16th century true crime.

 

Of Thieves and Murderers.
A learned Divine of our time, reports a history almost like that of Ibycus, for he said that a German being on a voyage, fell into the hands of certain thieves, who were ready to cut his throat, the poor man discovering a flight of crows, said. O Crowes, I call you to witnesses and reuengers of my death. He was presently murdered by these thieves: who three days after being drinking in an inn, behold a flight of crows come and fall upon the top of the house.
Then the thieves began to laugh, and to say one unto another. Hoe, behold those which will be revenged for his death, who we dispatched the other day. The servant understanding this speech, discloses  it unto his master, who makes report unto the Magistrate, and he apprehends the thieves, upon their variations and diverse answers, he doth so press them, as they confess the truth, for which they were executed. In the collection of Memorable speeches made by this Divine.
Conrad de la Rose, Secretary to Maximilian, the first Emperor of that name, a valiant and wise gentleman, hauling crost through a long forest, and forced by reason of the approaching night to lodge as he could, he entered into an inn, whereas the host was a thief. Being in his chamber, and reasonably well entertained, he perceived the servant to weep, and did secretly understand from her, in what danger he was. She told him among other things that the host’s custom was to ring a little bell, at which sound many thieves entered into the lodging, and present one among them entered into the chamber, whereas the passengers were lodged, who making a show to snuff the candle, should put it out: then the thieves entered, and falling upon the passengers, slew them. Conrad bethinking himself, caused a lantern to be brought him by the servant, and a candle light in it, which he hid under a bench, held his weapons ready and attended his enemies. He was scarcely set at the table, but a peasant enters, who counterfeits the varlet [valet?], puts out the candle. But Conrad causing the lantern with the light to be presently drawn forth, and hauling his arms and his servants ready, he valiantly resists these thieves, slew some, put the rest to flight, lays hold upon his host, and delivers him unto the Magistrate, who caused him to be executed. The same Author.
Some years past, I did see broken upon the wheel by the judgement and sentence of the bailiff of Morges (under the government of the Seigneurie of Bern) a young man, about the age of twenty years, who counterfeiting himself dumb, and asking almes of passengers, under colour of passing on his way with a little bell in his hand, which was as a watch-word to his companions (the number of the strokes making them to discern the number of the persons and their qualities) was found to have been at two and twenty murders, and with his own hand, had cut many men’s throats. He died miserably, roaring like a bull when they broke his bones. 

