By Mr. Edward Kite. 



323 



1639. 15 Chaeles I. 

 The following items record the cost of a new frame for the 

 Bells :— 



Itm. payd William Bush in Earnest for making 



the bell frame j s « 



layd out towards payment for the bell frame viijh.js. yiijd. 



payd for drawing the articles betweene Wil- 

 liam Bush and the Churchwardens js. vjd. 



1644. 20 Charles I. 



Itm. payd to the Widow Coles for helping in the 

 church for making the church clean after 

 the soldiers were gone vs. 



This entry refers to an occupation of the Town by soldiers, during the Civil 

 Wars ; but the party to which they belonged can only be determined by a 

 more precise date as to the month. Possibly it was a Parliamentary force 

 under Colonel Massey, who was here in May, 1644. Lord Hopton was also 

 here in July, 1643 — from which time, till Sir Charles Lloyd came, in December, 

 1644, the town was open to both parties. 



1645. 21 Charles I. 



Itm. payd for Ringers when the Prince came in . . vijs. ijd. 



This was the Prince of Wales who passed through the town on his way from 

 Oxford to Bristol. He was escorted by Sir James Long (the Sheriff) with his 

 regiment of Wiltshire gentry ; who on their return were defeated and captured, 

 near Devizes, by Cromwell and Waller. 



Itm. we payd for Hinging at the Governor's ap- 

 pointment js. 



This was Sir Charles Lloyd by whom, together with Lord Hopton, the town 

 and castle (the latter of which had been previously demolished by Massey on 

 the side of the Parliament) were re-fortified on behalf of the King. The 

 Churches, as well as private individuals, were alike plundered of their property 

 on this occasion, in order to furnish the necessary materials for the purpose. 



Itm. pd. to Flower when the Army was here for 



making clean the church js. vjd. 



Soon after the date of this entry order was again restored during Fairfax's 

 residence in the town. In the following year (1646) the castle was dismantled, 

 and an order issued, by the Commons, 1 to restore to the Church, and to pri- 

 vate individuals, goods taken by Sir Charles Lloyd. 



1 This order has been already printed at p. 216. 



