174 Records of the Rising in the West, A.D. 1655. 
by plowing with theire owne heyfars. But for the principall ones, we have not 
a thought of sparing them. For the highwaymen, they were soe cunning, as 
to confesse, they went after this party, thereby hoping to have drawne us on to 
accuse them for that, and soe not to have questioned them for the robbery; but 
having no other evidence than their owne confessions, which they might deny 
at the tryall, we thought fit rather to proceed with them upon the other.” 
‘The evidence hath been given to the petty Jury against Lucas [writes Mr. 
Hill]; it spent foure houres, and was very cleere and full against him who made 
a very meane defence. He desired Counsell might be assigned him, but could 
not tell for what. I doubt not, but he will be found guilty by that jury within 
an hour or two, although I did not like some of the jurors questions. * 
And Mr. Attorney says the length of it was occasioned, because wee were ne- 
cessitated to make proofe of the first designe, the outrages in Salisbury, the 
proclayming the king at Blandford, and the routing them at Molton. His owne 
examination proved and acknowledged was sufficient in itself; besides diverse 
other witnesses applyed it to him. The evidence was full ; the Court gave full 
and cleare direction in point of law. He produced noe witnesse, had little to 
say for himselfe, only pretended he was forced thither. He prayed Counsell, 
but none was allowed, there being noe cause for it.” + 
Soon after the return of the court, from their midday adjournment, 
the petty jury found him guilty. 
‘After that [continues Mr. Attorney] wee proceeded against threet in the 
list (against whome we had noe evidence to convict them of this rebellion) for 
robbery; and the petty jury found them all guilty.§ Then the Grand Jury 
brought in b¢lla vera for treason against Robert Mason, Thomas Curre, John 
Deane, Gabriel Pyle, John Saint Loe and John Kensey ; but as to Sir John Moore 
tgnoramus. Of these we had only in custody Deane and Kensey. Deane was 
the only sonne and childe of his mother, a young man, whome some of the 
court and myselfe had a mind to have made an object of your mercy and for that 
purpose did even woe him to confess the indictment; but it seemes the London 
counsell had otherwise prevayled with him, though his friends both in private 
and in publique were desirous of it and pressed him to it; but hee standing it 
out, we proceeded to tryall, and the same petty jury, that were upon Lucas. went 
on them, and found them both guilty of high treason, and soe we closed this 
day [April 12th, ] between 8 and 9 at night.” 
He adds 
‘my Lord Chief Justice Rolle went hence this afternoone ; his sone and daughter 
being come hither he went to his owne house [Shapwick,near Glastonbury, ] with 
them. Wee shall put all the rest, against whome wee intend to proceed into one 
*3Th., 365. 
+3 Th., 371, This very clearly shews the nature of the evidence for the prosecution. 
+ These were probably Lovelace, Sweet and Harford, 
3 Ibid, 372. 
