252 



IJecorte of % Rising in % West, 



JOHN PENRUDDOCK, HUGH GROVE, ET SOCII. 



(Continued from Page 188 J 

 tOING the Western Circuit " in the seventeenth century, 

 was an affair of labour, if not of adventure. Some of the 

 Judges, and perhaps some of the leading counsel may have crawled 

 in their coaches over the rough grass tracks, protected by a retinue 

 of servants, or the sheriffs guard; some bolder spirits, such as 

 Maynard, walked; but by far the larger number rode; three, four, or 

 half-a-dozen together, well armed to guard their fees, and their 

 throats, over the pleasant uplands of the West. Labour there was, 

 though not professional, in the long rides from early morn till night; 

 adventure too for the solitary, the unwary, or the laggard ; high- 

 waymen and foot-pads plied their trade with varying success. The 

 Lord Protector set his face against these marauders with his usual 

 vigour. 



" Many robbers on Salisbury Plain are apprehended, and to be tryed for their 

 lives; it would be wel if all robbers were served in the like kind." * 



Some kindred worthies were in Hampshire a month later, and 

 broke into the house of a Mr. Ball, whilst he was away from home ; 

 his wife unfortunately fell into their hands, and on her refusing to 

 disclose the valuables of the place, they hung her with her 

 garters ; and then made off, possibly being disturbed by the rescuers, 

 who arrived just in time to save Mrs. Ball's gallant life. The thieves 

 were all taken in London, recognized by their victim, and committed 

 to Newgate. 1 



There is an entry in the Western Circuit Order Book of a later 

 date, which also discloses the insecurity of one of the great western 

 roads at that time. The county of Southampton, Winchester Castle, 



* Weekly Intelligencer, February 20th, 1655. K.P., Sm. Qto. No. 635. 



1 Perfect Account, March 28th, 1655. K.P., Sm. Qto. No. 637. 



