Note 35 — INTRODUCTION.

Some things appear in the Commission Records strangely illustrating the state of society. Sir Richard Strode and Sir John Strode, near kinsmen, quarrelled about the possession of an aisle in the parish church of Cattistock. Sir Richard came with his lady on Easter-day to receive the sacrament armed with a pistol charged with powder and small shot, and directed his servant to carry a sword. He was also accused of entertaining a degraded minister, who "pronounced prayers extempore, and expounded a passage of scripture. On behalf of Sir Richard, it was proved that he carried the pistol secretly, and that no disturbance ensued."—Cal., 1634-5, p. 121.

Since writing this Introduction I have been permitted to peruse the Rawlinson MS., A., 128, which affords many new illustrations of the proceedings of the High Commission and of the Star Chamber also. I shall have occasion hereafter to notice some parts of this MS. The whole will be published by the Camden Society.