Then after two maydes servants (heareing the noyse) came into the
roome, and one loosed Whithrooke'' s hands from the Warden's gowne.
30 THE CECONOMY OF THE FLEETE.
or ells the Warden must have killed him to acquitt himsclfe. Soe
soone as the maydes came the Warden shewed them the hammer
all bloody, telling them that Wliithrooke had wounded him there-
with ; the butler of the howse then alsoe comeing upp to cover
the table the Warden bidd him and others (which followed) to laye 5
hands upon Whitbrooke, &c. but to take heed they hurt him not;
soe they letting him rise and rest himselfe he tooke a stilletto out
of his pockett and stabbed the Warden's deputie cleane through the
middle of his hand which (notwithstanding it was presently dressed
by a good chirurgion) did rankle upp to his shoulder, and was like 10
to have killed him ; he also stabbed the porter of the howse directly
against the heart and drewe blood, but it jDe'rced not ; he stabbed
the goaler into the hand and twice through the sleeve of his dublett,
soe as then they lay violent hands upon him, put on irons and
carryed him to the strongest warde of the prison (called Bolton's 15
warde). And howsoever false suggestions are made (to obscure this
fact) by many persons concurrent in it, yet there is such apparant
proofe where and how the hammer was pi-ovided, the stilletto or
Scottish dagger purloyned to doe this deed withall, and that Whit-
brooke himselfe confest the haveing and bringing of them to that 20
purpose, with a multitude of witnesses truely testifieing one and the
same, as noething can be more pregnant.
Therefore it was high tyme for the Warden to looke to the
governement, and to the suppression of theis things, or ells his
executors might too late implore Justice, when he were breathlesse 25
in his grave, and creditors might seeke their debtors at large with
losse when they were once gone; for though the office of the Fleete
be of a crreat value and may be a pledge to answeare such prisoners
or suffer for them (if they escape), yet if a generall escape had
beene made, what office is of value to satisfie for it? and therefore 30
he which keepeth a prison in a peaceable comonwealth must dis-
charge noe lesse fidelity then he that keepeth a fort in tyme of
warr, or ells irreguler persons will make devastation upon ail
estates, and the prison will be but a sinagogg of Jewish ceremony,
THE CECONOMY OF THE FLEETE. 31
where the trybes of the wicked will plant themselves, and suck the
milke and honny from the true chariteable and religious of the
kingdome; and, although the Warden hath not to doe with the
merritts of prisoners causes for which they are comittcd, yet, touch-
5 ing their conversation, he hath to oppose the badd (whome alone
this answeare doth intend to convince), and to be observant to the
honourable, generous, and well affected (whom this answeare
neither toucheth nor soe much as pointeth att), but with their due
respects.
10 Some things for the Warden's defence will be found to be repeated
often to severall accusations, which could not conveniently be
avoyded, because, though many prisoners joy ned in one conspiracy,
yet their facts were diverse, and the Warden's defence is but one to
those severall facts and persons, and therefore hopeth to be pardoned
15 for that repetition.
32
THE. (ECONOMY OF THE FLEETE.
Accusation
murther.
of
Answeare.
Court of
Requests.
Court of
Chancery.
The Pirst Article.
After knowne quarrells and fightings betweene two prisoners
lodging tliem in one chamber, where quarrelling and fighting againe
and notice to him thereof given, and of likelie further mischiefe,
this notwithstanding continuance of them together until the one 5
murthered the other.
And the Lady Whithrooke in her petition to the King's Majestic
alledgeth inveterate malice betweene Whithrooke and the Warden.
By these which point at two prisoners (whereof the one slewe the 10
other) is meant Sir John Whithrooke, concerneing whose death
and how farr the "Warden may be touched with murthering of him,
being suddenly slayne by his fellowe prisoner (whom he first
wounded in the forehead and strooke downe with a candlestick),
lett the ensueing answeare, true, and to be proved in all points, 15
leave the reader to judge; especially if it were fitt to sett forth how
farr Sir John Whithrooke in his life tyme was tainted judicially
with other matters, which (according to charity) shall be here
omitted, saveing what perteynes to answeare this allegation.
