The Resurrection of John Bartendale 27th March 1634.

John Bartendale was a piper who committed some felony (the records appear to incomplete as to the nature of his crime) and was sentenced to death at York Tyburn*. After his hanging, his body was cut down and buried near the gallows.

Shortly afterwards, a member of the Vavasour family of Hazlewood** was riding past the grave when he fancied he saw the earth moving. Dismounting, he and his manservant uncovered the body within - which proved to be Bartendale, who somehow had survived his execution. The criminal was delivered back to the Castle and held until the next assizes. Brought in front of a judge, his deliverance was taken as a portent and he was given a full and free pardon.

After his brush with death, he is said to have led a wholesome life and when asked about the experience, described how "flashes of fire" darted into his eyes before he fell unconscious.

Latin

Ibi Tibicen apprehensus,
Judicatus et suspensus;
Plaustro coaptato furi,
Ubi Tibia, clamant pueri?
Nunquam ludes amplius Billie;
Ad nescitis, inquit ille.
Quod contigerit memet teste,
Nam abscissa jugulo reste,
Ut in fossam Furcifer vexit,
Semi mortuus resurrexit:
Arce reducem occludit,
Ubi valet, vivit, ludit.

Google Translate

The player was arrested,
Condemned and hanged;
Wagon fitted, the thief;
Where are you, children are crying?
Never play more Billie;
To you know, he said.
That I happen to witness,
For cut throat rope,
We drove into a ditch ROGUE,
Semi dead rose;
Fortress clasp closes up
Where it is valid, he lives he plays.

Another Version

Here a piper apprehended,
Was found guilty and suspended,
Being led to fatal gallows,
Boys did cry 'Where is thy bellows?'
Ever must though cease thy turning,
Aswered he for all thy cunning,
You may fail in your prediction.
Which did happen without fiction
For cut down and quick interred,
Earth rejected which was buried,
Half alive and dead he rises,
Got a pardon next assizes,
And in York continued blowing-
Yet a sense of goodness showing.

Notes:

*York Tyburn was situated to the south of the city on ground is now incorporated into York racecourse.

**Hazlewood: See www.hazlewood-castle.co.uk for its current existence and Wikipedia for its history.