Miscellaneous Notes. (continued 2)
Reading edition
The owners of these estates were allowed to pay a composition for the restoration of their property. A list of the compounders and the sum paid by each was printed in 1655 by Richard Dring. The following is a copy of the title page of this work:
"A Catalogue of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, that have compounded for their estates. London: Printed for Thomas Dring, at the signe of the George in Fleet-street, neare Clifford's Inn. 1655."
[Extract so far as relates to Worcestershire.]
£. s. d.
Acton, George, Stilden, Worcest., Esq. 0120 00 00
Ablely, John, of Worcester, Yeoman 0010 16 00
Berkley, Sir Rowland, of Cotheridg, Com. Worcester 2030 00 00
Bromley, Henry, Holt Castle, Worc., Esq. 4000 00 00
Bushell, Anthony, Cleeve Prior, Worc. 0005 00 00
Barkley, Thomas, of Worc., Gent. 0423 13 04
Broad, Edm., of Stone, Worc., Gent. 0115 00 00
Bache, Tho., of Worc. Citty, Gent. 0002 10 00
Bayly, Thomas, of Evesham, Worc. 0003 06 08
Clare, Sir Ralph, Cawdwell, Worc. 0298 00 00
Churge, Burbage, of Worc., Gent. 0008 06 08
Child, Will., of Shrawley, Worc., Esq. 1844 18 08
Cupper, Henry, Woodcock, Worc., Gent. 0101 15 00
Davis, Edward, Droitwich, Worc., Gent. 0190 00 00
Day, Philip, of Witchfield, Worc., Gent. 0015 00 00
Defell, Thos., Senior, Sturbridg, Worc. 0060 00 00
Evet, John, of Woodhall, Worc., Gent. 0225 00 00
Evans, William, of Worcester, Gent. 0359 00 00
Freeman, John, of Buckley, Worc., Gent. 0380 00 00
Fortescue, John, Cookhill, Esq. 0234 15 5
Hacket, Henry, Grymley, Worc., Gent. 0300 00 00
Herbert, Sir Hen., of Ribsford, Worc., Knt. 1330 00 00
Ingram, Henry, of St. Jones, Worc. 0021 00 00
Lawrance, Giles, Bengworth, Worc. 0016 13 04
Littleton, Sir Edward, p. Fisher Littleton, and Francis Nevell, Esq. 1347 06 08
Midlemore, Robert, Mosley, Worcester, Gent. 0400 00 00
Mucklow, Thomas, Arley, Worcester, Gent. 0045 00 00
Midlemore, George, of King's Norton, Com. Worcester, Esq. 0167 14 08
Mucklow, William, of Arley, Worcester, Gent. 0360 00 00
Moore, Francis, Seavern Stock, Worcester, Gent. 0121 00 00
Not, Sir Thomas, of Obden, Com. Worcester, Knight 0354 07 00
Norwood, Henry, Bishampton, Worcester 0015 00 00
Nanfan, Bridges, of Worcester, Gent. 0080 00 00
Packington, Sir John, of Alisbury, Buckingham, Baronet, with £190 per annum, as settled 5000 00 00
Pennel, Edward, Lineridge, Worcester, Gent. 0060 00 00
Pitts, Scudamore, St. John's, Worcester 0018 00 00
Russel, Sir William, of Strentham, Worcester, Baronet, with £50 per annum setled for £10 1800 00 00
Shelden, William, of Bromsgrave, Worcester 0096 00 00
Shrimpton, Iohn, Norton, Worcester 0000 12 00
Sandis, Martin, Ombersly, Worcester, Gent. 0041 03 04
Stratford, Anthony, Bushly, Worcester, Gent. 0040 00 00
Shrimpton, Thomas, of Kingsham, Worc. 0000 16 00
Sands, Sir Martin, of St. Michael in Bedwardine, Worcester, with £50 per annum setled 0210 00 00
Seabright, Sir Edward, Besford, Worcester 1809 00 00
Talbot, Sherrington, Salwarp, Worcester 2011 00 00
Tyat, Daniel, of Worcester, Apothecary 0270 00 00
Tomkins, Nathaniel, Elmridge, Worcester 0208 16 08
Twitty, Thomas, of Claines, Worcester, Gent. 0002 10 00
Tyrer, John, of Ludley, Worcester, Gent. 0650 00 00
Twynning, John, of Fladbury, Worcester, Yeoman 0019 10 08
Vernon, Edward, of Hanbury, Worcester, Gent. 0400 00 00
Wilde, Robert, of Worc., Gent. 0576 00 00
Washburn, John, Wickenford, Worc., Gent. 0797 10 00
Winford, Sir John, of Astly, Worcst., Knight 0703 13 00
Wainwright, Robert, of Hol, Worcester 0001 00 00
Washington, Henry, of Worcester, Gent. 0015 00 00
Wainwright, Francis, Holt, Worcest., Yeoman 0012 00 00
To this payment Worcestershire does not appear to have been very heavily charged, as the entire list contains upwards of 3500 names, extending over the whole of England and Wales. The largest payment was that made by Baptist Noel Lord Cambden, which amounted to £9000, "with £150 per annum settled," which in the case of Sir Richard Tancred, Knt., is explained to be "settled on the Ministry." The smallest payment is that of Mr. John Shrimpton above-mentioned. It is stated in the "Pictorial History of England" [vol. iii, p. 525] that by these compositions above £4,500,000 were raised in England, and £1,000,000 in Ireland.
A QUADRUPLE ALLIANCE.
About the year 1823 were born at Bromsgrove four female children at a birth, all of whom lived for many years. They were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, who had five other children, all single births. The writer of this note saw them when about three months old, when they were small for their age. He saw them again when they were about ten years old. They were then very pretty children, with dark hair and eyes. Three of them were very much alike, and exactly of the same height and size. The fourth resembled the others, but was about half a head shorter.
A VIRTUOUS PARISH.
It is a remarkable fact, that from October 2nd, 1842, to October 23rd, 1848, during which period there were entered in the parish register of Suckley 106 baptisms, not one illegitimate birth took place; but this happy state of things did not continue, for in the next six years, ending October, 1854, with 89 entries, there were 5 illegitimate births. Thus, during the last twelve years, the latter have numbered scarcely 1 in 38 of the rising population of Suckley. The average throughout the kingdom is 1 in 16. It is rather a singular coincidence that the illegitimate births, and consequently the illegitimate portion of the community, bear the same proportion to the general population as the paupers do, viz., 1 in 16. This remark must, however, be somewhat modified, for although it cannot be classed amongst statistical facts, it is probable that there die a larger proportion of illegitimate than legitimate children.
DROITWICH BRINE.
A correspondent says that the Droitwich brine has for a considerable time been declining in strength; so much so, that constant complaints emanate from the working men that they have considerable difficulty in earning the ordinary wages of labourers; and the coal which is consumed in manufacturing a ton of salt is considerably more than was formerly required. By some of the practical men of the place this deterioration is attributed to the excessive consumption of the last few years, and to the immense quantity that has been wantonly pumped into the river and canal; but the correspondent suggests the probability of the pits being insecure, and in consequence the fresh water mingling with the brine, and thus reducing its natural strength. It has always been an error (according to his opinion) that shafts should be sunk down to the brine, as they enlarge the difficulty of keeping out the water considerably more than the old-fashioned small bore-holes.
SMALL PARISHES.
The smallest parishes in Worcestershire are Oldberrow, Doverdale, Daylesford, Edvin Loach, Abberton, Bredicot, and Little Shelsley. The last named place contains the smallest population, being but 49 in 1851; Bredicot, 67; Abberton, 80 (although the worthy clerk alone mustered 19 children in his own family); Edvin Loach, 69; Daylesford, 66; Doverdale, 56 (here there are but five houses in the parish, besides the rectory and mill, and there is no recollection of any labourer's cottage being in existence); and Oldberrow, about 50 (here also is no labourer's cottage, and the only child in the parish is the rector's little boy; the parson's surplice fees in eleven years amounted to one shilling only, and but one interment took place during that time).
