The manuscripts of Capt. F.C. Loder-Symonds

The Manuscripts of Rye and Hereford Corporations, Etc. Thirteenth Report, Appendix: Part IV. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1892.

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'The manuscripts of Capt. F.C. Loder-Symonds', in The Manuscripts of Rye and Hereford Corporations, Etc. Thirteenth Report, Appendix: Part IV, (London, 1892) pp. 378-404. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/hist-mss-comm/vol31/pt4/pp378-404 [accessed 20 April 2024]

In this section

THE MANUSCRIPTS OF CAPTAIN F. C. LODER-SYMONDS OF HINTON WALDRIST MANOR, BERKSHIRE.

At Hinton Waldrist is preserved a small collection of papers of Col. Henry Marten, the regicide. The manor belonged early in the seventeenth century to Sir Henry Marten, Knt., Judge of the Prerogative Court and of the Admiralty, and passed out of the hands of his son Henry towards the end of the Commonwealth period, by purchase, to John Loder, a gentleman of the neighbourhood. All the property of Col. Henry Marten (which included estates in Derbyshire and Herefordshire) had become heavily encumbered with mortgages through (as it seems) his extravagance, and the great majority of the letters are concerned with debts and difficulties which pressed upon him, and which led to his confinement for several years within the Rules of the Upper Bench. These letters were brought to light upon examination of several boxes which for the most part were filled with old leases, conveyances, and other law papers, and although there is not much of political or historical importance in them they were found well to repay examination. Probably upon the Restoration much of the Colonel's correspondence may have been destroyed to save it from falling into unfriendly hands; or, possibly, what has now been discovered, and which is all more or less in soiled and crumpled condition, may only be a remnant saved by chance out of much that may have been regarded as mere waste paper when the house at Hinton changed hands. The fragments of drafts of political tracts, the illustrations of the close relations of intimacy between Major Wildman and Marten as being two of the leaders among the Levellers, and the characteristically out-spoken letter from John Lilburne, are specially noticeable. Another interesting item is one which does not relate to Marten but belongs to the Loder family; a valuable farm and household account from 1610 to 1620, which cannot be surpassed in minuteness of detail.

In the following Report I have arranged these papers under the following heads:—I. Early Deeds. II. The Loder Account-Book. III. Miscellaneous Papers and Letters. IV. Petitions. V. Orders of Parliament, &c. VI. Family Letters and Papers. VII. Fragments of Political Tracts. VIII. Letters of the Chambre Family. IX. Harley Papers.

Upon the Marten papers follow, under a ninth heading, two which came into the possession of the Symonds family of Herefordshire from the house of the Harley family at Eywood in the same county. The first is that narrative of the death of John Hampden in which the fatal wound is attributed to the bursting of his own pistol. The paper appears to be a copy made, not with perfect accuracy but in a very legible hand, from some other paper, or, it may be, from dictation, and is probably of a date about 1720. The story is first mentioned in Laurence Echard's Appendix to his Hist. of England, fol., Lond. 1720, where Echard relates it in a few lines with the words "as I am assur'd by a great man", no doubt hereby referring to the Earl of Oxford. It is next said to be told at length in the St. James' Chronicle for 1761, as "found written on a loose sheet of paper in a book bought out of Lord Oxford's family," being very likely the very paper now in Capt. Loder-Symonds' possession. The substance is given in Noble's Memoirs of the Protectoral house of Cromwell, 1787, vol. ii., p. 71, and it is noticed in Lord Nugent's Memorials of Hampden only to be discredited on the authority of Henry Pye, the poet laureate (who was the grandson of the Sir Robert Pye who figures in the story) as being unknown to him. The narrative, however, is so circumstantial in its details, and as an invention so purposeless, that it appears to deserve more consideration than it has hitherto received, and which it may have partly missed from no direct source for it having been hitherto distinctly traced. Both this and the following letter of Swift's, as well as several of the Marten papers, have been framed and glazed for their better preservation; and together with this one is framed the envelope of a letter addressed and franked by Lord Oxford, which was found in the same box with this paper, but the handwriting is not the same.

The second Harley paper is a very characteristic letter from Dean Swift, which is without address, but was written to some member of the Earl of Oxford's family. The care shown by the writer for the due and efficient maintenance of the choir of St. Patrick's Cathedral, while confessing (in an original way) his own entire want of musical knowledge and taste, reflects some credit on him in a particular in which it might not have been anticipated, but the uaive declaration that it was more important to secure a good singer for the cathedral than a good parson for a church-living affords on the other hand a contrast which is thoroughly Swiftiau.

I. A small parcel of Early Deeds is of interest. It consists of these:—

  • 1. Grant by William de Boel[an]d to William de Meletune of one virgate of land in Berecote [in the parish of Buckland] formerly held by William son of Britihild, with a garden, and one acre in Wicroft. Large green seal, with a knight on horseback; inscription effaced. Fifteen witnesses, Roger de Kingeston, Reg. de Meletune, Hugh Mansell, Reg. de Abendone, &c. Date about 1160–70.
  • 2. Grant by Isabella de Boville, widow, to Sir William de Ulchote, knt., in marriage dowry with her daughter Helizabeth of the mill in Glosthorp called Londmilne. Oval red seal; a Roman gem representing a foot-soldier with sword and shield, with inscription on a broad margin of the setting, "+ Frange, Lege, Lecta Tege." Witnesses: Adam de Risinges, Reg. de Geytone, Will. le Nugun de Wykes, Thomas le Sire, Roger de Saideford, Gilebert son of Warin, Will. de Potesford, Thomas de Risinges, John de Batesford, clerk, Peter de Bertone. Beautifully written: c. 1230–40.
  • 3. Grant by Fraric son of Roger Esprinkyn to the Lady Elizabeth de Burnham, daughter of Richard Mauduyt, of 5½ roods of land called Coneres Croft between the land of Juliana daughter of William and Floria daughter of Sabina, abutting on the water running from the east and the lands of Fraric son of Matilda and Symon son of Wlfketel, in the village of Burnham [Bucks]. Witnesses, Sir Geoffrey de Oyri, Sir Richard Mauduyt, Sir Peter de Peleville, Ralph de Beaufo, Thomas de Holcham, Tho. Crakefeld, Symon de Kerebroe, Roger de Loges, Reg. le Moyne, Barth. de Northgate, William Underburt, William de Angre, Roger de Saldeford, John de Grotener, clerk. Small fragment of seal: ". . . . Esprigk —" c. 1250.

  • 4. Grant by John de Hulekote to Will. de Muletone son of Walter de Muletone of one virgate in Berekote which Henry le Frankeleyn formerly held, for the sum of fifteen marks. Witnesses, Sir Henry de Pesie and Sir Robert de Krafford, knts., Will. de Wrthe, Will. de Wycumbe, Reg. sub Gardino, Elyas de Newentone, Richard Sewale, Peter le Blund, Will. de Wythone, bailiff of Boclond, Roger Gymel, William Hycche of Kerswell, Roger de la Cumbe. Fragment of seal: "S' Joh'is Hu . . . .". c. 1260–70.
  • 5. Grant by John de Claypol, dwelling in Newerk [Notts] and Avicia his wife to Matthew de Bakewell and Matilda his wife and his daughter Dionysia of a toft and buildings in Newerk in le Carter gate, between the toft of William Coag and the highway called Baldertungate. Two oval white seals: "+ S' Avecie fil' Hvgon' de . . .;" 2 "S' Joh'is de Cleypol." Six witnesses. c. 1300.
  • 6. 1309 [Feb. 16].—Sunday next after the feast of S. Scolastica, 2 Edw. II. Grant by Roger atte Flete of Wolfrissetone and Dionysia his wife, co-heiress of Alice who was the wife of Will. Roberd of Harewell to Milo de Mortone of 5½ acres in Westhakeburne. Witnesses, Thomas and John de Saundreville, Rich. Huscarl. Will. de Makkene, Rob. de Sottewelle, Manser de Mortone, Walter de Chiltone, Rich, le Oyselur, William de Walyngford, clerk. Two green seals: "S' Reggeri (sic) ate Flete:" "S' Dyonis' ate Flete."
  • 7. 1348 [May 18].—Sunday before the feast of St. Dunstan, 22 Edw. III. Grant by Rich. Alayn of Harwell and Christina his wife to Walter Houghchild of Harwell of a cottage in Westhakeborne. Witn. John de Aula, John Brunz, Will. Bayllol of Harewell, Sir Rob. Dagenhale, chaplain, &c.
  • 8. 1366 [Nov. 23].—Monday, the feast of St. Clement, 40 Edw. III. Grant by John atte Crouch of Harewelle to William Edward of the reversions of land &c. held by William Houchild and Margery his wife, Stephen Body and Alice his wife, and Matilda le Fort, in Harewell.
  • 9. 1370 [Feb. 7].—Thursday after feast of Purification B.M.V. 44 Edw. III. Grant by Agnes le Waihol wife of Master. Walter Howchyld to John Ket of Westhakeborne of land in Harewelle.
  • 10. 1376, Apr. 13.—Easter Day 50 Edw. III. Bond from Thomas de Newentone, son of Elias de Newentone of Bokelonde to Elias de Thorp, citizen of London, in 60l. for the enfeoffing the latter in certain lands in Boclonde of which he is entitled to the reversion.
  • 11, 12, 13. 1514, 1521, 1523.—Three leases from John Underhill, dean of the College of St. Nicholas in Wallingford Castle, and the Chapter to Richard Lowder (al. Loder) of Prince Harewell, of the manor of Harewell, for the term of 60 years, at an annual rent of 10l. The third lease is in English, and is granted to Rich. Loder and Alys his wife. The seal of the College is nearly perfect in each instance, the inscription only being broken: "S' coē decani et sub-decani collegii infra castrum de Waling[eford]."
  • 14. 1530, 10 Feb. 21 Hen. VIII.—Appointment by the same dean and the fellows of the College, of the office of steward of their manors of Annersfee in Chepynge Wycombe and of Harwell to William Yonge and Roger his son, with an annual salary of 66s. 8d. The seal is nearly perfect; and the names of all the members of the College are subscribed, written (as it seems) by two hands: "per me, Ricardum Randall, clericum, subdecanum hujus collegii; per me dominum Hamonem Grosvenor, socium hujus collegii;" Sir Thomas Augustine,

  • Richard Adene, James Broughton, Thomes Crowche, Richard Lane, John Adene, John Carver, and Robert Bateman.
  • 15. 1548, May 26.—General pardon from Edw. VI. to Richard Holcote, esq., senior, of Bercote. Great seal, broken.
  • 16. 1572, Dec. 13.—Lease from John Fysher, of Longworth, gentleman, to Richard Aldworth, of Pusey, warrener, of his lodgehouse and warren of coneys in Longworth, for seven years, rendering annually thirty score couple of coneys and rabbits; and should the lessor need more coneys in the year, he may have them at 8d. the couple.
  • 17. 1604, April 10. 2 James.—Copy, on vellum, made about the beginning of the present century, of letters patent of William, lord Knolles, as High Constable of the Castle of Wallingford, reciting (in English) letters patent of Henry III. exempting the tenants and residents of the Honour of Wallingford, now Ewelme, from payment of all tolls and customs, and declaring all the tenants and residents in Hinton who are of the said Honour to be thereby consequently exempt from tolls. (There is also a copy of this document on paper, made in the 17th century.)

