The araignment of Iohn Selman, who was executed neere Charing-Crosse the 7. of Ianuary, 1612. for a fellony by him committed in the Kings Chappell at White-Hall vpon Christmas day last, in presence of the King and diuers of the nobility

THE ARAIGNMENT of John Selman , who was executed neere Charing-Crosse the 7. of Ianuary , 1612. for a Fellony by him committed in the Kings Chappell at White-Hall vpon Christmas day last , in presence of the King and diuers of the Nobility .

depiction of John Selman holding a purse

LONDON , Printed by W.H. for Thomas Archer , and are to be sold at his shop in Popes-head Pallace , 1612.

A TRVE RELAtion of the apprehending , examining , committing , inditing , arraigning , and conuicting of Iohn Selman .

THe miserable and mischieuous sinnes that men are howerlydrawn into by the malitious meanes , subtle snares , inticements and allurementes of the Diuell : are so many and monstrous , that were not our owne eies continuall witnesses of the effect which they doe dayly worke in many , it were not possible wee could or should beleeue that , which euery minute is throwne into our owne eares by the report of others .

As for example , would or could any one bee perswaded , that a man should be so audacious , or irreligious , as to venture or enter into the House of God , with a preiudicated and resolued mind , to do a deed that any honest Christian would tremble and quake , but to thinke vpon , in regard of the time , place , and persons there present , which in briefe was this . On Wednesday the 25. of December last past , being Christmas day , one Iohn Selman did presume to come into the Chappell at White-Hall , with intent and purpose to do that which at last he effected , which was either to cut a purse , or pic. a pocket : and houering long about one Leonatd Barry seruant to the Right Honourable , the Lord Harrington , was espied and noted by one M. Duble day , who for some reasons which hereafter you shal heare , did not cease with his eye to follow him , suspecting him to be such a one , as presently after by the fact , and his own confession he did approue him selfe to be : for Iohn Selman , after long hawking , and following of the foresaide Leonard Barry ( which was still noted by the foresaid M. Dubbleday , ) the said Iohn Selman after he had ( as it seemed ) purchased his prise , tooke his way forth of the Chappell , which M. Dubbleday perceiuing , he came dirrctly to the foresaid Leonard Barry , and did aske him whether he wanted any thing out of his pockets or no : to which he answered , no surely sir I thinke I doe not . But M. Dubble-day wild him to be sure , and thereupon Leon●●d Barry putting his hand into his pocket mist his purse , & said to M. Dubleday , Sir , I haue lost my purse . Then said M. Dubleday , goe with me and follow that man , for surely he hath it , meaning the foresaid Iohn Selman : and thereupon M. Doubleday and Leonard Barry followed Iohn Selman forth of the Chappel , and hauing ouertaken him , M. Dubbleday stent before Selman , and caught him fast by both the Wrists , willing Leonard Barry to search his pockets , for there quoth M. Dubbleday shall you find your purse : Leonard Barry putting his hand into one of Selmans pockets , found nothing there but a knife in a sheath : but in the other pocket he found his purse , and opening of it , he found his money al there which he had put in in the morning . The purse was a double purse of Lether into which Leonard Barry had put in twenty shillings into the one part of the purse , and twenty shillings into the other .

The sodaine comming of M. Dubbleday vnto Leonard Barrie , together with his speech to him in the Chappell , as also their hasty following of Selman forth of the Chappell , caused the by-standers with admiration to looke after them , and one to enquire of another , what might bee the cause of that sod●ine tumult .

In briefe it came to his Maiesties eare , who being then in his royall person , accompanied with our gratious Queene , the thrice noble Prince , the Duke of Yorke , and the Lady Elizabeth , with diuers of the Nobility , his sacred Maiestie being ready to receiue the Sacrament , was somewhat disturbed with the report hereof , and therupon his most excellent Maiesty gaue commandement that the malefactor should be detained and further examined .

