344 DECLARATION OF THE TREASONS 



was moved, or when it was required either by the 

 prisoners or the peers, the lord Steward required the 

 judges to deliver the law ; who gave their opinions 

 severally, not barely yea or no, but at large with 

 their reasons. 



In the indictment were not laid or charged the 

 treasons of Ireland, because the greatest matter, 

 which was the design to bring over the army of Ire 

 land, being then not confessed nor known ; it was 

 not thought convenient to stuff the indictment with 

 matters which might have been conceived to be 

 chiefly gathered by curious inquisition, and grounded 

 upon report or presumption, when there was other 

 matter so notorious. And besides, it was not un 

 likely, that in his case, to whom many were so par 

 tial, some, who would not consider how things came 

 to light by degrees, might have reported that he was 

 twice called in question about one offence. And 

 therefore the late treasons of his rebellion and con 

 spiracy were only comprehended in the indictment* 

 with the usual clauses and consequents in law, of 

 compassing the queen s death, destruction, and depri 

 vation, and levying war, and the like. 



The evidence consisted of two parts : the plot of surpris 

 ing her majesty s person in court, and the open rebel 

 lion in the city. 



THE plot was opened according to the former 

 narration, and proved by the several confessions, of 

 four witnesses, fully and directly concurring in the 

 point ; sir Christopher Blunt, sir Charles Davers, 