A CONTRADICTION.
The parish of Offenham is remarkable for some of the richest land and one of the poorest churches in the county of Worcester.
QUEEN ELIZABETH'S ARREARS.
A paragraph recently appeared in the London publication, known as "Notes and Queries," as follows:
"'Good Queen Bess,' when she visited Worcester, borrowed £200 of the Corporation, which still stands as a 'bad debt' on the town books."
On the occasion of the Royal visit alluded to, a "fare cupp" was bought at London "for the presenting the gyfte to the Queen's Majestie, and xl. pounds in sov'raignes and angells of her own coign and stamp;" a crimson velvet purse, with £20 in it, was also presented to the Queen on her visit to the Cathedral. The total outlay by the city for entertaining her Majesty was £173. 8s. 4d., but the writer is not aware of any record of the Queen's having borrowed £200, or of such an item standing as a "bad debt" on the books, which he has closely examined from a date prior to the Queen's visit.
WORCESTERSHIRE TOKENS—Seventeenth Century.
Traders' tokens were issued from the year 1648, towards the close of the reign of Charles I, until the year 1672, when they were cried down by proclamation of Charles II, and a new copper currency issued, the first we had in England, all previously being Royal tokens. During the Commonwealth they were not very numerous, but after the Restoration, in 1660, to the year 1672, they are exceedingly abundant, and were issued in nearly every town and village in England. They were issued without authority, no doubt, as many of them state, for necessary change. In London alone nearly 4000 were issued, and the remainder of England are estimated at 15,000 more. In the year 1669 (when this kind of coinage was first checked) the citizens of Norwich had a pardon granted them for all transgressions, and in particular for their coinage of halfpence and farthings, by which they had forfeited their charter, all coinage being declared to be the King's prerogative; and in 1670 the Worcester Corporation petitioned his Majesty's pardon for "putting out farthings in this city." The following list of Worcestershire tokens, recently published by Mr. W. Boyne, in "Aris's Birmingham Gazette," I now reprint, with a few additions:
WORCESTER.
Value.
1. (Obverse) A WORCESTER FARTHING Arms of Worcester; a castle with a bird above it.
(Reverse) FOR NECESSARIE CHAING C. W. (City of Worcester) 1667 1/4d.
2. RICHARD ALDNEY 1/2d.
3. O. EDWARD BARON OF YE CITTY E.B. conjoined.
R. OF WORCESTER HIS HALF PENY Arms of Worcester; three pears 1/2d.
4. O. RICHARD BEDDOES OF YE Arms of Worcester. (16)59.
R. CITTY OF WORCESTER Mercers' Arms. R. B. 1/4d.
5. O. RICHARD BEDOES Arms of Worcester.
R. HIS HALFE PENNY Mercers' Arms. R. B. 1/2d.
6. A variety with the date 1664.
7. O. JOHN CHERRY HIS HALF Arms of Worcester.
R. PENY IN WORCESTER 1664 I. S. C. 1/2d.
8. O. WILL. CHETLE IN BROD STRT. IN Merchant's mark. W. S. C.
R. WORSTER CLO. HIS HALF PENY Arms of Worcester. 1/2d.
9. O. WILLIAM CHETTLE 1666 Merchant's mark. W. C.
R. OF WORCESTER, CLOTHIER Arms of Worcester 1/4d.
10. O. HIS HALFE PENNY 1667 WILL. COLBATCH
R. THE CITTY OF WORCESTER Arms of Worcester 1/2d.
11. O. WILLIAM COLBATCH OF W. C. conjoined.
R. YE CITTY OF WORCESTER Arms of Worcester 1/4d.
12. WILL. FINCH 1/2d.
13. DITTO 1/4d.
14. THOS. FOWNE 1/4d.
15. THOS. HACKETT 1/2d.
16. JOHN HURDMAN 1/2d.
17. O. JOHN HILL DISTILLER Arms of Worcester.
R. CITTY OF WORCESTER (16)64 HIS HALF PENY 1/2d.
18. O. THOMAS JONES 1669 A hat and glove; Feltmakers' Arms.
R. IN WORCESTER HIS HALF PENY 1/2d.
19. JOHN JONES 1/2d.
20. O. JOHN LILLIE IN WORCESTER Weavers' Arms.
R. HIS HALFE PENNY 1667 Arms of Worcester 1/2d.
21. O. ARTHUR LLOYD IN Arms of Worcester.
R. WORCESTER. 1663 HIS HALFE PENY 1/2d.
22. O. WILL MOORE OF WORCESTER Arms of Worcester.
R. HIS HALFE PENNY 1668 Mercers' Arms. W. M. 1/2d.
23. EDWARD PRITCHETT 1/2d.
24. O. FRAN. RICHARDSON OF YE CITTY Arms of Worcester
R. WORCESTER, HIS HALF PENNY F. A. R. 1/2d.
25. O. HIS HALFE PENY 1664 JOHN SEABORN
R. THE CITTIE OF WORCESTER Arms of Worcester 1/2d.
26. JAMES SMITHIN 1/2d.
27. O. HIS HALF PENY 1662 WILL. SWIFT
R. THE CITTY OF WORCESTER Arms of Worcester 1/2d.
28. A variety is without date, and the centre is brass, the other part copper 1/2d.
29. Another variety has the date 1663.
30. O. WILLIAM SWIFT OF YE W. S. conjoined.
R. CITTY OF WORCESTER Arms of Worcester 1/4d.
31. A variety is silvered, and has the initial S. joined to the last limb of W.; in the other it is joined to the first limb 1/4d.
32. O. JOHN TUBERVILLE Arms of Worcester
R. WORCESTER HIS HALF PENNY Mercers' Arms. I. T. 1/2d.
There were 36 of these tokens coined at Worcester, Rd. Bedoes having issued three varieties besides those attached to his name above, and Wm. Colbatch another variety.
BENGEWORTH.
33. O. EDWARD PITTWAY AT THE A lion rampant.
R. RED LION IN BENGEWORTE E.F.P. 1/4d.
BEWDLEY.
34. O. THE WARDENS HALFE PENY OF BEWDLEY In four lines across the field.
R. 1668. An anchor between a sword and rose (Octagonal) 1/2d.
35. O. SAMUELL CART A lion passant.
R. IN BEAUDLY 1653 S.M.C. 1/4d.
36. O. THOMAS DEDICOT, GROCER, HIS HALF PENNY In five lines across the field.
R. IN BEWDLEY (Three cloves.) SQUARE DEALING (SQUARE) 1/2d.
37. O. WALTER PALMER OF A hat.
R. BEWDLEY, CAPPER 1656 W.A.P. 1/4d.
BROADWAY.
38. O. MICHAELL RUSSELL A dog.
R. OF BROADWAY 1670 M.A.B. 1/2d.
BROMSGROVE.
39. O. HENRY JEFFREYS Grocers' Arms.
R. IN BROMSGROVE H.I. 1/4d.
40. O. SAMUEL ROGERS 1668 S.R.
R. IN BROMSGROVE HIS HALFE PENNY. 1/2d.
CLIFTON-ON-TEME.
41. O. JOHN JENCKINS 1666 HIS HALF PENY
R. OF CLIFTON UPON TEAM I.A.I. 1/2d.
DROITWICH.
42. O. STEPHEN ALLEN HIS HALFE PENY
R. APOTH. IN DROYTWICH Arms of Droitwich; quarterly 1st and 4th, checky, 2d and 3d, two barrows 1/2d.
43. O. GEORGE OLDBACK & ***SON THEIR HALF PENY
R. OF DROITWICH 1667 Arms of the Town of Droitwich 1/2d.
DUDLEY.