II. 1610–1620.—A folio book of 78 leaves, closely written, containing a minute account of farm produce, cost, and profits, in each year from 1610 to 1620, with household expenses. Unfortunately neither the name of the writer nor the name of the place occurs, but the book evidently relates to some Berkshire property of the family of Loder. (fn. 1)

It is probable that the farm concerned was at Harwell, and may have belonged to Richard Loder, father of the John Loder who subsequently came into possession of Henry Marten's Hinton estate. The writer states that he was 21 years of age in November 1610, when he assumed the management of a part of the farm, and was then a bachelor, but three or four years later he speaks of his wife and daughter. The minuteness of detail renders this account book one of great interest and value in connection with the history of agriculture and prices. As brief specimens I add the following extracts:—

"In anno 1614

"Money payd servants for theyr wages at faithtide (fn. 2) in anno supradicto.

Inprimis, to Robert Androwes my carter, for his, - - - iijli vjs viijd.
Item, to John his brother as boy to goe to plow - - - - - xxiiija.
Item, to Johan Colle my maide, - - xlvijs.
Item, to Mary my other maide, - - xls.
Summa tota of theyr wages is - - viijll xvijs viijd.

Memorandum that every of these spent me in meat and drink (as by my notes in anno 1613 I may reade and perceave) one with another, xijli. a piece and a little above. Soe that I judge it were good (in such deare yeares) to keep as few servants as a man possibly can by any meannes convenient. To effect which I know no other meanues but by putting forth a man's land to tillage, or at a rent, or els keeping them at borde wages."

"How the prices of wheat went [in 1616].

"Inprimis, in September of redwheat at 3s. 2d. a bushell, taking one time with another. In October therof for 3s. 5d. In November, sould soe. In January whitwheat for 3s. 4d. In February therof at 3s. 11d., the redwheat then for 4s. 3d. In March therof for 4s. 1d., and whitwheat at 3s. 8d. In Aprill sould of the redwheat at 4s. 1d. In May therof for 3s. 8d. In June therof for 3s. 9d., and of the whitwheat at 3s. 5d. In August at 4s. and 4s. 2d.

Mem. that vij and viij sheves of redwheat did ordinarily yeld a bushell.

"How the prices of wheat went [in 1617]. Inprimis, in October I sould whitwheat for 5s. 4d. the bushell. In November redwheat at 4s. 4d. In December therof (taking one time with another) at 4s. In February at 3s. 11d. In March at 3s. 10d. In Aprill at 4s. 4d. red-wheat. In the begining of May whitwheat at 4s. and 10d., and 5s.; at latter end therof the same for 4s. 4d. and 5d., and some 2d. In June at 4s. 2d. the same whitwheat, and redwheat at 3s. 8d. and 7d. In July, the begining therof, the same redwheat at 3s. 9d. and 10d., and at latter part therof for 4s. 1d.; and whitwheat at 4s. 1d. at beginning of July, for yt was all cleane without smutte, the red being all smuttie. In August of the redwheat at 4s. and 3s. 10d., and of the whitwheat at 4s."

Eight bushels are reckoned to the quarter in this account, as now; not nine, as reckoned by Adam Smith for that period.

In 1619 wheat was much cheaper. "In October I sould my best at 3s. 3d. and 3s. 2d., and the worst at 2s. 11d." In the course of the year the price goes down to 2s. 2d. at the lowest.

The orchards of apples (pippins, russets, &c.) pears and cherries were very profitable. In 1618 of cherries the writer had six thousand four hundred and two pounds for sale, besides what were given away and consumed in his own house. The pigeons also were a great source of profit.

In the accounts for 1618 there are these items:—

"Rice spent was but 1lb which cost - - iiijd.
Sugar was vjlbs dim. which cost - - viijs vd."

The writer ends each year with expressions of thankfulness to Almighty God for his goodness to one so unworthy of it as himself.

III. The Miscellaneous Papers commence with a few which belonged to Sir Henry Marten, the Judge of the Prerogative Court. Amongst these is a commission, on parchment, signed by Archbishop Whitgift, empowering Sir Daniel Dun to hold a visitation of All Souls' College, Oxford, in the Archbishop's stead, dated at Croydon, 8 July, 1601; and a parcel of twenty-one papers, which belonged also to Sir D. Dun, relative to the case of Samuel Palachio a Jew, a born subject of the King of Morocco, and employed as his agent in the United Provinces, where he had been authorized to raise men for the service of Morocco, who, having put into Plymouth with a ship called the Sun, was arrested on complaint of the Spanish ambassador, on charges of piracy against the subjects of the King of Spain. On report from Sir E. Coke, Sir J. Cæsar, and Sir D. Dun, the Privy Council decide on 20 March 1614–5 that he is not subject to any criminal action for his acts, there being actual war between Morocco and Spain, and is therefore ordered to be released. The papers include a short letter from Sir Ralph Winwood to Sir D. Dun, dated 20 May, in which he says that he does not understand the merits of the case, but requests "that the Ambassador may receave as much favour as law and equity can permitt"; a letter, in Spanish, from Palachio to the Lord Admiral, dated at London, Dec. 20, 1614; and a declaration by Lewis de Halinge, in Latin, that the ship at Plymouth was made and bought in Holland, and employed in the service of Morocco.

[159 . .] May 22. London.—Letter from Edward Grey to John Fisher, at Longworth. Could not answer before, by reason of being at the Court. Has imparted his letter to Sir William Russell, who takes it very kindly, and desires him to hold on his course, "because he will procede in the sute, for the Queene saied within these tenne daies that he shuld have it, and did bid my Lo. of Essex to tell the deane as muche. . . . . The deane will be at Oxford very shortly, where I would wishe you to mete him."

1600, March 14, 42 Eliz.—Declaration signed by John Stocton, Rob. Davys, and Rob. Newman, that a hound bitch being locked in a chamber in the house of John Fisher, esq., of Longworth, Berks, where he and John Stocton were a little before conferring, did eat and tear certain writings and spoil the seals thereof.

1604, Feb. 6. Longworth.—Letter from John Fisher to — Yat, respecting some dispute at law with Sir Edward Fiennes.

n.d.—Draft of a petition to the King from the ecclesiastical judges and civil lawyers in respect to a petition from Convocation with regard to prohibitions; with part of an argument on the same subject.

1614–5.—Notes of proceedings in the case of one Marsh of Southwold, charged by the Danes with piracy.

1617, Nov. 20.—Warrant from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners (signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of London, W. Byrde, G. Newman, and Tho. Edmondes) for the arrest of Sir Edward Lewes, of Vann, Glamorganshire, and his wife's sister, Anne Morgan.

[1619 ?]—Statement, and argument, on behalf of the Dutch East India Company respecting a ship called the "Black Lyon," taken and accidentally destroyed by the English East India Company in December, 1618.

1622, May 9. "At my house at St. Paul's."—Letter from Dr. John Donne to Sir H. Martin. "Sir, I wayted upon you heretofore when a cause which concernd me was brought before you and others, in another way, as Delegates. It ys for a pretended resignation of the churche of Keiston, upon which pretence one Mr. Silliard procured a superinstitution. To my L. Keeper I have declard the direct truth of the whole proceedinge for matter of fact; and for matter of law, I have told him, and them, That if any man learned in eyther law, of Mr. Silliard's own counsayle, would say that the church upon such a resignation was voyd, I would relinquish yt. And now, I am informed that my L. Keeper hath referrd that poynte to you. If I had not come home from Bedfordshire late and weary, I would have wayted upon you, but it had been onely to salute you, not much to solicite you (for that I know needs not) that you wyll be pleasd to take that poynte into your good consideration; and so, Sir, I rest

Yours ever to be dispisd,
J. Donne."

The letter is endorsed with a rough draft of Marten's report on the legal points of the case, dated 13 May.

[Between 1620–30.]—Petition to Sir H. Marten from Joseph Ewer, curate of St. Mary Somerset, London under Mr. Thomas Burton, for a share in the gift of Mr. John Browne, deceased; with a note of the gift of 4l. [Burton, the rector, died in 1631.]

1623, Sept. 23. Farmon, co. Cork.—Letter from Richard Fisher to Sir Hen. Marten. He has bought the place of King's Attorney of Munster for 300l.; but is pressed by debts in England, and is unable to complete the payment; begs the loan of 30l. for two or three years without interest.

1626, Nov. 7. 1627, Apr. 23.} Receipts by Will. Bigmore and Tho. Tuer, bursars of St. John's College, Oxford, for rents due from Sir H. Marten; in the second case received by the hands of William Chillingworth.

1628.—List, on seven parchment rolls, of all the inhabitants in the hundreds of Hormer, Ock and Murton in Berkshire, and the towns of Abingdon and Wallingford, assessed for payment of two out of five subsidies granted by Parliament; delivered to Robert Loder, junior, of Harwell, gent., for him to gather.

1628, Apr. 4.—Report of the speeches of the King and the Duke of Buckingham "this daie", on the report being made at the Council Board by the counsellors of the Commons' House of the grant of the preceding subsidies.