In July 1618, the Warden haveing order out of two courts to 20
keepe Sir John Whithrooke close prisoner, he (the Warden) labored
an atonement thereof with his adversary; yet in the meane tyme
Sir John gott out, assaulted the Warden in his studdy, wounded
him fower blowes in the head with a hammer, and stabbed three
servants with a stilletto, 10 July 1618. And upon this some three 25
score prisoners breake upp all the strongest prisons and dores of the
wards and Tower chamber, assaulting the Warden and his servants
with weapons, &c. according to a plott and purpose before resolved
upon, as appeares by depositions ; and the Warden did rather governe
then maligne, for he can give good evidence that he tendred Whit- 30
brockets estate and affayres, although he endeavoured to hold his
lodgings in despight of the Warden, and without payment.
THE (ECONOMY OF THE FLEETE. 33
The Lady further alledgeth that the like inveterate mallice was
betweene Whitbrooke and Boughton.
The warden answeareth that he neither newe or heard what was
betweene Whitbrooke and Boughton, for amongst soe many prisoners
5 many variances fall out which he knows not of.
The Lady allsoe alledgeth that the like mallice was betweene the
Warden and Boughton.
The Warden answeareth that there was never any quarrell be- When this
tweene him and Boughton ; perhapps Boughton held himselfe injured ^^ attemUhr
10 for being kept in prison, therefore would pay noe dutyes, soe that pl'^^° ^^^ found
. . n T^ • BovqMon in
he was put into the Oomon rrison. the Fleete
After which the Warden, perceaveinof him to be phantasticall, Jo'^S^'^ ^" ^^
\ ° _ ^ ' Tower cham-
oiFered him liberty, wished him to converse freely with the gentle- hers or Comon
men there. Yea, kept him from his retyrednes, thinkeing thereby to ^^^°"'
15 quallifie his humor, which was that he would not come out of his
chamber till he were freed out of prison by Parliament.
The Lady likewise alledgeth that Whitbrooke was wounded by
the Warden and his servants.
The Warden answeareth that Whitbrooke was not wounded, and
20 it is deposed by diverse, that the Warden tooke great care, and gave
comand that they should not hurt him, onely to bereave him of his
stilletto above said, they strooke downe his stabbing arme with a
firefork, and soe tooke away the stilletto. It was but a silly bruse
on the arme that he had, and lesse then he might have had, if the
25 Warden's care had not prevented, it.
The lady alledgeth that in September the quarrell betweene the
Warden and Whitbrooke was renewed.
CAMD. SOC. F
34 THE (ECONOMY OF THE FLEETE.
The "Warden answeareth that in July 1619, Whithrooke and
Borigliton with six others (being lodged in a great chamber), they
and six more shutt out thirtie of their companie and fortefied the
gaole against the Warden, refused all perswasions of the Warden,
constables, and Alderman's Deputie, the comands of the Lord Cheife 5
Justice, of the Lord Chauncellor and his Serjeant at Amies; yet
yeilded to the clarke of the councell sent from the Lords, Whit-
hroohe and Bougliton being then in one humour; and upon un-
blocking the prison Whitbrooke desired liberty, it was offered him
upon security, he would give none, then he made question where 10
to lye, to which was answeared there were five other roomes he
might make his election of which he would ; but he said he would .
none other but where he formerly laye (it being indeed the fayrest).
They fortified those roomes againe when the W^arden was oixt of townC)
soe as dureing Whitbroohe' s life and Bougliton' s being there with 15
their adherents the Warden had noe comand in that part of the prison.
The lady alledgeth that the Warden (for revenge) resolved and
reported he would send Wldthroohe to Boulton to keepe.