44. O. WILL. BIGGS OF DUDLEY IN Mercers' Arms.
R. STAFFO*** W.M.B. 1/4d.
45. O. JOHN FINCH OF DUDLEY HIS HALFE PENY
R. IN WORCESTERSHIRE Ironmongers' Arms 1/2d.
(Dudley properly belongs to Worcestershire, though it is surrounded by Staffordshire. Singularly enough, the two tokens above give it to both counties.)
EVESHAM.
46. O. THE BURROW OF EVESHAM Arms of Evesham; a prince's coronet between two ostrich feathers, a garb in base, the whole within a border bezantée.
R. FOR NECESSARY EXCHANGE B. E. 1/2d.
47. O. No inscription Arms of Evesham.
R. FOR EXCHAINGE B. E. 1/4d.
48. O. PHILLIP BALLORD HIS HALFE PENNY
R. OF EVESHAM 1664 P. B. 1/2d.
49. O. RICHARD BENNETT Wheat sheaf.
R. OF EVESHAM 1666 HIS HALF PENNY 1/2d.
50. O. PAUL BENNING HIS HALF PENY
R. IN EVESHAM A sugar loaf 1/2d.
51. O. WILLIAM BROOKE W. A. B.
R. IN EVESHAM 1656 W. A. B. 1/2d.
52. O. PETER CROSS P. M. C.
R. IN EVESHAM 1649 P. M. C. 1/4d.
There is another described as "PHILLIP CROSS," in all other respects the same; it may be an error of the die-sinker or describer. This is interesting from having the earliest date that is found on these tokens. No. 57 is also of the same early date.
53. O. JOSHUA FRANSHAM HIS HALFE PENNY
R. IN ESHAM 1666 I. S. F. 1/2d.
54. O. RIC. GODDARD, IN BRIDG R. M. G.
R. STREET IN EVESHAM R. M. G. 1/4d.
55. O. JOHN LACEY A flower.
R. OF EVESHAM 1654 I. M. L. 1/4d.
56. O. MATHEW MICHELL Grocers' Arms.
R. OF EVESHAM 1653 M. M. M. 1/4d.
57. O. WILLIAM RUDGE W. A. R.
R. IN EVESHAM 1649 W. A. R. 1/4d.
KIDDERMINSTER.
58. O. AT THE RAVEN IN A raven.
R. KIDEMUNSTER, 1652 R. M. B. 1/4d.
59. O. THOMAS BALAMEY IN Weavers' Arms.
R. KIDDERMINSTER 1667 HIS HALF PENY. 1/2d.
60. O. FRANCES CARTER A pair of shears.
R. IN KITTERMINSTER F. M. C. 1/4d.
61. O. EDWARD CHAMBERLIN HIS HALF PENY.
R. IN KIDDERMINSTER E. A. C. 1/2d.
62. O. EDWARD CHAMBERLIN A man making candles.
R. OF KIDDERMINSTER E. P. C. 1/4d.
63. O. WILLIAM MOUNTFORD A tankard. W. M.
R. IN KIDDERMINSTER 1666 HIS HALF PENY. 1/2d.
64. O. LAWRENCE PEARSALL Arms.
R. IN KIDDERMINSTER HIS HALF PENY. 1/2d.
65. O. SIMON PITT 1670 HIS FARTHING
R. IN KIDDERMINSTER S. E. P. 1/4d.
(This is one of the few FARTHING tokens which has the value expressed on it.)
66. O. RICH. RADFORD, HIS HF. PENY Weavers' Arms.
R. OF KIDDERMINSTER 1666 Merchant Tailors' Arms 1/2d.
67. O. EDMUND AND WILLIAM READE Weaver's Arms.
R. IN KIDDERMINSTER 1666 THEIR HALF PENY 1/2d.
68. O. JOHN ROWDEN IN Nag's head.
R. KIDDERMINSTER 1656 I. A. R 1/4d.
69. O. NEVILL SIMMONS, BOOKSELLER IN KIDDERMINSTER.
R. EDWARD BUTLER, MERCER 1663 THEIR HALF PENY 1/2d.
70. O. THO. SADLER, HIS HALF PENY Chandlers' Arms.
R. IN KIDDERMINSTER 1664 T. A. S. 1/2d.
71. O. WALTER THATCHER A shuttle.
R. IN KIDDERMINSTER HIS HALF PENY 1670 1/2d.
PERSHORE.
72. O. HENRY GIBBS HIS HALF PENY
R. IN PERSHORE 1666 H. G. 1/2d.
73. O. GIDEON PALMER Mercers' Arms.
R. PERSHORE 1667 HIS HALF PENY G. S. P. 1/2d.
74. O. EDWARD PERKINS, HIS HALF PENY Apothecaries' Arms.
R. OF PERSHORE, APOTHECARY 1664 E. P. 1/2d.
SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR.
75. O. RICHARD COOPER OF A bee-hive.
R. SHIPSTON UPON STOWER HIS HALF PENY 1669 1/2d.
76. O. HENRY COTTERELL IN 1666 Mercers' Arms.
R. SHIPSTON UPON STOWER HIS HALF PENY 1/2d.
77. O. ROBERT FITZHUGH Apothecaries' Arms.
R. IN SHIPSON 1664 HIS HALF PENY 1/2d.
78. O. EDWARD PITTWAY Ironmongers' Arms.
R. OF SHIPSTON E. P. 1/4d.
79. O. SIMON SIMONS Mercers' Arms.
R. OF SHIPSON 1669 HIS HALFE PENY S. E. S. 1/2d.
STOURBRIDGE.
80. O. A STOWERBRIDG. HALF PENY Ironmongers' Arms.
R. FOR NECESSARY CHANGE Clothworkers' Arms. 1/2d.
This is a town piece, the arms showing the principal trades carried on. There is a specimen in the collection of the Society of Antiquaries, having the reverse indented, doubtless caused by the previous struck token not having been removed from the die. It was bequeathed with many other Worcestershire Tokens to the Society by Dr. Prattinton.
81. O. JONATHAN BUTLER, MERCER Arms of Worcester City; three pears.
R. IN STOWERBRIDGE 1665 HIS HALF PENY 1/2d.
82. O. ANDREW MUCHALL, IRONMONGER, HIS HALF PENY In five lines across the field.
R. OF STOWERBRIDGE 1669 Ironmongers' Arms. 1/2d.
83. O. EZEKELL PARTRIDGE HIS HALF PENY.
R. IN STOWER BRIDG 1665 E. M. P. 1/2d.
84. O. JOHN PRATT OF A bridge of four arches.
R. STOW BRIDGE 1668 HIS HALF PENY 1/2d.
85. O. EDWARD SPARRYE E. I. S.
R. OF STOURBRIDGE 1656 1/4d.
86. O. HUMPHREY SUTTON H. S. S.
R. OF STOURBRIDGE 1657 1/4d.
SWINFORD (OLD).
87. O. JOHN RICHARDSON HIS HALF PENY
R. OULD SWINFORD 1669 Arms of Worcester; three pears 1/2d.
TENBURY.
88. O. EDMOND LANE Arms; a chevron between three arrow-heads.
R. IN TENBURY HIS HALF PENY 1/2d.
89. O. EDMOND LANE Arms as the last.
R. OF TENBURY E. L. 1/4d.
90. O. ANTHONY SEARCH PLAINE DEALING IS BEST 1/2d.
R. IN TENBURY Mercers' Arms. 1/2d.
OLDBURY.
91. O. OLIVER ROUND St. George and the dragon.
R. IN OLDBURY 1663 HIS HALF PENY 1/2d.
THE CLOTHING TRADE.
