A TRVE AND SAD RELATION Of divers passages in Somerset­shire, between the Country and the Ca­valeers concerning the Militia, and the Commission of Array, August. 5. 1642.

Wherein some were slaine, others distracted, and the Town of Wells taken by the Ca­valeers, and since besieged by the Countrey.

With the Votes of the Lords and Com­mons concerning divers Delin­quents in that Action.

Iohn Brown Cler. Parliament.

LONDON, Printed by A. N. for Ed. Blackmore, and Richard Lownds, 1642.

August. 9.

SIR,

I Long to hear from you, in regard I must informe you of the great misery this Countrey is in, the Cavaleers in Somersetshire have u­sed violence on the Yeomanry, and have tur­ned them out of doores, and take their arms from them, the people seeing it could not suf­fer it, For if they prevaile now they think they shall be slaves for ever. For the Lord Pawlet hath declared that it is not fit for any Country Yeoman to have above ten pound a yeere: the people murmured much at him: the malig­nant part have as it were proclaimed war al­ready, For place of Randevouz is Wells, this Week the people came in daily. For the Militia yesterday was appointed, at the meeting there came in thirty thousand, for the Militia, there is five hundred gone out of Bristoll, they went yesterday morning, and are not returned yet, [Page 2]it is but twelve miles where the Army lies, there is like to be fearfull times here. There came in on Thursday night against Friday, a hundred men for the Militia, they being few in respect of the malignant party, they went out of Wells, and killed some, and tooke the rest, for the number it is but few that were killed, they are mercilesse men, they care not what they doe: the Deputy-Lievtenants have demanded their prisoners but cannot have them: they have all ihis night beene planting Ordnance against Wells, and wil certainly bat­ter down the town unlesse they deliver them: there is like to be great bloudshedding; the people have resolued rather to lose their lives then to be slaves, the people have bin out this two dayes and two nights, and have not time to refresh themselves, the place to meet at is on Mendip: the Cavaliers faild their promise, and did not appeare yesterday, in regard of the many that came against them: you would admire to see what weapons the people got for want of Armes: there is not two thousand of the Advers party: the chiefe are the Mar­quesse of Hartford, the Lord Paulet, sir Ralph [Page 3]Hopon, sir Francis Dorington, & Master Smith for the Pa [...]liament, There is sir Francis Poppam and his sonne, sir Iohn Horner, Master Richard Col [...] ▪ Master Sirood, Master Pine, sir Edward Hun­gerford, sir Edward Gainton; There comes in for their assistance, Glocester, Wilts, Dorset, and De­vo [...] shires, Master Alexander Poppam bestirres himselfe bravely: our well affected people in the Town have sent three or foure field peeces to him, and much Armes, Lord grant them a good successe; This evening will produce much newes, I wish it may be for the best. I pray let me heare from you of that businesse I wrote of, so for this present I rest,

Yours ever to be Commanded Ioseph Prowd. Bristoll
August 5. 1642.

Die Veneris 5 August, 1642.
Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament.

THat Sir Ralph Hopton. M. Tho. Smith, and Captaine Iohn Digby shall be disabled to sit as Members of the House of Commons during this Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That Captaine Iohn Digby be forth with sent for as Delin­quent.

Resolved &c. That Sir Ralph Hopton, Mr. Tho. Smith, Sir Ferdinand Gorges, and Sir Francis Dodington be forthwith sent for as Delinquents.

Resolved, &c. That Richard Board. Hercules Whiting, Nicholas Dounton, [...]mes Stroud, Iohn Walker, and John Cooth, the Parson of Shipton▪ [...]. [...]e forthwith sent for as Delinquents.

ORDERED,

THat the High Sheriffe of the County of Somerset, and the Deputy-Lievtenants and Committees of the same County, and the Forces that shall be sent downe to the assistance of the said Deputy-Lievienants, and Comittee, be all required to use their best endeavours for the apprehending and sending up to the Parliament the Delinquents voted of that County.

August.

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