The Warden answeareth that he for governcment sake and to
suppresse misdemeanours doth thretten to putt prisoners (offending) 20
A strong place \t^^q Boiiltons \ sic] Wards (many yearcs famillarlie soe called as he
in the prison ■,.-,■, o ^ ^ ■^ \ ^ tt?-? • 7 7
ciiWcCi Bolton's thmketh of bolts or irons put on them), where W lutbrooke was put
Wards. when he wounded the Warden and his servants; he continued there
but a small tyme, and was removed to a roome called the Tower
Chamber (where Henry Boughton and many others did lye), thence 25
Bougldon was removed into the com on prison in December, 1618,
and Whithrooke was removed thither 16 June, 1619; soe as to
that tyme they lay five moneths within one lodging, and six
moneths severed in other lodgings and noe quarrell stirred.
The Lady alledgeth that presently at their comeing together 30
Boughton suddenly stabbed and wounded Whithrooke, whereof he
dyed.
THE CECONOMT OF THE FLEETE. 35
The "Warden answearetli tliat over and above the cleavcn moneths
aforesaid, yet from June 16th untill September 16th, 1619, being
3 moneths, they two combyned in their exploits against the Warden
without falling out (for ought the Warden knewe), but 16 September
5 BoiKjhton fell out with Harvey (one of his chamber fellowes),
whome Bougldon assayled with his teeth, and bitt him by the
thombe, whereof Whithrooke, Willis, Harvey and others there
lodged, advised the Warden, wishing him to take some course. The
Warden sent diverse raessags by the gaoler to Whitbrooke, to
10 remove thence and to lye elsewhere; he would not, sayeing, none
should remove him but by violence, and they were see strong there
as the Warden could doe nothing, none ells durst come amongst
them. Holmes and Maunsell offered him libertie amongst other
gentlemen upon bonds.
15 The Warden acquainted the Lord Chauncellor of theis forti-
cations, of some other stabbing there, of this particuler brawle, and
besought his lordshipp to send them to Newgate. The Lord
Chauncellor comanded such motion to be made at the tyme of a
scale; it was moved by Mr. Woomelayson, as appeares by his breife,
20 then his lordshipp wished oath to be made of this offence and
called for presidents to remove them, in which meane tyme Bough-
ton (being provoked and wounded by Wliithrooke) did stabb him,
whereof he dyed within 13 dayes, and it was about 14 moneths
after he wounded the Warden and stabbed his 3 servants as appeareth
25 by the generall lodgeings and places where they laye, sometymes
together and sometymes severed, ensueing to be scene in the end of
this answeare to this Article, and if the testimony (which was long
after delivered to the Warden by a prisoner in the Fleete) be true,
then the same Harvey and one Tymothy Willis and Sir John
30 Whitbrooke himselfe did (of sett purpose) whett on Boughton to
anger and quarrell, because they scorned Boughton and meant to
assayle him.
When Whitbrooke, Boughton, &c. ymured themselves upp in
36 THE CECONOMY OF THE FLEETE.
tlic wards as aforesaid, a view or survey of tlie roomes was given
the Lords of the Councell and they satisfied.
After the tyme of the supposed quarrell (which was about Whit-
hrooke's and Boiighton's fortefieing the house) they contynued
lyeing where they were before, amongst others. 5
Wheresoever they had lyen they might quarrell when they mett,
as Whitbroohe many moneths before broke Willis his head with
a pott or candlestick.
The Lords of the Councell had Whitbrooke' s liberty to considera-
tion and would graunt him none without bonds. 10
Boughton, being not in execution, was offered what liberty he
would.
Whitbrooke did never informe the Lords of any quarrell or doubt
he made of his safety touching Boughtoi, &c.
Whitbrooke confest he strooke and provoked Boughton first, 15
before Boughton stabbed him.
The falling out which was notified to the Warden was betweene
Boughton and Harvey, not Mldtbrooke.
When Boughton had wounded Wliitbrooke, then Whitbrooke
went (of his owne accord) to lye out of the roome where Boughton 20
was, and soe he might freely have done at any tyme before and
left Broughton's company (if it had not pleased him), for diverse
other roomes were ready e at hand for him and open.
