House of Lords Journal Volume 5: 9 August 1642

DIE Martis, videlicet, 9 die Augusti.

PRAYERS.

The Lord Kymbolton was appointed to be Speaker this Day.

Message to the H. C. that the Lords are ready to proceed against the Lord Mayor.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Robt. Rich and Mr. Page:

To let them know, that this House is ready to proceed against the Lord Mayor.

Captains Slingsby and Wake's Cause.

Ordered, That this House will hear the Cause against Captain Slyngsby and Captain Wake this Day Sevennight; and that the Speaker do write to the Earl of Warwicke, to send up the Witnesses, that they may be heard viva voce.

Petition of St. Alban's for the Militia to be put in Execution, and for raising Voluntiers.

A Petition of several Inhabitants in and about St. Albanes, in the County of Hertford, was read; desiring, "That the Militia may be put into Execution, and that they may have an Order of Indemnity for bringing in Voluntiers of Horse and Foot." (Here enter it.)

Order for it.

Ordered, That the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Hertford shall presently put the Militia into Execution; and that they shall have an Order for their Indemnity, as they desire.

Message from the H. C. for the Lords to concur in the following Instructions and Order.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Jo. Crewe:

1. To desire Concurrence in the Instructions for North'tonshire. (Here enter it.)

Agreed to.

2. Instructions to Committees of Nottingham. (Here enter them.)

Agreed to.

Order for Five Thousand Pounds to Sir G. Chudleigh, out of the Devonshire Proposition-money.

"It is this Day Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Wm. Bartlett and Edward Anthony, appointed Receivers of the Money that comes in upon the Propositions for bringing of Horse, Money, and Plate, in the County of Devon, do forthwith pay unto Sir Geo. Chudleigh Five Thousand Pounds, upon Accompt, out of the said Monies."

Agreed to.

The Answer returned was:

Answer to the H. C.

That this House agrees with the House of Commons in these Instructions, and the Order now brought up.

The Messengers return with this Answer:

Answer from thence, about the Lord Mayor.

That the House of Commons will presently send a Committee, to manage the Evidence against the Lord Mayor.

Lord Mayor at the Bar.

The Committee of the House of Commons being come, the Lord Mayor was brought by the Gentleman Usher, as a Delinquent.

H. C. Reply to his Defence.

And Mr. Serjeant Wylde proceeded to the Reply.

But Mr. Heron, Counsel with the Lord Mayor, desired, "That the Words in the Charter might be read, which was offered the last Day, Folio 57, to this Purpose, That the Mayor and Aldermen, with the Consent of the Commonalty, may vote."

Mr. Serjeant Wylde said, "That whereas it was insisted upon, that the Charge is too general and uncertain; this House, being the Great Court, is not bound to the Formality of other Courts.

"That the Lord Mayor ought to take Notice of the Law in all Cases. Proclamations cannot alter the Law.

Carta H. VII dat. 23 Julii, Anno 20° Regni sui.

"Concessimus insuper, pro Nobis & Hæredibus Nostris, & hac Carta Nostra confirmavimus, Majori et Aldermannis Civitatis prædictæ, quod, si aliquæ Consuetudines, in dicta Civitate hactenus obtentæ et usitatæ, in aliqua Parte difficiles seu defectivæ existant; aut aliqua in eadem Civitate de novo emergentia, ubi Remedium prius non extitit ordinatum, Emendatione indigeant; iidem Major et Aldermanni, ac eorum Hæredes et Successores, de Assensu Communitatis ejusdem Civitatis, Remedium congruum bonæ Fidei et Rationi consonum, pro communi Utilitate Civium dictæ Civitatis et aliorum Fidelium Nostrorum ad easdem confluentium, apponere possint et ordinare, quoties et quando eis videbitur expedire; dum tamen Ordinatio hujusmodi Nobis et Populo Nostro utilis ac bonæ Fidei et consona sit Rationi, sicut prædictum est. Hiis Testibus, &c.

"Concerning the Three Petitions in the Second Charge:

"That these Three Petitions are but One, with some few Alterations.

"Concerning the Third Charge, about the Riot of Cheapeside.

"Concerning the last Charge, of denying to call a Common Council.

"That the Common Council in January, called by Command of the King, was held in the Morning; and that which was appointed by the Court of Aldermen was intended to be in the Afternoon.

