blti^tl L I E) R.AR.Y OF THE UNIVERSITY or ILLINOIS .^.N.NQ THEIR BOOKS FROM AC .^ Mo ^ S^^^ FOOB For For ?W^I-VB FOR KING AND KENT (1648). ^ ^xm ^toxn of tJ^t ^xmt ^tMUoUr IN THREE VOLUMES. (WITH NOTE S.J COLONEL COLOMB, Author of " Donnmgton Castle" (a Royalist Story), " The Cardinal Archbishop' (of Granada), " The Miller of Wandsworth," " The Song of the Bell and Lenora' (translations), and of the Romances "Hearths and Watch/ires," " The Shadov:s of Destiny," 8fc. VOL. I. REMINGTON AND CO New Bond Street, W. 1882. [ALL Rights Reserved.] PREFACE, Some particulars of the " Royalist Eisino: in Kent in 1648 " were stated by me in a paper read before the Antiquarian Society of that county, and are to be found printed in the " Arch. Cant." The real story of the episode is however much more romantic, and is here given with such pictorial embellishments as R. L. (whoever he may be) has thought fit to add. It is foreign to my purpose to reveal in what old Kentish library the MS. was found, or to dispute the assertion of Jeremiah G., who endorses it, that it is only " a romance " composed by Richard Lovelace, with object of vilifying the respectable Regicide Committee of Kent. T can at all events honestly assert that the Editorial Notes are genuine. And this much I can say in behalf of the " pretended biography," viz., that my late lamented friend, Mr, T. Godfrey Faussett, F.S.A., perused the greater portion of the MS., and expressed his approval both of its spirit and matter. The eloquent historian of the Great Rebellion, who — in spite of repeated assertions to the contrary — I still venture to consider amost reliable authority, did not go into all the details disclosed in the narrative. But it was Lord Clarendon's allusion to a " convivial meeting," and to a young "lady full of zeal " for an imprisoned king, that first excited my curiosity, and led to researches which cost me no little time and trouble. I may as well take this opportunity of returning thanks to the many eminent ladies and gentlemen who have kindly assisted my private historical investigations ; and also to the officials of the State Paper Office, and those of the British Museum, the Bodleian, and other Libraries. The triumph of 17th century opportunism has long found many enthusiastic admirers, though my friend Mr. Samuel Rawson Gairdner * (a descendant of Cromwell and Ireton) appears to coni- plaTiTthat they are a decreasing band. If his complaint be well founded, the illustrators of old world loyalty will once more get shearing, though the publishers have long been assuring me that that is an unlikely contingency. Should " For King and Kf.nt" happen to find readers, I shall consider it chiefly due to the fact that several distinguished ladies have smiled upon R. L.'s revelation. The descendants or representatives of some of the most illus- trious Cavaliers have allowed their names to be associated with it ; and dedications to them, and others, will be found attached to various portions of " For King and Kent." Without such support it might have been a hazardous experi- ment to meddle with the history of a county bearing the bold motto of " Invicta.'' Geokgk Colomb. * The well-known historian. CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE Chapter Dedicatory ... ... ... ... ... i Endorsement of the " Original " MS. ... ... 7 I. Introductory to the Narrative ... ... ... ... 11 II. Touching my Master's Daughter 17 III. An Affair with Master Lilly 28 IV. A Letter at " The Cradle " 35 V. From one Peril to Another ... ... ... ... 38 VI. The Regicides Unmasked ... ... ... ... 63 VII. Concerning Friends in Kent ... ... ... ... 74 VIII. I go to Canterbury 79 IX. Canterbury Christmas ... ... ... ... 100 X. More of the Same ... ... ... ... ... 108 XI. In Quest of the Lady Anne ... ... ... ...116 XII. To Heppington ... ... ... ... ... 130 XIII. Canterbury Up for the King ... ... ... ... 159 XIV. Adventures on the Road ... ... ... ... 179 XV. What fell out at Deal igi XVI. How the King was to Escape ... ... ... 201 XVIL To Carisbrooke 217 XVIII. Hurley's Attempt ... ... ... ... ... 239 XIX. The Trial of Captain Hurley ... ... ... ... 255 XX. The Mercy of the Grandees ... ... ... ... 277 XXI. How I was Helped to Escape ... ... 294 FOR KING AND KENT. CHAPTER DEDICATORY. ^ To His Most Gracious Majesty Charles the Second, King of England, France, Scotland, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. Most Religious and Virtuous Prince, — Now that the sun of your glory^ for eleven years shrouded by the clouds of Treason and Rebellion, hath at length burst forth to gladden the hearts of your faithful subjects, I have been emboldened to tran- scribe the adventures, public and private, of a 'prentice youth, during the last troubled year of the reign of your Majesty's pious predecessor, who, like a Royal Pelican spending the last drop of his precious blood for the benefit of us his subjects and children, died memorably before the banqueting hall of his palace. If your Majesty's august eyes shall be pleased to glance, how carelessly soever, over these pages, I shall esteem the honour to me as unspeakable. * Throughout the whole of this autobiography the peculiar or- thography of the period has not been preserved except in a few- instances. VOL. I. B 2 FOR KING AND KENT. A.nd, in truth, when we consider how near the second war* went towards restoring of your Majesty's late pious father to his kingly rights, I cannot but think that some relation of passages thereof may be not unacceptable, though set down by a pen as humble as mine own. By the Act of Oblivion your Majesty hath hap- pily thrown your Mgis over parties and persons lately combatant ; but I tbink, indeed, that we who were ever Royalists may nevertheless be permitted to boast that the cruel sufferings and deaths of those persons who took the King's side during that unparalleled and murtherous Eebellion were the means of accomplishing the peaceful settlement of these realms, and of establishing the throne, the Church, and the liberties of the nation on a firm and durable basis. And when we cast our eyes back a little, lo ! what confusion hath overtaken the agents and in- struments of that bloody and divilish mutiny ! Have we not seen the dead bodies of the arch- traitor Cromwell, and his cruel son Ireton, to- gether with the mock judge Bradshaw, hanged at Tyburn amidst the scorns of the multitude?! Not to mention the tribe of the regicides — Yane, J Harrison, Corbett, Axtell, Okey, and the rest — whose blood hath flowed at Charing Cross and on * i.e.f in 1648. t See note post Chap. VI. X Strictly speaking, Vane was not a regicide, though indirectly the most active agent in the destruction of the King. CHAPTER DEDICATORY. 6 Tower Hill, and whose quarters embellish divers poles and places about the town. Mark also the fate of Peters, who, where the cross formerly stood at Charing, expiated his crimes. He who preached off his Prince's head at St. Mar- garet's, and in the painted chamber with mali- cious jesting discourses, now finds his own looking from the gate of London Bridge with a fixed and ghastly grin, discoursing quite another sermon unto the city which he so oft cajoled ! * As for those whom death more quietly removed, yet have the execrations of the people attended them to their graves, as was seen so long ago as 1649 at the burial of Richard Brandon, f when people strewing nettles and foul weeds in the way, and tying black tape to the posts and round the necks of their dogs and swine, followed the corpse with fierce hootings and groanings, crying— "^Hang the rogue; bury him in a dung-hill. He is gone to the divil, and the rest will follow." J It was the custom of the late usurping fac- tion to look on the successes of their arms and j)olicy as evidences of the favour of Heaven ; but, * The head of John Coke is set on a pole on the N.E. end of "Westminster Hall (on the left of Mr. Harrison's, looking towards London), and the head of Mr. Peters is placed on London Bridge, their quarters also being exposed upon the tops of some of the gates of the city. — Walker's History of Independency (continua- tion). t The executioner of Charles I. J See Ellis's Letters, and Historical Sketches (Fellowei), 4 FOR KING AND KENT. according to that rule, they must now be forced to confess that the glory hath in all particulars de- parted from their Israel. Note how Master William Prynne, one of the first trumpeters of sedition, is the first of the Rump to move that the writs for a free Parliament be issued in His Majesty's name ; who also says that when his ears were taken off by the Star Chamber they ought to have also taken off his head. Witness, also, the Six Members whom the King tried to arrest because they plotted to bring over the French against us. Kimbolton cutteth now but a sorry figure, and others who have not been removed by death have bewailed their treasons ; the very boldest of them, Sir Arthur Hesilrige, renouncing his rebellion with most notable whines for mercy and favour.f t "And the Almighty God having by wonderful dispensations restored your Majesty to your kingdom in peace, your Petitioner doth heartily rejoice in the good hand of God in bringing it about without the effusion of blood, and much bewaileth and is un- feignedly sorrowful for his many provocations given your Ma- jesty, and promiseth for the future, by exemplary obedience and faithfulness, to redeem his former miscari'iages — and, if your Majesty will please to pardon your Petitioner, as it will be an act of infinite clemency and to the glory of your mercy, so it will for ever engage him in a peculiar manner to be serviceable in all faithfulness, and to pray for your Majesty's long and happy reign. Your Petitioner most humbly casts himself at your Royal Majesty's feet, desiring rather to be a prisoner all the remainder of his few days, if your Majesty cannot be confident that he will lose his life before he will be ungrateful, disloyal, or false to your Majesty, and he shall ever pray," &c. — Vide " The Mimhle peti- tion of Sir Arthur Hesilrige,'^ State Papers, 1660 j copy pie- aerved in the Kecord Office. CHAPTER DEDICATORY. O As for Master Hampden, I trow he would have been disabused of his hankerings after a free Ee- public, which were doubtless infused into him by his kinsman Cromwell, had he lived to see the Lord Protector ruling with a despotic power that Harry YIIL dared not exercise. Well for Master Hampden that he so soon slept in €halgrove * field, where first he harangued the in- nocent peasants to go flocking to London with the Protestation in their caps, for it is like he would have stomached his cousin's mode of levying ship money no better than he did his lawful sovereign's ; though the late King wanted that pittance for no other object than to protect our merchants on the high seas, and to rid the Channel of the Turk. Nor hath the Lord Fairfax, sitting in his wheeled chair, refreshing of his memory and nurturing of his gout, much more cause for rejoicing. The re- membrance of his violated oaths of allegiance, and how he helped on the destruction of his Prince in order to perpetuate the cursed tyranny which threw him aside like a broken staff, cannot be of much solace to his spirit. Indeed, if he had not married his daughter to the son of the late King's t favourite, 1 question whether the nation would have forgiven him his weak vanity in allowing him- * Mortally wounded 18th June, 1643. t The Duke of Buckingham, Fairfax had been rewarded for his eminent services to the Parliament party by the allotment of part of the Duke of Buckingham's estate. Possibly this con- eideration influenced the young Duke in the choice of a wife. b^ FOR KING AND KENT. self to be made the tool of Parliament and army under the empty title of Excellency and Com- mander of the Forces of the Commonwealth. But I will not weary your Majesty with useless recriminations against a no longer triumphing party, but wishing your Majesty and your august family all possible glory and prosperity, and that your posterity may diligently copy your Majesty's worthy example, I subscribe myself, Your Majesty's loyal, dutiful, and devoted ser- vant, R. L. 29th May, 1663. ENDOESEMENT OF THE " OEIGINAL " MS. This pretended Biograpliie of an arch-conspirator was raked together by a notable Enemie of y® Truth Lovelesse of Woollage. The Scope and De- signe of y® Forgerie w^ is no other than a Ro- mance — is to cry up y® Enemies of y^ Godlie Party — especially y^ Petitioners of Kent, whom. Fairfax properlie served when he banged them well at Maidstone. They were all of a feather w"' ^ST John Bois, y® oulde Rob-carrier of Dennington Castle. Furthermore y^ fellow spareth no pains to maligne and villify all persons whatsoever which were trew to y^ Good Old Cause. Witness his false Protractures of y® Committee of Kent, particu- larlie those of 8\ Michael Livesey, and 8^. An^ thony Weldon — both of whom were worthie and pious gents, and my very good friends — y" former of whom, having also y^ honour to sit as one of y® judges of y^ late Charles Stuart, con- demning y"" same to Deathe as a Tyrant Traytor and Murtherer. As for the MS., I got it from Master Andrewe Paterson of Ivie Lane (for y® valew of y® paper), who alsoe said '* that though he had once pro- 8 FOR KING AND KENT. posed y^ publication thereof — yet upon further perusal, he dyd discover in it so much false and scandalous matter, that he wolde not burden his sowle by takeing it to S^ Roger L' Estrange for a Licence to print it — suspecting as he dyd that 8^ Boger wolde refuse y^ same for shame of hys owne part in y^ Rising in Kent.'' Of Lendall I know nought certain, save that contrairie to his Desserts he scaped hanging, and that hys orphans dyd not long since apply to y® present King, forsooth desiring a pension^ for th' Father's Service. The Dedication of y^ Boke contained stuff so monstrous and infamious that my sperrit v^as vexed thereby ; and like pious Master Charke f in ye studdy at Bisliojpsbourne, I dyd straightway rend and tear y^ senseless sheets in a kynd of scorne. . Jeremiah G.J tcirc. 1670. * Preserved in the State Paper OflBce. t An allusion to the destruction of " the Judicious" Hooker's M8S. (See Walton's Lives.) I The peculiar orthography of this narrative has not been fol- lowed, except in a few instances. iFttst finscrtption. To THE DUCHESS OF BEAUFORT. CHAPTEE I. INTRODUCTORY TO THE NARRATIVE. I SHALL not mention whetlier the name of the- author of this " Narrative ""^ be real or no ; but this much I say : — Herts was my native county ; my father — who was esteemed by the Lord Capell — being known as a gentleman of good lineage, and also of fair fortune, before the troubles began. My mother was the daughter of a deceased merchant of fame in the city. At the time of the breaking out of the war, my father's estate being seques- tered, rather upon suspicion than proof of his being a Royalist, he took up arms for the King, and fought constantly as a volunteer in His f High- ness's own regiment of horse, until he was un- happily killed in beating up the enemy's quarters near Abingdon, some time before the surrender of Oxford. My mother, originally of the Reformed Church of England, being overpersuaded by the discourses of Master Calamy, joined the Presby- terian party, and took refuge in the city after the fight at Keinton. Though she tenderly loved * I cannot discover anything of Lendall's parentage. I found, the name mentioned in a pamphlet dated anterior to the Civil- War, borne by a Justice of the Peace in Herts. t Prince Rupert. 12 FOR KING AND KENT. mj father, and was ever beloved by him in return, she favoured the Parliament side until his lamented death, when, after some consideration of the pos- ture of affairs — her eyes being opened by the loss she had sustained — she died somewhat remorse- ful, which being a matter painful to my recollec- tion, no more shall here be said concerning it. A short time before my father's estate was sequestered, and while I was still in expectation of being one day his heir, I was apprenticed to Master Gray, one of the Company of Merchant Adven- turers, who at that time lived in Fleet Street; and was by him instructed in the keeping of accounts. I must not dwell upon those early days, seeing what I have to say is principally of the date notified in the title of this " Narrative." But of the period preceding, I must say this chiefly : — That the prentices of those days (and perhaps their successors be like unto them) had a mighty conceit of their own power and influence in public affairs. While I was yet but a child, I was drawn by some elder companions to a certain tavern of a Saturday night, or upon the evening of Thanks- giving-days, to learn the art of taking tobacco and of drinking penny ales, and to hear talk of the great victories the prentices had formerly gained, without whose countenance, I was assured, neither Pym, Hampden, nor any of the patriots, would have done aught worth relating. INTRODUCTORY TO THE NARRATIVE. 13' It was the prentices, I was told, that had brought my Lord Strafford to the block, chased Laud from Lambeth, and the King from White Hall. It was they, and they only, that pulled down Cheapside and Charing Crosses, and caused Bastwick, Burton, and Prynne for to be conducted in triumph back to London. These events having happened before my time, I had no more proof than what they said, except my own growing conceit when I began to consider myself as one of their number. Nor at " The Cradle " (this was the figure of the tavern which was in Sheare Lane whereunto we did resort) were we behind hand in knowledge of religious disputations. We were generally full of zeal for reformation of Church as well as of State, and could discuss the merits of the last printed discourse of Calamy, Baxter, Burgess, or Marshal ;. and when Hugo Peters did roar his treason up and down the cit}^, there were those amongst us who did imagine and believe that he was beholden to some of our number for the knowledge he had, as well as for the popularity he did obtain. But there was a minority at "The Cradle," and to it I did soon attach myself ; and this minority did ofttimes discuss all matters both of religion and politics from an opposite standing point. Of this number, I repeat, was I and some others who,, like me, had been bred up according to the disci- pline and doctrine of the Church of England, and 14 FOR KING AND KENT. in the precepts and principles of loyalty ; and it came to be seen that by little and little this minority began to gain ground. When times got harder in the City, taxes and subsidies increasing, and when prentices were worse fed and less courted ; when holidays were abolished, though fasts did increase ; when though there were no more forced labours on the "lines "^ of communication," there was less time to our- selves in Lincoln's Inn and Finsbury fields — then were heard mutterings at " The Cradle " of what the oppressed and cozened ]3rentices would do both against Parliament and Army if things did not suddenly mend. For myself, I am fully persuaded that the prentices who thought they did lead all did but follow the leading of their elders and betters, according to the custom of the young in most things ; and when it was found that London had become a curst cow which a schismatic Parliament did hold by the horns while the soldiers milked her, the preachers sounded quite another note ; and merchants, tradesmen, and mechanics, be- coming mostly in favour of restoring what they had for many years helped to destroy — we poor prentices then like unto froth did show on the top of the waves whose might was chiefly in under- currents that rushed and raged without breaking. The capture of the King by the army, or rather * The fortificatione principally about the west end. INTRODUCTORY TO THE NARRATIVE. 15 hj the agitators under Joyce, was the turning point. Had I time I would describe our glorious but noisy victory over both Lords and Commons, in which I confess I had my full share, though my master knew it not — when we broke into the"^ Parliament Houses, and forced them to vote "that the army be disbanded and paid off," and "that the King be forthwith brought to London ia freedom, honour, and safety." But having to deal mainly with the events of 1648, I shall abstain^ and only tell you that from the time my master removed to Queen Street, I saw less of " The Cradle," which became frequented by Cavaliers and Reformadoes that did privily dis- perse forbidden pamphlets and diurnals amongst my former companions, who one and all became as great enemies of the Parliament and Army as they had once been of the Cavaliers and the King. Before plunging in medias res and opening my " Narrative,". I must tell you that I was better off than many of m}^ brother prentices, who, for the most part, were obliged to perform many menial offices — even to the going about ragged and dirty from week's end to week's end, helping with un- combed hair and unwashed hands to carry coals up four pair of stairs, to clean out both kitchen, £hop, and parlour ; to blow the fire, to boil the * Vide Gary's Memorials, Ruahicorth, WTiitelock, &o. 16 rOR KING AND KENT. kettle, to brush master's mud-bespattered cloak,, doublet, and slops, to wipe the shoes of his wife and children, rewarded meantime by here a cuff and there a kick, and sometimes forgotten at dinner time, or let to go snpperless to bed. Such was not my experience. Alas ! I fear I was neither sufficiently grateful to Heaven nor to those who did bring me up — while my boyhood did pass more delectably. For, indeed, Master Gray (which was my master) did for a long time — to the envy and wonderment of my fellows — treat me with much consideration. He had been friendly with my mother, and a good sum having been paid, or partly paid to him, it had been entered in my in- dentures that when my time should be expired, I should be admitted into partnership when a fitting opportunity should occur. It only remains to be said that Master Gray bad one daughter, who being considered as the makings of a fair maid, when she was removed from her father's house to the care of a female relative,, was ofttimes toasted by my companions at '^ The Cradle." Those who have asserted that I was enamoured of her at this time may continue to do so if they please, but I assure all that my master's sudden challenge, to be found at the entrance of my second chapter, did mightily surprise and perplex me. CHAPTER II. TOUCHINQ MY MASTEr's DAUGHTER. '' Thoti rascal villain, thou ! Where hast thou be- stowed my daughter ? " '^ Sir," said T to my master, as soon as I could pull his hands from my throat, which in an access of choler he had seized, pinning me against the wall where I sat, " if you will be so good as to forbear choking me a while, I will give every satis- faction in ray power." " Say on then, sirrah, and be brisk also ! " cries he. "Sir,^' replied I, after a little — for the struggle to free myself had well-nigh deprived me of breath — " look on me. I am head and shoulders and a half taller than you ; my frame is stronger knit; my arm is twice the size of yours. Learn, then, that respect for the person of a master will not prevent my doing you some harm if you attempt the like again that you did just now. Be pleased to remember, sir, that I am an English- man born, and a free citizen." '' You are no free citizen ! " cries he ; " you are a prentice bound." I bridled my temper, seated myself, and said — VOL. I. c 18 FOR KING AND KENT. " Sir, I tell you truly, regard to your grey hairs, and compassion for your present misfortune, make the sole excuse for your conduct. Though I am only a prentice, my time is nearly out, and you must not venture to administer a second shaking to me." *' Clear yourself then, and that instantly," cries he, trembling all over with wrath. *' That I will readily, master," replied I, *' pro- vided you be seated, for I will do it in mine own way, and that at some length." Seeing that I was determined, my master assumes his place at his own desk (this was in his house in Queen Street), and lays thereon a stout holly stick which he carried. He was that morn- ing like a wild man from the plantations, and I verily believe that it wanted but a further little hint from the divel, who is the prime mover of such distempers, to make him scatter my brains about that apartment. ^' Say on, sirrah ! " says he. I pulled down my doublet, smoothed my hair, and tied my bandstrings, which had come undone, and began as cool as milk of that morning (which was in December, 1647) — for it was not worth my while to be displeased, seeing that my master was but a small fellow, not very fearful to look upon, and indeed, I believed, at bottom of a kind temper. " Sir," said I, " I am your humble servant and apprentice Eupert Lendall, who some years back TOUCHING MY MASTERS DAUGHTER. 19 was articled to you. I shall not touch upon the pains jou have bestowed upon me, or the com- mendations I have received from you concerning my labours for the company. But I beg, sir, you will recall with me the circumstances of my pri- vate commerce with your family, counting from the date of my first arrival in it." Here my master so far controlled his anger and impatience as to bid me " say on, but not to be so lengthy." " Be pleased then to remember, sir,'' continued I, " that my late father agreed that for a certain sum I should be tabled with your family, then con- sisting of yourself, your good wife (since deceased), and your daughter Margaret, your sole child. Yourself allowed me also to visit your said family at odd times in the upper chamber where you com- monly sat. This was in your house in Fleet Street, and after your very worthy lady departed this life, and you set up another house here also in Queen Street (for to be nigher your patron. His Excel- lency * Sir Thomas Fairfax), you oft spoke thus to me, when it waxed late and I still sat in this room, reading in your letters of advice, or entering what "was required in the ledger, ' Go up, Eupert,' says you, ' my daughter soundeth the virginals, or toucheth the Spanish lute, or what not, and desires jour company ;' or when we did all grow more re- * Sir Thomas Fairfax lived in Queen Street at this tima 1647-8. 20 FOR KING AND KENT. ligiouSj ' Go follow Margaret ' (as it might be) ' to St. Sepulchre's, where Master Peters expoundeth ;' or (did yoTi happen to be yourself in your daugh- ter's room) you would use to call me in and make me sit close by her in the window-seat if it were summer, or nigh the chimney corner if it were winter/' At this place my master interrupts me, and would deny some of these things, saying it was not so. But I tell him plainly that it was, and he can say no more than that " he meant nothing by all this." " Yes," said I, '' you meant nothing, master, and very well I know that nothing was meant ; furthermore I do affirm and say, that I came here to learn the business of a merchant adventurer, and not to pay court to fair Mistress Margaret. But now, sir, before I come to the matter of the abduction, I should remind you that when my late worthy father died, and his estate was sold by the Committee of the Associated Counties, from that time, I say, I was bidden no more either to table with you or your daughter, or to accompany the latter to take the air as heretofore towards Islington or Finsbury fields^ or to go to her with- drawing-room when she played or sang, or to sit at the window to read in the Perfect Occurrences "^ or the Mercurius Brittanicus,1[ or in the last printed sermon — notwithstanding that you pre- * A Parliameutarian diurnal. f Ibid. TOUCHING MY MASTER'S DAUGHTER. 21 vented her not at all from sitting there at view for all the prentice boys and gallants that passed to kiss their hands to — all which went on till you sent her away to stay with her aunt." Now would he interrupt, but I hurried on apace. " Marry come up, sir ! " cried I in continuance, ''you are mighty suspicious of me, but all your good pains are thrown away, and let me tell you, sir, that had I wanted opportunities to pay secret court to your daughter, there was no lack of them when she was in this house — as, for example, when you have returned from the Lord Mayor's house, or from a thanksgiving feast at Sir Thomas Fairfax his, and were conveyed to your truckle bed at the top of the house, where you choose to lie when you are distempered with wine and beer, in order to avoid as much as possible the scandal/^ Here I regarded him askance but steadfastly, and I see his shame mustering in his nose, for mj master, if he was a saint at all (and he did not affect it much) was most certainly a wet one. Now I paused, but could not for an instant forbear smilino^ at his comical face, while marvel- ling how an accusing conscience did paint with a claret tinge the index of his self-indulgence. He on the other hand casts a furtive glance at me, and looks as though he begins to sus- pect that to the injury of the Sabine I was super- 22 FOR KING AND KENT. adding the insult of the mocker, and grows mad again. " Thou detestable villain ! " cries he, shaking his fist at me, '^ was it thus you abused an oppor- tunity ? '' " Neither abused it nor used it," I replied, "but if you desire particulars, I could tell you of one day, after the first war was ended, when there was a thanksgiving dinner for some favour the Lord had showed to the army, and there was much love and joy and mutual congratulations among the grandees ; and you go to dine with His Excel- lency and the Lieut. -General, and 'Ireton, Harri- son, Fleetwood and the rest, and there get blamed by the Commissary-General and others for quaff- ing your beer, your Burgundy, and your strong waters too fast; and so being sent away before dinner was over, lose yourself on the road, and come home in the night shouting, ' Hey ! for King Charles ! ' not knowing at all what you said, and were taken by the patrol, and sent here by a friendly guard from Whitehall, and as usual carried up to your attic. If you remember not that matter, I beg leave to tell you, sir, that it ended not then, for you came down again after- wards in a sitting posture step by step — with your doublet skirts sweeping the stairs and your rapier clattering after you — to look for liquor below — to the great grief of your daughter, who awaking at the noise calls me. Here was a fair opportunity TOUCHING MY MASTER's DAUGHTER. 28 for a prentice to make secret love to his master's daughter had he been so minded — the lady awake, the house dark, and the master fuddled ! But I abuse no man's confidence, and no woman's neither, and so I do no more than assist Mistress Margaret, and we carry you — she the heels and I the head — up to your bed again, where we left you trying to sing 'Which nobody can deny/ ""^ "Thou art a lying knave to say such things,'* quoth he. " I am no lying knave, master,^' said I, " and m.augre your suspicions, I am free of all blame, and I have not so much as laid eyes on your daugh- ter these many months. But if 1 chose to tell tales, I could let you know of other gallants, who whether licensed or no, are said to go betimes to pay their duty to Mistress Margaret, though I doubt not she will be found innocent as a lamb at such time as she shall return home.-" With this I ceased, and if I had felt any motions of anger they would presently have passed as clouds do from before the moon ; for I perceived the corners of my poor master's mouth to twitch and to tremble, then his eyelids move fast and drop tears. I confess I was so surprised and troubled, that forgetting his rude assault my heart smote me for * " What bragging is here ! Who ever did know a prentice who daring to talk in such a strain, was not presently cudgelled and dismissed ? " — Note by Jer. G. 24 rOE KING AND KENT. the bold manner of speech I had used, and I in- stantly conceived so lively a picture of his bereave- ment and of his sorrow, that I was nigh unto following his example. I rose from my stool and seized his hand. '' Master," said I, " believe me, I am exceed- ingly troubled at your loss, and if my poor services can avail aught, I here freely offer them, and will by all means aid you in an endeavour toward the restitution of your dear daughter." But his cheeks were still ploughed by the salt tears which there chased one another piteously ; and he looked not at m.e and returned not the pressure of my hand. At length he spoke, and it was all in praise of Margaret. ^^ So good she was," he said, " so fair, so kind, so like her mother now a saint in heaven ; so watchful of me and of my wants, and yet," he adds, drying of his eyes impatiently, " to change in a day, and bring grief and disgrace upon me and all my kindred, just at the moment too that I ■was about to dispose of her well, and marry her to a brave, pious and worthy knight, who stands well witli both Parliament and Army." Hearing this, I now remember me of a certain middle-aged knight that I have heard had free access to Margaret, whom 1 believe to be a pitiful rogue, but who latterly, to my great surprise, was said to be favoured sufficiently by the girl herself. TOUCHING MY MASTEr's DAUGHTER. 