The Tower of London: A Historical Romance, IllustratedAinsworth, William Harrison
General
The Tower of London: A Historical Romance, Illustrated
Ainsworth, William Harrison
Grey, Jane, Lady, 1537-1554 -- Fiction; London (England) -- Fiction; Tower of London (London, England) -- Fiction
Of this unfortunate person the following interesting account is given
by Mr. Jardine, in his valuable treatise on the Use of Torture in the
Criminal Law of England. “Thomas Myagh was an Irishman who was brought
over by the command of the Lord Deputy of Ireland, to be examined
respecting a treasonable correspondence with the rebels in arms in that
country. The first warrant for the torture of this man was probably
under the sign-manual, as there is no entry of it in the council
register. The two reports made by the Lieutenant of the Tower and Dr.
Hammond, respecting their execution of this warrant, are, however, to be
seen at the State-Paper Office. The first of these, which is dated the
10th of March, 1580-1, states that they had twice examined Myagh, but
had forborne to put him in Skevington’s Irons, because they had been
charged to examine him with secrecy, ‘which they could not do, that
manner of dealing requiring the presence and aid of one of the jailors
all the time that he should be in those irons,’ and also because they
‘found the man so resolute, as in their opinions little would be wrung
out of him but by some sharper torture.’ The second report, which
is dated the 17th of March, 1580, merely states that they had again
examined Myagh, and could get nothing from him, ‘notwithstanding that
they had made trial of him by the torture of Skevington’s irons, and
with so much sharpness, as was in their judgment for the man and his
cause convenient.’ How often Myagh was tortured does not appear; but
Skevington’s irons seem to have been too mild a torture, for on the 30th
of July, 1581, there is an entry in the council books of an authority to
the Lieutenant of the Tower and Thomas Norton, to deal with him with the
rack in such sort as they should see cause.”
From many sentences expressive of the resignation of the sufferers,
we take the following, subscribed A. Poole, 1564:—“Deo. servire.
penitentiam. inire. fato. ohedire. regnare. est.” Several inscriptions
are left by this person—one four years later than the foregoing, is as
follows: “A passage perillus maketh a port pleasant.” Here is another
sad memento: “O miser Hyon, che pensi od essero.” Another: “Reprens le:
sage: et: il: te: aimera: J. S. 1538.” A third: “Principium sapientio
timor Domini, I. h. s. x. p. s. Be friend to one. Be ennemye to none.
Anno D. 1571, 10 Sept. The most unhappy man in the world is he that is
not patient in adversities: For men are not killed with the adversities
they have, but with the impatience they suffer. Tout vient apoint, quy
peult attendre. Gli sospiri ne son testimoni veri dell angoscia mia. Æt.
20. Charles Bailly.”.
Most of these records breathe resignation. But the individual who carved
the following record, and whose naine has passed away, appears to have
numbered every moment of his captivity: “Close prisoner 8 months, 32
wekees, 224 dayes, 5376 houres.” How much of anguish is comprised in
this brief sentence!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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