66 . General History of Bath. 



The letter to Captain Harington says that his troops 

 behaved well, but that those citizens who had not their 

 money ready were threatened with pillage, and goes on — 



" Eighteen horses were provided at the raarlset-house, and delivered 

 up as you desired, but the men required were excused on your 

 desiring, nor was any seizure made, or plunder, excepting in 

 liquors and bedding. The town house was filled with troops 

 that came from Marlborough in their march westward. . . . 

 Our meal was taken by the Marlborough troop, but they restored 

 it again to many of the poorer sort. Our beds they occupied 

 entirely, but no greater mischief has happened as yet. . . . 

 We h;ive no Divine service as yet ; the churches are full of the 

 troops, furniture, and bedding. Pardon my haste, as I have 

 sent this by a poor man who may suffer if he is found out, and 

 I dare not send a man on purpose, on horseback, as the horse 

 would be taken.'' 



The Parliamentarians ruled the city with a rod of iron. 

 The members of Parliament were displaced, and the Re- 

 corder, the Rector, some members of the Council, even the 

 Sergeants-at-Mace, and men of the ruling faction put into 

 authority. 



The Recorder of Bath had been Sir Nicholas Hyde, after- 

 wards Chief Justice. He gave place to the noted William 

 Prynne, who had been educated in Edward VI. 's Grammar 

 School in the City. Prynne, on the execution of Charles I., 

 made it his business to proclaim Charles II., and was for 

 this imprisoned, and Ashe of Freshford was made Recorder.. 



The citizens sent petitions without number to be relieved 

 of the garrison which still occupied the city, and were at 

 last successful, but they were then crowded with " maymed 

 soldiers," sent down to complete their recovery in the hot 

 baths. Bath was at this period recognised as a national 

 sanatorium. 



