The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3): or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the AlmanacHone, William
History
The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3): or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac
Hone, William
Days; Great Britain -- Social life and customs
of prison, by sawing the iron bars of his chamber window; a small ship
was provided, and anchored not far from the castle to bring him into
Sussex; horses were provided ready to carry him through Sussex into
Kent, that so he might be at the head of the army in Kent, and from
thence to march immediately to London, where thousands then would have
armed for him. The lady Whorewood came to me, acquaints me herewith. I
got G. Farmer (who was a most ingenious locksmith, and dwelt in
Bow-lane) to make a saw to cut the iron bars in sunder, I mean to saw
them, and aqua fortis besides. His majesty in a small time did his work;
the bars gave liberty for him to go out; he was out with his body till
he came to his breast; but then his heart failing, he proceeded no
farther: when this was discovered, as soon after it was, he was narrowly
looked after, and no opportunity after that could be devised to enlarge
him.”
Lilly goes on to say, “He was beheaded January 30, 1649. After the
execution, his body was carried to Windsor, and buried with Henry
VIIIth, in the same vault where his body was lodged. Some, who saw him
embowelled, affirm, had he not come unto this untimely end, he might
have lived, according unto nature, even unto the height of old age. Many
have curiously inquired who it was that cut off his head: I have no
permission to speak of such things; only thus much I say, he that did it
is as valiant and resolute a man as lives, and one of a competent
fortune. For my part, I do believe he was not the worst, but the most
unfortunate of kings.”
Lilly elsewhere relates, “that the next Sunday but one after Charles I.
was beheaded, Robert Spavin, secretary unto lieutenant-general Cromwell
at that time, invited himself to dine with me, and brought Anthony
Pierson, and several others, along with him to dinner. Their principal
discourse all dinner-time was, who it was beheaded the king: one said it
was the common hangman; another, Hugh Peters; others also were
nominated, but none concluded. Robert Spavin, so soon as dinner was
done, took me by the hand, and carried me to the south window; saith he,
‘These are all mistaken, they have not named the man that did the fact;
it was lieutenant-colonel Joice: I was in the room when he fitted
himself for the work, stood behind him when he did it; when done, went
in again with him. There is no man knows this but my master, viz.
Cromwell, commissary Ireton, and myself.’--‘Doth not Mr. Rushworth know
it?’ said I. ‘No, he doth not know it,’ saith Spavin. The same thing
Spavin since hath often related unto me when we were alone.”
MOVEABLE FEASTS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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