1629, Hil. term, 4 Charles I.—Copy of writ for recovery of a debt of 200l. due from John Fisher of Longworth deceased to Sir Edward Stanley of Ensham; with a receipt signed by Sir "Kenelme Digby" as administrator of the will of Sir E. Stanley, deceased, of the sum of 150l. from Sir Henry Martyn, in full satisfaction, 12 July, 1639.

n.d.—Copy of a memorial of the French ambassador concerning a ship called the Hope of Calais captured by an English ship of war commanded by Sir Edward Steward when coming with a cargo from Spain. The margins of the paper are filled with the draft of a letter on the case to the Secretary of State from Sir H. Marten, in a postscript to which he recommends Dr. Ryves, his Majesty's Advocate, for promotion.

1632, Aug. 8. Maidencott.—Letter from Seymour Lile to Joseph Nixon, respecting some suit for tithes with one Stroud. Seal of arms.

[1633.]—Part of the draft of an argument by Sir H. Marten against the legality and validity of Sir Edw. Coke's will.

1638, June 11.—Acknowledgment by Sir Francis Popham of the receipt of 180l. from Sir Henry Marten for threescore trees out of Littlecote woods.

On the same leaf is an acknowledgment by Henry Marten on behalf of his father Sir Henry of the receipt from Thomas Boyland on 13 June of 320l., being the remainder of 500l. given by Lord Craven for the repairing of Shrivenham Church.

1639, June 15.—Declaration signed by Robert Veysey and others that Mr. Alderman Pratt's bank in the parish of Buckland, now questioned to be cut by the Commissioners of Sewers, has stood time out of mind, and that the inundations thereabouts do not proceed from it but from the narrowness of the Thames below it, belonging to Rob. Veseye, of Chimney, esq. (the Thames being there only 27 feet broad, but next Mr. Alderman's ground 36 feet), as also from the stopping of a common water-course called Boylake in the lordship of Sir H. Martyn.

1642, Dec. 26.—Return by Samuel Warcopp, bailiff of Southwark and keeper of the Compter Prison there, of the names of the persons committed to his custody, with copies of commitments and discharges annexed.

Peter Turner, M.D. - } In custody.
Robert Terrant, his servant Mr. Joab Weale - -
Sir Anthony Percivale -

Henry Asquith, a delinquent, in custody, by warrant from the Speaker of 29 Oct. 1642.

Mr. Roger Clarke discharged by the Lord Mayer.

Mr. George Gildon discharged by order of the House of Commons.

Mr. Henry Booth - }Discharged upon bail by the committee for the safeguard of the kingdom, 23 Dec. 1642.
Capt. Collins -
Mr. John Ryding Mr. Vaughan -
Mr. William Wade James Frost -

"Thomas Tiser in custodie, who made an escape the 14th of December, and is taken againe this 26th of December."

Annexed are copies of warrants, &c.:—

  • 1. Order of the House of Commons on 20 Sept. 1642 that Capt. Fotherby, Capt. Robert Bolles, Robert Rookes, George Drewell, Lieut. John Bellano, Peter Turner, M.D. and Robert Terrant his servant, be committed to several prisons at the discretion of the Sheriff of Middlesex.
  • 2. Order of the House, 24 Oct., for the committal of Mr. Roger Clarke, Mr. Joab Weale, and Mr. George Gildon "for being refractory to the propositions for raysing of horse money or plate."
  • 3. Order of the House, 31 Oct., for the committal of Thomas Tiser, master of the ship that brought officers and soldiers to Yarmouth.
  • 4. Order of the House, 12 Nov., for the committal of Sir Anthony Percivall, Capt. Collins, Mr. John Ryding, Mr. Vaham (sic), clerk, Mr. Henry Booth, Mr. William Wade, and James Frost.
  • 5. Order of the House, 24 Dec., referring a petition from Roger Clarke, grocer, to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, with an order from the latter the same day for his discharge.

1642, 22 Dec.—List of prisoners committed on Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday last to Lambeth House by my lord mayor and some of the trained bands; viz.:—

  • Edward Crosse, a thread dyer,
  • John Adams, citizen and weaver,
  • Humphrey Swan, an embroiderer,
  • John Horden, hosier in the Exchange,
  • John Swale, cheesemonger at Billingsgate,
  • Henry Mosse, of London, scrivener,
  • Mr. Edward Trussell, mercer in Paternoster Row,

  • Thomas Fryer, ammunitioner and chandler in Tower Street,
  • Thomas Heb, citizen and butcher,
  • Mr. Valentine Beale, merchant,
  • Mr. Edward Cuthbert, a woollen draper in Paul's Churchyard.

"These severally say they know not for what they were committed, unless for subscribing the late petition for peace. (In another hand) But by the order of the House the cause is expressed for being suspected to have bene active in the late tumults in London."

[1612.]—Charge signed by Vavasor Powell, John Williams, and David ap Rees, of Radnorshire, against Capt. Charles Price, Hugh Lloyd, High Sheriff of the county, and Brian Crowther, esq., for having executed the commission of array on Sept. 15, proclaimed the Earl of Essex traitor, for saying the Parliament was a silly and simple Parliament, &c.

[c. 1642?]—List of "reformado" captains, lieutenants, ensigns, and quartermasters, appointed by warrant of 13 Dec., and of captains, lieutenants, ensigns, and cornets, appointed by warrant of 16 Dec.

1642.—List of the "command men" in Wood Street, Compter, committed by order of Parliament.

Thomas Newtervill, committed 9 Feb. 1641, till he should give good caution not to go into Ireland.

Capt. Thomas Ketleby, 11 Oct. 1642, for high treason. [See Clarendon, Hist. Reb., v. 381.]

Sir Edward Radney, knt., 12 Oct. 1642, for levying men against the Parliament.

Capt. William Hudson, Capt. Henry Bradneux, and George Jackson, 1 Dec. 1642, for levying war against King and Parliament.

1643, May 23 "1 of the clokke," Layton.—Col. Samuel Luke to Col. Marten.

"Sir, That you may see what necessity there was of an order of Parliament for the raysinge the payment for the dragoones, I cannot but lett you know that some townes whoe baue these 3 months brought in their dragoones with pay, and that with cherfullness, are now diswaded by some gentry, and told that it [is] without order of Parliament, soe that they would haue the world [believe] that your orders and his Excellency's for the raysinge of forces for the defence of the Kingdom are but vaine syphers. If the Parliament desire to know their names they shall be informed by me, though they haue bin my friends and neighbours. I pray, Sir, lett me heare your opinion in it, and what the house will doe, for our honest gray-coated countrymen ar as forward as hart can wish, and none backward but such as haue both their persons and their goods now in London, whoe will doe very little, and that they doe with as ill a mind as may be. Thus with my service presented to you, and assuring you that none shall be my friend longer then he is a friend to the Commonwealth, I rest,

Yours in all servieeable respects,
Sam. Luke."

1642–1646.—Two sheets with full particulars of the taxes paid by tenants of Col. Marten at Hinton for the two armies of the King and Parliament, and of the losses sustained by both; mentioning the regiments of Prince Maurice, Lord Wilmot, &c., the army of Sir W. Waller at Newbridge, and Gen. "Cromell's" army.

1647, Aug. 27. Preston.—Letter to the members of Parliament for Lancashire enquiring whether Parliament has issued an order (as reported) for disbanding all the soldiers of that county except the garrison of Liverpool; signed by Alex. Rigby, John Starkie, Ri. Haworth, J. Fletewoode, and Rob. Cunliffe.

— Nov. 1. Charing Cross.—Letter from B. Kingesmille to Col. Marten representing the request of Lady Woodward that she may not be called upon to pay again back-rents which were received by the King's garrison, by whom she was totally plundered and a great part of her house pulled down.

1649, May 3. London.—Letter from Thomas Oinatt to John Dove asking him to assist Capt. Meservy in recovering some satisfaction from Parliament for goods of Oinatt's taken by their ships in 1643.

1648–9, Jan. 12.—Letter from Lucy Richmond to the same, asking him to assist his old neighbour Mr. Thornton to regain his place of Chaff-Wax.

[1649.]—Mr. Rich. Warde, mayor of Lincoln, having stayed a brief which came there about 16 June on behalf of Farringdon, together with one on behalf of Torrington, pretending that that for Farringdon was unjustly obtained, Col. Martin and the Knights of the shire are desired to certify that the aspersion charged upon the brief is false.

— Oct. 31. Bristol.—Letter from George Bishop to Col. Marten about the difficulty of completing the business of the Forest [of Dean] Commission.

— Nov. 8. Aldersgate Street.—Just. Povey to the same, asking him to pay a debt by purchasing for the writer some crown land of which he is tenant.

1649, Dec. 12. Belfast.—Copy of a letter from Sir Charles Coote and R. Venables to the Speaker of the House of Commons, desiring relief for the poor English inhabitants of Lisnegarvy, the town having been burned and pillaged by Col. Monro and Sir Phelim O'Neil.

1650, Apr. 22. Edmunton.—Letter from Clement Oxenbridge to John Wildman at Col. Marten's about some private business.

— Apr. 29.—Letter from Henry Anderson to Col. Marten begging him to assist a petition which the Speaker will present to Parliament, for his release from imprisonment for debt: his own children have procured a sequestration against him; he has never done anything against the Commonwealth.

— June 2–6.—News letters, in French, from Paris and Bourdeaux.

— June 30. Bourdeaux. — Letter from D. Batailhey to his brother Joseph Batailhey, a merchant in London, with particulars of the proceedings of the French army. French.

— July 10.—G. Crouche to Col. Marten, begging him to be in Parliament when the business of some ladies is brought on.

— Aug. 30. Plymouth.—Edward Blagge to Col. "Fitzeames" [Fitzjames]. Desires to acquaint the Council of State "that Ashton whoe is governor of Antigua hath proclaymd Charles there, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, and courted very strongly Nevis and St. Christopher's to doe the like by letters to that very effect from Willoughby; whoe have returned this reply both to Ashton and Willoughby, that they will take nether partye, but allowe free trade to all commers. Ashton hath a maine designe to put Barbadoes upon forming a fleete of shippes under commaund of Plunkett."

— Aug. 20. Saumur.—Walter Blount [to Marten?] desiring advice how best to secure himself against a charge of delinquency likely to be made against him through his uncle Richard.

