By W. W. Ravcnhill, Esq. 



63 



At any rate after the trial she went to London, and there made 

 every possible effort to save her unfortunate husband. She petitioned 

 His Highness in person, here is a copy of a written petition, 

 presented before the trial, (for it speaks not of condemnation), which 

 has been omitted, and may find a place here. 



11 To his Higlutesse the. Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland. 



The Humble Petition of Ammdell Penrodoc the most unfortunate wife of 

 John Penrodoc now Prisoner in the Goale of Exeter. 



Humbly sheweth and confesseth that her husband hath iustly deserved through 

 his rashnesse and folly your Highnesse most seveer displeasure and what other 

 punishment the law can inflict upon him either by Death or forfeiture. But 

 since God out of his wonted mercy to your Highness hath frustrated their evill 

 designes and laid your enemies prostrate at your feet. 



Your Petitioner humbly prayes that beinge mother of seaven small children 

 and haveing no hopes of Comfort left her but your Highness mercy and clemency 

 towards her miserable husband your Highness would be gratiously pleased to 

 extend it to him that he may live to repent and redeeme his ingratitude as well 

 as fault by ever praying together with myselfe and children for your Highnesse 

 prosperity and happinesse. 



Artjndell Pen ruddock." 



To a period shortly subsequent may be attributed the next, which 

 tells us of some acquaintanceship between Colonel Penruddock and 

 Richard Cromwell ; possibly through the latter's father-in-law, Mr. 

 Mayer, 1 who lived at Hursley, in Hants. It will also be read with 

 interest here. 



" To the Right Honorable the Lord Richard Cromwell. 



The humble Petition of Arundell Penruddock the wife of the unfortunate 

 John Penruddock nowe Prisoner in Exeter Goale. 



Sheweth 



That your Petitioner Havinge Lately Petitiond His Hignesse the L d . Protector 

 to showe mercy to her unfortunate Husband (whose High offence w th . greife and 

 sorrowe shee hath Humbly confessed). And having as yet received noe Answer. 

 And Hearinge of the speedy and severe Proseqution against him 



Shee humbly Beseetheth your L d shippe favourably to Look upon her misery 

 Involv d in her Husband's calamity And to intercede to his Highnesse that her 

 Husband may be Remov'd to London the Rather for that she hath good grounds 

 to Beleeve, hee will give good satisfaction to his Highnesse his Person what hee 

 shall demand of him. 



And your Petitioner shall ever pray. 



Aktjndell Penruddock." 



1 See Penruddock's letter of March 16th, Wilts Arch. Mag., vol. xiii., p. 132. 

 "lam confident my Lord Richard and Mr. Mayer will countenance you herein, 

 i.e., effecting his pardon. 



