CHAPTER XVIII.
Reward for the discovery of murderers.--Bedlow's character and
evidence.--His strange story.--Development of the "horrid plot."
--William Staley is made a victim.--Three Jesuits hung.--Titus
Oates pronounced the saviour of his country.--Striving to ruin
the queen.--Monstrous story of Bedlow and Oates.--The king
protects her majesty.--Five Jesuits executed.--Fresh rumours
concerning the papists.--Bill to exclude the Duke of York.--Lord
Stafford is tried.--Scene at Tower Hill.--Fate of the
conspirators.
Before the remains of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey were laid to rest, a
proclamation was issued by the king, offering a reward of five
hundred pounds for discovery of the murderers. If one of the
assassins betrayed those who helped him in the deed, he should
receive, not only the sum mentioned, but likewise a free pardon,
and such protection for his security as he could in reason
propose. Two days after this had been made public, a man named
William Bedlow put himself in communication with Sir William
Coventry, Secretary of State, declaring he had a certain
knowledge of the murder in question.
Archdeacon Eachard tells us this man "was one of a base birth and
worse manners, who from a poor foot-boy and runner of errands,
for a while got into a livery in the Lord Bellasis's family; and
having for his villainies suffered hardships and want in many
prisons in England, he afterwards turned a kind of post or letter
carrier for those who thought fit to employ him beyond sea.
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