A letter vvritten out of England to an English gentleman remaining at Padua containing a true report of a strange conspiracie, contriued betweene Edward Squire, lately executed for the same treason as actor, and Richard Walpoole a Iesuite, as deuiser and suborner against the person of the Queenes Maiestie.

A letter vvritten out of England to an English gentleman remaining at Padua containing a true report of a strange conspiracie, contriued betweene Edward Squire, lately executed for the same treason as actor, and Richard Walpoole a Iesuite, as deuiser and suborner against the person of the Queenes Maiestie.

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SIR, I thanke you for your Relation of Ferrara; and to make you paiment in the like commodities, I returne to you a true report of a fresh accident of State, happened here with vs; memorable for the strangenesse of the matter, and the great signification it carieth with it of Gods extraordinarie and most visible prouidence; but otherwise woorthy to be damned to perpetuall obliuion, as well for the detestable nature of the fact, as yet more (if more were possible) for the impietie of the perswasion; such as I assure you, a man ought to make scruple to infame the times, or infect mens cogitations with the repetition of it, were it not that these workes of darknesse are framed and forged in such a deepe vawte of hypocrisie, as there is more danger, that they should be vnreuealed or vnbeleeued, then that being brought to cleare light, they should prouoke an imitation in any, of that which is so odious and foule.

And this Sir you may beleeue, that as I haue had good meanes, to informe my selfe to the full, of that [Page] which passed in this matter, and the trueth of all the particulars, aswell those which were opened at the arreignment of Edward Squire, one of the offenders, as those which were reserued, so I haue set downe this Narration, rather abridged of some circumstances, then any wayes amplified or inlarged.

This Squire dwelt in Greenwich diuers yeeres, and tooke vpon him the practise of a Scriuener, yet rather as a helpe to maintaine himselfe for a time, then that he bare a minde to settle in that trade. He obtained also before his going to Sea, for some two yeres space, an imployment about the Queenes Stable, by way of deputation to one Kaies, a Purueiour of those prouisions. But being of a wit aboue his vocation, disliked with that condition of life, and put himselfe into action by Sea, in the last voyage Sir Francis Drake made into the Indies; in which voyage, it was his hap, that the Frances [...] (a small barke wherein he went) was scattered from the Fleet about Guadalupe, and taken by [...]iue Spanish frigots. And so was Squire brought prisoner into Spaine, where soone after he was set at libertie.

Not long after his inlargement, he became known to Richard Walpoole an English fugitiue, and by order a Iesuite, a man of principall credit there, and a kinde of Vicar generall to Parsons in his absence. This Walpoole, carrying a waking & waiting eye, vpon those of our Nation, to discouer and single out sit instruments for the greatest treasons, obserued this Squire, found him a man of more then ordinarie sence and capacitie, for his qualitie and education; found him a man, that had passed his middle age, well aduised, and yet [Page] resolued enough, and not apprehensiue at all of danger; (for I doe affirme this vnto you, that neuer man answered vpon his triall for life and death, with lesse perturbation, nay scarsely with any alteration, as if he vnderstood not his perill and calamitie, and yet as sensible for speech, as insensible for passion.) But besides the disposition and temper of the man, Walpoole discerned in him two conditions of speciall aduantage; The one, that comming into Spaine a prisoner, and not a fugitiue, his returne into England would be subiect to lesse suspition: The other, that he vnderstood, Squire had formerly had some attendance about the Queenes Stable, which he streight caught holde of, as an opportunity.

Yet neuerthelesse, the better to prepare him, and worke him to his purpose; and the better also to giue couler,(when Squire should returne into England) that he was a man that had suffered in Spaine for his conscience, subtilly he compassed, that vpon a quarrell picked, Squire was put into the Inquisition. By this meanes, when he had got his heart into his handes, mollified by distresse, and became secure of him, that he was a fixed and resolued Papist.

