152 Records of the Rising in the West, A.D. 1655. 



There is the same account in the Perfect Diurnal, April 9th to 

 16 th, 1655, and also in another paper the Faithful Scout, April 6th 

 to 13th, 1655, with the addition that 



" Penruddock would make his defence by fundamentals of law or by sacrificing 

 his life." 



Of the several examinations of Penruddock at Whitehall I can 

 find no record. They left upon his mind at least a feeling of respect 

 for the Protector, and we may well believe that this was mutual. For 

 who could have conversed with Penruddock for even half-a-hour, 

 without being impressed with the belief, that he thought lie was 

 acting from the highest possible motive in taking the part he had in 

 the rising, 



Francis Jones, who is described as " of Beddington in Surrey, 

 gentleman," was a relative of the Protector's, 1 " an aggravation of 

 his offence," as he happily lived to write. He was examined by Mr. 

 Thurloe on the 4th of April, amongst other times, and of that 

 there is this record :— 2 



" That he was beyond the seas this winter at Bologne, and went thither to 

 put off four horses he carried from hence ; that he met with Lord Gerard, one 

 Bowers, and some other English gentlemen, but he had not much discourse with 

 them, only Gerard said, that there was a design, and he perceived that Bowers 

 had not long since fled from England for being in John Gerard's design, for 

 which he was executed, and believes there was a real intention of executing that 

 design. 



That he was acquainted with the business in the begining of the last Parli- 

 ament by Richard Pyle, a chiourgeon, and which was agent for the King in the 

 West ; he saith that this Pyle used to lodge at Mr. Chace's an Apothecary in 

 Covent Garden, or at the sign of the four Eishes. 



That three days before the rising, Pyle told him of the rendezvous, and that 

 several gentlemen, as Mr. Penruddock and others, would meet him as they did, 

 and also Sir Joseph Wagstaff, who told him, that the Marquiss of Hertford was 

 engaged in it, and that the Duke of York would also be in Cornwall, and said 

 that he and the Lord Willmott parted from him in Erance very lately, and that 

 they came for England, and landed at Margetts, and that the duke of York went 

 into Normandy. He told him also, as Pyle did before, that the levelling party 

 in the army would also join in with them, and make disturbances in the army, 

 and they were much troubled that "Wyldman was taken. 



1 3 Th., 504. 



2 Ibid, 344. Possibly Francis Jones was a relation of the Jones of New Toney 

 who was amongst the Exeter prisoners. 