Allegation. It is alsoe alledged by some, that after Sir John ^Miitbrooke was
dead, the Warden would not suffer armes or scutchions to be put on 25
his herss when it was to goe out of the Fleete.
Aiisweure. The Warden, perceaveing that a number of people of that Romish
sect would come to the Fleete at his buryall, and others to gaze,
commanded his porter to be carefull that prisoners went not out;
then (said the porter) it will not be fitt to putt on the scutchions 30
until he be out of the gates; whereto the Warden said, he hath
THE (KCONOMY OF THE FEEETE. 37
indeed left his armes, because I tooke from him by single hand the
hammer and stilletto wherewith he wounded and would have
slayne me, but I regard it not. This speech the porter uttered againe,
yet bidd them put on the scutchions, which they refused to doe,
5 as those that would take an occasion of unkindnes and to traduce
the Warden of mall ice.
Wherein Sir John Meeres and others can witnes, that while Sir
John Whitbrooke was liveing the Warden prayed them to visite
WJiiihrooke on the Warden's behalf, and to move a conference and
10 Christian reconciliation, and that truth might be confessed; to
which Si7' John Whitbrooke did condiscend, but as Sir John Meeres
was comeing to fetch the warden for that purpose Mr. Edward
RooTcwood (who calleth himselfe and is termed the FzVarr Genercdl
of the Romish in the Fleete) followed and said that Sir John Whit-
15 brooke^s mynd was altered, and soe nothing was done; but Roohwood
and another jesuited person (while Whitbrooke was lyeing and
dead) did soe accompany him as noe Protestant had accesse to him,
which jesuited person was after (by the Warden's discovery) appre-
hended and comitted as a factor to pervert and send beyond sea
20 the children of the Gentrie of this Kingdome and persons of quallitie.
It is alsoe alledged that Ronght07i did provide a sword, and it Allegation,
was brovight him by a woeman from whom the porter of the Fleete
tooke it and delivered it to the Warden (as he did indeed), and
therefore say theis accusers that the Warden knewe the same sword
25 was to kill Whitbrooke.
The Warden had it about a yeare and a halfe before this accident Answeare.
(of Whitbrooke' s death) happened, and delivered it back againe to
the woeman that brought it, with charge not to bring any thither
whatsoever.
30 It was avouched that the sword was BoughtotLS and put to dress-
ing to a cutler, who sent it home againe, so as Boughton might
have killed Whitbrooke with it before it went to dressing if he had
38 THE (ECONOMY OF THE FLEETE.
intended any such thing; Nay, Bomjhton had alwayes in his trunck
(as appeared afterwards) a stillctto so keene, so cleane and ready, as
would scone have done such a fact if he had meant it; Yea, swords
and other weapons want not in the Fleete, and the Warden cannot
prevent it. This fact was meere accidentall, and not precogitate 5
as the lawe hath found it, which acquitted Bougliton of man-
slaugliter upon hia arraignement.
The AVarden gave noe abettment, had noe intelligence, provoked
neither party, strock noe blowe, was not present. How can he be
charged with the murther? 10
Surely theis accusers are in their soules more guilty of murther
by reason of this false accusation, in which they would kill the body
and creditt of the Warden, then he any way accessary to the fact of
Bougldon.
But, say they, the warden should have put them into severall 15
chambers. Why ? He knewe nothing of any unkindnes but be-
tweene Harvey and Boughton. But if he had, he could not keepe
200 persons from meeteing one another, or lodge them sevrally.