After probation and preparation sufficient, hee began to open himselfe vnto him; and first for introduction, fell into the ordinary burden or song, of that kinde of people, touching the tyrannies and persecutions exercised here in England against Catholiques; though Sir, you know very well, the distinction and moderation of the proceedings here in Ecclesiasticall causes, with what lenitie, and gentlenesse, it hath bene caried, except where it was mixed with matter [Page] of State; for els I would gladly learne, what should make the difference, betweene the temper of the Lawes in the first yeere of the Queene, and in 23. or 27. but that at the one time, they were Papists in conscience, and at the other they were growne Papists in faction; or what should make the difference at this day in Lawe, betweene a Queene Mary Priest, and a Seminarie Priest, saue that the one is a Priest of supers [...]ition, and the other is a Priest of sedition. But to the purpose; After the Iesuite had at sundry conferences, discoursed his pleasure of the miseries of Catholiques here in England, and of the slanders of the gouernment, and vpon how fewe persons liues, the State here did stand; and Squire on the other side, (who wanted no witte to perceiue which way hee was ledde) had first made some signification, and after some more serious and vehement protestation of his minde and deuotion, to doe seruice to the cause, when the wicked Frier fawe hee was gotten into the true circle, hee began to charme; and yet not hauing the power to fall vpon the highest point first, without a gradation or bridge, It were no doubt (saith hee) an acte [...]ery meritorious to kill the Earle of Essex, but Vnum necessarium, One thing is necessary. And hauing kept him in suspence a while, brake with him plainely, and tolde him, that hee would put a seruice into his hands, that he might execute and accomplish, without any euident perill of his life, because it was to be done, what time the Queene her selfe should not bee in presence; (which I thinke he spake as hauing heard that which is very true, of some Conspirators, that hauing vndertaken and vowed her Maiesties destruction, [Page] haue neuerthelesse at the very instant of the accesse and opportunitie, bene stricken with astonishment, and had no power to execute their malice.) Nay further he said, that he should not need to feare, in the doing thereof, to be seene or obserued, by any persons of care or iudgement, but such as might be easily conuersed withall, without suspition: And it was the impoysonment of the pommell of the Queenes Sadell, at such time as shee should ride abroad; her Maiestie being like to rest her hand thereupon, for a good time together, and not vnlike for her hand to come often about her face, mouth, and nosethrils; and this by reason of his former acquaintance and seruice about the Stable, he thought hee might easily performe, and safely; And yet he said, If imminent death should insue thereupon hee might not accompt of it, as beeing assured that hee should exchange his present state, with the state of a glorious Saint in heauen. Vnto which accursed proposition after that Squire had assented, then did the Frier vse all diligence to confirme and binde him to resolution and performance. And to that ende, at sundry confessions tooke his vow and promise to be constant; caused him to receiue the Sacrament vpon it; renued his diuelish perswasions, varying them in all fourmes to besiege his minde and cogitations, that he might finde no way to get out of this wicked purpose; Telling him that he stood now in the state of damnation, if he did not his vttermost endeuour to perfourme his vowe. And bid him remember how that sinne did seldome obtaine pardon; and if he did but once make doubt of the lawfulnesse or merit of the acte, it was enough to cast him headlong[Page]downe into hell; And if he did cast any difficulties or terrors, he wished him to consider What it did auaile a man to winne the whole world, and to leese his owne soule. So as now Squire must not descend into himselfe, he must make no obiections, cast no doubts; but the eyes of his vnderstanding blinded and sealed vp, he must onely contemplate vpon these vowes and adiurations. And for a conclusion and finall benediction of this most execrable plot, Squire kneeling before Wallpoole at confession, he lifted him vp, hugde him about the necke with his left arme (such were Squires owne wordes) and crossing him with the other hand after some wordes mumbled in Latine, sayd distinctly to him in English, God blesse thee and giue thee strength my sonne; be of good courage, I pawne my soule for thine, and thou shalt haue my prayers dead and aliue. And vpon this imbracement and inchantment, this desperate wretch and this blasphemous Exorcist parted for that time.

