THE SPEECHES AND CONFESSION OF ARTHUR KNIGHT, And THOMAS LARET, At the places of Execution in Russel street neer Covent-Garden, and at Islington, on Wednesday last, being the second of this instant March, 1653.
Being condemned (by Order of Law) to be hang'd on a Gibbet, neer unto the place where they committed the Fact: The one, for killing of Major Furnifal; The other, for murthering of his own Wife.
With the great Oath and Protestation taken by the said Thomas Laret, immediatly before his Death, in the presence of M r Cook the Minister: And his Exhortation to all Men in generall, both in City and Countrey, never to strike or beat their Wives any more.
Published according to Order.
Imprinted at London, for G. Horton, 1653.
The Speeches and Confession of Arthur Knight, and Thomas Laret, at the places of Execution in Russel-street neer Covent-Garder, and at Islington, on Wednesday last, being the second of this instant March, 1653.
ON Wednesday last being the second of this instant March, Arthur Knight was brought to the place of Execution in Russel-street, neer Covent Garden, where he most barbarously murthered M. Furnifal, who had formerly been a commander in the Army, in which time he behav'd himself so wel, that he gain'd the love of all sorts of people, both in city and countrey, for wheresoever he came he had a diligent care that his souldiers should do no wrong; yet wee may see that the best of us all can no wayes prevent danger, but by heavenly providence; as may appear by this Gentleman here spoken of, for one day he having been merry with some of his friends, his chance was to light on two of his mortal enemies, being brothers in wickedness, and Knights [Page 4] of the Blade; for meeting with him, they saluted him, saying, God save you noble Sir; and after their fals friendship, desired his company to drink a glass of wine or beer, who assenting thereunto, all three went together to Mr. Bowers, a Cook, next door unto the Rose Tavern in Russel street in Govent Garden, where having got the said Major into a Room alone, Tho. Knight held fast the chamber door, whilst his brother Arthur Knight in a most cruel and bloudy manner fell upon him, wounding him with his knife, stabbing him in several places, and cut his nose in a most grievous manner, and then hauling of him down stampt upon him with his feet, till he left him for almost dead; which having done, took the money out of his pocket, and so run forth into the street, swearing,
The Cook when he saw what was done, immediatly followed them; and his wife after him: whereupon bloudy Arthur began to draw his sword, and swore he would do as much to him: whereupon the Cook manfully ran into him, and took his weapon, by which meanes he escap'd with life: so the Cooks wife being a good spitited woman, ventured her life in her husbands behalf (as an honest woman should do) and held the other brother, or else consequently her husband might have lost his life. To be brief, the Gentleman dy'd of his wounds and bruises which they had given him. One of the brothers is fled and gone; but we hear re-taken: The other by order of Law condemned to dye, and to be hang'd upon a Gibbet neer unto the place where the murther was committed; where accordingly he was executed; but before he went up the Ladder, he made a short speech to the people; the effect whereof take as followeth:
AS it is a thing too apparent in these our distracted and froward Times, that Conscience is fled, and Promise broke; even so is it verified by the practice and proceedings of many desperate and hasty-spirited men: Which unwarrantable actions, hath now brought me to this untimely end; yet while I live, my heart shall not faint me. I sorrow not to die; but I grieve at the manner of my death. For might I in the field encounter with an adversary, and so die, it would nothing discontent me: Or might I be a prey to some wild beast, and so perish, I were a happy man. But to fall into the Hangmans hands, Oh me thrice miserable and unfortunate! Every wrong I have done now called to remembrance, wrings a drop of bloud from my heart. O there is nothing to the worm of Conscience; nor no Hell to a mind toucht with guilt. For as Folly perswaded me to lead a sinful life; so Justice hath at length brought me to a sorrowful end: Which I desire patiently to undergo, and the Lord strengthen me in this Tryal of affliction.
Then immediatly after a short Prayer, pertinent to the work of the day, and singing of a Psalm, he went up the Ladder, shewing an end of courage even unto the resolution of his death. And then lifting up his hands, and saying, Lord have mercy upon me, the Executioner did his Office.
The Speech and Confession of Thomas Laret, at the place of execution neer Islington Church.
THomas Laret (by Order of Law) haing received the Sentence of Death to be hang'd upon a Gibbet neer the place where the murder was committed; on Wednesday last he was accordingly brought to the place of execution, where many hundreds of people frequentd to behold this Object of pity And no sooner was he come to the said place, but immediatly Mr. Cook the Minister came, and proposed several questions unto him, touching his life & conversation, and whether he had not a hand in the murdering of the Cheesmonger, desiring him now to clear his conscience before God and Man.
To which he answer'd, That he was as innocent of it as the child unborn; and desired the Lord to bear him Record of his innocency therein, and of the truth and sincerity of his heart, being spotless and free from any such guilt or crime. This is truth (Sir) and nothing but truth (laying his hand upon his breast) saying, ‘So help me God.’
I am glad to hear it; but pray resolve me one thing more.
I will. Sir, if I can.
I desire you further to cleer your conscience of that great Odium, which for some years hath lain upon you, about the sudden death of your former wife; & deal ingenuously, I beseech you, for your poor soules sake, even now to declare in the presence of God, Angels & Men, whether or no, you were the occasion of your former wifes death, as some report.
I protest (Sir) I am innocent of any such thing, and as I hope for mercy from the great God of Heaven, so I here cleer my conscience, and acquit my self of any such bloudy act, or inhumane crime.
What say you to the fact for which you are now to suffer death.
As for the crime which I am adjudg'd to dye for, I take God to witness I die innocently; and I protest I never had the least thought of murdering my deare Wife: no, the Lord knowes my heart, I respected her with a tender affection: but 'tis truth, being in a great passion at that time, I did both strike her and kick her; for which I hope I have made my peace with God: And I desire all good people that hears me this day to take warning by me, and to avoid the striking of their wives, either in heat of bloud or out of passion: O the heavy sighs and woful groanes, that have been occasion'd by those inhumane blowes, having been sore opprest upon my lamentable and languishing bed of affliction; and many a time, both day and night, have even curst the hour that ever I was born O the innumerable evils that have compassed me about, mine Iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more then the haires of my head, yet my heart shall not fail me: being assured, that the mercies of the living Lord doth far exceed my sins and transgressions. O wash me throughly from mine iniquity, good Lord, and cleanse me from my sin. Purge me wirh hysop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter then snow. For thy name sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, and strengthen me in this great Work that I am to go forth: O let thy glorious countenance shine upon me here; support me, dear Father, I beseech thee, during this moment of time that I have to live; and after this life, grant me a gloous [Page 8] change from this thy earthly foot-stool, unto thy eternal and everlasting Throne. And all this I humbly implore for the merits of thy son, and my blessed Redeemer, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Having ended his speech, he desired to see his little girl, which being brought unto him, he embrac'd the poor soul, and wept bitterly. But the time being short, his child was taken from him, and carryed back again to its Ant. Then the Minister desired him to prepare himself for death, and after prayers, and singing of a Psalm, he went up the Ladder; and no sooner was the Roap put about his neck by the executioner, but immediatly he leapt off the Ladder voluntary of himself, before the said Executioner could give the fatal Turn.