Taunton, September 18. 1685
This being a simple Account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
My lord,
It saddens me once more to write of the bloody Assize that is travelling across the Western Counties of England. It is like a plague that spreads death and widows without stopping. I would be lighter, if not that we had now arrived in Taunton. For it is here that the heart of the Green Ribbon Party did beat, is was the home of Protestant fervour and is already a town of husbandless wives and fatherless children. In this most loyal town to the late Duke of Monmouth, Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys will find many willing martyrs to our cause.
It is recorded that the jail holds over 500 men, all to be tried over the next two days. Surely, the whole world can see that no fair justice can be enacted across so many, in such a short period of time. As with the last courts, the first to be heard are those four not prepared to bow their heads, but plead ‘not guilty’ and challenge the tyrant himself. Of these one poor man called Mr Hamlyn, was defended by the Major of Taunton himself as an innocent man. To this the bloody Judge did respond “You have brought him on, if he be innocent, his blood be upon you”, and he shall hang on the Monday.
So after this rough justice, the rest of those brought to the bar plead guilty, yet no more sentences are issued. Some did produce the ‘General Pardon’ but the truth of the matter is that Lord Jeffreys will send the list to the King. For the tyrant himself does pass sentence now and not the court. It is he that will select those to be sold and those to die, he is the giver of a man’s life to others and the taker of lives.
In my next, I shall give you details as to the verdicts and any information I can gain regarding the King’s mood.
Yours in the cause of liberty and property,
William Savage
The Bloody Assize Timeline:
Trial of Alice Lisle
A true account of the trial of Alice Lisle in Winchester, given by a witness the justice offered by a tyrant.
A true account of the trial of Alice Lisle in Winchester, given by a witness the justice offered by a tyrant.
A true account of the trial of Alice Lisle in Winchester, given by a witness the justice offered by a tyrant.
Alice Lisle is to Burn
This is a true Account of the Sentencing of Lady Alice Lisle by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys on August 28 in Winchester.
This is a true Account of the Sentencing of Lady Alice Lisle by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys on August 28 in Winchester.
This is a true Account of the Sentencing of Lady Alice Lisle by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys on August 28 in Winchester.
Reprieve for Mrs Lisle
An Account of the letter from the friends of Lady Lisle to the King delivered on August 30. 1685
An Account of the letter from the friends of Lady Lisle to the King delivered on August 30. 1685
An Account of the letter from the friends of Lady Lisle to the King delivered on August 30. 1685
Kings Justice for Lady Lisle
An Account of the tyrant Kings response to the request for the reprieve of Alice Lisle on Monday, August 31, 1685
An Account of the tyrant Kings response to the request for the reprieve of Alice Lisle on Monday, August 31, 1685
An Account of the tyrant Kings response to the request for the reprieve of Alice Lisle on Monday, August 31, 1685
Salisbury, September 1. 1685
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
Beheading of Lady Lisle
An Account of the last moments and words of Lady Lisle before she executed in Winchester, September 2, 1685
An Account of the last moments and words of Lady Lisle before she executed in Winchester, September 2, 1685
An Account of the last moments and words of Lady Lisle before she executed in Winchester, September 2, 1685
Whitehall, September 3. 1685
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
Dorchester, September 4. 1685
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
Dorchester, September 5. 1685
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
Dorchester, September 6. 1685
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
Dorchester, September 7. 1685
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
Dorchester, September 10. 1685
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
Bridport, September 12. 1685
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
Lyme, September 12. 1685
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
Exeter, September 13. 1685
An account of the last words of our friend, Sir John Kidd, martyred at Lyme on September 12, 1685.
An account of the last words of our friend, Sir John Kidd, martyred at Lyme on September 12, 1685.
An account of the last words of our friend, Sir John Kidd, martyred at Lyme on September 12, 1685.
Exeter, September 14. 1685
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
Sherborne, September 15. 1685
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
Weymouth, September 15. 1685
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
Taunton, September 18. 1685
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
Taunton, September 19. 1685
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
Taunton, September 21. 1685
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
Poole, September 21. 1685
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Wareham, September 22. 1685
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Wells, September 22. 1685
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Taunton, September 30. 1685
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