— Nov. 13. Wittlesey.—[The Earl of] Portland to the same, congratulating himself, "my deare Lo. Lovelace, and I thinke all my freinds and acquaintance, that you are in the chaire for letting loose the law into the contry, wherein I am certaine you will be as carefull for debtors as for creditors," but especially "for the safe arrivall of my lord embassador, or rather dove George, for I heare he comes with an olive branch." Subscribed, "Your most affectionate servant."

— Nov. 13. Dover.—Letter from Francis Simpson, serjeant of of the Admiralty, complaining that the Mayor and Jurats of Romney have stopped his proceedings with regard to salvage of a Dutch ship which ran on ground near Romney, alleging that exclusive jurisdiction belongs to them by charter.

— Nov. 26. Inner Temple.—Th. Taylor to the same, urging the calling upon all the sheriffs to bring in accounts of escheats and forfeïtures.

— Dec. 10.—Theo. Taillor to Marten, on behalf of Lady Arundel, whose estate has been sequestered and she brought into debt; and for himself, that he may be relieved with the money which is in Marten's hands, that he may not perish.

1650?—Long list, on 7 folio leaves, of the names of persons that have moneys due to them upon the public faith, with the amounts; apparently supplemental to a list made in Sept. 1650.

1650/51;, Jan. 7/Dec. 27. Paris.—A short letter signed C. Besse, doubtless a fictitious name, being apparently an intercepted letter from a royalist. All names are in cipher. "For newes I refer you to 1125, to whome I write constantlie twise a weeke. . . . . Lett the superscription [of letters] be as is annexed to the cypher, or thus, à Mons. Mons. Desarte a la rue de Parcheminene à Paris."

1650[–1], Jan. 26.—John Bodvill [to the same] asking his help to prevent the confiscation and sale of his estate in Anglesey, he having long since compounded and paid his proportion.

— Jan. 31. Strand.—Henry Marten to Sir Thomas Essex, Bart., desiring his success in some business he is engaged upon, and regretting he cannot help him with the money he wants, for it is about twenty times more than he has by him. (Framed and glazed.)

— Feb. 4. Saumur.— — Desverrans to Marten, in French. Capt. Stocal writes to him that many officers have obtained special orders from Parliament for an allowance for their horses during the time they served in the armies of Essex and Waller; begs Marten to assist him to obtain a like order.

1650[–1], March 19. Inner Temple.—Fabian Hicks to the same, asking him to assist Mrs. Gipps who attends at the Parliament door with a petition, "which wilbe of great concernement to the State. Shee is wife to one Thomas Gipps, a rich citizen's sonne latly dead, whose husband is a servant in the Barbadoes, and sent thither by Alderman Bunce his brother in lawe, which alderman is a delinquent, and nowe in Holland, and to whom the state of old Mr. Gipps and his sonnes, being much in money, wilbe made over if it be not suddenly prevented. I heare that the alderman hath lately furnished the King of Scotland with forty thousand pounds towards his charge of a warre with this State, and his wife hath little lesse then halfe as much by the decease of her father Gipps, which she will with the first opportunity, as is eonceaved, make over to her husband."

1651, Apr. 9.—Joseph Nixon, "your poore and much afflicted servaunt and kinsman," to the same. "I am much afflicted in myselfe to informe you how much I have [been] and am deceyued in desiring you to putt Mr. Pecke into the parsonadge of Shifford," Oxon [i.e. to let him become lessee for the rectorial tithes], for he refuses to observe any of the agreements that were made.

— Aug. 4.—Ed. Fisher to the same recommending John Pescodd for the place of messenger to the trustees for the sale of delinquents' estates.

— Sept. 27.—Copy of a warrant from John Bradshaw, as President of the Council of State, to the Lieutenant of the Tower, to receive into his custody the Earl of Cleveland, to be kept close prisoner for treason in bearing arms against the Parliament and people of the Commonwealth of England. (Framed and glazed.)

— Nov. 13. Ashbury [Berks].—Th. Fox (?) to Marten, asking for 5l., and to send a commission for Will. Harrison to keep an inn, for which he and "the whole towne of Ashberrie" will be very thankful.

— Nov. 20. Genoa.—Jean Nicolas Sfranchi to H. Marten, in French; thanking him for a letter of 3 Oct., which contained some notice of Marten's late father (the judge).

1652, May 3. Serjeants' Inn.—Hen. Rolle to the same, giving him notice that a bill of Middlesex has been taken out against him at the suit of George Savage, esq.

— May 5. Chastre.—Intercepted letter, unsigned, from an officer serving with the army of Turenne, giving an account of an attack made by the latter upon the town of Estampes, and of the gallantry exhibited by the Duke of York.

— May 6. Deptford.—John Holland to Marten, about a warrant to the Treasurer of the Navy for a payment.

— June 1.—Copy of the letter, in Italian, from the Senate of Venice to the Parliament of England, accrediting Lorenzo Pauluzzi as their agent.

— July 8. Tower.—Sir Will. Davenant to Marten; a letter of compliment and thanks. "I would it were worthy of you to know how often I have profess'd that I had rather owe my libertie to you than to any man, and that the obligation you lay upon me shall for ever be acknowledg'd."

— July 17. Shefford.—Letter from the sequestrators of the living to the same, in the name of all the parish, desiring the appointment of Mr. Milcot (?) as minister.

— July 30.—Joanna Savile to the same, urging the pressing forward Mr. Chidley's business as to the way for paying the public-faith money and the soldiers' arrears by means of discoveries [of delinquents?], and praying him not to offer any obstruction.

— Sept. 8. Shifford.—Henry Hull to the same, applying for appointment as minister of Shifford. Refers to Dr. Barnard, preacher at Gray's Inn; is approved by the major part of the parish.

— Sept. 8.—Letter from John Lilburne to the same.

"Honored Sir, Being yisterday in Zealand, and comming home by sea, in the ship hearing a good resolut English toung, as soone as with conveniency I might I maid towards it; and found it to be the masters mate of one of your lait taiken frygaits, misarabelly plundered and desperaitely burnt, yit with an other wounded comrade of his comming for England in a very poore and low condition, and a littell discoursing with them I found they had bene extraordinarily hard used, and one of them turnd away without a penny money to beare his charges, and haveing traveld with them after our landing at Sluse to Bridges 9 myles one foot, I promised the masters maite, this bearer, called Edward Brooks (who I found a good inteligabell resolut blad) to write a few lins to you in his behalfe, being he is resolued to addrese to the Parliament or Counsell of Staite for some reperations, haueing lost about 20li besids the wounds of his body. In which regard, in the first place, although I be bannished from England and cut of from its commonwealth, giue me leue to say that in my apprehention the seamen of England are instrumentally your present bulworks, and I am affraid your present trobells will nesessitaite you to maike more use of them then it is posable you may immagen; and therefor it behoues you to maike much of them, and to giue them resonable incorradgment you can; in which regard I maike it my humble request to you, in the first place, that you would lend this honest bearer your efectually assistance in his just sute to the Parliament or Counsell of Staite.

2ly, I propound it to your serious consideration, whether it be not fit. for yourselues or your admirall to taike notice of the hard usedge of your men, and either to write to there admirall or the staites about setling some kind of method about the ciuill usedge of prisonners, or at least to desire that to Flushing you by bill of exchange may returne some moneys to some there you can trust well to keep your sicke and wounded men while such; and 2ly, to bring them away, some being now forst to stay behind, as the bearer informs me, for want of a littell money to inabell them to trauell. Sir, I write not this out of any designe to cury fauour with you or the rest of your brethren; noe, Sir, I scorne it, for if keeping close nakedly to downeright right and truth will not bring me backe againe to England, I neuer desire againe to see it; but the only end I write, it is to discharge or manifest a peace of that English sperit that is in me, and if you please so to judge it, I shall be very much obliged to subscribe myself, Sir,

An honest Englishman at the hart, and your most

faithfull seruant,

John Lilburne.

Bridges, this 8 Sept. 1652."

Addressed: "For the honble Coll. Henry Marten, a member of the Parliament of the commonwealth of England, at his howse in Chennell row neare Whitehall, in Westminster, these presents."

1652, Oct. 6.—Proceedings at a meeting of the Governor and Council of Barbadoes at which, upon certain articles of charge, Capt. Bayes was adjudged unfit to continue public treasurer of the customs and excise; in the handwriting of John Jennings, deputy-Secretary.

— Nov. 22.—Anne Windsor, wife of Samuel Windsor formerly farrier to Marten's troop (now farrier to Col. Okey in Scotland), to Marten, praying for payment of money due upon debentures from the committee of the county of Berks.

[1653.]—Part of a copy of a letter to Cromwell (with alterations in another hand) from one who had been invited by him to take part in the government after the forcible dissolution of Parliament on 20 Apr. (probably as a member of the new Parliament), declining, in very plain terms, to have anything to do with it.

Four pages folio, which probably may have formed half of the whole paper.

1654, May 3.—Acknowledgment by Henry Griffin, schoolmaster at Longworth, of the receipt of 2l. 10s., paid out of Edward Southby's rent, as a gratuity from H. Martin for the encouragement of the school at Longworth.

1654.—"The account between Col. Martin and Anne Richmond, widdow, concerning the rent of the parsonage of Ashbury, Berks," 1650–4. It was let at 200l. per an. About 60l. had been laid out in repairs "of the howses, which were almost destroyed by gunpowder blowne up in the howse by the souldiers in the warre."

1654[–5], March 24.—[Sir] John Pettus to [Marten], respecting settlement of some money matters.

1655, May 2. Ashborne—William Wetton to the same strongly recommending Dick Peeters, Marten's Derbyshire agent.

— Oct. 9. Wilton House, near Whitehall.—Arthur Samwell to R. Peeters, claiming payment of a fee-farm rent of 97l. 17s. 6d. out of the Colonel's estate.

1656, July 1. Buxton.—Rowland Heathcoate to Marten, asking for return of money lent to Peeters.

? Jan. 15. Buxton.—[The same?] to the same, complaining that Peeters has commenced an action against him and a friend for hunting a hare in the manor of Hartington. (fn. 3)

1656, Dec. 22. Chimney [Oxon].—Robert Veisey to the same, asking him "as it hath bine alwayes your desier to doe workes of charitie and mercy," to grant a reversionary lease of "a smale thinge" in Shifford to a poor man.