Nay (say the prisoners) he ought not to comand any man to his
chamber upon likelyhood of murther or ought ells. 20
And Sir Francis Inglefeilds complainte against the Warden inty-
mateth (in his owne case) soe much, though by their leave the
Warden will doe it, until he be comanded the contrary; but it is a
comon thing for prisoners to find fault one with anothers conversa-
tion, sometymes as not wholesome, not cleanely, not temperate, not 25
peaceable, and many other respects, because they would either lye
alone, have a chamber aloane, be private and without contradiction
in their mirth and solaces; and when it comes to consideration there
is neither wholesome, cleanely, temperate, or peaceable of the one
that complayneth or the other that is complayned off. 30
Allco-tition. But say they further that the Warden put Sir John Whithroohe
out of his chamber into the Tower Chamber or the comon prison
keepeing away his bedding, soe that he lay either on another man's
THE (ECONOMY OF TUE FLEETE. 39
bcdd or none at all. And this was the first occasion of Whithrooke^s
fact.
When Whithroohe did growe not onely factious but (according; Answearc.
to his nature) quarrelsome with divers men (strikcing some of them)
5 and that his former dangerous courses to stabb and pistoll men, for
which he was censured (in Starr Chamber) was considered, together
with the orders of court to keep him close prisoner and his designe
to make a president in the house for all men to lye in their
lodgings without payment, and besides that he being charged with
10 many executions of great waight could not give bond for true im-
prisonmerit or payment, Nay, noe man would be bound for soe
desperate a person, therefore he was put into the Tower Chamber;
but as for his bedding and goods the Warden sent two men to offer
them to him, as appears by the message sett under their hands at
15 that instant; he then standing upon it that he would perforce
retorne and possesse his chamber, did not deliver his key or take
his goods, and in the meanetyme lyeing on some other man's
bedding, the Warden opened the chamber and putt Whithroohe' s
goods in safety.
20 It seemeth that afterwards he (on whose bedd \Miitbroohe lay)
tooke away the bedd, which was more then the Warden knewe or
had any motive thereof.
Afterwards when Wldth'oohe had wounded the Warden (this
comeing in question at Councell Table) the Lords appointed liim to
25 pay, and the Warden to lodge him in a chamber and lett him have
his bedd, &c. the Warden for his part obeyed, but of WMthrooke
nothing was had (all being lost by his death) which by his life
might have beene saved.
They say that Whithroohe hurt the Warden with his owne sworde,
30 but of Wliithroohe'' s provideing (and confessing) the hammer and
stilletto which did it, good proofe can be made and that allegation
disproved, as is before declared.
40
TUP] CECONOMY OE THE FLEETE.
A note of the severall places and tymes where and when
Boughton and Whitbrooke lodged together or severed one from
the other.
Sir John Whitbrooke lodged.
1617.
15 May, in the
Greene Yard.
12 June, in the
Greene Yard.
7 Aug. in the
Greene Yard.
4 Sept. in the
Greene Yard.
2 Octob. in the
Greene Yard.
30 Octob. in the
Greene Yard.
20 Nov. in the
Greene Yard.
If at any t.yme 25 Dec. in the
they did fall /-i i
out it was at J- ower Cham bers.
this tyme. 22 Jan. in the
Tower Chambers.
19 Feb. in the
Wards.
19 March, in the
Wards.
1618.
16 April, in the
Wards.
14 May, in the
AYards.
Mr. Boughton lodged.
1617.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers,
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
1618.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Towxr Chambers.
10
25
20
25
30
THE (ECONOMY OF THE FEEETE.
41
Sir John Wk'dhniolic lodged.
11 June, in tlie
Wards.
10 July, in the
.3 Winds.
IG July, \\\ Bolton's Wurd
or Bolts on Wards.
3 Aug. in a cham-
ber by the Warden, and
10 then put into the
Tower Chambers.
3 Sept. in the
Tower Chambers.
1 Oct. in the
15 Tower Chambers.
29 Oct. in the
Tower Chambers.
26th Xovemb. in the
Tower Chambers.
20 24 Dec. in the
Tower Chambers.
21 Jan. in the
Tower Chambers.
18 Feb. in the
25 Tower Chambers.
18 ]\Iarch, in the
Tower Chambers.
1619.
15 April, in the
30 Tower Chambers.
13 May, in the
Tower Chambers.