"The House of Commons desires to be disburthened of this Lord Mayor, and that he may be punished."

This being ended, they were all commanded to withdraw.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Ash:

Message from the H. C. with a Letter from Somersetshire.

To impart to their Lordships a Letter, sent out of Somer'shire, which was read, in hæc verba: (Here enter it.)

Ordered, That this Letter be forthwith printed and published.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. George Butler:

Message from H. C. with a Letter from Cornwall, and some Votes upon it.

That they have received a Letter from the County of Cornwall, which they communicate to their Lordships, with some Votes which they have made; as,

"That Sir Nic. Slanning is disabled from sitting this Parliament in the House of Commons, and sent for as a Delinquent.

"That Sir Bevile Greenvile and Mr. Arrundle are summoned.

"That Mr. Hatch, the Minister that preached the Sermon, be sent for as a Delinquent.

"That the High Sheriff of the County of Cornwaile is sent for as a Delinquent."

Ordered, That this House agrees with the House of Commons, in all these Particulars.

Judgement in the Lord Mayor's Cause.

Ordered, That this House will take into Consideration what Judgement to give in the Lord Mayor's Cause; and that all the Lords be summoned to be here, in their Robes.

Letter from the Committee in Cornwall.

"SIR,

"In Obedience to your Commands, we ended our long Journey before the Affizes of Cornwall began, where we found my Lord Moone and the greatest Number of Commissioners of the Array, who openly began their Work on the Fast Day, the Wednesday before, at Losiothell; but several private Meetings at my Lord Mohun's and Sir Nicholas Slanning's Castle, as we are informed: The Names as we learned of the Commissioners of Array, the now Justices, and the Names of these put out, we have placed in the Foot of this Letter. The first Proceed we made, was to Judge Foster, and delivered him the Commands, and required his Performance. He told us, he would do his Duty. From thence we went to the Church, where one Mr. Nicholas Hatch, whose Devotions were out, praying for Charles Lord Mohun, his Patron, and our worthy Sheriff, who are Two Commissioners of Array, in his Sermon did declare, That the Militia was in the King, with some rotten Stories that are too troublesome to write or hear. From thence we went to the Bench, to hear the Judge's Discharge, which made a little Noise, of these Commands; and we had as little Respect as we did expect. But, when my Lord came to declare His Majesty's Directions, he had Vigour, Voice and Rhetoric, to act that Home. Thence we went abroad, to understand how our Country was possessed; and certainly our Journey hither was of high Advantage, to hinder their Proceedings, and to gain an Obedience to the Parliament, and a Benefit to this much-abused County. Sir Nicholas Slanning was told by us, That the House had sent for him, and did require his Presence there: But he answered with a Politic Silence; and he is One of the Commission of Array, and is diligent at the Meetings. The County may spare him, if you require him. The Sheriff's Answer was, That he is His Majesty's Servant, a Commissioner of the Array, and would execute His Majesty's Commands. We presented your Commands to Mr. Cayton, who is a Commissioner, and a Promoter of the Array; and, as he was a Justice of Peace, we required him to assist us in the Militia, and to oppose the Array; but a shifting Answer was all we could obtain from him. Most of the new Justices are of the Commission of Array, and they go opposite to our Way. We have waited Three Days here, labouring a right Understanding of the Power of Parliament, and to undeceive the People, and to make them know there can be no Happiness in Division, and that we are for King and Parliament. Though it be difficult to take off First Impressions, yet Labour and Industry will obtain such an Obedience, that this County will not movè out of itself; and a good Number, we hope, are right. As we are now writing, this Hour, at Ten of the Clock, at the Ending of the Assizes, the Sheriff, my Lord Mohun, Sir Nicholas Slanning, Sir Bevill Grevill, Mr. John Arundell, Members of the House of Commons, accompanied with Sir Peter Courtney, Mr. Coryton, old Mr. Arundell, Mr. Langdon, Mr. Bassett, Sir William Courtney, Mr. Coswarth, with a great Number of their Followers, and the Sheriff's Guard, they read His Majesty's Proclamation and Resolution against Hull, the Proclamations against the Militia, the Commission of Array, the Warrants to the Sheriffs for their Proceeds; and they have appointed the Execution of it, at the Times and Places accordingly (fn. 1) in this inclosed Note. We came forth upon the First Intelligence, required their Obedience to the Parliament, not to proceed to deliver their Commission; but, notwithstanding, they did proceed; and the Sheriff us, and we them, silence; and the Sheriff's Clerk read the Commission. We required the Reading of the Parliament's Commands. The Sheriff denied it; and a Servant of ours read it. We declared publicly the Illegality of it. We are resolved to hinder their Proceeds what we possibly can, and to send out to every particular Parish, not to appear; and we will in Person be at their Meetings, and require them to desist. The Sheriff carries himself with Opposition to your Commands, and required the Committee to go with him; but we answered him with a Smile. This is all we can present you at this Time; we shall welcome your further Commands. In Haste, we rest,

