ANTIQUITIES OF OKEHAMPTON. 143 



private yearning of his heart for another, bade him sh'ght the favor 

 of Queen Mary. I may not copy the ill-breeding of old Prince 

 in giving Mary's exact age at the time : but at every season of life 

 to withdraw appears the charm most attractive in Woman. The 

 damsel of the Scotch song knew this, although she carried it a 

 little too far when 



" Duncan flattered, and Duncan prayed, 



Heigh ho ! the wooing on't, 

 But Mag was deaf as Ailso craig, 



Heigh ho ! the wooing on't. " 



It may be the cause that has been assigned for the Lord Cour- 

 tenay's want of gallantry in this case was his affection for the queen's 

 sister, Elizabeth, some time captive with him in the Tower. 



The first summons of burgesses to serve in parliament for this 

 town, was by a writ, yet in existence bearing date 28th Edward 1st, 

 and in the 7th of his successor the privilege was renewed. From 

 that time, however, Okehampton continued without representatives 

 until the reign of Charles 1st when the long dormant qualification 

 was restored. 



The share borne by this town in the troubles of that reign has 

 found a faithful chronicler in person of Master Richard Shebbear. 

 Faithful, as far as he goes ; for this worthy burgess, being as I 

 suspect, at heart a royalist, appears fearful of committing himself 

 after the ruin of the royal cause. In the year of the king's death 

 and those consequent on it, the record merely notices by whom 

 the civic chair here was filled, there being no other entry whatever. 

 Master Richard had kepta journal of the events occurring around 

 him for some years. 



In 1626, a virulent disorder raged in Okehampton, of which no 

 less a number than 300, mostly youths, are mentioned as having 

 deceased. Intercourse with other towns was suspended, and the 

 markets closed from Easter eve to the end of that year ; " only, 

 says Shebbear, " with something of aldermanly feeling on such 

 matters, " two or three butchers did attend the shambles. " 



Two years after, we light on an entry, that miglit have been 

 taken as ominous of the coming troubles. On August 3rd, being 

 Sabbath day, immediately after evening prayer, a remarkable rise 

 of the East river was perceptible. Richard observes that no rain 

 had fallen for the day, and that ** it was conceived by some the 

 water did savour and smell of brimstone." 



During the greater part of July, 1643, the unfortunate Charles 

 and his Queen were, with the royalist army in this town ; watch- 



