authority of the county gentlemen, who asscmljled for the purpose, 

 the trouble gradually disappeared. 



For riding post " to and fro the commotion!? in Somersetshire," 

 Sir William Herbert's messenger was paid £3, by Avarrant on Sir 

 John Williams.* 



As the " Gospellers" also declared against the enclosures, the 

 Lord Protector, having failed in his first attempt, found it 

 necessary to appoint a Commission to consider the question, and 

 it was hoped that " maugre the devil, private profit, self love and 

 money," to settle it, without one having too much and a gi-eat 

 many nothing. But the Commissioners proceeding too confidently 

 in their work and in an absohite and arbitraiy manner, found 

 themselves opposed by the landowners, as " invading the rights 

 of property, without the aid of a Court of Law," and so again 

 the attempt was frustrated, f 



As the disaffection had now spread into Devon, Avhere the in- 

 surrection commenced on Whitsunday, the 9th June, Lord Russell, 

 Lord Privy Seal, was sent off for the government of Somerset and 

 the neighbouring counties, and soon arrived at Taunton with a small 

 force. It being known that the popish party at home and abroad 

 thought this a good time to attack England, his instructions were 

 to reside for a time in the west, as well for its governance, as for its 

 better defence against invasion by a foreign enemy. Next, calling 

 to him the Justices of the Peace and such others as he should think 

 fit, he was to learn the cause of any " onquietness," if he found 

 the people " out of frame " or disobedient, and to endeavour by 

 all ways and means possible, to bring them with "gentilnes," to a 

 proper conformity. But, if by such gentle persuasions they 

 would not come to a knowledge of their duties, he was to assemble 

 the power of the shire and repress the obstinate and wilful, as 

 examples to others who may attempt the "lyk."J The rebellion 



• State Papers, Docquets, Edward VI,, Vol. i. 

 t Burnet. J State Papers, 1549, Vol. vil., fol. 40. 



