blazon of the Earl of Pembroke Wm. Herbert. April, 1773 Ex Libris Bibliothecae Facultatis juridicae Edinburgi 1812 The Arraignment, and Execution, of a wilful and obstinate Traitor, named Eueralde Ducket, alias Hans: Condemned at the Session's house, for high Treason, on Friday, being the 28. of july, and executed at Tyburn, on Monday after, being the 31. day of the same month. 1581. Gathered by M. S. printer's or publisher's device Imprinted at London by john Charlewood, and Edward White, ΒΆ The Arraignment of an obstinate Traitor, named Euerald Ducket, alias Hans, at the Session's house, on Friday, the xxviii. of july. 1581. Upon Friday, being the eight and twenty day of july, there was brought to the Session's house, to be arraigned before the Queen's majesties justices, one Euerald Ducat, alias Hans, Englishman, being a Priest, and not long since, come from beyond the Seas. This wicked fellow, contrary both to the fear of God, and duty, which he should by right bear, to our most gracious Queen Elizabeth: erred from the true & perfect doctrine of the word of God, and lived in obscure and Satanical determination of life, as his own protestations hath sufficiently made apparent, and the obstinate lives of the rest of like sect, giveth daily example. He having received the orders of priesthood at Rheimes in France, a place, where (the more is the pity) divers and many young youths of England, are somewhat fed upon the Pope's pension, who maintaineth there a Seminary, to allure and entice the hearts of sundry her majesties obedient subjects Children, to come unto that place, where in steed of learning, they are instructed to dishonour God, to disobey their Prince, and to sell their souls wilfully, into the detestable slavery, of that blasphemous Antichristian Prelate From this aforesaid place came this obstinate fellow, and being brought before the justices to his answer, of certain absurd and devilish Articles by himself maintained, which are these ensuing. 1. That no Prince in all Europe, aught to have any supremacy, but the Pope only. 2. That the Pope was endued with the holy Spirit, and therefore he could not sin. Albeit a terror to any Christian heart to hear it, and a devilish obstinacy in himself to pronounce it, yet he traitorously said. 3. That our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, was an Heretic, and therefore not worthy of any government. 4. And that the Pope hath as great sway and authority in this Realm of England, at this day, as he had a hundred years ago. With other such like wicked and abominable arguments that he maintained, and being there examined of them: he began with this protestation. The Pope's holiness. At which, not only the Honourable Bench, but also all that stood by, entered into a great laughter: which caused him to break of the grave discourse, that else they should have heard. Then was he demanded of the former Articles, to which he answered. What I have said, I have said, and will stand to, using himself very fond and full of derision, even like all of that sort, whom God hath given over into a reprobate sense. After divers questions by the Bench, and answers of himself, not here to be spoken of: The Quest of twelve men was panneled upon him, whom he was willed to see, if he would challenge any of them. No (quoth he) there is some indifferent men among them, or else it goes hard. So he still troubling the Bench with over many words, as concerning how many souls he had saved since his coming over, and what good he had done in his commanded labour: That the Bench commanded him to silence, until the Quest were come to give up their verdict. Who being come, and finding him guilty, for that before he had put himself to God and the Country: he was demanded what he could say for himself, that judgement should not proceed upon him? He frumpingly answered, you have put me to silence, and now I will say nothing. Then the Bench commanded him to hold up his hand, and he held up his left hand. Why quoth the justices, is this your Roomish order? then he held up the other, and scoffingly said. Now Sir, I pray you, is not one hand as good as the other for you? At length ere judgement was pronounced, the Bench rehearsed unto him, how B. Stephan Gardener recanted. He answered, the greater was his sin. Then they said, how Cardinal Poole recanted, the greater was his sin (quoth he again) john Nichols (quoth the Bench) the other day recanted from his great impiety of life: he answered, the more his sin, and greater his pains in the world to come. At last they told him, how the Papists great God Bishop Bonner, recanted at his death. That is not so (quoth he) for he never recanted. After many horrible speeches by him passed, and by the Honourable Bench answered: judgement of high Treason proceeded upon him, to be drawn, hanged and quartered. He answered them again, though you have condemned me of Treason, yet