Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/295



the ancient mansion-house of the family, lying not far from Poulton, in that part of Lancashire called the Fylde. Having made good progress with his grammar studies at home, he was sent abroad into Spain, to the English college at Valladolid, where he learnt his philosophy and divinity, and was ordained priest. My short memoirs leave us much in the dark as to many passages and particulars relating to the life and labours of this good priest, as well as to the history of his trial; but then short as they are they are very expressive of his zeal and indefatigable labours, his unwearied diligence in instructing the catholics under his charge, disputing with protestants, and going about doing good everywhere, with a courage and firmness of mind almost above the power and strength of man. When, how, or where, he was apprehended, I have not found, but only this, that he had lain three whole years a close prisoner at Lancaster castle, before he was brought to the bar, where he stood with an air of fortitude and resolution of suffering in defence of truth. Two fallen catholics, Malden and Osbaldeston, made oath that they had seen him administer baptism and perform the ceremonies of marriage; and upon these slender proofs of his priesthood, the jury, by the judge's direction, found him guilty of the indictment. Whereupon the judge sentenced him to be hanged, cut down alive, drawn, quartered, etc., as in cases of high treason. It was on the 7th of August, 1646, that he, with two fellow priests, and a poor wretch, named Croft, condemned to death for felony, were drawn upon sledges to the place of execution at Lancaster. There Mr. Bamber exhorted Croft to repentance, and besought him to declare himself a Catholic, confess some of his more public sins, and be truly contrite and sorry for all—'and I, a priest and minister of Jesus Christ, will instantly in his name, and by his authority, absolve thee.' On hearing this the officers of Justice began to storm but Mr. Bamber held his ground, and finally absolved the man in sight and hearing of the crowd. As Mr. Bamber mounted up the ladder, he paused after ascending a few steps, and taking a handful of money from his pocket, threw it amongst the people, saying, with a smiling countenance, that 'God loveth a cheerful giver.' Mr. Bamber was encouring Mr. Whitaker, one of the other two priests about to suffer, who appeared not a little terrified at the approach of death, to be on his guard against the temptation to save his life by renouncing his creed, when the sheriff called out hastily to the executioner to dispatch him (Bamber); and so he was that moment turned off the ladder, and permitted to hang but a very short time, before the rope was cut, the confessor being still alive; and thus he was butchered in a most cruel and savage manner."

The two following verses, relating to his death, form part of a long ode or sonnet written at the time:—

"Few words he spoke—they stopp'd his mouth, And chok'd him with a cord; And lest he should be dead too soon,  No mercy they afford. "But quick and live they cut him down, And butcher him full soon; Behead, tear, and dismember straight, And laugh when all was done."