THE COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN from Master C. S. near Salisbury, to Master H.A. at London, concerning the proceeding at Winchester; Where the late L. Cobham, L. Grace, and Sir Griffin Marckham, all Attainted of high Treason, were ready to be executed on Friday the 9 of December 1603:  
At which time his majesties Warrant, all written with his own hand, whereof the true Copy is here annexed, was delivered to sir Benjamin Tichbourne high Sheriff of Hampshire, commanding him to suspend their execution till further order.  
❧ Imprinted at London by R. B. ANNO DOM. 1603.   

THE COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN from Master C.S. near Salisbury, to Master H. A. at London, concerning the proceeding at Winchester, etc.  
SIR, I have received a Letter from you by which I perceive, how much you desire to be particularly informed of the cause and manner of the stay of the late Lord Cobham's. Lord Gray's, and Sir Griffin Marckhams' Execution, appointed at Winchester: wherein, although there are many better able to discourse at large of such an Action than myself; yet I conceive (when you have perused this plain and true Relation, of that which all men there beheld that day, and many more since have heard from persons of best quality and knowledge) you will thank me more, for suffering the truth to show itself unclothed, then if I had laboured to have delivered you a Tale well painted with curious words and fine phrases.  
You must therefore understand, That as soon as the Arraignments were passed at Winchester, his majesties privy Counsel (to the number of fourteen or fifteen, of which company all of them had either been triers of the Noble men as their Peers, or sitten as high Commissioners upon the Gentlemen) were called before his Majesty (in his privy Chamber) at Wilton, where he commanded them to deliver (without respect to any person) the true Narration only, of the order in the Trial of these persons that had been condemned by the Law, of the manner of their behaviour at Bar, and of the nature 〈◊〉 degree of their offences, as had appeared in every one of them by their several answers.  
All which being clearly and justly reported by them, (each speaking in the hearing of the rest) his Majesty (for his part) used himself so gravely and so reservedly in all his speeches, as well to themselves at that time, as also to all other persons after in private or public, as neither any of his privy Counsel, Nobility, or any that attended nearest to his sacred Person, durst presume to mediate for any, or so much as to inquire what should be the conclusion particularly, of this proceeding.  
In the mean time, while the Court was full of variety of discourse, some speaking out of probability, others arguing out of desire, what was like to be the fortune of all, or of any of these offenders; His Majesty having concluded only in his own secret heart (which is the true oracle of grace and knowledge) in what manner to proceed, (and that without ask counsel of any earthly person) It pleased him to resolve (between God and himself) that their Execution should be stayed, even at the instant when the Axe should be laid to the Trees roots. For the secret and orderly carriage whereof, his Majesty was careful to prevent all cause or colour of suspicion, of that judicious, Royal, and unexpected course which followed. And therefore, after the two Priests were executed on Tuesday the 29. of November, and Master George Brook on Monday following, his Majesty on the same day, being the fifth of December, signed three Warants, for the Execution of the late Lord Cobham, L. Grace, and Sir Gryffin Marckham Knight, with particular direction to the Sheriff, to perform it on Friday after before ten a clock in the morning.  
All these directions being now become notorious, both by the Writs of execution (which passed under the great Seal) and by the making ready the Scaffolds at Winchester, His Majesty very secretly (as now appeareth by the sequel) drew himself into his Cabinet, on Wednesday before the day of Execution, and there privately framed a Warrant written all with his own hand, to the Sheriff, by virtue whereof, he countermanded all the former directions, alleging the reasons therein mentioned: Of which seeing no man's Pen can so well express, as his own, I send you the Copy verbatim, as I took it out of the Original, which many read in my Cousin Sir Benjamin Tichbournes hand.  