25 My thoughts were interrupted by his turning to me rudely with this observation — " Some cursed G — d — me Royalist has done it," says he, ''^some ruffianly young gallant, a drinker of healths to the King, an enemy to the Protestant religion and to the liberties of the people ; some tatter-rag baunter of taverns and diceing-houses." Said I, "There come but few of the King's friends to you, sir, but of those tbat had entry, I can recollect but two — the Lord George Goring and the Lord Capell; and they only came to borrow moneys of you for their compositions or other necessities. The first, I think, hath many another string to his bow ; the last is too true a gentleman, and too brave and too high, besides having also a good wife of his own, and children too ''— " He is a Cavalier," interrupts my master, "and I will trust none of that sect, no not a pikers length." And for a close he looks susj^iciously at me, knowing that I did formerly frequent " The •Cradle." I was somewhat ruffled, and said — " What if it were one of the other side ? There be saints, or those that pass as such, who yet allow themselves a stray liberty or so. There was one, indeed,'^ I add, " who seemed to cast an eye of favour on the joung maid, not without some friendly reciprocalness on her part, if I may make bold to mention it.^' 26 POR KING AND KENT. *' Keep your spoon out of that custard, sirrah,"' says my master, snappishly, '' and look well that you lick it clean. I guess to whom you would shift the blame. See ! " cries he, handing me a letter, " and read the charge cast back in your teeth." Who CO aid have believed it ! The same knight of whom we spake, had writ a note of condolence well seasoned with pious expressions ; and in the end privily asks whether my master thinks that his prentice boy (meaning me) may not have had a hand in the abduction of his daughter? " Master," said I^ getting up and handing him the letter again as soon as I had read it, " I defy him to prove what he says." To my amazement I observe his eyes fixed on me with a stern expression, as without a word he thrusts the letter into the pocket of his breeches. " Sir/' said 1, when my surprise and confusion permitted me to speak, '' once for all I will clear of you of all doubt about me. Know then that I love not your daughter, whom I tell you I have not seen for man}^ months, nor never did. There is a fair lady at Canterbury who long since became the keeper of my heart." *' A fair lady at Canterbury ! " says he, with a sneer; "please you to tell me the name of the fair lady ? " " The Lady Anne Wotton," says I, reddening, I doubt_, to the colour of the hangings of that room. TOUCHING MT MASTER'S DAUGHTER. 27 For a long time I could never comprehend the meaning of the mixed expression that passed over my master's features at that answer of mine. Now all this was but an ill entrance to a busi- ness I had in view, which was to ask leave to spend the holidays, which he always allowed me about Christmas, with some friends of mine down in Kent. I however made my petition, to which he gave a surly consent ; but told me I must next morning (which would be about the 18th or 20th December, 1647) take a letter to Windsor for him. CHAPTER III. AN AFPAIK WITH MASTER LILLY. The afternoon of that day whereon the afore- mentioned occurrences took place, I had an ap- pointment with Master William Lilly, who lived at the corner house near the Strand bridge."^ The cause of my making it was this : Sarah Skelhorn — which was Gray's old servant — was mighty inquisitive as to what fair maid I did most admire. I did not reveal the Lady Anne's name to her, but I did confess I did fancy a fair lady, and had some doubts of my success. She did then advise me to consult some noted astrolo- ger who could cast my horoscope. She told me Lilly had two brass figures representing a gallant and a maid, which being enchanted could explain secret matters ; also that " the crystal '' was a wonderful means of communication with the spirits. About four of the clock, my master's business for the day being finished, I went to Master Lilly's, and by some inadvertency was shown into his chamber closet, where he lay dozing on a couch in only his shirt and slops, with a black scull cap * See on most of Lilly's Almanacks. AN AFJPAIR WITH MASTER LILLY. 29^ to his head. Upon my entering the apartment he opens his eyes and closes them, and then opens^ them again, something wider, and falls to a-cursing of me, and demands of me, in the name of all the divels, what I do there, and tells me to begone (I believe he took me for his servant). I reply that I came by appointment of his own making. Then he rubs his eyes, yawns, and stretches himself, and, sliding off his couch, puts on his slippers, craving my pardon, and confessing that he believes he had been asleep. He then shows me into his library, where were many maps and charts hung up, also shelves of books and varieties of all kinds — especially I noticed two spheres representing the figures of the earth and of the heavens, besides good store of strange in- struments. Then sitting down he asks my name, and turns to a ledger, and from that goes to other books on the shelves ; scratches his head, strokes his beard, and says he fi.nds nothing at all about an appoint- ment with me in any of his books. I remind him again, and place two broad pieces on the table before him, as I had been told was the custom. " Sir," says he, " what is this for ? I hope you do not believe I prostitute my art for money ? " I said that my offering was but a tribute of re- spect for the high science of astrology in which he- was so well skilled. " Oh ! if that be so," says he, " I will accept 30 FOR KING AND KENT. the same ; and if yon will lay down another broad piece, you shall have a copy of my last year's almanack free of charge." I said I was sorry I had no more, or he should have been heartily welcome. "Pho! " says he, "'tis no matter. Think not that I care for moneys; " and then having swept the two broad pieces very deftly into his breeches pocket, he clears his throat, and demands " what I would with him ? " I told him he had promised to cast my nativity and that of a young maiden whom I liked well, and to tell me whether the stars were favourable to my designs. He taps his forehead, fetches down his right eyebrow, bites the corner of his nether lip, and swears a good round oath that it had clean escaped his memory. Next he falls to searching of his books and ledgers again, and at last demands whether I could make it convenient to visit him another day. I told him I could not, and prayed him to satisfy presently my desires. He said he would do what he could, and bids me to sit quiet till he comes again ; and then he keeps me a full hour waiting in complete soli- tude, save that once some one pops in his head at the door behind me for an instant, calling out " Oh,'" and " By your leave," and withdraws before I can see who it is. AN AFFAIR WITH MASTER LILLY. 81 When Master Lilly comes back he is dressed in Ms gown of characters, and brings with him a phial labelled ^' love potion/' and a long, narrow glass for me to drink it in, which mixture I swallow, and find its flavour like that of double- distilled strong waters. Next he produces a con- stellated ring, with a topaz, a sapphire^ and a garnet stone. These he tells me stand for the sun, Mars, and Venus, adding many names and expres- sions in an oration scarce a word of which I understood, though it filled me with admiration. The ring he puts on my finger. "Though it is scarce sunset,'' says he, and "beckons me from the. room, " I will show you the full moon now shining, and the planets also." I follow him to another apartment, which is quite dark. I said — " Are you going to show her to me in the crystal. Master Lilly?" For I thought upon what Sarah Skelhorn had .said. But Master Lilly said — "No, the crystal would not serve your turn here. Give me your hand," says he, " and stand where I bid you." This I do, and he now asks me what I can hear and see. Said I — " I hear nought and see nought, but I smell a £mell as it were a sweet kind of smoke." " Look again," said he, " and listen." I do sOj and after a while I hear a faint noise 32 FOR KING AND KENT. like some one touching a Spanish kite, which grows louder, and I see a pale full moon, and two stars, gules and azure, beginning to shine out through a mist. Master Lilly on this makes another long and very admirable oration, and tells me to look on the floor at my feet, and there I perceive a fiery circle traced with some wavy characters of fire at three points. He tells me to pace it round and do as he does, and be- gins repeating a spell, and walks one way holding me by the right hand, and another way holding me by the left, and then round and round with both hands till I am almost dizzy, and for a finish bids me to stand and look. The sweet smoke is now very strong in my nos- trils, and smarting to my eyes. ''Look! ^' says he; "there is the magic mirror before you, and you shall see the lady you love, and you m.ay ask her yourself what question you please." T look, and now, to my great wonderment, I see a large oval frame as it were of a picture, and in it there comes to view something I could not well discern at first. It grows clearer and clearer, till at length I perceive with some disappointment the figure — not of the Lady Anne Wotton, as I had fondly hoped, but that of a young man that I was not at all acquainted with. And I said to my- self— "Master Lilly is a greater impostor than some AN AFFAIR WITH MASTER LILLY. 33 have assured me he is. Wherefore does he show me this figure ? " The said figure seems plainly dressed in sad- coloured clothes, only with a good collar of Flemish, very white. The fellow is asleep, and I cannot see his face, for it is buried in his arms, which are resting on a table before which he is seated. " There ! '' said Master Lilly, while I stood tongue-tied ; " there is your heart''s delight, and though 'tis but the fashion and figure thereof, conj ured hither by my art, accost it presently, and I will wager it may vouchsafe you an answer by signs, Master Lendall/^ " Oh, sir, you mistake ! " cried i; "this is not a lady at all.'' "Not a lady?" says he. "Pardon me, young man, your eyes must be somewhat dim. You did not reveal to me the name of your fair, but my art tells me this should be her you love." " Then, sir, for once your art deceives you," I replied. " What ! " says Lilly sternly, " my art ? Take care, young sir, how you speak of things you un- derstand not." Then with a sort of fear I am silent, and say to myself — "This is, perchance, the brass figure Sarah Skelhorn spoke of, and some ill-willed pigmy or VOL. f. D 34 FOR KING AND KENT. fiend is mixing himself up in this affair for to de- ceive and perplex me." Here the head was lifted off the table, and I per- ceived bj the uncertain light of the illumination what seemed to be the handsome, but effeminate face of a 3'Oung gallant with long hair, who look- ing at me, seems as he were ashamed of the course he was on. " All good angels only, and only, come into the mirror ! " said I to myself, that being a rhyme I had heard Sarah Skelhorn say, is used to disperse malignities. " Why do you not address the young Jady ? " says Lilly. " Because it is not the figure I expected to see," said I, and said to myself — " Pray Heaven this be not the likeness of some rival who is destined to outwit me ! " Then, with the same timid and uncertain look, did the face of the effeminate young man slide down upon his arms as before. " This is an imp," said I to myself, " but I hope and think he is already remorseful for the deceit he has practised.^' Then I added aloud, " I have no questions to ask. Master Lilly.-" I had no sooner spoken than the chamber re- turned to its original obscurity. Some pungent vapour assails my nostrils, and I go off in a dead swound. CHAPTER lY. A LETTER AT "THE CRADLE." When I came to myself at Master Lilly's, "wlietlier it was from the magic influence of the con- stellated ring, or the shock to my reason from the vision I had seen, I know not_, but I had exceeding great dolours in my head, with so great an in- clination to vertigo that the chamber appeared to be on a course of revolution. I found besides some difficulty in speaking. For these reasons I was obliged to lie the better part of an hour or more on Master Lilly's couch, with a wet napkin tied around my head. It must have been about eleven in the night when I left him, and turning my back upon the Strand bridge, proceeded to " The Cradle," which I had not visited for some time, to see if I could hear anything of certain com- panions. But I had scarce entered Sheare Lane when there came a rush of several people down that street, and one running full tilt against me nearly knocked me down. This could not have been at that moment a difficult thing to do, for my head was still so light that I felt as though! walked the deck of a ship in a breeze, the ground appearing to rise and to fall from me. 36 FOR KING AND KENT. " Hilloa ! " says I, recognising tlie face of a mad, mischievous divel of a prentice of my acquaint- ance, as the moon disclosed it, painted with a visible expression of fear, " whither fly you at such a pace ? " But his instant hurried explanation caused me to turn and accompany him. The fact was that a patrol of horse and foot soldiers from Whitehall had suddenly surrounded " The Cradle," and captured all the prentices and Cavaliers who happened to be there, with the ex- ception of two or three who made their escape by a back way. I had not gone far when I stumbled and fell. I then called out that I had in my pocket a pass from Sir Thomas Fairfax, which could protect both of us, on which he turned and picked me up, and then fortunately remarked that he had secured a letter which had been addressed to me, which had been left at " The Cradle ^' by some person un- known. When we thought ourselves safe I opened it, and was able by the light of the moon to see that, although it was in cipher, it was lucky it had not got into the hands of the soldiers from Whitehall, for it was from my brother-in-law. Captain John Burley, telling me there was a de- sign afoot in the Isle of Wight on behalf of His Majesty, and that, if T could come there during my Christmas holidays, I might assist therein. He also told me how *' The Prosperous Sarah ^' A LETTER AT " THE CRADLE." 37 would presently sail from Deptford for Cowes, visiting Chatham, Deal, and Portsmouth by the way, and that the master thereof, being a friend of his, would readily favour me with a passage. He mentioned that Sir John Berkley carried the letter to London, and would be found at the "Three* Tobacco Pipes," Charing Cross. I could not find Sir John Berkley, but, getting safely home to Queen Street, I wrote the following answer to Cap- tain Burley in cipher : — " Dear Brother, '' I would willingly visit you and my dear sister for the purpose you mention, but I fear I am embroiled with my master, and he may refuse to allow me to depart from London. Furthermore, our kinsman Master Burley of Canterbury, hath in- vited me down thither, and should I be indulged with a holiday, I doubt I am bound to spend it with him and his wife, having already promised to do so. " I have to tell yo.i, my dear brother, that I am. threatened with being dismissed by my master for a pretended wrong done to him. Should it so fall out, I would by-and-bye be glad to assist you. So with much love to my sister, I rest, yours con- stantly, "K. L." * A tavern frequented by Royalists. Berkley was in London about this time ; see his Memoirs. CHAPTER y. PROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. The next day I left London at daybreak by mj master's orders, riding his pad-nag, and carrying a letter of importance from him to Sir Thomas Fairfax concerning advance of moneys to the army. There was a thick fog of an orange-tawny"^ colour ; but as I had several times travelled the road before, I had not much difficulty in finding it. Ere long the mists cleared away, and the sun shone merrily. Many officers and soldiers were passing to and fro on the Windsor road, several of whom, according to their custom, did stop me, and took upon themselves to examine my pass. Some of them appeared much travel-stained, their head- pieces and breast and back armour being dis- coloured with rust, as if they had been spurring fast and far. I had put on my best shirt ; and * The following looks like a descriiition of the " London fog" which we are acquainted with : — " London is smothered with sulphnrous fires, Still she wears a black hood and cloak Of sea-coal smoke, As if she mourned for brewers and dyers." Sir Wm. Davenanfs Works, p. 358, Lcndon, 1672» FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 39 though mj doublet and hose, and mj boots too, were something the worse for wear, the feather which the Lady Margaret Wotton presented me with three years before, floating in ray hat, gave me, I hoped, a gallant appearance. But though this seemed to be commended by some good- natured wenches as I rode, I got black looks from several of the warlike gentry of the orange-tawny* scarfs — especially from one galloping past me somewhere near Hampton Court, who took the pains to turn in his saddle to look at me in a very malicious manner, taking me — so I imagined at the time — for an offshoot of some noble Cavalier house. I believe it was the same whom I met again not far from Windsor town. He had gotten off his horse, which was tied to a hedge-tree ; while he, in stained old tattered buff coat, sat furbishing up with a piece of rag or leather the rusty steel suit which he had taken off. He stopped in his work, and fixed his eyes in- tently on me, letting fall many expressions of ill- will and loud censures against the Cavaliers, to which party he supposed me to belong. I remembered the man and his severe features, though where I had met him before I could not then say. Glancing round when I had passed him, some thirty yards, I saw that he still regarded me with * The distinguishing badge of the Parliamentarian army. 40 FOR. KING AND KENT. a fixed and malicious eye; and as I looked, he raised his voice in strong and bitter Scripture curses against nie^ continuing to do so till a turn in the road hid me from his view. I do ijot know how it was — for I am not alto- gether of a fearful nature — but this man's select- ing of me for his especial notice filled me with uncomfortable thoughts, which I could neither dismiss nor account for. It was now long after noon, and the towers and battlements of the great castle of Windsor rose before me out of the winter haze. Over all floated the flag of General &ir Thomas Fairfax, for, alas, it was no longer tenanted by its rightful owner. There, too, 1 looked upon the winding Thames and upon Eton College, endeared tome by the memory of Sir Henry Wotton, the kind patron of my childish days. As I advanced, trumpets sounding and drums beating', called men to afternoon exercise; for Windsor was now the head-quarters of the army, and the impressing and disciplining of Parliament forces was still vigorously pursued, though the King^s soldiers were all destroyed, and there was now no enemy, but a people who wished to enjoy the ancient freedom of the Briton. Of&cers and soldiers, with sad and anxious countenances, arriving and departing, filled me with, a notion that something of importance had occurred, or was about to occur ; but my memory FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 41 still retaining the impression of that one scowling face, I asked myself repeatedly when I had seen it before, but without success. In the courfc-yards of the castle were multitudes of officers and soldiers who had come from a distance^ all waiting to speak with Sir Thomas [Fairfax and Lieutenant-General Cromwell ; and from what I saw there^ I can well believe what was afterwards reported — that at that very time there was near being an exceeding dangerous and desperate mutiny, by many degrees worse than that which Lieutenant-General Cromwell had skil- fully quelled a short time previously.^ bo besieged were the officers of the guard, that it was some time before I could speak with any, and was elbowed and jostled aside by the rude people in buff and bandolier in a manner very trying to my spirit. At length I told the per- spiring captain of the guard, who was a fatty man, that I had a letter for the Lord General. He commanded me to deliver it up. On my re- fusal, and saying that 1 had been charged to deliver it only into his own hands, he became incensed, and would perhaps have dragged it by * ' ' Though one of the mutineera was shot at the late rendezvous •(at Ware), and eleven made prisoners, and the rest, in appear- ance, overquelled, yet they were so far fi'om being so, indeed, that there hath been with Cromwell and Ireton, one after another, two-third parts of the army to tell them that though they were certainly to perish in the attempt, they would leave nothing nnessayed to bring the whole army to their sense." — Berkley's Mem., p. 73. 42 FOR KING AND KENT. force from my pockets, but that I prudently- said — " I beg to inform you, sir, and these worthy gentlemen with you, that my business is of high importance, for it concerneth an advance of pay for the army." The chief officer in the court of guard was so far moved on hearing this as to pass me to the gentleman usher, who assured me that His Ex- cellency would not see me, but that if I had par- ticular and pressing business he would mention my name to the Lady Fairfax. Now as the Lady Fairfax knew my name, and had taken notice of me once or twice before ; and, as I knew Sir Thomas was greatly influenced by her, I thought this the most favourable mode of facilitating my business, and therefore closed with his polite offer. He led me some distance along passages to an ante-chamber, and, knocking two or three times at a folding door, then entered, leaving me hat in hand without. There were voices within, as it were, of some ministers hotly disputing, and the voice also of the Lady Fairfax, but they ceased when the gent.* usher entered, and there were mutterings and sounds of footsteps returning and closing of doors. By-and-bye the gent, usher opened the door, and he bid me " step in, for that Lady Fairfax would * The contraction gent, for gentleman is veiy common in docnmeuts of this period. FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 43 do me the favour to speak to me for a few moments." So I entered, but she was not there. Two tall greasy hats on a couch and a third on a low chair showed that three persons had probably retreated with her. I made a shrewd guess that Marshal might be one, for looking on the table I saw with the Perfect Occurrences and other diurnals and many letters addressed to the Lady Fairfax, several lately printed sermons by the aforesaid minister. In about a minute^s space enter the Lady Fair- fax, looking something yellow and very black under the eyes ; her hand to her head, and a little- bundle of wet Flemish lace resting on the fore top of it, some drippings whereof ran a down her forehead. I greeted her ladyship respectfully, who ex- tended her hand to me to kiss, and then said — " I know you : you are Master Gray's prentice young man,'' and looked closely into my face. I told her my name ; and, offering my duty to her ladyship, hoped she was well, but cast my eye to the little bundle of wet Flemish on the top of her head. " Rupert Lendall," says she, " I remember thee perfectly. 1 am but so-and-so. These are anxious times, good Rupert ; we know not what may befall, but thou art true to the covenant like thy master doubtless." 44 FOR KING AND KENT. And she did me the honour to detain my hand in hers for several seconds. I did not reply, for had I spoke my thoughts I had been quickly dispatched thence. " Yes," continues she, " we are fall of business and full of fears and troubles, and I scarce have wit left to know how I ought to inflaence my husband His Excellency, so uncertain are affairs. See," says she, pointing to a writing-table strewed with whole sheets of paper, "the labours of my hands. Three nights have T consumed the mid- night oil ; wrestling for the faith, and disputing in behalf of our most holy covenant, under and by which the Lord hath wrought so great things for us ; trampling down the pride of the ungodly Cavalier party under the feet of His people. For now there ariseth a spirit of murmuring and con- troversy ; and a new faction calling itself ' Inde- pendent ' would, as thou perchance knowest, overthrow the Directory and the power of His Excellency. But, indeed, I trust that the Lord will not forsake His own work, seeing that I have ever prayerfully and watchfully endeavoured to encourage* His Excellency in the right path, and have hitherto encouraged none among the preachers but those who have been careful for our most holy covenant. Nor can it be said that * Lucy Hutchinson in the Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson gives an animated description of the active proceedings of Lady Fairfax against the Independents, and makes out that she in- fluenced Sir Thomas considerably in religious matters. FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 45 any leaning to the Prelatical or Arminian heresy hath brought down these judgments on our heads ; for, I thank the Lord, I have never countenanced them, but have clean escaped from the sins of Babylon, abhorring both choir-service, surplice, and common prayer. We want more hands to help — more young prophets to arise with the unction of grace in their looks — more ruddy-complexioned, well-favoured young Davids or Josephs ; prayerful, zealous, bold — of whom there are doubtless many among the prentices of the City." And she laid her hand on my shoulder and looked on me motherly. ''Ob, madam l'-* says I, "my lady, I mean — I beg pardon — how many Davids and Josephs there be amongst the London prentices I know not; but, indeed, for the most part, I think they would at this time have the King brought back to London in freedom and honour." " Ay, but softly, good Eupert," says the Lady Fairfax, " they must distinguish. Sir Thomas and T are both for King and covenant. Let his Majesty see the error of his ways_, give up his carnal pride and vain worldly wisdom; let him heartily acknowledge the covenant ; let him surrender the lands and revenues of the Erastian Church to the children of God, and though my husband^ s sword hath humbled his pride to the dust at Naseby, and also finally at the surrender of Oxford, he and I will cheerfully give up our 46 FOR KING AND KENT. State here — yea, and be the very first to welcome Mm back again. '* But in the meantime, good Rupert, how sad is the prospect ! There be those in our own camp — even in the camp of the Israel of God — who would betray it — men next in place and power to my hus- band — ay_, and those far beneath him also — who would dare to question his authority, forgetting that the powers that be have their ordination direct from Heaven itself. The prophets, too, prophesy falsely, and privily bring in damnable heresies to steal away the lambs of the fold ; though the wonders Sir Thomas hath wrought, putting the enemies of truth to the edge of the sword, destroying the same also by wise counsels, are works manifest unto all.^' Here a side door softly opens, and one puts forth his head and cries — '^ Good my lady, spare yourself ; speak not too much. Remember the fatigues you have under- gone, and how much dependeth upon you at this hour." Thereupon the head disappeared, and the door closed again. " Master Marshal speaks well," said the Lady Fairfax, " somewhat doth hang upon my poor en- deavours, and, indeed, I cannot dwell further on these matters, though I would fain do so to prompt thee to be very bold and valiant ibr the truth. With Master Marshal," continues she in a lower FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 47 tone, " I am not fully pleased ; of late he hath, I fear, somewhat departed from covenanting zeal, listening to the blandishments of Peters and Nye, as Master Dell would tell you ; or indeed as you would have heard had I admitted you a few minutes earlier." " Under your Ladyship^s favour/' said I, " I will no further occupy your time, for indeed I have a letter here for His Excellency concerning the pay of the army, which I desire to deliver into his own hands." "Oh," said Her Ladyship, taking the letter which I produced a moment in her own hands, and looking at the seal and superscription, '' with such matters I meddle not ; you must seek His Excellency Sir Thomas. What ho ! within there ! " At this Marshal and three others enter, one of whom I know to be Hugh Peters, for 1 had several times heard him jest in the pulpit at St. Sepul- chre's and elsewhere. The other three looked haggard and anxious, but Peters exceeding cheerful. " Know you where His Excellency may be at this moment ? " asks the Lady Fairfax. " He is seeking the Lord with the Lieut.-General and the Commissary General in the Devil's Tower," says Peters, pulling a solemn face, which, never- theless, was to me quite comical ; and, indeed, 'tis certain he learnt good store of such grimaces when 48 FOR KING AND KENT. he played fool and clown in Shakespeare's ^ com- pany at the Globe, and it is said was overfond of speaking more than was set down for him. " No," says Marshal, " I saw him go into the park, where thepikemen are at their exercise." "Nay, he did but put his nose out and come back again," says the third preacher, who had an ugly beard both as to trim and colour. The fourth said nothing. Her Ladyship looked from one to the other, re- garding Peters, I thought, with displeasure. She then said to one of them — " Call the gentleman usher, and see where His Excellency may be, and command farther that Master Lendall be given something to eat." Then I kiss her Ladyship's hand and retire, mar- velling much at the confusion of her arguments, but, I fear, sympathising but little with her pre- sent troubles, which truly I think she had brought on herself. Master Peters, whether I would or no, comes forth with me, and, dismissing the gentleman usher, says he thinks he knows where to find Sir Thomas Fairfax, and is very anxious about the state of my soul, lamenting how he once walked * " He (Peters) hastens to London in assurance to find therein men of his own temper with whom he might solace himself, and in a short time fitted him for the life of a stage-player in a com- mon Society, from whence, after venting his frothy inventions, he had a greater call to a higher promotion, namely, to be a jester (or rather a fool) in Shakespeare's Company of Players." — See Yomje's Life of Hugh Peters. PROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 49 in spiritual darkness himself, even by the light of the Erastian Church. With him I dissembled my thoughts^ which were not favourable to him on ac- count of his rebellion, and his throwing aside his Church gown to join the conventicle, which he had not been bred to, and only ask him who those ministers were from whom we had parted. " One/' said I, " I take to be His Excellency's chaplain, Master Dell, but who may the other be who hath so ugly a beard ? ■" * At this Peters pretends to start in anger, and tells me to beware how I censure the appearance of a high-priest, " for," says he, " the Lord is nigh unto them that fear Him." And I not understanding, he explains that his name is Nye (who was the head of the Inde- pendents). He next tells me that the King is a poor fool, and cracks many jokes while leading me in search of His Excellency the Lord General. " Beware, young man," says he, " of the three Ws — wine, women, and tobacco. 'Now tobacco you will say," he adds, "beginneth not with a W. Marry come up, thou simpleton ! Is not to- bacco a weed,t and doth not weed begin with a W ? " * See S. Butler (upon Philip Nye's thanksgiving beard) — "This reverend brother, like a goat, Did wear a tail upon his throat ; The fringe and tassel of a face That gives it a becoming grace," &c. + Thi8 witticism appears in Jests of Huf/h Peters, 1660. It is- probably the first mention of the term " weed " in this sense. VOL. I. E 50 FOR KING AND KENT. By this time lie had led me into the street of Windsor, whither many foot soldiers — some grave and serious, others gay and boisterous, having concluded their afternoon exercise — quietly walked trailing their pikes, or violently ran, leaping and shouting, home to their quarters, the town being full of them, and at free quarters too. " Sir,^' said I to Master Peters, " under favour, are you sure where His Excellency is ?