Lanceston, the 5th of Aug. 1642.

"Your most humble and faithful Servants,

"To our Honourable Friend, Wm. Lenthall, Esquire, Speaker of the Commons House in Parliament. These, present."

9 Augusti.

"Instructions for Guilbert Millington, Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons, Francis Perpoynt, Esquire, Sir Francis Molineux, Baronet, Sir Francis Thornbaugh, Sir Gervas Eyre, Knights, John Hutchinson, Francis Thornhaugh, Gervis Pigott, Henry Sacheverell, Henry Ireton, Joseph Widmerpoole, Robt. Reynes, Charles White, Esquires, John James, Mayor of the Town of Nottingham, and Wm. Drury, Alderman, and for the rest of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Nottingham, nominated by both Houses of Parliament, for the Preservation of the said County, and the County of the Town of Nottingham.

Instructions for the Deputy Lieutenants of Nottingham.

"Whereas it doth appear to the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, That the King, seduced by wicked Counsels, intends to make War against His Parliament; and for that it is not improbable that, under Colour of raising a Guard for His Majesty's Person, or some other Pretence, the Knights, Gentlemen, Freeholders, and Inhabitants, of the County of Nottingham, and County of the Town of Nottingham, may be drawn together: Therefore you, and every of you, shall take special Care, that the Ordinance touching the Militia be forthwith put in Execution through the County; and the Sheriffs, and all other Officers and Subjects, are hereby enjoined to assist you, and every of you, therein; and, if any Person whatsoever shall levy, or endeavour to levy, any Soldiers, or to draw or keep together the Trained Bands, or other armed Forces of the said County, or any other Forces, by Colour or Pretence of any Commission or Warrant from His Majesty, under the Great Seal, or otherwise, without Order or Consent of both Houses of Parliament, you are to make known to the Trained Bands, and other Inhabitants of the said County, that those who shall appear upon any such Warrant, or obey any such Commission, shall be held Disturbers of the public Peace; and those who shall not appear upon any such Warrant or Commission, nor do any Thing in Execution thereof, shall be protected by both Houses of Parliament.

"And you, and every of you, shall, in the Name and by the Authority of both the said Houses, require and command all Persons to forbear the Execution of such Commission or Warrant, and the same to be delivered up to you, or any of you, to be sent to the Speaker of the House of Commons; and you, and every of you, Deputy Lieutenants, are hereby required to draw together such of the Trained Bands, and other Forces of the said County, as shall be expedient, for the suppressing of all such Assemblies, and for the apprehending of all or any Person or Persons as shall, after Admonition and Command by you, or any of you, made unto them, to forbear the Execution of any such Commission or Warrant, or the calling or gathering or keeping together of any such Forces or Assemblies, still persist in doing the same, and likewise such as shall bear Arms by Colour of any Warrant or Commission from His Majesty, under the Great Seal or otherwise, without Order or Consent of both Houses of Parliament, and also such disaffected Persons as shall be found raising any Parties or Factions against the Parliament, to be sent up hither, to answer such their Offences, as to Law and Justice shall appertain.

"And you, and every of you, shall, in the Name of the Lords and Commons, require and command the Sheriffs of the County of Nottingham, and of the County of the Town of Nottingham, to publish throughout the said County, and the County of the Town of Nottingham, the Declarations formerly published by both Houses of Parliament.

"You, and every of you, shall further take Care, that such Resolutions and Orders of both Houses as have been, or shall be, delivered or sent down unto you, or any of you, be put in Execution; and shall require the Sheriff, Justices of the Peace, and all other His Majesty's Officers and Subjects, to be aiding and assisting unto you, and every of you, to that Purpose.