This must have been formerly an important trade in our county and city. The city of Worcester, and the towns of Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Droitwich, and Evesham, were extensively engaged in it; and when many persons dwelling in other parts of the county had begun cloth making, much to the injury of these towns, an act was passed in the 25th year of Henry VIII, prohibiting all persons from making cloth, except such as resided in the above-mentioned places, but all persons were allowed to make cloths for their own wear, or for their children, servants, &c. At the present day only one loom is in existence in Bromsgrove, and in Worcester the trade has ceased for many years, although the Clothiers' Company still exists as a body for the administration of charitable funds.
THE MORTUARY CLOTH OF THE CLOTHIERS' COMPANY.
The assumption of Miss Strickland that the mortuary cloth in the possession of the Clothiers' Company at Worcester was the pall used at the funeral of Queen Catherine, the first wife of King Henry VIII, who was buried in Peterborough Cathedral, has been, upon examination, refuted. At a recent meeting of the Archæological Institute at Cambridge, the Rev. C. H. Hartshorne read a paper on the funeral of Catherine of Arragon, and produced a document from the Rolls' Court which had never been consulted before, and which gave a full account of the Queen's funeral. The rev. gentleman afterwards alluded to the life of Catherine of Arragon, by Miss Strickland, who says that the pall used on this occasion is now in the possession of the Clothworkers' Company at Worcester. Mr. Hartshorne then produced this pall, which he had been allowed to bring with him. It was spread out and examined, and it clearly appeared that it could not be that used at the Queen's funeral. It consisted of three or four old capes [copes?] put together, and it was utterly impossible to recognise it from the description given in the document produced from the Rolls' Court.
WEATHER RHYMES AND SAYINGS.
If the moon on a Saturday be new or full There always was rain and there always will.
If it rain on Good Friday or Easter day, It's a good year of grass but a sorry year of hay.
If Easter be early, Or if it be late; It's sure to make The old cow quake.
The weather's always ill When the wind's not still.
When the wind is in the East It's neither good for man nor beast.
A storm of hail Brings frost in its tail.
A May wet Was never kind yet.
As the day lengthens The cold strengthens.
A rainbow at night Is the shepherd's delight.
When the reds are out at night It's the shepherd's delight, But when out in the morning It's all the day storming.
At New Year's tide A cock's stride: By Twelfth-tide Another beside.
When Bredon hill puts on his hat, Ye men of the vale, beware of that.
(This alludes to the rain-cloud settling on the hill.)
A peck of March dust is worth a king's ransom.
When the new moon "lies on her back," as the saying is—that is with its concavity upwards, it is expected to be a dry time, "the rain being kept from running out," but, vice versa, it will be wet.
It is said that if the little beetle, the Carabus, should be trodden upon, rain will fall. This little glittering insect runs about only in fine weather.
SHIP MONEY.
The first writ for the levying of ship money was issued by King Charles I, addressed to the Lord Mayor and citizens of London. It is dated October 20th, in the 10th year of the reign of King Charles I [1634], and after reciting that "certain thieves, pirates, and robbers, of the sea, as well Turks, enemies of the Christian name, as others, being gathered together, taking by force and spoiling the ships and goods and merchandises not only of our subjects, but also of the subjects of our friends in the sea, which hath been accustomed anciently to be defended by the English nation, and the same at their pleasure have carried away, delivering the men in the same into miserable captivity." The writ commands the citizens of London to provide seven ships of war, varying in size from 900 to 300 tons, with 1,460 men, with ordnance, gunpowder, spears, and weapons, and other necessary arms for war; and directs that their ships shall be at Portsmouth on the 1st of March then next. In the year 1636, King Charles I, by the advice of his Privy Council, sent writs to the different counties for the raising of money to provide ships. This was called ship money; but although it was levied for the nominal purpose of providing ships, the counties, instead of providing any, paid the amount into the Royal Exchequer, and this was really a mere device to raise money without the authority of Parliament.
The county and city of Worcester were assessed as follows:
Tunnes. Men. Charge.
"Worcestershire, one ship 350 140 £3,500
Corporate Towns—
City of Worcester £233
Burrough of Evesham 74
Burrough of Bewdley 62
Burrough of Droitwich 62
Town or Burrough of Kidderminster 27"
On the 10th of November, 1639, King Charles I, by the advice of his Privy Council, caused other writs for ship money to be issued to the several counties of England; and by one of these writs the county of Worcester was assessed thus:
Ship. Men. Tons.
"Worcester 1 112 280"
But at this time thirty-five of the English counties and seven of the Welch counties were in arrears for their earlier ship money, as appears from a table of the arrears, in which there is the following entry as to Worcestershire:
Arrears. Arrears. Arrears.
An. 1636. An. 1637. An. 1638.
"Worcester £096 0 0 £1070 0 0 £710 0 0"
Ship money was declared to be illegal by the statute 16th Charles I, chap. 14, which was passed in the year 1640.
For this information we are indebted to John Rushworth, Esq., Secretary to the Lord General Fairfax, in whose collection it will be found (vol. ii, pp. 257, 335, 975, 978.)
FINES FOR NOT TAKING THE ORDER OF KNIGHTHOOD.
Mr. Rushworth, Secretary to the Lord General Fairfax, in his Historical Collections, vol. ii, p. 71, under the date of July 6, 1630, says that "the King having sent writs to several sheriffs of the several counties for the summoning of all that had forty pound land or rent by the year to appear at the day of the Coronation and prepare themselves to receive the Order of Knighthood," did award a Commission to certain Lords and others of his Privy Council to treat and compound with all those who had made default. This was founded on the Statute De Militibus, a statute stated by the Record Commissioners to be of uncertain date, but which is usually printed as of the first year of the reign of King Edward II. By the statute 16th of Charles I, chap. 20, compulsory Knighthood is abolished. The following is a list of Worcester gentlemen fined by King Charles I for not taking the order of Knighthood; it is extracted from the "Book of Compositions for not taking the Order of Knighthood at the Coronation of King Charles I. 1630-1632. Auditor of the Receipt[11]."
"Wigorn. p. 196.
Sir William Sandy, Knight, Collector.
£. s. d.
Walter Blunt, of Sillington, Esquire 15 0 0
John Barnabie, of Bockleton, Esquire 12 10 0
Mathias Maysey, of Hakenhurt, Esquire 11 13 4
John Nash, of Markeley, Gent. 10 0 0
John Winford, of Astley, Esquire 12 10 0
Hunfrey Packington, of Chadsley Corbet, Esquire 31 5 0
Humfrey Parrott, of Bellhall, Gent. 12 10 0
Roger Lowe, of Bromsgrove, Gent. 10 0 0
Robt. Gower, of King's Norton, Esquire 12 10 0
John Crabbe, of Bromsgrove, Gent. 10 0 0
Walter Brace, of Bromsgrove, Gent. 10 0 0
William Chambers, of Northfield, Gent. 10 0 0
Ffoulke, Bourne, of Elmbridge, Gent. 12 0 0
Thomas Ffawnes, of Bromsgrove, Gent. 10 0 0
John Bourne, of Ombersley, Gent. 12 10 0
John Horniold, of Hanley Castle, Esquire 27 10 0
Thomas Moore, of Suckley, Gent. 12 0 0
Edward Dingley, of Sherifelench, Esq. 10 0 0
Roger Dowleswell, of Rushley, Gent. 10 0 0
William Wheeler, of Wicke iuxta Parshore, Gent. 10 0 0
Edward Turvey, of Walcott, Gent. 15 0 0
Armell Greene, of Vpton Snodsburie 10 0 0
Francys Haselwood, of Wick iuxta Parshore, Esq. 12 10 0
John Bridges, of Estington, Esquire 25 0 0
Thomas Copley, of Norton iuxta Bredon, Esquire 12 10 0
John Clent, of Wicke Epi, Gent. 10 0 0
Henry Bromley, of Vpton sup. Sabrina, Esquire 10 0 0
Thomas Nashe, of Claines, Gent. 10 0 0
Thomas Hornihold, of Breedon, Esquire 12 10 0
Thomas Saunders, of Moore, Gent. 10 0 0
Thomas Coxe, of Crowle, Esquire 17 10 0
John Jones, of Crowle, Gent. 10 0 0
Giles, Blount, of Wicke Epi 11 5 0
Philip Bearcroft, of Hanburie, Gent. 12 10 0
John Russell, of Malverne Pva, Esquire 12 0 0
George Lench, of Inkeberrow, Esquire 11 13 4
Samuel Atwood, of Wooverley, Esquire 10 0 0
Raphaell Hunt, of Hanbury, Gent. 12 10 0
Thomas Hunt, of Inkeberrow, Gent. 10 0 0
Robt. Wyld, of the Commanders, Gent. 10 0 0
John Holberrow, of Wooverley, Gent. 10 0 0
Nicholas Langstone, and Will. Langstone, his sonne and heire 15 0 0
541li. 16s. 8d. vnde solut.
