Hannam, though he loved stealing, yet was out of love with hanging, and being expert in his trade soon found out a way to unlose himself by filing off his Irons, picking open the Locks, and breaking the Goal. Having thus rid himself out of that danger, he also quitted the place, and from thence sailed into Holland, where for a while he lived like a Gentleman, and a pretended Merchant of very great quality, and by his fair insinuating tongue got into great acquaintance and was very well beloved, amongst the chiefest persons of quality in Amsterdam: (for there was his residence) at length through his subtlety, he found an opportunity to break up their Bank of moneys, and took out as much as he knew well what to do withal; and before it was discovered transported both himself and his Coin into England, in the year 1655. And here I cannot but vindicate him from one common lie which is frequent in every man's mouth, and likewise printed in one feigned foolish pamphlet, to wit, that he should rob the King of Scots, Really as the gallows hath its due, so I would have the thief to have his likewise: and I do verily believe, and that upon very good grounds, (if a dying man may be to be believed) that he never did any such thing, but abhorred the very thought of it. Furthermore, that nonsensical book renders him guilty of many bloody murders; but I think no man ever heard that he ever was so much as arraigned for murder, much less that he killed any man: but I shall wave this discourse, lest I should be mistaken, and proceed to his deportment in England. Hannam living in London at a very great height for a time, kept company with the best, and spent his money freely; for he had perfectly learned the old proverb, Lightly come, lightly go: but the Addition (quickly gone) soon followed▪ and that drove him to his old trade of Thieving again for more; but not with so good success as formerly, For adventuring with some other of his Confederates to rob Alderman Hancocks house, a Vintner at the Greyhound in Fleetstreet: after they had wounded him in his bed, conveyed away some plate, and other goods; they made their escape; but within two or three days after, two men and a woman were apprehended for the fact, tried at the next Sessions, found guilty, and hanged before Mr. Hancocks door, 1654. Within a little while after this Richard Hannam was apprehended for the same crime, examined, cast and condemned to be hanged by the Neck till he died, after the usual manner, and so conveyed back to Newgate, there to be kept till the day of Execution. Now or never was it high time for Hannam to bestir himself, on Saturday he was condemned, on Monday he was to be hanged, long time he had not to consider on it; and therefore to be short, he suddenly pitched upon this device. The French Ambassador having not long before been robbed of his plate, he pretends to discover the thiefs: Hereupon the Ambassador gets a Reprieve from his Highness the Lord Protector? till he should accomplish it, In the mean mean time Hannam plots his escape out of Newgate, and thus effects it: One morning about three or sour of the clock, after the Watch was risen, he files off his Chains, as it was his usual custom easily to do, cunningly picks open the locks, and screws out the bars of three or four strong doors, comes down into the Lodge, the Keeper's being all asleep, unlocks the outward door lets himself out, and so made his escape; for which the Keepers were indicted the Sessions following; but upon examination acquitted, only little Grimes the under Clerk confessed that he knew when he went out, but durst not speak for fear of being killed; and for being privic to his escape, he was hanged 1655. Much search and diligent inquiry being made to retake Hannam, he was in a short time after his escape, again apprehended in Essex and brought up to London, but as he came through Cheapside just against Saddler's Hall he fell upon the two men that guarded him, strooke up their heels and run clear away, so once more freed himself from danger, but liking no place for his habitation so well as London, in May last, 1656. he hires a chamber in Bearbinder-Lane, near Lumberdstreet at one M. Chamberlayns a Boxmaker by his trade, but an Alehouse keeper withal, and there kept himself privately and unknown pretending to be a working goldsmith. but it is thought that he Coined money there, for stamps for that purpose have been taken in the house since Saturday the 14. of June, 1656. Upon which day about 5 of the clock in the afternoon, he with his Father in Law (Mr. Rudd) one man more, and Tom Dales wife the Fiddler, came to the sign of the King's head to one Mr, Langhornes a small victual ling house at the Lanes end, and called for a cup of Beer, a low Room was showed them, but that not suiting with their purposes, they a skt to go up stairs, and did so, where watching their opportunity, they picked open a Chest and role out 8 l. 19 shillings in money, with some other goods which was conveyed away by the woman: being suspected by Ms. Langhorn, she went up into the chamber and quickly perceived what they had done, yet very wisely