Note 26 — EXCURSION I.

Carew states, that “during the Cornish Commotions, divers Gentlemen with their Wives and Families fled to the protection of this place, where the Rebels besieged them, fyrst wynning the playne at the hill’s foote by assault, when the water was out, and then the even ground on the top, by carrying up great trusses of Hay before them to blench the defender’s sight, and dead their shot, after which they could make but slender resistance, for no sooner should any one within peep his head over those unflanked walls, but he became an open mark to an whole shower of arrows. This disadvantage together with Woman’s dismay, and decrease of Victuals forced a Surrender to these Rakehells mercey, who nothing guilty of that effeminate Vertue, spoyl’d their goods, imprison’d their bodies, and were rather by God’s gracious providence, than any want of will, purpose or attempt, restained from murdering the principal persons.”—Lady Catherine Gordon, wife of the noted Perkin Warbeck, the impostor and pretender to the crown, was taken prisoner at St. Michael’s Mount, and when it surrendered in 1646, to the Parliamentary Forces under Colonel Hammond, after great resistance, a considerable quantity of ammunition and stores were taken.