armour and furniture, within the Lord Lieutenant's division, except the hundred of Kinwardstone.

Item, that Sir Walter Long and Sir William Eyre shall take a view at Chippenham the 26th and 27th of September, of all the trained men with their armour and furniture within Sir Walter Long's division.

Item, that the said Sir Walter Long and Sir William Eyre shall take a view at Trowbridge the 10th and 11th day of October, of all the trained men with their armour and furniture within Sir William Eyre's division; together with the trained men, armour, and furniture, within the hundred of Horwelsdown, being part of Sir James Mervin's division, and the tything of Westwood within the hundred of Elstub and Everley, part of the Earl of Pembroke's division.

Item, it is further agreed that the Justices of Peace shall be present with their muster books, when the said trained men shall be viewed as aforesaid within their several divisions.

Item, it is agreed that the Colonels and Captains, or one of them at the least, shall be likewise present with their muster rolls, when the trained men under their several charge shall be viewed and mustered as aforesaid.

Item, it is agreed that the Justices of Peace shall consider and examine whether the store of match and powder be kept serviceable and in perfect readiness in every town and place within the several divisions, according to an order set down and agreed on the 13th of February 1601; and to certify the defaults thereof at our next meeting.

Item, it is further agreed that Sir John Ernley, Knight, Captain of 50 light horse, shall call before him at the Devizes the 24th of September, all the light horse, with men, armour, and furniture, under his charge, there to be viewed before the said Captain and Sir Walter Long and Sir William Eyre, Knights, and the rest of the Justices of Peace of that division.

Item, it is agreed that Sir Walter Vaughan, Knight, Captain of 50 light horse, shall call before him at Sarum the 27th of September, all the light horse, with men, armour, and furniture, under his charge, there to be viewed in the presence of the said Captain, Sir Thomas Gorges, and Sir James Mervin, Knights, and the rest of the Justices of Peace of that division.

Item, that Sir Thomas Snell, Knight, Captain of the Lancers, shall call before him at Marlborough, the 7th of October, all the lances, men, armour, and furniture, under his charge, there to be viewed before the said Captain in the presence of Sir Thomas Gorges and Sir James Mervin, Knights, and the Justices of Peace of that division.

Item, it is agreed that presently after the rolls or muster-books sent touching the clergy, that precepts be made for them to be viewed in every division and in the same manner as the other forces are appointed to be viewed.

THOMAS GORGES,

JAMES MERVIN,

WILLIAM EYRE,

HENRY BAYNTON,

EDWARD PENRUDDOCK,
WALTER VAUGHAN,

JOHN ERNLEY,

GEORGE IVIE.

LETTER V.

Sir Thomas Gorges (of Longford Castle) to his lordship beseeching to have the muster books.

MY HONOURABLE GOOD LORD,

The desire that I have to do this service imposed upon me (by and in your lordship's love) with good effect and orderly means, [yet] being altogether heretofore unacquainted with the like, makes me the more inquisitive and bold to attain the courses thereof, which I hope shall be shewn in the perfectness of the business. I humbly desire your lordship, as you at my last being with you seemed willing, to let me have the copy of your lordship's muster books, whereby may thoroughly instruct myself before the view, and the better satisfy your desire in our certificates unto your lordship. And thus craving pardon for my boldness, ready to do your lordship any service, I humbly take my leave: Your lordship's ever to be commanded.

I

Lanford, this 29th

of August, 1608.

THOMAS GORGES.

Postscript. My good lord, I understand by some gentlemen of the North parts of Wilts that Sir John Ernley one of the Captains of the light horse is unable to serve in the place, because he is broken, and that he will be a suitor unto your lordship to be released; which, if it happen, (and I have enquired) that no man is thereabouts more fit in my poor opinion than Sir George Ivie ; but the choice I will refer unto your lordship.

Received at Amesbury, the 29th of

August, by Roger Thursby.

LETTER VI.

Lord Hertford to his very loving friends the Deputy Lieutenants, prompting their vigilance.

After my hearty commendations; albeit I nothing doubt of your wisdoms, care, and forwardness, for the accomplishment of his Majesty's will and pleasure lately signified unto me by letters from the lords of his Majesty's Highness' Privy Council, whereof I sent you the copy touching a general view and muster to be had and taken of all the trained bands, both horse and foot, within this County of Wilts, and whereof we lately had conference, yet considering with myself the necessity of the service, in regard of the manifold defects that I fear to be both in men and arms; adding also thereto the backwardness to the vulgar, for the most part, in such services as out of their want of judgment they hold chargeable

[oppressive] unto them, I cannot but, in regard of my place and service to his Majesty and my country, again recommend the special care thereof unto your wisdoms and diligence. And therefore pray you, and in his Majesty's name by virtue of his Highness' commission of Lieutenancy for this County, earnestly require and charge you and every of you that with as much convenient speed as you may you give forth directions unto all the Colonels both of horse and foot within this County, Captains and Officers of private companies of horse, as well such as continue their places as those also which are lately nominated and chosen, and all other whose service and attendance may further the business, to be present and ready at the days, times, and places, prefixed and agreed upon for taking the aforesaid musters, with the muster-books, rolls, and all other supplements concerning the same, to do and execute all such offices and services as to their places respectively shall appertain. And that also precepts be made and directed to all Mayors, Constables of hundreds and liberties, and all other Officers and Ministers to whom it shall appertain that they have ready at the days, times, and places, all the trained bands and companies both horse and foot, men and arms, well and sufficiently furnished, completely repaired and supplied in the defects thereof, as they and every of them do tender his Majesty's displeasure, and will answer to the contrary at their peril; remembering withal the supply of powder and match in such sort as in their lordships' letters is touched, that a true relation of all the premises being made unto me by you, I may certify his Majesty thereof, and recommend unto his Highness your care and diligence for the advancement of his Majesty's service and the public safety and tranquillity of your country. And even so resting assured of your care and readiness therein, I bid you right heartily farewell. From my house at Amesbury this last of August, 1608. Your loving friend.