200 25o Oct., 1630.
200 27o Oct., 1630.
141 16 8 4to Martij, 1630.[12]
Richard Skinner, of Coston Hacket, Esquire 25 0 0
Thomas Good, of Redmarley Dabitot, Esquire 30 0 0
William Child, of Shrawley, Esquire 25 0 0
John Wrenford, of Longden, Gent. 11 0 0
William Cave, of Lighe, Gent. 10 0 0
Thomas Trinnell of Salwarp, Gent. 12 0 0
William Ingram, of St. Johnes in Bedwardine, Esq. 32 0 0
William Child, Senior, of Blockeley, Esquire 33 0 0
William Barnes, of Treddinton, Esq. 16 0 0
Henry Townesend, of Elmley Lovett, Esquire 14 0 0
John Cowcher, of Redmarley Dabitot, Esquire 14 0 0
William Parsons, of Longdon, Gent. 10 0 0
Edmund Giles, of White Ladie Aston, Gent. 10 0 0
John Norris, of Chadsley Corbett, Gent. 10 0 0
Thomas Barraston, of the Rocke, Gent. 10 0 0
Thomas Parker, of Longdon, Gent. 10 0 0
John Ffreman, of Busheley, Gent. 15 0 0
Richard Ffrench, of Salawarp, Gent. 10 0 0
Geo. Morinle, of Lighe, Gent. 16 0 0
Gibt. Wheeler, of Droytwich, Gent. 16 0 0
William Amphlett, of Hadzor, Gent. 12 0 0
Tho. Gower, of Droytwich, Gent. 20 0 0
John Woodhouse, of Salwarp, Gent. 10 0 0
John Wheeler, of Droytwich, Gent. 10 0 0
James Naeshe, de ead, Gen. 18 0 0
Tho. Symonds, of Whitelady Aston 13 6 8
William Hill, of Castell Morton, Gen. 10 0 0
John Hill, de ead, Gen. 10 0 0
Richard Arden, of Martley, Gen. 16 0 0
Arthur Bagshawe, of Inkeberrowe, Gen. 15 0 0
Wm. Stevens, of Broadway, Gen. 10 0 0
John Wheeler, of Whichbole, Gen. 13 6 8
Nicholas Lilley, of Bromesgrove, Gen. 9 6 8
John Giles, of Astley, Gen. 10 0 0
Tho. Wild, of Dodderhill, Gen. 10 0 0
Wm. Stevens, Jun., of Brodway, Gen. 10 0 0
Henry Garrett, de ead, Gen. 10 0 0
Francis Rosse, of Great Malverne, Gent. 12 0 0
Jo. Hobdins, als Ffeckenham, Gen. 10 0 0
Tho. Burie, of Abbotsley, Gen. 10 0 0
Wm. Hackett, of Vpton sup. Sabrina, Gen. 10 0 0
Henrie Sheylard, de Hanburie, Gen. 10 0 0
Henry Coller, de ead, Gen. 12 0 0
John Perkes, of Wickbole, Gen. 10 0 0
Edward Barret, of Draitwch, Gen. 22 0 0
Tho. Chaunce, of Hadzor, Gen. 10 0 0
Edward Hall, of Hollowe, Esquire 12 0 0
Rich. Baughe, of Tibbton, Gen. 12 0 0
John Cookes, of Bentley, Gen. 10 0 0
John Ballard, of St. John's in Bedwardine, Gen. 12 0 0
Robt. Boulton, of Ffeckenham, Gent. 10 0 0
Daniel Rawlingson, of Vpton sup. Sabrina, Gen. 10 0 0
Robt. Wheeler, of Offenham, Gen. 13 6 8
Wm. Wichelowe, of Ardeley, Esquire 14 0 0
Wm. Ffeild, of King's Norton, Gen. 20 0 0
John Westwood, of Bromesgrove, Gen. 12 0 0
Jo. Chambleine, of Astley, Gen. 10 0 0
John Coxe, of Claines, Gent. 16 0 0
Richard Moore, of Seauerne Stooke, Esquire 15 0 0
Robt. Yates, of Yardley, Gen. 12 0 0
John Knotsford, of Holfast, Gen. 10 0 0
Thomas Powck, of the Rocke, Gent. 10 0 0
John Halford, of Armescott, Gen. 13 6 8
Geo. Ffrench, of Parshore, Gen. 12 0 0
Tho. Lunde, of Breedon, Gen. 10 0 0
Anthony Palmer, of Combtin Magna, Gen. 10 0 0
Phillip Parsons, of Oldburie, Gen. 15 0 0
John Horner, of Martley, Gen. 13 6 8
James Hill, of Vpton sup. Sabrina, Gen. 10 0 0
Tho. Woodward, of Ripple, Esquire 30 0 0
John Marston, of Yardeley, Gen. 12 0 0
Richard Acocke, de ead. Gen. 12 0 0
Richard Rotten, of Kingsnorton, Gen. 10 0 0
John Rosser, de ead. Gen. 13 6 0
George Middlesmore, de ead. Esquire 18 0 0
Thomas Cooke, of Longdon, Gent. 15 0 0
Nicholas Ffletcher, of Paxford, Gent. 14 0 0
Thomas Horton, of Staunton, Esquire 30 0 0
John Hanburie, of Ffeckenham, Gen. 10 0 0
Thomas Hayward, of Eldersfield, Gent. 10 0 0
Richard Terrett, of Chadsley, Gent. 15 0 0
George Palmer, of Suckley, Gent. 10 0 0
Geo. Darley, of Ffladburie, Gent. 10 0 0
Jo. Callow, of Bishampton, Gent. 10 0 0
Edward Booth, of Pershore, Gent. 14 0 0
Wm. Walle, of the Rocke, Gent. 10 0 0
Humfrey Salwaie, of Stanford, Gent. 25 0 0
Wm. Dingley, of Strensham, Gent. 11 0 0
Thomas Rushell, of Rushocke, Gent. 15 0 0
Humfrey Hill, of Stone, Gent. 13 6 8
Civitas Wigorn.
John Coucher, Esquire 12 0 0
John Hassellocke, Esquire 12 0 0
John Tomkins, Esquire 10 0 0
John Ffrogner, Gent. 15 0 0
Edward Hardman, Esquire 12 0 0
Wm. Wyatt, Esquire 10 0 0
Thomas Huntbach, Gent. 12 0 0
Thomas Writer, Gent. 10 0 0
Edward Sowley, Gent. 10 0 0
John Hanburie, Gent. 10 0 0
Hughe Greenes, Gent. 10 0 0
Daniel Tyas, Gent. 10 0 0
John Smith, Gent. 10 0 0
John Collins, Gent. 10 0 0
Robt. Mason, Gent. 10 0 0
Edward Ffleete, Gent. 13 6 8
Christopher Woodward, Gent. 10 0 0
John Breinton, Gent. 10 0 0
Wigorn, 14to Maij, 1631o.
