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Show 18£ so easy just because we had no evidence that it had been his press that had been used. I would like him to be an example of what happens to treasonous printers!" "What evidence shall we use?" asked Tomlinson. "Although you burned the other books, I still have a copy left," said Laud as he pulled a small book from his shelf. "This time we'll get a confession from the printer! The two of them will stand trial before the courts of High Commission and Star Chamber... for high treason!" Tomlinson had seen the look bordering on hatred in Laud's eyes each time Laud had faced the challenge of unyielding stubborn Puritan leaders such as William Prynne. Laud's letting John Lathrop off so easy the first time was a surprise to Tomlinson. Lathrop had proven himself as formidable as any of them. The recent contest between Prynne and Laud had been bitter indeed. Prynne had been found guilty of a published libelous work that had attacked the amusements patronized by the king. The Puritan martyr had been sentenced by Star Chamber to life imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 pounds. He lost both ears, one in the Westminster Pillory, and one in the Cheapside Pillory three days later. The copies of his printed book were burned under the pillory so close to him he almost suffocated from the smoke. Tomlinson knew well. Laud's ability to deal ruthlessly with these Puritan malefactors |