^' Peters at this makes another comical face, as to snj, "Can you doubt me ? ^' Anon he taps me on the shoulder hard. " See you yon tall house,'^ says he, " overhang- ing the street, with a plaister pattern of flowers between each story ? " ^' Yes," said I, " and I know it too. That is Master Starkey^s house, where I am wont to lodge, for he is a friend of ray master's." " Who is thy master ? " says Peters, and stops not for an answer. " Get you in," he adds, "and there you will find the Lieutenant-Gen eral and his son Ireton. They are the men for your business." " Nay," said I, " my business is with Sir Thomas Fairfax, and I have nothing to do with Lieutenant- Oeneral Cromwell or the Commissary General of the Horse." " 'Tis all one," said he ; " they * act in his name. Eemember me in thy prayers. Farewell ! " * Fairfax complains in his Short Memorials that free use was made of his signature without his permission. FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 51 And turning, he walked smartly away, leaving me not a little displeased with his officiousness. I thought best, however, to go to Master Star- key's house and see if I could hear aught of Sir Thomas, and at the same time to bespeak my lodg- ing. I had no wallet, and my horse I had left at " The Garter.'' To a hook in the wall near Master Starkey's house a trooper's horse was tied. The door was partly open. I knocked, but as no answer came I pushed it back. There stood a soldier stark and stiff. "Good fellow," quoth I, '^please to tell if His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax be here, or the Lieutenant-General, or Master " — I did not finish my question, for I had recog- nised the man T had passed on the road cleaning of his steel suit, and remembered him now to be one Miriam May, who was formerly a tenant of young Edward Hales near Goudhurst ; and because he forged arms for the rebels was turned out of his house by him, and rode in Sergt. -Major Cock- ayne's * troop to Worcester at the beginning of the war, where he got hacked about the head by Prince Rupert himself; and was afterwards noted as a merciless slaughterer of the Cavalier folk, both at Newbury Wash, Long Mars ton, the taking of Basing House, and elsewhere. It was thought by many that his wits were dis- * One of the earliest desecratora of Canterbury Cathedral. LlBRAKif UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 52 FOR KING AND KENT. ordered (and he was indeed put out of tlie " New Model " for it_, though he got back, and was one of Cromwell's agitators). Once when I, with a com- pany of youngsters, mocked him in the streets of Canterbury, he had pursued me to the Lady Mar- garet Wotton's gate, where, being refused by the porter, he swore he would shed my blood on the first occasion he could. It seemed that the occasion had now arrived. " Spawn of the wicked one, made to be de- stroyed, '^ says he, '' thine hour is come ! " And he makes a clutch at my throat, drawing his sword at the same time. But I had hold of the door, and seeing my danger, pulled it to very forcibly, leaping back at the same time, so that he only caught my band-strings,"^ which he tore off. I confess I was in terror of him. Though not very tall, he was a proper man, exceeding thick and broad about the chest and shoulders, and with long and brawny arms. Besides, he had drawn his hanger, while I had no weapon, not even a staff. But, having a good pair of legs, I think it is no shame to affirm that, though I disdained to call for help, I instantly showed him a clean pair of heels. I never had more need to do so. Had he caught me, he would have slain me, for although there were some about the doors in the street * The strings wliich secured the lace or linen collars worn at this period. FEOM ONE PEEIL TO ANOTHER. 53 the J were chiefly soldiers, who, so far from in- terfering in my behalf (for it is the way of soldiers, right or wrong, to take the part of their comrades), cried "Loo! loo!" and " Spli- nier and spit him ! " while one smoking at his casement did squirt tobacco juice on me as I passed. There was a narrow lane two score paces from Starkey^s house; down it I dived with Miriam after me. At first I thought of entering one of the houses in this lane, but the fear of finding myself fast in mine own trap made me continue, and so I ran on, and happily found myself distancing pur- suit at the end of the lane. There I bounce over the hedge into a cabbage garden, where an old man working was too much surprised to accost me, and jumping a ditch on the other side, I doubled back to the lane under shelter of a high wall, Miriam May still following me. Gaining the main street again, I conceived the design of making for the Castle, and taking refuge in the Court of Guard ; but passing Master Stark ey's house, and seeing the door open and nobody there, I darted in, and very quietly shut it. Miriam soon made known that he had tracked me, for in another half-minute I heard him thundering at the door, while I with all speed made for the hall, which was reached by a few steps and a passage. I met no one, fortunately, in my way, and rushing to the far end, which was closed by a thin wall of oak 54 FOR KING AND KENT. panelling, I pushed open the door in it and went through. There was a fuel store to the right, and a small closet, which was indeed my usual lodging, was to the left. Turning the key in the door, I went into the closet, securing myself there also in like manner. It was fortunate that Starkey's maid neither saw nor heard me enter, so that she was able to give a hearty denial to Miriam, who in a few minutes rushed into the hall, the maid follow- ing and protesting that there was no one in the house, except in the parlour, where two generals were writing of letters, with Master Starkey waiting upon them. Miriam was very quiet, though he had his sword drawn still ; but coming to my end of the hall, asked whither the door led to, and where the key was ? Upon this I held my breath, and stood still. " Sir," said Moll, lying, I believe, with a good conscience, " my master hath the key in his pocket. There is only a fuel store to the right and a sleeping closet to the left, but I will stake my life there is no one there. You may see for your- self if you choose to look through that hole in the boards." At this my hair stood on end with fear ; but I very nimbly got myself into the corner, so that though I am sure that Miriam May applied his eye to the hole, he saw nothing but a pallet without bed furniture, a portrait of the late Master Pym FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 55 "wliicTi liung on the opposite wall, and a joint stool with which I hoped in self-defence to beat out Miriam^s brains, should he force an entry. I may mention that Master Starkey, who was of a prying disposition, had himself made this peeping-hole, either to spy on his own family or on his guests. Not satisfied with looking, Miriam next pokes his sword through the hole and works it about. Just then I hear footsteps at the other end of the hall, where a rough voice demands what the man_ was doing there with his naked weapon ? Upon this Miriam May makes answer that I cannot hear, and the other pronounces his name with surprise. The questioner, I found out after- wards, was no other than the Lieutenant-General himself, and from what he said I gathered what I before had stated, that Miriam May was one of the agitators who had been made use of to stir up the fire of Independency. He was bold enough on this occasion to browbeat the Lieutenant-General as a self-seeker. But the Lieutenant-General, when he had ordered him firmly to sheathe his sword, b^' some soothing words pacified the man, and happily led him away, without, I believe, in- quiring further into what he was doing there with his drawn sword. The maid accompanied them from the hall. Thinking it scarcely safe to stir, I stretched myself on the pallet perspiring abun- dantly, my heart at the same time fast beating. 56 rOE KING AND KENT. It hath oft been noted that there is a strange discretion common to those whose wits are dis- ordered, giving them the power sometimes of, as it were, divining the truth. For this reason I had a vague apprehension that Miriam May would lurk about the house, and return to make a more diligent search for his prey. The pallet was so placed along the oak wall that by raising myself on my elbow I could look through the hole I mentioned before. This I had done on other occasions, for in that house was a great plenty of rats, which in the night did oft come forth to play by the light of the moon, or to feast greedily among such scraps of bread and meat as had dropped on the floor at supper time, in which last occupation I more than once overtook them with a log from the fuel store opposite. It was not long before a noise drew me to my peeping-hole. It was not Miriam May, however, but Master Starkey with Moll the maid, whom he there directed to place chairs and stools to the table which was in the middle of the hall, for that there was to be a private council of officers there, and also to put logs and charcoal on the fire, for it had now become quite dark. Thinking it best to question Moll as to what had become of Miriam May, before I stirred forth I put my mouth to the hole, just as she was finisli- ing her task, and softly, but very distinctly, called her by name. FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER. 57 I could not have done any tMng more unwisej for 1 believe mj voice made a strange eclio in the place, which was very lofty ; at all events she was so much terrified that she let fall with a crash a chair she was carrying, and giving a loud shriek took to her heels. To my great trouble I perceived Miriam May's figure entering the hall once more. Then Starkey too comes in with Moll, who declares there is a ghost in the music-loft, which had spoken with her, and which she also saw. Starkey, however, disbelieves her tale, and turning out all locks the door, and all is quiet again — and I am a close prisoner. I lay down once more and think of my letter to Sir Thomas ; but I confess that the fear of that lunatic Miriam prompts me to delay the business till I can promise myself security from his insane vengeance ; but while thinking over the matter, I fell asleep, and dreamed of good collops of mutton and beef, tankards of March beer, and bottles of Rhenish and canary, for I was both hungry and thirsty, having fasted all day — at the same time imagining myself to be served by my then dear love the Lady Anne Wotton_, of whom more presently. After a while I awoke, and as soon as T could remember where I was, I looked through the hole in the boards. I found myself so hungry that I believe I could have eaten one of my old acquaint- 58 POE KING AND KENT. ances the rats, who, however, came not forth, as I could plainly see, for every object in the hall was exceedingly distinct by reason of the moon shining- in throuo'h the hig^h windows. I made sure it was very late, and that my enemy had given up thought of me. So with thanks to Heaven and a hearty praying of the evensong petition to " Lighten our darkness,^^ from the forbidden Book of Common Prayer, I again close my eyes, hoping to continue the dream of good cheer and beloved society. Bat instead of that my visions were of a strange and fearful complexion, and I did imagine a painted cloth as at a fair, only with awful texts of Scripture on it, and a peeping-hole under, through which I was commanded to look — and behold ! a vast cave full of abominable worms'^ and beasts and reptiles fearful to look upon, and the chief prince and master of them was a be- diveled likeness of Miriam May. And the beasts and reptiles did feed with hideous noises, vora- ciously rending and tearing foul human corpses, which yet had signs of life. Meanwhile the ap- pearance of Miriam May did speak solemn and fearful words. Great was my terror, but I presently awoke, and' with great joy thanked Heaven that it was all a foolish fancy. When suddenly my hair began to bristle on my head, for the same voice that I had heard in my vision was plainly audible, slowly re- * DraRons. PROM ONE PEEIL TO ANOTHER. 59^ peating the sentence which I had also heard in my sleep — " He shall fill the places with the dead bodies." At first (I do confess) I lay without motion, so absolutely terror-stricken was I ; but hearing the same voice repeating the same words with more terrible and lamentable accents, and perceiving that it came from the hall within, I once more raised myself on my elbow, and applied my eye to the peeping-hole, fully persuaded that I should see the fearful spectacle which I had dreamt. My apprehension was not fulfilled, but I saw some- thing strange and terrible nevertheless. Secontr finscttption. To THE MARCHIONESS OF WATERFORI). CHAPTER VI. THE REGICIDES UNMASKED. 'The figure of a strong man somewliat above tlie middle height appeared in the centre of the hall. The moon fell full on his person^ and especially on his face, which was turned upwards and looking at her. It was not Miriam May, but another who •appears to me quite as terrible. It was the Lieutenant-General* of the Army of the Parlia- ment. He was in a plain dark suit, his doublet partly buttoned, his cloak loose on his shoulders, his buff boots turned down, and his right hand grasping a closed book, with two fingers thrust in between to mark the place. His countenance was sad and wild. I had seen him once riding into London at the head of his Ironsides in the month of August before when he and Fairfax overcrowed the City, and had noticed something of the same expression. He was drawing of himself up proudly, looking indeed very king-like. At that moment had a legion of fiends appeared, I believe he could have awed them into respect. * Cromwell. 64 FOR KING AND KENT. " Se shall Jill the places with the dead bodies.^' I never think of tliose words but I liear the dismal and awful sound of his voice once more. And now opening his book he commences to read aloud. I perceived that it was the Psalms of David, and the Lieutenant-General raises his voice, as it were, triumphing. ''The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool '' (louder a second time), " till I mahe Thine enemies Thy footstool:' Then he closes his book, repeating snatches of that Psalm which you will see in the 110th Psalm. " He shall %vound even kings in the day of his ivrath ! ''He shall smite the heads over many nations. " He shall fill the places with the dead bodies ! '^ I ever thought, and think now, that Cromwell had a vein of madness in him. In his reading of this Scripture, it was revealed to me. I perceived that he blasphemously conceived himself to be figured in this Psalm. That it was he who was to sit on the right hand of Heaven ; to smite the heads of the nations and to fill the places with the dead bodies, and to wound even kings in the day of his wrath. "^ I remained motionless leaning on my elbow, * Ludlow in his Memoirs records Cromwell's partiality for the 110th Psalm. See Ed. 1698, i., 319. THE REGICIDES UNMASKED. 65 watching and wondering at him as he passed on to glorify himself from other passages from the book in his hands, and remembered nothing of Miriam May, my cold bed_, nor empty stomach, till there comes a noise and tapping at the entrance door of the hall. Then all his appearance changeth; his pride vanisheth ; his triumph, as it were, flashing sud- denly away ; his figure ceaseth any more to rise and to swell; and he seems but an ordinary man, with care, doubt, and anxiety clouding his face. One enters carrying a candle, and shading it with his hand. '' He is here," says this one, looking back, and then come clattering and rustling in a troop of men in hats and cloaks, with swords to their sides and pistols in their belts. They were a notable band, and came, many of them, to strange and violent ends. Some by plague and pestilence,^ some by the hand of the assassin,t some by the sword,J and though some fled beyond the seas§ before the day of reckoning came, I saw others standing at the bar of judg- ment, and afterwards beheld their once subtle heads which had so planned the ruin and slavery of the nation exposed on the high places of the City, wasted by wind and weather, a prey to crows and scavengers of the air ; while some who died * As Ireton. f Lisle and Dorislaus. J Rainsborough. § Whalley, Ludlow, Livesey, Dixwell, GofEe. VOL. I. P 66 FOR KING AND KENT. before the day of reckonino- came were torn from their graves^ to receive the burial of an ass ! Scout-Master-General Watson, chief of the spies, was the first to enter. He it was who carried the candle, which, finding the hall almost as bright as day by reason of the moonlight, he presently extinguished. CromwelFs dearly beloved son and adviser, the arch-enemy of Church and State and cruel destroyer of loyal men, came next. At that time his face was deeply marked with the pike-wound that he got at Naseby fight. With him came Hugh Peters, and after them many officers of the army, among whom were Colonel Rich, the great Colonel of Horse, who had once destroyed Cromwell, but his courage failed him;t Barkstead, the renowned Colonel of Foot, after- wards a Lord of the Protector's and a faggot-made knight; Hewson, the one-eyed Anabaptist cobbler, was also there, and so were furious Harrison, praying Fleetwood, sons of Cromwell ; Venn, the plunderer of Windsor ; Yenner, the spoiler of the Cavaliers in the Goldsmith's Hall ; { foolish Lam- bert, rough Skippon, brutal Eainsborough ; Allen, * The exhumation of the bodies of Cromwell, Ireton, &c., has been often severely censured. It was the act of the House of Commtms, and was proposed by Colonel Titus, who had once been of the Koundhead party. f See Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson. \ The place where compositions were arranged. A Royalist diurnal, 1648, thus alludes to Veuner : — * Richard Venner, who in Goldsmith's Hall, Doth barb and spoil the Cavaliers of all." THE EEGICIDES UKMASKED. 67 the coppersmith, relentless foe of the King; Livesej, the thief of Kent ; some, also, I believe, of the City Alder men_, who had bought for nearly nothing good store of bishops' lands, such as Warner, Fowke, Gibbs, with other oificers and committeemen at that time unknown to me. As soon as some forty or fifty were in that hall, Scout-Master Watson he orders the door to be closed and one to guard it from within, whom I could not see. Then the Lieutenant-General makes a short speech, and proposes that Peters should pra}^ But there now commences a murmur of voices and then a clamour of tongues ; and, good Lord ! ^twas for all the world as if the lions from the Tower had gotten among the bears of Paris Garden, with I know not how many other kinds of wild and savage animals — that were like to rend and tear one another ! The truth is they were all in mortal fear of being called to account by the returning loyalty of the people — for few were there who had not fattened u]3on the blood and treasure of the persecuted men who had adhered to the King, and they knew not which way to turn, nor yet could agree as to what should be done, or to what party to adhere. Whether to suppress the agitators and hold to the Presbyterian party for a time — or to follow the wake of the storm and fly in the whirlwind of rebellion themselves had raised. These were the questions that did agitate them, till at last like fiends they discovered themselves 68 FOR KING AND KENT. to themselves, and uninaskecl to one another a bold! and treasonous plan^ the relation of which did make my flesh to creep ! More I cannot set down, for an oath is an oath, though it will appear hereafter that some did try to resolve my scruples. Let it suffice then to say that I heard what they intended none to hear bat such as were ready to go to the end of a desperate business — for they did hIIow the secret serpents that wei-e round their hearts to uncoil themselves and hiss forth dark and damnable treasons, so that the hellish end of their pretended Holy Eeformation was plainly indicated. Eut still deceiving of their own selves, they did propose to put a pious gloss on the matter, and it was concluded to commence the following day by " seeking the Lord" concerning the thing. In the middle of this last discussion there comes a violent rapping at the door of the hall ; and when one goes to see what it is, I hear the voice of Miriam May crying, '' Open ! open ! " which when done I do hear him plainly assure them that there is one concealed in the chamber where I am who has turned the key in the door from the inside ; and himself offers to search for and slay ! but he seems not to be believed, and the door is turned on him. My eye is still at my peeping-hole, for, as it were fascinated, I am afraid to stir — when I perceive the silent general's piercing gaze appa- rently directed on mine. Fearing that he might THE REGICIDES UNMASKED. 69 •come closer_, 1 withdrew in so unfortunate a manner as to make a noise which was distinctly heard in the hall ; on which there is a dead silence, and I hear one come to the door and tr j it ; and then a voice calls out that whosoever is within is desired to unlock it or it will be burst open ! Is there any man or boy who reads this, and thinks that had he been in my place he would have been a stranger to fear at such a moment as I have described? If he doth, I tell hiui he knows nought of himself. I would not willingly go through the horror of that moment again. I con- fess 1 grew suddenly sick with apprehension, for knowing that I should infallibly be set down as a deliberate spy, I looked for nothing less than to be torn in pieces by those men whose horrible treasons were dictated by their fears for their own lives at the time. I thought to evade by silence^ but a forcible kick at the door of the screen or partition warned me that they determined an entrance. In my agony I thought on the alternatives — to open the door for them_, to hide myself among the logs which were in the opposite closet, or to lie still on the pallet and feign sleep. Fate chose the last for me. The doors are forced open ! two enter, and after some groping about I hear a cry of anger and sur- prise, and feel myself seized ! In a moment I am dragged into the hall, and £nd myself surrounded by furious alarmed faces. 70 FOK KING AND KENT. while the points of half a dozen swords threaten me with immediate death. Question is fiercely m.ade, but by so many at a time that I should not have been heard had I replied. The Lieutenant- General seizing me by the collar and tearing my doublet, swings me with violence behind him, and with a flourish of his drawn sword waves back the rest, but quite as menacing, shortening his weapon, seems as if he determines to be my sole execu- tioner. " Speak, sirrah ! " says he, " answer me instantly, who are you ? and how came you here ?" I could only say I came thither on Sir Thomas Fairfax his business. There was now a cry of treachery, and some did couple the name of Sir Thomas therewith, while others called out " Kill the spy ! ^' " Stand back all of you ! " says the Lieutenant- General, '-' if he be a spy I will slay him myself, but by the Lord of Hosts no one else shall lay a finger on him ! Come sirrah, account for thyself 1 " I pioduced the letter from my master to Sir Thomas, and told him briefly how being chased by Miriam May, I had taken a refuge where I had been found. Wliile the Lieutenant-General opened the letter- Ireton said to him — ^' Sir, though his story were true, I would urge his instant execution, seeing he hath overheard secret councils." And again loud murmurs rose against me. " Were jou asleep, boy, or were you waking; THE EEGICIDES UNMASKED. 71 while the council here discussed their business ? ^' demands the Lieutenant-General. ^' Tell me truly ! " I was strongly tempted to say that I had slept, for who could say I had not ? I hesitated. The smouldering fury of those men blazed up again. " Speak out^ sirrah ! " thundered the Lieutenant- General, who, becoming again suspicious like the rest, did also wax wroth. '^ I was not asleep," said I, in a loud and bold tone, filled with a sudden and strange contempt for the peril that I was in; "and I may as well let you all know plainly that I most unwillingly heard the treason that you did talk ! " '^Kill" and "Slay," was now the cry. Again they were preparing to run at me. It seemed doubtful if the Lieutenant-General would protect me, as he had promised. But I mustered up spirit to address him : — " Sir," said I, '' if you do surrender me into the hands of these gentlemen to be murdered, I pray you let me first have time to make my peace with Heaven." " Are you a Presbyterian, like your master ? " says the Lieutenant-General. " Sir," said I, " I was brought up in the pro- fession of the Church of England." " Will you swear on the holy evangelists not to divulge the words which some to-night may have spoken in the heat of argument ? " " I cannot choose else." 72 FOR KING AND KENT. " Come, sirrah, no evasion ! Your eaves-drop- ping, tliongli accidental, merits death." " I will swear," said I. Ireton takes up the Bible which the Lieutenant- General had laid on the table, and proposes me the oath, and they shake their weapons at me, promising that stone walls have ears, and if I do so much as whisper, vengeance sudden and bloody will promptly overtake me. '^ Faugh ! ^' says the Lieutenant-General, " let the boy go, you need not fear him." ^'It is all fair-weather sailing for you, General," replies one, pointedly, '^ who can make terms for yourself and get a George and blue ribbon with the estate and title of an earl and the command of the Eing's Guards, if you choose to turn your coat; but what is to become of us 9 ^'^ And with that I am sworn. 1 now spoke to the Lieutenant-General. '' Sir," said I, "I make but half an escape if you shield me not from the rage of your officers. I claim your protection against Miriam May, who I know to be a madman, and who will certainly assassinate me if he can.^' To this the Lieutenant-General accedes, and re- presents to the others that my having been con- cealed in the little chamber must be kept secret from * There has been much discussion upon this subject. The accusations of Huntingdon and Lilburn have nothing improbable in them. Cromwell's life would have been endangered if the King's party had triumphed. It is most likely that he would have attempted to make terms for himself. THE EEGICIDES UNMASKED. 73 all the world, — Miriam May especially, and the latter being sent out of the way I make my escape. But I said to the Lieutenant-General before I went — " I pray you return to me the letter, which was not for you, but for the General." " It will reach him," said he, and giving me a receipt, he dismissed me. I was no sooner free than I was seized with a sudden remorse for having bound myself by an oath not to report their dark treason. I reached London early that morning, and, receiving from my master a surly permission to spend some days at Canterbury, boy-like thought no more at that time either of the strange scene I had witnessed, or of the danger I had passed."^ * In a curious life of Hugh Peters, of which, no modern edition has been published, " a meeting at Master Starkey's house " is mentioned. About 22nd December another meeting took place at Windsor Castle, as described by Allen (vide Somers Tracts, vi., 499-501). "The Lord led us," says Allen, "not only to see our sin but also ouv duty ; and this so unanimously set with weight upon each heart, that none was able hardly to speak a word to each other, for bitter weeping* * * * and we were also enabled then, after serious seeking of His face, to come to a very clear and joint resolution * * * * that it was our duty * * * * to call Charles Stuart that man of hlood to account for that blood he had shed, and mischief he had done to his ■almost, against the Lord's Cause and People in these poor Nations." See also Perfect Diurnal, Dec. 20th to 27th, 1647, in which the following passage occurs :— " Wed. Dec. 22nd was according to appointment kept as a solemn fast by the Genl. and officers. The •duties of the day were performed by divers of the officers among whom there was a sweet harmony. The Lieut. -Gen. Corny Genl, Iretou, Col. Tichborne, Col. Hewson, Mr. Peters and •other officers prayed very fervently and pathetically. This con- tinued from 9 in the morning till 7 at night." See further Berkley's Narratice, Ludlow's Memoirs, and Clar. Bist., V. 614. Oxford, 1826. CHAPTER VII. CONCERNING FEIENDS IN KENT. Captain Burlet's relative before-mentioned, wlio used to invite me to his house at Christmas, lived at Canterbury in the year 1647_, and was Town Clerk of the same."^ He was naturally of a hearty and cheerful temper ; but being in straitened circumstances in consequence of sequestration for countenancing the loyal t petition of 1642, had contracted an alliance with a little widow of a mercer at Canter- bury, a woman of a shrewish turn, who being a great zealot in the strictest sense of those who supported the Parliamentary party, his inclination for jollity was after a short time much subdued; for besides carrying him to the weekly lectures, she was wont to make her house the rendezvous of all such as affected the greatest severity of manners. But if, in consequence of all this, the Town Clerk^s was but a dull habitation, I found at Canterbury other delights ; for a fair young gentle- woman, who dwelt with her mother at Bocton- * See Canterbury Records, 1647-8. t Presented by the celebrated Kentish poet, Richard Lovelace, . who was imprisoned for that offence. The petition was extremely bold. CONCERNING FRIENDS IN KENT. 75 Malherbe ^, was wont to visit her exoellent aunt the Lady Margaret Wotton at the Palacef at Canterbury, about Christmas every year — which was the season of my visits. The Lord Capell J (at that time not yet a peer) having out of friendship to my father recommended me to Sir Henry Wotton § ; the said Sir Henry noticed me on my first visit to Canterbury — which took place a short time before Sir Henry's death.1[ I was then but a boy of tender years and small stature ; but being found precocious, and of a lively wit for my time of life, was admitted to share all those cheerful sports and pastimes which Sir Henry "Wotton, at the hospitable season of Christmas, is justly reported to have found great delight in. He was, like his sister the Lady Margaret, truly a good and a generous soul ; and when no longer able himself to join in childish rompings would yet instruct all revels by his hearty presence and advice ; and permit his aged sides to shake at the mirthful sallies of the young. The Lord of misrule had place in the hospitable palace of those days; post and pair and hoodwink- ing were also played, and many sports practised, not without a due admixture of the stately dances * Now a farmhouse. + Now St. Augustine's College. X Arthur Algernon Capell, the eminent Cavalier. § The friend of Isaack Waltoa. «ir He died iu 1G39. 76 FOR KING AND KENT. which came from the Court of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, of famous memory. In these, the fair daughters * of the Lady Mary Wotton were chiefly distinguished. The Lady Anne Wotton was the youngest of these four daughters who had to their father that worthy nobleman Thomas Lord Wotton, of Marley, some time before deceased. She was a trifle older than myself, but with her I fell violently in love the very first night of our meeting. She was a worthy little beauty, and of a great soul even at that time, as was chiefly indexed by a rare generosity of disposition. Of her own toys and trinkets, how valuable soever, she would make so small an account as to bestow them freely upon whomsoever so much as appeared * Katherine, Hester, Margaret, Anne. The following quaint description of the family is from the pen of Sir Henry Wotton : — ^' To my noble nephew (Sir Edmund Bacon) many cheerful years. "Sir, — I received the Communion in St. Bartholomew's on Sunday last, being Easter Day, in the same pew with your Hester and her mother. Your Hester either becomes a little tincture of the green sickness well, or that becomes her well. She looks, I am sure, and in my fancy draws towards the countenance of her shter Stanhope move and more, but stealingly. My niece Margaret is come home from her artisau in Southwark with some amendment. * * * # ]^y niece Anne will prove one of the handsomest creatures in the world, being much grown and having rectified a little squinting or oblique look in one of her eyes so that the 7'est will turn to a beauty. Her mother (i.e., Lady Mary Wotfcou) hath of late been much troubled— and I think, as much in her fancy, which is the greater cure, as in her body — with a pain in her right side, which changeth place and therefore is sure to be but a flatuous iutirmity. Yet it hasteneth her removing to better air, &c. " Your suiscerato servidor, " Heney Wotton." CONCERNING FRIENDS IN KENT. 11 to desire tliem ; and as to her appetite — so far from taking the last apple or nut from the dish when offered, would mortify her palate to oblige others : insomuch that I have seen her forego a choice piece of march-pane because some bigger playmate cast a greedy eye thereon. Well furnished was she with wise saws and proverbs, and could at six years of age both read and write passing well ; and what is more out of course, had at that early period obtained some entrance into the French and Italian tongues. For this last she was doubtless indebted to Sir Henry Wotton, who also had taught her to pace a measure and slide a pavan more featiy than many other beauties. The setting of this smalljewelwas most exquisite; for her beauty (notwithstanding she had a slight oblique look in one of her eyes which she grew out of) was the admiration of all. In fine, she was a most worthily accomplished little paragon, and no small ornament to the honourable and ancient stock from whence slie sprang. Judge then, if I honoured the Lady Anne Wotton while we were yet infants, what were my thoughts of her when I had gotten to be a youth and she almost a woman, and that of the loveliest? Tomes could I write descriptive of her gracious presence and of the kindness I received at her hands at the season of Christmas, 1645 ; for to confess the truth, my liking for the Lady Anne 78 FOR KING AND KENT. liad now grown to be the most violent passion that ever poor mortal was afflicted with, to my sad undoing and very grievous cost. For, for a long time fancying that my exceedingly ardent love was moderately and modestly returned, I indulged myself in all those pleasing fancies which^ at the price of a future purgatory, can turn the present into a paradise as delectable as unreal. Having set down this much, a fool may under- stand why the prentice-boy had no mind to pay court to his master's daughter, fair though she was. CHAPTER VIII. I GO TO CANTERBUEY, On the 22nd December, having had my pass from Sir T. Fairfax countersigned by Lord Mayor Warner, with a sparsely filled cloak-bag, and but few pieces in my purse, 1 embarked on board the '' Prosperous Sarah" at Deptford, and after a favourable voyage disembarked at the sad little town of Queenborough, and leaving my cloak-bag to follow, made the best of my way afoot by Elmley ferry and so by Paversham to Canterbury. It was nearly dark when I got sight of the angel tower of the great church rearing itself mightily, as it were a hoary king over that venerable city, and though, as had formerly happened, the beacon hailed me not, that service being neglected by the triumphing Parliament party — who cared not at all to have the country in readiness to rise for its own defence— it may well be believed that my heart leaped at a prospect at once familiar and beloved ; and that I somewhat quickened the very good pace I had kept up for a distance which I reckon to be little under twenty mile. As I got nearer the city it grew quite dark, and I had cause to admire that a great glow rising up 80 FOE KING AND KENT. therefrom seemed to show that the streets were afire, but it was not so. At the gate of the city I was stopped by one of the court of guard, who, pretending not to understand my pass — which, not- withstanding, was plain enough — took me in amongst his fellows, where I was cajoled into giving them something for a drink, after which they allowed me to depart. When I had passed the rush market I found that the illumination was caused by a very laud- able lighting up of the town for the convenience of both wayfarer and citizen. This was accom- plished by order of the late Mayor "^ about six weeks before, by which, on pain of fine, every householder was to put forth a candle in a lantern above his door from four of the clock until nine every evening from November till February. This ordinance was very strictly observed in the High Street; and though gusts of wind oftentimes extinguished a light here and there, and the drop- ping of the tallow boded ill to laced doublets and to ladies' silks, the said street made a most agree- able place for a stroll, and presented an aspect almost equal to Paul's walk, by reason of the con- course there walking for pastime, and the vastness of the illumination ; for indeed the bravery of the signs, many of which were handsomely gilded, shone out in a manner delightful to the eye and fancy. As for myself, I must allow I was so agree- * A memo, of this is still to be seen in the Cauterbarj Records. I GO TO CANTEEBTJRT. 