State Trials, Political and Social. Volume 1 (of 2)
History
State Trials, Political and Social. Volume 1 (of 2)
Trials -- Great Britain
The honour of the pulpit is to be vindicated; and the death of
this man will preach much better than his life did; it may be a
means to convert many a miserable person, whom the preaching of
this person hath seduced; for many come here and say they did it
'in the fear of the Lord'; and now you see who taught them; and
I hope you will make an example of this carnal prophet.
The jury after a little consultation found the prisoner Guilty; and he
was forthwith sentenced to death in the usual terms.
WILLIAM HULET
William Hulet was arraigned on the 15th of October, and tried on the
same day. He challenged no jurors, and refused pen and ink because he
could not write; but as he had not well understood the indictment he
desired it to be read over again, which was done.
Sir Edward Turner opened the case, alleging that Hulet was on the
scaffold, in disguise, on the occasion of the execution, and suggesting
that it was he who actually beheaded the King; a fact which he proposed
to prove chiefly by Hulet's own admissions.
_Gittens_ was the first witness. He stated that he and Hulet were both
serjeants in the same regiment at the time of the execution. A day or
two before the King came to the scaffold about thirty-eight of them were
sworn to secrecy by Colonel Hewson, and they were all asked whether
they would behead the King for a hundred pounds, and a promise of
preferment in the army. They all refused. At the time of the execution
it seems that part of the regiment was on guard in Scotland Yard, and
part in the Banqueting Chamber and on the scaffold. The witness was with
the former part, but managed to get near the scaffold before the
execution actually happened. 'Hulet (as far as I can guess), when the
King came on the scaffold for his execution, and said, Executioner, is
the block fast? fell on his knees.'
COUNSEL--Who did?
GITTENS--Hulet, to ask him forgiveness; by his speech I thought
it was he. Captain Atkins said, who would not undertake to do
this fact? I told him I would not do it for all the city of
London; no, nor I neither for all the world, saith Atkins; you
shall see Hulet quickly come to preferment; and presently after
he was made captain-lieutenant.
COUNSEL--Was he with his regiment that day?
GITTENS--We could not see him with the regiment all that day; he
was never absent at any time before.
COUNSEL--Did you know his voice?
GITTENS--Yes, sir. He had a pair of freeze trunk breeches, and a
vizor, with a grey beard; and after that time col. Hewson called
him 'father grey beard' and most of the army besides, he cannot
deny it.
In cross-examination Gittens repeated that he knew Hulet by his voice,
and that he was by Captain Webb at the door of the Banqueting House.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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