120 The Wilts Cotinly Court — Devizes versus Wilton. 



the unfortunate Marlborough burgesses, whea some of the King's officers, taking 

 their cue from Prince Rupert, presumed to treat England as a foreign conquered 

 country ; setting the town of Marlborough on fire and sending off the principal 

 inhabitants in a body to Oxford Castle, there to languish and (in many instances) 

 to die. The refreshment administered to the captives took place (we are told), 

 near Lambourn, and Lambourn is some miles from Stanton Fitzwarren, the 

 Hippisley seat. But then the family of Hippisley is associated also with 

 Lambourn (see the Charity Reports). Besides, the distance of a few miles 

 would form no barrier to Hippisley generosity. 



The authority for the statement above made, as to Sir James 

 Thyune's endeavour to influence the Wilton electors, will be found 

 in the following letter : — 



To^ John Nicholas, Esq., at Mr. Secketaey Nicholas's Lodgings in 

 Whitehall, Westminsteb. — Post paid 2d. 



Netherhampton, 24th March, 1660/1. 

 Sib. — Yours with those enclosed I have received ; and must confess myself 

 in a sti-ait what is fittest to be done in that affair. I find all at Wilton very 

 confident in their first resolutions as to yourself and Mr. Mompesson ; and 

 am afraid that if you should be chosen at Salisbury it would be a very hard 

 matter to get Mr. Denham elected at Wilton; by which means my lord's 

 interest will be utterly laid aside there, and some other unknown person oa 

 the Sheriff's account elected; who hath upon the matter signified to the 

 borough that in case they refuse to pleasure him in that election, he will take 

 his course, which they understand to be the removing of the County Court 

 lately by him brought thither from the Devizes. The Mayor of Wilton, with 

 the rest there, have answered the Sheriff that they were pre-engaged before 

 they were acquainted with his desires, and cannot possibly pleasure him at 

 present. And, for aught I can understand, they resolve to speed the election ; 

 being unwilling to have a stranger put upon them, which is much feared in 

 case you will stand for Salisbury, as is too much noised abroad here. Sir 

 on these considerations, I must beg your favour to give me leave to keep 

 yours in my hands till I hear from you again ; and shall in the mean time 

 inform myself further of the proceedings in both places and give you accoudt 

 thereof ; and thus leave it to your own judgment to accept of which you 

 think most fit. Could I find any probability of pleasuring Mr. Denham at 

 Wilton, it would be a good encouragement to prosecute your desires at Sarum 

 more comfortably ; but the quite contrary appears to 



Sir, your most humble servant, 



William Gauntlett. 



In effect, the Wilton burgesses carried their two men, namely, 

 John Nicholas, Jun., and Thomas Mompesson. 



