v. — An Account of some of the Transactions in Cornwall during the 

 Civil War. — By William Sandys, F.S.A. 



THE County Histories, in consequence of the many and various 

 subjects of which they have to treat, are generally obliged to 

 give but limited space to a class of transactions which are, never- 

 theless, of considerable interest. I am therefore induced to offer 

 some particulars of proceedings in Cornwall, during a few years 

 immediately preceding the death of Charles the 1st. They are not 

 quite connected, but have reference, for the most part, to detached 

 passages of Caroline history ; and they are taken from pamphlets of 

 the time. 



From " A Second but more perfect Relation of the great Yictory 

 obtained by Sir Ralph Hopton neare Bodmin in the County of Corn- 

 wall on thursday Jan. 19. Ann. Dorn. 1642," it appears that ou 

 Wednesday the 18th of January, 1642, Sir Ralph Hopton drew out 

 his forces from Bodmin, in order to fall on the enemy at Liskeard. 

 They lay that night in Boconnoc Park, and were proceeding the next 

 morning toward the latter town, when the parliamentary forces, 

 taking advantage of their having to proceed through dangerous, deep, 

 and narrow lanes, opposed them ; '* they were about 20 foot Colours, 

 ** and betweene 4 and 500 horse." The forces met at Hillsborough; 

 the Royalists being planted on a little hill encompassed by a bog. 

 There were but two passages, each of which was only wide enough 

 for ten or twelve men abreast. The Royalists, after prayers, which 

 the Rebels chose to call Mass, (as the prisoners admitted) advanced 

 boldly ; and as they approached, the Parliament forces gave them two 

 or three " voices," but did no harm. The Royalists replied with one 

 " voice " only ; but this seems to have been much more expressive 

 than those of their adversaries, who fled ; and the Royalist officers 

 had much trouble to restrain their troops from pursuing them. It 

 was well they were so restrained, as some of the Parliament horse 

 turned back, but, on finding the Royalist ranks unbroken, they re- 

 sumed their flight. The Royalists now broke through all restraint, 

 and pursued their enemy, for five miles, close to the town's end. 

 Here they were stayed by a "yoice'* from the rear of some barricades j 



