Catalogue description Order and letter book   'A Booke for entering of letters sent from the Lords of the...

Order and letter book

'A Booke for entering of letters sent from the Lords of the Councell & Lord Lieutennant beginning Anno Dm 1639'

Index to pp. 1-26 on pp. 295-297

See H.M.C. Report pp. 491-518

pp. 1-3 1639 Letter from Lord Keeper to county justices about proposed removal of Midsummer and Christmas County Quarter Sessions from Gloucester to Cirencester: contrary to custom and to charters of Gloucester from Ric. III which reserve a place to keep the Assizes and Sessions of the 'Outshire'; Gloucester has also 'been att greate charge in fitting and preparinge a Hall for keeping the Assizes and Sessions'. Roads are bad in winter and Cirencester not so well situated and provisions will be dearer there

pp. 5-11 1640 Lord Lieutenant to Mayor and Deputy Lieutenants: enclosing instructions for levying 1500 men in Gloucestershire and 50 cart-horses and 17 carters for the train of artillery

pp. 12-13 1640 Date for assembly of levies postponed from 10 May to 1 June

p. 14 1640 Date for assembly of levies postponed from 1 June to 1 July

p. 15 1640 Date for assembly of horses and carters at Newcastle postponed from 15 June 10 15 July

pp. 16-17 1640 If levies are ready earlier than 1 July, coat and conduct money to be assessed, and Lord General notified so that officers can be sent to take command

pp. 18-19 1640 150 men from City will be ready by July; difficulty in raising amounts assessed because of defaulters

pp. 20-21 1640 Names of 130 men levied from the City and its County and delivered to Captain George Lisle

pp. 22-23 1640 General muster to be held in City and trained bands exercised weekly

pp. 24-25 1640 Advance of Scots army necessitates trained bands being ready to march at 24 hours notice

p. 26 1640 General muster to be held in summer

pp. 27-28 1640 'pioneers' for defence works to be in readiness with tools, carts and horses; county magazine to be well stocked; the 23 beacons in Gloucestershire to be made ready and watched

pp. 29-30 1640 In time of actual invasion all should be ready to serve at their own expense

pp. 31-32 1641 Commission to Captain Edmund Varney to command of a company of 100 foot in Sir Simon Harcourt's regiment to be levied for service in Ireland

p. 33 1642 Search to be made in all ports for Daniel O'Neale, charged with high treason, who has escaped from the Tower

p. 34 1642 Ports to be closed against Thomas, Viscount Dillon, and Theobald, Viscount Taaffe, who have escaped from custody

p. 35 1643 Edw. Exton, Thos. Hodges, Thos. Pury, Edw. Ownors, Robt. Pye to Mayor and Aldermen: Sir Robt. Pye is willing to hand over his plate in Gloucester to Corporation to deliver to Col. Massey for maintenance of garrison so much as amounts to £300 at 4s 9d per oz., and to officers of Col. Stephen's regiment so much plate as comes to 1 month's pay. Parliament intends to pay arrears as soon as possible

p. 37 1645 Appointment by Wm. Lenthall, Speaker of House of Commons and Recorder of Gloucester, of his son John as Deputy Recorder in his absence

p. 39 1645 Letter from Committee of Both Kingdoms 'to enable John Bunbury and Valentine Dobbins to receive the monies gathered [in Gloucestershire] for the British armies'

pp. 41-42 1645/6 Directions for impressing 20 men from City for reinforcing garrison of Bristol under Major-General Skippon

p. 43 1643 Wm. Lenthall to the Mayor of Gloucester: thanks of House of Commons to City for successful resistance during the siege

p. 45 1646 John Lenthall and Thos. Pury [to Mayor and Aldermen] : money so far raised in the City by assessment under ordinance of 18 October 1644 insufficient, time of collection is to be extended, and to be expedited

p. 47-51 [1649] Nomination by the Council of State of Wm. Lenthall (Speaker) , Anthony Edwards (Mayor), James Stephens, Thomas Hill, Thomas Pury, Dennis Wise, Jasper Clutterbuck (Aldermen), Sir Wm. Constable, Bt., Wm. Sheppard, John Dorney, John Wade, Thomas Hodges, Esq., and Geo. Gwinnett, gent., as Commissioners within the County and City of Gloucester to preserve peace and prevent insurrection. Detailed instructions, including power to muster the militia

pp. 52-53 1651 Council of State to Commissioners of the Militia for Gloucester City: 10 horses and equipment to be selected from those who are liable under present Militia Act, and are most disaffected towards present government, chosing persons of unquestionable fidelity to ride them

p. 55 1651 Names of persons who were charged with and provided horses and equipment according to these instructions

p. 56 1651 Names of riders; delivered to Capt. John James

p. 56 1651 Capt. James to Sir Wm. Constable, Governor of Gloucester: 1 horse returned as unserviceable and replacement needed

