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This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copy order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the copyright law. AUTHOR: GREEN, EMANUEL TITLE : THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE THROUGH.. PLACE: LONDON DA TE : 1892 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT Master Negative # BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARCFT Restrictions on Use: Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record y^ »• Groon, Einanuol. | The march of V.llliam of Orange through Somerset, ■ with a notice of other local events in the time i of King JcL-.e3 II., A.D. 168S... London, Printed for the autlior, 1^9"^ • no :m. ^'^^'M]! , \ ■ . , . ^> . 1 'I. TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE:__ i^, _ REDUCTION RATIO: 11/ IMAGE PLACEMENT: IaQLv' IB IIB —^^^— DATE FILMED:__._:__ J'li?r3 INITIALS ^ _Jh u FILMED BY: RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS. INC WOODBRIDGE. 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HL-^TuR\: POCIETY KJC Hontfait PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 1892 ]f Ht.WOi" PRINTKn RY SPOTTISWOODE AXD CO., XEW-STREEl SQI'AKB LONlHiX t)4-2. 0C7 Q^ ,1 \ CIL PEEFACE I ! ,i If I*" t| t *« Ox finding in the Bodleian Library the manuscripts herein used, thev were at first extracted as suitable for a ' paper.' Then, as some introduction seemed advis- able, other search was made for more material ; but, the letters of the tune being so few, not much was found. When all was gathered, however, the usual limit for a ' paper ' was exceeded, and so a good opportunity seemed to offer for adopting the plan, which should l)e more used for local history, of giving documents very fully or entirely and so makhig them tell their own tale, bringing out the actions and actors of the time and their intentions, without doubt or necessitv for further reference. Short as the story is, it forms a sequel to that of the Sixanish Armada of exactlv a centurv l)efore : and it may also, perhaps, be just noted now, as the papists of to-day have started an organisation with the idea of reviving an interest in the position here seen destroved. I THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET -•o^ In 1671, but ten years after the restoration of Charles II., in the face of Protestant England, and during the lifetime of many actors in the late civil war, the king's brother James, Duke of York, startled the nation by announcing himself a papist. Intense agitation ensued. Much debate arose about the succession to the crown, with special reference to the duke's exclusion, it being weh understood and publicly argued that a king who is a papist acknowledges tliereby that he is not supreme in the land. As to whether the suc- cession could be changed, or how it could be done, there was a difference of opinion. It was to the interest of the kingdom, thought some, that it should continue only in the direct line ; these forgetting, said the others, that the king, lords, and commons had a right to dispose of it. Then there was the question of the duke's marriage. We ' fear we shall have the daughter of Modena for our duchess,' says a letter of this time— a fear which proved to be true. On a proposition being made in the commons, that the marriage should not be consummated, and that the duke B 2 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE should marry a Protestant, the discussion was stopped by the ParHament being at once prorogued. Avoiding too much detail as belonging to the general history of the time, only a iV'W points can be noticed here. The Parliament gone, the kin^, '-^ladv rid of the restraint, chose to violate the constitu- tion, especially by issuing a ' Declaration of Indulgence,' which removed all the penal laws purposely passed against Pioman Catholics. In the spring of 1073 the Parliament again assembled, when immediately this declaration was attacked and its revo- cation demanded. It was cancelled accordingly, and followed bv the Test Act, by which every one holding any office was compelkd, under penalty of disqualification, to take oaths of allegiance and supremacy, to deny transubstantiation, and to receive tlie S;icrainent according to the usage of the Church of England. ' Wliat would the duke do *? ' was the query of the dav. It is ' bruited about,' wrote one, ' that he will take, but it is much doubted.' All doubt was soon solved when, ihiding bim^tlf unable to accept the imposed conditions, he was obliged to throw up liis appointments. In 1079 this Parlia- ment was di.-:^olvcd and another ekcted. The great point with the new house was the bill for the exclusion of the duke from the succession to the crown. Against this the king was ready to promise anything, but no promise would be acctq)ted ; the consequence was, lirst, a prorogation, ]\Iay 2r), 1G79, followed soon after by a dissolution. A new elec- tion followed in the same year ; Imt, the result going against the king, the Parliament was prorogued without meeting. In October, 1«)80, when the house met, the Exclusion Bill was again the prominent su])ject ; but, the bill being eventually thrown out by the lords, the king at once dissolved. Feelings were now very strong ; the whole country was in THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET a ferment. The position w^as not unlike that of the time of Charles I. ; the unconstitutional proceedings of the king in favour of popery producing a hatred which led to personal armament. The Protestant religion, said the City of London, was primitive Christianity restored. ' Nobody,' wrote one, ' will trust the Church of Eome further than they can com- mand her. She may be compared to the tiger which fawns, sneaks, and lurks as long as the hunter is armed with his spear and his gun; but, wdien once the weapons are laid down, the beast iiies upon the unwary one and tears and devours him.' All were thus cautioned to be aware, and not to fall victims to the lawless fury and barbarity of such a sort, subtle and treacherous by custom and disciphne, not to be chained by any law, either of God or man.^ The Parliament being dissolved, the towns sent addresses to their representatives. Some from Somerset w^ere published in a pamphlet under the title of ' Vox Patri^ : Eesentments and Indignation of the Free-born Subjects of England against Popery, arbitrary Government, and the Duke of York or any Popish Successor.' Bridgwater, by letter agreed upon by the mayor and inhabitants on February 26, 1681, addressed Sir Halswell Tynte and Sir John Malet : We greet you both with our most humble and hearty service, and by these inform you that on Saturday, the 2()th past, with all becoming calmness and fairness, we elected you to be our burgesses and representatives in the ensuing Parliament. We do also unanimously approve of that great care and indefatigable industry which the last Parliament took in and ' Modest Vindication of the rctition of the Lords. B 2 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET I i towards the securing the Protestant rehgion (than which nothing is more dear to us), his Majesty's sacred person and Government, together with the vindication and preservation of our native rights, Hberties, and priviledges : for their utmost endeavour to bring the betrayers of the same, together with all the principal conspirators in that most damnable and hellish popish plot, to condign punishment, not omitting our grateful acknowledgements of those many good bills which they had prepared : and, moreover, for all those worthy votes, resolutions, and orders made and past in that most loyal and never-to-be-forgotten Parliament, whereof one of you in the last and both of you in former Parliaments (to our great comfort and encouragement) approved yourselves faithful members. AVe do also humbly and heartily desire and petition you to follow their good precedent and example in this ensuing Par- liament to do your utmost to secure the king's person, with the Protestant religion (which we apprehend, with deep sense of mind, to be in eminent danger) from all popish attempts and conspiracies whatsoever : as also to take care for the exclusion and prevention of any popish successor from inheriting the imperial crown of this realm. In the firm and faithful discharge of that c^reat trust we have reposed in you (whereof we do not in the least doubt) withal confidently believing, that you will not charge our estates, till we are effectually secured from popery and arbitrary government ; we do assure you that we will stand by you with our lives and fortunes ; and we shall ever pray for your good success. On March 11 Taunton sent its address, as follows, to Edmund Prideaux and John Trenchard, Esqrs. : Worthy Sirs, We do most heartily acknowledge your great wisdom, courage, and faithfulness in the discharge of the trust by us re- posed in you as members of the late dissolved Parliament, whose worthy endeavours for the happiness of the king and kingdom exceedingly rejoiced the hearts of true English and Protestant spirits, and will make them famous to posterity. And now, Sirs, having in full assurance of your per- severance in the same good works, we have presumed again to make choice of you as our representatives in the ensuing Parliament, desiring your acceptance of that great trust : and be^'c^ina you, as that wherein the glory of God, the interest of the Protestant religion, the safety and welfare ot the kmg and kingdom is highly concerned, to prosecute (as shall be guided by the wisdom of that honourable house), these following particulars, viz. : 1. That some effectual course may be taken for the safety of his Majesty's sacred person and Government, which have been and still are in extreme danger by the abominable plots and attempts of papists. 2. That further search made into the horrid popish plot, and the plotters and abettors thereof brought to condign punishment. 3. That you will joyn with the rest of that honourable house (whereof you are now chosen to be members) in repeating the endeavours of the two last worthy Parliaments to bar all papists (and especially James, Duke of York) from the exercise of the royal authority of this kingdom. 4. That you will with all diligence endeavour the uniting of his Majesties Protestant subjects, and the repealing those severe laws that are obstructive thereof. 5. That all good endeavours be used for the securing of S 6 THE MARCH OF \VILLIA3I OF ORANGE THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET our religion and property, and the just rights and privileges of the subject. 6. That some law may be made for the preventing of the excesses and exorbitancies in the election of members of Parliament, and of undue returns ; and that some effectual provision may be made for the meeting of frequent Parliaments, and for their sitting to redress grievances, and to make such wholesome laws as shall be necessary for the welfare of this nation. 7. That some effectual course be taken to give a check to prophaneness and debauchery, which threaten ruine or at least exceeding great prejudice to the kingdom. In prosecuting of all which wortliy acts we shall endeavour vour defence with our lives and fortunes. This was followed by another, clear and plain spoken, showing the strong feeling, and curious as comhig from the nun-enfranchised. It is : TJlc Iliinihh' Addrr.sH of iJ/r Yautnj Mi n of (J/c ]hirn>ii'iJi (^f Tdiiii- ton to I'jIiiiiin'I Pr'iihaiix and -Jidm l^rrficJninl, K>i(intn'^, icho ircr*' II nani iih>iisl// cJ/o-'^rn In/ tJir ln}(id>')ta)il-^ (<> he Ilrprcscnfatii'es of the said r><)n>iiii}i to .sv/t." /// tliU ParUa- DiL'ut, icJdck is to sit at O.ifurd, MarcJi 21, 1081-2. Sins, Though we are not immediately concerned in the electing mem])ers to serve in Parliament, yet being deeply sensible that we shall bear an equal share with others in the same common* danger and universal slavery which hell and Pome liave been, and still are, with joint and unwearied en- deavours, attempting to involve these Protestant nations in, •f we cannot without charging ourselves with unparallell'd m- gratitude, omit the returning you our hearty thanks for that good and eminent service you did both us and the nation ni the late dissolved Parliament. That you did with such ni- fiamed zeal, with such undaunted courage and resolution, en- deavour the security of our reUgion, liberty, and property against that accursed popish faction who were the invaders of them; particularly we deem ourselves infinitely obliged for the great care you manifested in the preservation of his Majesties sacred person, in your strenuous prosecution of Uie horrid and damnable popish plot, and in that your attempts were so bri^k and vigorous for the preventing of an arbitrary and tyrannical power (which we cannot but unanimously abhor), liberty and property being an inheritance which as Englishmen we are born unto. And above all we commend yom- courage and prudence in prosecuting that happy ex- pedient of excluding a popish successor from inheriting the imperial crown of this realm ; without which we judge it ut- terly impossible that the Protestant religion can be secured to us, ov that our necks can be long free from that Pomish yoke, which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear; and now, sith it has pleased our gracious king to issue forth his royal proclanuition signifying his pleasure to meet his people again in Parliament, we cannot but address ourselves to you, the representatives of this borough, humbly requesting that you would, according to the trust reposed in you, vigorously prosecute those counsels that have a tendency to a happy settlement of affairs both in Church and State ; particularly our unanimous request to you is : 1. That forasmuch as the late horrid and hellish plot hath, according to the votes of the preceding Parliaments, received life and countenance from James, Duke of York, you would 8 THE MAECH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE THROUGH. THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 9 ii expedite a bill for the utter incapacitating him ever to sway the scepter of these kingdoms, and that the Bill of Association may be annexed, whereby all his Majesties subjects may be enabled to oppose him or any of his accomplices in case he should attempt to possess himself of the same. 2. To take such measures as your wisdom shall agree upon for the uniting of the Protestant interest in these nations. 3. That the artillery and mihtia of the nation be settled in the hands of men of known integrity, courage, and conduct, and that all papists and popishly affected persons now in places of pubHc trust be discharged (which if effected) may be a means to prevent those great fears and jealousies which are apt otherwise to be nourished amongst us. 4. That you proceed to the tryal of popish lords, together with all other criminal offenders, and go on sifting to the bottom that execrable plot which hath been, and we must fear still is carried on, to take away his Majesties hfe (whom God long preserve) ; to root out the fundamental laws of this realm, as also to introduce popery into the Church and tvrannv into the State. 5. That you take cognizance of the illegal and arbitrary proceedings of courts, as well ecclesiastical as civil, as you have begun, that so the laws may not be wrested against the Protestant dissenters, nor stretched in favour of popish recusants, as also to consider the unpresidented finings and imprisonings, whereby many of his Majesties truly loyal subjects have been grievously oppressed. 