81 ably startled that I at first failed to observe that the cryer his horn was sounding to call the atten- tion of the people to the proclamation of the Mayor, which I afterwards gathered to be some- thing like the following : — " yes ! yes ! yes ! "By* order of the Mayor and Jurates, — This is to give notice that the ordinance of the most honourable Parliament concerning superstitious observances is to be strictly enforced ; and whereas Saturday next is the 25th day of December, and all persons whatsoever in the city of Canterbury are to take heed and remember that Christmas Days and all other superstitious festivals are utterly abolished. Wherefore all ministers and church- wardens and others are warned that there be no prayers or sermons in the churches on the said 25th December ; and whosoever shall hang at his door any rosemary, holly, or bayes, or other supersti- tious herb, shall be liable to the penalties decreed by the ordinance of last year ; f and whosoever shall make, or cause to be made, either plum-pot- * "Upon Wednesday, 22nd December (1647), the cryer of Can- terbury, by appointment of Master Mayor, openly proclaimed that Christmas Day and all other superstitious festivals should be put down, and that a mercate should be held on Christmas Day." — See Canterbury Chnstmas. f The following is from a Parliamentary Journal : — *' Die Sabbat, 25th Dec, lGi7. Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament that power be given to the Committee of Plundered IMinistersto put in due execution the ordinance for the abolishing of the observance of holidays." VOL. I. G 82 FOR KING AND KENT. tage or nativity ]^ies, is hereby warned that it is contrary to the said ordinance. This is also to give notice that the usual weekly mercate will be held in this city on Saturday, the 25th December_, and all persons are required to open their shops on the said day. By order of his Worship Master Michael Page,* Mayor." This having concluded, master cryer walketh a few paces andbloweth his horn and repeats the same. The people there (a very numerous company of strollers, many of them women, and those hand- some enough, and not painted as we now | see them) seemed to pay bat small attention to that proclamation, and I, paying as little or less, con- tinued my way up this brilliant High Street, not without visiting certain shops in search of various necessary things which I should be de- prived of till my cloak-bag should be despatched to me from the Crown yard at Eochester. I had just come forth of a taylor's house where I had hoped to buy two laces of silver to set off the nakedness of my old cloth doublet — but they were too dear — when a gust of wind, blowing out more than one candle over those doors, took off my hat, which blew a couple of ells fall in the face of a young gentleman bravely dressed in a dark * See Canterbury Records ; this man was Mayor 1647-8, f (April 11th, 1654.) " I now observed how women begin to jpaint themselves, formerly a most ignominious thing," &c. — Evelyns Diary, i., 288. London, 1850. I GO TO CANTERBtJRY. 83 doublet with his spurs to his heel, but his riding boot tops turned down. '' Well catched^ sir/' said I, '^ and I thank jou." Then, looking upon him attentively, as he pre- sented me again with my hat, "^ Noble sir," said I, *'have I not the honour of your acquaintance already ? Do I not address Squire Edward Hales,"^ who two years back kindly entreated me at his grandfather Sir Edward Hales f his lodgings in the Whitefryars, and took me several times to the mewes, and there instructed me how to ride the great horse ? " J He, looking curiously at me and grasping both my hands, cries — '' Lendall ! I am heartily glad to see thee. What -chance brings you to Canterbury ? " Master Hales was about the middling size, and at this time not more than twenty-two years of age. He had the frankest manner imaginable, and a very sweet smile, though a manly aspect. His eyes were hazel, his hair dark browm, flowing well over a pair of good shoulders ; § but I think he rather took after his mother Dame Christian, || a * Of Tunstal, Sittingbourne ; afterwards second Sir Edward. t First baronet of that name. He appears to have lived in the Whitefriars daring the civil war. He was member of the Long Parliament (for Qneenborough). ;|; Military equitation. § His portrait at Hales Place, Canterbury, corresponds to this description. II Nee Cromer. Died about 1640. There was a monument to her in Tunstal Church. It Avas removed to Hales Place recently. 84 FOR KING AND KENT. wortliy lady long since dead, than after the pat- tern of his grandfather, Sir Edward Hales, "^ who possessed not at all that noble generosity of spirit for which young Squire Edward was so cele- brated. I replied to Master Edward that I was on a visit to the Clerk of the town according to custom, and then each observed that the other had grown very much since our last meeting. " I ride back to Tunstal to-night," says he, '^ and truly I should be glad of your company thither if you could so far favour me, and would make shift to provide you with a nag." " Master Hales, I thank you heartily," I re- plied, "but"— And here my thoughts turned to the beauteous Lady Anne, whom I hoped might be in the city at that time, and I became silent. " Well," said he, perceiving my unwillingness to close with his offer, " I shall not press you to- night, but I hold you bound to pay me a visit before we are many days older." Then, hesitating a moment, he adds this, " Rupert Lendall, thou wert ever a friendly soul and a cheerful one ; I mean nothing less than a stirrup before we go ; so in with thee to ' The Rose ' f yonder and order a * See Clarendon's remarks about liim. 1 1 have seen a mention of " The Rose " Inn in a diurnal of the year 1646, as being frequented by Royalists. The date on th& present building (1694) refers only to a restoration, as the orna- ment of a " Tudor rose '' shows. I GO TO CANTEEBURY. 85 l)ottle of claret. Spare me but an instant to look at ray gelding's heels, and anon I will be with thee, for I have somewhat to say." Thns warned, and forgetting to tell him how far I had that day journeyed, and that I had not yet seen those I had come to visit, I did as he desired me, and meeting with great respect, ordered a bottle of claret, and sat down at the table in the great chamber of '' The Eose " to wait for Master Edward Hales — all the while remembering with an agreeable feeling that the Lady Anne was also a playmate of Master Edward, which, though I entertained a strict friendship for the said Edward, lent a further and very pleasant interest to our commerce ; and I hoped he might by hazard tell me when the Lady Anne was expected to be at " The Palace," if she were not already arrived, though I dared not to inquire. Master Hales coming in presently seated himself at the table, and laying aside his hat, took forth his comb "^ and began to comb his hair in a dis- tracted manner, having just filled a brimmer apiece of the claret. " Lendall," says he, when some minutes had passed, " I have somewhat to say unto thee." Then takes he off his liquor and combeth again his hair, but says nothing at all for a good space. " Nay," said he at length, " there shall be no * This was a frequent practice iu the days when men wore long iair. 86 rOR KING AND KENT. longer any reserve between, us ; the secret must out. Rupert/' says lie, and lie walks to the door and shuts it to ; "I love a fair gentlewoman." I told him I was heartily rejoiced to hear it, and hoped " he was loved in return.^' " The pin sticketh not there/' said he, ^' for I think we are fond enough ; but I have the ill luck to be bounden to my grandfather, Sir Edward Hales, who I must tell you is not disposed to have such settlement on the lady as her mother desires. My sweetheart troubleth herself not at all with such affairs, and would gladly like myself go straight to the church and there be tied as fast as may be ; but alack ! her mother is of the like temper with my grandfather, and bargains over- much. So we like two shuttlecocks are tossed about between one and the other in the air of sus- pense. Besides all this, they are both furiously zealous for the Parliament cause, and knowing their two heirs are not all inclined to go to any such lengths, they from being exceedingly hot on the business of a marriage which was seemingly for the advantage of both, are now growing so averse to the conjunction as to cast their eyes about for a match elsewhere." I told him I was troubled to hear this account, but reminded him that the course of love was ofttimes little less rugged than that of war. '^ Come what may,^' said he, "^ I change not. Were I not assured of the constancy of my fair it I GO TO CANTERBURY. 87 might be otherwise ; but her truth and sincerity are above dispute, and I am even now meditating to do, by force or subtlety, what our anxious guardians think to bar/' Said I, " If that be your game, I will second you to the best of my abilities Master Edward, if you will permit me.'' And thereupon we shook hands. Afterwards we had some discourse of public affairs, and he did lament to me the miser- able slavery the fair county of Kent did suffer by reason of the tyranny of the Parliament and Com- mittee of Kent ; but T know not how it was, he departed for Tunstal before I got any tidings from him about the Lady Anne Wotton. I left " The Eose " at the same time, and now feeling the pains of hunger more sharply than those of love, made all haste to the mercerie (where the Town Clerk and his wife had a shop) ; for I had been so Ion g with Master Hales that my hope of supper was perilled, and there was good chance of my finding my hosts abed. Most of the shops were now closed, but when I came to the Town Clerk's door I found a prentice there standing, whom I knew not. *'Be pleased to step in,'' quoth he, "good Master Boreman expoundeth." Alas ! my hopes of supper vanished in the instant ; for walking in, I found the large chamber (which was at the back of the shop in the mercerie where the household had their meals, and which. 88 POR KING AND KENT. went bj the name of '^ihe hall") filled with an assembly of the sect that the Town Clerk's wife did favour ; and the preacher had gotten upon the table which was at the further end. I perceived by the blaze of the fire, for there was no other light, the Town Clerk's wife sitting near the chimney-corner, her cowl over her head and her keys at her girdle ; and as she beckoned me to- wards her, all the benches being filled, the afore- said prentice fetched a joint stool; and when I had placed myself thereon, I looked about me and discovered some of those burgesses whose faces I knew, and also the Town Clerk sitting nigh the door with a dejected countenance and yawning from time to time, while in his proper seat oppo- site to the Town Clerk's wife sat a morose httle fellow, whom I afterwards learned to be Master Bix of the County Committee. Women there were not a few who with open mouths steadfastly regarding Master Boreman, seemed ready, not only to swallow down all his words but himself also. The men, as their wont is, did keep their high-crowned hats upon their heads. There were also some Parliament soldiers there. The preacher who was one of the chaplains of the Committee, spake a discourse which I shall not trouble you with, save to remark that it was more learned than ordinary, being full of quotations from Greek and Latin writings, to prove that Christmas and such-like festivals were but heathen celebrations. I GO TO CANTERBURY. 89 It was also at first very dull, and did soon send me to sleep. I awoke, however, from time to time to hear him justifying of Richard Culmer^ and his breaking down of the painted win- dows, and rending of the singing-men's white coats, and tearing of the leaves of the Book of Common Prayer — also to know that he was sup- porting of Master Page his order against observing of Christmas. But at last he did thoroughly rouse me with certain words much like the fol- lowing — "Make the day a solemn fast for the iniquities of delinquents and recusants, remembering the time when ' the man of the earth/ namely prelates, malignant squires, ungodly peers, and lords of the manor and soil did oppress and lord it over you, whose marks are those of the sons of Beelzebub '' (here he tunes his voice to a harsher note) "to wit^ that aged Babel-favouring beldame the Lady Margaret Wotton, and her backsliding nieces, who follow in the path of that Jereboam, who made Israel to sin (now fast in the Isle of Wight, I thank Heaven for it), and who walk after the ex- ample the scoffing f Sir Henry Wotton, who before * See the curious and humorous account of the proceedings of " lUue Dick," in Mercurius Rusticus also Cathedral News from Canterbury. London, 1644, JRazhiff of the Hecord, Oxioid, [dH. Antidotum Culmercanum, Oxford, 1644. Dean and Chapter News from Canterbury, l64t). Culmer's Croun Craclct, 1657. Sir Michael Livesey was one of the earliest desecrators. t Sir Henry Wotton was one of the earliest censurers of the covenant, as the following extract from one of his letters will 90 FOR KING AND KENT. the desolation came upon the Cathedral and choir of Canterbury went to his own place " (here it may- be guessed I pricked up my ears), "I say the Lady Margaret Wotton — Lord forbid that I should say aught against her sister the Lady Mary^* who writ me that she would have been here this night if she had not been hindered. But the Lady Margaret Wotton shall disturb our city no more with her unhallowed re veilings and Egyptian flesh-pot worship, for ye all do know how the godly Committee of Kent have found cause to sequester her palace and send her packing out of this to corrupt other where she may, or rather to speak more truly, when she can— for she now languisheth under so grievous a fine_, that I trow she lacketh the means." Now did my head appear to turn, for I per- ceived some foul slight had been put upon my most worthy friend ; for the Lady Margaret had been formerly my entertainer at " the Palace." With the mother of the Lady Anne I was not at show. " Eton College, 1639, April 21st.— I am sorry to hear * * * iu Scotland * * * the covenanters * * • say they will have none but Jesus Christ to reign over them — A sacred cover of the deepest impiety — God open their eyes and soften their hearts * * * * I thank you for your news touching Prince Rupert."" Heliquia Wott. * See what Loi-d Clarendon says of this lady, Clar. Hist. Book xi. Hasted is in ex'ror in describing the sack of her house, &c., by the Mayor of Canterbury, he should have said Lady Margaret Wotton, whose property then was sequestered and whose letters complaining of her hard treatment, may be seen among the Hasted MSS., and also in the State Paper Of&ce (Roy. Comp.) I GO TO CANTERBUEY. 91 all familiar, and I cared not for the peevish, compli- ment that had been paid her. But if I was amazed, I was also so wrathful^ that I rose that instant from my stool, which fell, for 1 had kicked it in risins: — and thoug^h the Town Clerk's wife held me bj the skirt of my doublet, I broke from her and walked straight from that chamber, some- thing to the admiration of that assembly ; and left the house, nor paused till I got to the gate of '' the Palace " which is in front of the space called Lady Wotton's Green^* and challenged the porter, demanding news of the Lady Margaret. One Hugh Justice,t that was messenger to the Committee, kept the gate at that time, and by way of answer, he inquired of me whence I came, and what was my business with the said Lady Margaret, who he said was a recusant and under sequestration for hainous { crimes ? I was not overguarded in my reply, and so he bids me re- main there and tells one or two clowns that stood within the lodge to keep the gate for him till his return. I, suspecting nothing, awaited what in- formation he might obtain within. Presently, comes he back and says, that the Sheriff and his Worship the Mayor, and Sir Anthony Weldon desired my presence in the upper chamber. Thither I carry myself, by the narrow winding * still so called. t Mentioned as " Messenger " in papei's of Kentish Committee preserved in the State Paper Oflfice. X Heinous, frequently thus spelt at this period. 92 FOR KING AND KENT. stair_, and begging my respects, demand if any of those gentlemen (for there were others beside Sir Anthony and the Mayor) would be pleased to communicate any intelligence concerning the Lady Margaret Wotton who had formerly inhabited that Palace. I had no sooner made the application than I repented of it ; for I saw with what I had to deal, for there with Kenwrick, Beales, Broad- nax and Bix, sat Sir Anthony Weldon,"^ half ape, half lion — his orizzled hair risino: from his fore- head, and sweeping over his shoulders like the mane of the latter, while his clear round eye, shone bold and cunning like that of the former. " Stand aside," says he, " we will speak to you by-and-bye.^' And so I stand by and hear them talk, and I observed one Thatcher,t clerk to the Grand Com- mittee of the County, with his pen ready to note down such passages of their converse in the order- book as should be required — while I, looking round that familiar apartment, which was the great one wherein the revels were wont to be held — felt sad enough in the assurance of its pos- session by the beggarly Committee. " The meeting was at Master Mills' house/'' re- * One of the most vigilant of the Kentish Committee, and a diligent persecntor of Koyalists. See allusion to him in Twys- den Papers, Arch. Cant. " A strong Parliamentarian,'' says Larking, " and a persecntor of all who opposed his opinions in Kent." t His actual name. I GO TO CANTERBURY. 93^ plied the Mayor to some question Sir Antlionj had put_, " and great company is expected to mag- nify their idol, and Master Allday will have an altar set np at the east end of St. Andrew's* Church and railed round to-morrow." " Tush/' says Sir Anthony, " they dare not, but as for Master Mills, we will take down the evidence against him in the morning, and it shall go hard if we pluck not his feathers. How was the proclamation received ? '^ " Well enough," answers the Mayor. "Whew!'' whistles the Sheriff. "Wait a while. I tell you Master Page, the whole city is malignant, and you will find the burgesses worse than the gentry.-" " I would that Lambarde f were here," mut- ters Sir Anthony Weldon, "he would ferret out the business readily enough. Who say you will attend the service ? " " All those that compounded for the Tunbridge and Yalding J business, and many more ; the Godfreys, Hammonds, Manwoods, Lovelaces, Courtopps, Peytons, Brockmans, Palmers, and the Colepeppers of Bedgebury and St. Stex:)hen's are all engaged, Aucher, of Hautsbourne, Colonel Hatton, Colonel Thornhill, Colonel Washington." * In the High Street, Canterbury. t Lambarde Godfrey another very active Committee man, whose signature often appears in papers of Kentish Committee. I find him mentioned as Solicitor-General to the Committee. X A rising in favour of the King in 1643. "94 FOR KING AND KENT. "Let them essay it/' says Sir Anthony. ^' Master Sheriff-, in the name of the Committee, I desire you to complete and call out the trained bands — Master Page will also move the well affected to be ready with their arms. The other party shall pay the smart/' " I doubt the trained bands are cold, and will not serve on this summons," objects the Sheriff. " If they refuse," says Sir Anthony, '' you have power to cast them into jail." " Lord, Sir Anthony," cries the Sheriff, 'Hhe jails are stuffed full of delinquents already." "Then tie them neck and heels and bestow them in the Chapter House ; it has been put to worse uses ere this," growls Sir Anthony. Here the Sheriff blinks a while and then says — '' Will you fetch me Major Temple's * troop of horse from Dover ? " " Temple's troop ? Master Sheriff, 1 fear thou art but a half-hearted friend to the Parliament," says Sir Anthony scornfully. "What? think you there are not enough idle knaves and strollers in Canterbury who would be glfid to trail a pike at fourpence a day to save their liberties. Sirrrah," says he, turning to me sharply, "what is your name ? " I told Sir Anthony my name, and the Mayor added — * This officer belonged I think to Eich's regiment, he was with his troop at Dover, at this time. I GO TO CANTERBURY. 95 " He is the son of a Hertford sliire malignant, but related to tlie Town CJerk." "^ A w^orthy man," says Sir Anthony, '' who has been converted by his wife." And now he turns again to me — '' Master Rupert Lendall," says he, ^' take heed how you come here again asking questions about recusants. I know not what you do strolling about Canterbury sti'eets after all honest folk have closed their doors and windows ; but if you be not a malignant at heart, you will at once assist Master Sheriff here and join the trained band to preserve the public peace, which, they say, is to be disturbed." With fear and anger I blush, knowing that if I did refuse they would doubtless contrive to find entertainment for one more in their over-crowded prisons ; for at this time the Committee could do as they pleased, no man daring to dispute with them. I therefore said — '^ I would consent to assist the SherifiF, but would crave exception, being a London apprentice and already mustered in the trained bands of the City." This was true, but I had never joined the same, my master having got me excused. " The Committee cannot except you," says Sir Anthony ; " and as I know the Lord Mayor, Warner"^ well," he adds maliciously, " I will take * Lord Mayor of London, vice Sir John Gayer, at this time prisoner in the Tower for promoting the July petition of tlie ^prentices for the restoration of Charles I. 96 FOR KING AND KENT. care you suffer no prejudice by your voluntary enrolment here. Take a note of it, Thatcher, and let the Town Clerk know ; and you, Master Sheriff, get your constable and inarch away Master Lendall and have him speedily equipped." I could have slain Sir Anthony on the instant for this speech ; but 'twas useless to resist, and the constable (one Hughes ^) comes and gives me a pike and posts me over against the Palace gates. " Watch and ward," says he, and then he leaves me in cold and darkness, without other su]3per than a piece of biscuit (it was of the stalest) and a mouldy fragment of cheese, the greater part of the night. Next day comes the Town Clerk, with a sad face, to blast all my hoj)es of release from an abhorred service; and says he can do nought, for that '• his wife is rejoiced that I have taken up arms in the good cause" (!). After which Hugh Justice tells me if I will " give him such and such moneys he will buy me off, for Thatcher is permitted to take fees, and he will give him half." But I will have none of it, and rather pray for some notable combustion that I may join what- ever side may be most opposed to the Committee. The Sheriff now sends for the trained band into the nave of the great church (they had gotten together some three hundred, like myself, forced to serve), and has us put through the pike exercise,. * See JVwe Relation. I GO TO CANTERBURY. 97 for they are so sparing of their snap-haunces* (keeping them, as I afterwards found, for those they were more certain of) that they grudged us so much as a pistol. They sound a trumpet at the great door, but before the muster I consider the great disorder of the phace — a sad enough sight it was. The glass in the windows was for the most j^art broken, and there having been that morning some snow and a brisk wind blowing, the snow was scattered all over the floor of the choir and other places ; and what with the broken-down screens and stalls and the general desolation and defilement of all parts of the building, where tombs f had been rifled and broke, and brasses torn up, it was truly a sj)ectacle to disgrace a pagan much more a Christian land. The north window had been specially marked out for tlie spite of Culmer his hammer (this was Ms revenge against Archbishop Laud for having turned him out of St. Ste23hen^s, Hackington, for scorning of the Book of Sports). As high as his ladder would reach Master Culmer had fallen foul of the saints in the painted glass, as may be seen to this day_, where seven pale lights stand instead * Flint-locks. t To the credit of the iconoclasts of that time, the tomb and efifigy of the Black Prince remain apparently untouched. Ic would appear from a passage in Calaniy's " Life of Baxter" that the people resisted the desecration of their churches. What was done, was done by order of Parliament or of local committees. VOL. I. H 98 FOR KING AND KENT. of seven fair pictures. And lie Lad done more miscMef but for the anger of the people, for all were not of his way of thinking. All memory of holy men being accounted super- stitious, the commands of the usurping Parlia- ment did not spare Archbishop Chichely his monument, ever}^ morsel whereof was demolished. Likewise the angels of stone, which did feign to guard the slumbers of King Henry IV. and his queen of venerable memory, were hammered to pieces — the nose of that king's royal consort being also chipped away. Yea, and they had not perchance spared the first Protestant dean (Wotton), though he kneeleth with the Bible in his hand, had not some of my Lady Margaret's servants plainly told Blue Dick they would not fail to do as much unto him as he should do unto the effigy. Behind the north row of the pillars in the nave were stalled about thirty Parliament horse of Major Temple's troop — the body guard of the Committee. There also was kept the wooden horse and the strap pado for the chastising of the refractory. And while we did the " pike manual" those horsemen stood by and mocked us ; and^ indeed, the exercise was badly got through, and more dangerous to ourselves than it would have been to any enem}'^, and to my mind must have looked like so many wind-mills in strange disorder. The Mayor picks himself out a dozen of the I GO TO OANTKBBtJRY. 99 best of us for an additional guard for himself (of which number I was one)_, and we go to Master Page his house ; where, ander a corporal of the trained band, I have strict service in his yard behind, but reasonably good entertainment. There I remained until Christmas morning, and in the meantime came to understand what "had been spoken by the Committee in my presence, viz., that the loyal gentry of the country had a mind to have their Church of England service on Christmas Day, and that Master SheriflP, for one, .apprehended some robustious accidents. CHAPTEE IX. CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS. On Christmas morning Master Mayor slinfiles up High Street in his furred gown and gold chain, very ill-pleased to hear that the loyal gentry and others of the humbler sort were to church in spite of h.im and the Coirimittee of Kent. Witli him goes Master Sheriff, the Town Clerk, and some of the j urates ; before him goes the City Mace, and at his heels the constable and his sorry guard of pikes. I hold him to have been something- flustered with beer at this time, some slobberings and frothings whereof yet stack to his beard. He twirleth his chain and looketh hi^.f Presently comes he to the Eush Market, where- the country-folks use to come on mercate days with baskets and paniers, and what-not. " Lord preserve us ! " says the Mayor. " No one ill the mercate. Did not Master Cryer 2:)roclaim it ? " '' Yes, your Worship," says the constable ; " but the country care not to come in, it having been * The curious tract under this title is well known to those who sire versed in Kentish history. It gives a description of the riot >\ hich Lend all here narrates. f Quotation from Davenant's poems. CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS. 101 used to be a holiday. If your Worship had ordered a mercate to be hold en yesterday, it would have been attended." " Is there not always a mercate on Saturday ? '' .says the Mayor. *' Yes, your Worship," replies the constable. " And is not this Saturday ? " asks the Mayor. " Yes," says the constable, " but being Christmas Day, your Worship knows " — " Hold your peace ! '^ cries the Mayor. When he had trudged a few paces — '' Lord preserve us ! " says he again, and then he stops ; '' here be but few shops open. Did not Master Cryer make proclamation? " " Yes, your Worship," answers the constable, '' but being Christmas Day, your Worship is aware " — " Hold your peace," says the Mayor, "and note me down those that open not." And on he goes again. " I told you they would not obey your order," says the Sheriff. " Lord preserve us ! " says Master Page once more, as he stops at a hosier's house and sees him at his door — " What ! not open yet. Master Price ? Heard you not the proclamation of both Houses ? " " Please, your Worship, so soon as my prentices come in your Worship's command and those of the Parliament shall be strictly obeyed." And this excuse Page had to take. Anon, he 102 rOPv KING AND KENT. comes to "The Rose/^ and bands and backs of heads shew at the parlour window. " Call out the host," says the Mayor ; when out comes the drawer and says his master is not in. '' See that you turn away all malignants_, and that you sell nought but twopenny ales." The drawer answering with exceeding humility, Master Page was about to commend him for a good youth, when, happening to lift his eye, he catches sight of some herbs slung aloft over the sign. " Now, curse me ! " roars the Mayor, waxing' very wroth — " Rosemary and bays ! " Down goes the drawer upon his knees — *' Please, your Worship, some idle knaves " — But he finishes not, for the Mayor fetches him a box on the ear that fells him in the kennel, and orders those malignant ensigns to be forthwith pulled down and the hostehy to be closed, crying out — " Take me the names of all that are within. This is treason against tlie Parliament, and scorn- ing of me and my orders ! " And now began a concourse to collect and follow us ; but of a mixed quality, both for and against Master Page, as T found by their talk. And before long one runs up to report to us that certain persons in defiance of the Mayor do imperiously order the sho[)S which have opened to close again. "I told you so," says the Sheriff; ^'you shall find there are malign ants enough abroad to be the undoing of the whole body corporate." CANTEKBDRT CHRISTMAS. 