VI. Observations upon certain Proceedings in the Star-chamber against Lord Vaux, Sir Thomas Tresham, Sir William Catesby, and others, for refusing to swear that they had not harboured Campion the Jesuit: in a Letter from John Bruce, Esq. F.S.A. to Sir Henry Ellis, K.H., F.R.S., Secretary; followed by a narrative of the Proceedings

Abstract

I send you a transcript of a paper which I am surprised not to find published in any of the printed collections of State Trials. It possesses sufficient importance, both historical and legal, to have entitled it to a place in those collections; but, as it has not been noticed by their editors, nor, as far as I know, been printed elsewhere, it may be thought worthy of a place in the Archseologia. It has reference to some very important transactions in the reign of queen Elizabeth, and relates to persons and families who were themselves of considerable name, and the immediate descendants of some of whom were connected with subsequent events of still greater interest; it is, moreover, one of the most minute accounts we possess of a proceeding ore tenus in the star-chamber, and records the opinions of the highest legal officers of that day upon some important questions in constitutional law. In the expectation that these circumstances will be thought sufficient to entitle this paper to a place in the transactions of the Society of Antiquaries, I shall preface it with some observations upon the persons and events with which it is connected.