And now to come to the ordering of this business; among many other circumstances, It is very remarkable, with what discretion and foresight, that person was elected, which must be used in carriage of the Warrant. First his Majesty resolved, it should be a Scottishman, being thereby like to be freest from particular dependency upon any Nobleman, counsellors, or others, their friends or Allies. Next he resolved, to send a man of no extraordinary rank, because the standers by should not observe any alteration, nor the delinquents themselves should take any apprehension of such a man's being there at that time: This being his majesties special desire, that every one of them (being severally brought upon the Scaffold) might quietly breathe forth their last words, and true confession of his secretest conscience. And so (to be short) his Majesty made choice of M. john Gibb, a Scottishman (as aforesaid) a man that had never dealt with any Counsellor, or other, for suit or business, but one that had (within short while after the King's first entry) been sent back into Scotland, from whence he was but now freshly arrived at Wilton some few days before.  
This party being by the King approved for an ancient, trusty, and secret servant (as a Groom of his majesties bedchamber) receiving the warrant secretly on Thursday from the Kings own hand, & telling his fellows (who would otherwise have miss him) that he must lie that night at Salisbury upon some private business of his own, he road directly to Winchester, and there, keeping himself private all night, rose early in the morning on Friday, and went obscurely to the Castle green, where the people flocking in all the morning, as the time drew near, he put himself with the throng, close by the Scaffold, and there leaned till the Sheriff brought up sir Griffin Markham to the place, who was the man appointed first to die.  
There the said Sir Griffin Markham, having ended his prayer, and made himself ready to kneel down, M. john Gibb finding it fit time, while the Axe was preparing, to give some secret notice of his charge, called to my cousin Tichborne the Sheriff, to speak with him, and then delivered him (privately) his majesties warrant, with further directions verbally, how he should use it.  
Hereupon the Sheriff perceiving fully his majesties intention, so warily and discreetly marshaled the matter, as he only called Sir Griffin Markham unto him on the Scaffold, and told him, that he must withdraw himself into the Hall, to be confronted (before his death) before those two Lords, that were to follow him, about some points that did concern his majesties service: and so carrying Markham into the Hall, he left him there, and went up hastily for the Lord Grace to the Castle, who being likewise brought up to the Scaffold, and suffered to power out his prayers to God (at great length) and to make his last confession, as he would answer it upon his soul, when he was ready to kneel down, to receive the stroke of death, Master Sheriff caused him to stay, and told him that he must go down for a while into the Hall, where finding Sir Griffin Markham, he willed him to tarry there till he returned.  
Last of all, he went for the Lord Cobham, who having also ended his devotion to God, and making himself ready to receive the same blow, the Sheriff finding the time come to publish the King's mercy to the world, and to revease his mystery, he caused both the Lord Grace, and Sir Griffin Markham, to be brought back to the Scaffold, and there, before them all three that were condemned, and in the hearing of all the company, notified his majesties warrant, by which he was authorized to stay the execution. Which strange and undeserved Grace and mercy proceeding from a Prince, so deeply wounded without cause, or colour of cause given by himself towards them in any thing, but merely contrary (to both the Lords especially) bred in the hearts as well of the offenders, as of the standers by, such sundry passions, according to the divers tempers of their minds, as to those that must receive those things by report, which others did behold with their eyes, it may rather seem to be a relation of a well acted Comedy, then that it was ever possible for any other man, to contrive a matter (of this nature and consequence) to serve all purposes so aptly, as this was ordered by his majesties own and only directions.  
The Lord Cobham (holding his hand to heaven) applauded this incomparable mercy of so gracious a Sovereign, aggravating his own fault, by comparing it with the Prince's clemency, wishing confusion to all men alive, that should ever think a thought against such a Prince, as neither gave cause of offence, nor took revenge of ingratitude.  
The Lord Grace, finding in what measure this rare King had rewarded good for evil, and forborn to make him an example of discouragement, and terror to all men that hereafter might attempt to break the bonds of loyalty, upon the passions of any ambition, began to sob and weep for a great while, with most deep contrition, protesting now, that such was his zeal and desire to redeem his fault, by any means of satisfaction, as he could easily sacrifice his life, to prevent the loss of one finger of that royal hand, that had dealt so mercifully with him, when he least looked for it.  
