LIFE OF LORD SCUDAMORE. 
79 
Lord Scudamore’s friends and agents used every exertion to comply fully with the order of 
the Committee. Mr. Thomas Edmonds, the Attorney at law, who witnessed the sealing and deliver¬ 
ing of the Lease at the time it was dated, makes an affidavit, as to its bond fide character, a copy of 
which is with the Scudamore MSS., at St. Michael’s Priory. Mr. Whittington also makes an 
attestation to the same effect, which is with the other MSS. in the British Museum. Mr. Whittington 
states that “ he knew Lord Scudamore was truly indebted to divers persons (he being surety for 
some,) and that he made this Lease to Mr. Mansfield and himself to secure their debts ; and to raise 
£7,000 as a portion for his daughter ; and for the maintenance of his Lady : ” and adds that 
“ he hath paid divers sums according to the lymittation of the said trusst and intendeth to go on in 
payment of the same if he may be permitted.” Mr. Mansfield seems to have been dead at this time. 
The other witnesses to the Lease, Robert Edwards, Michael Bayard, and John Shephard, probably 
appeared in person before the Committee. Lord Scudamore was represented by counsel also. 
The “ Instructions for counsell ” in Lord Scudamore’s hand writing are at St. Michael’s Priory. 
Some of its passages are interesting. It begins : 
“ It is not unknown to your honourable Committee what my Lord hath already suffered in his person and his estate both 
reall and personall for his Delinquency, which was neyther early begunne, long continued, nor much prejudiciall to ye service 
of ye Parliament. His losses past being irrecoverable; his person and personall estate beinge still in your power, it is now 
humbly desired, they would not extend theyr severity to others that are guilty of this only crime, of being deare unto him, 
and otherwise have not offended at all.” 
He then goes Into the objects and terms of the release, and his Counsel is to argue that: 
“ There is no cause in Lawe, or Equity, to disalow this Lease. The truth of ye execution of it, at ye time it beareth 
date, will be proved upon oath, and that will satisfie the Lawe. The valuableness of ye consideration for which it was made 
will make it good in Equity.. My Lady is now willing to compounde for my Lord’s personall estate, for as much 
of it as is in her power, and for ye rest when it shall be restored by Collonell Birch. If my Lord could .... 
forfeit as much as his estate is worth, yet former debts must first be discharged. Lastly, my Land is charged with 
an annual Portion of Corne to ye Poore, which must be allowed however. If these gentlemen say that it is beyond 
their power to take off ye Sequestration ; it must then be desired that ye whole estate may be protected and preserved from 
any injury till my Lady in reasonable time may acquaint ye Parliament.” 
These arguments for the most part were pleaded at Gloucester before the Committee with the 
good effect, at any rate, that the great charge and trouble of carrying witnesses to London was thus 
avoided. 
The Committee at Gloucester came to no decision and transferred the matter to London 
with all the evidence taken. These papers are now among the Scudamore MSS., at the British 
Museum, and with them is the Report of Serjeant Bradshaw (the regicide), upon the whole case, in 
1646, but they are all much injured and mutilated by damp. 
The London Committee after much delay were obliged to admit the validity of the Lease ; 
but they retained the personalty at the Mansion, as a matter of course : a certain demise to one 
Lane of Hampton Bishop, and one Parsons of Little Birch, of the Messuages and Farm Tythes of 
Horn Lacy and other properties at a rent of ^204 17s. 9d. : and also an annuity of £50, on some 
of the above properties payable to Sir Barnabas Scudamore, Knight, “ a voter and active 
delinquent against the Parliament.” 
In the British Museum there is a very complimentary letter to Lord Scudamore, though 