103 " Pisli ! '■' says the Mayor, now grown peevish. But he turns pale next instant ; for against St. Andrew^s Church, which here divides the High Street^ a crowd seems to bar the way ; and as he stops short a good hundred yards, while you might count twenty, and listens, for a mighty strange noise the said crowd do make. '' Ba-a-a ! " cries one party, " Boo-oo ! " roars another, as it were sheep and oxen ; while some whine like donkeys or grunt like hogs, and others chant like to gaggling geese and divers sorts of fowls. " Lord preserve us ! " cries the Mayor more piteously than ever. " Stand close to me, ye pikes — what doth all this signify ? " But I did perceive that it boded no harm to Master Mayor ; for it was only some of the anti- prelatical party who had gotten them together there in scorn of the Church of England service"^ which they supposed was holden within St. Andrew's Church (though there was only a sermonf), and were now niJiking a base portrac- turej ot a choir service. * And in the braying of an ass Find out the treble and the bass ; If mares neigh alto and a cow A double-diapason lowe. S. Butler. t To use the " Book of Common Prayer,'" even in a private family, subjected the offender to line and imprisonment. A Par- liament Ordinance to this effect was passed in ISiS. The Eev. — Allday preached the sermon at St. Andrew's Church. See M. Carter s True Relation, Colchester, 178y, p. 1. X Portraiture. 104 FOR KING AND KENT. As soon as the Mayor perceived it to be so (to shew his love of fairplay) he pretends no further notice, but turns aside to call Master Harris, who stands quietly smoking his pipe at his door, and commands him there and then to oj^en his shop. " Master Mayor,^' says Master Harris, ^^ I desire you to excuse me; I have never yet opened my shop on Christmas Day, and my young men have all departed to take their pleasure." Then Page, casting an eye on the crowd about us, and conceiving them to be favourable to him, plucked up his spirit, and commanded Master Harris to be seized and carried to the stocks. '* Master Mayor, Master Mayor! " cries the grocer, "take heed I pray you what you do." " Fetch him off ! " says the Mayor, " and put him in the stocks." '' Now confound me if T suffer this," cries Master Harris, and snatching a stave from a fellow standing by, he brandishes it featly. " Sir," says he, " I will go none to the stocks, neither will I open my shop upon this day for you, nor all the mayors in Christendom ! " And here, to the confusion of Master Mayor, there arose a great shout for Master Harris. This seemed to stagger most of the party, except the Sheriff, who was brave enough, and one of the j urates who was choleric by nature. Master Sheriff he calls forward his myrmidons, and the CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS. 105 crowd draw apart all except ^ who advanceth to the Major and with a would-be respect bowing himself to the ground and taking off his hat garnished with holly twigs and berries : — " With all respect to your Worship/^ says he ^' we crave permission to have our holiday, and to eat our nativity pies and plum broth in peace; and we hope your Worship will leave Master Harris and all other good burgesses to keep holiday as they list." " Thou knave thou ! " cries the wrathful alder- man, '' dares t thou thus to brave his Worship and the honourable jurates with recusant words?" And with that he pushes the gentleman back, who notwithstanding advancing again is seized by the Sheriff. At tlie same instant the Mayor, to show his bravery, raised his fist and struck the gentleman, calling out " Thou rascal, thou, take that ! " But now was this young man (who I know did not at all intend to break the peace — and it is true he was there without leave, having been banished for the petition of 1642) overcome by a sudden access of rage^ and without further thought * See the modestie of this pretended biographer. He wolde forbeare to write Loveless but 'tis rather shame; the Lovelesses were depe in all conspiracies in Kent against the Parlt. — and Francis Loveless of Goose farm was their master of the train at •the Colchester foolcrie and he or his cousin dyd also flatter the present Xing with an address at Canterbury in 1660 very idola- trously. — Note by Jeremiah G. 106 FOE KING AND KENT. he knocks down "^ Master Mayor ; whereat a great scuffle takes place, and Master Mayor's and the Sheriff's men (all but myself and three others) run to the rescue, but not before that wrathful j urate (more liardy than wise) was tripped up, v/ho to stay his fall seized my kinsman f by the hair of his head and pulled him down also.. Thither run also the fellows that were mocking of the church-service. But all the assistance they could bring availed nothing; for Master Mayor (a man very much disliked for the tyranny he carried on under the Committee against all sorts of citi- zens) was in the end seized by the heels and drawn at a very good pace all along the channel of the High Street, whereby he lost his hat and got his gown and doublet very much torn and dirtied, besides the hurt and insult his person had received.^ * " The Sheriff laying hold of a fellow was stoutly assisted which the Mayor perceiving, took a cudgel and strook {sic the man, who being now puny (? pruny) pulled up his spirit and knocked down Master Mayor," &c., &c. — Canterbury Christmas. t Burley, the Town Clerk. X The riots on account of the suppression of Christmas obser- vances were not confined to Canterbury. The following is an amusing account of what occurred in London on the same day (25th Dec, 1647) : -" The porters of Cornhill having dressed up their conduit with ivie, rosemary and bayes and such other super- stitious ware, the report of it put his Lordship's* zele into such a flame, that his horse and he and the city-marshal went all three in their proper persons {-pontificalibus and all) to set it on fire. ** And now in the name of God, amen ! the hollie and ivie was fixed so high, that command was given for ladders which were brought ; but it was ill venturing up when so many waggs were thronging beneath. So that when they saw all things in order, his * Lord Ma\ or Warner, irregularly appoiated, 1647. CANTEEBURY CHRISTMAS. 107 Lordship ready mounted and no execution performed, the boys of 16 parishes that came thither to be merry with their Lord Mayor, entertained his great clemency and goodness with so notable a shout that his nag began to retreat upon the galliard of a sink-a-pace ; which the roguish boys admiring and hooting made him leave those stately tricks, and for the honour of Xmas shew more gambols than Banks his horse ever did, with far more activity. For now the furious beast begins to ramble from pent- house to pent-house, and as if St, George were come again to encounter the dragon, courses all points of the compass through the streets so long that it is supposed his Lordship could not but be in the same pickle with his brother Atkins," &c., &c. — Diurnal, Jan., 1647. At another place in Middlesex a minister preached against the Parliament, and, being interfered with, " sixty rose to arms, and brought him to church in the afternoon." — Diurnal, 1647. CHAPTER X. MORE OF THE SAME. Now was every casement in the High Street flung wide, and faces everywhere looked forth ; and some were merry and others sad, as the word passed that the " well-affected " had the worst of it, and that their godly Mayor had escaped only at the hazard of his life. There was also a great con- course in the streets, and it was plain that the city officers had lost all control over the people. The Town Clerk was gone I know not where; but seeing a multitude flocking into the mercerie, I made my way thither; first taking care to discard my pike, for the guard was all dispersed, and there perceived his wife in great trouble. It appears that her shop had been opened in obedience to the proclamation, with one or two more there, which had shut to when they were bidden by the people. Not so Mistress Burley, who foolishly believed herself safe in the warrant of the Parliament and Committee, and in the countenance of Master Boreman, who had re- mained all night in her house. This minister appearing visible through the bales of linen, smocks, bands, and what not, which MORE OF THE SAME. 109 were piled in the open window space of the shop was lustily roared down by the people (who knew liim to be an enemy to Christmas, and a favourer of the extortion of the Committee) and prudently beat a retreat by the rere of the house. But the Town Clerk's wife, scorning his example, was presently perceived by me springing like an en- raged cat upon the to]3 of her wares, ready to fight as hardily as the strength of her arms and the length of her tongue and nails would allow. '' Close ! Close ! '^ cry all the people. " Begone, you base scum ! " says she, " the Mayor hath bid me open, and the Committee and Parliament besides." " The Mayor shall be hanged," cry the people, *' and the Committee and the Parliament also.'' "Away with you, ye scurvy rascals ! " sa3^s the Town Clerk's wife, '' worshippers of Baal are ye, and belly-gods." And so commences to scream a sermon, which is presently overwhelmed by the groans of that con- course where not one Parliament man is found to take her part, or so much as to cry shame on the rest. And now persisting in her refusal to close, she calls on her prentice boys to assist her, but there was but one left to her, and he seemed un- willing to meddle in the matter. Thereupon she hops down from her perch, and boxes his ears soundly, whereat there is laughter as loud as the groans that were before. 110 rOR KING AND KENT. " Throw her wares up and down ! ^' cries one presently. Up springs she again and defies all ; and then the laughter increaseth. But now some varlets, wickedly inclined, make a pull at a great bale of dowlas that lay at the edge of the window. At them she darts, and they leave go, when there appears another large parcel of Flemish on the other side swaying about. Now flieth she to that other side — no terrier quicker. " Shut ! Shut ! " cry all the folks again. But she being obstinately set not to oblige them, capers about scolding (scratching, too, when she can), till at length the people will have her to close, and word is given to fall on, and there comes a scene of great confusion. A matter of ten or twelve roaring leaders clamber in and overturn all the poor woman's wares and fling them about. The Town Clerk's wife she screams like a worried cat, and falls struggling and kicking up her heels ; but at last when well-nigh overwhelmed from divers pieces of serge, stuffs, smocks, and other matters flung over her in sport — contrives to wriggle herself out and escape to the back of the lodgings, her tongue going all the time like the clapper of a bell. Then making themselves very merry over the matter, they close the shop for her. (All this time I had not been able from the press to render her the smallest assistance.) At last an upper window flies open, and there she is again ]\IOEE OF THE SAME. Ill reviling them as before ; and so I leave her, for, on a panic word that the horse were about to ride out of the great gate of the Cathedral to charge us (which was false) I was carried away by the retreat- ing folk into the High Street once more. Here was a strange transformation, scarce a house but had now put forth herbs over their figures* in such plenty that the whole street looked like another Bartholomew fair. And though the burgesses had for the most part been robbed of their religious services proper to that day — except at St. Andrew's Church as aforesaid — it seemed they were by no means disposed to give up the other part of the usual celebration, as was presently proved, for nativity pies and plum brothf were, I may affirm, eaten in most houses to the no sma'l grief of all " well-affected'^ persons. In Ihe meantime Master Allday having finished a quiet nativity sermon (in which he behaved with great forbearance, never so much as alluding to the schismatical party whose malice did by all x^ossible means endeavour to interrupt his discourse), I noticed the goodly assemblage of the loyal gentry and ladies of the city and county, and not a few of the commonalty, issuing from the door of St. Andrew's Church, which stands in the middle of the High Street nigh tlie entrance of the mer- * Signs. t A slander was circulated against Dick Calmer that he was caught eating these forbidden meats which were viewed as " meats offered unto idols " by the most orthodox Puritans. 112 FOR KING AND KENT. eerie. Hard bj waited coaclies and chairs for to convey all back to their several lodgings, far and near. But there was one among those bravely- dressed ladies, that as a brighter star eclipses the rest, engaged all my attention. This was no other than the beauteous Lady Anne Wotton, and you may well believe that on catching sight of her I had eyes for no other ; and would gladly if I had dared paid that homage which those of the Roman persuasion yield to the Head of their Church, by kneeling on the stones to kiss her feet. Alas, I dare not dwell on such matters, nor recall those ardent feelings I then was so carried away by — but well to this d — me ! we're all men of Kent ; and al- though some of you scowled at the plum porridge at first, you took it down well enough. So by * Sir Eichard Hardress' name does not appear in latest pro- ceedings of the Kentish Committee. TO HEPPINGTOX. 143 for a close, 1^11 give you a thing that*s not allowed, and that^s a health ; and let Sir Michael Livesej and Sir Anthony sequester me if they like for it. Here's to ' Unconquered Kent,' and may we be plagued no longer with enemies whoever they may be ! And, d — me ! it shall be a matter of crowned 'ewland has x^rovided. Into it he will get, and under cover of night, accompanied by Mr. New- * Major Bosville, under the name of John Fox, kept up a cor- respondence with the King's friends from the opposite shore, near Netley. He was a man of Kent, the head of the family beinLj Sir Ralph Bosville, of Bradbonrne, an ancestor of the noble house of Buccleuch. t West of Binstead. 212 FOR KING AND KENT. land, Sir John Berkley, Colonel Legge, and myself, we will make for the opposite shore, and either creep on to the French sloop, or if the Parliament ships be in the way, land and take horse to South- ampton, to the house of Mrs. Pitt, where, having assumed a disguise. His Majesty will embark just before daylight. I have only to say that should Sir John Oglander fail to decoy Hammond_, and should the latter and his myrmidons be able to chase us to the waterside of the creek I told you of, Sir John Berkley, Colonel Legge, and myself will have to make a fight of it while the King embarks; but I do not think Hammond will follow ; and Sir John Oglander has sharpened his hanger to cut his reins if he attempt it/' "'I hope, brother," said I, "if it comes to a fight at the waterside, you will let me be there to assist you. On that condition I am ready to con- vey the message you desire." " 1 would rather, dear Lendall," replied Burley, *^ that you would have an eye to my wife your sister at that time, and also afterwards, during my absence, and if necessary bring her to join me if the King should require my attendance beyond the seas, which is not improbable. Alas ! the dear soul suffereth great disquietude till our attempt shall be over. As regards taking of a letter to Carisbrooke, I gratefully accept thy oflPer; my appearance there might awaken susj^icion, besides, it is part of the fixed plan that I am to wait here for the King in readiness to conduct him to the HOW THE KING WAS TO ESCAPE. 213 boat, which lies concealed in a place known only to me." I told mj brother Burley that I was ready to go at once, but I knew not the way. '^ I will ]3ut you on the road," says he. " If the guard stop you at Carisbrooke gate you must ask for Mrs. Wheeler,^ the King^s laundress, or Mary, her maid — or failing them for Master Howe,t the master gunner of Carisbrooke, they will pass you in, and convoy you to the lobby of the Presence Chamber. Arrived there you will privately show this token to the gentleman-usher, who will bring you to Mr. Ashburnham, and him you will inform from me, that the ship is ready and all prepared ; having done that^ ask for commands and return to me — or hold ! for fear of accidents, go first to a house in Newport next to the sign of the Bell, near the corn-market, and inquire for Mistress Frances Trattle J who is a fair maiden known to the King and also to the governor — she will be a better guide to the Presence Chamber." At this moment a horseman was heard approach- * Mrs. Wheeler and her maid Mary remained faithful to the King. f For an anecdote of the loyalty of Howe see HilUer's Escapes of Charles 1. X She presented King Charles with a damask rose as he passed through Newport on his way to Carisbrook after surrendering to Hammond. See Herbert's Memoirs, vide also HilUer's Escapes, p. 16, for the following : — " Looking over the catalogue of the Gallery of Luxembourg, the name of Newport, Isle of Wight, caught my eye. * * * I found the subject of the picture to be the sux-render of Charles I. to Moses Read, the Mayor ; and a young girl, Frances Trattle, presenting the King with a rose." 214 FOR KING AND KENT. ingj and Captain Burley having gone out, found it was tlie messenger lie expected, and therefore there would be no need to employ me. He had some conversation v^ith the man, who presently rode away, and my brother-in-law came in with his speech : — " This fellow is not fit to take my message — moreover he hath received peremptory orders to go to the opposite shore and remove the horses "^ which are there so necessary for the King's busi- ness. I pray thee, Lendall, do as I told thee, and prepare for Carisbrooke at once; it seems to me certain that Ashburnham does not know how eager the French sloop is to be gone."*^ 8aid I, ^^ I will go this instant/' My sister then gave me some viands, and pro- mised to take care of Master Faithful. Poor youth, though he implored me to take care of myself he did not offer to accompany me, which confirmed me in my suspicion that he had suffered sufficiently in His Majesty's cause. When I had hid away the token,t which was of silver, with a beautiful por- trait of His Majesty on one side — and also my money — Captain Burley started me on the road, telling me to assure Ashburnham that all was in readiness, and that he hoped no delay would take place. He wished me God-speed, and jestingly said that when he was made an admiral I should be made a captain. * See Berkley's Memoirs. t These are now sometimes to be met with. JFifti^ inscription* To THE EARL OF A8HBUMHAM, CHAPTER XVII. TO CARISBROOKE. Full of the importance of my mission, and wi^h some reveries of the Lady Anne, and what she would think of me if I acquitted myself well, I proceeded with all haste to Newport by the straight road. A mile or less beyond Binstead I noticed, coming out of the woods, a fellow in front of me in a green doublet, mounted on a sorrel horse, to which he soon set spurs and galloped away. I thought little of this at the time, though I shall have somewhat to say thereupon anon. But within a mile or two of Newport a thing of more import- ance happened; for I saw a party of soldiers, looking very much like Captain Eolfe's company that I had lately parted with, and turning round to consider whether to retire myself from view a little, perceived one riding, whom I guessed, and rightly too, to be Captain Rolfe. Apparently hav- ing observed me, he began to slacken his pace. I remembered what Lieutenant Lisle had said, and while I made sure that I was about to be once more impressed into the hated service of the Par- liament, I was seized with a suspicion that Rolfe had been following me since the time I left Cowes ; 218 FOR KING AND KENT. and also that he had been eaves-dropping (for I forgot to mention that I had heard some noise at Captain Burley's hedge), and had heard the whole of Captain Burley's directions to me. This alarmed me very much. There was no time for hesitation, and believing that much depended upon my reach- ing the Castle promptly, I at once jumped into the thickwood, which skirts the greater part of the road between Bin stead and Newport, and scramb- ling through briar and bush-— having not only my clothes torn, but my hands also — went about 100 yards, and with a beating heart, stopping to listen, accuse myself of unnecessary^ fears ; when, lo ! I hear a crackling noise in many places, and men, evidently in pursuit of me, calling to one another. Captain Eolfe apparently directing the pursuit. Guided by the noise, 1 crept farther and farther from the road, and at last getting on higher ground, where the wood was sparser, perceived the castle of Carisbrooke on a hill, shining clearly in the sun, and not more than three miles distant ; also the smoke of the town of Newport and the church tower thereof rising above the wood. I now decided to try and cut off Eolfe and his men,, and to get to Newport before them. This, with some difficulty, I accomplished, and also found the house of Mistress Frances Trattle, near the corn market, but the young woman herself was not there, and I was somewhat perplexed to learn that she had led away a young gentleman in a green TO CAUISBROOKE. 219 doublet, mounted on a sorrel horse. I, however, found mj way to the Castle, and thought myself lucky to reach the gate before Rolfe and his men (who I knew were bound thither) came in sight. Had I been less occupied with doubts and fears I might have admired the uoble structure of the Castle, with its handsome gate-tower, high keep, and the bosquets surrounding, as well as the fine view which the elevation of the spot affords ; but I found to my trouble that two sentinels with halberds did cross to and fro in front of the gate and would not let me pass. There was a crowd of people there, waiting to see if the King would come forth, many of whom had brought little gifts for His Majesty's acceptance, for indeed all the force and power of the triumphing rebels, who had now the vast revenues of three kingdoms, as well as men's lives in their hands, could not ex- tinguish the honest loyalty of the people, which is a thing for posterity to remember. The sentinels treated all these people with surly neglect, as they did me, disdaining to answer a.ny of their questions. As for myself, when I asked for Miss Trattle, for Mrs. Wheeler, for Mary her maid,, and for Master Howe the master gunner, they deigned never an answer, and I was in doubt what to do, when forth tripped a fair young damsel from the gate, who I guessed might be Mistress Trattle, and, accosting her, found it was ; and, drawing her apart, I told her I had sought her, and why. She- 220 FOR KING AND KENT. told me she had just conducted a mounted messenger to the lobby of the Presence Chamber on some similar errand — a young lord, who said he was a great Cavalier. I asked if he wore a green doublet? " Yes," says she, '^ laced with gold lace.-" Casting my eyes towards the wall I there per- ceived the same sorrel horse that I had seen issuing from the wood, ridden by the youth in the green doublet. I asked one there whose it was, who replied that it belonged to the chief officer. Captain Eolfe. " Mistress Trattle," whispered I, " I fear some villainy," and told her how. Something alarmed, she advised me to seek Mr. Ashburnham without delay, but all her endeavours to pass me in availed nothing. Those sentinels were firm, and said Hammond's orders were to admit no one ; that they had fcrangressed them by letting in the young gentleman with the green doublet, and neither I nor she could be passed in. To make the matter worse. Captain Eolfe and his company now appears coming very fast up the hill. Mistress Trattle whispered that she would take me to the back part of the Castle, in sight of where the King's linen was hanging, where if Mary or Mrs. Wheeler should come, as was possible, we might advertise the posture of affairs. Hoping to evade Eolfe, I complied, and had got round to that TO CARISBROOKE. 221 side of the Castle she intended ; when, to my infinite trouble, I observed Eolfe approaching with a menacing aspect. I was seized with a great desire to assault him ; and now, when I think of the favourable opportunity I had of violently flinging the rascal into the ditch of the Castle, and of interrupting the course of his horrid treason, whereby some months later he defeated His Majesty's third attempt to escape from Caris- brooke"^ (as I shall hereafter have reason to mention), I am overcome with sorrow; for the King might then — I mean in May, 1648 — have headed the men of Kent and marched to London, savinsr his own life from the hands of cruel assassins and the nation from eleven years of worse than Turkish bondage. '' Mistress Trattle,'"' cries Rolfe, coming up, '' I am sure you know not the condition of the ragged rascal you consort with. He is a stroller, who hath landed in the island with a pretended pass from Sir Thomas Fairfax, and who is, I fear, on no good errand here/' Then turning to me, ^*Come, sirrah ! " says he, ''' you escaped me at Deal, when you ought to have been sent to prison ; and you ran from me on the road even now. Know this, however, that if you wish to keep me from remem- bering your rebellion at Canterbury the other day, * 29th May. Also, at his final arrest, when he \vas carried to Hurst Castle, and thence to the " open space before Whitehall," Rolph was one of the chief plotters and agents. — Vide '• Cook's Narrative." 222 FOR KING AND KENT. in company with your patron, Squire Hales, you must at once take service in my company, where you shall be taught good discipline and have plenty of hard work." Mistress Trattle, in great anger and amazement, turning scarlet red, would have railed upon Rolfe, but that I begged her to disown me, and depart, which she unwillingly did. I then boldly dispute Captain Eolfe's right to detain me, and challenge him to prove that my pass is a pretended one, which Vice-Admiral Rainsborough and Baskett, of Cowes, had been satisfied with. And then I, foolishly supposing that as I was so near the Royal presence I could over-awe him with menaces, threatened if he did not let me go to appeal to His Majesty. Whereupon he puts his finger in his jaw and whistles^ and in another instant four or five of his armed soldiers come running at us. " Tie me the wrists of this knave with your match,^' says he, "and if he refuses to march up to your fellows prick him behind with your partizans." With my hands secured behind my back, I soon found myself in front of Rolfe's company, which had halted on the hill at a little distance from the gate. " See you this varlet ? " says Rolfe. "- Know that he mocks the Parliament service and me your commander, and objecting to serve declares he will appeal to the King ! " TO OARISBROOKE. 223 At this speech Captain Eolfe's soldiers, or the greater part thereof, give a low chuckling laugh, causing me to suspect, for the first time, that if His Majesty were not really in a trap, those soldiers had indeed believed he was. But my fears were overcome by my indignation, and refreshing my memory concerning loyal sentiments, as infused into me by the Lady Anne at parting, I used words which were certain to vex the schismatic captain and his men, and cried out boldly, " Long live King Charles ! " " "Who says ' Long live King Charles? ' " cries a voice, which I at once recognised, and the mad Lieutenant Miriam May stalks up beside me witi a fierce countenance. '^ Who dares to say 'Long live King Charles ? ' I say, ' Death to King Charles ! death to the tyrant, whose hands are red in the blood of God^s saints ! death, sudden and bloody, not only to him, but also to the harlot, his wife, and to the accursed spawn, his children ! death to them, and to all those that cleave to him, from the highest to the lowest — let not one of them escape ! ' '^ '' Come, Miriam," says Eolfe, " lead the men into the Castle." And he gently pushes him away from me, at which I was in no way displeased, for the furious madman had approached nearer and nearer to me as he railed against the King and his party. Nor did the soldiers betray any disapproval of the 224 rOR KING AND KENT. Lieutenant's beliavionr ; on the contrary, a dark but joyful expression did steal over many of their countenances; and while I was inarched in rear of that company through the gate of Carisbrooke, amidst the sympathy of the good people gathered there, my thoughts flitted back to the moonlit room in Master Starkey's house at Windsor ; and the scene I there saw, and the awful things I there heard, but which I was under a forced oath to conceal — all again recur to my memory, filling me with horrid apprehensions ; and yet, on further reflection, as formerly, I could not believe that the traitors, though they had the will, would have the courage to forward any bloody design against a sovereign who was now begun to be looked upon with passionate affection by a bereaved people vexed with lawless oppression. When we got into the Castle, after we had passed the Court of Guard, we were halted in the open space in front of the governor's house. In this space were sundry saddle horses, held by lacqueys, which I found were those of the Commissioners and their attendants, who were expected soon to depart. They had been treated by the governor to a collation, and were now hearing of a discourse from one of the chaplains ; for from above did sound a doleful voice, which proved to be that of Master Marshal, who was painfully performing a religious exercise with the Commissioners in an upper chamber of the governor's house. Therefore TO CARISBROOKE. 225 it was that Eolfe did halt his company there; and with much turning up of the eyes, and with many deep groans, he did at once affect to join in the petition which Master Marshal was offering to the throne of Heaven, and which was plainly audible in the court-yard below, for the windows were open. I had often heard the King prayed against be- fore, and thought little of it, for it was when he was at the head of the army. But there did seem to be more of mockery in like petitions put up now, wherein the King was compared to Pharoah, and threatened also with his fate if he repented not of his persecution of the poor people of God ; and Master Marshal took sufficient pains to ex- plain that the drowning in the Red Sea did typify the bloody destruction which should overwhelm all impenitent Cavaliers, who, he said, had already had a taste thereof at Naseby, Newbury, Long Marston, and other places.^ I could have laughed at Eolfe's pious grimaces if more serious thoughts had not occupied me. I w^as indeed wondering if it were possible that His Sacred Majesty could be within earshot of that barbarous petition, when lo ! a clattering of foot- steps, and behold there was the King coming^ round the corner of the governor's house at so lively a pace, that his chaplain and attendants,. * Sir Phillip Warwick says that Stephen Marshal was " a bloody man in those extemporary prayers, which in his course he- then made unto the Commissioners." VOL. I. Q 226 FOR KING AND KENT. who followed, could scarce keep up with him. He wore a dark cloth suit, and hat with a feather set in a large diamond. His George and blue riband were round his neck. His cloak was edged with furs, his stockings dark worsted, his shoes cleanly blacked with soot. I had not seen him since be- fore the troubles, when almost a child I was taken to see him dine in state at Whitehall, or, I believe later, when he was received with acclamations in the city on returning from the Bellum e'pisco]jale, as it was called. Alas ! he was no longer what he had been ; for not only had he lost that beauty of youth which made him to be known as the handsomest prince in Christendom ; but the perplexed state of the kingdom's affairs might be read in his countenance where the stains of war and weather, as well as of pains and perils past, the troubles he had en- dured, no less than the present anxieties, gave a sad and careful expression. Nevertheless, majesty did sit in that faded countenance, and many kingly, as well as heavenly virtues did there show themselves ; insomuch as I was moved to admira- tion, rather than to pity. And now I remembered that if I stirred not up some commotion there was small chance of deliver- ing my message. I, therefore, took my resolution, spurring myself to my task by a consideration of the contemptuous prayer I had just heard, and which was even now concluding, and said in a tone TO CARISBROOKE. 227 HO less loud than respectful, just after His Majesty had passed me — " Long live the King ! ^' Now it fell out at that moment that Eolfe was facing his company near me rather to the flank thereof, and with his back to His Majesty — going through the grimaces I have described, casting his eyes to the sky with a doleful air^ as if he bewailed with Marshal the condition of '^ these poor king- doms;^' and hearing me use a repetition of what he doubtless viewed as a speech of high mutiny brought his thoughts very suddenly down from pretended heavenly contemplation to a genuine earthly vigilance, and fetched me a sounding box on the ear. I have intimated that he did not see the King, but the King very well saw him, so that I, no whit dismayed, cast a furious glance on the captain and repeated my exclamation. Eolfe then threatened me with the strappado for that afternoon. Will it be believed that Miriam May, that fanatical man, who in the King's absence had been so ready to curse and malign him, was witness to this scene^ and yet stirred neither tongue nor finger? Not so His Majesty, for he instantly dis- patched one of his attendants for to demand of Captain Eolfe, not only wherefore he bestowed that buffet, but what my crime had been that I, in citizen doublet, stood there with my hands 228 "FOR KING AND KENT. bound. The noise made caused Hammond to put forth his head from the upper chamber where the religious service was holding ; and Rolfe seeming confused, and making no answer, the King desires Hammond to make instant inquiry and goes in, for he was at this time lodged in the governor's house."