82 
LIFE OF LORD SCUDAMORE. 
Clergy he allowed annual stipends, so long as it was necessary. In ‘‘Collin’s Baronettage of England” 
it is said that “ during the dismal confused usurpation he sent money privately to the exiled king, and 
relieved all his fellow sufferers to the utmost of his power ; particularly he gave yearly pensions to 
several deprived orthodox ministers, and entertained so many others in his house, that he was justly 
styled a Nursing Father to the Church .” (Vol. II., p. 157.) “Bishop Kennet estimated Lord 
Scudamore’s benefactions to the Church at fifty thousand pounds.” (Rev. J. C. Robinson.) 
It is a remarkable circumstance, that after the Restoration, when the Non-conformists were 
ejected (1662) Lord Scudamore befriended at least one of the most active of them, viz., Mr Tombes 1 
an act as charming in character as it was extraordinary for the time at which it was done. 
Lord Scudamore felt very much, as time went on, the restrictions on his movements which 
was made a condition of his release. What this was is not stated ; it is probable that he was not 
allowed to pass the boundary of his own Estate or Parish ; whatever it was he became very desirous 
to have greater freedom. 
The following draught of a letter is amongst the Scudamore MSS., at St. Michael’s Priory, 
and it shows the efforts he made in this direction : 
“ 5 December, 1655. 
Endorsed “ Copy of my letter to Mr. Edward Rawlins.” 
“ Sir, 
By ye encouragm 1 of some good friends of yours and myne, I addresse mysealf to you. I doe understand y l my 
Lord Protector hath vouchsawffed to free some persons of honor who fall under his highness’s declaration and orders, by 
having been on ye late king’s partie ; ye inclosed sertifficat from ye governor of heerford and other commissioners testifieing 
my peaceabell demeanour since my composition, makes hope in me, y l I maie be capabell of ye like favour, and be free 
by your management and promotion of this business to bring it to efect. If you please to accept, you will both doe y l w h will 
be welcom to some friends of yours heer; and allsoe laie upon me surely an obligation as will make me blush to meet you if 
I should not deserve it, so far as maie be in ye power of your affectionate friend and servant. 
hom lacie, ye 5th of December, 1655.” 
The copy of the certificate is as follows : 
“ Wee whose names are heer underwritten at ye request of John, Lord Viscount Scudamore, of Homlacie, within ye 
County of Hereford, doe certifie all whom it maie concern, that he hath since his Composition for his delinquency lived verrie 
peaceable and quiet at his habitation here without offering ye least disturbance to ye publick peace of this Commonwealth, 
though we believe he hath been much atempted hereunto by evill mynded men, and hath alwaies, as far as we could discover, 
endeavoured ye peace of ye Nation, and showed himself redie to doe all office of kindness to ye friends of this present 
government, and notwithstanding ye severall atempts which hath been made by ye enemies of ye peace of the Commonwealth 
in this countie and elsewhere, we have not the least cause of suspicion of any dainger by him In testimony whereof we 
have subscribed our names, this last of November, 1655. 
Ar. Rogers 
Tho. Rawlins 
Jo. Cholmeley. Miles Hill Franc. Pember 
(Endorsed) 30th November, 1655. 
Copy of the certificatt from the Governor and Commissioners.” 
1 Mr. Tombes obtained considerable eminence during the Protectorate. “ He was frequently called upon to preach 
before the House of Commons, and in 1653 was nominated one of the Triers for the appointment of Ministers. This high 
office brought him into connection with the chief religious movements of the day, and gave him a voice in the disposal of 
vacant Benefices. Like his associates in office, he did not neglect his own interests, but was presented to, and held at the 
same time with the Vicarage of Leominster, the Rectory of Ross, the Mastership of the Hospital at Ledbury, and the 
Vicarage of Bewdley.” He is described as a little, neat-limbed man, with a quick eye. He was a learned, eloquent and 
energetic preacher, but was still more celebrated as a keen and vehement controversialist.” (Fyler 2 owns end—History of 
Leominster, p. 117)- 
