History of the Company. 9 



o 



had scarcely a penny In their exchequer, and were 

 moreover largely in debt. So exhausted had 

 their condition become that they were even com- 

 pelled to sell their old Corselet in the Hall. 



Whilst civil war was raging in England troubles 



1641 were brewing in Ireland. The native 



Afifairs in Ire- IHsh had Hscn upon the English and 



Compulsory Scotch colonlsts In Ulster, perpetrating 



contribution. ^^^^^^ ^f vlolence unsurpassed by those 



of more recent times. The distress caused to the 

 Protestant colonists in Ireland was sufficient excuse 

 for a fresh demand upon the City Companies, and 

 on the 4th July, 1643, " the Wardens Assistants 

 Liverie and Commonaltle being assembled there 

 was a Ire read being sent from the right honour- 

 able the Lord Maior according to direcons from 

 the Lords and Cofnons in Parliament thereby 

 desiring the Companle to collect what sums of 

 money they could for the relief of the Protestants 

 in Ireland whereupon the greater p* p'sent rated 

 themselves accordingly." 



In August of the same year the threatened 

 1643. approach of the Royal troops upon the 

 Loan of ^^500. capital Induced the City authorities to 

 pass an Act for obtaining a loan of ^50,000 from 

 the Companies upon the City Seal for defensive 

 preparations, and a precept was issued to the 

 Saddlers' Company for ^600. The Company, 

 however, expressed themselves " unwilling to 

 borrow this sum in regard of the great sums they 

 owe already ;" but they were willing there should 



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