Sir Griffin Marckham (standing like a man astonished) did nothing but admire and pray. The people that were present, witnessed by infinite applause and shouting the joy and comfort, which they took in these wonderful effects of grace and mercy, from a Prince, whom God had inspired with so many Royal gifts, for their conservation, and would conserve for his own glory.  
The cry being carried out of the Castle Gates into the Town, was not only sounded with acclamation of all sexes, qualities, and affections, but the true report divulged since in all parts, hath bred in the worst disposed minds, such remorse of iniquity, in the best such encouragement to loyalty, and in those that are indifferent, such fear to offend, and generally such affection to his majesties Person: as persuades the world, that Satan himself can never so far prevail with any, as to make them lift up their hearts or hands against a Prince, from whom they receive so true effects of justice, and goodness.  
To conclude therefore, I have now done my best, to satisfy your desire, though I feel (to my grief) how short I come to my own wish, because I would have expressed to the life (if it had been possible) both the matter and the form of this proceeding; of both which, the wisest men, that have seen and understood all particular circumstances, are at the end of their wits, to give an absolute censure, whether of them both deserve greater recommendation, (this being most assured) that there is no Record extant, wherein so great wisdom and understanding, so solid judgement, so perfect a resolution, to give way to no request, or mediation; so inscrutable a heart, so Royal and equal a tempered mercy, after so clear and public justice, have ever concurred so demonstratively as in this late Action, wherein this blessed King hath not proceeded after the manner of men and of Kings, Sed caelestis judicis aeternique Regis more, whereof he shall be most assured to reap these lasting fruits, of being beloved and feared of all men, obeyed with comfort, and served with continual joy and admiration. And so forbearing to hold you any longer at this time, I end: From my house near Salisbury, the 15. of December. 1603.  
Your Loving Cousin and friend. T. M.   

A TRUE COPY OF HIS majesties Warrant written with his own hand, and directed to the high Sheriff of Hampshire for stay of the execution of the late L. Cobham, L. Grace, and sir Griffin Marckham at Winchester the 9 of December 1603.  
ALthouch it be true, that all well governed and flourishing Kingdoms and common vealthiss, air establishid by justice, and that these tuo Noblemen by birth, that air now upon the point of Execution, air for their treasonable practices condemnid by the Law, and adiudgit voorthy of the execution thaireof, to the example and terror of other is; The one of thaim having filthily practised the overthrow of the quhole kingdom, and the other for the surprise of our own person; Yet in regaird that this is the first year of our Reign, in this Kingdom, and that never King was so far obleishid to his people, as ve have been to this, by our entry here with so hairtie and general an applause of all sorts; Among quhom all the kin, friendis, and allies of the saidis condemnid personnis, vaire as forduart, and dutiful as any other our good Subiectis, as also that at the very time of their Arraignment none did more freely & reddily give their assent to their conviction, and to deliver thaim into the handis of justice, than so many of their nearest kinsmen and Allies (as being Peeris) ●aiere upon their jury; As likevaise in regaird that justice hath in some sort gottin course already, by the execution of the tuo priests, and George Brooke, that vaire the principal plotteris and intisairs of all the rest, to the embracing of the saidis treasonabill Machinations; Ye therefore (being resolved to mix Clemency with justice) air contented, and by these Presentis command you, our present Sheriff of Hampshire, to superseide the Execution of the saidis tuo Noblemen, and to take thaim back to their prison again, while our further pleasure be knowing. And since ve vill not have our Lawis to have respect to personis, in sparing the great, and strikking the meaner sort; It is our pleasure, that the like course be also taken with Marckham, being sorry from our heart, that such is, not only the heinous nature of the saidis condemnid personnis crime, but even the corruption is so great of their natural disposition, as the care vee have for the safety and quiet of our State, and good Subiectis, vill not permit us to use that clemency to vardis thaim, quhich in our own natural inclination, vee micht very easily be persuadit unto.