90 History of the Company. 



Maior, w'' the Courte doth not conceave they ought to 

 pay." 



The sequel to this odious Impost forms a 

 famihar incident in EngHsh history. 



In August of the same year, when the great 

 civil struggle was plainly impending, and the dis- 

 contented Scottish Covenanters were about to 

 cross the English border against the King's 

 troops, the Lord Mayor issued a precept to the 

 City Companies for the provision of ammunition. 

 Accordingly, at a meeting of the Court of the 

 Company, on the 2 7th of that month — 



" Itt was ordered that there shalbe 3 barrels of gun- 

 powder provided according to a p'cept 

 from the Lord Maior, and also maches 

 and Bulletts." 



The following month, Charles, in his dilemma, 

 created by the successes of the Scots, who, un- 

 flushed with their victories, had opened negotia- 

 tions with him, summoned a council of the peers 

 to York, to meet him on the 24th September. 

 The peers met in Council and sent a deputation 

 of six of their number to London, and obtained 

 from the City a loan of ^200,000, the 



Enforced Loans. . - r i • i ^ r ^- 



burden 01 which, as usual, tell upon 

 the Companies. The Saddlers' Company were 

 called upon for ^600, and their record Is as 

 follows : — 



"A Co"""-' Day kept on Wednesday, the 7th day of 

 October, by direcon of the Lord Maior, for the Loane 