do I know that I am void of sin in this. So was he carried from thence to Newgate, where Master Crowley a godly Father, remained all the afternoon with him in conference of the Scriptures, and found him altogether unlearned, not able to answer any thing directly, but marvelous obstinate and very impious. ON Monday being the 31. of july, he was brought to Tyburn the appointed place of Execution, being drawn from the prison of Newgate, upon a hurdle, and godly Preachers all the way exhorting him, but no sign or motion of repentance might be perceived in him. Being come to Tyburn, there was a Prisoner executed before him, who had otherwise trespassed, and he very mildly and penitently took his death, praying zealously that God would turn the heart of this perverse wretch, and so with sundry godly prayers, ended his life. Then was this Ducat brought up into the Cart, where were with him, Master Shakelton, Master Fidens, & other godly Preachers, still exhorting him: who after the noise of people was some what appeased (which was no small company) he began in this manner. I am brought hither this day to confess my fault, believing and assuring myself in the death of Christ, who shed his blood for the Catholic church, whereof I am a member, and hope therein to be saved: for the Catholic Church, is and hath been, from the beginning of the world unto this day, the true prefiguration of Christ: And whereas these Ministers (speaking in derision) have protested that I said, Treason is no sin: I beseech you all that are here, be witnesses with me (for these are the last words, that I shall speak) that I said not so. These were my words, that this which you call treason, & that for which I here die to day, is no sin before God, though you please to term it so. And I beseech all Catholics that are present here to pray for me. The godly Preacher answered, if there be any here, I trust the number is very small, or none at all, quoth he, in time I trust the number will be increased. For through the Catholic Church is the way to salvation, and the Pope's holiness is the head of that Church. Then he keeping close his eyes, as though he were in his prayers, the Preachers rehearsed unto him the Lords prayer, quoth he, vain words, away with the ravening wolves. Master Sheriff Woodcoke, than bade him ask the Queen forgiveness, whom he had offended, and all the present company. Quoth he, it is needles, I am a Subject, and I grant myself to be a Subject. Why (quoth Master Sheriff) she is supreme head of the Church, therefore thou oughtest to submit thyself to her. Not so (que he) she is a woman, and she may not, neither can not speak in the Church, and therefore ought not to bear any authority in it. With that, their godly ears not abiding to hear these blasphemous words: drew away the Cart, & let him hang scant two turns, but cut him down, to abide the farther pains, appointed for him, FINIS. To the Christian Reader, true obedient duty, both to God and Prince, continually wished. IF our hearts were not hardened, & our senses dulled, with over much care of the world, and no respect to our obedient duty: we might perceive the great mercy & love of our God, and the too little regard that we make of it. For let us but argue upon the daily & present examples, as the care he hath to his Church, the mild favour he beareth to his people that put their trust in him, that although Satan seek to build a bank about it: yet ariseth the Lord and saith, justice is mine. How hath God loved us, in sending us such a gracious Princess, such a peaceable tranquillity, such a happy light of his Gospel? And when antichrist hath spread abroad his Champions, and even thrown out his fiery Darts of his devilish inventions: yet hath the Lord stepped between them & home, and caused their shame to redound in their own faces, that when they have gone so far forth, as they have boastingly said: We will prevail, the Lord hath stood up in the midst of his Congregation, & said: I will defend my chosen. And yet to behold, how small account we make of it, how slenderly we regard it, & how unnaturally we run from him: might move us, if we had any grace or fear in ourselves, to return with pierced hearts, & sobbing consciences, and even out of the bowels of our souls to cry: O Lord have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. That we faithfully and unfeignedly may do this: let us every one heave our hearts and hands to the Lord, & be inwardly entirely sorry, for our so manifold offences, and pray that long may his Gospel shine among us, long may our most Gracious Queen govern us, & long may we faithfully serve him, truly and obediently honour and love her. And all that do repine at her gracious continuance: may either change their minds, or be speedily cut off. Amen. GOd preserve and bless our most gracious Queen Elizabeth, and increase the number of true and faithful Subjects. Amen. FINIS.