5G LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOURS [1642. 



1642, however, he did raise a great number of Welsh in 

 support of the royal cause ; 105 and the same year Lord 

 Herbert was made General of South Wales. 95 



Thus Lord Herbert, in command of troops raised by 

 his father, being in favour with his sovereign, and 

 generally esteemed both for his high nobility and his 

 wealth, held a most important influential position. 

 Fully to prepare himself for such a post, it appears most 

 likely that he commenced the requisite course of train 

 ing even previous to his second marriage, for so early as 

 March, 1638, Lady Harley writes to inform her son : 

 u They say, my Lord of Worcester s son shall be general 

 of the horse.&quot; 46 



In his first considerable exploit he appeared before 

 Gloucester, then in the Parliamentary interest, stoutly 

 defended by a company of volunteers, who had raised 

 very extensive fortifications. In February, 1642, it was 

 summoned by Prince Eupert, and again later, but with 

 out effect. About the middle of the same month, Lord 

 Herbert, with a body of about 1500 foot and 500 

 horse, well armed, attempted the reduction of the garri 

 son. His eldest brother, Lord John Somerset, com 

 manded the horse, while Sir Jeremiah Brett was general 

 of the foot. A third time the city not only refused to 

 surrender, but received with ridicule the summons from 

 a Welsh brigade ; the Welsh troops therefore encamped 

 at Highnam within the distance of one mile and a half, 

 where they lay still in their camp for five weeks in 

 mistaken security, not even attacking the outguards, or 

 attempting any great action, seemingly deluded by ex 

 pectations of aid from Prince Rupert ; who, however, 

 could not leave Bristol. Sir William Waller, crossing 

 the river by means of flat-bottomed boats, advanced on 



Whitclock. 95 Thomas also Clarendon. 46 Ilarlcv. 



