GEMMS IDGEMMS-MANUSCRIPT-001027
TitleSermon on the murder of Elizabeth Dorrocott
ShelfmarkCotton MS Caligula A XVII
Creation Dateca. 1575 - 1599
RepositoryBritish Library
Contents NoteFf. 1-28: sermon on the murder of Elizabeth Dorrocott committed by William Dillon (1r–21r); report of the murder of Elizabeth Dorrocott, 24 May 1589, and the suicide of William Dillon (21r–28v).
The text is Psalms 111:2, and the sermon occupies ff. 1r-21r. It appears to be written in two secretary hands; the second begins at f. 12r.
The report of the murder of Elizabeth is detailed, and names the house where it occurred and those who witnessed it. Apparently William Dillon stabbed her in the heart in the house of Mr Hugh Fortescue, between 12:00 and 1:00 o’clock. Elizabeth was his sister’s maid. He then slit his own throat but didn’t die immediately. He lived for 15 days, having nothing to eat during that time. What follows is a report of his questioning by authorities and the answers he gave, ff. 21r-28v.
Material FeaturesQuarto volume in good condition. Some damaged pages have been restored but there are words missing, especially on the first folio, which is damaged in the top and bottom right corners.
Associated Peoplemanuscript owner - Cotton, Robert
Provenance
Acquisition
Source of DataJeanne Shami
Other Note
Sermons ContainedSermon on Psalms 111:2 -- ff. 1r-21r
Sermon Reports Contained
GEMMS record createdJanuary 30, 2019
GEMMS record last editedFebruary 05, 2020