6. That you would speedily think of some good expedient for the regulating of elections, as also for removing of those oaths and tests which have proved no small hindrance to divers worthy Protestants from being useful instruments in serving their king and country in Church and State. These things, worthy Sirs, we humbly offer to your considerations, not as directors but remembrancers, out of a principle of loyal zeal for his Majesties security and our countries tran- quillity: and assure yourselves in the prosecution of these truly noble designs, we will defend you with our lives and fortunes ; accounting our dearest blood a tribute due to the safety of our king and country, when called for in their defence. The king, too, received addresses from others, with appa- rently loyal intentions and with expressions of thanks, some- times rather qualified, for his ' gracious declaration.' Beginnmg in April, the following came from Somerset : The Humble Declaration and Address of your Majesties Deputy Lieutenants, Justices of the Peace, and Officers of your Majesties Militia in and for the County of Somerset. Most Gracious Sovereign, We, your Majesties most loyal and obedient subjects of the county of Somerset, whose names are subscribed, being sensible of the gi'eat blessings this kingdom has enjoyed under your Majesties government since your Majesties happy restauration thereunto, and having our hearts filled with joy by your Majesties late declaration touching your royal inten- tions as to the future administration thereof, cannot remain silent, but as a part of the greater body do presume to approach your royal throne with our most humble acknow- ledgements of your Majesties goodness and clemency expressed unto us in that your Majesties declaration, and particularly for that your Majesty is graciously pleased to give us your royal word that our persons and estates shall not be left to the pleasure of our fellow-subjects. We are deeply sensible of the endeavors that have been on foot to subvert the known 10 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE laws of the land, wherein our religion, liberty, and property are wound up. And we are so far satisfied that it is the kingdom's interest to continue the succession in its due and right line, and mahitain the present government as by law it is establislied, that we for our own parts are unanimously resolved, by God's help, to assist and serve your Majesty with our lives and fortunes in defence thereof, against all persons and parties that shall appear against it. An Address of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Citizens oj your ancient and loycd City of Bath. Dee AD Sovereign, We the Mayor, Eecorder, Aldermen, and Citizens of your antient and loyal City of Bath, having to our great joy seen a confluence of your Majesties good sul)jects in their several addresses, with all suitable and becoming expressions of duty and lovaltv, do now (as early as anv other in our affections to your Majesty) cheerfully, unanimously, and with all thankfulness, acknowledge your Majesties great goodness and condescension, in publishing your late gracious de- claration, bv which we are fully assured of what we can reasonably wish or hope for in all our concerns, both as to our present and future conditions. And we beseech your jMajesty to accept, not only of our unfeigned and humble thanks, but also of this assurance from us (which is our bounden duty) that we resolve to stand by your Majesty with our lives and fortunes, in the vmdication of your Majesties prerogative, and of those pious resolutions you have expressed to preserve our present established religion, our liberties and properties. The good God bless your Majesties reign with many and happy days, and grant that the Crown may never THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 11 cease to flourish on the royal head of your Majesty and of your lawful successors, till time shall be no more. The Tlumhlc Address of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses cf your Majesties Town, Borough, and Corporation of Taunton, St. Mary Magdalen and St. James, in your County ef Somerset. We, your IMajesties humble, loyal, and obedient sub- jects, having taken notice of your Majesties gracious declara- tion, wherein your Majesty is pleased to assure us that the law shall be your guide ; so shall we have no need to doubt but the now established government shall continue both in Church and State, whereby the cruelty of Home with the fox- like dissenters, the moths of the State and the enemies to your gracious goodness, shall receive their condign punishmeiit. We do in all humility render our unfeigned thanks, blessing the King of Heaven for such a blessing in preserving so good a prince as your most royal Majesty, by whose happy restaura- tion we have received the benefit of peace and profit. Not- withstanding the malice of those who are your and our enemies, we are resolved that we shall be ready to make our loyalty appear, for the preservation of your Majesties life and prerogatives, with our lives and fortunes. God grant your Majesty a long and prosperous reign, and that your enemies have no power to hurt you, is the prayer of your Majesties loyal and obedient subjects. To the Worshipful Sir Edward Philips and the rest of the Worshipful Justices assemUed for the keeping the General Sessions of the Peace for this County at Bridgwater, the 12th instant (July), anno regni regis 33, anno que dom, 1G81. The presentment of the grand inquest for the said county, holden at the time and place abovesaid. 12 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 13 Imprimis. We present it as our duty to return thanks to the worshipful bench for declaring to the county, that the laws against popery, schisime and faction, conventicling and other unlawful meetings (things highly o])noctious and destruc- tive to the true government) ought to be put in execution ; and particularly to those worthy ones of the bench, who in their own persons have given example and laid foundation before us for the punishing such ofiicers as have been remiss in their duty touching the premises. Item. We present it to be our bounden duty, and in all humble manner, make it our request and prayer to the worshipful bench, that care be taken that we may be recom- mended to his most gracious Majesty, rendering all imagin- able thanks for his most seasonable, suitable and gracious declaration and preservation of the lawful succession, religion and property, supporting the government in Church and State, as anciently, according to the known laws ; preserving a godly orthodox ministry which never as yet taught subject to rebel against their lawful sovereign, and for declaring to the world, that as he had not as yet, nor ever would, arbitrarily rule over us, so he would not suffer our fellow-subjects to do the same, of whom great suspicion lately was, since some of them by caballing and other indirect means procured others to carry on a design even against Caesar himself, prohibithig under a penalty to render him even his due, quite contrary to the precept and example of our blessed Saviour (who though indifjent) vet bv the hand of another rendered Ca?sar his own, by which we plainly perceive specious pretences are not valid, nor may we account such truly religious, but such as are truly loyal. Therefore we humbly pray that his sacred Majesty may be informed hereof, as aforesaid; and that he will perse- vere in preserving the said succession, religion and property, the establishmeni of the Church, and bring to condign punish- ment all its opposers, and not suffer himself to be shipwrack'd under any specious pretences of his and our fatal enemies ; and we do hereby assure him to this end that we will not only contribute what our mean fortunes will afford, but will readily sacrifice even our lives to maintain and justifie the same. In testimony whereof we have hereunto put our hands the day and year above written. The Ilinnhle Address of the Mayor, Aldermen, Burgesses, and other Lihahitants of your Majesties ancient and ever loyal Burrough of Axhridge in your County of Summerset. Most gracious and dread Sovereign, We, your Majesties most dutiful and loyal subjects, being sensibly affected with the great happiness which we have always possessed under your Majesties protection, do in all humihty beseech your royal goodness to accept of these our unfeigned acknowledgements of the same. And whereas the restless malice of some ill men hath labour'd to poison your subjects' loyalty with unreasonable jealousies touching your sacred Government (which w^e can neither harbor in ourselves nor countenance in others) as we beheve that your gracious declaration is abundantly sufficient (if well consider'd) to sup- press them all, so we do most cheerfully render our thanks for it, being exceeding joyful that thereby your Majesty hath sif^nified your firm resolutions to rule us in all things accord- ing to the laws of the kingdom, to advise frequently with your Parhament, to maintain the hereditary right of succession to your crown, and to use your utmost endeavours to extirpate popery. And we do, according to the oaths of supremacy and allegiance by us taken, most solemnly protest before God and 14 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE 4 the world that no temptation whatever shall hinder us from sacrificing our liberties, lives, and fortunes in defence of your royal person, prerogatives, heirs, and lawful successors a^^ainst all domestic and forreign attempts to the contrary. And we do and ever shall pray unto God Almighty to preserve long your sacred life in safety, peace, and honour, that you may be always a support unto your friends, and a terror unto your enemies at home and abroad. In testimony whereof we have hereunto put our hands, and aftixed our common seal this 4th day of August, in the thirty-third year of your Majesties reign over England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. Ann. Dom. 1G81. It mav be remembered here that it was in this year 1081, in the midst of this unrest, the Duke of Monmouth, the Pro- testant duke, made his well-known progress through Somerset. Three years passed — the constitutional time for a new Par- liament — but it was not called. The king never cared to meet another. In February, 1G85, Charles died, and all attempts to exclude the Duke of York having so far failed, he succeeded to tlie crown as James II. Not willing V the new king called a new Parliament. When it met on May 10, the question of religion was at once con- sidered, and a demand made for the execution of all penal laws against Nonconformists. Greatly enraged on learning this, James soon showed his intentions to be rid of such in- terference, as in November he prorogued the Parliament, and, allowing it to remain prorogued, proceeded to attempt a Government without one. Auain, it mav be remembered that this vear 1085 is marked in Somerset by the rebellion in support of the Duke of Monmouth. Besides the Popish Plot, there was also at this ; 4 THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 15 time what one party called the Protestant Plot — this meaning a plan, in addition to excluding the Duke of York, of getting the king to nominate his successor ; and from Charles's strong feelings of affection for the Duke of j\Ionmouth it was thought he would name him. But, as the preliminaries did not happen, Monmouth's illegitimacy kept aloof many who could not see the crown descend otherwise than in the direct line, and who moreover knew that, if the queen bore no son, the king's daughters — Mary, wife of the Prince of Orange, and after her Anne, wife of Prince George of Denmark, both Protestants — must succeed by ordinary right. It was there- fore only a question of a few years' forbearance, and all would come well. A year and a half later, in April, 1687, acting on his own sole authority, the king violated all rule and superseded the law, by abolishing the laws against the papists, and especially the tests which had been so recently and so specially aimed at himself when Duke of York, by issuing what was called ' A Declaration of Toleration and Liberty of Conscience.' By this the penal laws for not attending church, or for not receiving the Sacrament, or for nonconformity, were immediately sus- pended ; the king's idea being that the Protestant non- conformists would readily accept and welcome for themselves this great relief, and thus would be aiding him in gaining full liberty for his own co-religionists, the popish nonconformists. In this, however, he was doomed to disappointment, as, besides that the Protestants, as a rule, declined to be relieved in such company, they foresaw the danger of excusing this great illegality. It was perceived that, the test being abolished, papists would be eligible for Parliament. If the penal laws were repealed, it might be argued that popery was legally re-established ; as if, after a law be repealed. 16 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE such repealing law be in turn repealed unconditionally, the original positFon must revive. Any promise of an equivalent would, it was well known, in the hands of popery amount to nothing ; when a popish Parliament was once obtained, away would go the promise and the equivalent. Accompanied and covered as they were by the king's pretentious claim to personal authority, these popish contri- vances became intolerably vexatious and unbearable. It was necessarv, therefore, on behalf of the king, that every effort should be made to obtain support, or at least some appearance of it. Lord Stawell wrote from Ham that he would always use his utmost endeavours to promote the election of sound and loyal members.^ Judge Jeffreys wrote : ' I shall not be wanting either in my person or purse to serve my master in this or anything else^I can be capable of.' ' Pressure too was brought to bear on local authorities. From Edward Babcr, SherFff of Somerset, came a letter from Bridgwater, February 18, 1686, which shows weU what was being done. ' In obedience to his Mats, command,' wrote the Sheriff', ' he had dismist Mr. Steer from the office of Under-Sheriff, though verv well assured of his loyalty, which he could have sutti- cientlv shown by the juries he would returne. He (the Sheriff) would take care to pitch upon a person against whom there could be no objection, whose name should be sent up for approval.' He apologised for not answering earlier ; but the letter, dated the 6th inst., came not to his hands until Friday last, after it had been twice broken open.^^ Every effort, too, was made to get addresses sent up approving of the king's conduct ; but, after much labour to this end, the "success was very small. Those which came were » State Papers, Dom. 1685, No. 181. ' IbuL, No. 82. =» Ibul, No. 51. I THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 17 ' very graciously received,' and then ostentatiously printed in the ' London Gazette.' The following is probably a complete list of those from Somerset. The first in order of date, May 26, 1687, was : — Tlie Tlumhle Address of divers of your Majesties Dissenting Snhiects, on the hcliedf of tlteniselres and many others, in and near your Town of Taunton in tJie County of Somerset. Great Sir, Tbe extraordinary and undeserved favours which your Majesty hath been pleased out of your royal clemency and bounty to confer upon us since the late unhappy rebellion, do oblige us by the strictest ties of duty and gratitude, first to return our most hearty thanks to Almighty God, and next our most grateful and humble acknowledgeme^.ts unto your Majesty. Your gracious pardon secur'd many of us, our lives, and all that we do enjoy ; and your generous indulgence in matters of conscience hath restored to us the freedom of serving our God, without fear or disturbance ; which with your Majesties rational presumption of the concurrence of your two Houses of Parliament, with your Pioyal SELF, in so good and great an undertaking, gives the strongest foundation to our hopes, that liberty and property being thereby secured, peace, pro- sperity, and ease will flow from hence to your Majesties Dominions, your Majesties gracious proceedings herein, hath laid upon us greater obligations to duty and allegiance, than all the oaths, -tests, and subscriptions that could have been imposed. Hereby we have the greatest encouragement to industry in our stations since the penal laws (which prey'd on the vitals of our trade) are taken out of the way. We trust you c 18 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANOF shall never have cause to repent, that your favours arc bestowed on ixrsons disloyal or unthankful : And that we may enjoy many prosperous days under the favourahle auspices of your ,^overnment. But chietiy that all the blessings of Heaven nuiy for ever crown your sacred :\Iajesty. We shall ever pray, kc. On June 27 appeared : — nf tin' (in.j' Somerset. GrJ-: AT Sir, It liavln- pleased your most excellent Majesty in your prim-cly winduui, and in a Umlv rousidcration of the de- plnrtihlr condition of your .Majr.