Dorchester, September 5. 1685
This is a true Account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 98 men have been sentenced to death by Judge Jeffreys
My lord,
This is the first day of the Dorchester Assize and already twenty-nine have been sentenced to die by being hung, drawn and then quartered. This is to take place on the Monday. The other sixty await final sentence but it will be the same. A great number of friends plead ‘Not Guilty’ in the face of the rants and rages of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys. This included Col. Holmes, Lt. Battiscombe, Capt. Hewling and Capt. Sir John Kidd.
For one William Bragg, who was never in the late Rebellion, his only crime was to have his horse taken by the late Duke’s men. In sentencing Bragg to death, Jeffreys simply said ‘he is a lawyer, hang him‘. So, it is clear that by pleading ‘Not Guilty’, the verdict is a speedy path to a painful death, yet a ‘Guilty’ plea is to fall on the Kings mercy, becoming his property, to sell into service in the sugar plantations or to be quartered in five towns at once.
As if to demonstrate the pride Lord Jeffreys takes in issuing the capital sentenced, my agent intercepted this letter from the bloody Lord, to his master of the earl of Sunderland, the King’s own secretary.
‘Dorchester, September 5. 1685
My lord Sunderland,
I most heartily rejoice, my dearest lord, to learn of your safe return to Winsdor. On this day, I began with the trial of the rebels at Dorchester, and have dispatched 98. But I am at this time so tortured with the stone that I must beg your lordship’s intercession with his Majesty for the incoherence of what I have adventured to give his Majesty the trouble of, and that I may give myself so much ease by your lordship’s favour as to make use of my servant’s pen to give a relation of what has happen since I came here.
My dearest lord, may I ever be tortured with the stone if I forget to approve myself,
Your most faithful and devoted servant.
Jeffreys’
This shows that we are indeed living through the reign of terror, under a merciless tyrant King and his henchmen. Something not seen in this land since the bloody Queen Mary. Today, nearly one hundred men have be passed through the court of the Lord Chief Justice, all to die. Whilst over 200 aware their fate, but none, even those with pardons papers have any chance of freedom on this earth.
In my next, I stall give you some account of those that are to be martyred for our liberty.
Your humble and sadden servant,
William Savage
The Bloody Assize Timeline:
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
An Account of the Western Assize court of Lord Chief Justice Jeffrey at Salisbury.
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
The news in London is that Dame Alicia Lisle was beheaded yesterday in Winchester.
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
This being a brief account of the opening of the Dorchester Assize where 337 souls are to be tried.
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
An account of the first day at the Dorchester Assize where 29 men have been sentenced to death
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
For some sentenced to die tomorrow there is a reprieve as Mr Ketch can only kill and quarter 13 in one day, even with the help of Pascha Rose
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the thirteen Martyrs executed in Dorchester by Lord Jeffreys
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
A list of the final sentences from the Dorchester Assize as given by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the nine Martyrs executed in Bridport by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the twelve Martyrs executed in Lyme Regis by Lord Jeffreys
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
The list of three Martyrs executed in the West after sentencing by Lord Jeffreys
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the executions and a list of the martyrs at Sherborne on the orders of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
Of the twelve Martyrs executed in Weymouth on orders of Lord Jeffreys
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
An account of the first day of the Taunton Assize court presided over by Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
A letter from Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to King James II detailing the value of each rebel.
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
The four martyrs that died at Taunton and the final list of verdicts from the Assize court.