^ Lieutenant Miriam May, being instantly de- spatched to relieve all the guards of the Castle with the new men, began to perform that office ; while I, under convoy of two soldiers, was taken up into the lobby, which was nigh the Presence Cham- ber, where Rolfe for the time quits me. The religious service was now over, and the King, who had purposely avoided it, was com- posing of himself for the delivery of his answer to the four bills. Some preparations were being made in the Presence Chamber — at the further end a curtain of arras hangings was suspended ; behind which were the King and his chaplains and others. A red velvet chair f of state was in the middle in front of the curtain, and a page on either hand stood quietly waiting. Alas ! what poor state for the once most powerful king in Christendom. The Parliament Commissioners, with some other persons were waiting in the body of the room. All * This is the building which appears newer than the rest of the Castle. The King was afterwards removed to the part of the Castle adjoining it, i.e., between it and the gate. t These articles of furniture are mentioned in the inventory of Carisbrooke Castle, 1651. TO CAKISBROOKE. 229 this I saw, through the raising of the curtain at the door of the chamber. I was now in great straits, and knew not what to do. I hazarded addressing some who passed in but got no satisfaction, for my hands being tied I could not show the silver token. The soldiers threatened me. I was in trouble to think I might be forgotten, notwithstanding that the King had noticed me. The audience of the Commissioners was presently to begin, and my message — unless it had indeed been carried by another — would be lost. To make things worse, Rolfe comes forth and tells the soldiers to carry me into the gate- house of the Castle, which was the prison thereof. At the same instant, the raising of the curtain at the door showed me the King standing in front of the crimson velvet chair, and a youth in a green velvet doublet kneeling before him. I no sooner saw this fellow in green, than a strong suspicion seized me ; and before the guard could stop me, I leaped into the chamber and loudly demanded an audience of the King. Rolfe caught me and violently dragged me back and would have carried me away ; but His Majesty ordered Hammond to interfere ; and with my dress (which had already been torn in the woods) in great disorder, my hands still bound, and much agitation in my countenance, I was led into the room like a felon, and there stood. The youth in the green doublet still knelt 230 FOR KING AND KENT. before the King, who was now seated, with his hat on. ''Sirrah," said His Majesty to him, "I know not what you mean by feigning to be first the Earl of Northampton, and then the Earl of South- ampton, to neither of whom you bear the least resemblance." '' I did mean the Earl of Roehampton, please your Majesty." " Colonel Hammond/' said the King, "^ I request you will have this person removed and diligently examined; and inform me wherefore lam made the object of his buffoonery."^ I know no such person as the Earl of Roehampton, and this is not the first person pretending to be the bearer of Heaven knows what important communications that hath bean permitted to gain an audience of me.'' Here the fellow in the green doublet, laced with gold, began to blubber aloud, and I — who had heard that note before, and had already recognised his back — knew him to be no other than Cornelius Evans. The rascal had come in the same ship with me to the island, though I knew it not. " Please your Majesty,^' says he, '^ I by no means meant to abuse your Majesty, and though I candidly confess that I did feign myself to be an earl, it was only to get audience of your Majesty,. * The King was frequently interviewed by pretended Cavaliers. TO CARISBROOKE. 231 because I had somewhat for yoar Majesty's private ear ; but as your Majesty is sore displeased with me "" (here did he break off to roar for a space with exceedingly well-feigned grief), " I will say nothing further than to crave your Majesty to bestow on me a small sum of money to go towards recom- pensing the tailor from whom I procured the suit to wait upon your Majesty in." This speech he does not quite finish, for Rolfe very officiously pulls him down on his back on the floor, before it was ended, which proceeding His Majesty not approving, censures Rolfe. '^ Sire," said Hammond to His Majesty, " I am sorry this youth was admitted to an audience ; but amongst the number who desire such a favour it is hard for me to select who is to get in and who not. Captain Eolfe, be pleased to remove quietly this youth in the green doublet, and place him in con- finement with this other fellow who hath also in- truded himself into His Majesty^s presence/' Eolfe, glad of the hint, forthwith lays hold of me again, but again His Majesty interfered, and said very decidedly, he would grant me an audience. I therefore petitioned to have my hands loosed, which, notwithstanding the objections of Eolfe and Hammond, was done. Then, kneeling before the King, I produced from the secret pocket of my doublet the pass of Sir Thomas Fairfiix, in proof of my identity, and at the same time contrived to shew him the silver token, without any other, 232 FOR KING AND KENT. except Master Ashburnliain, who stood close to me, seeing it. At the King's request I was now exempted from the impressment bj Hammond_, though Rolfe ob- jected, saying I had forfeited my pass by joining in a mutiny in Canterbury, which had just taken place. But finding he could prevail nothing, he, in a sneaking way, begged my pardon, and pre- tending sudden friendship, begged I would with- draw and speak with him privately. But I told him haughtily I was in attendance on His Majesty — who indeed commanded it. Rolfe then led away Cornelius, who, I did suspect then, and do now, had intended to cozen the King in a more villainous manner than he did, and whom I did heartily desire to cuff soundly on my own account, for his carriage at Deal. The Commissioners, who were all this while waiting in some impatience, now through their spokesman, the Lord Denbigh, demanded the King's answer to the four bills. His Majesty^ then opened the business, and * The King .... resolved that his answer should not be known till it was delivered to the Parliament ; and that in the meantime he wonld endeavour to make his escape before new orders conld be sent from Westminster. So when the Com. missioners came to receive his answer he gave it to them sealed. The Earl of Denbigh, who was the chief of the Commissioners, and a person very ungracious to the King, told him " that though they had no authority to treat with him, or to do anything but receive his answer, yet that they were not to be looked upon as common messengers, and to carry back an answer they had not seen," and upon tlae matter refused to receive it; and said, "they would TO OARISBROOKE. 233 xjommanded his sealed answer to be given to the Commissioners. What followed is well known. I shall not repeat the story how, after long and somewhat hot altercation, His Majesty was forced to let the Commissioners know his answer to the Parliament, — accounts are extant. But this I can truly say, that none were more glad than I to hear Master Howe making his discharge of small shot to salute the Lord Denbigh and his fellows as they departed from the Castle — for indeed Master Marshal and Master Nye were very persevering, return without any, except they might see what they carried." His Majesty conceived that their return without his answer might be attended with the worse consequences ; and thereupon he told them " that he had some reason for having offered to deliver it in that manner ; but if they would give him their words, that the communicating it to them would be attended by no prejudice to him, he would open it and cause it to be read," which they readily undertook (as in truth they had no reason to suspect it), and thereupon he opened it and gave it one to read. . . . He gave them many unanswerable reasons " why he could not pass the four bills as they were offered to him ; which did not only divest him of all sovereignty, and leaving him without any possibility of recovering it to his successor, but opened a door for all intolerable oppressions of the subject by granting such an arbitrary and un- limited power to the two Houses." He told them " that neither the desire of being freed fi-om that tedious and irksome condition of life which he had so long suffered, nor the apprehension of any- thing that might befall him, should ever prevail with him to consent to any one act till the conditions of the whole peace should be concluded ; and that then he would be I'eady to give all just and reasonable satisfaction in all particulars, and for the ad- justing of all this, he knew no way but a personal treaty (and therefore very earnestly desired the two Houses to consent to it), to be either at London or any other place they would rather choose." As soon as this answer, or to the same effect was read, he delivered it to the Commissioners, who no sooner received it than they kissed his hands, and departed for Westminster. — Clar. Hut, Book X. 234 FOB KING AND KENT. burdening the room with their carcases to the hxst, trjdng to persuade the King to forsake episcopacy ^ and Common Prayer ; and when they had failed — honouring me, whom they recognised, with some discourse concerning the Lady Fairfax and the good Cause which they hoped 1 still adhered to, and so forth. Hammond went forth with the Commissioners, butRolfe, on some pretext still lingering, was pre- sently peremptorily ordered out by the King. Ashburnham then drew me into a corner, and soon possessed himself of my message and praying me to watch the door of the Presence Chamber from the inside, suddenly fell on his knees before His Majesty. '' What is this ? " quoth the King. " Upon my knees. Sire, I pray you hear me." " Nay, rise good Ashburnham," says the King. "Not till your Majesty grant my petition," says Ashburnham ; " Sire, you have refused to sur- render up your kingly authority — already the tidings fly towards Westminster. In two days or less, the schismatic Parliament, or rather its masters, will order you into strict confinement.. * Marshal and Nye were sent down to persuade the King to give up the Church question, episcopacy, church lands, &c. For their attempted services the House voted them ^500 a piece out of the estates of delinquents. — See CommorbS Journal. " It is well to be postillion to the Gospel at these rates," says the sarcastic Clement Walker. — See History of Independency, 1648. TO CARISBROOKE. 235' Now or never is tlie time to save yourself from their clutches. Gentlemen," cries Ashburnham, looking round, " help me to entreat His Majesty to lose no time in making his escape." At this all look on one another and add their prayers. "God knows/' continued Ashburnham, ^' when your Majesty may have such another opportunity, and now you are no longer bound to Hammond, for you are in treaty with the Parliament. Oh Sire ! by all the trials you have suffered, by all the sacrifices you have made, by all the dangers that menace you, by the devotion of your friends, by tbe prayers of your wife, by the tears of your children — I beseech your Majesty to disappoint the malicious purposes of your enemies and fly from this place at once." Again did all the attendants add their petitions to Ashburnbam's. Then said the King — " I think indeed, gentlemen, we are indeed no longer "^ bound to Hammond, and were we assured that none of you would suffer prejudice " — Here all interrupted, begging the King to think only of himself, not of them. " Gentlemen," says Ashburnham, '^ respect His * The friends of Charles I. record frequent instances of his Bcruples to break his word. On a later occasion, when he was in greater danger, he declined to break faith with Hammond and the Parliament, according to Colonel Cooke. "They have pro- mised me, and I have promised them," said he; "I will not break first." — See Cooke's Narrative. 236 FOR KING AND KENT. Majesty's scruples. Secrets are best confined to a few — leave me to confer with His Majesty." Seeing the reasonableness of this, all withdrew ; but Ashburnham beckoned me to stay. *^ Ashburnham," said the King, when all had gone, ^' I do consent, if you can devise the means." " All is prepared, your Majesty," replies Ash- burnham, handing a letter. " I yesterday received this from your royal consort, in Paris. The ship the Queen mentions is now in Southampton waters. That young gentleman comes straight from Captain Burley, who by my direction hath visited her. The master is ready to sail. Master Newland's ^ boat lies in a secure creek. It is now near the hour for your Majesty to ride forth. Sir John Berkley and Colonel Legge are ready mounted by this, and certain gentlemen of the island attend. It is pretended that you will hunt in the forest of Parkhurst. Will it please your Majesty to make ready to ride forth ? " '' Comes this lad from Captain Burley ? Is it even as Mr. Ashburnham says, good fellow ? " quoth the King. " Yes, please your Majesty," I replied, burning with pride and joy — for my mission, after so many perils, seemed to have been entirely successful. " Heaven, in its mercy, be thanked ! " said the * ** Your old friend, Mr. John Newland," said Firebrace, on a later occasion, to the King, "who hath a good boat always ready and a good heart to serve you." — Firebrace^ s Narrative. TO CAEISBROOKE. 237 King. " I shall now regain my liberty. I shall once more see my wife — my children. How sits the wind ? " His Majesty ran to the window ^ — " Omne bonum ah Aquilone ! '^ f cries the King with joy, seeing by the gilded vane, which then shone brightly in the rays of the frosty sun, that the wind was northerly, and therefore fair for France. He departed hastily into his dressing closet to prepare himself for taking horse. Mr. Ashburn- ham, then telling me how I might procure a horse in Newport, bid me begone and tell Captain Burley that in two hours the King would be with him. Scarce less joyful than His Majesty, I left the Presence Chamber, and passed quickly forth to the gate without interruption ; but scarce had I done * " Not long after the great differences between the Parlia- ment and the army were reconciled, and then that detestable villain the governor began to use His Majesty with great irreverence, which caused the King to resume his design of going to the Queen. ... I desired His Majesty to write to the Queen to send with all speed a French vessel to Southampton with some native commodities of that country, with dix-ections to the master to obey my orders, which was discreetly performed ; and all the things necessary to that woi'k being prepared and adjusted, I told His Majesty if he pleased to go I did not doubt to carry him away without interruption. The King, with great joy, ran to the window to see how the wind stood by the fane, and finding it perfectly fair made all haste to draw on his boots." — Ashburnhavfi s Narrative, ii., 119. t Promotion coraeth neither from the east nor from the west, nor yet from the south, says the Psalmist. But Charles I. certainly got little from the north. The Scots began the rebeUion against him, and as a climax sold him to his English enemies — failing also in subsequent attempts to help him. 238 FOR KING AND KENT. SO when I perceived Colonel Hammond galloping np the top of the hill. He rode through the gate at great speedy with a countenance as black as night. Snch was his abstraction that, though he looked straight at me, he seemed not to recognise me. 1 hints T, " Perhaps the good man returneth to his allegiance and hath had words with the Commissioners, who made such hard terms for His Majesty." Then I shudder involuntarily, for of a sudden a bank of clouds obscures the sun, and a dull damp wind seems to sweep round the Castle. At the same time I hear the gate clap to, and suppose it to be done by the wind, and I hear a trumpet loudly sounding within the walls of the Castle, which I take to be the signal for His Majesty's attendants to take horse. Alas ! I did not think of what had fallen out. If I had looked at the vane I might have perceived that by a strange and sad fatality the wind had turned the exact contrary way, by which the ship His Majesty was to escape in was held fast from stirring ; and had I gone back to inquire I might have learnt that Hammond had found out the plan which had been contrived to spirit away the King and had taken precautions accordingly. CHAPTER XYIII. bukley's attempt.* •" What news, what news ? ■" cries my brother Burley, darting out of the wood on to the road where I had met him before. "• The King will be here in an hour's time/" •cried I, dismounting from the horse I had gotten on at Newport. And then I told him all that had occurred; also my suspicion that Cornelius Evans and Rolfe had been eaves-dropping, which how- ever. Captain Burley thought not probable. f When he had heartily reviled the Lord Denbigh J and the Commissioners, for causing the King to confess that he had refused to sign the four bills, we remained quiet in a thick part of the bushes, while Captain Burley did frequently consult his pocket-dial expecting the moment of the King's arrival. He was armed with sword and pistols, and cross-belted, wearing a well-filled bandolier. Meantime it was growing dark, and the wind in- * The precise date of this attempt to release Charles I., was 29th December, 1647. f A. merchant of Newport, Lowe by name, appears to hare been the only islander who fell under the King's suspicion of having betrayed his confidence. " If any does betray me, it must be Lowe." — Hillter's Escapes. See however, p. 144 ib. X Another Lord Denbigh was on the King's side. 240 FOR KING AND KENT. creasing did moan dismally through the trees; and several times we were deceived into imagining that we did hear the sound of horses' feet. " There is one thing that troubles me," says Captain Burley, " and that is the wind." " Think you it groweth to storm ? " said I. " Nay," replies he, " but since the sky became overcast, it is no longer fair for the ship. I doubt if she can sail. Nevertheless before morning it may change, and it will at least serve at present to carry his Majesty into Southampton water." I then remember, not only how the King did run to the window to look at the vane, but how the wind altered as I left the Castle, and seemed to whisk the gate to. But Captain Burley saw no reason why the attempt should have been post- poned. So there we did remain counting the hours till it was very late ; when we retired into Captain Burley's house, and remained in readiness the whole night, oftentimes sallying forth possessed with the notion that we did hear the sound of his Majesty's approach — but without the fulfilment of our hopes. "It is the wind which kept his Majesty from making the attempt," quoth my brother-in-law at daybreak next morning. " We will to Newport at once, and see whether he will make it to-day. The wind," added he, " doth mightily trouble me, but if it change within the next twenty-four hours, all will be well." burley's attempt. 241 Captain Burlej now orders mj sister to prepare a small basket of flowers or vegetables as a pre- tence, and to accompany us to Newport, in case it might be necessary for her to visit Master Howe's wife or Mrs. Wheeler to learn how matters were. Master Faithful, however, chose to remain behind to watch the house, which proceeding did not in- crease my estimation of his courage or manliness. The Commissioners from Westminster as well as the Scottish were departing when we arrived at Newport ; and we at first supposed that the visible stir in the town was caused by that event ; but the rumour of a much sadder cause came to our ears, and was repeated on all sides rendering my brother beside himself with anger. Telling his wife, my sister, to go and keep Francis Trattle company in her house, he strode away with me to an inn in the town, where we found Mr. Ashburnham, who told him that about the time I had quitted the Castle, at which very time the wind had turned the vane the clean contrary way, the King had been made a close prisoner. Though Hammond had done it, he thought the thing had been planned •^• at Westminster in anticipation of the Kino-'s. trying to escape. He told Captain Burley that as the escape was for the present impossible, he had * Mr. Ecll asserts that Hammond was acting under the direct orders of Fairfax in closely imprisoning the King. There can be little doubt, however, that Cromwell was the Deus e.v Mac/ana in this as in many other prompt operations. See, however, Bell's Fairfax Correspondence. VOL. I. R 242 FOR KING AND KENT. best look for Sir John Berkeley and Colonel Legge and consult about dismissing the ship the Queen had sent. Captain Burlej hearing they were at Mr. John Newland's house, went in there, leaving me with- out. When he presently came forth again, his cheeks did glow like fire. " Eupert/' says he, " these traitors and rebels have filled up the measure of their treason. They shall go no further. Hear you this. Sir John Berkele}^ was lately at Windsor, and says he knows for certain that there was there a private meeting of the grandees of Parliament and army, who did there plan the murther of his Majesty. He is to be shortly removed hence to some secure place where he can conveniently be despatched."^ At these words of my brother-in-law, I was once more filled with horrible apprehensions, and felt a great desire to reveal what I had myself heard and seen in Starkey's house. " Brother Burley," said I, " what think you of an oath?" * See Berkley's Memoirs. Sir John Berkeley bad a secret interview with Scont-master General Watson, at Windsor, shortly before this, who told him that Cromwell and Ireton and the other officers, overawed by the soldiers, who had been in a mutinous state, had determined to destroy the King. Watson further told Berkeley, whom he met in the dark, that a party would shortly come to Carisbrook, and seize the King again for this purpose. This violent proceeding, which took place about a year later, was probably at this time abandoned as being fi*aught with too much danger to the conspii'ators. burley's attempt. 243 *' What mean you ? " said he. *' Suppose," replied I, " that a man did acci- dentally overhear the discourse of a desperate design, and being discovered, was threatened with death if he divulged aught of it ; and so took an oath to be silent ? " My brother-in-law stood looking at me, his eyes opening wider and wider. "I guess your meaning," says he, "you told me you had been in some danger the last time you were at Windsor ; " which indeed I had, but ex- plained nothing. '' An oath is an oath, and I suppose must be kept. But now, Rupert, go to thy sister and tell her to return with you to Bin- stead at once." " What are you going to do, brother Burley ? " said I, ''if it is anything which hath danger in it, I pray you let me share it." " It is naught, it is naught," said Captain Burley, " but if you love me, Rupert, go do as I tell you without delay." He broke away from me ; and I returned to communicate to my sister what he had said. I found her in the parlour with Frances Trattle, de- ploring the catastrophe of the King's close im- prisonment, and finding much fault with Colonel Hammond ^ for the part he had taken therein. I * Hammond was no friend to the King. " Whatever is com- manded by authority," he writes, November 19th, 1647, " especially that of the Parliament, though never so contrary to my sense or honour, shall never be disobeyed." 244 FOE KING AND KENT. presently communicated Captain Barley's message to my sister ; but she was in no great haste to depart. After a brief space, a noise in the street caused me to look forth from the window, and there I saw a man carrying a pike, with a sky- blue scarf tied to the top thereof, marching along ; while a boy indifferently beating a drum did follow, also a mixed company of men, women and children. Without saying anything to my sister, I went out of the house. When I got out, the man who carried the pike with the blue scarf tied to the top, had climbed the steps of the George Inn,"^ and the people attracted by the sound of the drum were gathering from all parts. I looked at the man and saw it was my brother Burley. The boy continued to beat the drum, till Captain Burley motioned him to stop, and turning to the people, in a loud voice, spoke as follows : — " Men of Newport, you are amazed at the drum ; you fear perchance that the soldiers are coming to take away your goods and your lives also. May- hap you are not far wrong. Hearken to me while I remind you of the present prospect of affairs. You know how these poor kingdoms have, for these six years past, been cursed with a horrid un- natural war, which a schismatical party did declare against the King, and also prosecute with fury. * " The George," says Hillier, writing in 1852, " was on the south side of the High Street, where the shops of Messrs. Wavill, chemist ; Crowderj, grocer ; and Gabbins, stationer, now are." buelet's attempt. 245 You also know how that the King — it is now about seven weeks since — came to find refuge in your island_, after a long strife in which he had lost all except honour. Do I not see that though humi- liated, persecuted, shorn of his power and state, he reigns in the hearts of the men of the island ? Did you not give him a warm welcome ? Have I not seen hats doffed, knees bent, and flowers strewn when and wheresoever he went forth ? Have I not heard your voices blessing by accla- mation your oppressed Prince ? You love your King ; do you love your liberty ? What have the pretended champions of it done for you ? Are there not jealousies, strifes, confusions throughout the length and breadth of the land ? Have we not many who call themselves masters, whom none care to obey ? Do we not groan under a score of burthens unheard of before the late wars ? What, I pray you, were tonnage and poundage or the much-complained- of ship-money to the crushing weight of the excise,"^ whe reby every morsel you eat, every drop you drink, and every rag you wear pays toll ? And what are all these laid on you for ? Shall I tell you ? That the traiterous crew at Westminster may revel and drink and disport themselves, and swell their pride and fatness out * Besides the excise, which taxed all things, even the neces- saries of life — there was a monthly tax for the support of the army. At the same time there was a systematic confiscation of the property of Eoyalists. The crown and church lands had also been seized. 246 FOR KING AND KENT. of the hard toil of the poor,* and paj a hireling armj to pamper tyranny and grind down the once free people of England. Will you suffer yourselves to be trodden upon like poor worms ? Will you, by a lazy and cowardly inaction, allow these syco23hants and tyrants to rivet these chains upon you ? Is there a man among you so base as to say I will ? I thank you for those cries my friends. 1 knew there was not. Open wide your ears then and hear me. You know that the Commissioners came here to treat with the King. You also know that they have departed. You have heard a rumour that the King is a prisoner. I can tell you that he is, and a close prisoner too. Not only are the gates of the Castle shut, but there are centinels at the very door of his chamber. He shall ride forth no more among you, and not one of you shall be allowed so much as to look at the King of England through the bars of his prison window. Yonder come the rest of his attendants * Lord Capell in this same year writing a disquisition upon tlie state of the kingdom, uses the following expressions : — " This infallibly is the issue of a civil war. The honest innocent and industrious poor soul is tyrannized over and oppressed by the' lazy insolent and rapacious villain ; the leaders of those harpies solacing themselves with the banquet, and these poor creatures paying the reckoning, for whilst some contend and fight, the commonalty are no otherwise looked upon but as van- quished, and the pretensions of liberty are but contentioDS for rule, so horrid a thing it is that there is not a name nor yet an expression found out for it — a fiery sickness, a frenzy ; he that is the author thereof is to be put out of the number of men — banished from the border of human nature." — Unpublished MSS. of Arthur Algernon Lord Capell. burley's attempt. 247 wlio are all dismissed. Are you Englishmen? Are yon men, will yon snffer this indignity to yonr town, to yonr island ? Shall it go forth to the world that onr native hereditary Prince is here treated like a common felon,"^ and that not a man of ns will stir a finger to help him ? Oh ! my friends, believe me_, in the seizure of the person of the King, every man's liberty is threatened, every m.an's life is assailed_, every man^s house is invaded. Your wives, your sisters, your daughters, are menaced. Liberty is manacled and tyrannous, brute force supplanteth law. Eise, then, loyal men of Newport, rise ! seize every weapon you can lay hands upon ! I am not unprepared ; here is powder in this bag which you shall see will speedily blow in the gates of the Castle. 1 will be the first to enter. t Let those of you who have neither sword nor pistol, seize crowbars, pick-axes, clubs, anything. Rise and follow me to liberate your King ! The cowardly villains will quail at the sight of you, for there is a feebleness in treason * The army party were evidently pleased with the state of affairs, according to their diurnals, one of which contains the following :—" Friday, 30ch January, 1617. Tlie Parliamentary Commissioners went to Windsor, and joined in prayer, and the Army was willing to die with the Parliament. The chief officers, Cromwell, Ireton and others dined on the Slst, and with much love parted with the Commissioners from Carisbrook. The Castle gave them a salute of twenty-five pieces of ordnance. The agreement was sweet and comfortable." t " She heard Captain Barley say he would be the first to enter." Evidence of a woman against Captain Burley. — Vide Relation of Proceedings against Captain Burley, 1648. 248 FOR KING AND KENT. wliich is no matcli for the righteous rage of loyalt j» The sound of our voices shall be to the stone ram- parts as the trumpets of Joshua to the walls of Jericho. Follow me, and if T cannot, like Sampson, bear away the gates of Gaza_, like Sampson I will die overwhelming myself and these Philistines in a common ruin." The people who had listened quietly to Captain Burley, or only interrupted him with short expres- sions of approval, now gave a unanimous shout, which was heard in the court of guard at Caris- brooke Castle, and Captain Burley calling out for " God, King Charles, and the People ! " went down the steps waving his pike with the blue scarf at the top of it, the drum began to beat, and away we went (for I did join that concourse) along the street, and thence in the direction of Carisbrooke."^ I had just overtaken my brother Burley, when, hearing a woman's voice, I looked round, and then beheld my sister running up with a very troubled face. * " Captain Burley . . . happened to be at Newport when the King was thus treated, and when the people seemed to resent it with so much iudic^nation, and was so much transported with the same fury . . . that he caused a drum to be presently beaten, and put himself at the head of the people, who flocked together and cried, * For God, the King, and the People,' and said he would lead them to the Castle and rescue the King from his cap- tivity."— CZar. Bist., Book X. BURLEl's ATTEMPT. 24-9 My brother-in-law cauglit sight of both of ns at the same instant. My sister called ont — " Oh, John, whither art thou going, and wluit dost thou intend? Oh, Rupert, speak to your brother; oh, husband, think of your wife and of your children ! '' " Peace, dear wife," cries Burley, '' and go thy ways home ; I promise you that you will be over- taken on the road by the news of the release of the King." '^Alas! John," cries my sister, "what is the King to me if I lose my husband ? The Mayor saith that the Castle is full of fresh soldiers, and thou wilt be killed. The King's servants, who ought to have defended him, stirred not, neither do they anything now.'' Here the Mayor, who accompanied her, added his expostulations, and further said he must de- mand the drum to be delivered up."^ Captain Burley, asking me why I had let my sister follow him, now begged me to take her away. I — intending to dispose of her again at Trattle's house, and to return myself— promised, and Cap- tain Burley, now giving up the drum to Master Read the Mayor, Avent forward, while I with diffi- culty held my sister, who seemed beside herself, struggling vehemently with me, and frantically crying that she would go to Captain Burley. In a, short time she swooned away, and having * Sic in evidence at trial. 