^ties dissentin,c^ subjects, who groaned urul-r the penal law.^ : to emit your mo.->t gracious declaratinn for liberty of conscience, whereby you manifest how much it lies upon y.jur n.yal hrurt to establish the (piiet, ea)is in tJie E/ Smurrscf, BatJi, Sla'pton, Froij/n, Urn hill, U'nhiinlnn, Milhnni<\ Friary, hiscoomh. Mo^T IiOYAL Sin, You ha\e IfCeu ])leased so freelv and admirably to manifest vour love to your faithful subjects, l)y your late most nol'le declaration of lil)erty in the wor>hip of God, and in our calhn"S, Ijevond anv of vour ancestors, that it would be the *n-eate.-^t ingratitude imagina])le, if from our souls and hearts We do not sineerely acknowdedge it ; we therefore, in all prostrate humility, do render your ^Fajesty our most hearty thanks and service in all the duties of loving, faithful and (.bedient subjects, for the preservation of your royal person and dignitv, who liatli mo>t graciou>ly given so nuieh ease to an afiiieted pee>ple after :-o long and grievous sulfering, and albO a new life in the trade and industry of the nation ; and we hope that none of your Maje^^ties sincere loyal subjects 11 show dislike in words or behaviour of this your Majesties most deliberate and wise dispensation, and for our parts, whose names are hereunto subscribed, multitudes of our neighbours consenting with us, we do joyfully embrace your Majesties favour and gracious promises made unto us. The next, and last, from Chard, October 22, marks a pretty episode in local history : — To the Kirufs Most Excellent Majesty. ^Ye, your Majesties most loyal and most dutiful subjects, the portreeve, burgesses, principal freeholders, and others the inhabitants of your Majesties borough of Chard in the county of Somerset, being weary with waithig to see the address from the Corporation of Mayor and Justice, &c., in the said borough, presume now to present your Majesty with this our following humble address the 22nd of October, 1G87. Great Sir, The good effects that your Majesties most gracious declaration hath had both on the persons and estates of your Majesties subjects are so visible that none can or dare deny the good influence thereof, but such as are biassed by a prin- ciple of disloyalty towards their prince, and malice towards their fehow subjects ; and therefore, for our parts, (though we know your Majesty to be far above our acknowledgements, or promises, yet) reflecting upon the Egypt your Majesties tender-conscienced subjects were in, the cruel task-masters they served under, and possessing the Canaan you have been pleased to conduct them to, we cannot suffer the lieathen to upbraid us, from whom we have it as a maxim. Si 21 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 25 inrjratum dixeris, omnia dlxeris. But we presume to lay our selves down at your Majesties feet, rendering our most un- fei<:^aied thanks for vour ^rracious declaration of liberty of conscience, promisini; all faitliful loynlty and our utmost endeavours in the several stations and capacities in which God hath set us under our sovereij^n, that there shall be such representatives elected (whenever it shall be your royal pleasure to call a Parhament) as shall answer your expecta- tion, remove l)oth the penal laws and test and enact your kingly declaration into a perpetual law, to which we heartily add God save the King and say Amen. The curious position suggested by this address must 1)0 explained. Chard, in a.d. 1284, received certain liberties from the bishop as then lord of the manor, one being that the sui)erintendence of the town, hitherto done by the bishop's steward as his nominee, was transferred to a chief elected by the burgesses, who became thus the portreve. Some time about 1570 the town appears to have been incorporated under a mayor, when the oftice of portreve would cease. This charter, not now to be found, was forfeited in 1G(')2, as the corporation did not appear to be sufticiently loyal to the newly restored king, or rather to his attempt to enforce uni- formity in religion. After this forfeiture the old system with the portreve was resumed, Chard under him remaining true to nonconformity. Time having passed, and the stronger feelings having presumably softened somewhat, the conformist ])arty, under the intiuence of Lord Paulet, the new lord of the manor, promoted and obtained a new charter in 1683, thus reviving the mayoralty. This attem;)t of the Tory i)arty to obtain precedence led to a curious position, as the other party I I in possession adhered to the old system under a portreve and declined to be superseded. Thus one party elected a mayor, the other a portreve, the two chiefs actually existing at the same time. It was then the nonconformists, 'weary with waiting for some sign ' from the mayor and his party, who sent up this address, perhaps rather in opposition to the mayor than as being really thankful for an indulgence not enacted ' into a perpetual law.' AYhen such addresses are got up contrary to the feeling of the nation, especially when attempted for the crown against a Parhament, they can never be of any weight. As a rule now they were got up by, and contained only the sentiments of a few interested persons who really deceived the king. Many who thus gave thanks had no vote, were entirely without influence, and of no consideration. The numerous addresses to Richard Cromwell but a short time before may be remem- bered. Of the many hundred thousands who in that way vowed to Hve and die for him, not one drew a sword when he was set aside. The king's declaration said that he could not but heartily wish that aU his people were of the Catholic Church : to this the Epicureans answered : — No party is more advanced by your indulgence than we are, as the nation must by toleration be freed of the trouble- some bigotries of religion. Your Majesty w^as pleased to wish that all your subjects were of your own religion, and perhaps your subjects wish that you were of theirs. We can easily swallow a wafer deity, and never cavil at a sacrifice which is uninteUigible, nor with the Church of Rome always so indul- gent for money. We wish however that the pope would free the world of the fear of hell and devils, of the inquisition and dragoons. 2G THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF OKANGE THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 27 r 1^ i Persistently ignoring all the gruml)ling and discontent aroiifid him, resolvin;_^ to maintain the declaration, James dt'tirmined in December to ' revise,' as he called it, the li>ts of deputy-lieutenants and justices, that those only should he continued ^Yho v.ould he ' ready to aid in the accomplislnnent ' of his design, and such others added to them ' from ^vhom a like concurrence and assistance could be expected ' ; especi- ally Were corporations and boroughs, as being the strongholds of advanced opinions, to be 'remodelled,' or their charters forfeited. No address appears to have come from Bridgwater : as a consecpience, it was one of the lirst to be remodelUd. The Privy Council minutes give us some information, showing how the attempt was made. In this month of December the Council minutes record that : — Whereas l)v the charter granted to the town of Bridge- water in the county of Somerset a power is nserved to his Maiestv bv liis order in eouneill to remove from their inijilovment anv oi'iiecr in the said town, his ^lajesty in L • «/ eouneill is pleased to ordtr, and it is hereby ordered, that William Masey, John Rogers, AVilliam Symons, Robert Baker, William Criddle, John Curry and P.ohirt Pieeves, eapitall burgesses, be, and they are lu'ruby, removed, and dis[)laced from their aforf.>aid oiiiei :t in the said te,\vn of Bridgewater. (Signed) Willlvm Bl.vthwavt. James Pt. Tru>tv and well btlovcd, we greet \-ou well. Whereas we have hv our order in eouneill thought lit to remove William ?^Iasey, John Rogers, Polurt Baktr, William Criddle, John Cm-ry and Robert Reeves iVciu \k\]\'J^ eaoitall burgesses of that our burrough of Bridguwatci", and Wilhaui Sn uions from being one of the eapitall burgesses and towne clerke of the same, we have thought fit hereby to will and require you forthwith to elect and admit our trusty and welbeloved John Gilbert senior, Robc-rt Balche, Roger Hoare, Thomas Turner, Sanuiel Pitman and John Francklin to be eapitall burgesses, and WiUiam Bicknell to be one of the eapitall burgesses and towne clerke of our said burrough in the room of the persons above mentioned without administering unto them any oath or oathes but the usual oath for the execution of then- respec- tive places with which we are pleased to dispense in this be- halfe, and for so doing this shall be your warrant. Given at our Court at Whitehall 6th day of December 1G87 m the third year of our reigne. By his Majesty's command, Sunderland. Following this the charter was forfeited and surrendered, this being tli^e only case in Somerset where a surrender was actually completed and enrolled. These proceedings produced an hicreased anxiety on both sides. Books and pamphlets prejudicial to the church and the king were sold on every stall, cried about by hawkers m the streets as commonly as gazettes, and thrown or brought into houses, or sent by penny post in bundles.^ So miiuen- tial were these pamphleteers, that on February 10 a proclama- tion was issued for suppressing all such ' malignant publica- tions, sold by hawkers and pedlars, framed to amur^e and disturb the people's minds.' Disobedience was to be met by * such punishment as by our prerogative may be inflicted.' The Parliament, prorogue^ as already noted in November 1G85, was dissolved on July 2, 1G87, and before another could » Gutch, Collectanea Curiam, vol. i. p. 32G. / ) I' I if n 28 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM! OF ORANGE be safely called it was necessary that its vote in support of the king should, if possible, be secured. Through the lord-lieu- tenants of counties, as well as by private reports, the king sought accordingly to learn the bias of the leading men. The following ' Tlnxe (Questions ' were thus privately issued to the county gentry, and others likely to aspire to a seat in Parlia- ment. Every such aspirant was asked : — 1. If in case he shall be chosen knight of the shire or burgess of a towne, when the king shall think fitt to call a Parliament ; whether he will be for takeing otf the penall laws and the tests. 2. Whether he will assist and contribute to the election of such members as shall be for takeing oil' the peruiU laws and tests. 3. Whether he will support the king's declaration for liberty of conscience, by living freindly with those of all per- swasions, as subjects of the same prince and good Christians ought to do. The following answers of the justices and others were returned ^ : — The late new deputy-lieutenants, whose appointments were not at the time conlirmed by the king, are placed as justices of the peace, all of them being in the commission. The Lord Fitzharding, deputy-lieutenant, consents to all three (juestions, provided that the Church of England be by anv wav st-cured of being maintained. Francis Paulet, deputy-lieutenant, consents to all the three questions. Sir Wilham Basset, deputy-lieutenant, consents to all the three questions. ' Eawlinson MSS., Bodleian. THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 29 William Clark, barrester, consents to all the three ques- tions. Henry Walrond consents to all the three questions. Ptichard Cross consents to the two first questions in what concernes the Eoman Cathohcks, but will not beingagedas to the dissenters. Consents to the third question. Peter Reynon answers that he is too old to act any way, but his opinion is to submitt to what the king thinks fitt to be done. William Ilelier, late deputy-heutenant, consents to the first question soe that the Church of England be by any way secured of being maintained. Answers to the second question, that he will promote the elections of the best men he knowes. Consents to the third question. William Lacye, late deputy-lieutenant -.—That being very decrepit, he is not able to serve the king in Parliament, but consents to the second and third questions. Henry Bull answers to the first question, that he beleeves he shall give his vote, that the penall laws and tests should be taken away, but desires not to be engaged before he hears the debates. To the second question, that he will endeavour the electing of the fittest men he can. Consents to the third question. Sir WiUiam Portman, Sir Edward Wyndham, Sir Hase- well Tynte, Sir Francis Warre, Sir John Smith, Francis Lutterell, George Horner, Thomas Wyndham, John Piggot, Nath. Palmer (late deputy-lieutenants), and Sir Edward Phelips, answer to the first question that they know not how thev may change their opinion upon hearing the debates, but at present are not for takeing away the tests and penall laws. They refuse the second question ; consent to the third. John Prowse (late deputy-lieutenant), John Ashford, James I' M M- 00 THE MARCH OF WILLI. \.M np OKAXCrE Cade, answer to the first and second questions, they do not think themselves suthcient jud;;-L'S in this matter, therefore \viU not be any way en.i^-aged. Consent to the third (juestion. Edward Gorgus (hru' deputy-hcutenant), John Sanford, John Hunt, answer to the lirst question that they know not what they shall do till they hear the debates. To the second question, that they will promote the elections of the fittest niun thty can. Consent to the third question. Jolni Bavlev, chancellour, desires not to l)e oblid^"ed to declare himselfe, his subsistance depending cheilly on the churchmen. Edward Berkeley (late deputy-lieutenant), Joseph Langton, desire time to consider. ihcliard Morgan, Edmund Wyndham, answer that they will not consent to the two hrst questions ; but consent to the hibt. Boctour Bathurst, Sir Thomas Wyndham, Sir Edward Nevill, Edward NeviU, William Player, Hugh Tynte, were absent. John Blewct, Doctour Holt, William Symes, Ferrers Greisly, being very sick, could not give any answer. Thomas Eittletun, George Ilussey, John Brent, Bobert Brent, cathohcks, already in the commission of the peace. Then follows a li.^t of: Catholicks and Dissenters pro- posed to be added to the commission of the peace in divers parts of the county of Somerset, and some of them to be both justices of the peace and deputy-lieutenants. Sir Thomas Bridges, of Kensham, to, be a deputy- lieutenant ; Henry Bridges, of Wells, to be a deputy-lieu- tenant ; John Harrington, nearBath ; (reorge Clark, of Swans- wick, near Bridgewater ; Sir Charles Carteret, near Milborne THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 31 Port ; William Coward, of Wells ; William Strode, near Glastonbury ; Edward Strode, near Shepton ^Mallet, to be a deputy-lieutenant ; Edward Clarke, of Chipsley, near Taunton, to be a deputy-lieutenant ; George Musgrave, of Nettlecombe, near Mynehead ; John Speak, eldest son to George Speak, near Blchester and Evill. Piobert Syderiin, Baldwin Malet, Warwick Bamfeild, John Anthill, a catholick, Charles Steynings, to be deputy-lieu- tenants. Glancing at these answers, those rather favourable appear first on the list ; then come the ' late ' D.