Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Lucy Hutchinson (1620–1681). Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson. 1906.

Appendix III: A True Relation of Some Remarkable Passages Concerning the Nottinghamshire Petition, etc.

‘LOVING BROTHER,—I was this last week at York, with twenty gentlemen more and divers others, to deliver a petition to his majesty, which was done on Thursday last being the last of March; and Lincolnshire delivered one on Monday before: Yorkshire delivers one about Tuesday next, and Derbyshire about Wednesday, or Thursday next; all which are much tending to one effect, that is, humbly to entreat his majesty to abide near, and hearken to his parliament, and to remove evil counsellors from about him, with some other things. I have copies of them all, but they are too long for me to copy out at this time; ours I am confident John Drewrey showed you the last week, if not, Master Fakingham can show it you, and you may show him this answer given to us under the secretary’s hand with his majesty’s direction, and it is the very same Lincolnshire gentlemen received from his majesty to their petition. Yorkshire it is said will appear fourteen thousand in person to avow theirs—the sheriff is a chief man in it. Derby is said to be three hundred at least—the sheriff, baronets, knights, esquires, gentlemen, and others. Lincolnshire, Sir Richard Earle delivered it with some twenty gentlemen of quality, who were scoffed at by the courtiers and citizens and called Roundheads; they lay in York on Sunday, being coronation day, where was bonfires made and much disorder; and about midnight that night, about three score persons with clubs and bills assaulted the house where they lay, and swore they would have the bloods of them; the gentlemen being up, and the rogues got into the house, they were forced to put out their lights, and betake themselves to their swords, which done the unknown rascals departed, giving threatening speeches that they would cut the throats of them that came next; yet I praise God we had reasonable fair quarter with them. The city of York we perceive offers these abuses to petitioners on purpose to deter them for coming to the king, because they would have (him) reside with them; those that are well affected (which are but few in comparison of the multitude) do join with us willingly and freely, both in judgment and matter. The court is very thin as yet, but increaseth daily. The latter declaration mentioned in our answer is not yet in print; the king’s first answer was, he refers us to the Kentish petition, but we pressing for a further and more satisfactory answer, had as you may here see with hopes still of a better. The Kentish petition was ordered to be printed, but speeding so badly at London, it is stopped as yet; much more I could tell you but my occasions will not permit me, therefore with our best affections to you all, I commit you to the Lord’s protection and rest—Your ever loving brother, while

‘Report this from me to be a true copy of our answer there’.

The pamphlet also contains the Nottinghamshire Petition, a brief answer from the king, and the king’s message of April 8th to the Parliament.