The Emperor Charles V being in Germany, whereas affairs of war kept him, he was constrained to send one of the chief of his Court into Spain, to have a care of affairs and difficulties that should arise. This Viceroy, a young Prince, much given to hunting, was one day in the kingdom of Granada, and being in pursuit of a wild beast, he strayed so far from his people, as following his game through a great wood without respect of time or way, he found himself in a desolate place and benighted. By means whereof he began to look all about him, to see if he could discover some house or other place where he might shroud himself. Thereupon he sees a little cottage, and riding thither, he entreats the peasant that dwelt there, to lodge him that night. The which the peasant granted, and received him into his cottage, where at that time there were six persons, that is, the peasant, his wife, his son of twenty years of age, his daughter in law, newly married, a servant which kept his cattle, a rough fellow and of an ill aspect, and then a little daughter. The Prince being lighted from his horse recommends him to this valet, and then he enters into the peasant's house and draws near the fire, whilst they make ready supper, not dreaming of any harm. These people not knowing the Prince, nor he discovering himself to any; they seeing him so richly appareled, and of a goodly presence they held him to be some great rich-man, and thinking it not fit to let go so fat a prey, they began to devise some means to kill him, and to get his spoils. After supper they prepare him a bed in a certain chamber, which had but a weak door, easie to force. In going up and down, the daughter in law newly married (who had an inkling of this cruel plot) taking pittie of this young Prince, whom she did see of so goodly a stature, and of an honourable port and carriage, called him aside: having drawn him a part and entreated him to keep secret what she should tell him, she discovers the enterprise briefly unto him, whilst the father, son and valet were complotting again anew in the stable. The Prince moved at this report, and was inclined to believe something was ready to discover what he was. But doubting presently that it would but hazard his life, in committing it to the faith of such barbarous people, which did so wickedly violate all the rights of humanities and hospitality, to conspire against any man, whom they did see in so brave equipage, well mounted,and courteously received by them he chose rather (under God) to trust unto his own valour, then unto the word of men that had no faith, and whose hearts were covered with dissimulation and blood. He suffers himself then to be conducted by the peasant into this little chamber, and hauling shut the door unto him he drew a great heavy chest into it, to serve as a barricade, and then he held his rapier ready, and by him was a long pistol bended and primed, watching and attending what would become of the report of the Daughter in Law: Presently the Peasant (who thought he had been asleep by reason of his travel of hunting) came softly to the doore, thinking to enter it without any difficulty. But being frustrated by his expectation, he began to entreat his guest to open him the door, for that he would take a covering for a bed out of the coffer, of which he had great need. The Prince (who slept not) answered. Retyre importunate man, I am now at rest, and will not open the door at this time. Then the Peasant beganne to exclaim, cry out and say, that he was undone and that there was one would brave him in his own house whereupon he falls to his arms, and threatens to break all, yea to kill him that was in that little chamber if he did not presently open, and yield unto his mercy. The Peasant and his man coming to break down the door, the son sought to enter the chamber through a window, and all together made a marvellous attempt. The Prince seeing himself reduced to extremity, discharged his pistol at the door, pierced it easily, and kills the Peasant, then drawing backe the chest, he issues forth with his rapier in hand, dispatched the son, and runs after the servant, who saves himself by flight. But all was not yet done, for the cries of the hostess, and the extraordinary noise that she made, did awake the other neighbour shepards, who came running with their arms, environed the house, and cried out murder. The Prince standing upon his guard, had patience until it was day, and seeing this troupe of mutineers to increase, he began to let them as then understand what he was, threatening to cause them all to be hanged, if they did refuse to assist him and to conduct him. If they would not believe him, they should fetch the Magistrate of the next place: and if they did not accept that condition, their ruin and confusion was at hand. Being moved with the speech and presence of a personage so far different from their condition, they began to grow somewhat milde: yet in such sort as they lay hold of him, bind him, and are leading him to the Governor of a town, which was some leagues from thence. The Prince’s guards arriving in the meantime, seeing him in this equipage were ready to cut all this troupe of Peasants in pieces: but the Prince did expressly forbid them. All the former being discovered and examined, the Peasants confederates were punished according to their merits, the servant was broken upon the wheel, the thieves house burnt, and the Daughter in Law was richly recompensed for her faithful advertisement.

An Italian called Francisqvino, having continued sometime at Bologna the fat, one of the best Gentlemen's houses of the city, and had been held for some honest gentleman, and of a good house, considering his stately carriage In the end he was discovered to lead this life which followeth, under colour of keeping the ordinary house for play at dice and cards, and seeming also to be very desirous to have still new company, and to show himself stately, he made himself to be visited by them that were newly arrived in the city. And as soon as they entered, after that he had performed the usual compliments of the place, he would set him down to play with them, commanding in the meantime that they should make ready dinner, supper or a banquet, according to the hour of the day. But instead of preparing it. Francisqvino had a thief or murderer, who stood hidden behind and prepared to beat him down that dreamt not of it, when Francisqvino should give him a sign. He continued this train so long, as they say when they were taken and had confessed all, there were found in privies fourteen or fifteen bodies of such as had been thus slain, by Francisqvino and his murderer. In the end this was their punishment. After they had been pinched with hot burning pincers, their breasts were opened, and their hearts suddenly pulled out, which were shown unto them. Conformitie of ancient merueills with Moderne. lib. 1. 

