1678 November

A Brief

Historical Relation

&c.

by Narcissus Luttrell

1678 - November

In which are Treasonous Words and the Execution of Staley

November: On the 20th came out another proclamation, for the discovery and apprehending of all popish preists and Jesuites, with a reward of 20l.

The 21st, Mr. William Staley was tryed at the kings bench barr, in Westminster Hall, for treasonable words against his majesties life; of which he was convicted, and had sentence of death passed on him, as in cases of high treason.

The 23rd came out a proclamation for the discovery of the death of John Powell, late of London, merchant, promising pardon and the reward of 200l. to any one who shall discover the same.

This gentleman was missing some time, which occasioned by the proclamation of his majestie, out of his royall goodnesse; but it proved after that he was still alive.

Severall persons have been lately apprehended on account of the plott, and clapt up in prison.

The 26th, mr Staley was drawn on a sledge from Newgate to Tyburn, and there hanged and quartered, according to the sentence past on him.

The 27th, Edward Coleman, esq. and secretary to her royall highnesse, came to his tryall at the kings bench barr, before the lord chief justice Scrogs, and the other judges of that court, for high treason, in conspireing the death of the king, extirpating the protestant religion, and introducing the superstition of the church of Rome.
The tryall lasted from nine in the morning till five in the afternoon. The witnesses against him were Dr. Oates, and capt. Bedlowe, who spoke very fully; as also his own writings and papers, which were undeniable proof: so that the jury in a little time brought him in guilty; and the next morning he was brought to the kings bench barr again, and there received sentence to be drawn, hang'd and quartered.

The 28th came out his majesties proclamation for the further discovery of the late horrid design against his majesties sacred person and government, promising pardon, and a reward of 200l.

On the 30th his majestie came in his robes into the house of lords, and the house of commons attending. His majestie gave his royall assent to an act for the more effectuall preserving the kings person and government, by diabling papists from sitting in either house of parliament.