112 WAREHAM : ITS INVASIONS AND BATTLES. 



. . . . and once (if not twice) condemned at Exeter to be 

 hanged, drawn and quartered, for his loyalty in the western 

 insurrection. " It appears from an original passport under the hand 

 and seal of General Fairfax that the before-mentioned William Wake 

 . . . . had an ensign's commission in 16 46 in the King's army." 

 Ensign Wake evidently wished to visit Wareham, the home of his 

 boyhood, and permission was granted. The following is an exact 

 copy of the passport : 



" Suffer the bearer hereof, Ensigne Wake, with his horses and other 

 necessaries, passe your guarde to Blandford or Wareham in Dorsetshire, 

 without let or molestation, there to remaine, he havinge engaged himself 

 not to bear arms against the Parliament without first rendering himself 

 prisoner to the Parliament's forces." 



" Given under my hand and scale this xijth of May, 1646." 



"FAIRFAX." 



" To all officers and souldiers un 

 der my command, or in the ser 

 -vice of the Parliament." 



Indorsed, "Capt. HARRISON." 



Following the Civil Wars, there was a naval engagement in 

 1652, which Hutchins states took place between the Duke of York 

 and the Dutch Fleet off Portland. 



Once more we find a transaction worthy of notice in connection 

 with the Wareham gallows "After the failure of the ill-fated 

 attempt made by the brave Monmouth to restore freedom to 

 these realms. Among many others who engaged in the struggle 

 and fell victims to the relentless Judge Jeffries were Captain Tyler, 

 Mr. Matthews, and Mr. Holway, who, having been condemned to 

 die, were sent to Wareham to be executed. They were hung near 

 the West Wall on a spot called Bloody Bank, their quarters placed 

 on the bridge, and their heads nailed to a wooden tower on the 

 present site of the Town Hall." Subsequently, we are informed the 

 heads were stolen, hidden under a bed, which hiding-place escaped 

 the vigilance of the officers who searched the house, then buried at 