Another thief in our time called VILLEVINEVF [Villevineuf], of the County of Tonnerre, had with him a servant which served him for a murderer and a lackey. All three were taken in the end and punished at Paris, the lackey was whipped, the murderer burnt alive and the master broken upon the wheel. In the same book. A certain Hermit living in a mountain of Switzerland, where for certain years he had lived in austerity, and with reputation of holiness among them of the Country came one day to Lucerne, and lodged with a certain window, whom he approached near unto, either to deprive her of her honour, or to take her purse: she crying out, a servant of hers came, whom the Hermit slew presently with a dagger. The widow, running speedily out of the house, cried out for help. A countryman comes in to succour her, and is slaine as her servant was then a burger of the town, and after him his servant. Some others running thither, (but better advised by the example of the former,) surprised this thief, who falling to the ground, spake no other words, but Ictz hav ichs offder teaschen. That is to say: Now I haue past the game.
 

A weaver born at Basel, given to riot and gourmandise, and not able by reason of his small means to continue this wicked course of life, he practised a notable villainy. Remaining in the territories of Soleure, he resolved to go visit a kinsman of his at Basel, called Andrew Ager a binder of books, a very honest man, who had been tutor, and as it were a Father to this lewd young man called Paul, who determined to kill his Kinsman and Tutor, and to spoil his house. The 15th of February 1563. He came early in the morning and knocked at his Kinsmans door: the maid (who knew him well, and suspected no harm) opened the door. He enters into Andrew’s chamber, who was yet in bed, being an aged and a sickly man. After the manner of the country, Andrew asked him courteously the cause of his voyage, and how his wife and children did. For answer, this thief takes up a binder’s hammer, and kills the good old man. The servant who had opened the door, being an honest young maid, called Sara Falckise, allied to Andrew, and which governed his house, who the day before had been promised in carriage, and made sure to John Hospinian, a professor in philosophy at Basel. She ran up at the noise, was beaten down by the thief with the same hammers, and then he cut her throat with a knife which book-binders commonly use. Then he opens the chest, and finds some goblets of silver, with little coins which he carries away. To hide this horrible fact, he sets fire to the stove, hoping that the house being burned, both these bodies should be consumed to ashes. But the fire being soon quenched by the neighbours, they found these two bodies thus miserably murdered. This wicked wretch was so tormented with the revenging furies, and pricked with remorse of conscience, as he could not flee away that day, but was taken in a village near to Basel, and brought back to the city, where by reason of his theft, murder and burning the house, he was executed alive by three punishments, by the wheel, the gibbet, and by fire, the last day of the same month.

 
Thomas Rhodolphe of Schaffhouse, one of those who under the name of students give themselves more liberty then they ought, having discovered that John Schvanfelder and his wife, (in whose house he had formerly frequented) were gone to Frankfurt, he went presently to Sprendeling a near village, whereas the above named remained, and gives them to understand that they were returning and near at hand, with good company with them, and that he was come before to make ready dinner. He therefore sent the servant to fetch some fish  and then he began to intreate the daughter of the house called Amelie, to draw him some wine. She says that they must stay for her father’s coming; he grows into a choller, and demands a knife to peel an apple with this knife he kills a young child of four years old, grandchild to John Schvanfelder, and then Amelie, who would have defended her nephew. He then flees away, and the peasants run after him, overtake him, and bring him to the castle of Ofenbach, where he confesses the fact. But one night following, by an extraordinary means, he unchained himself, gets out of a dungeon, and enters cunningly into the Earl’s chamber, being then absent there he remained hidden two days, picked a coffer, and takes out a bag with five hundred florins of the Rhine and casts it upon the bank of the river Main, which runs along that castle, then he slides down by a window that was grated, with the help of the rope of a boat which he found tied there: and so flees to Frankfurt,where being discovered by the Countrymen unto the Magistrate, the two and twenty of February 1570. He was pinched and broken upon the wheel.
Not long since there were two Englishmen lodged together, near to Saint Marceaux gate at Paris: whereof the one had good store of Crowns and a great chain of gold, with some other rich jewels which he commonly carried about him. His Companion intending to be Master of these jewels, drew him out to walk towards Bois de Vincennes, and being in the vygnes [meaning could be the Île aux Cygnes?], he fell upon him, and cut the windpipe and the mouth of the stomach giving him certain stabs with his dagger, and thinking that he had slain him, he left him in a manner naked. Having committed this treacherous act, he returned to the city. He that was wounded, making show to have been dead, rises up afterward, and creeps to a peasant’s house, who for pity caused him to be dressed. He was carried to Paris, where soon after one of his companions sent for me to have him in for treatment: and I found that he had the artery in the windpipe and the mouth of the stomach (which is the passage for meat & drink) quite cut. I did suddenly stitch up the wound taking the artery, and drawing the two extremities as near as I could possibly one unto another, but not of the mouth of the stomach, for that it was retired towards the stomach, then I applied remedies unto his wound, with astringents and fit ligatures. As soon as he was thus dressed, he began to speak, and to name him that had committed this excess. The murderer was taken soon after in the suburbs of Saint Marceau, and was found seized of the patients goods whereupon he was put in prison, and the fact verified after the patient's death, which was the fourth day after his wounding. The murderer was broken soon after and laid upon a wheel near unto Saint Catherine du Valdes Escholiers. M. AMB. PARE. lib. 9. Chap. 31.
 

