Note 180 — ANNALS (continued 2)
Reading edition
This case brings to our notice a third pamphlet issued by the Government in defence of its proceedings. This was entitled, “The Execution of Justice in England, for Maintenance of publique and Christian Peace, against certeine Stirrers of Sedition, and Adherents to the Traytours and Enemies of the Realme, without any Persecution of them for Questions of Religion, as is falsely reported and published by the Fautors and Fosterers of their Treasons: xvii. December, 1583.” Reprinted in Harleian Mis., ii. 137-55, and in Somer’s Tracts, i. 189-208.
This also has been ascribed to Lord Burghley. It is a defence of the penal laws against Catholics. A recent Act, 23 Eliz. (1581) c. 1, made it high treason, punishable with drawing, hanging, and quartering, to convert any one to the Church of Rome, or to be converted.
It is proverbially dangerous to argue with the master of legions; it was equally dangerous to argue with the mistress of the rack, the gallows, and the ripping-knife. Alfield and Webley had circulated copies of an answer to “The Execution of Justice in England.” They experienced this “Justice” in consequence; were tortured in prison and afterwards hanged.