WEYMOUTH AND THE GREAT CIVIL WAR. 215 



possession of the remaining portion of Weyinouth proper. The 

 Roundheads, in the evening of that day, withdrew to Mel- 

 combe, raising the drawbridge which divided the two towns. 

 It is strange that their retreat was unopposed : Ince says 

 " Our enemies tamely yeelded it " (i.e., Melcombe), " as un- 

 tenable. We had scarce bestowed a Fortnight's work on it 

 since we possesst this garrison." 



ROYALIST SOLDIERS AT RADIPOLE. 



We get a glimpse of some of the Royalist soldiers on the 

 Wednesday following the surprise of the forts. They re- 

 freshed themselves by marching to that part of the village of 

 Radipole called Causeway, where, together with " Master 

 Wood, Clerke, Curate of Sutton Poyntz," they regaled them- 

 selves at an ale-house and we are told, I regret to say, that 

 some of them became " distempered with beare." About 

 80 years ago, a tradition existed in Radipole of the passage 

 through the village of soldiers in the Civil War. For aught I 

 know, the tradition may still survive. 



SIEGE OF MELCOMBE BY THE ROYALISTS, FEBRUARY, 1645. 



The Royalists now poured on Melcombe from the Chapel 

 Fort " a multitude of great Bullets and Iron Bars, hot and 

 cold," battering down some of the houses. " Some of their 

 gunners ingaged themselves to levell us with the ground."* 

 The long siege of that town had begun. It was resolutely 

 held by the Roundheads. Owing to its geographical position, 

 they were at a serious disadvantage, whereas the Cavaliers, 

 with ample ammunition, were encamped in what was, practi- 

 cally, a citadel on the top of a precipitous hill, and also held 



* Ince. 



