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 130 THE CECILS

attributed his death to poison, but such a rumour was too certain to spring up to merit attention in the absence of all corroboration." 1

So complicated were the charges and counter- charges in the case the documents filling 17,000 sheets of paper that the trial did not take place till February, 1619. It occupied five days, the King being present throughout and finally delivering the sentence, by which the Lakes were fined upwards of 22,000, and were condemned to imprisonment during his Majesty's pleasure. Lady Roos was compared to the " old serpent," having beguiled her daughter, Eve, while she in her turn had seduced her father, Adam. Poor Sarah Swarton came off very badly. She " was adjudged to the Fleet, from thence to be whipt to West- minster, and after from the same place to Cheapside, there to be branded with F. A., signifying false accusation, one letter on either cheek ; to return back again to the Fleet, there to remain until they do weary of her, and then to be sent to Bridewell, there to spend and end her days." 2 However, the prisoners were told that they would be set free, if they acknowledged their guilt, and Sarah at once confessed, and her sentence was remitted. Lady Roos also confessed in June, but her father did not submit until the following January, and her mother held out until May, 1621.

1 Gardiner, III. 192.

2 Lorkin to Puckering February i6th, 1619 (Court and Times of James I., II. 139)

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