k 



Wiltshire Quarter Sessions. 7 



Thus impelled the court voted to Sumner a payment of twenty 

 nebles, to be contributed in equal proportions by the treasurers for 

 the northern and southern parts of the county. But, even so, he 

 rested not content, for, under his further solicitations. Lord Hertford, 

 at the Michaelmas Sessions, 16U6, thus moves the court anew : — 



" I have heretofore written unto yo" upon y' like reference from his Ma'"' in 

 y' behaulfe of this poore impotent man Richard Somner for an allowance of xx 

 markos to bo given him in lewe of a Pension for his former sei'vice donne as a 

 Master Gunner in her late Ma'''° time, who as I am enformed hath received of 

 that some onely xx nobles and beinge nott well satisfied therew"' hath since 

 troubled his Ma'" whose pleasure siguifyed by Sir Julius Caesar is that eyther ho 

 should have the full some of xx markes given hira or a yearely pention for his 

 releife The necessity and misery of y' pore man moves me verj' much to re- 

 commend his sute unto yo" who havinge spent that little he had at the Bathe 

 and ellswhere seekinge for help is nowe destitute of all meanes of releife Where- 

 fore yt were very convenyent yo" did take such order amonge yo' selves that he 

 may be satisfyed, that neyther his Ma"^ nor yo" may be any more troubled 

 therew"" And soe w"" my very hartie comendacons I comitt yo" to God. From 

 my Lodge at Tottenham this first day of October, 1606." 



The justices seem to have resolved that they would " not be any 

 more troubled therewith," for the above paper bears the following 

 note : — 



" Mr. Kent \_clerk of the peace\ We have allowed this berer Richard Suner 

 the su of v' to be p"* equally by the Thrers of the coUecon of the reliefe for 

 maymed soldiours." 



The " patents " under the hand of Sir William Wade are of 

 frequent occurrence : one candidate had served undei' Sir Francis 

 Stafford, another under Sir Francis Rushe, others under Sir Oliver 

 St. John, Sir John Throgmorton, or Captain Richard Byngley. 

 Ireland had generally been the scene of their exploits. Sir Oliver's 

 man is described as having been " a souldier of my Foote company 

 during all the tyme of my being in Ireland in the late rebellion of 

 Tyrone, and the moste part of that tyme was a corjiorall of a squadron 

 in that company " : Sir John's candidate had served " her late 

 majy in the Kingdom of Fraunce." Such old soldiers formed a 

 substantial contribution to the ranks of vagrancy, and occasionally 

 got into trouble, even when travelling with a proper passport. One 



