Beschreibung:

ESSEX, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of (1566-1601)]. Two manuscripts describing the trial and execution of Essex, the first, 'The arraignement of Robert Earle of Essex and Henrie Earle of Southampton at Westmynster the 19th of februarie Anno 1600 in three and fortith year of Her Ma[ies]ties Reigne etc', in two early 17th-century hands, 20 pages, folio (darkened, first leaf torn with loss of a few words, edges frayed), disbound; the second, 'The Execution of Robert late Earle of Essex the 25th of Ffebruary 1600 within the Tower of London', in a regular hand, early 17th Century, 11 pages, 8vo , 2 blanks, disbound; [ together with :] a document signed by William Parr, Earl of Essex (1513-1571), 14 August '36 Henry VIII [1544]', one page, 4to . The second manuscript contains a striking eyewitness account of Essex's appearance and demeanour before his execution, including his last speech upon the scaffold. 'Upon Ashwednesday in the morninge about one of the clocke the Lieutenant of the Tower gave the Earle warninge as he was in his bed to apparel himselfe to death...The Earle was appareled in a blacke wrought velvet gowne and a satten suite of the same colour. Thus he ascended the staires of the scaffold and havinge the three devines with him only: att his cominge his countenance was neither light nor dejected but with a constant and setled gate he stept into the midst where the blocke lay...'. The bill signed by William Parr for the wages of 'John Ap Richards, Captaigne of the demy haks on horsebak', dates from Parr's service at Boulogne in 1544. His sister, Catherine Parr, was the 6th of Henry VIII wives. (3)