1656[–7], March 15. Hurley [Berks].—John Lord Lovelace to "neighbour Whitfeild" authorizing him to agree with his brother [in-law] Marten and his son [-in-law] Wildman about such securities and settlements as may conduce to his safety against the Colonel's debts with the least prejudice to the latter.

1657, May 17.—Franc. Messenus (?) to Marten, in French, desiring a meeting with him for settling some business with "Sir George."

— June 3.—Sheffeild Stubbs to Thomas lord Morley and Mounteagle, pressing for repayment of a loan. "Play not with a man's necessityes." Seal of arms: a bend between three pheons, thereon three buckles; crest, an eagle displayed.

1657[–8], March 1.—The constables of George's parish Southwark to Marten, desiring him to pay the bearer 5s. for watching for him 15 nights in 15 months, at 4d. per night.

1658, Sept. 16. Moorfields.—Samuel Bathurst [to Marten], asking for 20l. to start the writer's cousin Chambre on a voyage to Barbadoes.

— Sept. 27. Adston.—Enigmatical letter to Marten, who is addressed as "My O" by one who signs as "his owne A.", [i.e. Major Wildman] referring in disguised terms to some proposition from Sir John Lenthall who has "made me his turnekey," but of whom the writer appears to be very suspicious.

Another letter of the same kind is without date; in which the writer says that "a note signed with a single O [is] of much more power than if it were signed with O.P." [i.e., Oliver Protector], therefore he will attend at the hour mentioned, and desires that Sir John Pettus may be asked to meet them "to despatch that businesse some way or other as he pleaseth." It appears from the cipher copied below at p. 18 that, Major Wildman is designated by A. and Marten by O.

1658[–9], March 24. Faringdon.—Thomas Phelps to [Marten]. A business letter, but mentioning that Mr. Francis Blagrove, of London, departed this life on Monday last in the afternoon and was buried yesterday.

1658/9, Jan. 11. Leominster.—Thomas Deane (Marten's agent) to Marten, respecting the approaching election for Parliament. "Here is a very great dicision and much seekeinge, the Burgimasters playing their game variously, and the rest of the towne the licke. They are so compounded and so divided that allthough it might seeme so much the more hopefull yet it is so much the more uncertaine, insomuch that the best of my witts invitts mee not to begge, hunt or crave with much earnestnesse, but only to make it knowen that if their loue bee so much towards you as to make choyce of you, that you will bee willing to serue them. The choyce is this Thursday."

1662, Trin. Term, 14 Chas. II.—Plea on behalf of John Loder, in regard to proceedings upon the outlawry of Henry Marten in Jan. 1654/5 upon a plea of debt, at the suit of George Savage. Esq., setting forth that on Jan. 20, 1658/9, he acquired from Maria Pratt, widow of Francis Phelips and Philip Owen, the executors of Henry Pratt, deceased, the manor of Barcott, that having been mortgaged to them by Marten before his outlawry. The Sheriff's return in 1655 of all the property held by Marten in Berkshire is recited at length.

Papers without date:

Representation of the case of Sir Hugh Owen of Pembrokeshire against Col. James Lewis, formerly in arms for the King, for obtaining a sequestration of Sir Hugh's estate and leasing it to his own brother-in-law Capt. Thomas Woogan.

Apr. 20. Wanting.—Letter from Mrs. Anne Lyford to [Marten] asking for 40l. or 50l. to apprentice her son. (There is also a letter from Ben. Lyford, dated from Peasemore, pressing for the rent of some land.)

Clement Writer ("your true frind and servant") to the same, about a petition from the former.

Letter in French to the same, from Paris, signed "886 461," about some young friend whom he was desired to see and assist, but whom he found "infecté par ces diables de P. . . . . J'ay vous ay escri une lettre pour (cy trouvez propre) la montrer aux comitties d'Oxon." Some public news follows, with all proper names in cipher. Lettere will reach him if addressed "A Mons. Desverrans," provided it be sent "chez Mons. Moore." See a letter from this writer supra, under date of Feb. 4, 1651.

William Edline to [the same?], during the Civil War. Although he has set forth two horse upon his own charge, and lent the Parliament 10l. in money, and has been himself and four men at Tring, yet he is in danger of being plundered of all his team of horses and goods, and is afraid to lay his seed in the ground; desires therefore to have protection.

July 20. Haddon.—The Earl of Rutland "to my noble and honored frende" Henry Marten. It troubles him to see that the malice of knaves must be completed by those who pretended much honesteté to the public and friendship to himself; but is the more seusible of his happiness in being still in Marten's good thoughts. "I fonde heer-upon much comfort, knowing my innocencye and your integrité, which will shame them if tried and sought into; if not, yet it comforts, and sustaines mee for the present: and at least, at last, will transport mee to the Elisian fields, whear I shall bee past their reach." His wife presents her hearty thanks and best respects. "Your oulde and true freinde, J. Rutland."

Oct. 5. Haddon.—The same to the same, thanking him for letters, in warm terms, and signing as "Your true and ancient freinde and serviteur." The following postscript is added: "Whiles I have right and Henrye Martin on my syde I fear no mineurs nor other unjust scandels which are throwne on me, as false as it is true they are soe, and shall so continue. I humblye thanck you for answering in my behalfe. Adieu." (Framed and glazed.)

"Austton," July 23.—Letter to Marten from a lady who signs as "Augu" Havard, thanking him for his care about her husband's commission to be a justice of the peace for Gloucestershire, which she desires to have down before the "esies" (assize); hopes to see him when he comes into Gloucestershire at the "pore hovs of mine" at "Austton"; begs him to subscribe to a letter her grandmother sent him, which "wos a leter of recomendasen for my hosbon and Mster. Robarts to the governor of Gloster."

Dec. 20. Covent Garden.—Jo. Denne (?) to [the same], addressed as "Signior illustrissiruo." The character given by him to L. Com. Leile brought the broad seal immediately to the writer's suit; begs the same influence may be used with Col. Morley with respect to the tithes of the writer's living of Hartfield, Sussex, where one has been put in by the Committee to officiate, who may be continued.

[1652 or 1653], June 29. Whitehall.—Letter, in Spanish, unsigned, respecting an application made on behalf of the King of Spain to the Council of State for license to transport out of Ireland some of those who have borne arms against the Commonwealth, for the Spanish service.

Isabel Westrop to Marten, asking for money; begs that he and Major Wildman will speak to her lawyer.

John Jorden to the same, upon the latter's having been arrested for debt, which the writer had endeavoured to prevent; hears that he owes 29,000l.

Jane Langston to Marten, recommending the bearer to be appointed a physician in the army.

Vincent De La Bare to the same. "Wee have shipt for St. John's Bay, neer Bologne, 4,000 soldiers, and 2,000 more are shipping, all gallant olde soldiers. They will mack a highe rackett in Flanders, so wee expect daily to heer of great actions." He has a parcel of tortoiseshells come from West India, and desires to know what they are worth the pound.

Jane Brook to the same, begging him, as one of the Committee for examination, to procure the bailing of Mr. Webb.

R[alph] Brideoakes [then Lenthall's chaplain, and afterwards Bishop of Chichester] to the same, introducing the bearer, one Stowel," an honourer of your little great philosopher Epictetus and you." Is just going to Oxford.

Thomas Laurence to the same, asking him to write on his behalf to Lieut.-Gen. Fleetwood, who has the appointing of Col. Claypoole's officers.

"Humble proposals" for raising a national revenue by the registration of lands, and the establishment of banks of credit in connection therewith.

"The humble representation of the case of the collectors for prize goods" with respect to the Dutch prizes.

"The Lord Baltimore's case concerning his plantation in Maryland," with reference to a Petition and Remonstrance against him preferred to the Council of State by one Capt. Ingle.

Rough ground-plan of a house, with short description in Italian, headed "Per casa di Parco in villa di Cervo," i.e. For Park House in Hartington!

The two last leaves (ff. 33–4, 4°) of a dialogue on polygamy, between O. and T.; [being a translation of the tract by Bern. Ochinus. A translation which verbally differs from this, was made by Francis Osborne, and printed at London in 12mo in 1657; this fragment begins at p. 87 of that edition.]

A list of the freeholders of Berkshire, in alphabetical order.

IV. Miscellaneous petitions.

  • 1. Petition of the minister, churchwardens and inhabitants of St. Andrew's in the Wardrobe, London, to Sir H. Marten, asking for help to repair the church which is in great decay. Noted that 20l. were given, and 5l. to the poor.
  • 2. Application from Lady Killigrew for an order from Parliament to the Committee of Rutland to pay her an annuity of 200l. which had been assigned to her by the Duke of Buckingham when under age.
  • 3. Petition to Parliament from freeholders, farmers and labourers in that part of the county of Bucks adjoining Windsor Castle, transmitting a petition delivered to Sir T. Fairfax, against the free quartering of his soldiers upon the petitioners, twenty and thirty being sometimes quartered in one house, whereby all alike are becoming ruined. There are twelve leaves of signatures, numbering in all some hundreds; and of the parish of Chesham there is a fragment of a distinct list.
  • 4. Petition to Parliament from Robert Tokeley for payment of 7,110l. 10s. 8d. for freight of ships employed in the King's service at Cales, the Isle of Ree and Rochelle in 1626–9.
  • 5. Petition to the Commissioners for Compositions from Clare James, widow of John James, of Smarden, Kent, esq., praying that a sequestration laid upon her as a popish recusant may be taken off, she being certified by the minister &c. of St. Giles in the Fields to be no recusant; Oct. 1650.
  • 6. 1651.—Petition to Parliament "of the well-affected gentlemen, ministers and others in the countie of Lancaster," praying that the Earl of Derby, who "was the first and principall incendiary of war in this countye," and who "most inhumanely and unworthily at that horrid massacre at Bolton with his owne hands murthered Capt. Bootle, a religious, worthie and thrice valliant man after quarter given," may not be admitted to compound, for "our countie thus defiled with blood cannot otherwise be purged then by the blood of them who shed it." Sixty signatures are attached, of which 14 are with marks.

