138 



Records of the Rising in the West, A.I). 1655. 



I purpose (God willinge) forthwith to ride to Exon, there to spend two or 

 three days in examining those prisoners taken, from whom somthing may be 

 obtained for the advantage of the Commonwealth. I am informed that Pen- 

 ruddock, Grove, Jones and Mumparsons * with about 40 of their men are at 

 Exon in prison. It is thought J. Wagstaffe is escaped. I beg your Highness's 

 pleasure and commands concerning myselfe and my troopes and subscribe myself 

 Wincanton March 17 Your Highnesse's humble Servant 



1654 (5). John Disbeowe." 



We thus see what large forces the Government had at their 

 disposal to oppose such a rising as the present, well trained and 

 disciplined, posted admirably for concentration or otherwise ; the 

 Sealed Knot were right, it was no time for attack. 



A day or two after the 17th, Disbrowe arrived at Exeter, and ex- 

 amined and catalogued most if not all the prisoners thereabouts. 

 Having completed his work in Devon, he went on to Taunton, 

 where he wrote the following letter, 1 probably March 28th, for it is 

 without date. 



M May it please your Highnesse, 



Accordinge to your commands, inclosed is a list of the prisoners in the 

 several countyes and the places, where for the present they are secured. I doe 

 understand that many of them doe pretend to innocency, as the Lord Paulett 

 and one Mr. Tent of Somersetshire, and the Marquess of Harford in Wilts. 

 The informations I have had since my comeinge into these parts concerning them 

 is nothinge of new or late actinge, though I am very confident they generally 

 knew of the late rebellion. Their (sic) be many in every County as bade or 

 worse in their affections to the Cavilere party, that are not secured, for they are 

 are of a meaner quality, and I did conceive it not convenient to sease more than I 

 know what to doe withall; for truly I am humbly of opinion, thathaveinge two 

 many of them togetther,might give them an advantage of knowinge one another's 

 minds more than now they can, beinge (seeing) I am forced to keepe them for the 

 most part in inns, not havinge any other places, where is any accomodation for 

 them. But if it be judged needfull, I can cause as many as your highness 

 please to be taken up more ; but I humbly conceive, these allready secured will 

 be sufficient to proceed with, and to make a patterne for all the rest. Indeed, 

 my Lord, I have not found it so easy worke as I thought it would have bine, to 

 settle the militia in these parts to my satisfaction. I hope I shall now gitt 

 through it. I have sent to Major Sanders to attend your highness for Devon, 

 Captain Gorges for Somersett, Captain Dury for Dorsett, Major Ludlow for 

 "Wilts, and I intend Captain Crofts for Gloster ; Col. Bennett is allready at 



* Mompesson. 



1 3 Th., 308. 