250 FOE KING AND KENT. watched some time to see if her senses would re- turn, which they did not, I left her with some good friends, and followed in the wake of my brother-in-law, who was now out of sight. As I went along, I began to entertain fears for the suc- cess of the attempt, for much of the people that had at first followed had dropped away, and I heard many talking of the uselessness of the en- terprise from the want of arms (which indeed had not deterred them six years before from visiting my Lady Portland, and also causing her to sur- render) . Worse than all, further up the town, Mr John Ashburnham, so it was reported at least,"^ had in- tercepted a large number who might otherwise have gone with Captain Burley, and was advising them to be quiet. At about three-quarters of a mile from the Castle I caught sight of Captain Burley 's blue pennon, and saw that he had but an inconsiderable number of people with him. As I hastened up, I saw the Castle spit fire and smoke, and, with a roaring noise, which echoed far and wide, a 61b. bullet overreaching the mark, flew clear of him, and bounding along the road, whizzed past me. I climbed the bank, for fear of another in the same course, and then perceived a cloud of dust between the foot of Carisbrooke hill, where the brook runs, and my brother-in-law. It was a party of about * See Berkley's Narrative. bueley's attempt. 251 thirty horse from the Castle ; there was one foot- soldier behind each horseman."^ The horse halted, blocking up the road. I had nothing but a good club, but I ran up to Captain Burlej to offer to fight for him, for a panic seized upon his followers, and one and all turned tail and ran_, leaving my poor brave brother-in-law alone ! The enemy's horse remained steadfast, while another bullet f from the Castle flew over my head, nearly catching those who were in retreat. "Thou here again, Eupert ! " cries Captain Burley, amazed. " I am come to die with you,^' said I. " Never say so,^' saj^s he. " There is now no more fighting to be done. I must surrender. To say the truth/' he adds, " I deceived myself; for I did think that the whole town would not only follow, but stand to me. Had they done so, there are those in tlie Castle who might have aided us. I charge thee to look after thy sister. Ply, fly, good Eupert ! To remain here is useless ; nay, it will be worse for me." While he spoke, the foot which had dismounted, and which were part of Rolfe's company, came out in single file from behind each flank of the horse, and ran swiftly along the side of the road with their matches cocked — a mighty fine evolution had there been any to resist them. * This was a common practice at this time. t K/Ound shot were often called " bullet" at this time. 252 FOR KING AND KENT. My brother Burley hurriedly gave me his pocket dial, his signet ring, and what money he had about him. " Away ! ^^ cried he ; " lose not a moment, or thou wilt be taken ! '^ Believing it useless to stay, I left my poor brother-in-law — with his pike and the sky-blue scarf to the top of it, and the canvas bag of powder that should have blown in Carisbrooke gate — and made good my retreat, and not too soon ; for when my poor brother-in-law, who did not budge, had been secured, the horse scoured the road, and had they adventured further would have caught me ; but I suppose, seeing that the enterprise had come to naught, wheeled about again and went back to the Castle. Does any blame me for not remaining with Cap- tain Burley ? Before Heaven I speak the truth ; * I thought I could do more good by retreat- ing, but I was disappointed. I thought to have stirred up the town anew by communicating what Captain Burley had said about some in the Castle being likely to side with us. But though I hastened into the town, and addressed myself to many with very passionate speeches, even to the shedding of tears, while I implored * " Mark well how this cowardly knave— after showing a clean pair of heels to our gallant souldiers — would have us to beleeve it was a bravery to dessert hys brother." — J. G. burley's attempt. 258 their aid, I could not get any to move in the matter.^ After nightfall the villain Eolfe — who was sup- posed to have carried instructions to Hammond from Cromwell how to deal with the King, and who had also arrested Captain Burley — came into Newport to make inquiry for me ; and though I made all haste to conceal myself in Mr. Newland's house, be ferretted me out ; but instead of taking * The following is Berkeley's account of this business : — " As soon as the Commissioners were gone, I went to Ashburnham, who told me he had newly dispatched a footman over the water to order four or five horses to be removed from the place where they then stood, lest they should be found and seized by the soldiers coming into the island. I conjured him by no means to do it, lest the winds on the Parliament frigates might force us in our escape, and we should want horses. He therefore sent a groom and brought him back, but within a few hours sent him again with the first order, but upon what ground I know not, unless that of good husbandry. That night or the next morning His Majesty resolved to venture his escape, but he met with two great ob- stacles ; the wind in the very instant became cross, and the gover- nor returned from Newport full of fury, and locked up the gates and doubled the guards, and went not to bed that night. In the morning he commanded all His Majesty's servants from him. Before we took our leave we acquainted His Majesty that we had left the captain of the frigate and two trusty gentlemen of the island to assist his escape, and that we would have all things in readiness on the other side of the water. His Majesty com- manded us to draw up a declaration in his name, and send it to His Majesty in the morning when we came to Newport. Will Leggo and I left Mr. Ashburnham and went to an acquaintance's house in the town, where, after we had staid an hour, we heard a drum beat confusedly, and not long after that one Captain Burley and divers others were risen to rescue the King. Upon this Mr. Legge and I went to the inn, when we found Mr. Ashburnham making speeches to those poor, well- affected people advising them to desist from their vain enterprise. I must con- fess I thought any communication with them dangerous." 254 FOR KING AND KENT. nie to the dongeon with my poor brother-in-law, chose to send me walking in the night with a guard over me to Cowes, to be sent aboard ship again, so that what I feared came to pass, namely, that I was forced into the hated Parliament service at sea. Meanwhile my poor sister, with a small basket of provisions, sat weeping all night at the gate of Carisbrooke, vainly imploring the cruel jailor of her husband and the King to pass her within. CHAPTER XIX. TFE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 1 CANNOT linger over the anxieties of myself and sister, with whom I had now no communication except by cipher letters which Master Faithful contrived to get conveyed between us. "We were, however, buoyed up with the hope that my brother- in-law could not be severely dealt with. I passed the interval between his seizure and trial in per- petual toil, for though Lieutenant Lisle and the boatswain treated me with leniency as far as they were able, they had no longer much power. Colonel Admiral Rainsborough,"^ who had now been sent with other frigates to guard against any further attempt to rescue the King — now lived aboard the " Constant Reformation," so that as I could by no means for one instant get ashore, I was fain to distract my thoughts by learning the duties of a seaman — taking some pleasure in the * A letter received by the House from Hammond, dated 30tb Baying that a great mutiny had happened on Wednesday, 29th (December, 1647), at Newport, a Captain Burley, chief actor is now in custody, with many others. His Majesty not gone as re- ported, but safe in Carisbrook Castle, his suite and chaplains dis- missed, and a strong guard upon the Castle. — Perfect Occur- rences , Jan, 256 FOR KING AND KENT. service of shooting off the great ordnance of the ship. It was at first rumoured that mj brother-in- law would be tried by martial law ; but instead, they sent down a sum of money to Colonel Ham- mond, and also a reward of £200 for the soldiers who had seized him, and they appointed a special commission of Oyer and Terminer to try him at Winchester (Wild, Steele, and Bradshaw) they also picked out a jury from those in their pay (Committee men, &c.)_, which would be subservient to their purpose. But before I pass to the trial, I will lay before you a letter which I received from Master Edward Hales, and also direct your special attention to it, for it will not only shew you what came of the Christmas riot at Canterbury, but also prepare you for events which shall be narrated in their proper place : — "Edwakd Hales to Eupert Lendall. '^ Dear Rupert, '^Your sudden departure from Canter- bury surprised me. Hearing that you took the road to Deal, I hazard a letter to your brother-in- law's house whither you talked of going, to tell you what hath occurred since you left. I pray you in return let me have a full account of your brother Burley's business which hath filled all loyal persons with unfeigned admiration and sorrow. THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 257 *'Dear Eupert — Doubtless jou performed your part in ' The Precinct ; ' but tbough I waited an hour near the east end of the great church, the Lady Anne appeared not. I conjecture that her mother, having a short time previously been mocked by the roaring boys of the town, and seeing me among them, may have returned in ill- humour ; and not only put the Lady Anne under lock and key, but prevailed on her to write a letter in some sort discarding me, which troubles me much. I pass, therefore, to other subjects more interesting to you — begging of you first to let me have a visit from you if you pass by way of Deal or Dover to London. " The night you left Canterbury was passed in great but ill-timed rejoicings against the Com- mittee of Kent and the schismatics in general. Bonfires and noise were kept up past midnight or rather I believe till morning. But on Tuesday the principal gentry of the loyal persuasion, auguring of the certain vengeance which would fall on the city, proposed the following terms to Sir Anthony Weldon and others of the Committee who had re- treated to more secure lodgings than Canterbury afforded them, viz., that we would undertake to quiet the people of the city, and restore the arms to the Ciistle if the Committee would promise that the recent commotion might be overlooked by the Derby House and the Parliament. VOL. T. s 258 POR KING AND KENT. " To this the Committee agreed,"^ and we on our part performed what we had promised, keeping guard at the gates until the city had resumed its former appearance. " I was not one of those who signed the agree- ment thoQgh I actively promoted it. But what think you came of it all ? We found that the pro- mises of the Committee were presently broken, for a very few days after, the whole posse of them with a score of chaplains enter f Canterbury in state with 3000 J of the very pick of horse and foot of Fairfax his army, drumming and trumpet- ing after them; and setting up a grand inquisition, seize all the gentlemen whose names were to the agreement, and without whom the city had not been quieted, and pack them off to Colepepper^s house with many others, against whom the zealots were inflamed; and there imprison them with great rigour, insomuch that the poorer sort were nearly starved to death. § I have sent you this in case you have not seen the same in the diurnals. Hoping either to hear from you or to see you soon, " I rest yr. assured friend, "Ed. Hales. " Tunstal, Jany. 20th, 1647.^' * See True Relation, p. 4. t True Relation, p. 4. \ See letter of Committee hereafter to be quoted. § True Relation : by Colepepper's house, Leeds Castle is meant. It was used as a prison for Royalists, Lord Colepepper being one of the " Grand Malignants." THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 259 " P.S. — Sir Eichard Harclress, notwithstanding the speech you heard him make at Christmas, did again sit with the Committee, though he says 'twas only to know their proceedings.'^ The above_, received through the diligence of Master Faithful, I had no sooner read than I was filled with a wild hope that the Lady Anne might yet be disposed to view my suit with favour; and to relieve my feelings_, I sat down and by letter de- manded Master Faithful's opinion of the matter, while I the more lamented that His Majesty^s es- cape had not been accomplished by my assistance, as I reckoned it would have proved a passport to the favour of the Lady Anne — Master Faithful however made no reply. But now to the trial. When the day came near Burley was lodged in the jail at Winchester, and Admiral Eainsborongh, who came to watch the trial, with myself and a party of mariners at the principal inn of the city. Coming into the lobby in front of the Admiral's chamber, on the morning of the trial, I found the generality of the mariners reposing of themselves on the floor, for they had been up all night and had no other resting place. The boatswain, how- ever, was walking about in a discontented manner, ] found he was dissatisfied with the posture of affairs. I will try and recollect his discourse, as it 260 FOR KING AND KENT. will shew pretty well the view which seamen took of political affairs at that time. " Mate," says he, " I do begin to think that a ship is a very good thing to liken the kingdom to, and it will be well if we be not at this time or shortly totally wrecked. Mate, when buoys be up, landmarks down and beacons out, 'tis a hard matter to steer. If chart and compass be lost — harder still. But when, to crown all there is mutiny aboard, and crew puts the captain in the bilboas ! — whew ! '' — and thereupon he takes his pipe from his mouth and gives a long whistle — " what's to become of the ship? "Mate," continues he, ''when every man runs to the helm, I wants to make sure that I be not a barnacle sticking to the ship's bottom " (the barnacle, I may here mention, is a kind of rep- tile, which fastening on the hull of a ship, impedes its progress — yet, as a grub turns into a butterfly,, so doth the barnacle change into a better shape, for it by-and-bye becomes a barnacle goose which is very good eating.*) " Mate," continues the boatswain in a whisper, ''J understand not well this preaching Colonel A dmiral of ours ; you heard what he said in his sermon yesterday. If you he not ivell affected to the Stat'e, says he, why, the Lord confound you all f and bang goes his fist on the table. * This appears to have been a superstitious fancy of the period. Vide Fanshaw's Memoirs. THE TRIAL OP CAPTAIJST BURLEY. 261 " Now by ^ the State,' ' King and Parliament * is meant of course, and, mate, it doth perplex me much why we should all be for King and Parlia- ment, and yet Parliament should imprison the King."^ Here's my cap, it shall be 'Parliament,' .and my pipe, it shall be ' King.' Here we be as when the war began in 1641. I puts them down on the floor together. So. The Cavalier he declares for the King only ; so come away pipe, I'll give •thee a wide berth of the cap. There. But the fleet being still for ' King and Parliament,' come back amidships cap and pipe. Where's the enemy? Why, nowhere." " Master boatswain," says 1, " you cannot put cap and pipe together thus, since Parliament is at Westminster, ordering King to prison in Caris- broke." " Belay there ! " says the boatswain snatching up his cap and his pipe. " If I be not a barnacle sticking to the ship's bottom there is a barnacle sticking to my brain. Mate, I can haul a cluline and flat a sheet as well as any man in the fleet, but affairs of state are beyond my wit. Therefore, mate, while I light my tobacco, prithee tell us the news." " These master boatswain," says I, " at the great churchy Chief Baron Wild and Sergeant * The Earl of Carnarvon justly stigmatises the war cry of ** King and Parliament," as a monstrous fiction. See Arch* of BerltSy p. 35. London, 1859- 262 FOK KING AND KENT. Steele, in riifFs and ermined robes, and the Mayor and Jurates in their gowns, with gold chains about their necks, and my poor brother-in-law with steel chains to his heels. Ellis cuffing of his cushion preaches ; but all his discourse is hang, hang, hang.""^ "It is incredible," says the boatswain, " that it can be made treason to release the King out of prison. They cannot find him guilty." " I trust not," said I, " and yet the diurnal has told us that Parliament will make no more ad- dresses to the King, but Fairfax, Cromwell and Ireton will be let to rule the kingdom without him." " Hold ! " cries the boatswain, " I do perceive," and with that he puts his pipe on the floor, and crushes his hat over it — to signify the extinguish- ing of the King. '^Master boatswain," says I, "dost thou mind my telling thee of the fellow that did force speech of His Majesty, feigning himself to be the Earl of !N'orthampton ." "Aye, the youth in the green doublet." "Well, he is here. Seeing him insolently sitting amongst the Committee of Hants, I have lodged a * " His ecclesiastical arraignment did precede the civil, for Mr. Ellis (that mongrel divine out of both universities), in the behalf of their new church, by corrupt applying of Holy Writ (never intended for that purpose), brought in evidence as a wit- ness, found out the bill as a jury, condemned him as a judge, and all in the short space of a three hoars' sermon." See tract en- titled A True and Brief Relation of the Arraignment, 8fG., of Captain JohnBurley. London, 1647. THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 26B cliarge against him for cozening of the King. Talk of the Evil One and straight he appears/' cried I, for as I spoke I perceived Cornelius Evans his snout and one of his ejes, warily ad- vanced round the edge of the door-post. " Come hither, sirrah/' says I, " I have a question to put to thee. Boatswain/' says I, 'Miere is the very cozening rascal himself/' Cornelius, who would have made his escape ii^ he could, did now horribly contort his visage, wishing to make himself out to be somebody else, and demands in a feigned voice, " if Sir Michael Livesey lodges here ? " " By my soul,'^ cries the boatswain, '' I think I recognise this youth. Sir Michael Livesey ? who might thou be thyself ? '■' " Durst thou rudely question ? " says Cornelius with an endeavour to look mighty fine. "Enough^ I am a gentleman of good quality." " Surely 'tis he/^ cries the boatswain. '' Come- hither purser, come hither gunner, come hither all." At this, the purser, and gunner, and others rise up ; and the rest of the mariners rolling on their sides give a lazy attention. " What is thy name ? ^' says the boatswain to Cornelius. " The son of Sir Thomas Fairfax," says Cor- nelius gravely, '' disclose th not himself to the over- curious." 264 FOE KING AND KENT. '' Sir Thomas Fairfax liatli no son/' cries one. '' A liar ! a liar ! " cry all. Then said the boatswain brow-beating him — " Thou art Cornelius Evans, purser^s boy and perpetual swabber on board the ' Constant Reformation ; ' whence, having been keel-hauled for lying and pilfering of the ship^s flour and currants, thou wert dismissed/' ^' He a gentleman of good quality ! ^' says the gunner. '^ He son to Sir Thomas Fairfax ! '' says the purser. " He the Earl of Northampton ! -" says I. '' A liar ! liar ! a liar ! '^ cry all the rest. Now it must be told that it is a custom a board ship to make this exclamation and outcry against whosoever is first caught with a lie on a Monday morning.* Then said I, seizing Cornelius by the right shoulder, and not displeased to hear so base an account of the fellow — "You are our prisoner in the name of the King ! '' " And Parliament ! " adds the boatswain with a heavy clap on the other that nearly felled Corne- lius. " How now ? " cries Admiral Rainsborough, * See Monson's Tracts. Q. Has this anything to say to Hamlet's remark (Act II., Sc. 2), " 0' 'twas Monday morning ; then indeed." THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 265 putting fortli his square red face round the door of his chamber. " Is this the discipline of the fleet ? Marry, I'll have a wooden horse set up on the deck of ' The Eeformation ' when we return, and ye shall all ride thereon_, with a seven-pound bullet apiece to your heels." . He then inquired of the cause of the noise we made, and the boatswain was explaining, when enter a squad of soldiers conducting Steel and Wild in state. Greeting the Admiral, Wild said — " I am here on my way to Court to inquire for one Rupert Lendall, a boatswain's mate, who hath preferred a charge against Cornelius Evans. '^ I again made my charge, and the boatswain did relate former passages in the career of Cornelius. But Cornelius confesses nothing. " Darest thou deny that thou art Cornelius Evans ? '' says the boatswain. " Who stole the ship's flour and currants ? " says the purser. " And was keel-hauled and dismissed the ' Con- stant Reformation ? ' '' says the gunner. "And tried to cozen the King," said I, "by pre- tending thou wert a Cavalier ? " " fcilence ! " roars the Admiral interrupting. " I pray you, most noble judge," cries Cornelius Evans, " condemn not an honest and well- affected gent., who hath taken the covenant." Quoth Wild, " This youth chargeth thee with 266 FOR KING AND KENT. cozening of the King; thou art also reported to be a thief and a liar, and, which is worse, a Cava- lier. Thou must stand thy trial." Two soldiers then take him apart. '' You, Lend all," says Wild, " must appear against Evans." Then in a blander tone he adds, " I understand you are brother-in-law to Captain Burley. It is a pity an old sea captain should have put himself into jeopardy." " At your hands," said I, " I doubt not, my lord, but that Captain Burley will receive that mercy which is a part of justice." '' To further that end," says Wild, "you will be examined as a witness." ^' You hear what his lordship says ? " quoth Steele. And there was an end of that business. Just as the Admiral, with me and his guard was following Wild into Court, Sir Michael Livesey arrives, being fond of poking his nose into all public business, he had obtained leave to bring to Winchester a party of horse for the protection of Wild and Steele ; and also to sit on the bench with them, being himself in great fears for his own safety just then, as he had been very busy at Canterbury taking revenge for the fright he had gotten at Christmas. In the inn which I had now left, Cornelius hails Sir Michael, and asks him to take him into his service, and further to go bail for him ; the THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 267 soldiers go below for a draught of beer in the meantime. Sir Michael promises to consider the matter and makes exit into the Court. Just then my sister arrives at the inn to look for the judge ; and finding Cornelius Evans by himself, asks for an interview with Wild, whom she supposes to be within. " I will do what I can for you/' says Cornelius, "but Wild is a hard man to move. Have you a dozen or so of broad pieces about you ? " " Oh, sir," says my sister, " I know a judge will not take a bribe." " Tush ! " cries Cornelius, " they are but as other men." " Sir," says my sister, " all my husband's pro- perty is sequestered for his late attempt ; I bave not a penny. I hope, in charity, sir— if you be Judge Wild's servant " — " Servant ! " cries Cornelius ; " madam, by your leave, you see a great marquis before you, whose title being in dispute is in forced attend- ance upon the men of the gown. Cannot take a bribe ? Pshaw ! — a crown piece will overweigh their judgments." " Alas ! " cries my sister, '' is the law indeed become so corrupt? " But now Cornelius espying on my sister's hand a ring with a small jewel in it, the last valuable she possessed, cries out — 268 FOR KING AND KENT. " You have a good ring to your finger. Mistress, I kiss your hand — I will also take the said ring with me as a token." Thereupon he whips off her ring, and goes nod- ding and smiling into the Admiral's private chamber, hoping, I am pretty sure, to make his escape, ring and all, the Admiral being gone into Court. But finding no exit that way, he is dis- comfited and obliged to return to the lobby. " A plague take Judge Wild ! " says he, " he will not hear your suit ; and worse, through my too earnest pressing of the same, I have ruined mine own cause. He now declares he will combat my claim to the marquisate, and ruin my character by a base charge.'' The real explanation of this speech was that the soldiers having had their draught of beer had re- turned wiping their mouths, and were ready to lead him to the Court house. " Madam,'' said Cornelius, " perchance we may meet in Court — adieu ! " " But where is my token, sir?" says my sister. "What?" says he. " My ring." " Mention it not," says he ; " as you value your husband's neck, I will endeavour privately to pro- cure it from the judge, and send it to the Council of State at Whitehall in your behalf. Away! the Court assembles directly. Come, good fellows, I desire your escort." THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 269* And ofP tramps Cornelius guarded. This pleasant jest did my sister relate to me. But now pass we into the Court, which was in fact waiting for this same Cornelius, and where I meantime was. On the bench were Wild and Steele, Francis Allen, Reynolds, Mildmay and others, also Rains- borough. The court-house full of people, and my poor brother-in-law Burley standing at the bar to all appearance quite unconcerned. I tried to ap- proach him, but was prevented by the soldiers guarding him, the commander of whom was the detestable Captain Rolfe. Anon comes Sir Michael Livesey, but finding he cannot get bail for Cornelius, awaits his arrival, seating himself near Wild and Steele. The appearance of many guards in the court and the perpetual noise of their marching up to surround the Court-house from without inspires me with some dread of what may be there per- formed. Presently my brother-in-law is pushed from the bar, and Cornelius takes his place, assuming, I noticed, an exceedingly foolish expression of countenance. The jury^ being sworn, and the clerk having told Cornelius to hold up his hand, reads the charge against him. How that " at Carisbrooke, on the 28th December, 1647, he had obtained an * See remarks upon its composition in Hillier's Escapes. 270 FOR KING AND KENT. audience of His Majesty, by feigning liimself to be the Earl of Northampton." Then was the question put — " Cornelius Evans, how wilt thou be tried ? ^' " So, please you," says Cornelius, " I will not be tried at all." " You must say — ^ I elect to be tried by God and by my country.' " "Please your lordships," said Cornelius, with exceeding well-feigned gravity, " I will utter no such, profane declaration." " Your lordship," says Steele, " I rise in behalf of this prisoner, who it is plain is a very innocent person. It is true that the witness Eupert Lendall will probably make good the charge against him ; but he will tell you besides that Cor- nelius Evans came not to Carisbrooke to compass the King's escape, or bring him any intelligence." " Sir," said I, " that is true." " Silence ! " cries the usher of the Court. '^ Or to give His Majesty the least assistance," continues Steele ; " while, as for feigning himself to be th.e Earl of Northampton, His Majesty was so pleased with that performance that 1 understand he gave the prisoner a crown-piece to support the dignity of his part." " Under favour, my lord," here Cornelius inter- rupts, " I did not get the crown-piece. I did indeed demand it, that I might reward the tailor who had fashioned my earl's suit.''' THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 271 " Your lordship will perceive/^ observes Steele, "that the offence was no more than a harmless waggishness on the part of a youth, who, you see, is honest enough to admit that he is not the Earl of Northampton.'^ " By your leave," said I. " Silence," cries the usher of the Court. " Whether he be earl or no," cries another voice from the body of the court, " I hope your lord- ships will get me back the green and gold suit this youth has on, for which he shall receive back his own blue suit which he said was laced with silver, but came not so to me." Looking whence the voice sounded, I per- ceive a little lean tailor holding a blue cloth suit, from which all the silver lace had been stripped. At the same instant I caught sight of Master Faithful, and received from him a look of intelli- gence. He seemed to be trying to hide himself from the view of Sir Michael Livesey, and put his fingers to his lips as a sign to me to say nothing about his blue suit which I would have been obliged to be silent about, seeing that Wild did inform the tailor that this was not the time to examine any new charge against Cornelius. "Brother Steele," said Wild, "I have heard with pleasure your excellent speech. But these worthy persons on the bench are of opinion, I am sure, with me that this case need not have been brought before this tribunal. Sir Michael Livesey 272 FOR KING AND KENT. assures me that this youth hath taken the cove- nant_, and is well affected towards the State. I will therefore take upon myself to censure and discharge him." About this time my sister, pushing her way into court, recognised Cornelius, and perceiving how matters really stood, cried out— " My ]ord_, I charge this Cornelius Evans with cozening me in the matter of a ring." " Silence ! " cries the usher. "My lord," cries Cornelius, with exceeding great effrontery, '' I pray your protection against this woman, who prateth of rings, for, indeed, I cannot marry her if her husband be hanged." At this many laughed. Captain Burley, I think, not hearing well, understood not the matter; but I, having been hurriedly informed by my sister — pressing up to Cornelius — in a loud whisper de- manded the ring. But I was shoved aside, while silence was again commanded, and the clerk ordered to read the next indictment. " Captain Burley," cries the clerk, " hold up thy hand." And the charge is read how, that " Captain Burley — formerly captain in the King's fleet, and latterly a delinquent — caused a drum to be beat for Grod and King Charles, thereby causing a mutiny at Newport, contrary to divers ordinances of J Parliament." Gradually did misgivings of the intentions of THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 273 that bench rise in my mind ; and a rumonr came into court that more and more soldiers did con- tinue to arrive in Winton to keep down some apprehended rising of the people ; nor did the countenances of Steele and Wild inspire me with good impressions ; the face of the one showing keen and cold as his name, being besides hideously blasted with gunpowder ; and that of the other, bristling round with half-crop23ed hair, did re- semble a serpent's head staring through a quick- set hedge.* I feared that notwithstanding their bland words to me, they might prove cruel persecutors ; and so it indeed turned out. Up rose Steele as soon as the charge was read, and with all possible severity did press the 25th Edward III. against Captain Burley, telling the jury they must find him guilty of high treason, inasmuch as he would be able to prove that he had levied war against the King (!). He soon disposed of any objections of that suborned jury, by telling tliem that the King was included in " the Parlia- ment." A verdict of guilty was brought in. It is worthy of notice that Wild induced the jury to stifle their consciences, by telling them that ^'Captain Burley being a man of no fortune was therefore * See Meres. Elenticus, February 3rd, 1647. Wild and Steele are described in terms nearly identical. Mercs. Aulicus about^ flume date calls Steele " that sharpest lawyer." VOL. I. T 274 FOR KING AND KENT. fitter to be made an example of; also reminding them that it was not tlie letter of the statute, but the spirit thereof that did condemn the pri- soner.-""^ And now having got the verdict he wanted, ^he crnel judge, who had slept out part of the trial in his furred gown, now passed on without a moment's pause to the sentence. "Captain John Burley," says he, "you have been found guilty of high treason " — " Sir," says Captain Burley, who, I think, would not give him the title of lord, because his com- mission was illegal, being under the counterfeit high seal, ' ' before I am condemned, I pray you hear my defence." '' It is now too late," says Wild, who a little before had said it was too soon. " The jury, you see, are gone, and it is now time for sentence. I repeat, you have been found guilty of high treason. The law must take its course. You would have raised a bloody mutiny against the godly Parlia- ment ; but Heaven hath shown itself against you, and foiled your most divelish, murderous, and wicked attempt. I counsel you to repent of your crime, and confer with such pious ministers as may be sent to you, to the intent that you may find mercy elsewhere — for here you shall have none. " The sentence of the Court is, that you be * See Tr7ie and Brief Relation of Arraignment, 8fc., of Captain John Burley, 1647. THE TEIATi OF CAPTAIN BURLEY. 