The celebration of the holy Sacrament being performed , which in short time after Selman was brought before the Right worshipfull Sir Robert Banistre Clerke of the Greene-cloth for his Maiesties Household , who examining the said Selman , he did confesse as followeth .

The Examination of Iohn Selman before the Right Worshipfull Sir ROBERT BANISTRE Clerke of the Greencloth for his Maiesties Houshold , taken the xxv . of December . 1611.

FIrst he sayth , that he dwelleth in Shoe Lane , and that hee hath no Trade which he betaketh himselfe vnto . Being examined of the busines hee had at Court , he answereth , that he had not any that was good , and further confesseth that he did in his Maiesties Chappell the same day take out of the pocket of one Leonard Barry seruant to the L. Harington , a purse with money in it : but what summe hee knowes not , in regard as soone as he was possest of it he was apprehended , and the said purse taken from him .

Iohn Selman hauing been thus examined by Sir Rober Banistre , he was by him committed to the custody of certaine of the Knight Marshals men , with commandement to conuay him presently to the prison of the Marshalsey .

Now , gentle Readers , you must vnderstand , that this Selman came into the Kings Chappell in very good and seemely apparell , like vnto a Gentleman , or Citizen : viz. a faire blacke Cloake laced , and either lined thorow or faced with veluet . The rest of his apparel in reasonable maner being answerable thereunto . Which was the cause that he without resistance had free entrance into that holy and sanctified place .

But he had not beene long in the Marshall see , ere that his gallant apparell was fetcht from him , and meaner brought vnto him , in which he came to his araignement .

On Twesday being the last of December 1611. master Richardson ( Marshall of the marshall sey ) hauing receiued a write or warrant to that effect , did bring vp his prisoner , the foresaid Iohn Selman , to Westminster to the Kings bench barre , there to receiue his trial before certaine of his Maiesties Commissioners , whose names are as followeth .

The names of his Maiesties Commissioners there assembled . William Lord Knollis . Sir Thomas Vauasor . Sir Francis Backon . Sir Arthur Gorge . Sir Robert Banistre . and others of the Greene Cloth . Sir Edmond Bowier . Sir Robert Leighe . and Mr. Phillip Gerrard .

The Court being set , Proclamation was made , and euery man charged to keep silence , while the Kings Commission was reading on paine of imprisonment .

The commission being read , the grand inquest was called , who did appeare all being his Maiesties seruants , whose names are as followeth .

The names of the grand inquest . William Lancaster , Esquire . Edward Blackgraue , Esquire : Iohn Bull , Gentleman . Edward Beake , Yeoman . William Yates , Yeo. Richard Langley , Yeo. Robert Powlston , Yeo. Thomas Gawen , Yeo. Anthony Barklet , Yeo. Richard Gregory , Yeo. George Cordall . Yeo. Roger Terry . Yeo. William Carter . Yeo. Edward Kiffin . Yeo. Iohn Browne , Yeo. Iohn Whitlocke . Yeo. Iohn Wonnam , Yeo. Richard Dyar , Yeo.

These Gentlemen and Yeomen being called and sworne , Proclamation was made again , & euery man charged to keepe silence while the charge was giuen to the great Inquest , on paine of imprisonment .

The charge being giuen to the Grand Inquest by Sir Francis Bacon , the Kings Solister .

The Bill of Inditement was preferred vnto them , for the approbation whereof , The foresaid Leonard Barrie and Edmond Dubleday were called and sworne to giue their true testimony for satisfying of the Jury , and to that purpose , Leonard was first called and charged by vertue of his oath to deliuer the truth , the whole truth , and nothing but the truth , concerning the matter in question between the Kings Maiestie and Iohn Selman the prisoner indited , his testimony was as followeth .

The euidence of Leonard Barry giuen to the Great Inquest .

