Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-04-12

OF more lIE,pFtiiTp tEtFi ulSu tIedsOu
If he could bring Woodville to his
home to be tried for an offense against
religion he world have an advantage
But II he were acquitted the sovereign
would claim him to be tried as a
traitor
What l propose" added the lawyer
In conclusion, lis to bring him here IL
possible. try him for sacrilege and con-
Wet him."
Convict himT' exclaimed Mary.
Yes He must be convicted
"And the punishment"
"He viii be hanged"
Mary could see no advantage in be-
Ing hanged over dying at the block.
but Bradford, who knew more law
than most of his craft, told her that
there was a royal edict on the records
which might help him to save her low
er's life. 1t was a. hundred years old,
belonging to a period when matters Of
justice were very crude. With more
civilized methods of court procedure 1t
had become obsolete. but bad never
been repealed.
A church near by where Robert
woodville lived had been robbed and
the communion service taken. Roger
Bradford had got wind Of the thief.
and after forming his plan to get pos
session of the body of Robert Wood
vile he sent for the man who had con-
fessed the sacrilege and asked for a
piece OF the silver communion service.
Having received II he gave II to Mary
Edmonson and told her to place 1t In
Woodvilles house This she did. and
the next day search was made OF
the house and the plate found there.
Bradford went to London and de
manded the body of Robert Woodville
that he might lie placed on trial for the
stealing of the church plate. The lieu
tenant of the Tower refused to give up
Woodvfile. since he was to be tried
for high treason. Bradford insisted
that his demand be referred to the
queen. Mary declined to consider a
crime against herself In preference to
one against the church. She ordered
that Woodville be sent to his native
county to be tried for sacrilege. but
that he be returned In case he was
SON
The queens order must be obeyed to
the letter, and bringing Woodville
from the Tower would be of no avail
unless he were convicted As soon as
he arrived he was brought into court
and the person who had found the
plate in the accused mans home hav
ing sworn to the fact, Woodville was
convicted and sentenced to be hanged
No defense was made: none would
have secured the prisoners acquittal
and 1t did not accord with Bradfords
plan that the trial should result In an
acquittal
An officer OF the queens household
had been sent with the prisoner from
London to bring him back In case he
should not be found guilty. This man
insisted that Woodville be hanged i'm
mediately. since he had orders not to
leave while the prisoner lived. But
Roger Bradford succeeded In getting a
stay while the condemned mans be
tAOihCA "cut " ~ ICtItIOti
the queeK for pardon. The officer
yielded, though he assured the lawyer
that there was no hope of pardon.
Bradford. accompanied by Mary Ed
monson, at once set OF for London
and on their arrival the former went
to the Tower and demanded to be per
mitted to inspect the statutes deposited
there AS an attorney he was not to
be denied this privilege. and. going to
the rooms where the rolls Of parch.
ment bearing edicts Of England's sov-
ereigns were kent. he found one which
he copied
The next morning he asked for an
quest on the fact that II his client Rob
ert Woodville were hanged the execu
ton would be Illegal This excited at
once an interest in the queen. and she
granted the audience. giving permits
sav. also for Mary Edmouson to be
present.
As soon As the two were IN the
queens presence Bradford said:
May It please your majesty. this girl
Mary Edmonson. claims for her hus-
band Robert Woodville. sentenced to
be hanged for sacrilege."
IF 1t pleases the wench,- replied the
queen. Ito marry a man who ID 10 die
she has our royal permission
Il hold in my hand" reJoined Brad
ford. "a copy Of an edict of his mates
| ty King Edward " decreeing that II
any man sentenced to death within his
| royal domain and a woman shall claim
him in marriage he shall 60 free"
Have you seen the record Of tht
edicty'
II have. your majesty"
-And it has never been repealedr
| 1T has not your majesty"
| Then ! Will repeal It,"
This may be your majesty's right Oh
It may be only the right Of the parlia