flutter anfc (EarJp Jtuart 



By F. J. POPE, F.R. Hist. S. 



(Read 12th Dec., 1916). 



T 



>HE object of this paper is to put together some 

 account of the military forces of Dorset during 

 the century and a half which preceded the 

 Great Civil War, to give some details of their 

 numbers, equipment, work, and character, 

 and to mention some of their more prominent 

 leaders. Little has hitherto been written on 

 the subject. Hut chins in his general history 

 of the county has nothing, and the Victoria 

 History of Dorset has only a few notes, concerning expeditions, 

 and these not the most important, sent out of the shire. 

 Also the large histories of the British Army pass over the 

 period in question hurriedly, being naturally rather concerned 

 with the more scientific warfare and professional armies of 