FIrst he said , that on Christmas day in the morning , being the xxv . of December 1611. he came into the Kinges Chappell at White-hall , with intent to heare the diuine seruice and sermon , to see his Maiesties Royall Person , and the celebration of the most holy & blessed Sacrament , and being there in the Chappell , the foresaid M. Dubleday came vnto him , and did aske him whether hee had lost any thing out of his pockets or no : to which he answered , not any thing surely sir as I thinke . But M Dubleday willed me quicly to search , and to be sure , and thereupon I thrust my hands into my pockets , and mist my purse : which M. Dubleday perceiuing , willed me to go with him , and follow that man , pointing to Selman , which wee did , and ouertaking him , searcht him , and with him did find my purse , and all my money , and this is all said hee , that I can say : and thereupon M. Dubleday was called and charged , that by vertue of his Doth , he should likewise deliv●r the truth and the whole truth , and nothing but the truth , concerning the matter in question betweene the Kings Maiesty and Iohn Selman the prisoner indited .

The euidence of Edmond Dubleday giuen to the great Inquest .

FIrst he said that being in the Chapell one Christmasse day last , hee did espie there the foresaid Selman , whom hee did much suspect to bee a very loose and lewd fellow , and that made him very strickly , but couertly to watch him , notwithstanding his formality in apparrell . At last he did perceiue Selman to take his way out of the Chappell , after he had been long about the foresaid Leonard Barry , and thereupon hee came to the said Barry , and spake to him as aforesaid , and afterward with him did follow and apprehend the said Selman , and found about him the purse of the said Leonard Barry , and forty shillings in money therein : but M. Dubleday being demaunded by the Court , what reason hee had to suspect him more then any other man in the Chappell , to which hee answered as followeth .

That he hauing businesse in the Terme time at Westminster Hall in the Cheker Chamber , this Selman said he , that is now prisoner was very neere about me , and so neere , as I could , and did wish that he had beene further off , because I did assure my selfe that he had no good meaning to mee , keeping so neere me , and hauing no businesse with me , and that was the cause that I did suspect him .

And therupon the great Inquest being ready to goe together , they were willed for their better satisfaction to stay and heare the examination and confession of the said Iohn Selman taken before Sir Robert Banistre Clerke of the greene Cloth , &c. Which examination together with the prisoners owne confession was red vnto them as it is before set downe . All which when they had heard , they went not from the barre , but called for pen and inke , and to the inditement subscribed Billa Vera , which with a generall and free consent of them all was deliuered vp .

That being done , master Richardson Marshall of the Marshall sey was called and willed to bring in his prisoner , which hee did , and hee being placed at the Barre , was commanded by the name of Iohn Selman to hold vp his hand , which he did , then was the inditement read : which was this .

Iohn Selman , hold vp thy hand , thou standest heere indited by the name of Iohn Selman late of London yeoman , for that thou the twenty fifth day of December in the ninth yeere of the Raigne of our Soueraigne Lord Iames by the grace of God King of England , France and Ireland , Defender of the faith , &c. and of Scotland the fiue and fortie , at the house of our Soueraigne Lord the King , called White Hall in the County of Midlesex within the verge , our Soueraigne Lord the King , being then in his Royall Maiesty , at White-hal aforesaid , withforce and Arms did make an assault vpon one Leonard Barrie , and one purse of the value of one halfe-penny and forty shillings ready money in the same purse , then and there being of the goods and money of the foresaid Leonard Barrie , from the person of the said Leonard Barrie , priuily and without the knowledge of the said Leonard , then and there feloniously did take and carry contrary to the peace of our Soueraigne Lord the King , his Crowne , and Dignity .