-L.'s, whose more « decided replies make their intentions clear. The gentry thus disposed of, a report was obtained, sent up December 20, of the probable action or bias of the boroughs, as follows. The return is entitled : — An account of tJic Corporations and other Burrows of the Countij of Somnierset, and of tJiosc persons who are for takeinn off the Penall Laws and Tests, and who liare interest to he eJiosen Parliament men, if in some of tlie Corporations sucli peisons are removed ((ud otJwrs in tlieir places as tlicij have already, or shall propose. Bath. — Will not choose any but such as shall be approved of by the king, soe there will need noe change in that cor- poration. My Lord Fitzharding and S"*. William Basset served hi the last Parliament. Wells. — The committee of elections have sometimes admitted members chosen by the major, aldermen, and burgesses only ; and sometimes members chosen by the whole towne. » 32 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORAXOE S^ Tho. Bridges, Henry Bridges and W. Coward have a good interest there, and two of them will be probably (.-hosfn by the corporation if purged, and returned if there be a good major. Bridge water. — It hath allwayes been disputed by the ma- gistrates and the populace who should have the right of choosing burgesses. S"". John Bawden, lately made alder- man of London, hath a sufficient interest to be chosen here. This corporation must be totally altered. Tunnton. — The burgesses are chosen ])v the whole tow^ne. Edward Clark of Chi})ley may be probably chosen there. If John Trenchard be pardoned, he and whom he shall propose to stand with him for the towiie will be chosen. This corporation must be totally altered. In the three following burrows, the Ijurgesses are chosen by all the inhabitants, and a certain number of l)ayliffs, who also returne them. The oftice of baylitf depends not on the king, but belongs to the lords of certaine mannors. IlrhrHtcr. — M''. AY°\ Strode will certainely be chosen there. W". Bodland, alderman of London, may probably be chosen with him. Mjincltedd. — Francis Lutterell (who will not comply) hath soc much interest there, that it will be difficult to oppose him. Iiobert Syderihi, a barrester, hath a good interest, and Je»hn Speak if he be not chosen for the county. Milhinirnc Port. — Sir Charles Carteret hath the best interest of anv one to be chosen in this burrow, c^ beleevs himselfe al)le to hinder anv one to be chosen with him, who will not comjily, especially if John Hunt lI' Henry Bull be [lut out of the commission of the peace, which was tlie only interest that made them be chosen there the last Parliament. « 'U i THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 33 S"". John Sydenham and John Speak, eldest son to George Speak, do intend to stand for the county, but it is uncertain whether they will be chosen. Out of these proceedings, and the strong political feeling now dominant everywhere, arose the following curious episode. As the story is better told entirely, the documents are here fully reproduced. The first is a letter from Edward Strode, high sheriff, complaining of some justices and their opposition to him at Quarter Sessions.^ The letter is dated Jan. 14, 1088, and shows well the animus of the gentry, as well as the dining customs of the time. Sr, — I servd ye late under sheriff w*^ his w^rit of discharge ye 19*^ of dec^'^"" past, & ye 2^ of this instant I went to my first county court att ilchester expecting to have mett ye late sheriff ther to have had ye Goale Eolls, writts & all other things belonging to my office turnd over to me according to ye tenour of ye s*^ w rit yt soe I might have made a keeper & have had a safe place for prisoners, & have been secured for escapes ; but ye sheriff. never mett me. I found all ye people att ye place, being attorneys & ye rich sober country freeholders (except ye late undersheriff), very well sattisfyed & thankfull for his maties grace in giving present lyberty & designing ye taking oft' ye penall laws & test. Publicly att ye table I convinced all of ye aboundant kindnes of his matie to his people in his labouring for it. Ye 10^'' instant I also w^ent to the quarter sessions held at Bruton (because I heard of noe new coriussion of ye peace seald) to give my attendance on ye justices doubting their mallice ag^ me • Rawlinson MSS. !,ii I I ••(I .HI m \i 34 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE because of his maties imploying of me & liopd I should have found all things well & easy espetially it being ye lord ffitz- hardings to\Yn & he ther ; but I found ye quite contrary. Y^ first man I discourst \Yas y^ lord \vho told me his answer to y'^ lord Walgrave on ye questions proposed by him and y* well y^ lord ^Yalgrave told him, y^ his matie would secure all y^ laws to his people as to their liberty & property, y* he should answer him y' he could not be done unlesse his matie would hang eleven judges. He after shewd me and Justice Hunt (a most violent man) a letter from ye lord Walgrave wherein my lord writ him yt his last answer was approvd of by the king cl^ ye others yt answerd negatively to y'' questions rejected be sworn. He ffave ve lord Walgrave noe other answer but y^ he would first see ye laws securd before ever he would assent or act towards y*" taking off ye penall laws cV: tests Sc made himself very pleasant. The next thing he talkt w^^ me about was yt he would see ye panell of ye grand jury. I told him thev were all substantiall freeholders & good men Oi: V ve under sheriff had ve panell. He sent for ve undersheriff to brhig it to him (this was all att an inne) (a very unusuall thing) w" he had it he caused Edward Cleark ve master of \e inne to read v'" names cl^ give his character as they were read c^' he could not object ag^ any only ye old usuall jury weer left out w^'^ troubled ye lord Sc he would have had me returnd others some of his neighbors, w*'' I re- fused to doe. Then he was angry and told me I had returnd a grand jury yt would make an addresse. I told him I thought soe & it was fitt they should for y^ king's love to his people. In some short time S'' Edward Phillips came who was sent for bv ve lord to hold v'' sessions w^^ M'" Hunt, M'" Thomas Windham, the Chancellor of Wells, D"" Bayly, & M"" Ball. They went to y^ hall and after my under sheriff had THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 35 deliver d them ye precept & ye panell of ye grand jury, David Trim (tho he knew I had espetiall outlawry ag* him) appeard as deputy clerk of ye peace & in affront to his maties w^rit he first calld ye bayliffs of the hundred for their hundred juries & as he read them to be sworn those y* weer sober honest men he would stand up and acquaint ye 1"^ flitz- harding & S^ Edw^ard Phillips &c. of them to y'^ great dis- couragement of them & others, soe for ye grand jury who w^eer much sleighted & discountenanced by ye court espetially ye lord ffitzharding who talkt with M"" James Tucker ye fore- man of ye grand jury to hinder an addresse. His maties writ of outlawry being deliverd me, and M^" Trim in j^resence, it would have been an escape in me if he w^eer not taken on it : soe I orderd one of my bayliffs w" ye court was up to go & serve him wth ye warrant, w*^^' he civilly did noe body taking notice of it. The justices came to ye inne to diiier wdien wher I was w^^ ye Duke of Southampton & ]\P Speaker Seymour, w" ye lord ffitzharding came into ye room he came angryly to me and told me that I had returnd a grand jury of purpose to addresse and y* ye king had not made me sherriff for nought and more to this purpose. I answerd him y* whilst his matie thought me fitt to serve him I would doe him all faithful! service. We went to diner wher I was sufficiently abusd & teasd by them having noe body ther of the kings side w^^' me, but I took courage and did answer them again w^^^out fear. Presently after diiier new^s came y* Trim was arrested. Im- mediately ye lord ffitzharding, M'' Hunt, but espetially M*" Thomas W^indham fell upon me in a most violent maner & usd me very reproachfully & askt me how I durst one of their officers. M'' Windham was soe furious y^ he talkt of cutting my throat, & I veryly believe if one had not stept between us, he would have struck me, & told me M"* Trim was his officer, D 2 i'»i 36 THE MAECH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE meaninge he being recorder of wells & he his towne clerk k I should have askt his leave d' given him notice. I vallewd none of them but stood my ground tho single cl' told them I would never be ashamd to execute the king's writs as long as he should comand d' think mee worthy. Att last w" they saw I would not discharge Trim they p'* down £"20 .1' ye lord ffitzhardhig, M'" Windham, M'' Stocker, M'" Twiford, all of a sort, became bound for ye other £24. This being over I con- siderd w^^^ myselfe, if I should stay ye court would take some occasion ag^ me (as afterwards they did) soe I left my under sheriff to wait Oii them Oc went home. I was noe sooner gone Sc thev gone to court but they contrivd one PluiTier, a hundred baylitie of y' lord fiitzharding's, who is lord of Bruton hundred, to fall out w^'^ a bayliffe of mine (who was sworn to attend and keep the grand jury) then in ye hall c^' said aloud y^ was one of Strode's rogues, meaninge me ; the other oidy answerd y^ he should hold his peace for ye time was now over for ye setting up of head & quarters. Upon this ye lord ftitzharding, :M^ wlndham, S'" Edw. Phillips, & M'" Hunt fell most out- rageously upon my l)ayliffe, s^^ y^ he disturbd ye court comanded him to find suerties or they would comitt him. He modestly answerd y^ he did not disturb ye court l)ut answerd him v^ abusd him v.V' prayd their pardon & that he had noe suerties. AU would not doe but lie should be coiTiitted cl' now they thought they had gaind their point, soe they comitted him to one Daw, y^ is ye late sheriffs underkeeper, who took him away & kept him tiU about 7 or 8 o'clock y^ niglit & then (as I think) by their own contrivance one from the court came to him & told him he might goe about his busines y"^ court had nothing to say to him. All this while y^ court knew I had no goale nor keeper because y^ late sheriff" had not according to his writ turnd over ye goale to me. This THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 37 was Tuesday night. Wensday when S"" Edward Phillips & y® rest knew certainly y* my bayliff was gone out of town (now is their revenge for my causing Trim to be arrested) they calld for my bayliff into court (his name is William Strode) ; answer was made y^ he was gone out of town. Immediatly ye court, S'' Edward Phillips being ye spoaks man with most outragious fury yt he foamd att ye mouth, find me a hundred pounds and did use such reproachful abusive language agt me y^ it is not fitt to be usd to a footman much lesse to one y^ his matie hath thought fitt to be the sherilT of his county & it is not me but his matie throw me they doe affront. I hope his matie will consider of it, he doth use to maintain his ser- vants. S'" ye busines of this q^^' sessions would have been as easyly disi)atcht in 2 dayes as in 4, but because Bruton is ye lord ffitzharding's town Sc Edward Cheek y^' master of ye inne wher ye justices doe eat & drink the busines is prolonged to keep ye country men in town to spend their monys & to spend the king's mony for ye justices have each 4^^ a day & yt ye king might not have fines to pay it they have this sessions find none yt have been found guilty, some but 6'^, some but Ij^, for greater offences then formerly in other sheriffs times they have fined them 5 marks & 5 pounds. All shews their hearts. They goe to ye hall about 10 o'clock stay 2 hours then dine and drink well till 4 or 5 and then mazd headed goe to ye hall againe Sc ther vent their follys ag* all y* will not doe like them. S'' if ther be not some notice taken of these things & they sent for to answer it before his matie in counsell, wher I will maintaine what I write to their heads, by w"^^ it will a2:)pear they are fitt to be put out of their coihissions besides their evill stubbornnes, &: it will deer y® king's justice w" their crimes are made pubhck ; & if it be not now soe done if his matie thinks fitt to call a Parhament they 'I jl « M • n 38 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORAXGE will soe word beat &: brow beat his officers cl' friends y^ his raatics service cafiot be preservd, nor right take place. S'' 1 have thou<:^lit of a way w" his matie shall please to call a Parliam^ v^ in everv countv sober concurring men, such as his matie shall think fitt shall be legally chosen & not misse 2 in 10. But I have aUready been too tedious w^'' a person of y"" great employm^', soe will not att present further trouble you ^\'^' yt method nor w^^ ve names for comissioners of ve sewers W'^' in y'" letter rec'^ you desire, only to y^ p^ about M'' Trim y*" persons yt heard him caiiot be per s waded to make affidavit being yet under fear, ther being noe new coiuission, but will justify it on occasion. I hope you will pardon this prolixity, it is out of a dutyfuU thankfull zeale for his maties & kingdome's service. Pray keep me in his maties good esteem c^- what he shall please to command me, to my best understanding shall be performed by, S"' y'' most humble servant, Edward Strode, Jany. 14, 1G83, The persons whose names are enclosd you may confide in for Bath. This letter was answered by the next document, which un- fortunately is both unsigned and undated, and bears only the endorsement, Golden Balls, Gerrard Street. In all probabihty it was from Lord Fitzharding. That I mav give vou a satisfactory as well as just relation of what hapned betweene the high sheriff of Somersett, M'" Edward Stroode, and some justices of the peace of the same county at the Quarter Sessions, the tenth of January at Brewton, I must take my rite some yeares before, and ac- TIIROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 39 quaint you that after Monmouth's rebellion, when every honest heart was full of detestation of those vile miscreants who had bin the loss of soe many lives & so much treasure in that country, noe person was more zealous to discover those traytors than one David Trim of Wells, who in his search found the aforesaid Mr. Stroode to have abetted it, by giving a considerable sume of without any compultion to Monmouth, this as a good subject he revealed, which made Strood to be seized, who had not now bin sheriffe, had not his maty in great mercy given him his life. This by the sequel seemes plainly to be the foundation on which his spleen is built, for a writt coming into his hand against Trim when he might easily have taken him any day, he reserved it till he could take his revenge the most disgracefully to him & his friends publikely before the county at the sessioiis, where he knew he must be the clerke of the peace's deputy. This the gentlemen conceived was an affront done to the court, and told hhn so with very little heate, nor would they protect him which they thought they might, finduig by his insolent carriage he sought a quarrell. All they did was to be bound for the debt, every body there thinking this had bin an end of all before in dispute, & that he was satisfied now as well with those who had any warme discourse with him, as