180 
MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
who also under Sir Richard Dyot were defending Lichfield Cathedral, 
a strong fortification, from the Parliamentarians under Lord Brook, 
who was killed by a bullet from the tower of the Cathedral while 
directing the siege, the spot being now marked by a brass plate and 
inscription; the Lichfield Royalists were, however, defeated, and the 
Republicans for some time, although in possession of the Close, were 
much annoyed by the garrison at Tamworth Eventually the Castle 
was, after two days’ siege and a stout resistance, captured by Colonel 
Purefoy, and the command of it given by the Parliamentarians to 
Captain Waldive Willingtou. 
Meanwhile the Royalists recovered Lichfield, and the two towns 
continued in a state of hostility until the Lichfield Royalists had 
again to capitulate, and Tamworth, having no longer any adversaries 
to contend with, assumed its usual peaceable condition, and henceforth 
all interest centred in the town is of a political and commercial 
character. 
During the decade terminating with 1671 several tokens were struck 
and issued by tradesmen in the town. 
Tamworth had been disfranchised by Cromwell, hut recovered its 
political privileges in 1660, sending two members to the Rump Parlia¬ 
ment, and this it has continued to do ever since. 
From this point the only events worth comment are the introduction 
of Canals in 1788, of G-as in 1835, and Railways in 1839, together with 
the Queen’s visit to Drayton Manor, the seat of the then Premier, 
Sir Robert Peel, in 1843. 
I must apologise to the lovers of pure Natural History for not 
dealing with the birds, beasts, and plants, of the locality, and to the 
students of Geology for neglecting their especial branch; but I may 
tell the latter that the district is divided by a notable fault running 
north and south from Dosthill, that the Hartshill excursion will be on 
the coal measures and Cambrians, whilst the one to Lichfield will be 
over the Triassics. 
Thanking you for the attention you have given to what I am 
perfectly conscious is a very feeble effort, I shall conclude this perhaps 
too tedious summary of Tamworth’s history in which I have en¬ 
deavoured chiefiy to interest you in those points which will come 
under your notice during the excursions or at the conversazione, by 
quoting the poetical prediction, that:— 
“ When in its banks no longer flows 
The Anker’s clear and sparkling stream; 
And Tame withholds its gentle course, 
Thy memory Tamworth, as a dream 
Shall, by tradition’s voice alone 
Then be told— 
Thy place forgotten, but as one 
Once of old.” 
Mr. Hamel exhibited a most elaborate map of the localities referred 
to in his address. A reproduction of this map on a reduced scale is 
presented with the present number of the “ Midland Naturalist.” 
