6 
were “put to it” and called upon to do so. Royalist soldiers 
were now quartered upon him, “ bloody minded, dangerous 
ruffians,” who tyrannised over him in his own house, not per- 
mitting him quietly to enjoy himself, even in his own private 
study. When he retired there, as he was often obliged to do, to 
escape from their insolence, they frequently pursued him with 
drawn swords, vowing his instant death for not more fully 
complying with their wishes. 
But when the submission became known in London, early in 
October, the astonishment and vexation were great amongst his 
own party. In the account sent to the Royalist quarters at 
Oxford, the Commissioners called him Rector of Wrington. 
Look! cried his old friends, they now call him Rector of Wrington ; 
had not he subscribed, he had been “plain Craftsman or Presbyter, 
or Crooke, the Coachman.” Master Crooke, adds the chronicler, 
“T would your late cousin, Judge Crooke,* were alive, either to 
counsell or condemn you.” Then noticing the Fifth Article, 
which promised two sermons, one at Wells, the other at Wrington, 
he adds, “be sure and take heed first, Master Crooke, that these 
places be far enough from the Parliament Armies.”t In November 
there appeared a feeble attempted refutation of this story, which 
stated that Master Crooke absolutely denied it, and “protested 
his innocency in that particular, and had ample testimonies” of 
his taking part with the Parliament. 
That he deeply regretted being compelled to this act may well 
be believed. Refusal to submit was certain deprivation, possibly 
some painful imprisonment ; and only the hope that others would 
be induced to follow his example, and that his great influence 
may be used on the King’s side could have got him off so easily. 
In judging his conduct, it must be remembered, too, that he was 
now seventy years of age, a time when the desire to die Rector of 
Wrington might well be strong upon him. 
* (?) Sir Geo. Croke, of Waterstoke, Bucks, Decd. 1641, Athenee, Oxon. 
+ Mercurius Britanicus, No.7. § + Mercurius Civicus, No, 25, 
