1686

Summary

Saturday January 2 1685[/6]. The beginning of this weeke the Bishop of London was put out of his Majesties Privy Counsell, and from being Deane of his Majesties Chappel.

The Lord Bishop of Durham (before Clark of the Closett) was sworn Deane of the Chappel. And the Lord Bishop of Rochester Dr. Sprat was sworne Clark of the Closett.

The Parliament is to be prorogued till the 10th of May next.

Mr. Stafford is discharged Whitehall upon Mr. Smiths complaint and so Playes may be acted as formerly with protection and Security which is very satisfactory to very many.

On Wednesday the 30th of December Mr. John Hambden was brought to his tryall before (I think) all the Judges at the Old Bayly. He pleaded guilty, which was very amazing to all the Concourse which was as great as has been known upon that occasion.

Mr Hampden made a speech wherein he confessed the indictment (proving as to what related to the late King's murther) he knew nor ever heard anything of / acknowledged his sins and offence to be very great against God and the King &c. That he had justly forfeited his life[.] That he cast himself solely upon the King's grace who was an inexhaustible fountain of [mercy] &c. That he would not but have himself only unblamable but as one deeply sensible of so great a favour &c. and would to the utmost of his power serve the government / &c.

Judgement was immediately given upon him to be hanged drawn and quartered as a traitor &c. and he went back to Newgate[.] About 4 days after a warrant [per] more was signed for his execution

Mr Hampden was very well persuaded but his counsel had many things to allege that were peculiar to him and very strong in point of law / But since the courtiers generally had little belief of this plot and were confirmed in their verdict by my Lord Brandon's trial and the evidence against him they were [now/nothing] at all […] in / but decreed / and also the judges had not pleased the court in their opinion of late and so their interest being changed he would have been very impartial / and most people particularly the juries had a good opinion of him