Then doeth he giue him ful instructions for the disposing of this poison; shewing him that he should receiue it in a double bladder, and when it should bee vsed, hee was to pricke the bladderfull of holes vpon the vpper part, and so to carie it within the palme of his hand with a thicke gloue for the safegard of his hand: and in the instant when it was to be applied, he should turne it in his hand [...]he vpside downe, and so presse it hard vpon the pommell of the saddell: telling him further of the nature of it, That it would lie and tarrie long where it was laide; and that it would not be checked by the aire. And lastly vpon his comming away, deliuered him the confection it selfe in such a bladder as was before described.

[Page]This was the true maner of the subornation of Edward Squire by Richard Wallpoole as it was confessed by the same Squire almost in the same wordes, as well for the perswasions as for the instructions. Which confession I doe affirme vnto you vpon knowledge was deliuered without torture or shewe of torture: and was roundly and sensibly vttered with all circumstances of a credible narration for that part which concerneth the maner of the impoisonment: and for that part which concerneth the manner of the perswasion was set downe by an aduised declaration vnder his owne hand, and the same as farre as hitherto we haue gone, was mainteined and confirmed, and in no point retracted or disauowed, either at his trial or at his death.

It seemes also that Wallpoole in some of his conferences did insist vpon the impoisonment of the Earle of Essex, the rather to defeate the voyage by Sea, then exspected (for these things past about May 1597.) So as Squire conceiued it, there could bee no one thing more acceptable in the second degree.

Nowe after that Squire had receiued both poisons, as well the spirituall poison of wicked resolution, as the materiall within the bladders; and that Wallpoole had interlaced some promise to him of rewardes and comforts, besides those of the other world, and had schooled him for secrecie, which he made to be parcel of his vow, there rested onely his dispatch for England. Whereunto to giue an apt colour, it was deuised that there should be a permutation treated, by the meanes of a Chanon in Ciuill of two Spanish prisoners here, taken at Cales, friends of the saide Chanon, for Squire and Rowles nowe Prisoner in the Towre, who came ouer [Page] with him [...] wherby it might be caried, farre off from suspition, that Squire did not returne as a man imploied, but vpon that priuate occasion. According to which proiect he was sent away conueniently moneyed, that he might be the better in heart, and yet not so abundantly as might make him loue his life too well, and to goe away with his fare quietly, though indeed there were more money stirring, but not in that hand.

And being arriued here in England about a fortnight before the Earles setting foorth towardes the Ilandes, hee did addresse himselfe to a Counseller of Estate here, both to shew himselfe to the end to auoid suspition, and with pretence also of some aduertisements, to the ende to winne the better opinion and trust; and finding his comming well conceiued of according to his desire, hee did craftily and subtilely deuise with himselfe, that if he could finde any opportunitie to execute his purpose before the Earle went, (supposing that the poyson could not worke but in some space of time) it would be more securitie for him to be absent, and in the voyage, left percase some suspitious tokens of poison [...] appearing, somewhat might fall out (vpon such diligent inquisition as in such a case were like to bee made) to bee discouered against him; and therefore made his meanes to goe with the Earle in his Shippe [...] and obtained his sute. So as nowe making his reckoning to haue the peril vpon his back, he did but watch his time.

And it pleased God for the manifestation of his glory, that the Mundaie seuennight next after Squires comming home out of Spaine, he vnderstood that the horses were making readie for her Maiesties riding abroad. [Page] Whereupon, full of those euill spirites wherewith so many exorcismes had possessed him, hee came into the Stable yard where her Maiesties horse stood ready sadled, and in a familiar and cheerefull maner in the hearing of diuers that stood thereby, hauing all things ready according to his instructions, he laied his hand vpon the pommell of the Saddle, and sayd, God saue the Queene, (wherein it pleased God to take his words and not his meaning) and bruized the poison as he was directed.