with such with whom there had passed nothing but civility & respect. For my owne part I never exceeded those bounds, and doe sweare I thought we had parted loving neigh- bours. In the afternoon when the sheriff was gon there hapned an accident that might be soe misrepresented that he might be concerned at it. When the grand jury had received their charge, a bayliffe as usually was appointed to waite on them ; the jury instead of him appointed desired one Stroode a kinsman of the sheriff's might be the man, which we 4-4 jfiJ v\ 40 THE MARCH OF WILLLA.M OF ORANGE readily assented to. As soone as in office he called to the other bayliffe as loude as all in the hall heard him, and in an insolent tone, that time of hanging & quartering is over, which being all scandalised at, as a great retiextion on the justice of the nation, we coihitted him to the undersheriffe who suffered him to scape, on which we fined the sheriff a hundred pounds, but on his coming in next morning acknow- ledging his fault the fine was struck off ; possibly he was netled at this. If any heate of words passed betweene him & other gentlemen, who have ever bin as eminently loyall as he >k his ffamily have been otherwayes, I never knew my country famed for good breeding. To be called before the king Sc counccll will be a punishment will breake their hearts, to find him preferred to them who on all occasions have ventured life l^' fortune for his Matv, of which I can give many eminent instances. For my owne part I can never be repaired, he hath blasted me in the country, where far from court I desired only leave to pra}^ for the king, which I doe, publicly faithfully & fervently twice a day at least. Then to be cited to appeare before the councell on the bare allegations of a man whose father was so eminent a rebell, he had a particular proclamation to proclaim him so, and he plundred my ti'ather in the begiiniing of the rebellion 1<)42 : whose brother carried on a petition to exclude his j)resent Maty, which I put a stop to first of any man in England cl^ turned tlie streame quite the other way, as my Lord Godolphin well enough knowes. If I have done any- thiuL^ amiss to tlie kinii twas for this Stroode, swaved too much by a tender nature, though it did little I often inter- ceded with his Matv to save him, for which I humbly ask God Almighty, the king d' countryes pardon. This is all, on iiiy rv}»utation ; a httle loude, it may be unmannerly, lan- THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 41 guage might pass, and if he had not bin galled he would have winced no more then others. In reply to this Strode drew up a formal general statement of complaint, as contained in the following fourteen charges. 1. The Lord Fitzharding, telling his answer to the Lord "Waldgrave when his lordship told him that his Matie would secure all the laws to his subjects ; said that could not be done unless his Ma^^*' would hang up eleven judges. 2. The said Fitzharding's answer the second time to the L'^ Walgrave, when he proposed to him if he would assist in the takeing of the penall laws & test, that he would not assist nor contribute anything towards it unless the laws were first secured. 3. The L'^ Fitzharding desired the sheriffe to return other men for the grand jury, and told him he had returned those men on purpose to make an adress, and endeavoured with the foreman to hinder the makeing an addresse to his Ma^^^ x\nd M^ Hunt the same, as the foreman informed the sherriffe. 4. The L^ Fitzharding told the sherriffe that the king had not made him sherriffe for nothing, and M^' Seymour answered, noe you may be shure the king hath not made him sherriffe for nought. 5. The great abuse offered the sherriffe att dinner, using very unhandsome languige, and said that the feare of hanging made men loyall, and gave them preferment to M'' Hunt (k) M^ Windham. Upon M^ Trym's being arrested on an out- lawry M^' Windham came in great fury to the sheriffe & said if he were in another place he would cut his throat & breake his neck downe staires & offered to strike the sherriffe. (In the margin is written— John Parfitt to prove this.) 42 TIIE MARCH OF WILLLVM OF URANGE 7. M"* Hunt came up to the sherriffe in a very furious maner and askt him how he durst arrest one of their otlecera and hi<::^hly threatened the sherriffe. 8. S'" Edward Philhps stood by, whose passion was soe great that he ccould not well speake more then that M'* Tryme was their officer and should be defended, or words to that purpose. 9. Anthony Stocker, Esq*". & Captaine Twyford stood by all the while & highly opposed the sherriffe and tooke part with ]\P Tryme & the justices & presently after went downe into the court & swore God damme the sherriffe, we will doe him some private mischeife. (Marginal note : — Will Strode to prove this.) 10. S^ Edward Phillipps & the rest sent for W Tryme when he was in the bavliff's custody, and when he was come into tlie roome to them fower otfered to be bound for him f(3r twenty fower pounds. Collonel \Yindham said David Tryme doe Ned Strode what mischeife you can or any that belong to him and I will let thee have a hundred pounds to doe it, and we will all stand by thee, thou shalt not want for freinds, or words to this purpose. (Note : — \V™ Strode to prove this.) 11. L'^ Fitzharding, S' Edward Phillipps, Coll : Windham, M^ Hunt, notwithstanding W Tryme was under arrest and outlawd, carried him away with them to the hall from the bavliffs and there ordered him to act the businesse of the sessions and made the bayliff' waite till the court did rise for lunch. (Note : — John Parfitt to prove this.) 12. The L'^ Fitzharding's bayliffe of the hundred, one William Plumer, fell out with the sherrifts bayliffe, William Stroud, in the hall ^ called him one of the sherriff's rogues THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 43 and because the said Stroud answered him he was noe such person, and some other words, S^ Edward Phillips and all tlie bench stood up and said Strod disturbed the court, though they were then about noe businesse, and required him to find shureties or thev would committ him. He humbly told them he did not disturbe the court, only answered Plumer, and begged their pardon. However, they committed him to one Robert Daw, one of the late sherriff's goalers & kept him prisoner till 7 or 8 of the clock that night, and then one came & said he came from the justices, & that the said Strode might goe about his businesse, upon which the goaler left him and Strode went out of towne home. The next morning when S^' Edw. Phillipps & the rest heard he was gone out of towne, they had him called in court and on his not appearing, the court fined the sherriffe a hundred pounds tho Strod was never committed to him. The aforsed Plumer said publickly that the king had made Strode sherrif of purpose to doe mischief. (Note :— W^"" Strode to prove this.) 13. M^ Tryme writt severall letters to justices of the peace and deputy-leiveten^^^ that they should not comply with the Ld. Walgrave to his mat^"' proposalls & sent a messenger about with the letters. 14. M"* Tryme when att the sessions he called over the hundred jury & grand jury, if he came to any man's name that he knew was thankfull for his ma^^^'^ liberty he would stand up and acquaint S" Edward Phillipps & the rest with it, who would then frowne upon them and greatly discourage. (Note :— W"" Strode to prove both these.) This episode relating to Strode is certainly remarkable, almost incredible, the antecedents attached to the name being 44 THE MAECH OF WILLIAM Oi- UKANl.E remembered. When, in 1028, the Speaker was held di^wn hy vinlenci' in thu chair as he was ahout to leave it hy previous order of the king, rather than record an adverse vote, one of the actors in the scene was William Strode of Devon, member for Beeralston, a turbulent s})irit who suffered at this time a harsh and lon;^ imprisonment of eleven years. On his release he was a^^ani elected, and was next one of the five members accused of treason in JaDuarv, l()4-2. On his death in 1G45 he had a public funeral, the House attending. Another William Strode, of Street and Barrington, was prominent in Somerset in opposition to the tax called Ship money. He. with his son, was in the lirst encounter at Shepton Mallet in August, 1G4'2, and again a few days later, when the verv first blood drawn in the civil war was shed on the Polden Hills- As Colonel William Strode he was active through the first years of the war until superseded by the rules of the Xew ^lodel in 1G45. In 1G45 he was elected member for Ilchester, and, after a chequered career, died in KJGG. Another AVilliam, son of the last-named, entertained the Duke of Monmouth at Barrington on his progress through Somerset in 1G81 ; and in 1GS5, when the duke was in open rebellion, to prevent a repetition of this, he was seized a day or two after the duke landed at Lvme.^ This must have been a great loss to Monmouth, but probably it saved Strode's life and estate. He was one of the specially excepted from pardon as William Strode of Street, in the proclamation of March 10, 1G85. At what price it was obtained cannot be stated, but he was eventually pardoned by the influence of the Earl of Sunderland, by patent dated July 15, 1GS7, just after the dissolution of the Parhament.- Tli<^ brother of this Wilham was Edward ' riobrrts's Tj'tfc of Monmouth. • i'uteui Pvoiis. House of Lords MbS. THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 45 Strode of Downside, in Shepton Mallet, who, on Monmouth's first arrival at Shepton in 1G85, contributed to his necessities and gave him a hundred pounds ; a goodly sum then ; and on his second arrival, when fleeing from Sedgemoor, Monmouth slept his lirst quiet sleep at Edward Strode's at Downside. Yet with all this precedent not only is William Strode par- doned, and then restored as a deputy-lieutenant, but Edward is put in the special commission of James, and, going over from his old principles to aid this king, is actually made high sheriff in 1G87, the very year of his brother's full pardon. That the county gentlemen should be ojiposed to and disgusted with such an appointment is not surprising. Well may they say it was the fear of hanging that had made Strode loyal. Another William Strode, the son of Jeffry of Shepton Mallet, was almost a sufferer in the popish plot. Being a prisoner in the King's Bench, he entered into a correspondence with a priest, also a prisoner there, who, having a good opinion of Strode, invited him to his chambers to drink, and so initiated him into the popish plot, to which Strode pretended to agree. But the priest presently ' harboured a jealousie in his thought ' that Strode was * not true to the designi,' and so * began to cast about to ruin him ' by causing suspicion to fall upon him.^ It is curious, in connection with this name, that a William Strode of Kent, in 1483, 1 Pdc. III., was charged with treason as having ' falsely and traiterously ayenst the duete of his ligeaunce assembled greate nowmbre of people harnessed and arraied in manner of wxa're.' Besides the returns noticed, others were obtained by special emissaries as to the prospects for the Parhament in the various boroughs. Nathaniel Wade, John Jones, and ' Danpcrfield's second narrative. •I r 46 THE MAECH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE Piiehard Antlrewes, ^YllO visited Somerset and Devon, reported that : Pursuant to your Majesties commands some of our num- ber with others their associates have visited severall cor- porations and burroughs that elect Memliers of Parhament. They had discovered ah sorts of men, as to his Maties in- tentions. Many of the Church of England moderate, their religion being secured according to the declaration ; and so with the Presbvterians. The Pioman Cathohcs, Independents, Anabaptists, and Qua<|uers, that are numerous in many places, are generally in your Maties interest, notwithstanding many rumours to create jealousy among them. Mons'" FageU's and other pamphlets are spread through all parts to prejudice those inclined to your Mat^^ Pamphlets to the contrary have been sent down and disperst with good effect. [Fagel's pamphlet, printed in Amsterdam, was : ' A Letter to M"" Stuart, giving an account of the Prince and Princess of Orange's thoughts concerning the Eepeal of the Test and Penal Laws.'] Correspondents had been chosen and settled in all counties, corporations, and burroughs, so that they would be kept quickly and truly informed of all matters relating to the election. The revenue officers thev found did not use their influence for his Ma^'% on the contrary, the post masters were utterly averse thereto. They thought the returns generally would show a favour- able majority, Somerset. — The county intends to choose Sir John Svdenham and George Speake, or WiUiam Stroud and Sir TimOUOII THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET Thomas Bridges ; these are all right. Sir John Sydenham and George Speake have a great interest. The sheriffe desires to know your Majesties pleasure which of those you would have chosen. Bath. — Is a Corporation; the election is by the body cor- porate, who propose to choose Oliver Nicholas, one of the Corporation ; and S"" William Bassett ; who are both right, but if y'' Majesty be not satisfied with those they will choose such as y^ Majesty will recommend. Wells. — Is a Corporation ; the election w^as allway by the magistrates and burgesses ; the former magistrates have made many burgesses of gentlemen in the count-ey to serve a turne. To secure this election it is necessary that there be a new charter which they are inclined to. They propose to choose Henry Bridges and WiUiam Coward, both right. Taunton. — Is a Corporation; the election is popular and consists of about 700. A new^ charter is requisite, for till then ye inhabitants are aw^ed by the country gentlemen who are their magistrates. A Quo Warranto is sent, on which their charter will be deliverd. The greatest part of the towne are dissenters, & doe propose to choose John Trenchard and Edward Clarke, both right ; but if your Ma^^'' be not satisfied in M'" Trenchard, they will choose William Clarke, or who your Mat''' will name, or M"" Brent recommend. Bridgwater.' -Is a Corporation ; the election is popular to about 240. They doe propose to choose S'" John Bowden & B'' Hazwell Tent ; the first is undoubtedly right, the other not doubted by the dissenters. It is requisite for S'' John Bowden to appear at the election, elce S'' Francis W^arr, who is a very ill man, will be chosen. He industriously makes an intrest for itt. Mynhead. — Is a Corporation ; the election popular. The -^^ N 48 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE il I I towne l)elonQ:s to Coll. Lutterell, of whom ^ye can yett ,^ive not account. Who he proposes will be chosen here, except the sheriff can improve the interest of John Speak and liol)ert Sinderfin (who are both right), which he hath promised to doe. Ilchrstrr.—ls a Corporation; the election is popular; con- sists of about 140. A new charter is requesite in order wherunto a Quo Warranto is served, and the charter had bin dehvered liad nott S'' Edward Phillips advised the con- trary. They will choose Edward Strode, the sheriff, if your Ma^^" will permitt itt, and John Speke, both right men, and who will have interest to carry itt, especially when thercs a new charter. MUhnnir Port.