  • 7. c. 1651.—Petition to Parliament from those who have shared in the draining of the level of Hatfield Chase against the riotous proceedings of persons headed by Daniel Noddell, an attorney, Lieut.-Col. Lilburne and Major Wildman, who have laid waste all the land, and burned the houses, &c.; "and on the 29 of October last, beinge the Lord's day, Lilburn came with a great number armed to the church" of Epworth, which had been built by the petitioners, "and there forced away the minister and congregation, saying he should not preach there unlesse they weare stronger than hee, and now makes it a place to lay his hay, and a slaughter-howse to kill cattell in."
  • 8. Petition to Parliament from Col. John Fox praying for an order to enable him to have the benefit of an Act with regard to his sequestration.
  • 9. Petition to Parliament from Mary wife of Maurice Awbert, that whereas her husband is declared a delinquent, but being a servant to the Queen is attendant upon her in France, he may have license to come to England to attend his own affairs, and then to return back again.
  • 10. Petition to the Council of State from Henry Turner, of London, merchant, for license to transport some wool grown in Ireland.
  • 11. Petition to the Council of State from Huntington Hastings Corney, gent., for license to remain in London to follow some suits at law, he having taken the Engagement.
  • 12. Petition to H. Marten from William Roberts, praying him to present to Parliament as speedily as possible a petition of Sir William Thomas, Bart., "a gentleman of greate worth and eminencye in North Wales," who has done and still does to the said Roberts great favours and courtesies, and has acted nothing prejudicial against the Parliament, save only his non-appearance there, his election being voted undue.
  • 13. Petition to the Council of State from Alice Powell, widow of Major John Powell, of Radnorshire, who served Q. Elizabeth, King James, and the late King, in the wars in the Low Countries, France, and Spain for forty years, and 35 years ago was allowed, in consequence of his many hurts and maims a pension from the county of Radnor of 10l. per an., which was suddenly stopped eight years ago; he being now dead, she prays for payment of the arrears of 80l. Noted, "Recommend it to the Judges, viz. Eltonhead and Norbury, who sit at Radnor on Munday come fortnight, viz. 1 April."
  • 14. Petition to the Committee for Plundered Ministers from "divers well affected inhabitants of the towne of Redinge" on behalf of Mr. William Erbery. He has been accused of denying the deity of Christ and the satisfaction of His death, and an order has consequently been made that he shall not preach at Reading or elsewhere; but the petitioners affirm that they have both publicly and privately heard him assert both points, and "consideringe his former sufferings by the prelates for the Ghospell and a good conscience sake, and his affections to the Parliament and present government, and the many good services formerly done by him, and his holy and humble conversation," they pray that the order may be repealed.

  • 15. Petition from William Lord Craven to the Parliament praying to be heard by counsel against his sequestration. On the information of Major Richard Falconer (who confessed that he, with another, drew the petition to the King of Scots against the Commonwealth, but said that the petitioner promoted the delivery), and of Capt. Thomas Kitchingman and one Hugh Reyley, that he was at Breda with the King, it was ordered on 6 March 1650 that his estate be confiscate; whereas he had gone beyond seas with consent of Parliament before the war began, and hath been there attending his charge ever since; the King came to Breda while he was there, and he did not go to him; the material charge depends on a single testimony, and that mainly disproved and contradicted; and he has never engaged or in the least manner appeared against the Parliament of England.
  • 16. Petition to the Council of State from Harry Tyrrell, gent., praying for release from prison upon bail.
  • 17. Petition to the Council of State from Col. William Eyre, who has faithfully served the Parliament and been greatly zealous for the good of the nation, though misguided therein and mistaken in the good purposes of others, praying for payment of arrears, that he may go with his family into Ireland, to take possession of his wife's estate there.
  • 18. Petition to Gen. Deane and Gen. Popham from Thomas Wadland, who has been a master and mate in service for eight years, praying for the command of one of the boats now to be employed in the Commonwealth's service.
  • 19. Petition to Mr. Reynolds and Col. Marten from the prisoners for debt in Newgate, praying for the speedy passing of an Act, nearly perfected, for their relief, but which is opposed by lawyers, the "infernall brood of Symon Magus," who offer a bribe of 100,000l. to stop it, and enslave the country to their infernal wills and corrupt minds. The petitioners for these many weeks have fed upon dogs, rats, and ox-livers being their festival food, and are allowed but 13s. 4d. a week amongst a hundred persons.
  • 20. Petition to the Duke of York from Sir William Pargiter, knt., Philip Ward, gent. and Thomas Holt and Thomas Gunter, esqs. that, whereas the estate of Henry Marten (who stands attainted) was granted by him at the desire of the King to John Lord Lovelace in consideration of his sufferings, and of his having advanced 8,000l. upon the security of the said estate, and now has been conveyed by Lord Lovelace to them in two parts, the Duke will be pleased to pass new grants to them in particular.

V. Orders of Parliament, &c.

1642[–3], March 13.—Order of the House of Commons that the sheriffs of London and Middlesex and the committee for the militia do forthwith take into custody the Capuchins at Somerset House for the speedy sending them away to France; the former orders made for the demolishing of superstitious monuments in the Chapel to be executed; Mr. Martyn, Sir Peter Wentworth, and Mr. Gourdon appointed to see the orders carried out; the Earl of Warwick to provide shipping for the transportation.

1643, May 8.—Order of the House of Commons for the speedy payment of 10,000l. to Lord Fairfax.

1643, Aug. 19.—Order that a Committee of nine members of the H. of Commons, or any three of them, examine what moneys Col. Marten hath received and disbursed, and report the whole state of the accompt.

1645, June 7.—Order of the H. of Commons that when this unnatural war shall be ended, the town of Lancaster shall have 8,000l. out of the estates of such papists and delinquents within the said county as were at the burning of the town; with an order of 23 Dec. 1647 that those inhabitants whose houses were burned shall for the year ensuing farm 2,000l. worth of the said estates.

1647, Oct. 6.—Order of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the advance of money &c. for the army that Benedict Hall, of Highmeadow, esq., have a month's time allowed him to examine his witnesses upon the information laid against him, and to cross-examine the witnesses for the State.

1649, July 9.—Order of Parliament that whereas it was ordered on 3 Apr. 1648 that 500l. per an. should be settled on Col. Hammond. Governor of the Isle of Wight, and his heirs for ever; and whereas he, out of a real sense of Capt. Richard Pechell's good affections and losses for the service of the Parliament, hath voluntarily offered that 100l. out of the said 500l. should be settled on the said Pechell, the Committee of the revenue shall pay 400l. to Col. Hammond and 100l. to Capt. Pechell, by half-yearly payments, until those amounts be settled on them out of papists' and delinquents' estates.

1649, July 17.—Order for referring an Act for the enlargement of poor prisoners for debt, reported this day by Mr. Marten and read a first and second time, to a committee of 22; any five to meet, and to report with all speed.

1650, June 12.—Order referring a petition of Anne daughter and heir of Sir Robert Loftus, and grandchild and heir of Adam viscount Loftus of Ely, to a committee of 21 (of whom Marten is one), any five of them to meet.

1650, Aug. 6.—Order of the Council of State appointing a committee of nine (of whom Marten is one) to consider the drawing instructions for the better ordering of the business of the staying in town of such Scots as are here, and to consider such petitions as are offered by Scots for their staying.

1651, June 17.—Order of Parliament that Thomas Fanshaw, esq., son and heir apparent of Sir Thomas Fanshaw, K.B., being of the age of 19 years, be admitted to suffer a common recovery of the manor or farm of Westbury, and the farm of Tickingham Grange, in Essex.

1652, May 19.—Copy of an order by the Commissioners for compounding, allowing a deed dated 14 May 1643 by which Lord Morley conveyed the manor and castle of Hornby, Lancashire, to William Habington and John Harryes as trustees, for payment of his debts; and ordering payment of the rents from May 1650 to May 1653 to the said trustees.

1652, June 15.—Order of the Council of State appointing a committee to consider the several petitions desiring Irishmen for the service of foreign parts; with a subsequent order of 19 June adding Col. Martyu and Col. Purefoy to the committee.

1657[–8], March 11.—Order of the Committee for preservation of the Customs and regulating the Excise that Col. Henry Martyn do forthwith pay into the Treasury for prize goods the sum of 20l. for one tun of French wine by him bought of the late Commissioners for prize goods, for which the moneys were due at days long since past; or in default that he appear personally to show cause why he paid not for the same.

VI. A parcel of family letters and papers, of little importance.

  • 1. Six letters from Marten to his agent at Leominster, Mr. Thomas Deane, and three to his agent in Derbyshire, Mr. Richard Peeters, in 1656–7, chiefly written from "The Rules," while confined for debt.
  • 2. Two letters from him to his sister Lady Rogers, at her house at Bray.
  • 3. One letter from him directed "to Mrs. Frances Ward at the Thatched House in the Rules, Southwark; for her sister," who is addressed as "my dear," "my love," and "my heart." Written from "The Holy Lambe in Abingdon," 12 July 1654. "They are now chusing knights of the shire in the market-place."
  • 4. Letter to Marten from his sister Lady Mary Rogers, dated at Bray 11 Apr. 1648. "I thinke I shall have your daughter Betty at Eaton with hir sister Jane, which she will chuse rather then Hurley. . . . This day I cary Hal to his Mr., and Jane to hir Mrs., Rebeckey."
  • 5. Five letters to him from his brother George Marten in Barbadoes, 1652–7. In the first, dated 28 March, 1652, he says, "Sir George [Ayscue] has performed the trust layd on him by the Parliament with greate honor, justice and wisdome; hee has delivered us from the Lord Willoughby and those that with him meant to have raised their fortunes upon or by the ruines of this place, has left us in a willinge and cherfull obedience to the Parliament, the supreme authoritye of England, and has caryed with him what wee humbly desire from that authority," which is chiefly the sanctioning the defraying losses and charges by the only means which the Governor, Council and Assembly can find possible, viz. the "continuinge the custome of 4 and 2 per cent. upon all the goods of the groweth of this place exported, 4 upon what goes off upon the merchants' accompt, 2 of what goes off upon the planters'." In the next letter, of 11 July, 1656, he introduces the bearer, Major Anthony Rouse, "whoe is my very kind and lovinge freind, and a person of as much honesty and honor as I have ever mett with in these perts. Hee has lately married a rich widowe heere, and with her some troble, which hee will acquaint you with." In the last letter, 20 May, 1657, he desires his brother to help "Susan," apparently his wife, to come out to him.
  • 6. Letter to him from his sister Eliza Edmonds, and one in Latin from his nephew, her son, Charles Edmonds ("dab. e musæo Oxon, 17 cal. Julii, an. 1652"), in which he thanks him for his "prodiga munificentia."
  • 7. Two letters to him from his son Henry Marten, in 1657, reminding him of a promise to send a coat for his master's son, who is five years old; "pray lett it bee laysed, or else it will not bee healfe soe pleasing." Asks him also to endeavour to obtain some scholars for his master, "for hee heath nothing but what hee doeth gitt by his teaching, except twenty pounds a yeare, and that hee heath no longer then his wife liveth. . . . Their are many men now at mens estate which doe give him many thankes for his care and panes."
  • 8. Seven letters to Marten from his daughters, Jane, Anne, and Frances; viz.—


