Table of Contents

1. Home
   
   
2. Title page of the 1679 publication
   
   
3. The officers of the court enter the hall and the prisoners are brought forth.
   
   
4. A jury of peers is seated. Essex and Southampton find Lord Grey's presence amusing since he is an old enemy of Southampton's.
   
   
5. Sgt Yelverton reads the charges.
   
   
6. The Attorney General, Sir Edward Coke, defines both Treason and High Treason, and details Essex's ingratitudes and gross ambitions.
   
   
7. Essex is not allowed to speak until Mr. Henry Witherington's deposition is presented in summary.
   
   
8. Coke wonders why Essex did not dismiss his followers when called upon to do so in the Queen's name. Essex and Southmpton attempt to defend their actions.
   
   
9. Parts of Sir Walter Raleigh's statement are read and commented upon. Coke plays the Catholic card.
   
   
10. Sir Ferdinando Gorges's deposition is read, narrating the events of the day and confirming the existence of the Plot.
    
    
11. The confession of Sir Charles Danvers [one of Southampton's followers] is read, describing the events once again.
    
    
12. Sir John Davis's examination is read. Also Sir Christopher Blount's.
    
    
13. Statements of the Earl of Rutland, Lord Cromwell, and Lord Sandys are read, each reiterating and supporting the others and all those before.
    
    
14. A conspiracy theory, and the burning of a black purse. Lord Mounteagle's examination is read and discussed.
    
    
15. The Lord Admiral calls for Gorges to speak directly of what State secrets may have passed between himself and the Earl of Essex.
    
    
16. Sir Francis Bacon sorrowfully urges Essex to stop trying to justify himself. Essex accuses Sir Robert Cecil of being the real traitor.
    
    
17. Sir Robert steps forth hotly to make a very dramatic speech indeed, wrapped in Innocence, Truth of Conscience, and Honesty.
    
    
18. Master Knyvet is sent to find Sir William Knollys.
    
    
19. Southampton protests that he was ignorant of the law, and denies he was ever a Papist. (If his lady mother were here, she would weep.)
    
    
20. Essex makes his last stand in the shallowness of his conceit and throws himself on the Queen's mercy.
    
    
21. The jury is polled and sentence is delivered. Essex hopes all will understand that though he is a traitor, yet he is true in his religion.
    
    
22. The order for execution is given. Southampton submits and hopes for the Queen's mercy. Essex reminds them all how humble he is. And how he forgives them all. And so farewell.
    
    
23. Epilog: How they ended
    
    
24. Editor's Notes