Simancas: December 1596 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 4, 1587-1603. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

'Simancas: December 1596', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 4, 1587-1603, (London, 1899) pp. 643-644. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol4/pp643-644 [accessed 25 April 2024]

December 1596



23 Dec. Estado, 839.	662. Decision of the Commission of Judges appointed by the King to adjudicate upon the case of Richard Butler and others accused of espionage, &c. Sent to the Alcalde Valladares, 23rd December 1596. The judges whom your Majesty appointed to examine the case against certain Englishmen arrested on suspicion of espionage, hereby state that, having carefully considered the evidence, are of opinion that the following sentences should be passed upon the prisoners. Richard Butler to be hanged, and his goods confisated to your Majesty. John Renkins, after having been put to the torture for some of his crimes, should be for others sent to the galleys for four years at the oar, and at the expiration of that time banished from Portugal and from the coast of Spain. Thomas Terrell to be put in the pillory, and sent to the galleys for four years at the oar. John Taylor, the English consul, to be banished for ever from Portugal, to that part of the King's dominions which shall be decided upon, which place he may on no account leave. He must pay a fine of 200 crowns, half to go to your Majesty and half for costs of the trial. His Majesty approves of the decisions arrived at, with the exception to that respecting Richard Butler, who, instead of being hanged, will be sent to the galleys for the period to be fixed by the council of judges. The sentences are therefore confirmed, and may be carried out promptly.—23rd December 1596.