SIR THOMAS PRESTWTCH. 3 



name, yet it will never pass into oblivion. For several 

 centuries it had been handed down in the Prestwich 

 gallery in the Cathedral or Collegiate Church in Man- 

 chester, where many of the race found their last rest- 

 ing-place. The gallery itself no longer exists. It is, 

 moreover, remembered in Manchester that the gift 

 of its first free library was made by the Rev. John 

 Prestwich, Fellow of All Souls', and brother of Sir 

 Thomas of the Civil Wars. 



A baronetcy was conferred on Sir Thomas Prestwich, 

 on the 25th April 1644, by Charles L, on the field of 

 battle outside Oxford, as an acknowledgment of his 

 services to the royal cause, and in especial for having 

 raised a troop of horse at his own cost. Several small 

 gold medals or badges were then Struck off bearing the 

 effigy of the ill-fated king. One of these badges, given 

 to the new-made Baronet at Oxford, is in the keeping 

 of the writer. 



Medal given by Charles I. to Sir Thomas Prestimch. 

 (Twice the actual size.) 



As may be understood, the Prestwiches were greatly im- 

 poverished by the sacrifices they had made on behalf of the 