Thus was her Maiesties sacred and precious life by the All-haile of a second Iudas betrayed, the attempt put in act, and all the Conspirators part plaied to the vttermost line and title; there rested onely Gods part: For so it was, that her Maiesties going abroad held; & as the Viper was vpon S. Pauls hand, and shaked off without hurt; so this done, was in Iuly in the heate of the yeere, when the poores and veines were openest to receiue any maligne vapor or tincture, if her Maiestie by any accident had layd her hand vpon the place. And as the Heathenish people at that time did argue and conclud [...] thereupon, that S. Paul was a God, so wee may christianly inferre that it was Gods doing and power who hath defended his Handmaid and seruant by his secret and more then naturall influence and preseruatiue from so actuall & mortall a danger, speaking by these signes to all her disloyall Subiects and ambitious enemies, That as he hath done great things by her, past ordinarie discourse of reason, so he hath done, and will doe as great things for her, beyond the course of his ordinarie prouidence.

For surely, if a man consider how many times her [Page] life hath bene sought and assailed, since the beginning of her raigne, by violence, by poisoning, by supersticious Votaries, by ambicious Vndertakers, by singular Conspirators, by Conspirators combined, (speaking of those that haue bene reuealed, besides a number (no doubt) of the like which haue groueled in darkenesse, and neuer came to light) hee will not find the like reflexion of Gods fauour in any Soueraigne Prince that hath reigned.

But in the meane time you see the strange mysteries of the Iesuites doctrine that haue mingled heauen and hel, and lift vp the hands of Subiects against the anointed of God; arming them with the inuisible armour of Scriptures, Sacraments, Vowes, Prayers and Blessings against their naturall Soueraigns. Wherein there is great difference betweene the spirite that wrought in Dauid, and this that worketh in them. For Dauid when relation was made to him (by one that thought he had done Saul the last good office) how Saul had fallen vpon his owne sword in battell, and being in the anguish of death, and carefull not to fall aliue in the handes of the Philistims a people vncircumcised desired this soldiour to make an ende of him, who did so, and was therefore by Dauid adiudged to die, because hee dared to lay his hands vpon the anointed of the Lord: and yet was Saul a king forsaken and abandoned of God; he had taken his mortall wound before, so as this soldiour tooke from him his paine, and not his life; and it was to a good ende, least a heathenish people should reproch the name of God by insulting vpon the person of Saul.

And surely for my part I doe wonder that Princes [Page] doe not concurre in loosing these bands, and suppressing this Sect, which maketh a traffique of their sacred liues, concluding and contracting for them with these blinded Votaries in the secrecie of confessions and shrifts. For I doe not see that Pirates (whom the Ciuilians account to be Publici hostes societatis humanae, and therefore Princes bound as they affirme, though they be otherwise in no league one with an other, yea and though they be enemies, to ioyne in the suppressing & extirpation of them) are any such disturbers of humane societie as these are. Neither doe I thinke, that the order of the Templers (that was put down throughout Christendome in a fewe weekes) were euer offenders in so high a degree. And I find somewhat strange that the bishop of Rome (if it were but to auoyd the aspersion of so great a slander and imputation to that Religion) should not purge out this leauen so strange and odious.

But to returne: within fiue or sixe dayes after this fact committed, Squire went to Sea in the Erles owne ship, and belike as Tacitus sayth, Ferox scelerum quia prima prouenerant, taking the remaine of the same poison with him in a little pot in his portmantue, when the Earle was at Sea betweene Faial and S [...] Michael, he bestowed it vpon the pommels of a chaire of wood, where the Earle vsed to dine and sup: but thankes be to God nothing came of it neither.