— Is a Corporation ; the election is popular. :\P Henry Bull and M^ John Hunt, two verry ill men, have made interest to be chosen on promise that they will oppose the takeing away of the test. A (Jim U'arranfn is requesite, on which it's supposed they wiU rather consent (then loose their charter) to choose S' Charles Cartwright and Wilham Strode, who are both right men. In Sept. 1G88 the ' agents in the country ' sent up a further report of the progress they had made. The dissenters were reported trim to their resolutions and not shaken by any endeavours used to the contrary. The books that have been disperst have had a very good etYect, though great endeavours have been made by the Church party to disswade people from reading them. The great inconvenience attending this affair is the sug- gestions propagated by Churchmen, and others disaffected residing about London. TIIROrOH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 49 However, we have no reason to doubt but that there will be an election of members that will readily concur. Then follows an account, so far as could be learned from the electors, of ' who they intend to choose,' and their respective inclinations. Somerset. — They have not yet pitched upon who they will elect. The sheriff and the dissenters there will do their utmost to secure a good election. Bath. — They resolve to choose S'" William Basset and LP Oliver Nicholls. Taunton. — Will choose John Trenchard & Edward Clerke. S"" Humphrey Lhickworth is a stranger and hath no interest there : and if they should endeavour his election they might hazard the whole. For S'' W^"' Portman and M'' Sandford, their last members, are making a party in that towne, but will faile if the two first stand. Bridfiu-ater, — WiU choose S"" Haswell Tynt and S'' John Bawden if he appears upon the spott ; otherwise M'' George Musgrave will be chosen. S'' Francis W'arr, a violent Churchman, labours his owne election. Minehead. — The sheriff hath undertaken the care of this place, and to propose right men, which they could not fix u^xjii when our friends were upon the spott. llchester.—\si\\ elect John Speake k William Strode, if neither of them be elected in the county ; if they be, another litt man will be pitched upon. S"" Edw'^ Philips attempts to make an interest to oppose this election. Milborn Port. — S'" Charles Carteret will be elected, and he E I 50 THE MAKCH oF WILLI, \M <'F uLANTtE hath Interest to mfluence the election of another fitt person. He is to ])e spoke with about it. ^Villiaui Lacy Esq. is pro- posed as titt. ^r Hunt and M^ Bull, their two last members, endeavour to be elected, but supposed will be fruitle.--s. In the first revision of Deputy Lieutenants in December, 1685, tlie following Somerset names were submitted to the king : Lord Fitzharding Francis Paulett, Esq. Sir Hu'^li Tynte. Sir Tho' Bridges. Edv/ard Strode, Es(p'. Edward Clarke, Esq'*. Eobert Svderthi, Esq''. 4/ -*■ Sir William Basst'tt. William Lucy, Esq. Baldwin :\rallett, Es(i''. Warwick Bampfield, Es(i' J(>l!n Anthill, Es(|''. Cliark's Stevnimz. Esii''. William Clarke, Esq'". Henrv Walrond, Esij'*. Piichard Crosse, E^q''. Peter Revnon, Es(f . Jiisllces of tl/r Peace. Tho^ Littleton, Esif-. George Hussey, Esq''. John ]>rent. Esq''. PiObert Brent, Es(]'". Xi'ir Otip^. John Harrington, Es(f. John Champney, Esq'". S'" Charles Carteret, Esq^ William Coward, Es(q''. William Strode, Es(|'". George ^Lisgrave, Esq'". John Speke, Esq'". Abraham Atkins, Esq'". In the second revision, February, IGRR, the list includial TTIROUGII THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 51 Lord Viscount Fitzharding. Sir William Bassett. William Lucy, Esq'". Sir Hugh Tvnt. Sir Thomas Bridges. Edward Strode, Esq^. Justices of the Peace. Edward Clarke, Esq'". Eobert Synderlin, Esq'". Thomas Moore, Esq'". Warwick Bampfeild, Esq'". Francis Ancketill, Esq*". John Harrington, Esq'". William Clarke, Esq^. Henry Walrond, Esq^. Pilchard Cross, Esq'". Peter Eeynon, Esq'". Thomas Littleton, Esq'". William Strode, Esq'". George Musgrave, Esq^. John Speak, Esq^. Abraham Atkins, Esq''. Thomas Baynard, Esq^. Thomas Strode, Esq''. Henry Gould, Esq''. George Longe, E^q''. William How, Es'q'". Samuel Cabell, Esi]'". Gore, Esq'". Henry Eolls, Esq'". Harry Bridges, Esq'". George Hussey, Esq''. Eobert Brent, Esq''. Jolm Champney, Esq''. Sir Charles Carterett. William Coward, Es(|''. Richard Cross, Esq''. James Webb, Esq'" Edward Hobbs, Esq^*. Hern'v Henlev. Henrv Longe. Francis Yaughan. Richard Jones. Thomas Muttlebury. xVndrew Cross. Henry Mompesson. John Burland. Thomas Hawker. I-J-i-ehm^H— (-i-J-a-HA-i-14. The last name is erased as here marked. Plots against the king and his proceedings were by now constantly reported ; but the papers preserved relating to this time are so few that detailed information is not available. Notwithstandhig a full knowledge of such feelings, the king's E 'J I I ii |i| 52 TIH-: MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE intentions and (Ictfrmination did not alter. leather it would seem that the reports of his emissaries gave him and his advisers more confidence, as on April 7, 1()88, just as a year had elapsed, the ' declaration ' was issued for the second time, with the additional announcement that : ' Our conduct ought to have persuaded the world that we are fn-m hi our res^olutions, but that easie people may not be abused by crafty wicked men, we declare our intentions are not changed.' Tliis*^ was ordered to be read in all churches May 20 and -27. On this matter seven bishops refu^ed obedience, one of them Bishop Ken of Bath and AVells, the result being the well-known historic event, their trial and acquittal. Amongst the few State Papers preserved there is the information of one Ehas Bragg, who was to be found at the sign of the Ship in Bridgwater, as to a plot of which he had learned. Bragg had gone to Bristol to be ' lett blood for a complaint of dizziness,' and there in conversation said that he had just returned from Holland, and had brought over a hundred and fifty letters for London, and fifty for Bristol ; further, that forty thousand men would soon be landed in Cornwall, under the name of Irish, and forty thousand more at Plymouth. ]\[onmouth would be in C(mimand.' ^ lie gave the names of those implicated in Somerset as being Esq. Henley ; Sir Tho" Bridges and his son : M'' Green of Redland ; Sir Jolm Bolls of Cannin'^on ; Sir John Smith; Esq. .Jones of Hinton Bluett; and Esq. Jones of Clutton. Some of these 'had then l)een for some days at Downside, at Es(i. Strode's the head sheriff of Somerset and Esq. Strode's was th(> place of meeting for the persons deepest concerned.' Had this story bet^n true this last paragraph would have added another curious note to the >Luinoutli was believed lo be still alive. I m THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET D 3 Strode history. The informer who had received this story, liavhig unburdened himself, was at once committed to gaol for misprision of treason in sufTering Bragg to escape, but was liberated on the latter being taken by the Mayor of Bridgewater. Elias Bragg alias Clarke, of Curry Rivel, was brought up for examination at Ilchester on April 25. It appeared that he had been one of Monmouth's men at Taunton, and after the failure was sent to Bridewell there. His story was that, about a fortnight before Michaelmas, as he was travelling with the carrier to Exeter, he asked to be directed to any gentleman wanting a servant, he having lived in that capacity with Madam Jennings of Curry Bivel. Going to a house at Otterton for this purpose, he there found a ' Conventicle Meeting,' which he seems to have joined, and so pretended to have learned what was in progress — namely, that men would be landed in Wales, and others at Minehead and Porlock. There were present, he said, Madame Pyne and two of her sons, one having been a captain in the late rebeUion ; Mr. Prideaux of Ford, Mr. Henley of Leigh, ]\Ir. Savage of Taunton, who was one of Monmouth's captains, and Captain Speak, who had served in the late rebellion. Mr. Speak was in the hall. Bragg stated that he agreed to carry letters and to go to Bristol to the Marsh to see what cannon lay there, that Monmouth's men might take them to Minehead and Porlock ; but, getting ' troubled in his mind,' he discovered the plot- The matter caused some excitement. Mr. Henry Bridges, reporting the meeting to examine him, says that eighteen justices appeared, * a greater appearance seldom known, and for conduct and despatch of business free from the usua clashing and violence.' He had expected to iind the prisoner a ' man of periwig, cravat, and address such as Bedloe ; ' but he saw ' a meer worm who pretended to make mumping worth ' 5i THF M.\!:i II oi WlLLLlM uF ORANGE tliirty >lullin.i::^s per diem, ])csides meat and drink,' ])y ran-vin,c; about these tales. He ^Yas vexed at so miicli trouMc aliuiit so frivolous a trifle, void of all credit. On tilt- ]UL'itin,i;- of tliu jubticH s Lord Fitzhardiiig wrote a letter recommending tlura tf) elect ^Ir. Clerl; of Sandeford as cliairman. As ^^fr. Clerk had sold all he had in Somerset, and at the time hved chiefly in Wilts, this, it was thought, ' savourt'd more of imposition ' upon the meeting than any * intt'ntion of good service.' The request was consequently re- fused, and ^fr. Coward, Recorder of Wells, was importuned to take the chair. After a modest refusal he acceded, and ' gave a charge to the grand jury second to none but Cicero himself.' During this meeting a (Jno Warmnto was issued against the charter of Ilchester, and after some 'per- suasion ' the bailiff and burgesses, twelve in number, resolved to deliver it, the baihtf undertaking to carry it to London the next WL'ik. What was j;'r.ing on in another wny may be gathered fi-om a letter of the time, dated A\'ells, ^lay 11), concerning the 'great mischief and uncertainty proceeding from the county post houses.' The king's affairs, >;iid tlie writer, 'might be treated with more secresy than I fear they are, througli the maliee of prying people.' In particular was mentioiunl a com- plaint from Yeovil, ' the staple commodity whereof is gloving,' vlure the complainant, who 'paid £5 or £0 a year postage,' stilted that the postmaster, through ill will towards him, ' stifled ' his letters to his great damage. Another letter 'of great consequence' was 'stifled' at Bruton. If, says the writer, the villainy of other counties equals this, no account (>f any conseipience can be transmitted without passing the • pyke> ' of these nifU. III! ' »: THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET K". The discontent having now worked up an organised op- position, some direct overtures were made to the Prince of Orange, who, by his marriage to the king's daughter ^lary, was next heir to the throne. The prince hesitated, as was but natural inasmuch as by waiting, should he survive the king, he must succeed. But it happened that another cause of discontent arose when in June the queen was announced to have given birth to a son— a child which nearly every one considered supposititious— a birth hardly anyone believed to be other than an imposition. As by this event the Prince of Orange entirely lost all chance of succession, he was at last induced to action. By September the prince's intentions were known, so that the king, thoroughly alarmed, was obli<^ed to take defensive measures. The first movement was on September 24, when he signified that he would call a Par- liament in Noveml)er, coupling with this promise the an- nouncement that it was his ' royal purpose by so doing to en- deavour a legal establishment of liberty of conscience,' the inference here being an acknowledgment that the then position was illegal. Matters now moved apace ; the position seems to have been suddenly realised ; a thorough fear seems to have been established. On September 26, only two days later, the removed deputy-lieutenants were restored. On the 28th came out a proclamation declaring that an armed force intended an invasion from Holland, ' promoted, as we understand, by some of our subjects, wicked, restless spirits.' On October 2 a general pardon was issued, among the exceptions being Laurence Braddon. On October 11a form of prayer was issued, to be used ti r f 50 THE MAIlCII of WILLIAM OL OKANGE during; this time of pul)lic apprehension. Herein it was prayed for the king: 'Inspire him \Yith ^Yisdom and justice. Give all his sul)jects grace always to bear faith and true allegiance.' On October 17 corporations were restored. On November 5 cmiie news from Brixham that a fleet with the Prince of Orange had arrived, and that the men were landing. On Noveml?er 6 a proclamation declared the invasion ' ordy to be thought of with horror, as unchristian and un- natural in one so nearly related, especially as he calls in qut -tion the legitimacy of our son.' Meanwhile the khig Sent troops to Salisbury, and went there himself to johi them. The prhice, connnencing his march, advanced towards Exeter ; the movement being made during some hours of the night, in darkness and rain, proved a hard and rough trial for his men. There was at first, too, but little appearance of support from the district, as all were afraid ' they would be served as the Duke of ^fonmouth's men were served.' Camping at last this night without shelter in a stubble field, ' verily the water ran over and under them, and their heads, backs and arms sunk into the red clay ; ' yet, being weary, they 'slept very sweetly in their pee or campaign coats.' ^ By November tlie prince had arrived at Exeter, and here the report reached him that the khig had resolved to await and light him near Salisbury. At Exeter the Somerset gentry ' came in brk-kly,' being well provided with all things useful in abundance, especially with the sinews of war. AVith those ' Diary of tlie MarcJt of tJte Prince of Orange. TimOUGII THE COUNTY OF SOMEFxSET 57 who came were Sir Francis Warre, Sir William Portman, Col. Luttrell and his brother, Major Palmer, Mr. Speke, Sir Edward Seymour, Mr. Thomas Seymour, Col. Bamplield, Col. Thomas Wyndham and his son, Mr. Stawell, Mr. Mallet, and Capt. Braddon.^ On November 15 they presented an address as follows : — We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, who have now joyned with the Prince of Orange for the defence of the Pro- testant religion, and for maintaining the ancient Govern- ment and the laws and liberties of England, Scotland and Ireland, do engage to Almighty God, to his Highness the Prince of Orange, and to one another, to stick firm to the cause and to one another in the defence of it, and never to depart from it until our religion, our laws and liberties are so far secured to us in a free Parliament, that we shall be no more in danger of falling under popery and slavery. And whereas we are engaged in this common cause under the pro- tection of the Prince of Orange, by which means his person may be exposed to dangers, and to the desperate cursed attempts of papists and other bloody men : — We do therefore solemnly engage to God and to one another, that if any sucli attempts are made upon him, we will pursue not only those who make tliem, but all their adherents and all that we find in arms against us with the utmost severity of a just revenge to tlieir ruin and destruction, and that the execution of such attempts (which God of his mercy forbid) shall not divert us from prosecuting this cause, which we now undertake, but that it shall engage us to carry it on with all the rigour that so barbarous a practice shall deserve against all persons whatso- ever, the king's sacred person only excepted. ' Hist. MSS. Seventh Report. I 58 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE M ' 1 Siirned bv : — FiTz TTardino. Btawkll. J" PonTAlAN. John Smythe. George Ilonxr.ii. Ei>\v" Beazkley. T. A. Gorges. Th M()mpesson. Hugh Hellier. John Pigott. Edw ' Baker. Henry Mompesson. J. Henry Goild. Henry Walr.ond. John r)Air-EY. Joseph Godwyn. John Sandys. George Misgrave. Like M(»rgan. AVaR ]>AM!'FIEI.n. Geo L(^ng. BkH" ('nX. Ja^ies A\ Ki;r.. Tho S.\M];()n:NK. Tilt' names omittLil arv iWv^UAi:.