VI.—Trained Bands and Musters.
One box is filled with parcels of papers mostly from the time of
Q. Eliz. to that of Q. Anne, containing lists of men able to bear arms,
returns of weapons and armour, accounts for the billeting of soldiers
and for the relief of the maimed, and the like. (fn. 1) The following notices
may suffice to show the special features of the contents:—
circa 1370–80.—Two paper leaves contain lists of the "homines
armati" and the "sagittarii" (in numbers 13 and 124), in two divisions
of the town, "a Fratribus Predicatoribus usque ad Fratres Minores,"
and "a Fratribus Minoribus usque ad portam Wallie," each under four
constables.
1545.—List of 24 able men, sufficiently horsed and harnessed, prepared in obedience to an order from the Earl of Shrewsbury to go to
serve the King in the north parts. 21 Apr. 1545.
1562, July-Aug.—Copies of orders from the Queen and Council for
the levying of 500 soldiers in the county and 300 in the town for an
expedition to Normandy to prevent seizure by the French of the town
of Newhaven.
1580.—Returns by the wardens of the various trade-companies of all
their members, and of the journeymen and servants employed by them
above the age of 16, with the weapons possessed by them.—Printed in
Trans. of Shropsh. Archœol. Soc., 2nd S., I., 257–281.
1583, 2 Sept. Beawdley.—Commission and instructions from the
Council of the Marches for a muster of lances and light horsemen.
1583, 13 Oct.—Letter from Sir H. Sydney, requiring further particulars in the return to the above commission.
1583, 21 Oct. Salop.—Letter of summons, signed by eight commissioners, to Thomas Ponsbury, esq., to appear on 24 Oct. to receive
directions for the furniture of a light horseman. And other papers
connected with this muster.
1588, June.—Copies of letters from the Privy Council and the Lord
Lieutenant of Salop relative to the preparations to be made in consequence of the setting sail of the Spanish fleet.
1589, March.—Lists of men prepared for service; returns from the
several trade-companies of their able-bodied men, accounts of armour,
&c.
1616.—Two letters from Sir Francis Newport and Richard (?) Corbett to the bailiffs, the one dated at Eyton, 7 Sept., ordering six able
men to appear on the 13th, from whom two are to be chosen for service
in Ireland, and the other dated 21 Oct. ordering a general muster on
19 Nov.
1624, 8 Sept. Ludlow Castle—Letter to the bailiffs from W. [Earl
of] Northampton, commending their desire to have an artillery yard
erected in Shrewsbury, license for which he will endeavour to obtain
from the King.
c. 1643.—Lists of all the persons in the trained bands, divided into
"squadrants."
1644.—A parcel of receipts for provisions supplied to the garrison,
consisting chiefly of cheese.