March 31 [1657].—Jane Marten to her father, "at his house in the Rules in Southwarke."
"Sir, The hopes I have had of seing you every day hath made me forbear to trouble you with writing till now. I am very sory to hear you are so incumber'd with fresh troubles before you are rid of the old. I whish with all my heart I knew how I might be so serviceable to you as that I could be capable of doing you any good, for indeed it is a very great trouble to me that ther is none of us is able to doe any more then wish and pray for your happy deliverance out of your troubles, and according to your comands bear it out till it shall pleas God either to make me more serviceable or less burdensome to you. So with my humble duty I rest,


Sir, your most obedient child till death,
(Framed and glazed.)
Jane Marten."
Four letters from Anne (one in a hand unlike the rest), chiefly about money difficulties, and the non-receipt of 30l. which he had sent her by Major Wildman; "You will be plesed to consider that I can not keepe house without mony."
Two letters from Frances; one in a formal copy-book hand (in 1657) unlike the other. In the second, which is about her father's troubles she says, "Oh how unworthy is Mr. Louder! His mouth is an open sepulchre, and what he spaketh is of noe reputashon."

  • 9. Letter to him from Tho. Parker, who signs as "Your faythfull and dutyfull sunne," dated at Hornby, 28 Jan. 1654 (?), apologizing for some quarrel at Whitchurch, "for which I was much to blame, in expressing myselfe so largly att your table, for beeing in soe much passion I was nott myselfe, for the which I hope it will be your goodnesse to pardon mee. Soe for the other businness conserninge the fallinge out, and the deffrence betwixt Mr. Warde and myselfe, was in refference of the respects and love that I bore unto your only sonne. Seeing him soe grosly abused, I could nott but vindycat in the honnor and respect I bore to you, withall hee giveing mee a boxe of the eare, which provocked mee to pattion, and to doe that which I would nott willingly have dun." Begs assistance for payment of debts due on 25 March. Intends to be in a few days with his wife at Chelton in Oxfordshire.
  • 10. Schedule by Sir Henry Marten, knt. (father of the Colonel) of various legacies left by his brother, William Marten, of the city of Oxford, esq.; viz. 400l. for pious uses in Berkshire, out of which 100l. had been paid for Eaton Hastings' highway; to Sir Henry's wife Elizabeth, to Alice, Mary, and Robert Bonithon, and to others; lastly, to some sufficient and full minister that shall instruct and catechize in points of religion the younger people and children of Kennington and in the chappell there once every week upon Sunday or holiday, during the terme of 7 yeares, sixe pounds yearlie, to bee paid by equall porcions quarterlie."
  • 11. Proposals and particulars for the sale of the manor, &c., of Hartington, sent by Marten to Mr. Savile, from the "Rules," 1 March and 22 March, 1658–9; in the first paper offering the whole for 9500l., and in the second for 9000l.
  • 12. Statement of the whole remaining unsold estate of Henry Marten, after his attainder. Whole annual value about 1000l.; of which 400l. for his wife's jointure, made before marriage, above 20 years since, out of which 2000l. are to be raised for portions for his two eldest daughters; 300l. per an. for the jointure of George Marten's wife, which is only Henry Marten's so long as he has issue male, he having now only one son; and the remaining 300l. is leased for 500 years without rent, for a full and valuable consideration. There is in judgments, statutes, and mortgages upon the said 1,000l. per an. about 30,000l.; and the creditors desire to purchase from the King the reversion of the remainder although the encumbrances are about 15,000l. more than the whole estate can be sold for.

VII. A parcel of fragments of unfinished drafts of various political pamphlets in H. Marten's handwriting.

  • 1. Fragment (4 pp.) of a tract in reply to J. Lilburne, of which the title has been written and re-written several times, and crossed. The following is part of the title: "Rash censures uncharitable . . . . in answer to a discourse . . . . of Lieut. Col. Jo. Lilburne, by way of epistle to Henry Marten, dated ult. May 47, but never seen by him until 26 June following when hee met it in the street." The following passage occurs near the beginning: "When . . . . I, adhering to my first principles had frequent occasion to deliver my conscience not only against the K. but against his countreymen, against the Lord M., Ald., and Common Councell of this greate, riche and faithfull citty, against the Assembly of godly learned and orthodox Divines, against the wholl House of Peeres, and the major part (as it proved) of the House of Commons, I could not but expect to bee reproched and inveighed against by almost every pen and tongue that would take notice of so mean a subject. Accordingly I have oftentimes mett my name bespattered in songs ballads and pamphlets, yet never troubled my head with framing of any counter-song, anti-ballad, or vindication, till I found Lieut. Col. John Lilburne firing upon Henry Marten."
  • 2. Fragment (1½ pp.) of a reply to some Scotchman, addressed as "Jockey." "A man would think that our brethren of Scotland are not very fond of the King's person, because they do not carry him into his native Kingdome, which they might as easily do, and with as much leave, as they did carry him from Newark to Newcastle, neither doth it follow that the Parl. of England supposeth the company of this King to be a benefitt because they conceive the disposall of any King in this kingdom to be their right."
  • 3. "The rights of the People of England, considered both in the masse, as they are inhabitants of one countrey gatherable into a body, and in litle, as they are represented at the House of Commons; published by Henry Marten, of Berkshire, esq., dated 4 or 5 yeares ago, upon occasion of certain collections set forth lately by Mr. Selden, and entitled The Priviledges of the Baronage of England when they sitt in Parliament. 1647." Title, and address to the Reader, 3 pp.
  • 4. "Observations of Henry Marten's upon Mr. [Thomas] White's Grounds of obedience and government"; 3 pp. A prefatory note is prefixed, dated at the "Rules," Aug. 1655.
  • 5. "An answer to the author of the Captious Questions"; 3 pp. The questions are "Whether we are willing to be healed?" and "Whether men know what they would be at?"
  • 6. "History of independency; To the mistery of the 2 Juntos and the designes of O.C. etc.;" being one page of remarks on [Cl. Walker's] book so entitled. "It is clear to me that a wholl Parliament can have no plott at all; they are so numerous, and so mingled in temper and education, age and interests, that so great a party as hee calls Independants could not drive on any project of that bulk, so long a brewing, with secrecy sufficient for such an enterprize. And it is not clear to me that the single person you speak of did lay those eggs, or sett a brood upon them, which we see hatched indeed to his advantage. He was a man of a high spirit from the beginning, very active and vigilant; he had got a crew about him of blades that would follow him through any other fire to avoid the fire of persequutions.

  • 7. Description and vindication of the Levellers; one page. "I am more mistaken then I use to bee (which needes not) if the most mistaken thing this day in England (Religion allwayes excepted and fore-prized) bee not the doctrine of those who rather by others then themselves are termed Levellers."
  • 8. "The Considerations on Mr. Harington's Commonwealth of Oceana reconsidered by H. Marten, and made up in a letter to their Author;" one page.
  • 9. A manifesto against the Scots; two pages. "We the P[eople] of the C[ommonwealth] of E[ngland] have bene not onely ey-witnesses but fellow-feelers of so many affronts, indignityes, and reall wrongs, in designe, in language, and in open act, putt upon this nation by our neighbours of Scotland."
  • 10. Commencement, on one page, of remarks on the right of the people of England to choose their own representatives in the House of Commons, without which they become perfect slaves.
  • 11. Title of a pamphlet: "[Sygkritidmos] or Satisfaction dissatisfying, in seventeen aunswers to as many Queries, calling themselves sober and serious (but being the first queries that ever went about to satisfy) of J.G., calling himself (instead of setting down his name at large) a cordiall friend, nay, a well-wisher, to all men he doth not say, but to the interest of all, except fighters and adventurers for the Commonwealth. There is likewise to 3 Queries more in a postscript of the same pamphlet a proportionable number of answers." J.G.'s tract was published in 1654, under the title of "[Sygkritidmos] or dissatisfaction satisfied, in seventeen serious queries, tending to allay the discontents of persons dissatisfied about the late revolution government."
  • 12. Twenty-four lines of Latin verse of glowing panegyric upon Oliver Cromwell on his assuming the Protectorate:

"—ille, inclytus ille Cromwellus, implet solium, acclamante Britanno."

They begin thus:


"Cedite (sic Anglûm Parcæ voluere benigne)
Heroes pariter veteres pariterque recentes."

They end:


"Quicquid id est, Deus est qui nos victricibus armis
Ductu Hujus, qui nos Hoc Protectore beavit.
Dicite Io Pæan, et Io ter dicite Pæan."