^ Ha Eoynon. j. doddington. John Hody. W Westley. John San ford. W. BiOYNON. (iEO \\'kKEAM. \V AVkkea.m. J. Pryse. Tho^ Poole. IL Welsted. Thomas Jackson. John Watts. Jer Newcomp.e. David AVieelvms. N. Paemer. Ed Bowyer. Tho' Wieeie. John John Br p. don. Horbes. John Day. On Nnv. 15 thf princo hi;uu' tluni tlic following speech in rt p!\ > M-S S', A Wvod. THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 59 Tlio we know not all your persons, yet we have a cata- logue of your names, and remember the character of your worth and interest in the county. You see we are come according to your invitation and our promise. Our duty to God obliges us to protect the Protestant religion; and our love to mankind, your liberties and properties. \\e ex- pected you that dwelt so near the place of our landing would have joined us sooner, not that it is now too late, nor that we want your military assistance so much as your countenance and presence, to justify our declared pretensions, rather than accomplish our good and gracious designs. Tho we have both a good fleet, and a good army, to render these kingdoms happy, by rescuing all Protestants from popery, slavery, and arbitrary power ; by restoring them in their rights and properties established by law, and by promoting peace and trade, which is the soul of Government, and the very life- blood of a nation ; yet we rely more on the goodness of God and the justice of our cause, than on any human force and power whatever. Yet since God is pleased we shall make use of human means, and not expect miracles, for our preserva- tion and happiness, let us not neglect making use of this gracious oj^portunity, but with prudence and courage put in execution our so honourable purposes. Therefore, gentlemen, friends, and fellow-Protestants, we bid you and all your followers most heartily welcome to our court and camp. Let the whole world now judge, if our pretentions are not just, generous, sincere, and above price, since we might have even a bridge of gold to return back. But it is our principle and resolution, rather to die in a good cause, than live in a l)ad one, well knowing that virtue and true honour is its own reward, and the happiness of mankind our great and only i 8 design.^ ' Fourth Collection of Papers, etc. »n' Ml H'J 4 ^ GO THE MALCIl U¥ AVlLLLiM OF OIlASGE Refreshed l)v the stav at Exeter, one man afterwards being as good as two before, the force advanced in three divisions, each division being a day or so behind the other. The prince accompanied the middle or second division ; tlie people, everywhere anxious to see him, followed him wlier- ever he passed. The first division marched first to St. Mary Otter v ; the next day the second division marched t(T tlie same place, the first then advancing to Axminster. Then the third division advanced to Ottery, the second to Axminster and Lvrae, and tlie first to Beaminster and Crookhorn. So, after tlie third division had left Exeter, the whole force moved simultaneously. Oxen were used for the artillery, horses for the ammunition. The iirst line moving to Sherborne, the pjince with the second ' rode to Crookhorn with a noble attendance,' the people flocking in great numbers to see him. At Crookliorn he remained Sunday, November 25. Here, besides many gentlemen of the AVest, a regiment of royal infant rv and the officers of a dragoon regiment joined him.'/ The lir>t line now marched to AVmcanton ; the second follo\y- ing to Sherborne, v/hither went also the prince and lodged at the castle, being thus advanced directly upon the king's troops. Here Dr. Finch, Warden of All Souls College, Oxford, came to the prince from the heads of other colleges, with the assurance that they would declare for him if he came there, and that their plate should be at his service. From Sherborne was issued a celebrated document known as the Prhice's Third F)eclaratiorL.- Thi' prince's first declaration was dated Octo])er 10, to which an additional oiiu was added, dated October 21. In the hr^t ' Hist. MSS. Scveitth Eeport. ■ Burntt, Iltat. vj Oicn Time. THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 61 was sketched the conduct of the evil counsellors about the king ; the various complaints of the country ; and the dismal etfect of the assumption of arbitrary power. And it adds, to crow^n all, there were the great and violent presumptions re- garding the birtli of a son. During the queen's pretended bigness, and in the manner in which the birtli was managed, there were so many just and visible grounds of suspicion that not only himself, but all good subjects vehemently suspected that the pretended child was not born of the queen. And since ' our dearest consort and our selfs have so great an mterest in this matter, and a right to the succession, we can- not excuse ourselves from espousing tlie interests of the English people, and contributing to maintain the Protestant religion, the laws and liberties of the three kingdoms.' The third declaration, having every appearance of being genuine, w\as dated Sherborne Castle, November 28. Its effect was mimediate and widespread, as its wording so exactly caught the feeling and wishes of the time. It declared the prince's fervent zeal for the Protestant religion, his re- solution to rescue the country from slavery and peppery, and that he was resolved to call a free Parliament forthwith. It further promised that no injury should be done to dny one; not even to a papist except when found in arms ; then he should be treated as a robber and bandit, and ' intirely delivered up to the discretion of the souldiers.' This momentous document was afterwards found to l)e un- authorised, and for a long time its authorship remained unacknowledged. Sir Hugh Speke eventually claimed it as his : ' I wrote it first, and when it was perfected to my liking, I then sealed it up in a sheet of paper and left it with a person in London that I could trust, and charged him to keep the paper till he heard from me out of the west by letter after I [q. h K»* 4 If 11 ii C>-2 THE >i-\l:( II OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE was t^ot to the Prince of Oran^^e, and then to dispose of it as I should direct.' I lavini:; informed himself of the exact route and iilan «»f mai-.diing from Exeter, Sir Hu.^li wrote to London accordingly, ordering the insertion of the words 'Given nnder our hand at Sherhorne,' and tliat the manuscript should he put under a certain hookseller's door, the said hookseller re- ceiving an order to print.' Be the authorship where it may, thi^ document i)ractieally in its effect secured all for the })rince. It l)eing reported that some of the prince's party had advance majority of his men in a small enclosure at the ' east end of the town un the Kft side.' a good hedge ])eing between them and the road by which their enemy nuL-t come. Just opposite this spot, in a little garden also covered hy a tliiek hedge, he placed six men, and then, \\itli four or live others, he tooh the road, determined to lie cautious and not to fu'e too hastily, as there wa.-. the pos^ihility that Sarslield's men would desert and join him. Presently Sarsheld and his men were seen apjtroaching. Yraitiu"- utitil thev were iUiite near. CampheH then challenged with : • Stand! stand! for wla^in arc ye?' Lo this the other replied, • I am for King .Tames : who a.rt lliou U^v ? ' Campbell answered, ' For the Prince of Orange.' ' God damji me ! ' re- turned tlie other, ' Fll Prince thee.' Hearing tln^, Campbell ordered hi. men to fire, and. himself going up to this ' popish ' Spekc, IL Some Memoirs of Remarkable Passages, 17U9. I THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERS^ET r»:>> ). ) officer,' shot him in at the mouth and through the brains ; so he dropped down dead. Firing now commenced on both sides ; but the royalists, a hundred and fifty strong — the Gazette says a hundred and twenty, seventy horse, and fifty dragoons — got into the field, some through a dead hedge, some at the lower corner, others by a little gate said to have been opened by a countryman who was looking on ; and so they quickly sur- rounded their opponents, who could do nothing more than fire as fast as possible. Pefendhig themselves thus stubbondy, they were joined by their companions from the other side of the road, but at last were overpowered by numbers. The wounded, some of them shot in five or six places, being ofi'ered quarter for their bravery, ' would not accept it from the hands of papists,' but chose rather to die. Every man would have been killed had not a miller riding into the town proclaimed to the townspeople, who in alarm and terror had thronged into the streets, :hat a strong party of Orange horse- men was just on entering on the other side. The miller further called out to the king's men, ' Awav ! away for vour lives! save yourselves! the enemies are at hand ! ' On hearhm- this and seeing the great confusioii in the streets, the troopers judged it was true and galloped away. The result of all this was that, on the Orange side, Lieutenant Campbell and eight or nine others were killed, and six prisoners were taken, of wliom, however, three got away. Of the king's side four were reported killed and two wounded. If the two wounded died, the general account may be consi- dered correct, as in the end fifteen dead were tumbled into one grave. This narrative w^as taken from Mr. iJulgin the minister : and from Cornet Webb of the king's force as he lay wounded, shot through the back and reins.* ' Diary of the March of the Prince of Orange. mmmm \i 6 4 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM! OF ORANGE Be>ides this the only episode in Somerset was the arrival of a [)arty of Oran^i^emen at Bridgwater, where they secured some twenty horses from the market jx^oplt'. Although hoth the main forces had ])vvn very near each other, no general encounter happened, as the king at Salisbury, unal)le to depend on his men, hnding iheni disloyal and deserting him, hastily Itd't them and returned to Windsor and so to London. His'^camp then broke up in disorder, and many of the officers and soldiers joined the prince. From Sherborne the prince, with now Prince George of Denmark and many others who had left the king, marched to AVincanton. When leaving here, a royal trumi)ttt'r arrived asking a pass for messengers to treat.* So the prince, Sir Wm. TortuKin being with him, advanced by ^lere to Salisbui-y. From here the force passed across the plain l)y Stonehenge, where a halt was made to view the novel sight, considered to be a monument erected to commemorate som(^ notable vict(n'y. All tht^n moved on to Cnllingbourn Khigston, then to llungcr- ford, wlu-ru the prince lay at Littlecot, and then to Windsor. lit^ides the light at Whicanton tlu-re was but one other skirmish throughout this memorablo march, this bring an encouiit. r bttwten the English and Iri>h [it Readhig. Of all the foUy committed by James, the bringing ov( r Irish soldiers, papists' too, to aid him, was perhaps the greatest. Looked upon at tlu' time as little better than savages, the feehng of shame was widespread, with terror superadded at the fear of tile nun-ders and outrages always known to accompany the presence uf these men. By some means, still unknown l-y wlmm, although the merit nf it has been claimed by a Speke, a niniour was spread that some Iri.-h w. re advancing on various [.laces. A letter ' Hist. MSS. Seventh Repcrrt. THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET y 65 from Yeovil, dated December 19, 1G88^* records that about three in the mornhig the whole town was alarmed by a report that some thousands of Irish were marching westward, having burned Portsmouth, Lymington, and Basingstoke. This report revived the remembrance that during tlie civil war some Irish had landed on the Somerset coast, and committed many atrocities. The country round as far as Taunton rose at once in arms. All sorts of weapons were seized. Some had swords, some muskets, some clubs, several thousands both horse and foot being thus ready. The report, however, proved to be a false alarm, to the no small joy of everybody. The next event was the escape and flight of the king. Consequent on this, on December 11, instead of a royal proclamation, there came out a declaration of the Lords spiritual and temporal announcing that the king had fled. Next it was ordered that a deputation should wait on the prince, and that all papists should be disarmed, and all Jesuits and priests secured. On December 22, when the nobility declared in favour of the prince and against the late king's proceedings, ' as ren- dering the laws a nose of wax,' the streets were thronged with people all rejoicing at being redeemed from ' popery and slavery.' Thus the revolution was complete. How the Somerset men sang we learn from a ballad entitled :---' The Courageous Soldiers of the W^est, or. The undaunted Country- mens Pesolution in taking up arms in defence of King WTlliam and Queen Mary, togetlier with the Protestant Peli- Tune is : ' Lilli Borlero.' "^ Woodcut : soldiers march- gion. ing. ' London Mercury. Bag ford Ballads. j'^t^' s. 3 I I I GO THE :NIARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE Now to maintain the Protestant cause, Ail the whole West does loyally stand, iur our lives, relif,non and laws, Roman shall never reign in this land. Stout lads brisk and airy, for William and Mary, They'll vahantly tight their rights to maintam. Bridgewater boys I needs must comiueud, Freely they to the wars did repan% Parents and wife, nay, every friend, They recommend to Pleaven's great care ; Life and fortune freely venter, Xotiiing ahve true courage can stam. Stout lads brisk and airy, for William and Mary, They'll vahantly tight their rights to maintain. As for the town of brave Taunton-dean, Their loyalty shall ne"er be forgot, i'ur uiir most gi^acious king and his queen, They will engage with thundering shot. Noble true souls came tlocking amain. Stout lads brisk and airy, for William and Mary, They'll valiantly tight tlieir riglits to mamtam. A ino.t iinport^mt factor, as already mentioned, in pro- diuanc. the insult here sketched was the birth of the PP., as he was called (Pretended Prince), an event to which a few ob.