In the first troubles a gentleman having joined with the troupes that did besiege Moulins in Bourbonnais, was so surprised with sickness, as he could hardly follow the company which dislodged; and being lodged at a bakers, called Jon Mon, who seemed to be his friend and servant, he had such a confidence in him, as he had rather stay behind then go any farther, having made his host acquainted with his money, who promised to keep it safe for him (contrary to the common course of such men) with another younger brother of his of thirteen or fourteen years of age. But they wretch kept no promise with them, but contrariwise as soon as night was come, he led them out of the house unto the ditch, where he did but half kill them so as they remained there languishing a whole day, and could neither live nor die: Yet no man had compassion of them: But God took revenge a while after: for it happened, that this murtherer being in gard, a companion of his shot him by chance through the arm, whereof he languished for three months, and then died mad. Historie of France vnder CHARLES the ninth.
 

The City of Bourges having been yielded by the Seigneur of Iuoy during the first troubles, those which had held it before were forbidden to talk within the city nor without, nor to meet about two together. Among those which made a pastime, under colour of this decree to murder such as they mate talking together, there was one called Garget, Captain of the Quarter of Bourbonne, who made a practise of it. Who falling soon after into a burning fever, did run up and down the street, blaspheming the name of God, calling upon the Devil, and saying unto all, that if anyone would go with him into hell, he would pay his charges, and so he died mad, whereat his companions did but laugh. In the same History.
Peter Martin, a rider in the King’s stable, holding the post in a place called Liege, towards Poitou, a man without reproach, upon a simple accusation, without any other forms of process, was condemned by a great Nobleman, during the fury of the first troubles to be drowned. This Nobleman commanded a falconer of his presently to execute the sentence, upon paine to be drowned himself if he did not. Which was done. But God stayed not long to take revenge: for three days after, this falconer and a lackey, being fallen out for the spoils of this man, they slew one another. The which being reported unto the Lord, (a most unjust judge) it forced him to have some remorse, and to say openly, that he would it had cost him five hundred Crownes, so as this poor rider had not been drowned. But it was a small esteem he made of an innocent man's life. In the same Historie lib. 7.
Some troupes of Peasants of Couleurs, Cerisiers, and other places in Champagne, having committed many murders and spoilers in divers places, were defeated here and there, and did in a manner all perish of violent deaths, during the first troubles. I will note here two notable particularities concerning two of those troupes. The one seeking to set fire to a house, fell down stark dead, being casually shot with an arquebus by one of his companions. The other, dragging a poor man and his wife to a post to haue them shot, received a shot with an arquebus, which deprived him of his life, and his prisoners escaped by that means. In the same Book. It hath been observed in the last peace, that of a thousand murderers which have remained unpunished in regarde of man, there are not ten which have not felt the revenging hand of God, and have not made most wretched ends.