474 
Ford and another of Chapman’s opponents (Henry Moore) were 
summoned to appear at Whitehall to answer various charges of 
disaffection to the King, the conspirators hoping that Ford would 
be detained in London long enough for an election by the Council 
to take place in his absence. On the 3rd of April, 1661, Ford 
and Moore attended ‘“ At the Court of Whitehall” “ And the 
said Sir Thomas Bridges and ye said Mayor being called in and 
heard. Uppon examination and Consideration of the whole 
matter. It is ordered (his Ma . . “* present in Counsell) That 
the said Mayor of the Cittie of Bathe be forthwith dismissed and 
discharged.” 
Taking advantage of Ford’s absence from the City, Chapman 
posing as Deputy-Mayor obtained the precept from the Sheriff, 
and at once set about arranging the election of the nominees of 
himself and a few others.on the Council. 
But thanks to Prynne’s assistance in pressing forward the 
consideration of the charges by the Council of State, Ford was. 
enabled to return before the election day and thereby deranged 
Chapman’s plans, and on the 12th of April Mayor Ford presided 
over a Council meeting, when Chapman and six other members 
who had resolved to vote for Bridges and Berkeley, finding they 
were in a hopeless minority, retired, and Ford and his partisans. 
promptly re-elected Prynne and Popham. The meeting was. 
certainly a stormy one, for before leaving the Hall Chapman 
made the claim that all Freemen of the City, whether members. 
of the Council or not kad a right to vote at such elections, but 
this Mayor Ford emphatically denied. Chapman as Captain of 
the trained Bands thereupon directed “his Drummer to beat up: 
? 
his Drum in every Street of the City” to summon the Freemen. 
Many of them assembled “at the Captains Tavern” and under 
his direction elected Sir T. Bridges and Berkeley, and Chapman 
sent in a return declaring them duly elected contemporaneously 
with Mayor Ford’s return naming Prynne and Popham. | 
The “Sunne”’ that day looked down on a riotous assembly 
