royalty restored-第70章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
not fail in producing some effect upon the public mind； and towards the middle of the year 1679 the first signs of reaction became visible； when three Benedictine monks and the queen's physician were tried for conspiracy 〃to poison the king； subvert the government； and introduce popery。〃 During the examination； Evelyn tells us； 〃the bench was crowded with the judges； lord mayor； justices； and innumerable spectators。〃 After a tedious trial of nine hours； the jury brought the prisoners in not guilty； 〃without；〃 says Evelyn； 〃sufficient disadvantage and reflection on witnesses； especially on Oates and Bedlow。〃
As my Lord Shaftesbury had not yet succeeded in his desired project of excluding the Duke of York from succession； the symptoms of change in public opinion were thoroughly distasteful to him。 He therefore resolved to check them immediately； and stimulate the agitation and fear that had for many months reigned paramount through out the nation。 For this purpose he had recourse to his former method of circulating wild and baseless reports。 Accordingly a rumour was soon brought before the House of Commons of a horrible plot hatched by the papists to burn London to the ground。 This； it was alleged； would be effected by a servant…maid setting a clothes…press on fire in the house of her master； situated in Fetter Lane。 Two vile Irishmen were to feed the flames； and meanwhile the catholics would rise in rebellion； and； assisted by an army of sixty thousand French soldiers； kill the king； and put all protestants to the sword。 Though this tale was in due time discredited； yet it served its purpose in the present。 The violent alarm it caused had not subsided when another terrible story； started on the excellent authority of Lord Shaftesbury's cook； added a new terror。 This stated the Duke of York had placed himself at the head of the French troops； with intention of landing in England； murdering the king and forcing papacy on his subjects。 The scare was sufficiently effectual to cause Parliament to petition his majesty that he might revoke all licenses recently granted catholic householders to reside in the capital； and order the execution of all priests who administered sacraments or celebrated mass within the kingdom。 Soon after this address； Lord Russell was sent by the Commons to the Peers； requesting their concurrence in the statement that 〃the Duke of York's being a papist； the hope of his coming to the crown had given the greatest countenance and encouragement to the conspiracies and designs of the papists。〃 And now； in May； 1679； the condition of popular feeling promising well for its success。 the Bill of Exclusion was introduced； ordaining that 〃James； Duke of York should be incapable of inheriting the crowns of England and Ireland； that on the demise of his majesty without heirs of his body； his dominions should devolve； as if the Duke of York were also dead； on that person next in succession who had always professed the protestant religion established by law。〃 This passed the House of Commons by a majority of seventy…nine votes。
Alarmed by this bill； Charles resolved to show signs of resentment； and at the same time check the increasing power of the Commons； by a sudden and decisive movement。 Therefore； without previously hinting at his intentions； he prorogued parliament before the bill was sent to the House of Lords。 This was a keen surprise to all； and a bitter disappointment to Shaftesbury； who vowed those who advised the king to this measure should answer for it with their heads。 Owing to various delays； the Bill of Exclusion was not brought before the Peers until eighteen months later。 Its introduction was followed by a debate lasting six hours； in which Shaftesbury distinguished himself by his force and bitterness。 At nine o'clock at night the House divided； when the measure was rejected by a majority of thirty… three votes； amongst which were those of the fourteen bishops present。
Mortified by this unexpected decision； the violent passions of the defeated party hurried them on to seek the blood of those peers lodged in the Tower。 Of the five； William Howard； Viscount Staffordyoungest son of the Earl of Arran； and nephew of the Duke of Norfolkwas selected to be first put upon his trial； inasmuch as； being over sixty years； and a sufferer from many infirmities； it was judged he would be the least capable of making a vigorous defence。 Three perjured witnesses swore he had plotted against the king's life； but no proof was forthcoming to support their evidence。 Notwithstanding this was 〃bespattered and falsified in almost every point；〃 it was received as authentic by the judges； who made a national cause of his prosecution； and considered no punishment too severe for a papist。 After a trial of five days sentence of death was pronounced upon him； and on the 29th of December； 1680； he was beheaded on Tower Hill。
Like those who had suffered from similar charges； he protested his innocence to the last； but his words met with a reception different from theirs。 Their dying speeches had been greeted by groans； hisses； and signs of insatiable fury； but his declarations fell upon silent and sympathizing hearts。 When he had made denial of the crimes of which he was accused； a great cry rose from the mob； 〃We believe youwe believe you； my lord；〃 and then a single voice calling out 〃God bless you！〃 the words were taken up and repeated by a vast throng； so that the last sounds he heard on earth were those of prayer。 He died with a firmness worthy of his caste。 Having laid his head upon the block； the executioner brandished his axe in the air； and then set it quietly down at his feet。 Raising his head； Lord Stafford inquired the cause of delay； the executioner replied he awaited a sign。 〃Take your time；〃 said he who stood at the verge of eternity； 〃I shall make no sign。〃 He who held the axe in his hand hesitated a second； and then said in a low and troubled voice； 〃Do you forgive me； sir？〃 To which Lord Stafford made brief answer； 〃I do。〃 Then he laid his head again upon the blood…stained block。 Once more the glitter of steel flashed through the air； a groan arose from the crowd； and Lord Stafford's head was severed from his body。
A reaction now set in； and gained strength daily。 The remaining peers were in due time liberated； the blood of innocent victims was no longer shed； and the Duke of York was recalled。 Such was the end of the popish plot； which； says Archdeacon Eachard； 〃after the strictest and coolest examinations； and after a full length of time； the government could find very little foundation to support so vast a fabrick； besides downright swearing and assurance； not a gun； sword； nor dagger； not a flask of powder or dark lanthorn； to effect this strange villainy； and with the exception of Coleman's writings； not one slip of an original letter of commission among those great numbers alledged to uphold the reputation of the discoveries。〃
Concerning those through whose malice such disturbance was wrought； and so much blood shed； a few words may be added。 Within twelve months of Lord Stafford's execution； Shaftesbury was charged with high treason； but escaping condemnation； fled from further molestation to Holland； where； after a residence of six weeks； he died。 Tonge departed this life in 1680； unbenefited by the monstrous plot he had so skilfully devised； and in the same year Bedlow was carried to the grave after an illness of four days。 Oates survived to meet a share of the ignominy and punishment due to his crimes。 After a residence of three years in Whitehall； he was driven out of the palace on account of 〃certain misdemeanors laid to his charge；〃 and deprived of his salary。 Two years later； in May； 1683； he was accused of calling the Duke of York a traitor； and using scandalous words towards his royal highness。 Upon hearing of the case the jury fined him one hundred thousand pounds。 Unable to pay the sum； he was cast into prison； where he remained six years； until liberated in the reign of William and Mary； His punishment was not； however； at an end。 At the Michaelmas term of 1684 he was accused of having wilfully perjured himself at the late trials。 As he pleaded n
