[Quick note: Markham was a 17th century English soldier who was tried for treason for taking part in the Bye Plot, and later the Main Plot. It’s also worth noting that he was pardoned of execution (again, at the last minute), and later died in a duel. Finally, by lack of preparation, it’s meant that Markham had, leading up to his execution, been promised several times that he would not be executed.]
Markham was the first to be taken up onto the platform where the block was placed in the castle yard. His stricken face registered his shock that he was to die despite the promises he had been given. He gave a speech complaining that he had been fed false hopes and that he wished he were better prepared. A friend offered him a cloth to tie over his eyes, but “he threw it away, saying he could look upon death without blushing.” He said goodbye to his friends who were standing nearby and recited his prayers in Latin, the language of the Catholic Church.
[…]
As Markham prayed, John Gibb, a Scots groom of the Bedchamber, pushed desperately through the crowd toward Tichborne. Eventually he found himself stuck and, still struggling, he shouted out. The sheriff turned and, having spotted him, ordered him to come aside. The execution was stayed for a few moments as Gibb showed Tichborne a new warrant from the King. Carleton watched as Markham was “left upon the scaffold to entertain his own thoughts which, no doubt, were as melancholy as his countenance.” When Tichborne had finished reading the warrant he informed Markahm that since he had been poorly prepared for death his beheading would be delayed by a couple of hours. Markham was then escorted off the scaffold and locked in the hall.
Source:
Lisle, Leanda De. "The God of Truth and Time." After Elizabeth: The Rise of James of Scotland and the Struggle for the Throne of England. New York: Ballantine, 2005. 274. Print.
Further Reading:
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