SIR LEWIS WATSON, FOUETEENTH MASTER. 209 



made by Sir Lewis Watson, in which he set out in detail the 

 particulars of his personal property in the castle, which was 

 confiscated at the time, that it alone amounted to 3,903/. 10s. 

 After the fall of Rockingham Castle Sir Lewis went to Ashby- 

 de-la-Zouch and remained there until the Royal garrison sur- 

 rendered early in March 1646. Thence he fled to Oxford, 

 where he was cordially welcomed by the King and brilliant 

 host of Cavaliers assembled in the University city. Sir Lewis 

 was still a rich man ; he contributed liberally towards the 

 maintenance of the Royal forces in Oxford ; took his seat 

 in the Parliament, or Assembly, or Council then held there 

 under the auspices of the King ; but whether he sat as a peer 

 or a commoner, or as one of the Masters of the Buckhounds, it 

 is impossible to tell. He was a peer of the realm about this 

 time beyond doubt ; but we can find no patent conferring that 

 dignity upon him. However, we read in Dugdale's " Baronium " 

 that " Upon the 28th of January an. 20 Car. L [1645], Sir 

 Lewis Watson, of Rockingham Castle, in Com. North., knight 

 and baronet ; being a person well descended, and of an ample 

 fortune : and likewise for many considerable services, especially 

 in the times of the late unhappy troubles, much deserving of 

 the King and country ; was, in consi deration thereof, advanced 

 to the dignity of a baron of this realm, by the title of Lord 

 Rockingham, of Rockingham, in Com. North., as by his Letters 

 Patents, then bearing date at Oxford, appeareth." The Great 

 and Privy Seals were found in Oxford after the surrender of 

 the city, when they were sent to the executive government in 

 London, and there ordered to be broken in pieces. The Sword 

 of State was preserved. Charles was lavish in the dispensa- 

 tion of dignities, and while he was immured in the besieged 

 city dubbed no less than 104 knights, thus breaking his father's 

 splendid record in that line during his sojourns at Newmarket. 

 At any rate, Lord Rockingham remained in Oxford until the 

 city surrendered to the Parliamentary armj^ on June 24, 1646. 

 For some months before the capitulation occurred the Royal 

 garrison contained many of the most valiant among the Cava- 

 liers. We can picture to ourselves a coterie of men who were 



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