William Barkeley, of Cotheridge, Esquire 40 0 0
John Washborne, of Wichenford, Esq. 35 0 0
John Liddiat, of Wollason, Gent. 18 0 0
William Ffreman, of Blockley, Gent. 10 0 0
Edward Cookes, of Shiltwood, Esquire 40 0 0
Edward Ffreeman, of Emlode, Gent. 15 0 0
Thomas Andrewes, of Bathenhall, Esquire 15 0 0
Thomas Acton, of Bockleton, Esquire 20 0 0
William Walshe, of Redmarley, Esquire 40 0 0
Wigorn, 1o Augusti, 1631o.
Robt. Acton, of Ribsford, Gent. 15 0 0
Wm. Middlemore, of Hawkesley, Esquire 14 0 0
Wm. Mason, of Birlingham, Gent. 12 0 0
Edward Baugh, of Pensham, Gent. 12 0 0
Edmond Bearecroft, of Inkeberrow, Gent. 10 0 0
John Kightley, of Littleton, Gent. 10 0 0
Tho. Bloxham, of Ouffenham, Gent. 12 0 0
Tho. Ffletcher, of Paxford, Gent. 10 0 0
John Ffincher, of Inkeberrowe, Gent. 10 0 0
John Smith, of Ffranckeley, Gent. 10 0 0
John Manne, of Ridmley, Gent. 13 6 8
Ralph Pearsall, of Alchurch, Gent. 10 0 0
Fflourris Cowper, of Ridmley, Gent. 10 0 0
Thomas Purton, of Ridmley, Gent. 10 0 0
Tho. Browne, of Eldersfeild, Gent. 12 0 0
Ffrancis Huband, of Rouslench, Gent. 12 0 0
Jo. Atwood, of Staunton, Gent. 12 0 0
Jo. White, of Dorne, Gent. 12 0 0
Tho. Widdones, of Aston Magna, Gent. 12 0 0
Tho. Doughtie, of Suckeley, Gent. 11 0 0
Wm. Webley, Jun., of Aufricke, Gent. 11 0 0
Richard Darke, of Alston, Gent. 12 0 0
Ffrancis Palm, of Bricklehampton, Gent. 12 0 0
Thomas Smith, of Badsey, Gent. 10 0 0
Thomas Hames, of Inkeberrow, Gent. 12 0 0
Wm. Johnsons, of Aufricke, Gent. 12 0 0
Tho. Bushell, of Prior's Cleeve, Gent. 13 6 8
Thomas Greene, of King's Norton, Gent. 11 0 0
Richard Burnford, of Bromsgrove, Gent. 12 0 0
Simon Rowney, of Darlingscote, Gent. 10 0 0
Tho. Cheatle, of the Cittye of Worcester, Gent. 20 0 0
Edw. Neast, of Chaseley, Gent. 18 0 0
Simon Batch, of Suckeley, Gent. 10 0 0
Paul Romney, of Suckley, Gent. 12 0 0
William Martin, of Hampton, Gent. 10 0 0
Edward Anslowe, of the Citty of Worcester, Gent. 14 0 0
Ffrancis Dison, of Bradeley, Gent. 10 0 0
26to Martij, 1632.
Ralphe Poole, of Beoley, Gent. 10 0 0
Humfrey Grissall, of Yardeley, Gent. 10 0 0
William Sambadge, of Broadwaie, Esquire 14 0 0
Thomas Greenes, of Moseley, Gent. 10 0 0
WM. SAUNDYS. 2183li. vnde solut.
£. s. d.
25 0 0 10o Maij, 1631.
300 0 0 eod die.
100 0 0 xjo Maij, 1631.
400 0 0 xiijo Maij, 1631.
175 0 0 xxiijio Maij, 1631.
400 0 0 xxviijo Maij, 1631.
132 0 0 23tio Julij, 1631.
450 0 0 2do Nov., 1631.
80 0 0 22do Dec., 1631.
121 0 0 14 Junij, 1632.
2183"
SLAUGHTER OF DOGS AND CATS.
The onslaught made on dogs found in the streets of Worcester, when the cholera was expected three or four years ago, suggests an extract from history bearing on the point. In the Droitwich records, the bailiff's accounts for the year 1637, a time of great pestilence, contain the following among other entries:
s. d.
"To Wm. Watkins for burienge of doggs and katts in the sicknesse time 5 0
To Wm. Harris for mendinge his gunn to kill doggs Aug. 26. 0 18
To Ed. Turke for killing two katts 0 4"
In the parochial records of the city of Westminster for the year 1603 mention is made of one person having "massacred the amazing number of 500 dogs;" and in 1605, 83 others. Thus it seemed the practice of making a hecatomb of dogs and cats on these sad occasions. Can any one explain the reason of this? Was it that these animals were deemed to be peculiarly obnoxious to the pestilence, and that it was contagious? Similar practices prevailed in ancient times: we read in the "Iliad"—
"On mules and dogs the infection first began; At last the vengeful arrows fix'd on man— For nine long days throughout the dusky air, The pyres, thick flaming, shot a dismal glare."
TRACES OF THE STUARTS IN WORCESTERSHIRE.
The following notes contain a few historical facts, either not fully related, or omitted altogether in the local histories, relative to the progresses of Charles I and his son through this county during the Civil Wars:
The unhappy contest between King Charles and his people first brought that Sovereign into Worcestershire in the year 1644, when he fled from Essex and Waller at Oxford. The city of Worcester presented his Majesty with £200 and the Princes Rupert and Maurice £100 each, the purse for his majesty costing 8d. (as recorded in the Corporation books), and those for the Princes 4d. each. An order had been issued to raise £1000 (equal to £15,000 of the present time) in less than two days, and the above sums were probably all that could be extracted out of the half-ruined inhabitants at that time. His Majesty retreating with his army to Bewdley, two guides for the royal carriage were engaged at a cost of 4s. 6d., and six axletrees (articles frequently requiring renewal in those days of un-M'Adam-ized roads) were charged 4s. At Bewdley, Charles wrote a letter from Tickenhill Palace to Prince Rupert, urging him to relieve York. This led to the battle of Marston Moor. The letter is given in the appendix to Guizot's History of the English Revolution. About the same time a Royal missive was addressed to the Corporation and inhabitants of Droitwich, thanking them for the assistance they had sent into Worcester when Waller assaulted it. While at Bewdley also the King dispatched a party of horse to relieve Dudley Castle, which was then besieged by the Earl of Denbigh, but they were defeated with considerable loss. Waller having now outflanked the King, his Majesty returned suddenly to Worcester, and hastened through Evesham to join the remainder of his forces at Oxford. At Evesham, he took the Mayor and certain Aldermen prisoners and carried them to Oxford; but the Royalists were closely pursued by the forces of the Parliament under Waller, and were obliged to break down the bridges behind them to make good their retreat. The Royalists also burned down many houses in the suburbs of Worcester, the better to secure the city. Between Evesham and Oxford are several memorials of his Majesty's misfortunes. In a bed-room at the White Hart inn, at Moreton-in-the-Marsh, appears the following:
"When friends were few, and dangers near, King Charles found rest and safety here. KING CHARLES I slept at this inn on his way to Evesham, Tuesday, July 2, 1644."
