42
REIGN OF EDWARD THE SIXTH.
[ch. 28.
man at least should be ready with his arms, to be called out, if order should be disturbed. But the eagerness of the people defied the command to stay at home, and by daybreak Palace-yard and the court before the hall were thronged with a vast multitude, all passionately devoted to Somerset, all execrating his rival. The court was formed; Lord Winchester sitting as High Steward. Twenty- six peers, Northumberland, Northampton, and Pembroke among them, took their seats, and at nine o'clock the prisoner was led forward to the bar.[1]
December.Under the Act of Unlawful Assemblies[2] the late Protector was charged, under various counts, with having treasonably collected men in his house for an ill intent, as to kill the Duke of Northumberland; with having devised the death of the Lords of the Council; with having intended to raise the city of London to assault the Lords of the Council; and, finally, with having purposed to resist his arrest. On the last three counts he was further indicted for felony. As usual in trials for treason, the principal witnesses- ↑ For the particulars of Somerset's trial, see Edward's Journal, Stow, Holinshed, the Privy Council Register, the papers in vol. xiii. of the Domestic MSS. of the reign of Edward VI., the Grey Friars' Chronicle, and the second volume of Mr Tytler's Edward and Mary.
- ↑ 3 and 4 Edward VI. cap. 5: If any persons to the number of twelve or above, being assembled together, shall practise with force of arms unlawfully and of their own authority to murder, kill, slay, take, or imprison any of the King's most honourable privy council, or unlawfully to alter or change any laws made or established by authority of Parliament, and being commanded by the Sheriff of the shire, or any justice of the peace, to retire to their own houses, shall remain together for one hour after such proclamation, or after that shall attempt or do any of the things above specified, every such act shall be judged high treason.