Now let me acquaint you a little with the maner of detecting of this matter, which God did likewise strangely bring about. Squire slept now in securitie: for although he failed of successe, yet he tooke himselfe to be out of danger: thinking because it was carried [Page] betweene his Confessour and him, it could neuer be reuealed. But his Confessour whom it imported not so much to keepe it secret as it did Squire, tickled belike with the ioy, that he had such an iron in the fire, imparted it (for his owne glory) to some principall of the fugitiues there; This raised a great expectation in them of some effect to insue. When time passed, and nothing came of it, they made construction of it, that Squire had beene false to them. One of the more passionate of them inueyeth bitterly against Squire, telles how he was trusted, and how he had vndone the cause; and the better to be reuenged on him, is content that one (that they let slip hither as if he had fled from them) should giue information of this matter, not with the circumstances, but generally against Squire, partly to win himselfe credit, partly to wrecke themselues on Squire. And this fellow, because hee would be thought to do the better seruice, would not bring this in his mouth, but in a letter, which he pretended to haue stolne out of one of their Studies. This letter compared with another letter that the same man brought as written from a seuerall person, both which letters had one and the same busie knot to both names, is suspected to be counterfeited; it is so found. Heereupon it is collected that this was but an engine against Squire, and that he was an honest man. Yet because it was a tender matter, Squire was sent for and examined. For a time he denieth; after, he commeth to some circumstances, which concurring with the others tale, it gaue it to be vnderstood that there was somewhat true, and that all was not an inuention against him: Holde was taken of that; and thereupon [Page] Squire, not knowing how farre his Confessor had broken trust with him, by good perswasion, and Gods good working, disclosed all without any rigour in the world.

[...]ut vpon a second aduise being a man of a very good reach, finding that it had bene his wisest way to haue confessed the whole plot and subornation which was knowen to Wallpoole, and there to haue stopt, and not to haue tolde of the putting of i [...] in execution, which was onely knowne to himselfe, and which indeede was wonne from him by good following, hee endeuoured at his arraignment to haue distinguished, and auowching the first part, to haue retracted the second; pretending that although he vndertooke it, yet he had not any purpose to performe it.

Whereupon one of the Commissioners being wel acquainted with all the particular circumstances, did set before him the absurditie of his deniall against his former confession which was voluntarie, particular, and needlesse (otherwise then in conscience of trueth) vpon which speech hee being stricken with remorse, and conuicted in himselfe, acknowledged and iustified the trueth of his former confession in the hearing of all the standers by.

Thus Sir, I haue interteined you with a discourse, which I thinke in reading will affect you diuersly, as it did me in writing; But in the ende I thinke wee shall ioyne in congratulating for our good deliuerance, and desiring of God the continuance of her Maiestie, in whom our good dayes do consist.

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A Letter written out of England to an English Gentleman remaining at Padua, containing a true Report of a strange Conspiracie, contriued betweene Edward Squire, lately exec [...]ed for the same treason as Actor, and Richard [...]allpoole a Iesuite, as Deuiser and Suborner against the person of the Queenes Maiestie.

Imprinted at London by the Deputies of CHRISTOPHER BARKER, Printer to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie. 1599.

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Title statement

A letter vvritten out of England to an English gentleman remaining at Padua containing a true report of a strange conspiracie, contriued betweene Edward Squire, lately executed for the same treason as actor, and Richard Walpoole a Iesuite, as deuiser and suborner against the person of the Queenes Maiestie.

Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626.

Edition statement

1599

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A00021

ID [STC]

STC 10017

ID [STC]

ESTC S101177

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99836999

ID [PROQUEST]

99836999

ID [VID]

1303

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A00021)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 1303)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 341:14)

Source

— A letter vvritten out of England to an English gentleman remaining at Padua containing a true report of a strange conspiracie, contriued betweene Edward Squire, lately executed for the same treason as actor, and Richard Walpoole a Iesuite, as deuiser and suborner against the person of the Queenes Maiestie., Bacon, Francis, 1561-1626..

Extent

[2], 13, [1] p.

By the deputies of Christopher Barker, printer to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie,. Imprinted at London :: 1599.. (Attributed to Francis Bacon.) (Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.)

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