Front cover image for Mercuries message defended, against the vain, foolish, simple, and absurd cavils of Thomas Herbert, a ridiculous ballad-maker ... By the author of the said Mercuries message. [Signed, Mercurius.]

Mercuries message defended, against the vain, foolish, simple, and absurd cavils of Thomas Herbert, a ridiculous ballad-maker ... By the author of the said Mercuries message. [Signed, Mercurius.]

MERCURY, Thomas HERBERT
A tract with a woodcut on the title-page, which represents Herbert holding out "herbert's answer" to Laud, who is seated within the Tower, while the hangman holds him by a halter, which is round his neck, and says, "Here's your reward, Come up sirra". The text refers to the imprisonment (March 1, 1641) and conduct of Laud, satirizes the incapacity, position and ignorance of Herbert, who is described as one of the Archbishop's few friends; also to Matthew Wren, Bishop of Ely, Burton, Bastwick, Prynne, "Young Gregory" the hangman, to "Young Derrick" who "must be your Barber" i.e. Herbert's hangman, vide the woodcut
Print Book, English, 1641