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eleven Martyrs executed in Poole on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Six Martyrs executed in Wareham and Wells on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 543 men at Wells awaiting this bloody Assize Court of Judge Jeffreys
Of the 93 men transported to Barbados on the Happy Return from Weymouth
Of the 93 men transported to Barbados on the Happy Return from Weymouth
Of the 93 men transported to Barbados on the Happy Return from Weymouth
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
Of the 18 Martyrs executed in Taunton on the orders of King James II
Of the 3 Martyrs executed in Wellington on the orders of King James II
Of the 3 Martyrs executed in Wellington on the orders of King James II
Of the 3 Martyrs executed in Wellington on the orders of King James II
Of the Seven Martyrs executed in the West on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Seven Martyrs executed in the West on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Seven Martyrs executed in the West on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Martyrs executed in Bristol on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Martyrs executed in Bristol on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the Martyrs executed in Bristol on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
The 93 men transported on the Happy Return from Weymouth to Barbados by Sir William Booth
The 93 men transported on the Happy Return from Weymouth to Barbados by Sir William Booth
The 93 men transported on the Happy Return from Weymouth to Barbados by Sir William Booth
Of those Martyred in Axminster and Ottery St Mary on orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of those Martyred in Axminster and Ottery St Mary on orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of those Martyred in Axminster and Ottery St Mary on orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the seven Martyrs executed in Somerton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the seven Martyrs executed in Somerton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the seven Martyrs executed in Somerton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
A true account of the trails of Mr Ring, Mr Fernley, Mr Cornish and Mrs Gaunt at the Old Bailey
A true account of the trails of Mr Ring, Mr Fernley, Mr Cornish and Mrs Gaunt at the Old Bailey
A true account of the trails of Mr Ring, Mr Fernley, Mr Cornish and Mrs Gaunt at the Old Bailey
97 men are transported on the Indeavour from Bristol to St Kitts & Nevis by Sir William Stapleton
97 men are transported on the Indeavour from Bristol to St Kitts & Nevis by Sir William Stapleton
97 men are transported on the Indeavour from Bristol to St Kitts & Nevis by Sir William Stapleton
The 14 men transported on the Rebecca from Bristol to Barbados by Mr Jerome Nipho.
The 14 men transported on the Rebecca from Bristol to Barbados by Mr Jerome Nipho.
The 14 men transported on the Rebecca from Bristol to Barbados by Mr Jerome Nipho.
The Martyrdoms of Mrs Elisabeth Gaunt at Tyburn and Mr Henry Cornish at Cheapside
The Martyrdoms of Mrs Elisabeth Gaunt at Tyburn and Mr Henry Cornish at Cheapside
The Martyrdoms of Mrs Elisabeth Gaunt at Tyburn and Mr Henry Cornish at Cheapside
The 90 men transported on the John Friggat from Bristol to Barbados by Sir William Booth.
The 90 men transported on the John Friggat from Bristol to Barbados by Sir William Booth.
The 90 men transported on the John Friggat from Bristol to Barbados by Sir William Booth.
The 172 men transported on the Port Royal Merchant from Weymouth to Jamaica and 26 that escaped.
The 172 men transported on the Port Royal Merchant from Weymouth to Jamaica and 26 that escaped.
The 172 men transported on the Port Royal Merchant from Weymouth to Jamaica and 26 that escaped.
A brief account of the trial of Captain Richard Nelthorp and Colonel John Ayloff for High Treason
A brief account of the trial of Captain Richard Nelthorp and Colonel John Ayloff for High Treason
A brief account of the trial of Captain Richard Nelthorp and Colonel John Ayloff for High Treason
This day Captain Richard Nelthorp is martyred before Grays Inns and Colonel John Ayloff martyred at Temple Gate
This day Captain Richard Nelthorp is martyred before Grays Inns and Colonel John Ayloff martyred at Temple Gate
This day Captain Richard Nelthorp is martyred before Grays Inns and Colonel John Ayloff martyred at Temple Gate
84 men are transported on the Constant Richard to Jamaica by White & Heywood
84 men are transported on the Constant Richard to Jamaica by White & Heywood
84 men are transported on the Constant Richard to Jamaica by White & Heywood
Of the three Martyrs executed in Nether Stowey & Stogursey on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Nether Stowey & Stogursey on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Nether Stowey & Stogursey on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eight Martyrs executed in Bath & Chewton Mendip on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eight Martyrs executed in Bath & Chewton Mendip on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the eight Martyrs executed in Bath & Chewton Mendip on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
The 80 men transported on the Betty from Weymouth to Barbados
The 80 men transported on the Betty from Weymouth to Barbados
The 80 men transported on the Betty from Weymouth to Barbados
Of the five Martyrs executed in Stogumber & Dulverton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Stogumber & Dulverton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Stogumber & Dulverton on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Porlock & Dunster on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Porlock & Dunster on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the five Martyrs executed in Porlock & Dunster on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Minehead on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Minehead on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
Of the three Martyrs executed in Minehead on the orders of Judge Jeffreys
The 182 transported on the Jamaica Merchant from Weymouth to Barbados
The 182 transported on the Jamaica Merchant from Weymouth to Barbados
The 182 transported on the Jamaica Merchant from Weymouth to Barbados
