Trial and execution Robert Southwell (Jesuit)

in 1595 privy council passed resolution southwell s prosecution on charges of treason. removed tower newgate prison, put hole called limbo.

a few days later, southwell appeared before lord chief justice, john popham, @ bar of king s bench. popham made speech against jesuits , seminary priests. southwell indicted before jury traitor under statutes prohibiting presence within kingdom of priests ordained rome. southwell admitted facts denied had entertained designs or plots against queen or kingdom. purpose, said, in returning england had been administer sacraments according rite of catholic church such desired them. when asked enter plea, declared himself not guilty of treason whatsoever, objecting jury being made responsible death allowing tried god , country.

as evidence pressed, southwell stated same age our saviour. reproved topcliffe insupportable pride in making comparison, said in response considered himself worm of earth. after brief recess, jury returned predictable guilty verdict. sentence of death pronounced — hanged, drawn , quartered. returned through city streets newgate.

on 21 february 1595, southwell sent tyburn. execution of sentence on notorious highwayman had been appointed same time, @ different place — perhaps draw crowds away — , yet many came witness southwell s death. having been dragged through streets on sled, stood in cart beneath gibbet , made sign of cross pinioned hands before reciting bible passage romans xiv. sheriff made interrupt him; allowed address people @ length, confessing jesuit priest , praying salvation of queen , country. cart drawn away, commended soul god words of psalm in manus tuas. hung in noose brief time, making sign of cross best could. executioner made cut him down, in preparation disembowelling him while still alive, lord mountjoy , other onlookers tugged @ legs hasten death. lifeless body disembowelled , quartered. severed head displayed crowd, no 1 shouted traditional traitor!