66 Records of the Rising in the West, A.T). 1655. 



been punished in vain. His life was now forfeited to the people of 

 England. Whatever maybe said of Cromweirs sternness of character, 

 which years of battle had increased, if not generated ; yet there was 

 a tender side too, as we know, which must have been moved on this 

 occasion, as petition after petition and person after person, even 

 his own son, besought mercy. If we could but stand in his position 

 might not the sentence appear just ? 



On the 3rd of May the death warrant was signed at Whitehall, and 

 sent off to Exeter. By it we see that the following further petition 

 (of which a portion of a rough copy exists at Compton) , was granted. 

 There is no record of its presentation, but Colonel Penruddock^s 

 speech upon the scaffold, which will be given hereafter rather 

 suggests that this was done. 



" To His Highness 



The Humble Petition 

 Humbly sheweth 



That havinge Presented a former Petition w"''' wee did hope by our 

 submission might have procured us mercy from your Highnesse But fearing as 

 the sentence is past for the day of execution is Likewise Press, wee humbly 

 therefore beseech your Higbnesse that if we may not obtain the favour of Lite 

 Tour Higbnesse would be pleased to grant us more Honourable deaths than our 

 sentence hath condemned us unto w'^'' will not onely give us some satisfaction 

 on our deaths but engage our severall Relations that Live after us to pray for 

 your Highness," 



Opposite will be found Si facsimile of this interesting document.' 



" OLIVER P. 



Whereas John Penruddock, Hugh Grove, Richard Reeves, Edward 

 Davy, Thomas Poulton, Edward Willis, Thomas HiUard, John Haynes, James 

 Horsington alias Huish, and John Giles alias Hobbs, were indicted, convicted 

 and attainted of high Treason at a Commission of Oyer and Terminer and Goal 

 deliverie, lately held at Exeter in our Countie of Devon and have received sen- 

 tence to be executed as Traytors. Wee have thought fit, and our will and 

 pleasure is, that the said John Penruddock and Hugh Grove instead of being 

 hanged by ye neck, be put to death by severing_their heads from their Bodyes, 

 and that the said Richard Reeves, Edward Davy, Thomas Poulton, Edward 

 Willis, Thomas HUIard, John Haynes, James Horsington, and John Giles be 

 onely hanged by the neck till they are dead. And that you forbeare all other 



1 The engraving of this warrant in Sir R. C. Hoare's History of Modern 

 Wiltshire is incorrect, and the present, an entirely new one, has been engraved 

 for this paper. 



