Lae Sa ee 
By W. W. Ravenhill, Esq. 125 
the West was sent Sir Joseph Wagstaffe, a jolly boon companion, 
very popular amongst his own party, a man bold and courageous, but 
without the qualifications necessary to make him a great general. 
The readers of Lord Clarendon will recollect him, as doing good 
service in the West during the three sad years of bloodshed. 
With regard to the propriety of rising just then the friends of 
the King were by no means united in opinion.! His special agents in 
this Country “The Sealed Knot” were against it, as also many of 
the leading Cavaliers in various parts. And certainly he himself did 
not take a very hopeful view of matters, as his letters written about 
this time clearly shew. The day for action, after a rising had been 
determined upon, was moreover involved in doubt and confusion, at 
least to the King and those immediately about him. Lord Clarendon 
tells us the 18th of April, but long ere this the whole affair, pre- 
cipitated by the Lord Protector, had crumbled to pieces; and some 
of those who had joined, were already tried, and left for execution. 
There was certainly an understanding for a rising at Taunton, 
to secure that and other places; and in Wiltshire to attack 
Marlborough, about the 12th or 14th of Feburary, 1655, but owing 
to the vigilance of the commandants of the various garrisons, 
notably Colonel Boteler of Marlborough, it came to nothing.? 
After that there were meetings of the Cavaliers at Salisbury, and 
Compton, and elsewhere ; foxhunting, now that horseracing was 
prohibited, afforded a legitimate object.2 Sir Joseph Wagstaffe 
arrived, men, arms, and horses were collected, and March the 12th 
following was fixed as the trysting day. Alas! one most disastrous in 
Cavalier annals, for ten years before, it had witnessed the overthrow 
of Sir James Long and his 400, in the fields and lanes of Melksham. 
On Sunday the 11th, they met in Clarendon Park about 60 strong ; 
there Mr. Mompesson joined them with 40 men. Thence they 
13 Clarendon State Papers, 266. 
2 See tipsy Jack Stradling’s statement, which caused the arrest of Francis 
Wyndham and others. 3 Th., 172 & 181. Also letter of information, Feb. 
Lith, 1955. 3 Th., 148. 
’ Horseracing was prohibited by Orders in Council, Feb. 26th, 1655. See 
Order Book in Record Office. Foxhunting took place the week before the rising 
at West Knoyle and Ludgershall. 3 Th., 630 & 640. 