275 carried back whence you came, and thence on Monday * next to the place of executionj and there be hanged by neck. And while you are yet alive you shall be cut down, and your inward parts tal^en out and burned in the fire before your eyes ; after which your body shall be divided into pieces and set upon poles about the town." On hearing this cruel and incredible sentence— which was as barbarously unjust as it was unex- pected — my poor sister giving a loud shriek, fell senseless into the arms of Master Faithful ; while Wild, Steele, and all on the bench except Rains- borough, hastily rose from their cushions, and went out of the Court by a back way. Captain Burley making another vain attempt to be heard, was removed. The spectators, for the most part, too timid to speak, showed their emotions by blanched cheeks and open mouths. As for me, I was beside myself with rage and astonishment, and would most likely have made some strange exhibition of myself had I not felt my hand sud- denly grasped in a friendly, sympathetic manner, while a voice whispered : — " Calm thyself, Rupert, they will never dare to hang thy brother-in-law." And immediately beheld the face of Ned Hales, •* This sentence vra, pronounced on Saturday The jury which had been packed for this occasion, showed their sympathy with the anti-Royalists by making a complimentary address to the Parliament apropos of "No more addresses." 276 FOE KING AND KENT. who having been informed by me that Captain Burley was to be tried at Winton, had come all the way from Kent, but had only arrived in time to hear him sentenced. He had just a moment to put a heavy purse of gold into my hand, and to tell me that he would ride post-haste to London and get his grandfather. Sir Edward Hales, to intercede for Captain Burley, when the rough voice of Eainsborough reminded me of my thraldom. A' parting look from Hales, while it warned me to be prudent, seemed to repeat his first consola- tions, and to say, '' Rupert, they dare not hang thy brother-in-law/'* * The Eoyalist pamphleteers do not spare Judge Wild. " Take notice," says one " That this is the hkll-hound that the jurats at Westminster made their chief agent on all occasions to prosecute to death all such loyal subjects as either worshipped God in His true religion, or gave honour to their Prince." — Segt. Wild his •passe , 22nd May, 1648.—" Truly, Segt. Wild, that blood- sucker, who hath been muzzled, in law like a bear," says another, " and led by the ring of his spectacles from office to office to find out the worm-eaten records of death against that jewel of the Crown the Earl of Strafford, observed the instructions he re- cseived from Lenthall very punctually." — Mercs. Elenticus, 26th Jan., 1647 (re Burley). CHAPTER XX. THE MERCY OF THE GKANDEES. Ere I proceed to discourse upon the text heading this chapter, I must tell you a story of Cornelius Evans, which I forgot to include in my last chapter. Ere we left the Court I told Ned Hales how Cornelius had cozened my sister of a ring. Whereupon he advises me to command restitution ; so we approach Cornelius. ^' Sirrah, give me instantly my sister's ring ! '' said I, in a low voice, on one side. " You had best do as you are desired," said Ned Hales, on the other. " Gentlemen, to be frank with you,'' says Cor- nelius, " moved by pity for Captain Burley, 1 de- spatched the token you speak of to Fairfax Crom- well and Ireton, who undertake nothing without consulting me." '' The ring, sirrah ! " said T. "What! is it so?" says Cornelius. "Truly I •did expect this return for my kindness, and in view thereof have provided one in all respects the same. There ! " says he, handing to my sister •the identical ring he had taken from her, " but 278 rOR KING AND KENT. know that Cornelius Evans now leaves thy brother- in-law to his fate ! '^ So much for this lamentable liar, and now to the text, "The Mercy (!) of the Grandees." The boatswain and some twenty of the crew of the "Constant Reformation" were sent to be a guard — of what, think you? but the gallows — which in the gloom of a foggy morning, suddenly appearing before my eyes, seemed a harbinger of cruel surprises to come. It stood in the open space in front of the prison at Winton. There I had a sad meeting with my sister, who was wait- ing outside the place where my brother Burley was so barbarously imprisoned. I found her pale and dejected, and in much trouble for the issue of affairs. She could get no tidings of the intentions of the grandees towards her husband, and was denied admission to his cell, under the pretext that he meditated by some means to escape, which it was proved was not his intention,"^ for, as I lately discovered, he had given himself up for lost, and studied nothing but preparation for his pas- * " When he desires by fervent prayer and unfeigned repentance to make his peace with God the rabble of soldiers that were his needless guard .... endeavoured by curses and yel- lings to disturb him at his devotions. . . . This not taking effect, they betake themselves to a lie, accusing him for an attempt of breaking the prison, either to fasten a scandal on him after death, or to procure severer usage that short time he had to live here j, but of this he cleared himself in public before the whole congre- gation at his examination.'^ — A True and Brief Relation oj the Arraignment, Irialyand Condemnation of Captain John Burley 1647-8. THE MERCY OF THE GRANDEES. 279 sage out of this world. Nor was the spectacle I then saw calculated in any wise to reassure us, for the gibbet was duly furnished with a rope, and a fire of wood laid ready, with a knife and cleaver beside it, suggested a horrifying reward for loyalty which had nothing of self-seeking in it. " Sister," said I, as she wrung her hands and made sad moan, " console thyself, they dare not do so foul an act as to put him to death. The dreadful array of dismal tools is but to be used for to scare other honest men from imitating his noble example. Should they ever go so far as to place the rope about Ms neck, I doubt not but he shall receive a reprieve at the eleventh hour." For a close I placed in h.er hand a letter I had received from Ned Hales, in which he spoke of the interview he had had with Sir Thomas Fairfax, who seemed inclined unto clemency, and of his hopes to be shortly " the bearer of a full and free pardon for Captain Burley.'' This seemed in some sort to inspire my sister with the same hopes I had myself ; and I counselled her to return to her lodging, and endeavour to take that rest which she was sorely in need of, for she had been watching day a,nd night at the door of the prison in the hope of gaining admittance. After making an attempt in her favour, which did end like her own in failure, she consented , and when I had led her to her lodging, which was hard by, and seen her nearly exhausted frame extended 280 FOR KING AND KENT. upon a couch, I went forth again to the place in front of the prison, and there consulting with the boatswain, it was agreed that as the Admiral was not stirring, I should avail myself of the oppor- tunity to go towards the entrance of the city to await the arrival of Ned Hales, who I was confi- dent would presently appear. "Should Rainsborough come forth," says the boatswain, "I will make an excuse for you, and at the same time give you notice/' Here a bell beginning to toll, we look at one another. "Can it be,'' says he, "for — for?" — and hesi- tating to pronounce the word, is silent. " It wanteth yet an hour of the time," said I, counting the fortnight of reprieve. " Hark ye, mate," says the boatswain, " if Istly they touch a hair of Burley's head, and, 2ndly, if they release not the King from prison " (here he puts his pipe in his pocket, and holds his cap at arm's length), " why, d — me, I shall at last know what ' I'or King and Parliament ' means — aye, mate, and how best the one or the other may be served." After this I departed. I have ever, I think, disliked the tolling of bells ; for many years I have detested the same. Their dull and solemn sound, and their merry peals, alike remind me of sad and dismal passages of my life. I would that His Majesty would melt them. THE MERCr OF THE GRANDEES. 281 •all into useful ordnance for the country's defence, that I might no more be disturbed with their doleful clamour. I knew the good boatswain would intimate to me if any further sign of putting the horrid sen- tence into execution should appear ; but as I stood waiting on the London road that moaning sound did fill me with increasing fears. I had many dis- appointments — more than one horseman came spurring on, and among them I recognised faces of the Committee-men of Hants, who had been at the trial a fortnight before. At length I perceive one who rides faster than the rest. Him I accost, filled with a presentiment. He draws bridle. I had guessed rightly. He was the bearer of letters from Ned Hales, who still pressing the suit, and unable to come himself, had despatched a messenger with a letter from himself to me and one to Judge Wild from the Derby House. The contents of the latter were explained in the former. The grandees would not further interfere, but left all to Wild's decision. Directing the messenger to Wild's lodging, I followed as fast as my legs would carry me to my sister. She at once de- termined to seek an interview with Wild. I go to procure one for her. The tramp of footsteps is sounding, and I perceive swords, bills, and parti- .zans on all sides^ guards of horse and foot muster- ing about the place in front of the prison. The ^uard of seamen is there, and makes signs to me. 282 FOR KING AND KENT. Wild and Steele, not in their robes, are beside Rainsborough, and I manage to join the boatswain unobserved, l^ed Hales his messenger had just handed the letter to Wild and Steele, and they seemed to be considering of it. Ellis the preacher was with them. I did not know then what passed between them, but I afterwards discovered that Wild was telling Ellis to induce Captain Burley by hints of the possibility of pardon, to acknow- ledge the justice of the sentence. Ellis disap- pears towards the prison, and the soldiers having formed a hollow square round the gibbet, all is silent for a space. I began to shake all over with agitation, for I recognise the horrible face of Gregory Brandon,"^ who had just arrived from London. Divesting himself of his cloak, which was mud-bespattered as were his boots ; he settled the ladder, looked to the flint and steel ready to light the fire, and felt the edge of his cleaver and knife. Sick with fear and agitation, but still hoping that all was but a horrible antemasque to the pageant of a pardon, I was attempting to ap- proach Wild to crave an interview for my sister, when I perceived the sheriff making way for her through the press of the soldiers, and conducting her with some politeness to Wild's presence. Down she goes on her knees. ''My lord judge," cries she, with a face of * The father of the man who beheaded Charles I.— See Ellis* &■ Letters. THE MERCY OF THE GEANDEES. 283 ashy paleness, holding forth with the same hand that encircled her child the letter of Ned Hales, "I have here intelligence that the Council of State have referred all to your lordsliip^s clemency. On my knees I implore your favour and his life. " To my grief and amazement Wild turns to the Sheriff and says : — *^^ Master Sheriff, why do you allow Mistress Burley to trouble me thus for nought ? " " My lord/' cries my sister, " let him live, though a dungeon be his fixed abode." *'The law," replied Wild, " must take its course." ^'Is this the only answer I am to receive ? " says my sister, looking fixedly at the judge, but speak- ing more quietly than might have been expected, but there is a fictitious calm where fear and anxiety change to anger. "What other could you expect?" says Wild, " know you what the crime of high treason is ? " Oil this my sister rises from her knees. " Yes, judge," cries she, " if he is guilty so am I. I did applaud and encourage his act, and so I do now." ^* What, ho! guards, remove this foolish woman ! " cries Wild. " I am ready to go where you please," says my sister, "but receive first my parting words. To Heaven I appeal against an unjust sentence, thou corrupt judge, sitting by virtue of an illegal com- mission under a counterfeit broad seal. And may '284 FOR KING AND KENT. Heaven grant thee at thy need such mercy as now thou dost shew." At this moment a sound of dismal voices, chant- ing one of their barbarous conventicle psalm tunes, is heardj and with soldiers following, and a bevy of ministers preceding, a hurdle whereon is brave Captain Burley, is slowly dragged along. A rude coffin is the last object of the doleful pageant. My sister, catching sight of her husband, broke away from the guards, and ran towards him desperately. Eolfe, seeing what appeared to be a sudden movement among the seamen with me, threatened to shoot me if any disorder occurs. Burley embraced his wife, and kissed his child. I was too far distant to hear their converse ; but, while he was calm, her grief was agonizing. By violence she is detained, while the dismal pro- cession approaches the gibbet. The guard of seamen and myself are moved closer to the same. Eolfe, fearing us, puts a double line of Parliament soldiers in front of us. " You have but five minutes to live," says Ellis, in a low tone ; " you had best confess your crime." " I am so light at heart," says Burley, " as if I were going to a feast.* Assuage thy tears, dear wife," says he to my sister, who, disputing with * Many of these expressions are recorded in True and Brief .Relation, before quoted, which says, " he took leave of his dear •wife and child in the street." THE MERCY OF THE GRANDEES. 285 the cruel guards, forces her way up to her husband. '^Be comforted," says Barley, 'Hhis is but an idle pageant." " My noble husband ! my brave ! my martyred husband ! " cries my sister. " Oh, husband dear, our loves — our lives are one — death shall not part us. I will suffer with thee ! ^' For now she was wild with grief. '*■ Bear her away, and to the ladder with him,'' cries Eainsborough. But now I, becoming as desperate as my sister, stand forward. "What mean you, sirrah?" cries the Admiral, while the soldiers seize my poor sister, and bear her away, while she cries — " Let me die with him ! Let me die with him ! With my husband ! With my husband ! " " I desire to accompany my sister," cried I, scarce knowing what I said. " You shall presently accompany your brother- in-law on his long journey," says Rainsborough. " Stand back ! " Clenching my hands, I now began to take my resolutions. '^Once more/' says Ellis to Captain Burley, " it is my office to tell you that if you confess not your treason, the punishment which awaits you is but a sharp prelude to one far worse, which shall have neither end nor diminution. Therefore, own yourself a traitor." 286 FOR KING AND KENT. " I am no traitor/' says Burley, '^ whatever else I may be/' "You go to your death with a lie in your mouth/' says Ellis, " you know what a fair trial you have had, and how legally you have been condemned." " By judge and jury was I condemned," replies Captain Burley, " and from the pulpit also, yet am I no traitor." " Think upon your bloody act," returns the minister, "in seeking to take away the King by violence.""^ *^ Sir,'' says my brother-in-law, " I do not fear to die ; let me depart in peace." Then, turning to Rainsborough, he says — " May I speak to the people ? " All their unscrupulous villainy was now revealed to me. I heard Ellis whisper — " Let him ; his cheek blanches, he may perchance confess." * " Captain Burley, being on the ladder, and ready to die, was moved by a minister and others to be humbled, that the Lord might have mercy on him, and confess his sins to God, particularly the treason (!) for which he was to die. He said he was asinnei-, but no traitor. It was told him what a fair trial he had had, and how legally he was condemned, he answered, that it was true the gentlemen condemned him on the bench, the minister in the pulpit, and the gentlemen of the county in their verdict ; but yet he was no traitor. He was told how bloody an act he had agitated in seeking to take away the King through blood. He answered, he was happy to die, and prayed that his blood might be the last. The foulness of the act was declared to him, but he continued obdurate." See Captain Burley, his Speech (Parlia- mentarian account), February 7th, 1647-8. THE MERCY OF THE GRANDEES. 287 I looked at the boatswain, he was plainly revolving his duty. I perceived which side he would take. " Five minutes are allowed for further con- fession/^ says Rainsborough, and makes signs to Gregory to prepare for his job. Thereupon Burley, now upon the ladder, turns to look over the heads of the soldiers upon the crowd. " Good people all/' says he, ^^ you see here a sailor about to embark on his last voyage. As I leave the shore I bid farewell to both friends and foes. The first have my love, the last my forgive- ness. I thank God I can mount this ladder with as little fear as ever I had in climbing to the fore top of one of His Majesty's ships. Yon cleaver which is to divide my body affrights me but little. I can look upon the fire which is to consume my vitals. As for yon coffin,^ I see in it the little pinnace which is to float me to a haven where storm and tempest can no more assail." With this preface he asks for certain chapters of the Holy Scriptures to be read to him, and prays a prayer of his own composing, wherein, it is * " Although beholding the faggots that should burn his bowels — the cleaver that should divide his body — the cofiBn that should be his closet in the dust — the hangman of London, whose very looks would disturb an indifferent courage — he stands with memorable constancy and undauntedness. He desires to have read Isaiah xii., next Romans viii. . . . lastly, Psalm Ixix. ; and pours out a hasty prayer for himself, and a charitable prayer for his accusers." — True and BrieJ Relation, &c. 288 FOR KING AND KENT. to be noted that, he prayed for his enemies ; notwithstanding-, those enemies will persecute him to the last. " Confess thy damning treason ! '' says Ellis, when the prayer was finished. ^' Sir," said Burley, " m}^ thoughts have already passed the bar of the haven where I would be. Recall them not, but rather breathe a charitable prayer to waft my spirit after them." " Thou walkest dry-shod to hell," cries Ellis ; '' confess thy crime ! " "Five steps to joys eternal, I do hope, this ladder lends to me," says Burley. '^ Sir, I do take my leave of you, of these good people, and of all the world. I hope my blood will be the last shed in this manner. Whatever sins I have committed, I have, at least, endeavoured to be true to the ship of state, and faithful to its captain. As my parting legacy," says he, raising his voice, " Heave to you all this counsel." " Ha ! malignant ! " cries Eainsborough, inter- rupting, guessing what he was about to say. " Beat drums, drown his voice ! Hangman, dis- patch ! " Then rolled the drums.* But, above them, Burley was heard finishing the speech he intended, * A similar interruption was made by the Royalists to the last dying speech of Sir Harry Vane, the younger, on Tower Hill, 1662. Pepys says, " Trumpets were brought under the scaffold, that he misht not be heard." THE MERCY OF THE GRANDEES. 289 calling out in a voice both loud and clear — ^' Fear God, and honoue the King ! "^ I think I see him now, as he stood, with, as it were, a strange light upon his face, already victorious over death and obloquy. The remorse- less Gregory, his executioner, as if struck by his aspect, paused in the act of placing the cruel rope about his neck. That the crowd were moved to wonder and admiration is certain ; but there were others there whose feelings were wrought to frenzy, for it was now clear that the barbarous murder of my poor brother-in-law was fully resolved upon, and that nothing but a very bold and desperate effort could save him. Of that number I was one. Our cutlasses were drawn ; I flourished mine, calling out, " Burley to the rescue ! " and was immediately seconded by the boatswain Mitchell, who wrenches Rolfe's sword from him, and fells a Parliament soldier, crying — *' Down with the Parliament rogues ! " The other seamen followed our example, and the people without, setting up a great shout, a rush was made at the gibbet, which was at first successful, for we caught Burley off the ladder and bore him away on our shoulders. But, alas ! the * " So many steps nearer death, as he ascends ronnds of the ladder, he turns aboat and left this precept as his will and testament — proclaimed with the height of courage — Fear Qod, and honour the King ! " See True and Brief Relation, &c. VOL. I. W 290 FOE KING AND KENT. throng of troops was so great that to get him clear off at once was impossible. We fought with fury, but what could we do ? The horse rode down the people"^ round about, bills and partizans swooped upon us within. We parried their blows, and laid on with desperation. " Stand to it my lads/' cries the boatswain, *^ and we'll force a free passage for Burley ! ^' I saw Rainsborough retreating before us with a flushed face, wherein fear and anger contended. " Kill that Lendall ! " says he^ " he is the ring- leader." "Take him alive !" cry some of the Hants Com- mittee from the window of the Castle, doubtless set on by the mock judge Wild, who had there secured himself a short time previously ; " take him alive ; we will make an example of him." The fanatic, Miriam May, now suddenly appears before me, and, with an intention of making an end of me, deals a sweeping blow at my head, which by ducking I avoid, and return with a thrust. " One hundred pounds to the man that takes Lendall alive ! " cry the Committee again. In the whirl and eddy of the commotion, I got separated from my comrades and from Burley; * There seems to have been a scene something like this at the execution of the Earl of Derby ; while the Earl was making his dying speech (at Bolton) the soldiers, " being either snrprised with fear, or else falling into a mutiny, rode up and dowai the streets, cutting and slatihing all they met." EnglantVs Black Tribunal. Loudon, 1744, p. 147. THE MERCY OF THE GRANDEES. 291 and receiving a sharp and stunning blow about my forehead — I think from Eolfe — I was dragged into the Castle, where I sufficiently recovered myself to know that my feet and hands were bound with match, and to observe that Steel was calling out to bar the doors, saying that their '' lives were not worth a minute's purchase." '^ Peace!" cries Wild; ^'the danger is past. Burley hangs —you may see from the crenell, if you like." A deep groan from without did confirm this speech_, while that mock judge added — " So perish all Cavaliers and enemies of the good old cause ! " '* My lord," said Rolfe, wliom I now perceived standing beside me, " here is the ringleader, and I claim the reward." ^^Good!" said Wild; "into the cell with the traitor ! " " Traitor thyself ! " said I furiously. *' I desire to suffer instantly with my murdered brother-in- law.^^ " You shall," returns he, '^ wben you have been condemned by the law." " The law ! the law ! " echoed I with a wild and frantic laugh. But I was hurried away to a cell on the floor of which 1 fell, being rudely thrust therein. I believe I swooned again. When I recovered, a strange murmur from without caused me to desire to look 292 FOE KING AND KENT. through the cross -shaped crenell which admitted all that I had of daylight. Rolling myself towards it, I at length accom- plished my wish. The noise was another groan of deep compassion. Ah, horror ! my poor brother- in-law was on the ground, having been according to sentence cut down while yet alive. I saw his noble friendly face blackened from his live minutes' suspension in the air — his poor eyes protruding and yet dreamily conscious of the sight before them. Oh the butcher work ! — the knife 1 — the fire ! — the cleaver ! I sicken at the remembrance. If there be an abyss in hell boiling and surging seven times deeper than the rest (as there be heavens seven times higher), I hold that the cruel murderers of my brother-in-law deserve no less a punishment than to be thrust therein. Though Burley forgave them, I do not, nor never will. Nor can I see how even infinite mercy can wash away the scarlet sin of a judge who, sitting in a usurped seat perverteth j udgment and recompenseth truth, honour, and loyalty, with cruelty* and death. * Bnrley's widow and children were denied all benefit from her husband's estate. Wild also refused to deliver up his body to her, saying " It would be doing her a discourtesy ; for if his body was sulfered to hang " {i.e., on poles about the town) " the Cavaliers would say : ' There hangs honest Captain Burley that was true to the King. ' " " The honest man," says Clarendon, " was hanged, drawn, and quartered with all the circumstances of barbarity and cruelty which struck a w^onderful terror into all men ; this being the first precedent of their having brought any one to a formal legal trial by the law to deprive him of his life, and make him guilty of THE MERCY OP THE GRANDEES. 293 high treason for adhering to the King. And it made a deeper impression upon the hearts of all men than all the cruelties they had yet exercised by their courts of war — which, though they took away the lives of innocent men, left their estates to their wives and children. But when they saw how thej^ might be condemned of high treason before a sworn judge of the law for serving the King, by which their estates should be likewise con- fiscated, they thought they should be justified if they kept their hearts entire Avithout being involved in a capital transgression." — See Clar. Hist., Book X. " Captain Burley dying a loyal martyr for his king and country," says Heath (Chron., p. 163), "is worthily inscribed in that roll ; though the stupid and incompassionate of their Prince's miseries accounted him rash and inconsiderate." Kushworth and Whitelock — probably ashamed of a business which reflects indelible disgrace on their party — omit all mention of Barley's execution. CHAPTER XXI. HOW I WAS HELPED TO ESCAPE. The horrible spectacle I mentioned was seen tlirougli a medium which agreed well with it. The air, the scene, the victim, his destroyers, the spectators — all appeared wrapped in a bloody mist. I understood it not, but it was after explained — when I found that a wound on the fore part of my head did rain blood down my face obscuring my sight. How long a time elapsed I know not before bolts and bars being withdrawn one by one — the door turning harshly upon its hinges, ad- mitted, as I supposed, the messenger of death. Setting my teeth, I said — " Murderers ! I am ready for you. Take me to execution at once." Though^ indeed_, I was in no fitting frame of mind to go to my last account. '' I return anon," said a voice ; and the door jarred again to a close. " Cockatrices and devils ! " cried I, filled with rage at being mocked, as I supposed ; and would have continued my imprecations had I not become aware that some one knelt beside me. '' It is Faithful/' whispered an agitated voice in HOW I WAS HELPED TO ESCAPE. 295 mine ear. '^ I am come to save thee. Make haste for the love of heaven ! Take this cloak and hat and go forth. ^' " How didst thou enter ? '' said I. *' By a golden key which fits every lock, and will let thee out as it let me in," says Faithful ; " but, indeed, the servants of these tyrants are not as cruel as their masters. Lo ! thou art bound ! — let me free thee." And with a knife Master Faithful prepared to cut the match which tied my hands. ^'Nay," said I doggedly, pulling my wrists away, " I will follow Burley — I care not to survive him." "■ And how will that advantage thy sister, thy friends, or thyself ? ]^o — live, live, dear Rupert ! — live to revenge the death of thy brother-in-law. Here is gold; thou knowest the town. The London road is easy to find. I shall be heard of at Queen Street at Master G-ray's — through — through — his daughter. Fear not for me, nor for thy sister — I will protect her." This generous proposal moved me. " Ay, but Faithful, what will become of thyself, dear friend ? " said I. '' The cniel villains will take vengeance on thee for being privy to my escape." " Fear nothing on that score," says Faithful. *^ Know that — that — Margaret Gray is at hand." " Margaret ? " 296 FOR KING AND KENT. '^ Yes. Who will intercede witli her father — for me ; her father is also a friend of the grandees, and favoured especially by Sir Thomas Fairfax. I swear to thee before Heaven that I run no risk. The price, dear Rupert^ is set upon thy head^ and not on mine." ^^ I fear you deceive yourself, dear friend,^^ said I. But the more I hesitated^ the more urgent was Faithful. He vowed he would not stir from that cell, and so both would be sacrificed. Life is dear, and the desire to become a martyr is seldom strong except in half-crazy persons. At length I yielded, embraced Faithful affectionately, received the knife from his hands and freed my legs, slouched his hat over my eyes, put on the long cloak of broadcloth he had brought, and swung the right folds thereof over my left shoulder to conceal my face. I had scarcely done so when the door opened. Protected by the turnkey, or whoever he might be, I passed by a side postern into the streets, and mingling with the crowd which was dispersing from the place of execution, escaped notice. Yet was the attempt fraught with peril ; for there was a hue and cry after Mitchell, the boat- swain, and his fellows, who, favoured by sympathis- ing people of Winton, had escaped. And the soldiers, led on by Eolfe, ever active in persecuting the King^s friends as he was in doing the like to the King himself, were kept to it by the mad HOW I WAS HELPED TO ESCAPE. 297 Lieutenant Miriam May. The two officers passed close by my elbow, distributing their men on either side of the street as they went along to ferret in the houses — May looking not unlike a furious bloodhound which scents a prey. It was notice- able, however, how bold was the attitude of many . poor women, who from doors and windows railed against soldiers. Committee, Parliament, Derby House, and all. That they did manage to conceal the boatswain and his mates was proved sometime afterwards. Favoured like them, I got through the garden in rear of an house, made a wide circuit of the town, and crossing the river Itchen wandered in lanes and bye ways — faint and fevered by my wound, and, I think, half maddened by the events of that morning. For at times I found myself shouting vengeance against Wild, the grandees of Parliament and army, and then awaking from my trance was put in fear for myself that I should be seized. But I believe I was treated with kindness by divers poor people. I have some remembrance of lying on a bed in a fainting state, and of being bathed about the face with Wdrm milk and water, of invitations to remain, and of attempts to feed me which I declined, being too sick ; also, of my persistence in determining to go to London — for justice. The people generally at that time were full of fear and anxieties for the King, which the vote of VOL. I. X 298 FOR KING AND KENT. ^^ 1^0 more addresses '^ and their raking up the old and lying charges of having assisted to murder his father and instigated the Irish massacre, &c., were well calculated to inspire. I think it very probable that my confused narrative may have caused some of the people I met to imagine that some attempt against the King's life had actually taken place, and that I had been witness thereto. I am sure, however, that I was treated by all I met with great kindness and sympathy. The last I remember of this journey to London, and I believe all I ever shall, is of walking about dusk on a broad highway white with snow, though none was falling ; stumbling about in the ruts, my hands and feet numb with cold, but the rest of my body burning— when I perceive some distance behind a horseman or two and a coach followins:. So I retire through a space in the hedge into a wood, and after traversing it a while perceive that if I am pursued my pains are for nothing, for here and there drops of blood, besides my footmarks on the snow, shew where I am to be followed. Wherefore I do fly? I scarce understand, but feeling faint sit down with my back to, I think, a fir tree, and know that I can go no further. One comes towards me helping himself along with a stick. Anon he stands before me. " What hast thou to say for thyself, sirrah, that I should not deliver thee back to justice ? Truly, it was a noble and valiant act to vacate HOW I WAS HELPED TO ESCAPE. 299 a prison cell, and leave in thy place the poor girl thou hast cruelly and wickedly seduced from her home to the mercy of such as should find her there. Come, sirrah, answer me ! " I saw that it was no other than old Gray — Margaret's father, my former master — who spoke. I remembered Faithful saying that Margaret was at Winton. She had then released Faithful, as Faithful hinted she would. " Give me an answer, I say,'' says Gray ; " or I will beat it out of you with my stick.'' But I could give none ; for while I looked a shade seemed to come down over my eyes. He faded away, and so did the wood and the snow, into a red darkness. I swooned away ; and if I recovered consciousness shortly after, I remember it not. END OF VOL. I. Printed by Remington & Co., 134, New Bond Street.