"You shall declare unto all Men, That it hath ever been, and still shall be, the Care and Endeavour of the Parliament, to provide for His Majesty's Safety; and that they do not, nor ever did, know of any Evil intended to His Majesty's Person, which might move Him to require any extraordinary Guard; that His greatest Safety is in the Affection and Fidelity of His Subjects, and in the Advice and Counsel of His Parliament; and His greatest Danger in withdrawing Himself from them; so that, under Colour of doing Him Service, disaffected and malignant Persons, obnoxious to Justice for their great Crimes, have raised Forces, which they labour to increase, to the Disturbance and Hazard of the Kingdom.

"You, and every of you, shall endeavour to clear the Proceedings of Parliament from all Imputations and Aspersions, and shall from Time to Time certify us of all Things which you conceive necessary for the present Service: And that we may have a speedy Account of it, and that our Directions to you, as well as your Advertisements to us, may have a clear and ready Passage, you, and every of you, shall lay a strict Charge upon all Post-masters, that they do not suffer any Letters, or other Dispatches, to or from the Parliament, to be intercepted or stayed; and, if any shall presume to make such Stay of those Dispatches, you, and every of (fn. 2) you, shall direct the Postmasters to repair to the Justices of the Peace, Constables, and all other Officers, for their Aids and Assistance, who are hereby required to take special Care that there may be no such Interruption.

"You, and every of you, shall take Care that none of the Recusants Arms, or other Ammunition, of the said County, shall be carried or taken out of the County, upon any Pretence or Command whatsoever, without Warrant from both Houses of Parliament; and you, and every of you, shall give Order and Direction to the Sheriff, Justices of Peace, and other Officers, to require and command all the Popish Recusants in that County to confine to their Dwellings, according to the Statute in that Case provided; and, if any such Recusant shall be found to transgress therein, you, and every of you, shall cause the Justices of the Peace forthwith to bind them to their good Behaviour, and, upon Refusal or Neglect to give Security accordingly, to commit them to Prison, and further proceed against them according to Law.

"You shall also, in the Name of both Houses of Parliament, require all such Persons who have in their Custody any Part of the Public Magazine of your County to deliver the same unto you, or some of you, to be employed for the Defence of the said County.

"And you, and every of you, are likewise to give Charge, from both Houses of Parliament, to all Captains, Lieutenants, and other Officers of the Militia, that they be observant to such Directions as they shall from Time to Time receive from the Lieutenant of the said County, or his Deputies, or any of them, for due Performance of any of the Commands of the said Houses.

"You, and every of you, shall resist and repel, and are hereby authorized to resist and repel, by the Power of the said County, and by all other Ways and Means, all such Force and Violence as shall be raised or brought, by any Person or Persons, to the Hindrance or Disturbance of this present Service, or for the arresting or seizing of the Persons of you, or any of you, or of any others which shall be employed in the Performance of the Ordinances, Instructions, and Commands of both Houses of Parliament, for any Thing done in Execution thereof; and the Sheriffs and Justices of Peace of the said County, and all other Officers and Subjects, are hereby enjoined to be aiding and assisting unto you, and every of you, for the better and more speedy Execution of the Premises.

" And the Lords and Commons do hereby Declare, That they will protect, defend, and assist all Manner of Persons, for such Actions as they shall perform in Pursuance of these Instructions, and other Orders and Commands of the said Houses of Parliament."

9 Augusti.

"Instructions for William Fitz Williams, Esquire, Sir John Dreydon, Baronet, Sir Christopher Yelverton, Knight and Baronet, Sir Guilbert Pickering, Baronet, Zouch Tate, Esquire, John Crew, Esquire, Richard Knightley, Esquire, Members of the House of Commons, and Committees to be sent into the County of North'ton; Sir Rowland St. John, Knight of the Bath, Sir Edward Nichols, Baronet, Sir John Norwich, Baronet, Sir Richard Samuell, Richard Knightley of Fansley, Clifton Catesby, Edward Harby, John Cartwright, Phillip Holeman, Samuell Davers, Richard Samuell, Edward Farmer, John Sawyer, Edward Shugborough, Edward Hanbury, John Werley, Willm. Lisle, John Blinco, John Claypole, Tho. Dove, Francis Quarles, John Creswell, and Sir Jo. Finch, Knight.

Instructions for Northamptonshire.

