C H A P.XXVlI.1679 -

328 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

Though Bedloe had given information ofGodfrey’s murder , he still remained a singleevidence against the persons accused ; and allthe allurements of profit and honor had nothitherto tempted any one to confirm the testi-mony of that informer. At last , means werefound to complete the legal evidence. OnePrance, a silversmith, and a catholic, had beenaccused by Bedloe of being an accomplice inthe murder ; and upon his denial had beenthrown into prison, loaded with heavy irons,and confined to the condemned hole, a placecold , dark, and full of nastinefs. Such rigorswere supposed to be exercised by orders fromthe secret committee of lords, particularly Shaf-telbury and Buckingham ; who, in examiningthe prisoners , usually employed (as is said, andindeed sufficiently proved ) threaten in gs andpromises, rigor and indulgence, and every art,under pretence of extorting the truth from them.Prance had not courage to resist, but confessedhimself an accomplice in Godfrey’s murder. Beingasked concerning the plot, he also thought pro-per to be acquainted with it , and conveyedsome intelligence to the council. Among otherabsurd circumstances, he said that one Le Fevrebought a second-hand sword of him; because heknew not, as he said, what times were at hand :And Prance expressing some concern for poortradesmen, if such times came; Le Fevre replied,that it would be better for tradesmen , if thecatholic religion were restored: And particularly,