In August, 1644, offers were made to the Parliament by divers gentlemen of Worcestershire to raise forces for their service, and an ordinance was passed for that purpose. At the beginning of 1645 the King appointed Prince Maurice, his nephew and son of the Elector Palatine of the Rhine, "General of Worcester, Hereford, and Shropshire." It is apparent, from other records besides those of the corporation, that his brother, Prince Rupert, was also, at short intervals of inaction in the field, present at Worcester, and there is sufficient evidence to show that these arrogant, fiery, and remorseless soldiers of fortune bled the city more copiously than Dr. Sangrado did his patients. Here is an extract from a warrant of Prince Rupert's, which will exhibit his peremptory tone and fierce character, and afford some idea of the horrors of civil war. It commands labourers and provisions to be sent to him "upon your utmost peril, as the total burning and plundering of your houses, with what other mischief the licensed and hungry soldiers can inflict upon you." Early in 1645, the "clubmen," as they were called, appeared in large bodies in Worcestershire, assumed a defensive attitude, and refused to serve the King according to his proclamation. These clubmen first arose in the west of England, where for a time their efforts were principally directed to the checking of the cruelties and licentious outrages of Goring, the Royalist commander, and his desperate bands. Gradually gentlemen of rank and substance joined the yeomen and peasantry, and gave a new direction to the association. The original motive of the "clubmen" was sufficiently explained in the motto on one of their ensigns or standards—
"If ye offer to plunder or take our cattle, Be you assured we'll give you battle."
The Worcestershire clubmen first mustered to the number of about two thousand, and put forth a declaration of their intentions against the Popish party and to preserve the King's rights and the privileges of Parliament. They rapidly increased in force; Prince Rupert strove to pacify them, but in vain; the constables refused to bring in a list of the names of those who thus assembled. By the middle of March their number had increased to fourteen thousand well armed men, and they applied to Colonel Massey, then in command at Gloucester, for assistance to enable them to besiege Hereford. Massey replied that if they would fully declare for the Parliament he would join with them. They requested two or three days for consideration, but their answer is not recorded that I am aware of. It is probable, however, that they did declare, either at this period or a little later, for the Parliament.
On Sunday, the 11th of May, 1645, the King and his forces were at Inkberrow, at the vicarage of which place I have seen an old book of maps, said to have been left behind him by the King when he slept there. The title page is as follows:
"The Kingdome of England and Principality of Wales, exactly described with every sheere and the small townes in every one of them, on six mappes portable for every man's pocket; useful for all commanders for quarteringe of souldiers, and all sorts of persons that would be informed where the armies be—never so commodiously drawne before this 1644. Described by one that travailed throughout the whole Kingdome for its purpose."
Thorn farmhouse, at Inkberrow, also claims the honour of having sheltered the royal head; and there is a farmhouse at Cookhill, in the same parish, in which a portrait of the King remained hidden behind a sliding panel (probably ever since the days of the Commonwealth), and would not have been discovered to the present time but for the decay of a peg on which it was hung, occasioning it to fall with a great noise in the night time some years ago. So large a number of old houses in this county are said to have been temporary resting places for the King or his fugitive son that it is probable one half of these traditions cannot be correct. The King marched from Inkberrow to Droitwich, where he stayed from Sunday till Wednesday, and then went to the siege of Hawkesley House, which was at once surrendered, and set on fire. That night the King lay at Cofton Hall, near Bromsgrove, occupied by Mr. Thomas Jolliffe, who was faithful to his Sovereign to the last, and attended his execution. There is a tradition that when the King was in prison he gave a key to Mr. Jolliffe, to visit him when he pleased; and in Dr. Nash's time there was a picture in the house, representing that gentleman, with a key in his hand, his pistols and sword hanging on a pillar before him. After leaving Cofton Hall the King marched to Himley, then inhabited by Lord Ward.
In June, 1645, was fought the famous battle of Naseby, which crushed the Royal cause. Soon afterwards, the Scotch army was ordered to march from Nottingham to Worcester; and in July, Canon Froome, in Herefordshire, then a garrison of the King's, was taken by the Scotch army with little loss, and Col. Harley, progenitor of the famous Tory minister of Queen Anne and of the Earls of Oxford and Mortimer, was appointed governor of the place. Whether the property at Canon Froome then belonged, as it does now, to a member of the ancient family of Hopton, I have not the means of ascertaining, but it is recorded in the memorials of Whitelock that about this time a Mr. Hopton, with a small band of followers, fell in with, and, after a gallant conflict, destroyed a party of the Royalists in the vicinity of Ledbury.
In August, 1645, the King came with his army from Shipston-on-Stour to Worcester, where they rested several days, the guards lying at Claines. The Worcester Corporation accounts of this period contain numerous items of expense incurred by "the Scots' king," as his Majesty was then somewhat contemptuously termed; and the chamberlains also "pray to be allowed for butter potts and napkins, bottles, &c., sent to the Denary (his Majesty's quarters) and there lost."
Charles again passed through Bewdley, where a skirmish took place with his pursuers, and sixty Royalists were taken prisoners. It is said that he slept for two nights at the Angel Inn, in that town, and that the inhabitants granted the sum of half-a-crown for his entertainment, but there is probably some mistake either in the amount or in the alleged object to which it was applied. Tickenhill Palace was so much damaged during these wars that it was taken down soon afterwards. From Bewdley the King went to Bromyard, and at length the hunted monarch found shelter in the princely halls of Ragland with the Marquis of Worcester. It is recorded that in November of this year divers persons of Worcestershire, under Mr. Dingley—he was an officer who had served in the Low Countries—declared for the Parliament and complained of the "insolence and injuries" of the garrison of Worcester. Probably the clubmen now gave in their adhesion to the only party which was able to protect them, and against which resistance would have been unavailing, for the fortunes of King Charles were rapidly sinking to the lowest ebb. In proof of these "insolences and injuries" a copy of a warrant from Col. Bard (probably Baird), the governor, to the constables who were accustomed to collect the contributions, was laid before the Parliament. It was drawn after the most approved Rupert style:—
"Know that unless you bring into me (at a day and house in Worcester) the monthly contribution for six months, you are to expect an unsanctified troop of horse among you, from whom, if you hide yourselves, they shall fire your houses without mercy, hang up your bodies wherever they find them, and scare your ghosts, &c."
This probably led to the organisation of the Worcestershire Committee of defence and safety, of which mention first occurs immediately after the declaration of Mr. Dingley and others and the representation made by them to the Parliament. Early in December, 1645, Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice set out from Worcester with 160 horse in the direction of Oxford. They were obstructed on their march by a party of the "clubmen" under Sir Edward Dingley, the then head of this old Worcestershire family. But these raw levies were no match for the trained cavaliers and their ardent leaders. The Princes and their troop cut their way through Dingley's yeomen, killing and wounding several of them, and so got safely to Oxford.
The unfortunate upholder of "divine right in kings" passed to his account in January, 1649. In 1651, Charles II escaped with his forces out of Scotland, and marching through the northern and midland counties, entered Worcester on the 23rd of August. Major-Generals Lambert and Harrison had despatched some forces to secure the place, lest the King should make it a quarter or garrison. These and the country levies made a brave resistance and beat back the Royalists several times, but the townsmen having laid down their arms, and some of them shooting at the Parliament soldiers out of the windows, they removed their ammunition, while a party of only thirty men kept the enemy at bay. They then retired in good order upon Gloucester, the King's troops being too much fatigued by their long marches from the north to pursue them. Charles was proclaimed King in this city. The result of the disastrous battle of Worcester has been already described by various historians. William Bagnall, then living in Sidbury, being one of the "Chamber," or Corporation, turned out a horse, ready bridled and saddled, for the use of his Majesty, when the latter was so near being captured. Mr. Bagnall died in a year afterwards, but the family would never afterwards receive any consideration for the horse or saddle. In Chambers's "Biographical Illustrations" it is stated that "Sir Charles Wogan is said to have been robbed of the honour of saving King Charles II after the battle of Worcester, as he stopped those who were in chase of his Majesty and Colonel Carless." At Wolverley, in the dell upon the brink of which Lea Castle stands, is still shown the spot over which the King crossed on his way to Kinfare and Boscobel.
