"All the way
the universal outcry and curses of the people went along with
them," says MERCURIUS PUBLICUS. "When these three carcasses
arrived at Tyburn, they were pulled out of their coffins, and
hanged at the several angles of that triple tree, where they hung
till the sun was set; after which they were taken down, their
heads cut off; and their loathsome trunks thrown into a deep hole
under the gallows. The heads of those three notorious regicides,
Oliver Cromwell, John Bradshaw, and Ireton are set upon poles on
the top of Westminster Hall by the common hangman. Bradshaw
placed in the middle (over that part where the monstrous high
court of justice sat), Cromwell and his son-in-law Ireton on
either side of Bradshaw."
Before this ghastly execution took place, Parliament had brought
to justice such offenders against the late king's government and
life as were in its power. According to the declaration made by
the king at Breda, a full and general pardon was extended to all
rebellious subjects, excepting such persons as should be
hereafter excepted by Parliament. By reason of this clause, some
who had been most violent in their persecution of royalty were
committed to the Tower before the arrival of his majesty, others
fled from the country, but had, on another proclamation summoning
them to surrender themselves, returned in hope of obtaining
pardon. Thirty in all were tried at the Old Bailey before the
Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer and a special jury of knights
and gentlemen of quality in the county of Middlesex.
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