256 



Charles, Lord Stourton, fyc. 



On the 19th February an Inquisition was held at New Sarum 

 before John Prydeaux, Serjeant at law, Henry Brouncker, Christo- 

 pher Willoughby, John Hooper, Esqrs., and a Jury of Twenty 

 gentlemen of the county impanelled by Sir Anthony Eungerford 

 the Sheriff. A true Bill was found : a copy of which, with the 

 names' of the Jury, will be found in Documents No. 59, 60. 



On Friday the 26th February he was brought in custody of Sir 

 Robert Oxenbridge, Constable of the Tower, and arraigned at 

 Westminster Hall before the Judges and divers of the Council, as 

 the Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Broke, Henry Fitz Alan, Lord 

 Arundel, (the Lord High Steward), the Lord Treasurer and others. 

 "It was long" (says Strype) "ere he would answer, till at last the 

 Chief Justice declared to him that if he would not answer the charge 

 laid upon him he was by the law of the land to be pressed to death. 

 At length he made his answer, was cast by his own words, and, 

 with his four men, condemned to be hanged." 



The Latin Record of his confession and sentence, translated into 

 English, runs thus : — 



(No. 7.) " And being thereupon asked how he would acquit himself of the felony 

 and murder with which he was charged he answered, that he cannot say he is not 

 guilty : and the said Lord Stourton expressly acknowledged the said felony and 

 murder and for the same placed himself in mercy of the King and Queen. 

 Upon which the Serjeants at law and Attorneys of our Lord the King and 

 Queen immediately sued judgment against the said Lord according to due form 

 of law, and execution to be done for the King and Queen. Whereupon, all and 

 singular the premises being understood, it was the sentence of the Court that 

 the said Charles Lord Stourton should be hanged." * 



He was taken back to the Tower to wait further orders from the 

 Council. 



The further orders were as follows : — 



(No. 8.) At Greenwiche the xxviij day of February An 0 1556-7. (Council 

 Book, p. 514.) 

 Present etc. 



A Letter to the sherife of Wiltesheire to receave the bodie of the Lord Sturton 

 at the handes of S r Hughe Paulet and to see him executed according to the 

 writte sente unto him for y* purpose &c, accordinge to the minute in the Coun- 

 caile chpste. 



* Conclusion of one of the documents "in "Baga de Secretis." 



