THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 253 
the island together having a good command of the entrance into the 
harbour; but towards the land there was very little strength. This com- 
mand was in the hands of Sir Jacob Ashley, and as unprovided to expect or 
resist an enemy as the other castles and forts of the kingdom, less for the 
receiving a recruit, there being only ordnance and ammunition, without any 
other provisions for the support of the soldiers within the walls, and the 
garrison itself being by time, marriage, and trade incorporated into the 
town, and rather citizens than soldiers; so that Sir Jacob Ashley, being sent 
for to the king, before his setting up his standard, as soon as there was any 
apprehension of a party for the king in Cornwall, after the appearing of Sir 
Ralph Hopton and those other gentlemen there, the Mayor and Corporation 
of Plymouth quickly got both the castle and island into their own power.” * 
The king’s standard was hoisted at Nottingham on the 25th of 
August, 1642. It must therefore have been in the mayoralty of 
Thomas Ceely that the town thus declared against the king. Ceely 
was succeeded on Saint Lambert’s Day following (September 17th) 
by Philip Francis, a man of considerable energy and resource, and 
one of the chief leaders of the townsfolk throughout these troub- 
lous times.t To him the Parliament, when they learnt what had 
occurred, gave the command of the castle and town, about which 
‘‘a line was cast up of earth, weak and irregular.” To Sir Alex- 
ander Carew, one of the representatives of Cornwall, and member 
of a committee of defence appointed to assist the mayor, was given 
the charge of the fort and island, regarded as the key of the whole 
position, with a sufficient garrison. ¢ 
The first attack came from Cornwall. Sir Ralph Hopton, the 
King’s Lieutenant-General of Horse in the West, with Sir John 
* “History of the Rebellion,” edition 1807, vol. ii., p. 590. 
+ The following receipt for arms is among the Corporate records: 
Primo die Octembris Anno dni 1642, 
This daye received by mee John Carter esqr commissary of the right 
worth. Phillip Frauncis, Maior of Plymouth, these severall armes following ; 
Videlt., 
Eleven brests 
Eleven backs 
Thirteen head peeces 
Five gorgetts 
One currasse cappapee 
One fowling peece 
One muskett 
Two great saddles 
I say receved by mee 
JOHN CARTER. 
t CLARENDON, Vol. ii., p. 592-3. 
