171< Records of the Rising in the West, A.D. 1655. 



by plowing with theire owne heyfars. But for the principall ones, we have not 

 a thought of sparing them. For the highwaymen, they were soe cunning, as 

 to confesse, they went after this party, thereby hoping to have drawne us on to 

 accuse them for that, and soe not to have questioned them for the robbery ; but 

 having no other evidence than their owne confessions, which they might deny 

 at the tryall, we thought fit rather to proceed with them upon the other." 



" The evidence hath been given to the petty Jury against Lucas [writes Mr. 

 Hill] ; it spent foure houres, and was very cleere and full against him who made 

 a very meane defence. He desired Counsell might be assigned him, but could 

 not tell for what. I doubt not, but he will be found guilty by that jury within 

 an hour or two, although I did not like some of the jurors questions. * 



And Mr. Attorney says the length of it was occasioned, because wee were ne- 

 cessitated to make proofe of the first designe, the outrages in Salisbury, the 

 proclayming the king at Blandford, and the routing them at Molton. His owne 

 examination proved and acknowledged was sufficient in itself ; besides diverse 

 other witnesses applyed it to him. The evidence was full ; the Court gave full 

 and cleare direction in point of law. He produced noe witnesse, had little to 

 say for himselfe, only pretended he was forced thither. He prayed Counsell, 

 but none was allowed, there being noe cause for it." f 



Soon after the return of the court, from their midday adjournment, 

 the petty jury found him guilty. 



" After that [continues Mr. Attorney] wee proceeded against threet in the 

 list (against whome we had noe evidence to convict them of this rebellion) for 

 robbery; and the petty jury found them all guilty. § Then the Grand Jury 

 brought in billa vera for treason against Robert Mason, Thomas Curre, John 

 Deane, Gabriel Pyle, John Saint Loe and John Kensey ; but as to Sir John Moore 

 ignoramus. Of these we had only in custody Deane and Kensey. Deane was 

 the only sonne and childe of his mother, a young man, whome some of the 

 court and myselfe had a mind to have made an object of your mercy and for that 

 purpose did even woe him to confess the indictment ; but it seemes the London 

 counsell had otherwise prevayled with him, though his friends both in private 

 and in publique were desirous of it and pressed him .to it; but hee standing it 

 out, we proceeded to tryall, and the same petty jury, that were upon Lucas, went 

 on them, and found them both guilty of high treason, and soe we closed this 

 day [April 12th,] between 8 and 9 at night." 



He adds 



" my Lord Chief Justice Rolle went hence this afternoone ; his sone and daughter 

 being come hither he went to his owne house [Shapwick, near Glastonbury,] with 

 them. Wee shall put all the rest, against whome wee intend to proceed into one 



• 3 Th., 365. 



t3 Th., 371. This very clearly shews the nature of the evidence for the prosecution. 

 % These were prohably Lovelace, Sweet and Harford. 

 \ Ibid, 372. 