seems to take no notice of it, but goes down and acquaints her husband with it, who immediately goes to Sir Thomas Vines in Lumberdstreet, gets his warrant, and with a Constable comes to apprehend these fellones, who still continued there drinking: Mr. Rudd and the other they took and carried them before the Justice, who committed them both to Newgate: but nimble Hannam made his escape out of the house top, and clambered like a Cat from one house to another until at last he got into a garret, some half a dozen doors off where a young man was at work, who being amazed to see one come in, in that manner, Hannam very meekly beseeched him to do him the favour as to convey him out of doors, for says he, I am in danger to be arrested, being pursued by half a dozen Sergeants, and if I be catcht, I shall be cast in prison & undone. The young man believing him, & supposing all that he had said to be true, willingly assisted him, and so let him escape clear away But Hannam inwardly fretting & vexing that his father in law was taken, vowed revenge upon Mr. Langhorn; and to that end about 4 hours after in the evening, having changed his clothes, he came back to his house, and found him standing at the Bar with his face from him. Hannam makes no more ado, but with a dagger-knife that he had, stabs him in the shoulder; and upon his turning about, wounded him in the arm in two places, intending to have killed him, and again made his escape through and over the houses, till he came to Sergeant Proby's yard, whose gate being locked up, put a stop to his further passage. Sergeant Proby seeing a man come into his yard in that manner, and at that unseasonable hour, presently concluded he intended to rob him, & called for his sword. Hannam entreats him to begood to him: for really sir says he I come for no harm neither mean I any to your house, but only to free myself from au arrest, therefore I beseech you suffer me to pass out at your gate. Sergeant Proby being too wise to believe his feigned story, makes at him with a good courage, & at the first thrust wounded him in the thigh. Hannam feeling it smart, clapped within him, & stabbed him with his dagger in the belly, & also stabbed his man in 2 or 3 places, yet at last was overmastered, & gotten down; so Sergeant Proby sent for a Constable, who carried him away to the Poultry Counter for that night; the next morning brought him before Alderman Foot, & upon examination he còfest what he was, & what he had done, seeming rather to glory in, then to be sorry for his villainy. For when the Alderman asked him how he got out of Newgate? Says he, I opened such doors I think, as none but the Devil could have opened, and with as much ease as one of your servants can open your door with the key in his hand, and so I went out. Being asked, if any of the Keepers were privy to, or assisting in his escape; he fairly cleared them all, only little Grimes, who faith he might have gone with me if he would, I offered him to maintain him like a man as long as he lived; but perceiving him faint-hearted, I bid him stay and be hanged, and so it seems he was. After some other discourse, he was sent to Newgate, and there strictly watched and guarded till the day of his execution which was upon Tuesday the 17 of June, 1656. the manner thus: There being a Gibbet erected in the middle of the Round in Smithfield, at eleven of the clock, Hannam was drawn thither in a Cart, attended by the honourable Sheriffs of London, with a very great guard of Officers, and multitudes of people to see his last farewell. When he came to the place of execution, he stood up in the Cart, and addressed himself to the Sheriffs in these words: Mr. Sheriffs, I Stand here before you and this great concourse of People; an exemplary object of justice, and you the Ministers thereof, to see it executed upon me, I confess my offences have been numerous and heinous, and I could hearty wish that my ruin might be a warning to them which yet stand, and take delight in such finfull courses: wherein the greatest part of my time hath vainly been consumed. One request I have to your worships and that is in behalf of my Landlord and Landlady Mr. chamberlain, and his wife, who are imprisoned because I lodged in their house; they being innocent neither knowing my name, nor my quality for I there went under the name of Richardson, a working Goldsmith, Therefore I humbly beg that they may be set at liberty. I have now done with all the world and have no more to say to any man, God have mercy upon my Soul. Then going up the Ladder he pulled a white cap out of his pocket and gave it to the hangman, who put it upon his head over his face with his mourning hatband over that and so lifting up his hands towards heaven, when the executioner touched him on the shoulder he turned himself off the Ladder. After his body had hung about half an hour, it was cut down and carried to the three-Tuns in Smithfield, and from thence in the evening to St. Pulchers Church-yard and there Bu●ied, In stead of FINIS this advice I send, Let Rogues and Thiefs beware of Hamans' END. Licsenced and Entered according to Order.