"Whereas it doth appear to the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament, That the King, seduced by wicked Counsels, intends to make War against His Parliament; and, for that it is not improbable that, under Colour of raising a Guard for His Majesty's Person, or some other Pretence, the Knights, Gentlemen, Freeholders, and Inhabitants, of the County of may be drawn together: Therefore you, and every of you, shall take special Care, that the Ordinance concerning the Militia be forthwith put in Execution through the County; and the Sheriff, and all other Officers and Subjects, are hereby enjoined to assist you, and every of you, therein; and, if any Person whatsoever shall levy, or endeavour to levy, any Soldiers, or draw or keep together the Trained Bands, or other armed Forces of the said County, or any other Forces, by Colour or Pretence of any Commission or Warrant from His Majesty, under the Great Seal, or otherwise, without Order or Consent of both Houses of Parliament; you are to make known to the Trained Bands, and other Inhabitants of the said County, that those who shall appear upon any such Warrant, or obey any such Commission, shall be held Disturbers of the Public Peace; and those who shall not appear upon any such Warrant, or Commission, nor do any Thing in Execution thereof, shall be protected by both Houses of Parliament.

"And you, and every of you, shall, in the Name and by the Authority of both the said Houses, require and command all Persons to forbear the Execution of such Commission or Warrant, and the same to be delivered up unto you, or any of you, to be sent to the Speaker of the House of Commons; and you, and every of you, Deputy Lieutenants, are hereby required to draw together such of the Trained Bands, and other Forces of the said County, as shall be expedient, for the suppressing of all such Assemblies, and for the apprehending of all or any Person or Persons as shall, after Admonition and Command by you, or any of you, made unto them, to forbear the Execution of any such Commission or Warrant, or the calling or gathering or keeping tother of any such Force or Assemblies, still persist in doing the same, and likewise such as shall bear Arms by Colour of any Warrant or Commission from His Majesty, under the Great Seal, or otherwise, without Order or Consent of both Houses of Parliament, and also such disaffected Persons as shall be found raising any Parties or Factions against the Parliament, to be sent up hither, to answer such their Offences, as to Law and Justice shall appertain.

"And you, and every of you, the abovesaid Members of the House of Commons, shall, in the Name of the Lords and Commons, require and command the Sheriff of the County of North'ton to publish, throughout the said County, the Declarations formerly published by both Houses of Parliament.

"You, and every of you, shall further take Care, that such Resolutions and Orders of both Houses as have been, or shall be, delivered or sent down unto you, or any of you, be put in Execution; and shall require the Sheriff, Justices of Peace, and all other His Majesty's Officers and Subjects, to be aiding and assisting unto you, and every ofyou, for that Purpose.

"You shall declare unto all Men, That it hath ever been, and still shall be, the Care and Endeavour of the Parliament, to provide for His Majesty's Safety; and that they do not, nor ever did, know of any Evil intended to His Majesty's Person, which might move Him to require any extraordinary Guard; that His greatest Safety is in the Affection and Fidelity of His Subjects, and in the Advice and Counsel of His Parliament; and His greatest Danger in withdrawing Himself from them; so that, under Colour of doing Him Service, disaffected and malignant Persons, obnoxious to Justice for their great Crimes, have raised Forces, which they labour to increase, to the Disturbance and Hazard of the Kingdom.

"You, the said Members of the House of Commons, and every of you, shall endeavour to clear the Proceedings of Parliament from all Imputations and Aspersions, and shall from Time to Time certify us of all Things which you conceive necessary for the present Service: And that we may have a speedy Account of it, and that our Directions to you, as well as your Advertisements to us, may have a clear and ready Passage, you, and every of you, shall lay a strict Charge upon all Post-masters, that they do not suffer any Letters, or other Dispatches, to or from the Parliament, to be intercepted or stayed; and, if any shall presume to make such Stay of those Dispatches, you, and every of you, shall direct the Postmasters to repair to the Justices of Peace, Constables, and all other Officers, for their Aids and Assistance, who are hereby required to take special Care that there may be no such Interruption.

"You, and every of you, shall take Care that the Recusants Arms, or other Ammunition of the said County, shall not be carried or taken out of the County, upon any Pretence or Command whatsoever, without Warrant from both Houses of Parliament; and you, and every of you, shall give Order and Direction to the Sheriff, Justices of the Peace, and other Officers, to require and command all the Popish Recusants in that County to confine themselves to their Dwellings, according to the Statute in that Case provided; and, if any such Recusant shall be found to transgress therein, you, and every of you, shall cause the Justices of the Peace forthwith to bind them to their good Behaviour; and, upon Refusal or Neglect to give Security accordingly, to commit them to Prison, and further proceed against them according to Law.