CAMO. SOC.
Mr. BoiKjldcn lodj^ed.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In the Tower Chambers.
In tlie Tower Chambers till
28 December.
In the Wards.
In the Wards.
In the Wards.
1619.
In the Wards.
In the Wards.
1618.
Note, 10 July,
he wounded
theWiivdenand
his 3 servants.
Mldthrookc
ax\(\.Boiiglitvn
theis 5 moneths
lay together in
a roome
amongst others
after the
Warden Mas
wounded.
Theis 6
moneths they
wer severed,
for that
Bughton and
others claymed
to have the
use of the leads
and for that
cause Bongh-
ton was ]5ut
into the Wards.
10
42 THE CECONOMY OF THE FLEETE.
June 8, 1619 and after the IQ J^n^^, [^^ ^j^g J j| \yards.
^^i^^o^^^L,. ^ower Chambers and
=ra'!;cSisone?r'" there continued till 16th
opened their greifes. January, 1611).
This 4 moncths to- § July, in the In the AVards.
gether none more "^ '
freinds then they Wards.
loj'nein"' to fortefie r a • ^i t .i -^ir i
the wards and keepe -^ ^^'S' "^ ^he In the Wards.
them, soe as it came AA'^ards.
before the Lords of ^-j ^ , . â– â– t i ttt- i
tlie Councell and ^vas ^ ocptcmb. m the In the VVards.
ordered there. Wards
30 Septemb. in the In the Wards.
Wards.
Dyed of the stahl) "^ October, in the And now Sir John dyed,
"vvhich JJouf/Jdon did Wards,
give him, 7th of Oc-
tober.
Being stabbed by Boiujhlon with an ordinary knife upon an 15
accidentall justling, in wliicli Whithrooke (as is said) did strike
downe Boughton with a blowc in the forehead with a candlestick,
and this was 15 inoneths after the tyme that Whithrooke wounded
the Warden and his servants,
Bo7((j]itoii in his lettrc to Co[>pin setteth downe two reasons of the 20
foct why Boughton did stabb him.
First, to gett himselfe removed from the Fleete.
Secondly, because there were three upon Boughton, therefore he
made of sure of Whithroohe by killing him.
TiTE fECONOMY OF THE FLEKTK. 43
The Second Article.
Rcmovcino- a prisoner out of his chamber, haveinf!; ;">!//. Is. hid ^f"!'^-'!^* '""
under his bcdd, which tlie prisoner required he might goe to his
chamber to dispose oft', which was denyed, and he thrust upp in
5 another roome close prisoner until the Warden and some of his
servants rifled his bedd of that money.
By this is pretended that one Coppin (who ever did beare the Answcnrc.
name of a poore fellowe) lost 5lli. with takeing whereof if he dare
charge any person or persons, the Lawe is and hath becne open for
10 him theis two yeares past. But his abettors have putt it here rather
to infame then that they can think it true, as by the ensueing
answeare appeares.
For Edward Coppin, lived as a poore prisoner in the Fleete
far breach of a decree, and continueing above six yeares, would
15 never be drawcn to pay the Warden one penny for meate, drinke,
lodging, or attendance; biit at last he ran away, and was upon the
Warden's pursuite taken againe, but before he ran away he was
sometymes restrayned of the libertye of the Fleete yards and walks
(as is the custome of all pri&ons in England) ; and he lodging in
20 the three Tower Chambers with sixteene persons, they often thretncd
their keeper to stabb him, to take away the keyes of the prison, to
l)iiul him, to hang him; lastlie they fortefied that prison, soe as the
Warden could not dispose or order them. And with two malletts
and Steele chisselis they had cutt the stone workes of the dore, soe
25 as noe locks or bolts could shutt them; and while they were thus
doemge Coppin came downe to fetch a mallett, wherewith he was
taken beneath, and presentlie put into another warde aparte from
his' fellowes, about three a clocke in the afternoone, 15 July, 1619,