Note 19 — Chapter VI · Peine Forte et Dure.
Reading edition
Watt’s “The Law’s Lumber Room.”
During the reign of Henry VII., we find two felons, who had been taken from sanctuary, at Southwark, on being arraigned before Sir Thomas Frowike urged their plea of sanctuary, which was overruled, and, on being commanded to plead to the felonies, and refusing, they were peremptorily ordered to be taken back to the jail and there placed upon the bare ground, and that more weight should be placed upon them than they could stand and they be given only bread and water, until they die; in short, that they be literally pressed to death, or suffer the terrible peine forte et dure. (21 Henry VII., Keilway, 70; IV. Reeve’s History English Law, Finlason’s note, p. 254.)