"You shall also, in the Name of both Houses of Parliament, require all such Persons who have in their Custody any Part of the Public Magazine of your County, to deliver the same unto you, or some of you, to be employed for the Defence of the said County.

"And you, and every of you, are likewise to give Charge, from both Houses of Parliament, to all Captains, Lieutenants, and other Officers of the Militia, that they be observant to such Directions as they shall from Time to Time receive from the Lieutenant of the said County, or his Deputies, or any of them, for due Performance of any the Commands of the said Houses.

"You, and every of you, shall resist and repel, and are hereby authorized to resist and repel, by the Power of the said County, and by all other Ways and Means, all such Force and Violence as shall be raised or brought, by any Person or Persons, to the Hindrance or Disturbance of this present Service, or for the arresting or seizing of the Persons of you, or any of you, or of any others which shall be employed in the Performance of the Ordinances, Instructions, and Commands of both Houses of Parliament, for any Thing done in the Execution thereof; and the Sheriffs and Justices of Peace of the said County, and all other Officers and Subjects, are hereby enjoined to be aiding and assisting unto you, and every of you, for the better and more speedy Execution of the Premises.

"And the Lords and Commons do hereby Declare, That they will protect, defend, and assist all Manner of Persons, for such Actions as they shall perform in Pursuance of these Instructions, and other Orders and Commands of the said Houses of Parliament."

(fn. 3) "SIR,

Ashe's Letter, about some Proceedings in Somersetshire.