What saiest thou Iohn Selman to this fellony , art thou guilty or not guilty , to which hee answered guilty , then after some small respite or pause , hee was demaunded by M. Thomas Porter what hee could say for himselfe , why sentence of death according to the law shold not be pronounced against him : to which he answered not any thing but prostrating himselfe on his knees , submitted himselfe to the Kings mercy , humbly praying , that after the law was executed , his body might bee deliuered to his wife to haue Christian buriall , and that the goods which he had , ( part of which was wel gotten , some otherwise ) might not bee taken from her : to which the Right Worshipfull and worthy Gentleman , Sir F. B. answered : Here is an Honourable Lord , and an ancient Counsellor , that vpon your true Repentance , and reuealing of those of your faculty and fraternity , who are still as ready to enter into the presence Chamber of the King , as you were to enter into the Kings Chappell , which is the house of God , wherein hee hath promised alwaies to bee present , and therefore it may well be called the Sanctum Sanctorum . And therefore said Sir F. if you doe this , vpon his Honours report to the Kinges Maiesty , questionles your request will be granted .

Then Selman speaking to the Commissioners , nominated one ( who as he saide , was then in the Hall , which could ( if hee would ) do good seruice to the King , by reuealing many of that profession , his name as I haue heard is I. H.

This being done , Sir Francis ●acon , to whom at that tune it did belong , proceeded to iudgement , and asking on the prisoner , thus or to this effect , in some sort hee spake .

The first and greatest sinne that euer was committed was done in Heauen . The second was done in Paradise , being heauen vpon earth , and truly I cannot chuse but place this in the third ranke , in regard it was done in the house of God , where he by his owne promise is alwaies resident , as also for that the cause of that assembly was to celebrate the Feast of the birth of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus . And Gods Lieutenant here on earth , being in Gods house there present , ready to receiue the holy and blessed Sacrament , all which being considered , the time , place , and persons there present , and therefore I doe aduise thee that as thou hast submitted thy selfe to the Kings mercy , so thou wilt craue pardon at Gods hands , who is more ready to giue , then we to craue which if thou dost with a true feeling of thy sinne , and repentance , and loathing of thy sinne , thou shalt surely bee forgiuen at Gods hands , and being fully perswaded thereof , I will now pronounce thy iudgement , which is :

Thou shalt bee had from hence to the place from whence thou cammest , and from thence bee brought to the place of Execution , which shall be betweene Charing Crosse and the Court gate , and there to bee hanged by the necke till thou be dead , and so the Lord haue mercy vpon thy soule .

The last speach of Selman at the place of Execution .

I Am come ( as you see ) patiently to offer vp the sweet , and deare sacrifice of my life , a life , which I haue gracelessely abused , and by the vnruly course thereof , made my death a scandall to my kindred and aquaintance : I haue consumed fortunes gifts in riotous companies , wasted my good name in the purchase of goods vnlawfully gotten , and now ending my daies in too late repentance , I am placed in the rancke of reprobates , which the rusty canker of time must needs turne to obliuion . I stand here as shames example , ready to bee spewed out of the Common wealth . I confesse , I haue knowne too much , performed more , but consented to most : I haue bin the only corruption of many ripe witted youth , and leader of them to confusion . Pardon me God , for that is now a burthen to my conscience , wash it away sweet Creator , that I may spotlesse enter into thy glorious kingdome . Whereupon being demanded , if he would discouer any of his fraternity , for the good of the Common wealth or not : Answered , that he had already left the names of diuers notorious malefactors in writing behind him , which hee thought sufficient . So hee requested the quietnes of conscience that his soule might depart without moelstation . For ( quoth he ) I haue deserued death long before this time , and deseruedly now I suffer death . The offence I dye for , was high presumption , a fact done euen in the Kings Maiesties presence , euen in the Church of God , in the time of diuine Seruice , and the celebration of the Sacred Communion , for which if forgiuenes may descend from Gods tribunall Throne , with penitence of hart I desire it , all which being spoken , he patiently left this world for auother life .

But see the gracelesse and vnrepenting minds of such like kinde of liuers : for , one of his quality ( a picke pocket , I meane ) euen at his execution , grew master of a true mans purse , who being presently taken , was imprisoned , and is like the next sessions to wander the long voiage after his grand Captaine , Mounsier Iohn Selman , God if it bee his blessed will turne their hearts , and make them all honest men .

FINIS .

depiction of John Selman holding a purse