A MASTER-GUNNER OF ENGLAND. 
123 
ordnance.” 1 2 It appears that the said house and garden were granted 
by Letters Patent to the Lieutenant of the Ordnance; but, notwith¬ 
standing this right, “ it was affirmed by several ancient men” that this 
particular house and grounds “ have for many years been enjoyed by 
the Master-Gunner of England.” Wemyss’ claim ended by Sir John 
Heydon promising to deliver possession to the former as in obedience 
to the King’s command, reserving still his right. 3 
Stirring times were now at hand. England was on the brink of a 
rebellion of gigantic magnitude and doubtful result. Those who ex¬ 
pected the coming storm saw the necessity of being prepared. On the 
12 February, 1639, we find Wemyss again petitioning the King. This 
time it was “for the same proportion of annuities which his predecessor? 
formerly had for providing powder and ammunition, and a place 
where to practise the elevation with great ordnance and use of the 
mortar.” The petitioner supplements this request with this seasonable 
warning:—• “ Petitioner regrets to say that there are few gunners in 
your Kingdom, at this time, who understand the several ranges of 
ordnance, or use of the mortar, which, in effect, are the special points 
belonging to a gunner and impossible to attain unto without a great 
and continual practice.” 3 The army levied in 1639 to march to 
Scotland, and overawe the Scots, attempted nothing which was perhaps 
fortunate for the army in question. The following spring another 
army was levied and Wemyss was appointed to a command in the 
same. We gather this from the notes by Secretary Nicholas of 
business transacted at the Council of War, 30 January, 1640, in which 
notes is the following : “ Secretary Windebank to move his Majesty 
for Mr. Wemyss, the Master-Gunner of England, and to give him his 
Majesty’s command that he serve in the present army for the same pay 
he was listed to serve the last year. The train of artillery is settled 
and ordered to be drawn up by the Office of Ordnance.” 4 Time 
rolled on and the whole Kingdom was split into two factions—Royalists 
and Parliamentarians. Wemyss cast in his lot with the latter and his 
military ability procured him the post of Master of the Ordnance to 
Sir William Waller. On 29 June, 1644, Waller found himself opposed 
to the Royalist forces commanded by the King in person and at Cropredy, 
near Daventry, a battle was fought which is known in history as the 
battle of Cropredy Bridge. The Earl of Clarendon, in his graphic 
account of this sanguinary engagement, tells us that the Earl of 
Cleveland, who commanded a brigade of Royalist horse, routed 
Waller’s horse and foot “ and chased them with good execution 
beyond their cannon, all which, being eleven pieces, were taken ; with 
two barricadoes of wood, which were drawn upon wheels, and in each 
seven small brass and leather guns, charged with case shot; most of 
their cannoneers were killed and the General of their Ordnance taken 
1 S.P. Dom .—10 September, 1638. 
2 Ibid. 
3 S.P. Dom.—12 February, 1639- 
4 Ibid ,—30 January, 1640. 
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