166 Hungerford. 



on Thursday, December 6th, 1688, the Prince of Orange reached 

 Hungerford. The little town was soon crowded with men of rank 

 and note who came thither from opposite quarters. The Prince 

 was escorted by a strong body of troops. The northern Lords 

 brought with them hundreds of irregular cavalry, whose accoutre- 

 ments and horsemanship, moved the mirth of men accustomed to 

 the splendid aspect and exact movements of regular armies. On 

 the morning of Saturday, December 8th, the King's Commissioners 

 consisting of Lord Halifax, Lord Nottingham, and Lord Godolphin, 

 reached Hungerford. The Prince's body-guard was drawn up to 

 receive them with military respect. Bentinck welcomed them and 

 proposed to conduct them immediately to his master. They ex- 

 pressed a hope that the Prince would favor them with a private 

 audience : but they were informed that he had resolved to hear 

 them and answer them in public. They were ushered into his 

 bedchamber, where they found him surrounded by a crowd of 

 noblemen and gentlemen. 



Halifax, whose rank, age, and abilities entitled him to precedence, 

 was spokesman. The proposition which the Commissioners had 

 been instructed to make, was that the points in dispute should be 

 referred to the Parliament, for which the writs were already seal- 

 ing ; and that in the mean time the Prince's army would not come 

 within 30 or 40 miles of London. Halifax having explained that 

 this was the basis on which he and his colleagues were prepared to 

 treat, put into William's hand a letter from the King and retired. 

 William opened the letter and seemed unusually moved. He 

 requested the Lords and Gentlemen, whom he had convoked on 

 this occasion to consult together, unrestrained by his presence, as 

 to the answer which ought to be returned. To himself he reserved 

 the power of deciding in the last resource after hearing their 

 opinion. He then left them and retired to Littlecote Hall, a manor 

 house situated about two miles off. 



That afternoon the Noblemen and Gentlemen whose advice 

 William had asked, met in the great room of the principal inn at 

 Hungerford. Oxford was placed in the chair, and the King's 

 overtures were taken into consideration. After much altercation, 



