76 
LIFE OF LORD SCUDAMORE. 
another assessment being issued on the same property the following year (November ist, 1644,) for 
the sum of ,£2,000, in an equally peremptory form, which shews that they expected to get the money 
from some indirect source. (Scudamore MSS., St. Michaels Priory.) 
Lady Scudamore remained in Herefordshire, and occupied the mansion at Holme Lacy. The 
property at Llanthony and Hampstead, in the suburbs of Gloucester was seized in the same spring, 
and the devastation committed upon it by the Parliamentary Army was soon reported at Holme 
Lacy. Lady Scudamore immediately wrote to Sir William Waller, then in command there, and 
received the following answer, which recalls the saying that “ Sir William Waller took Hereford by 
his courtesy.” 
The original letter is with the Scudamore MSS., at St. Michael’s Priory : 
“ Noble Lady, 
I shall ever take itt as a great honour to receive your comands, and I shall, with a ready obedience, entertaine them. In 
obedience to your Ladyshipp’s letter, I sent for Alderman Pury, and questioned with him what wast had been comitted either 
upon your Ladyshipp’s house or grounds. I finde some Trees have been felled, and have given order there shall be no more 
touched, but I am assured nothing about the house hath been defaced, only a Tower of an ould chappell adjoyning thereunto 
was pulled down in regard itt might have been some annoyance to the workes. For your Ladyshipp’s rents, I have given order 
the sequestration should not be executed; so that, Madam, they are still att your comand. If there be anything else wherein 
I may advance your Ladyshipp’s service, I humbly beg the favour to be comanded, that I may have opportunity to give some 
demonstration with what passion 
I am, Madam, 
Your devoted, humble servant, 
Gloucester, 4th June, 1643.” Waller. 
Directed: 
“ For the Right Honourable the Lady Scudamore, att 
Home Lacy, 
Humbly present these.” 
Other rulers however came to Gloucester, who were not so courteous and considerate. 
Among the MSS., at St. Michael’s, is one by Lady Scudamore, entitled “ My true sufferings to be 
presented to Collonell Massie.” It has no date, but was probably written at the end of 1643, or in 
the beginning of 1644. Her Ladyship complains : 
First, it is well known I have not received one penny of rent, being ^1443 is. iod., that was due to me as my inheritance 
and present maintenance, but have patientlie submitted without doing anything, notwithstanding an Order of Parliament, from 
the Lords and Commons was sent downe to stay the ruine and waste committed both of houses and trees, which order was 
delivered to Mr. Wise, Maior of Glocester; now let any indifferent man judge what I have suffered in both without any end, 
untill all be ended; it being the uncharitable disposition of some to build out of the materialls, which have been left unto the 
owners even by enemies. Beside the taking of my best goods even to all my wearing apparell, in Pettie ffrance in West¬ 
minster, to a verrie great value; beside the house and garden of ,£150 per annum, it being all the house I have by 
joynture. 
These sufferings I had hopt might have favoured me, without the losse of the presence of my Lord, which considerations 
being rightlie weighed, I shall not doubt but that his person being under Parliament, they will be pleased to procure a live¬ 
lihood for him; which cannot be if the example of Mr. James Kirle should goe on, for his estate being siezed on by the 
Governor of Hereford and others for supposed delinquencies; he proposeth to do the like to my tenants, as he hath alredje 
on James Collins and Richard Meeke, so that I must lose my rent allotted unto me and my child,” &c., &c. 
Her Ladyship no doubt got her rents, and equally without doubt, had to send the money for 