"For Want of Time to give you a large and perfect Relation of all . . . . . . . . . . . here since our Meeting at Shepton Mallett upon Monday last, of which . . . . . . last Letters a full Relation, I am commanded, by the Committee and Deputy L . . . . . . . . send you a brief Information, until the other be perfected, and the . . . . . . . . . . of the Conveniency of this Conveyance by your Messenger Mr. Combe . . . . . . . . you very good Service, and adventured himself very far to observe . . . . . . . . Behaviour of Captain Digby, upon whom he hath attended some 14 or . . . . . . . . . great Expence, and Hazard of his Life. After our Meeting upon Mon . . . . . . . . . . the Lord Marquis, with the other Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, lodged all . . . . . . . . . . Wells; they laboured to bring in thither all the great Horses, that . . . . . . . procure and make up amongst themselves and their Friends, and had gathered . . . . . . . . . about 500 excellent good Horses, very well armed, and manned with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Companions. Upon Wednesday Morning, the Gentlemen, to wit, Sir Ralph . . . . . . . . . ., Jn°. Stowell, and the rest, accompanied with all their Horsemen, came . . . . . . . . . . Shepton Mallett, and rode through the Town up into a certain Gr . . . . . . . . . . . Shepton, called Mendeep; which being observed by the People (who were . . . . . . . . . . into a great Affrightment and Terror), they forthwith sent Scouts, and Pas . . . . . . . . . . . Gentleman's House that lay on that Side Mendeep, to wit, unto Sir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., Mr. Alexander Popham, and myself most especially, willing us to look . . . . . . . . . . selves, for that these Cavaliers were coming to destroy us, or greatly to . . . . . . . . us, and all the good Gentlemen in these Parts of the Country: This caused . . . . . . . . . . Stir and Combustion in the Country, and every Man armed and made ready for . . . . . . . . . . . But those Gentlemen with their Cavaliers, after they had made a . . . . . . . . . . or Two upon the Hill beyond Shepton, returned again to the same; . . . . . . . . . . . they spent a short Time refreshing themselves at the Inns and Taverns; . . . . . . . . . . . . Time some of their Cavaliers, marching about the Town, found out all . . . . . . Religious Mens Houses that were there; those Houses they broke into, plundered, . . . . . . . robbed, especially of all Arms and Ammunition; and made the Owners, with . . . . . . . Wives and Children, to forsake their Houses, and hide themselves, for Fear of . . . . . . . ., and never durst to return Home until Yesterday; but, after the . . . . . . . . . . . ., refreshed themselves, and the Cavaliers done their said Pranks, they dep . . . . . . . . to Wells, when they had ordered the Billeting of 100 of their Troope . . . . . . . . . . them of Shepton: Upon this their bold March and Bravadoe, Sir Jn°. Ho . . . . . . . . . . . many of his Neighbours and Tenants together, and armed them, or caused . . . . . . . armed, and so marched away unto Mr. Alexander Popham, to whom . . . . . . . . presently above 1000 armed Men, ready to spend their Lives for the Se . . . . . . . . . Safety. From thence, upon Friday Morning, they all marched toge . . . . . . . . . . . . Place appointed for that Day's Meeting, in the Town of Chewton, which . . . . . . about 4 or 5 Miles distant from Wells, and the great vast Mendeep . . . . . . . between the said Town and that of Wells; and thither came unto us a . . . . . . . . . Bands of that Quarter of the Shire, and especially Mr. Popham's Regiment complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . doubled Twice over, by Means of Voluntiers, who came best ar . . . . . . . . . . . . . ready in the Use of their Arms; at this Place, met some of your Co . . . . . . . . . . . . your Deputy Lieutenants, to wit, Sir Edw. Hungerford (who lent . . . . . . . . . . . . unto 150 or 200 Voluntiers), Sir John Horner, Mr. Alexand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harbyn, Mr. Hipsly, and myself; and, after we had been upon th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hours, our Company was increased to the Number of . . . . . . . . . . . . . did conceive; many of these had no more Weapons but . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . shew their Affections to the King and Parliament, and to oppose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . came also out of those Parts of Wiltshire near Sir Edw. Hungerford's Quarter, about 3 Hundred Horsemen, some of them well armed, the rest only a Sword and a Pocket . . . . . . . . . . . ; there came likewise about 300 lusty stout Men, of very good Rank and Quality, . . . . . . . City of Bristoll, all of them on Horseback, with Swords, Pistols, or Carbines; there . . . . . . . . from Glostershire a Company of Foot, well armed, consisting of 250 or 300 Men, . . . . . . . . a valiant and expert Captain; they were not of the Trained Bands, but all Voluntiers; . . . . . . . . . . with the rest, discovered Abundance of Stoutness and Resolution; we had likewise Two . . . . . . . . . . loaden with Powder, Bullet, and Match, and some Arms, sent us by the honest, good . . . . . . . . . Bristoll, with Two Wayns more, loaden with Four small Field Pieces, and their Carriages and . . . . . . . . . . . mers; although the Mayor and Sheriffs of Bristoll, by the Means of the Lord Pawlet and . . . . . . . . mith (as we were informed), did hinder and oppose it with all their Skill; by One or Two . . . . . he Clock, we had put our Companies in Order, but with much ado, for Want of . . . . . . . . . ert Soldiers and Commanders; which done, the Soldiers (although they had neither Meat . . . Drink) could not be stayed, but would march over the Hill, which was near 4 Miles, . . . . . . . . . they came in Sight of Wells, and there pitched upon a great Hill, in View of the . . . . . . . . ; by this Time, the Day was near spent, and Victuals we had none, nor could we . . . . . . . . . . any upon the sudden; yet such was the Courage and Resolution of our Company, that, after they had . . . . . . had their Ordinance, they would not depart that Place, but lay all that Night upon . . . . . . . Hill, fasting, and in the Cold, and spent the Time in Prayers and Singing of Psalms. Sir John Horner, and Mr. Alexander Popham, with his Two valiant Brothers, and Sir Jn°. Horner's youngest Son, with many other young Gentlemen, Captains and others, lay all that Night in their Arms, upon