By W. W. Ravenhitt, Esq. 



57 



against theni ; and for the rest, we shall not give them an acquittal ; but if 

 heareafter they shall be thought titt to have a proceeding against them, they 

 may be removed to Salisbury, where it will be fullie proved. Tt's heare reported, 

 the prisoners will petition to be banished, and that the petition is draweinge ; 

 but of this I have not any certeintie ; only twoe have this day brought me a 

 petition to that purpose. I desier you will deliver this letter to Mr. Sergeant 

 Glyn, who will wait upon you for it. The grand jury is sworne, but we are 

 not soe confident of them, as in the other countyes ; therefore we beginne only 

 with Captain Hunt, against whom there is clear evidence, 



I am, your most humble Servant, 

 Chard, April 25, 1655. Edm. Prideaux." 



The list of prisoners in custody for the Chard assize, sent to 

 the Government by General Disbrowe, has been already given 

 (twenty-five in Taunton and two in Ilchester Gaols) . 1 Of these, 

 several probably were not brought to trial. In the absence of record, 

 specially we miss the name of Col. Phelips, 2 of Montacute, whose 

 romantic journey with King Charles II., after the battle of Worces- 

 ter, including their stay at Mere Inn, and Heale House, and their 

 visit to Stonehenge will not be forgotten. Possibly no sufficient 

 evidence could be obtained against him, and he was discharged on 

 bail. There were two other noteworthy prisoners, Major Clark and 

 Captain Hunt, the latter mentioned above by the Attorney-General, 

 of these a few memoranda remain : — 



" The only person of Eminency brought to his try all and acquitted by the 

 Jury in all these Western parts is Major Clark who was tried at Chard, and that 

 being the last place where the judges sat, he found that other gentlemen that 

 had pleaded the general issue were cast, and have received sentence of death 

 accordingly so that he being now called to the bar, an indictment of high treason 

 read again for being in arms. And it was demanded what he could say for 

 himself, Guilty or Not Guilty. Major Clark answered that he had many 

 brothers and sisters, and that Sir W m . Claik, his father died in debt, and that 

 he had been inforced to defend divers suits, and was to raise portions for the 

 younger children, and [there] being severall other such like incumbrances upon 

 him, he had taken the advice of divers friends and at this time (for which he 

 stood indicted) was sent for under the notion that some friends of his desired to 

 speak with him at such a place, and that upon his giving them a meeting, they 

 would contribute such advice as shall be beneficial to him, whereupon he took 

 his horse, and met them at the place appointed, where he did see many other 

 gentlemen and there the reason of their meeting was made known unto him, 



1 Wilts Arch. Mag., vol. xiii., p. 141. 

 2 The name of Lady Phillips (Mrs. Phelips, of Montaoute?) occurs early 

 in these records, as an envoy of Charles the Second's, meeting the cavalier? at 

 Salisbury. Wilts Arch. Mag,, vol, xiii., pp. 148, 149. 

 VOL. XIV., — NO. XL, F 