On the Bromyard road, some three miles and a half from the city of Worcester (says a writer in the publication called "Notes and Queries"), is Cotheridge Court, the manorial residence of the Berkeleys. The Mr. Berkeley who held it at the date of the battle of Worcester was a stout Royalist, and went to help the fallen fortunes of his King. It so chanced that he had two piebald horses, who were exactly like each other, "specially Sambo," as the niggers say. He made one of these horses his charger, and rode him to the fight. When Cromwell had gained his "crowning merits," Mr. Berkeley escaped to Cotheridge as best he might; and planning a very skilful ruse, left his exhausted charger at one of the farmhouses not far from the court. He then betook himself to bed, and, as he had foreseen, a troop of crop-headed Parliamentarists now made their appearance before his doors and sought admittance. Mr. Berkeley was ill in bed, and could not be seen. Fudge! they must see him. So they go to his bed-side. "So you were fighting against us at Worcester to-day, were you?" say the crop-heads. "Me!" says Mr. Berkeley, faintly and innocently; "why, I am sick, and forced to keep my bed." "All very fine," say the crop-heads, "but you were there, my dear sir, for you rode a piebald charger, and were very conspicuous." "It could not have been me," says the sick man, "for though I certainly do ride a piebald charger when I am in health, yet he has never been out of the stable all day. If you doubt my word, you had better go to the stable and satisfy yourselves." So the crop-heads go to the stable, and there, of course, find piebald No. 2, as fresh as a daisy, and evidently not from Worcester. So they conclude that they had mistaken their man, and leave the sick Mr. Berkeley to get well and laugh at the ruse he had so successfully played upon them.
After his flight from Worcester and concealment at White Ladies, the King appeared as "Will Jones," attired in a leather doublet, with pewter buttons, a pair of old green breeches, a green "jump coat," a pair of stockings with the tops cut off, a pair of stirrup stockings, a pair of shoes cut and slashed to give ease to his feet, an old grey greasy hat without a lining, a "noggen shirt" of the coarsest linen, his hands and face made of a "reechy complexion" with the aid of walnut leaves. He attempted to reach Wales, but got no further than Madeley, being obliged to return, as there were no means of crossing the Severn, without danger. He returned to his shelter in Staffordshire, and quitted his suit for a new grey one, as the holiday attire of a farmer's son, and thus as "Will Jackson" he rode before Mrs. Jane Lane, and ultimately effected his escape.
In Martley church is still, I believe, an inscription to Lettice Lane, sister to the above Mrs. Jane Lane, who rode with Charles II, disguised as her servant, on his retreat to the south-west coast. On the floor of the old church of Knightwick (recently closed) was also a plain stone to Grace Lane, another of the same family. It is said that his Majesty halted at Knightwick, and was glad to turn shoeblack at the Talbot inn, to avoid the suspicion of pursuers. Colonel Lane, of Bentley, Staffordshire, had property at Knightwick, and the young lady, with her royal master, probably rested here on that account. The gold pouncet box given by the King to Mrs. Jane Lane during their journey from Bentley to Bristol, after the battle of Worcester, and a beautiful portrait (a miniature) of Colonel Lane, were exhibited by Miss Yonge, at the Archæological Institute Meeting at Shrewsbury, October, 1855. On the former are engraved, on a lozenge, the arms of the Lane family, with the canton of England granted as an honourable augmentation. These interesting relics were in the possession of Dr. Arden, who married a lady of the Lane family, and they were presented by Miss Arden to their present possessor. In "Colston's Life and Times" is the following interesting allusion to the progress of the royal fugitive:—"At the close of the year, the vessel which conveyed the body of the Lord-Deputy Ireton, who had died of the plague, at Limerick, came into King Road, 'notice of which having been forwarded to the Mayor of Bristol, he sent a boat, covered with black, in which the corpse was brought to the city. When the body was landed, a velvet pall was placed over the coffin, and the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, in their formalities, and the Governor and his officers, with a multitude of citizens, attended the body. On this occasion the great guns were fired from the castle and fort.' Nearly coincident with the above, a horseman, with apparently his mistress seated behind him, on a pillion, entered Bristol at Lawford's Gate. He was unknown, unnoticed; but between him, and the ashes that with gloomy solemnity were paraded, there was a connecting link—connecting yet repulsive. They were the ashes of a fallen foe, the mortal remains of an enemy—of one who had sentenced to a traitor's doom the august sire of the menial who now journeyed through a city, whose allegiance to him and his cause had been severed, where there awaited a thousand arms to deliver him to captivity, perhaps to death. The place is evidently familiar to the rider. He made no inquiries, but conducted his horse unheeded through the streets. He arrives in view of the lofty bulwarks of the castle, its towers and gigantic keep. Their sight may have called forth latent memories, for here the horse was stayed, turned aside, as though the travellers would take a passing survey of the stately pile; but this was all; they halted not to rest at inn or hostelry, nor dismounted to refresh the steed, but quietly and leisurely continued their course, through a narrow gloomy street, over the bridge, and thus in safety passed from out the ancient town, unsuspected, unchallenged, and unknown. How strange are life's vicissitudes, its contrasts! A king, disguised—passing obscurely through a half hostile city! The mortal remains of the son-in-law of the usurper of his kingdom received with military honours and Royal etiquette. In one quarter, pomp and state following the ashes, as would befit a monarch's obsequies; in another, a deserted crownless sovereign, in lowly garb, eludes the pursuit of his enemy, and passes in safety to a less doubtful shelter from the city, of which he was the lawful lord. In after years, all this quaint and gorgeous pomp will be displayed to welcome this fugitive, and he will be escorted triumphantly through its lately hostile bosom."
In reference to the Civil Wars in this county, the following extracts from Dugdale's Diary will be found to possess some interest:
"March 22, 1644. This night, —— brother to Fox ye tinker (wch. keeps a garrison of rebells in Edgbaston House, com. Warr.) entred Sturton Castle, com. Stafford, with 200 men from —— to plant a garrison there.
"May 3 [1644].—Sr. Tho. Littleton, of Frankley, com. Wigorn, taken prisoner by a p'ty of horse (sent by Fox, the tinker from Edgbaston) to Ticknall Mannor near Beaudley."
John Fox "the Tinker," as he is here and before called, and "that rogue Fox" as the Royalists sometimes term him, appears to have been a very active officer, and no small annoyance to his adversaries. Amongst the papers of the republican Earl of Denbigh, who was commander in chief of the forces in the counties of Warwick, Worcester, Stafford, and Salop, is a memorandum, made about March, 1643-4, of a commission granted to John Fox to be colonel of a regiment to consist of six troops of horse and two companies of dragoons, and a commission to Reynold Fox to be his major. The same collection (which is arranged in two large folio volumes) contains several letters from Fox, during his occupation of Edgbaston House, where nothing but the enthusiasm of party could have kept his ill-clothed and ill-paid soldiers together. Indeed, at one time, he confesses that he durst not leave them to wait upon his Lordship, "for feare of mutunyes and a general departure." Fox signs in an illiterate manner, and his letters are always in the writing of another hand, probably that of a German, as he mentions "Hampton, Brewood, and the Dorpes [villages] thereabouts." By referring to October 5, following, it will be found that the united forces from Worcester and Dudley Castle were not able to unkennel him in his little garrison at Edgbaston, but "returned without doing anything;" or—as Fox would probably have said—were repulsed with loss. Odious enough in the eyes of the Cavaliers, for his successful opposition, he was surcharged with being one of King Charles's executioners: "Some have a conceit that he that gave the stroke was one Collonell Foxe, and the other Captain Joyce, who took the King from Holmby, but that is not believed."—Journal of the Earl of Leicester, in Sydney Papers, by Blencowe, p. 61.
"October 5.—Forces went out of Worcester and joyned with others from Dudley Castle to recover Edgbaston House from ye Rebells. Returned without doing anything."
THE END.
