Edward Turberville
Encyclopedia
Edward Turberville or Turbervile (c. 1648-1681) was a Welsh informer, who perjured himself in support of the alleged Popish Plot
.
after six months' service in August 1676. After this he went to Douai
to the English College, and then to Paris.
He later alleged that in Paris he had he met William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford
and was prompted by him to return to England with a plan of killing Charles II. This story he first told at the bar of the House of Commons on Tuesday, 9 November 1680, when the House were hearing any evidence that might be forthcoming against the five popish lords. Another witness William Bedloe
having recently died, anxiety was expressed as to Turberville's safety, and, as a measure of precaution, application was made to the king to grant the witness a general pardon for all treasons, crimes, felonies, and misdemeanours that he might have committed. 'The Information of Edward Turbervill' had been printed by command of the House. In December Turbervill gave evidence at the trial of Lord Stafford. His dates differed materially from those printed in the affidavit; and he swore that Stafford was suffering from gout
at the time of their interviews, whereas it was shown that the Earl had never been so afflicted. It was not known to the court, but when Turberville was converted to Protestantism he expressly told William Lloyd that, apart from vague rumours, he knew nothing whatever of the details of Catholic intrigue. Early in 1681, after Stafford's execution, one of Turberville's friends, John Smith, who was also well known as an informer, wrote a vindication of his evidence called 'No Faith or Credit to be given to Papists ' (London, 1681).
After the trial of Edward Fitzharris
, Turberville read the straws in the wind, which was shifting against the extreme Whigs and the credibility of the Plot. On 17 August 1681 he felt constrained to give evidence against Stephen College
in opposition to his old ally, Titus Oates
. He was one of the eight witnesses against Shaftesbury at his trial on 24 November 1681. A few days later he fell ill of smallpox
, and died on 18 December, attended on his deathbed by the rector of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Thomas Tenison
. He made no confession of his perjuries.
Popish Plot
The Popish Plot was a fictitious conspiracy concocted by Titus Oates that gripped England, Wales and Scotland in Anti-Catholic hysteria between 1678 and 1681. Oates alleged that there existed an extensive Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Charles II, accusations that led to the execution of at...
.
Life
His father was from Sker, Glamorganshire. Edward Turberville, a younger son, was brought up a Roman Catholic, his elder brother Anthony being a monk at Paris. He entered the family of Lady Molyneux, daughter of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Powis, and remained in the household until the close of 1675. It was then proposed that he should become a monk himself, but once over the Channel he took service as a trooper in the French army, receiving his discharge at AireAire
- Rivers :*River Aire, a river in Yorkshire, England*Aire , a river in the Ardennes département, northern France*Aire River , a river in the Canton of Geneva, in Switzerland*Aire River , a river in Australia- Towns :...
after six months' service in August 1676. After this he went to Douai
Douai
-Main sights:Douai's ornate Gothic style belfry was begun in 1380, on the site of an earlier tower. The 80 m high structure includes an impressive carillon, consisting of 62 bells spanning 5 octaves. The originals, some dating from 1391 were removed in 1917 during World War I by the occupying...
to the English College, and then to Paris.
He later alleged that in Paris he had he met William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford
William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford
Blessed William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford was the youngest son of Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel, and his wife, the former Alethea Talbot. He was a supporter of the Royalist cause before being implicated in the Popish Plot and executed for treason...
and was prompted by him to return to England with a plan of killing Charles II. This story he first told at the bar of the House of Commons on Tuesday, 9 November 1680, when the House were hearing any evidence that might be forthcoming against the five popish lords. Another witness William Bedloe
William Bedloe
William Bedloe was an English fraudster and informer, born at Chepstow.He appears to have been well educated; he was certainly clever, and after moving to London in 1670 he became acquainted with some Jesuits and was occasionally employed by them...
having recently died, anxiety was expressed as to Turberville's safety, and, as a measure of precaution, application was made to the king to grant the witness a general pardon for all treasons, crimes, felonies, and misdemeanours that he might have committed. 'The Information of Edward Turbervill' had been printed by command of the House. In December Turbervill gave evidence at the trial of Lord Stafford. His dates differed materially from those printed in the affidavit; and he swore that Stafford was suffering from gout
Gout
Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected . However, it may also present as tophi, kidney stones, or urate...
at the time of their interviews, whereas it was shown that the Earl had never been so afflicted. It was not known to the court, but when Turberville was converted to Protestantism he expressly told William Lloyd that, apart from vague rumours, he knew nothing whatever of the details of Catholic intrigue. Early in 1681, after Stafford's execution, one of Turberville's friends, John Smith, who was also well known as an informer, wrote a vindication of his evidence called 'No Faith or Credit to be given to Papists ' (London, 1681).
After the trial of Edward Fitzharris
Edward Fitzharris
Edward Fitzharris was an Anglo-Irish conspirator. His prosecution at the time of the Popish Plot hoax became a struggle for jurisdiction involving the courts and the two Houses of Parliament.-Life:...
, Turberville read the straws in the wind, which was shifting against the extreme Whigs and the credibility of the Plot. On 17 August 1681 he felt constrained to give evidence against Stephen College
Stephen College
Stephen College was an English joiner, activist Protestant, and supporter of the perjury underlying the fabricated Popish Plot. He was tried and executed for high treason.-Life:...
in opposition to his old ally, Titus Oates
Titus Oates
Titus Oates was an English perjurer who fabricated the "Popish Plot", a supposed Catholic conspiracy to kill King Charles II.-Early life:...
. He was one of the eight witnesses against Shaftesbury at his trial on 24 November 1681. A few days later he fell ill of smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
, and died on 18 December, attended on his deathbed by the rector of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Thomas Tenison
Thomas Tenison
Thomas Tenison was an English church leader, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1694 until his death. During his primacy, he crowned two British monarchs.-Life:...
. He made no confession of his perjuries.