sentenced to be pilloried, whipped, and afterwards, during life, to be
imprisoned. The sentence was executed in London, and was to be in
Leicestershire: two keepers were to convey Coleman from the Fleet to
Leicester. My mistress taking consideration of Coleman, and the miseries
he was to suffer, went presently to Forman, acquainted him therewith;
who, after consideration, swore Coleman had lain both with mother and
daughters; and besides said, that the old Lady being afflicted with fits
of the mother, called him into her chamber to hold down the fits with
his hands; and that he holding his hands about the breast, she cried
'Lower, lower,' and put his hands below her belly; and then--He also
told my mistress in what posture he lay with the young ladies, &c. and
said, 'they intend in Leicester to whip him to death; but I assure thee,
Margery, he shall never come there; yet they set forward to-morrow,'
says he; and so his two keepers did, Coleman's legs being locked with an
iron chain under the horse's belly. In this nature they travelled the
first and second day; on the third day the two keepers, seeing their
prisoner's civility the two preceding days, did not lock his chain under
the horse's belly as formerly, but locked it only to one side. In this
posture they rode some miles beyond Northampton, when on a sudden, one
of the keepers had a necessity to untruss, and so the other and Coleman
stood still; by and by the other keeper desired Coleman to hold his
horse, for he had occasion also: Coleman immediately took one of their
swords, and ran through two of the horses, killing them stark dead; gets
upon the other, with one of their swords; 'Farewell, gentlemen,' quoth
he, 'tell my master I have no mind to be whipped in Leicestershire,' and
so went his way. The two keepers in all haste went to a gentleman's
house near at hand, complaining of their misfortune, and desired of him
to pursue their prisoner, which he with much civility granted; but ere
the horses could be got ready, the mistress of the house came down, and
enquiring what the matter was, went to the stable, and commanded the