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Guild-Hall, 26 of October, 1649. being Friday.
At the Triall of Lieut: Col: John Lilburne the Second day.
THe Prisoner being brought to the Bar, spake as followeth: Sir, I pray hear me a word or two.
L. Keeble, Mr Lilburne, I am afraid something troubles you, I will have no body stand there[1] let all come out but one man.
L. Col: Lilb: Here’s none but my Brother and my Solicitor.
L. Keeble, Sir, your brother shall not stand by you there, I will only have one hold your papers and books, and the rest not to trouble you, wherefore the rest are to come out.
L. Col Lilb: Sir, I begge of you but one word, though I doe not know any reason why of my self I should not have the priviledge of the Law, as well as any man in England; yet besides, what yesterday I alledged for my self, for to have Councel assigned, yet to day give me leave to mention an unquestionable President for my purpose, and that is Major Rolfe, who being an Officer in the Army, and being lately indicted for High Treason (before the Lord Chief Barron Wilde, that now is at Hampshiere Assizes, for conspiring to poison and pistol the late King, which by Law was the highest of Treasons) did conceive himselfe in regard of his ignorance, unable to defend himself singly, against his enemies designed, which was to take away his life; whereupon he becomes an humble suitor to the Lord Chief Barron Wilde, that he might have Councel assigned him, and the Court before ever the Grand Jury received any testimony against him to find the Bill, assigned him Councel, who as I understand were one Mr Nichols, now a Judge of this Bench, and sitting there; and Mr Maynard of the Temple, they were both assigned his Councell, and from Mr Maynard himself I have it, yea, from his own mouth: who being assigned his Councel, they came into the court, where the grand Jury was called before the Judge: M. Maynard and M. Nichols, now a Judge here, had liberty there to be in the open Court, where the witnesses before the Indictment was found, was called and in open Court was sworn, and in open Court gave in their Evidence before theGrand
- ↑ That was in the ⟨B⟩ar, where his brother Col: Robert Lilburne, his Solicitour Mr Sprat, and other of his friends stood.
