XII. Copy of the original Death-Warrant of Humphrey Littleton, with Observations on it. Communicated by T.R. Nash, D.D. F.A.S. in a Letter to the Secretary

Extract

Having lately found in the house of Mr. Bromley, at Abberley Lodge in the county of Worcester, who was heir to the Walsh's of that place, the original death-warrant of Humphrey Lyttleton, in which are the signatures of the privy council, most of whom were commissioners for the trial of the powder conspirators; I thought it might be some amusement to the Society if I laid before them a copy of the warrant, together with a facsimile of the signatures: [a] on which they will observe how ill Thomas Lord Ellesmere the chancellor wrote, and what good penmen most of the other noblemen were. Indeed many of the writings about that time were more carefully and neatly penned, than in the following or preceding centuries: and I must say in justice to my engraver, that he has executed his work with great care and accuracy. The direction on the outside of the letter was ‘To o^r very loving freind the high sheriffe of the countie of Worcester.’