156 LAND REFORM 



break and on many who had not. The whole west of 

 England was under martial law. " It is memorable," 

 writes a chronicler, "what sport the Provost- Marshal 

 made, by virtue of his office, upon men in misery."^ 

 Among other instances of this "sport," mentioned by 

 nearly all the chroniclers, is one which illustrates the 

 spirit of vengeance which prevailed. 



The Mayor of Bodmin, Boyer by name, a com- 

 moner, was instructed by the Provost-Marshal, Sir 

 William Kingston, to set up a pair of gallows, as an 

 execution must take place that day. At the same 

 time the Provost sent word to say that he would come 

 and dine with the Mayor, who accordingly made "great 

 provision to receive him." . . . "After dinner the 

 Provost- Marshal, taking the Mayor by the hand, en- 

 treated him to lead him to the place where the gallows 

 were, which when he beheld, he asked the Mayor if 

 he thought them to be strong enough. Yes (said the 

 Mayor), doubtless they were. Well then (said the 

 Provost), get you up speedily, for they are provided 

 for you. I hope — answered the Mayor — you mean 

 not as you speak. In faith — said the Provost — there 

 is no remedy, for you have been a busie Rebel. And 

 so, without respite or defence, he was hanged in death." 



It is a noteworthy fact that the old writers, in re- 

 cording such an act as this, express no indignation, not 

 even surprise, at its vile and dishonourable character. 

 One of them dismisses the incident with the mild com- 

 ment that it was "a most uncourteous part for a guest 

 to offer to his host."^ 



* Sir Richard Baker's " Chronicles," p. 305. 



^ Froude, in his "History of England," seems unwilling to believe this 

 story, but only for the reason that the Provost- Marshal was a friend of 

 Hooker, and therefore not likely to do such an act as this. But unfortu- 

 nately there seems to be little room for doubt The old chroniclers give 