  • 13. A key to a cipher; one page. This I subjoin in full. "For King, G; Parliament, T; speaking of the T write him, of G write them. For Cromwell write L, for Ireton N, for Fairefax X, speaking of him write her. For Col. Martin write O, for Wildman A, for Wallwin B, for Petter E. For the House of Lords D, House of Commons F, for the city of London H, for the Scotts C, for Commissioners in gen[eral] J, for Committee K, for the Frensh M, Irish P, the Welsh Q, Dutch R, an Army S, for Col. Overton V, for Col. Rainesbrough W, for the Isle of Ely Y, for Poole Z, for Ammunition &. For Money OO, for Numbers the Romane figures in small letters, for Men EE, for Harrison's JJ, for Col. Eyre's AA, for friends in generall AJ. For a Regiment OJ, a Company EJ, a Troop AO. For the General's regiment of horse 1, for L.-G. Cromwell's regiment of horse 2, Ireton's regiment of horse 3, for Whaley's regiment 4, Fleetwood's 5, Harrison's 6, Tomlinson's 7, Riche's 8, Scroope's 9, Horton's 10, The General's regiment of foot 1, Col. Deane's 2, Pride's 3, Heuson's 4, Baxstead's 5, Constable's 6, Hammond's 7, Lilburne's 8, Skippon's 9, Overton's 10, [Okey's dragoones 20, struck out] Sir Hardresse Waller's 11."

VIII. A small parcel of papers relative to a family named Chambre [of Denbighshire and Wicklow].

  • 1. Six letters from Kathren Chambre to her husband Calcott Chambre, about 1653–4. Complaining of neglect and poverty, and relative to some proposed sale to a Mr. Worsley.
  • 2. Two letters from Calcott Chambre to his wife.
  • 3. One letter to C. Chambre from his sister Ester Chambre at Barbadoes; this is the sixth letter she has written without receiving one in reply; she wants not any earthly thing, for God has raised up friends that she may term her father and mother.
  • 4. To the same from his sister Judeth Chambre, dated at Harlston, 23 Oct. 1653. God has provided for her quite contrary to her expectation by those she never thought would have regard of her; she has so endeavoured to carry herself in a pleasing way to the Earl and Countess [of Meath?] that they have concluded to take her sister Elizabeth "My bro. Georg is the most unnaturall to us that ever I knew; I feere he is seduced by some unsantified creature."
  • 5. Two letters to the same ("cosen Chambre") from John Datie, begging for repayment of money; 1654.
  • 6. To the same from T. W.; 31 March, 1654.
  • 7. To "Capt. Chambre" from William Newman, about remittances from Ireland; 18 Aug., 1653.
  • 8. "Ma. Meath" [i.e., Countess of Meath] to "cosen George" Chambre; has desired her cousin Bathurst to give him 50s., he having written to her for clothes and about his learning arithmetic, and telling her of the kindnesses received from and promised by her cousin Col. Marten, "to bind you prentes to a marchant; he is a very good frend; doe not make il use of his frendship, but ease his charge by your humility, diligenc and industry"; 18 Feb. 1656–7.
  • [Edward Brabazon, the second Earl of Meath, married Mary, younger daughter of Calcot Chambre, Esq.]
  • 9. Letter from Thomas Ward to his cousin George Chambre, written from Ballasore 29 Dec. 1655, with account of his voyage to the East Indies, &c.
  • There is also a letter from the same to Henry Marten, written soon after setting sail from the Downs "from Smythick in Cornewall," 22 Jan. 1654–5, and one without address, but probably to Marten, from one Rob. Ward, while at sea on 26 Jan. 1657.
  • 10. Letter of extravagant adulation from George Chambre to one whom he addresses as "Most reverend Sir and eheife patron of good lear[n]ing." "The splendor of your singular goodlines hath not onely brightened my hands by the receipt thereof, but alsoe made my tongue to speake most elegantly whilst that I read them, O thou most learned man," &c.

IX. Harley Papers.

i. Narrative of the death of Hampden.

"Sir Edward Harley happened to go out of town towards his seat in Herefordshire with Sir Robert Pye of Faringdon; they were relations, and both of them lived at that time pretty near one another at Westminster. Sir Edward went in the same chariot with Sir Robert as far as Faringdon, and both of them having been military men entertained one another with the relation of many adventures of that kind; and amongst other matters, Sir Robert, who had married Mr. Hampden's daughter, acquainted his companion with the true history of his father-in-law's receiving his death wound on Chalgrove Field. When they were at supper at Faringdon, Sir Edward requested his kinsman Sir Robert Pye to repeat the account he had related on the road before his son Robert [now (fn. 4) Earl of Oxford] and one of the Foleys then likewise in company with them, as a matter of fact which it might be usefull to curious persons to know, and upon the certainty of which they might depend, and you are to read the following account as coming out of the mouth of Sir Robert Pye, addressing himself to his kinsman after this manner. `You know,' says he, `it is commonly thought that my father-in-law dyed of a wound he receiv'd from the enemy in Chalgrove Field, but you shall hear the exact truth of the matter as I had it from my father himself some time before he expired. The Earl of Essex lay at that time with his army before Reading, and Mr. Hampden attended him there as one of the Committee from the Parliament, who were always to be with the General. Major Gunter was with a considerable party quarter'd towards Thame and Chalgrove and those parts. The General had intelligence that Prince Rupert was going to make an excursion from Oxford, by which he would very probably make great havock amongst Gunter's party with his horse, if timely care was not taken to prevent it by immediately dispatching proper succors. Upon this a councill was called, and Coll. Hampden voluntarily offer'd himself to command the detachment to be sent on the expedition, being a person very particularly acquainted with those countrys through which Prince Rupert was to pass, for he had been a very great sportsman in his time, and had often traversed those countrys as such. His proposal was accepted, and away he went. Prince Rupert came, and did the havock and execution design'd, and which could not by this intelligence and precaution be intirely prevented. In a skirmish on this occasion Mr. Hampden drew one of his pistols, and as it gave fire it burst to pieces in his hand, and shatter'd his arm in a very dismall manner. Upon this he made the best of his way off; he was very well mounted as he always used to be. When he was come to a considerable rivulet, as there are many such in those parts between the hills, he was much put to it what to do. He thought that if he alighted and turn'd his horse over, he could not possibly get up again, and how to get over upon him he could not well tell. But he resolv'd at last to try what his horse could do, and so clapt his spurs to, and got clean over. As soon as he possibly could he sent for me; he was in very great (fn. 5) pain, and told me that he suspected his wound was mortal; but what makes it still more grievous to me, says he, is, that I am affraid you are in some degree accessary to it, for the hurt I have receiv'd his (sic) occasion'd by the bursting of one of those pistolls which you gave me. You may be sure I was not a little surprized and concern'd at hearing this, and assured him they were bought from one of the best workmen in France, and that I myself had seen them tryed. You must know it was Mr. Hampden's custom, whenever he was going abroad, always to order a raw serving boy that he had to be sure to take care that his pistolls were loaded, and it seems the boy did so very effectually, for when ever he was thus order'd he always put in a fresh charge without considering or examining whether the former charge had been made use of or not, and upon examining the remaining pistoll they found it was in this manner quite filled up to the top with two or three supernumery (sic) charges. And the other pistoll having been in the same condition was the occasion of its bursting, and shattering Mr. Hampden's arm in such a manner that he receiv'd his death by the wound and not by any hurt from the enemy.'

Compare this story with Lord Clarendon's account, vol. II., p. 264."

ii. 1719, Feb. 9. Dublin.—Letter from Dean Swift.

"Sir, I was twice disappointed with your letter. When I saw your name on the outside I thought it had been a civility you had done to some friend to save me postage; when I saw the same name after opening I was in hopes to hear something of you and your family, my Lord Oxford, Lord Harley, and your son, and I wish you had sayd something on that head by way of postscript. I desire you will ask my Lord Oxford whether his brother Nathaniel understands musick; if he does, and recommends Mr. Lovelace particularly from his own knowledge, something may be said. I have the honour to be Captain of a band of nineteen musicians (including boys), which are I hear about five less then my friend the D. of Chandos, and I understand musick like a Muscovite; but my quire is so degenerate under the reigns of former Deans of famous memory, that the race of people called Gentlemen Lovers of Musick tell me I must be very carefull in supplying two vacancyes, which I have been two years endeavoring to do. For you are to understand that in disposing these musicall employments, I determine to act directly contrary to Ministers of State, by giving them to those who best deserve. If you had recommended a person to me for a Church-living in my gift, I would be less curious; because an indifferent Parson may do well enough, if he be honest, but Singers like their brothers the Poets must be very good, or they are good for nothing. I wish my Lord Oxford had writ to me on this subject, that I might have had the pleasure of refusing him in direct terms.

If you will order Mr. Lovelace to enquire for one Rosingrave my organist now in London, and approve his skill to him, on his report I shall be ready to accept Lovelace, which is the short of the matter that I have made so many words of, in revenge for your saying nothing of what I would desire to know; and I must desire you to put my Lord Oxford in mind of sending me his picture, for it is just eight years last Tuesday since he promised me. If you had said but one syliable of my sister Harriette I could have pardoned you.

Pray believe that there is no man who can possibly have a greater respect for you and your family than myself. Nothing but a scurvy state of health could have hindred me from the happiness of once more seeing you all. I am, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, Jo. Swift."

William Dunn Macray.

Footnotes

  • 1. * It is worth noting that from 1651 to 1658 the series of letters from the bailiffs of the manor of Hartington in Derbyshire, and from the steward of the manor of Leominster in Herefordshire, Thomas Deane, as well as from other business agents (Will. Wardley, John Cleveland, &c.) to Colonel H. Marten, is extremely full, and the letters afford complete details of the management of the estates, the difficulties with tenants, &c. during that period. There is a quarto book containing a "Survey of the Lordship of Leominster," made in 1651, which gives the names of all the several pieces of land in the several farms, &c., with their measurement, and a table of all the tenants, with the yearly values. On one sheet are notes about Leominster written early in the 17th century, containing two charters copied from the Reading Chartulary in Cotton MS. Domitian III. about the church of Leominster, granted by Richard Bishop of Hereford in 1123, and by Bishop Hugh, with extracts from Leland's Itinerary and Collectanea. These are interesting as being probably the earliest extracts made from Leland's MSS., while they were in Burton's possession.
  • 2. † This date occurs in several places. It would seem to mark the octave of Michaelmas, the sixth of October being St. Faith's day.
  • 3. * The signature has been torn off, but the two first letters of the Christian name remain, "Ro—." The writing somewhat resembles that of the preceding letter, but not very closely.
  • 4. * Altered by another hand to "afterwards." Possibly this alteration may show that this paper was used by the printer of the St. James' Chronicle in 1761, and that the word was then changed.
  • 5. † This word is supplied in the margin by the other hand.