Sent by Thomas Harron, his lordship's gentleman of his horse, to Sir Thomas Gorges, 2nd of September, 1608.

HERTFORD.

LETTER VII.

The Earl of Hertford to the Bishop of Salisbury concerning a
Captain over the Clergy.

MY GOOD LORD,

Upon my late conference here at Amesbury on Thursday last with the Deputy Lieutenants and Justices concerning the muster of horse and foot within this County, I was pleased in love towards your lordship and your clergy, to

grant that yourself should nominate a Captain and commander of the horsetroop of the clergy of this country, so as he were a man fit for the service; and the same to be signified by Sir Edward Penruddock. Since which time I have, neither from you nor him, received your lordship's mind therein. And for that the time appointed for the muster draweth on, and that both the Captain and horse, with the arms thereto pertaining, might be answerable to his Majesty's expectation, I desire your lordship's speedy resolution, that, thereupon I may determine accordingly. And even so with my very hearty commendations I commit you to the heavenly protection. From my house at Amesbury, the last of August, 1608. Your Lordship's very loving friend,

Sent by Thomas Harron his lordship's

servant, the 2nd of September, 1608.

HERTFORD.

[By the Bishop's letter next following, dated on the same day as the above, it will be seen that he had not been remiss, having already fulfilled his required task of drawing out a schedule of the names of such of his clergy as he deemed chargeable with military contribution.]

LETTER VIII.

The Bishop to the Earl, concerning such of the Clergy as do find arms.

MY VERY HONOURABLE GOOD LORD,

According to your lordship's desire and my promise I have sent by this bearer, my Register [Registrar ?], a true note and abstract of such of my clergy within this County of Wilts as, either heretofore or now, have been or are thought fit to be charged with any warlike furniture both of horse and foot. Your lordship may find herein some alteration from the former, but the reason thereof is by means of the change of the Ministers themselves by death and otherwise. Howbeit the number both of horse and foot, especially those of the horse, is rather increased than diminished. I have taken some extraordinary pains myself in the due ordering and disposing of this business; and having had sufficient means to acquaint myself thoroughly with their state and ability within my own diocese, I have upon good consideration and advice, dealt herein without partiality, as becometh me. My request unto your lordship on their behalf at this present is, that they may be with all kindness and favour at their hands to whom the managing of these occurrences under your lordship shall be committed, as well in respect of their function and calling as also in regard of their poor estate and condition. And even so with many thanks for my good entertainment, in all

true affection, I commend your honourable good lordship both now and ever to the heavenly protection. From my palace at Sarum, this 31st of August, 1608. Your lordship's very assured friend at commandment.

Sent with a note of the clergy's names, [missing] and brought to his lordship at Amesbury, by Thomas Sadler.

HENRY SARUM.

LETTER IX.

The Earl of Hertford to Mr. John Duckett, shewing the form of his lordship's warrant unto the new chosen Captains.

Having been informed of your quality, fitness, and sufficiency, I let you hereby understand that by virtue of the King's Majesty's commission of Lieutenancy within this County of Wilts to me directed, I have appointed and chosen you to be Captain and commander of the company and arms of one hundred foot, whereof Richard Burnley, gent. deceased, was late Captain and commander, under the regiment of Sir Henry Baynton, Knight, Colonel of 600 foot within the aforesaid County; giving you warrant and authority by these to command and direct according to your good discretion, both officers, men, and arms, of the same company, in as large and ample a manner as any Captain and commander of the said company have heretofore used to do, and as to the office and place of a Captain and commander of foot appertaineth. And therefore I require you that, all excuses set apart, you be ready in person at the day and place appointed for taking the muster of the said regiment, to receive the muster-roll of your said company, and to undertake the charge thereof, and also to do and execute all other offices and services that to the place of a Captain and commander of foot appertaineth for the honour and service of his Majesty and the public good of your country. Whereof fail you not as you tender his Highness' service, and will answer to the contrary at your peril. And even so not doubting of your readiness and diligence herein, I bid you heartily farewell. Amesbury, the last of August, 1608. Your loving friend.

From my house at

HERTFORD.

Memorandum: That this form of his lordship's letters were sent unto such gentlemen as his lordship made Captains, as followeth, viz:—

In Sir Edward Penruddock's regiment.

Giles Mompesson in Sir Thomas Penruddock's place.

Philip Poore in Mr. Stockman's place.

Tobias Horton in Mr. Francis Harding's place.

Alexander Thistlethwayte in Sir Robert Penruddock's place.
Thomas Sadler, over the Clergy.