Furze-Bushes, in the open Field, amidst the Camp, the . . . . . . . . . Knight often saying that his Furze Bed was the best that ever he lay upon . . . . . . . . was very much to be admired, that the Spirits and Resolutions of so great a Company, and Men so tenderly bred, could be kept up to that Height as to endure so . . . . . . . . . . Hunger and Cold; but such was the Love and Affections of all the Country within 8 and 10 Miles Distance, that, by the next Morning Day-light, they sent in such . . . Provisions of all Sorts, in Wayns, Carts, and on Horses, that this great Company had sufficient, and to spare, both for Breakfast and Dinner, and would not take One Penny for it; nay, many Men did carry Home again their Provisions, for Want of Company to eat it. After our Camp had been victualed, we, your Committees and Deputy Lieutenants, . . . . . . . . . . . scarce prevail with them, but upon the Town they would fall; they would . . . . . . . . . . . . the Cavaliers, and take the Incendiaries, those Delinquent Gentlemen then with . . . . . Marquis, and carry them to the Parliament. Thus far I have made you a true and perfect . . . . tion; the rest of the Story (because it concerns the Lord Marquis Hartford, the Lord . . . . . and the Lord Pawlett (and, it is reported, an Earl and some Lords more), besides the . . . . . . men my Neighbours (of which were 12 Knights, besides Mr. Smith, Mr. Wyndham, Mr. Kirton, and others, Esquires) I shall at this Time omit, until your Committees, . . . . . . . . . . . puty Lieutenants, give their Consent to that which shall be written; only shall tell you, . . . . . . . . . . . before we removed from Chewton, the Lord Marquis, &c. sent us a Message to stay, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and to find a Way to preserve the Peace of the Country; in our next, you shall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Copy of that Message, for I have it not by me. Our Answer was, That, for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the rest of our Deputy Lieutenants and Committees, which we expected every Hour, we . . . . . . . . . our general Answer until the next Day: The next Day, we sent Five Propositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . them, with Advice that, if they were not yielded unto very speedily, we should not . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to keep our Soldiers from falling upon them. They desired Time for an Hour, . . . . . . . . . . . . . consider of an Answer to our Propositions; and in the mean Time, whilst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Answer, and our Soldiers very impatient with the Delay, they, the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gentlemen and Cavaliers, forsook the Town, and rode all away; in this I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in regard I have not all the Papers by me in which the Messages are contained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ers some content to go down into the Town, to see the Place where those . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ir Enemies lay; some of us went down with them, to keep all Things . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . we could not prevail nor persuade them to depart without going . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., . . Upon all this Relation, you may clearly see the Condition and stout Resolution of our good Countrymen, however heretofore ill thought of; but observe, I pray you, this Company, now appointed to muster at Chewton, was the Regiment only under Mr. Popham, called Bath Regiment, and some Part of Wells Regiment; they all dwelt within the Compass of One Quarter of our Shire, and they were the best and principalest Company, from whom Sir Ralph Hopton, Sir Francis Dorrington, and Mr. Smith, might expect Obedience, and over whom they had the greatest Power heretofore. Mr. Rogers, Mr. Francis, Mr. Pyne, nor Mr. Strode, did appear at our Muster, nor could bring or send us One Man; for, as they were coming up unto us, with some Gentlemen and good Yeomen of those Parts to accompany them, they were met by the Way with Sir John Stowell and his Two Sons, and about 120 or 140 of the desperate Cavaliers, by whom some of the honest Countrymen were wounded and slain; and so, for Want of Powder and Shot, not able to resist, they returned Home again, and came not forward unto us. I shall leave this Relation to Mr. Pyne and Mr. Strode, who were Eye-witnesses to what was done; but this wounding and killing hath very much daunted the honest Countryman, yet not to forsake his good Resolutions; for I am confident, that the Commissioners for the Array will never be able to make any of them to fight, . . . . . . . . . . . them or their Commission; for, when they were at Wells that Frid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . came to Chewton, they had got into Wells, by fair Means and by . . . . . . . . . . . . ., 400 of the Trained Bands and Voluntiers; but that Friday, at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . were credibly informed, they all stole away cut of the Town, and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . came up to the Hill unto us upon Saturday Morning; but Sir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with the Relation, the Committee and Deputy Lieutenants do very much . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Lords and the other Commissioners will attempt again in some other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . County, and so may do us extreme Mischief, in case they prevail . . . . . . . . . . . . to raise a Regiment of Foot; wherefore I do humbly pray, . . . . . . . . . . the Behalf of this County, that, without any further Loss of Time, . . . . . . . 20 good Commanders, with some Ammunition, may be speedily sent down in . . . . . . . . . . . ; that my Lord of Bedford, with 3 or 400 Horse, would presently come . . . . . . . . . . . . . : And then, I am confident, you shall find this Country as right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; but, if you should forget us, and my Lord not speedily to come unto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . notwithstanding (after this very good Beginning) be yet lost, and we . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by the Cavaliers. Sir, I have been over tedious, and trespassed upon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ; wherefore Pardon, I pray you,

Freshford, 7th August, 1642.

"Your most humble Servant,

"John As . . ."