-ervations may be devoted. Of the manv powers attributed to the Bath waters, one, now transferred\o others farther away, was that of removmg barrenness ni women-a belief traced as existing from an e-irlv time It mav l)e said that this belief contributed much to .qve a special character to the place. So much was this vo^lv of th. waters assumed that, when a childless woman arrived at Bath, it wa. usual to make the remark, ' She comes for the common cause.' Actm- on this custom, the childless queen having dcter- THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 67 mined to go to the Batli. arrived there from Windsor on August 18, 1687, joining the king, who had arrived from Portsmouth about an hour before her. The queen stayed at Dr. Peirce's at the Abbey House, where she was to be pre- pared, as it was called. J)r. Peirce had written on the effects of these waters in curing palsy and barrenness, and this being pubhshed in the ' l^hilosophical Transactions' for 1(;85 was thus stamped with authority\ The example cited was that of a gentlewoman of Wells, aged about 30 or 32, who had been married ten or twelve years, without being with child. Being seized with palsy in the left side, she was brought to Bath, where she remained some time. After tlie 'usual preparations and some intunuil means,' she recovered the use of her hand, leg, and tongue, and not only so, but ' hi a few weeks after she returned to her husband, conceived with child, and had at about a year and half distance between them five children.' Other medicos record similar cases. The king stayed a few days at Bath, and then went north- wards alone. Retui-ning to Bath on September G, he again remained a few days, and finally returned to Windsor alone. The queen stayed on until October 6, when she also re- turned to Windsor. Soon after her return it began to be reported that she was with child, and further that she had immediately con- ceived on being with the king on the very day of her arrival from Bath. The future event was therefore calculated as from this October 0. It was also circulated that at the very moment of this conception, the queen's mother was making a vow to the Lady of Loretto, praying that her daughter might conceive and have a son, the offering made being a flaming heart and two golden angels worth 60,000/. i 2 * » t 4 u G8 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE Too evidently intendin- tn hvy^ up this belief regarding tho "Rath waters, the king later urged the Princess Anne of Denmark, -wlio had miscarried, to go to tlie Bath for her general health. To this she assented, and ^vt'nt there towards the end of ^Liy, IG-SB. She was tlui. thought to be out of the queen's way, her interest in the succession being too near to all< Av her to join in any deception. Preparations had been made and were making for the queen's delivery, aU to be ready by the end of June ; but no sooner was Anne gone than suddenly the (jueen changed the reckoning and declared the start must ])e made a month earlier, or from tlie time the king returned to her at Bath, Tiz., September G. This being reported to the princess at Bath, she was urged to return at once. The queen, learning this on AVednesday, ordered her lodgings at St. James's to be ready by Saturday for her lymg-in. Being told that this could not be done/she became enraged and sent an order that the bed must be readv, and 'let the worst come to the worst she would Ive in on Saturday though only blankets were nailed about^the bed.' ' Accordingly, (m June 10, instead of in Julv, no one but Italian ladies being present, the English and Protestants being away or at church, the birth was said to have occurred. Out^iib- it was quickly perceived tliat the time did not agree with the early announcement, and the child was at once set down tn be an imposition. The pamphleteers and gossips had their chance, and many and curious are the issues of thi. time. A council was held on October 22 to con- eider these accu>ations, and to gather evidence of the bnth, and the fatal resolution was then taken to publish a defence agaiu.t all ihi.^ ' fal>e news and slander, of late more bold an ' Uibt. MSS. Ninth Eejjort, p. 40yA. TimOUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET 69 licentious tlian formerly.' Counter publications were at once issued, and the ' defence ' mercilessly pulled to pieces. On the announcement of the birth some addresses of course came up. Very few they were, but of them four are from Somerset, two of these being from Bath, ah as before being printed in the London Gazctfc. First, on July 19, 1688, came out : The Jlumhle Address of the Clothiers of the Counties of Devon and Somerset. May it please your Majesty. We cannot but in a due sense of your Majesties great goodness to us, tender our most humble and hearty thanks for your gracious hearing our miserable complaint of the exportation of wooh, and of your Majesties speedy as well as effectual redress thereof, in issuing out your commission for that purpose, by which your Majesty hath preserved and put a new life to trade, which next to the great and glorious design of liberty of conscience, is undoubtedly the best sup- port of the wealth and grandeur of a nation, and therefore we can now return with joy to our respective habitations. And as it hath pleased God, to our great joy, to bless your Majesty with a royal prince to sway the scepter of these kingdoms after your Majesty : so we heartily pray God there may never want of your princely posterity to sit on the throne of your Majesty ; and that he may in due time inherit your princely virtues, as well as the just dominion over all vour kingdoms. On July 26 was printed : — TJie Jhnnhle and Unanimous Conrfratulation of Ids Majesties Justiees cf the Peaee for the County of Somerset, at their 7U THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF ORANHE N i ' ■ General Qnart'i- Sessions held at Bri'l-urdt, r tlie TentJi Dnij of J III >/ in fJi'^ r^niirt], }'*.'//• m/' ///.s' M'ljesties lu'ujn, Anno Bom. ItJbS. Sid'Hvnh'd likewise hj several other gentle maL fhr}) anil fhrrr prr^rjif. Most Gracious SovEREiCrN, Althou-b \\v luivf with all biiieurity iiuide our respective aclmowled^-mt'iits to Almi-lity (iod for the -Teat blessing He hath voiiehsafud this nation, by niakinjj^ your Majesty the parent of a most hopeful and illustrious prince, and have given as great and ample demonstrations of our joy for the same in our several stations as we were capable, yet never- theless we do not thhdc our selves acquitted of our duty without an humble congratulation with your :\rajesty and your royal consort upon this happy occasion, and assuring vour ^^laiestv, that whenever the overruling power (l)y which kings reign) shall resume that crown you now so justly wear, we will bear all faith and true allegiance to this illustrious prince ; but that tlie commencement thereof may be late, are, and shall always be, the prayers of, Your Majesties most faithful and most Obedient Subjects. The first from Bath, dated June 25, and printed July 30, was : — To thy Kln, aii-l in congratulating your Majesty and your roval consort of being tlitj joyful parents of so goodly a son ; a pift which the whole nation ought to esteem as the reward of'^IIeaven, upon that continued series of .c^oodncss and indul- gence which your Majesty hath ever since the beginning of your most auspicious reign extended to your subjects, par- ticularly that of your comi)assionate declaration for Uberty of conscience; whereby as you are pleased to suspend the execu- tion of all penal laws in matters of religion, and the requiring of anv oaths or tests from any ; so do we, upon our allegiance to you our sovereign, promise and engage, tliat whensoever your kajesty shall think tit to call a Parliament, such of us as shall have a' power of electing, will chuse none to serve therein, but who shall give us a full assurance, that they will endeavour the total abrogation of them. \nd that vour Maiestv mav have the ready concurrence of both your houses in these gracious intentions ; and enjoy the comfort and satisfaction of seeing the fruits and consequences thereof, by a long and prosperous reign in peace and plenty, (having survived the murmurings and discontents of a malevolent party) the prince your son arrived to maturity of years and understanding; and a numerous oli'spring from vour roval lovns, which mav perpetuate your name and memory, and even battle mortality itself, shall be the constant prayer of. Dread Sovereign, Your ^laje^ties ever dutiful and loyal Subjects. Yet with all this apparent subserviency Bath was as thankful as any place when the king was gone, and the next year had her rejoicings with the rest when the new king was crowned. One broadside poem on tliis subject is entitled : THROUGH THE COUNTY OF SOMERSET /3 ' The Loyalty and ('.lory of the City of Bath : being a True and Perfect Kelation of the Wonderful Ceremony and Trans- actions that were lately performed there.' Another is: 'News from Bath: being a true and perfect Kelation of the great and splendid Procession and joyful Transac- tions there, on the 11th day of April ; being the Coronation-day of their most sacred Majesties William and Mary, Kmg and Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland.' In this it is told that a great number of the best quality joined in the festivities in testimony of their joy for the happy deliverance from popery and slavery. In the procession of the dav, first came a hundred young men in holland shirts richly adorned and carrying naked swords in their hands as a protection to the succeeding train of two hundred virgins girt with ' bagonets ' and clad in rich attire, with crowns on their heads and sceptres in their hands. They carried also two flags : on one, ' God save King William and Queen Mary ; let their enemies perish.' And on the other, ' This is a joyful day.' Next, carrying a truncheon gilt, came an ' Amazon dame ' clad in a velvet escalloped vesture covered with gold lace, a golden sash on her waist, and on her head a light peruke crowned with a plume of crimson feathers. Following her were twenty-four others of her sex, dressed m like manner, but carrving darts and javelins in their hands, their ' right paps concealed' so as to appear cut off. Next came thirty young gentlewomen each carrying a bow and arrow and having a scarf on her shoulder, a laurel crown on her head, and on her breast the motto, 'Bather than lose the day we'll fight.' Then came the mihtia with drums and colours, accompanied by ' acclamations of unforced joy ' exceeding anything ever seen. After marching round the city twice, they entered the Guildhall, where a 'sumptuous banquet' 74 THE MARCH OF WILLIAM OF OKANGE wa^ ready — not touched, however, until Iw 'permission of the Amazons.' Dancing was kept up all ni^^dit, the songs being In praise of him wlio came with ITeavon's high lianJ To drive Rome's priests {those vipers) from our land. Those locusts that to Lucifer ])e5poke us, AVhose mock religion is a iiocus pocus. A memorial cross was erected bv the Earl of Melfort in the Cross Bath to commemorate, as the inscription told, the ^n-eat power of the waters which had given an heir to three kingdoms : an imforttmate commemoration, for it may well be said that this embryo of the Bath Waters cost James II. his crown. ^ INDEX -•o*- Ancketill, F., 51. Andrewes, R., 46. Anne, of Denmark, 15. Anthill, J., 31, 50. Ashford, J., 29. Atkins, A., 50, 51. Axbridge, 13. Axminster, GO. Baber, E., 16. Bailey, J., 58. Baker, E., 58. R., 26. Balche, R., 27. Bamfeild, W., 31, 50, 58. Bampfield, Col., 57. Barrington, 44. Basset, Sir W., 28, 31, 49, 50, 51. Bath, 10, 19, 20, 22, 31, 38, 47, 49, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74. Bathurst, Dr., 30. Bawden, Sir J., 32, 49. Bayley, J., 30, 34. Bavnard, T., 51. Beaminster, 60. Beazeley, E., 58. Berkeley, E., 30. Bickneli, W., 27. Blathwayt, W., 26. Blewet, J., 30. Bowyer, E., 58. Braddon, Capt., 57. L., 55. Bragg, E., 52, 53. Brent, J., 30, 50. R., 30, 50, 51. Bridges, H., 30, 32,47, 51, 53. Sir T., 30, 32, 47, 50, 51, 52. 51, ' Bridgwater, 3, 11, 16, 26, 27, 30, 32, 47, 49, 52, 53, 64, 70. Bristol, 52. 47, ; Brixham, 56. Bruton, 22, 33, 36, 37, 54, 30, 62. 67, ; Bulgin, Mr., 63. j Bull, H., 29, 32, 34, 48, I 50. 47, \ Burdon, J., 58. Burland, J., 51. Cabell, S., 51. Cade, J., 30. Campbell, Lieut., 62, 63. Cannington, 52. Carteret, Sir C, 30, 32, 40, 50, 51. Cartvvright, Sir C, 48. Champneys, J,, 50, 51. Chard, 23, 24. Charles 11. , King, 14. Cheek, E., 37. Chipsley, 31. Clark, G. 30. W., 29, 47, 50, 51. Clarke, E., 31, 32, 47 49, 50. Clerk, Mr., 54. Clothiers, 69. Clutton, 52. Collingbourn Kingston, 64. Conventicle Meeting, 53. j Corporations restored, 56. Coward, W., 31,32,47,50, 51, 54. Cox, R., 58. Criddle, W., 26. Cromwell, R., 25. Crookhorn, 60. Cross, A., 51. R., 29, 50, 51. Curry, J., 26. Curry Rivel, 53. 76 Daw, R., 3G, 43. Day, J., 58. Declaration of Toleration, 15. Deputy-Lieutenants, 50, 51. Dining customs. 37. Doddington, .J., 58. Do^vnside (Shepton), 45, 52. Epicureans. 25. Exeter, 50, 60. Fagell's pamphlet, 46. Fitzharding, Lord, 28, 31, 35, 30, 37. 38. 41, 42, 50, 51. 54, 58. Ford, 53. Francklin, J., 27. Frome, 22. George, of Denmark, 15, 04. Gilbert, J., 27. Glanvill. E., 51. Glastonbury, 31. Glove trade, 54. Godolphin, Lord, 40. Godwyn, J., ^)>^. Gore, Esq., 51. Gorges, E., 30. T. A.. 58. Gould, H., 51. .J. H., 58. Green, Mr., 52. Greisley, F., 30. INDEX Hellier, H., 58. W., 29. Henley, H., 51, 52, 53. Hinton Bluett, 52. Hoare, E,., 27. Hobbs, E., 51, 58. , Hody, .J., 58. ! Holt, Dr., 30. Horner. G., 29, 5S. Plow, W., 51. ! Hungerford, 64. Hunt, J., 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 41, 42, 48, 50. Hussey, G., 30, 50, 51. Ilchester, 32, 44, 48, 49, 53, 54. Inscombe, 22. Irish soldiers, 04, 05. Jackson, T., 58. James H., King, 14, 26, 04, 05, 74. Jeffreys, Judge, 16. Jennings, Madam, 53. Jones, Esq. (Glutton), 52. Esq. (Hinton Bluett), 52. Harrington, J., 30, 50, 51. Hawker, T., 51. J., 45. E., 51. Ken, T. (Bishop), 52. Lacye, W., 29, 50, 51. Lantdon, J., 30. Leigh, 53. Littlecot, 64. Littleton, T., 30. 50, 51. Longe, G., 51, oS. H., 51. Lucy, see Lacey. Lutterell, Col., 48, 57. F., 29, 32. Mackworth, Sir H., 49. Malet, B., 31, 50. Sir J., 3. Mallet, Mr., 57. Mary, of Orange, 15, 55. Masy, W., 26. Melfort, Earl of, 74. Mere, ()4. Milborne Port, 22, 30, 32, 48, 49. Minehead. 32, 47, 49. 53. Ministers of East Somer- set, 22. West Somerset, 18. Mompesson, H., 51, 58. T., 58. Monmouth, Duke of, 14, 15, 20, 39, 44, 45, 52, 53, 5C). Moore, T., 51. Morgan, L., 58. E., 30. Musgrave, G., 31, 49, 50. 51, 58. Muttlebury, T., 51. Nettlecombe, 31. Nevill, Sir E., 30. Newcombe, J., ■'yH. Nicholas, 0., 47. Nicholls, 0., 49. Otterton, 53. Ottery St. Mary, 60. Oxford, All Souls, 00. P. P. (Pretended Prince). 06. Palmer, Major, 57. . N., 29, 58. Pamphlets suppressed, 27. Parfitt, J., 41, 42. Paulet, Lord, 24. F., 28, 50. Pee coats, 56. Phelips, Sir E., 11, 29, 34, 35, 36, 37, 42, 43, 48, 49. PIggot, J., 29, 58. Pitman, S., 27. Player, W., 30. Plummer, W., 36, 42, 43. Polden Hills, 44. Poole, T., 58. Porlock, 53. Portman, J., 58. Sir W., 29, 49, 57, 64. Postmasters, irregularity, 54. Prideaux, Mr., 53. E., 4, 6. Prowse, J., 29. Pryse, J., 58. Pyne, Madam, 53. Questions (The Three), 28. Quo Warranto issued, 47, 48, 54. Reading, 64. Reeves, E., 26. Reynon, P., 29, 50, 51. Rodiand, W., 32. Rogers, J., 26. Rolls, H., 51. Sir J., 52. Rome, church of, de- scribed, 3. INDEX Roynon, H., 58. W., 58. Salisbury, 56, 62, 64. Sambourne, T., 58. Sandford, Mr., 49. Sandys, J., 58. Sanford, J., 30, 58. Sarsfield, Col., 62. Savage, Mr., 53. Sedgemoor, 45. Serge makers, 21. Seymour, Mr. Speaker, 35, 41. Sir E., 57. T., 57. Shepton Mallet, 22, 31, 44, 45. Sherborne, 60, 61, 62, 64. Smith, Sir J., 29, 52, 58. Somerset, County, 9, 18, 31, 49, 56, 65, 69, 70. Southampton, Duke of, 35. Speak, Mr., 53, 57. Capt., 53. G., 31, 33, 46, 47. - . J., 31, 32, 33, 48, 49, 1 50, 51. Speke, Sir H., 61, 62, 64. Stawell, Lord, 16, 58. Mr., 57. Steer, Mr., 16. Steynings, C, 31, 50. Stocker, A., 36, 42. Stonehenge, 64. Street, 44. Strode, E., 31, 33, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 48, 50, 51, 52. ___ T., 51. 77 Strode, Col. W., 44. W., 31, 32, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51. W. (bailiff), 37, 42, 43. ^\. (Shepton), 45. W. (son of Col. W.), 44, 45. W. (Devon), 44. W. (Kent), 45. Sunderland, Earl of, 27, 44. Swanswick, 30. Sydenham, Sir J., 33, 46, 47. Syderfin,R.,31, 32,48,50, 51. Symes, W\, 30. Symons, W., 26. Taunton, 4, 6, 11, 17, 21, i 32, 47, 49, 53, 05. Test Act, 2, 15. Three Questions (The), 28. Trenchard, J., 4, 6, 32,47, 49. Trim, D., 35, 30, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43. Tucker, J., 35. Turner, T., 27. Twiford, Mr., 36. Twyford, Capt., 42. Tynte, Sir Halswell, 3, 29, 47, 49. Sir Hugh, 30, 50, 51. Vaughan, F., 51. Wade, N., 45. Walgrave, Lord, 34, 41, 43. II "8 INDEX f I Walrond, H., 29, 50, 51, Welstead, H., 58. 58. i Westley, W., d8. Warre, Sir F., 29, 47, 49, Wickham, G., 58, Watts, J., 58. Webb, Cornet, 68 J., 51, 58. _. — W., 58. William, of Orange, 15, 55, 59. Williams, D., 58. Wells, 30, 31, 39, 47, 54, Willie, T., 58. G7. ; Wincanton, 22, 60, 62, 64. i Yeovil, 54, (Jo. Witham Friary, 22. Wool, export of, 69. Wyndham, E., 80,41. Sir E., 29. Sir T., 80. Col. T., 42, 57. T., 29, 84, 35, 36. SFO"TIS\VOCU)E AM' CO., NK\V-8TREET SQTTARK LONIiON 1 :?f^»3H!Sl^^ i i _ ^_ ;' :* .' 4s; :::«»^ -!**^\^ ' «i'i j V«^-