pp. 57-59 1651 400 men from Gloucestershire to be levied for service in Ireland and sent to Bristol

pp. 60-61 1651 List of 30 men raised in City and its County of whom Wm. Hooke ran away

pp. 62-64 1651 Instructions from the Council of State to Wm. Lenthall, the Mayor, Sir William Constable, Bt., Anthony Edwards, James Stephens, Thos. Pury, Thos. Hill, Dennis Wise, Jasper Clutterbuck, John Wade, Wm. Sheppard, John Dorney, Thos. Hodges, Esq., and Geo. Gwinnett, gent., to be put into operation in the City pursuant to an Order of Parliament: to meet monthly to gain information of conspiracy and disaffection and such as are of the Commission of the Peace to take informations and examinations and take appropriate action against such persons; to disarm and secure or commit Papists and those disaffected to the present Government, or in correspondence with Charles Stuart, or with hostile persons or nations, or in raising insurrection; to observe strangers, their activities and persons they contact, and inform the Council of any suspicious persons; arms handed out in recent years to the militia are to be collected and placed in secure custody, and an inventory taken of arms in hands of private persons as well as in safe keeping; the Sheriff of the County is to assist in this and they are to keep in correspondence with commanders of the forces in the pay of the Commonwealth

pp. 65-73 1651 Instructions issued by the Commissioners in Gloucester for putting these orders into effect: arms to be stored in a public magazine, inventory to be taken and copy given to owners; trumpets, drums, colours and other trophies bought with public money to be stored also, and constables to search out and collect them; Commissioners to make inquiries as to disaffected persons; innkeepers and alehouse keepers to return names of all guests to the Mayor; three of Common Council men to be overseers of workmen on fortifications; Alvingate to be blocked up and highway turned across Mr. Brett's ground into Feate Lane; Henry Fletcher, treasurer of the month's pay raised under Militia Act to pay Thomas Pingrey £10 for shovels, spades, pickaxes to repair the defences; Capt. Wise to complete the compnay of foot; companies of foot, 100 per company, to be raised in the City in addition, and placed under the command of Sir William Constable, Governor of the Garrison, and Capt. Wise, Capt. Evans, Capt. Clarke, Capt. Rysell, Capt. Hill and Capt. Ellis to raise these companies; Henry Fletcher to pay Mayor £5 and Stewards 40s to send out scouts in time of danger; arms to be given to the captains to equip their companies; draught horses in City to be used for hauling timber to make a breast-work on the Quay, the Captain of the Watch to put this order into execution, and Stewards to assist; names of Lieutenant and Ensign nominated by the Captains of each company; names of those presented to the Commissioners by Mr. Symons, Master of the Ordnance, as making up the train of artillery; copies of warrants for handing over drums, saddles, bridles and holsters to be used in 'the defence of this City being in danger to be besieged by the enemy'; 10s apiece to 14 companies of foot for 'extraordinary labour in the fortifications'; payment of militia and workmen

pp. 74-76 1651 Letter from the Mayor, Town Clerk and other Commissioners to the Speaker with copy to Council of State: loyalty of inhabitants on hearing news of advance of Scots army; work on fortifications which were very ruinous; 7 companies of militia raised and armed for service under the Governor, one company under Mayor being able to equip themselves at their own cost; same unanimous resolve to defend city as at last siege; request to Council of State that the captains appointed may be granted commissions according to the [Militia] Act, and order given the treasurer for weekly pay during service; city expenses this year have exceeded receipts by nearly £1000, and there is still the cost of making drawbridges and other emergency expenses, so further ask that Parliament will order £200 payment towards cost

pp. 77-78 1651 Names of persons who provided horses and arms

pp. 78-79 1651 (25 Aug.) Order that burgesses and inhabitants not bearing arms shall help repair the fortifications at the Southgate; Bellman to publish the order and constables of each ward to make list of those liable to work; captains of militia to deliver a roll of their companies; turf to be dug off of the pasture called the Causeway als. the Bell ground between High Orchard and causeway leading to Llanthony, and teams be impressed to carry it to fortifications

pp. 80-81 1651 Payments made to hauliers and workmen (named)

pp. 83-84 1651 Thanks of Parliament conveyed by Speaker Lenthall to Mayor and citizens for 'extra-ordinary care' in defence preparations; similar letter from Council of State enclosing commissions requested and giving permission to draw bills to £200 on the Council, and making arrangements for pay of militia

pp. 85-95 1651 Names of Captains, Lieutenants, ensigns, sergeants, corporals, drummers and gentlemen at arms, and men in their companies, August 1651

pp. 105-107 1651 Correspondence between President Bradshaw and the Mayor of Gloucester about the Acts and proclamations concerning Charles Stuart, and the militia

pp. 108-110 1651 Cost of rebuilding the drawbridges: outward drawbridge at Northgate £37 17s 4d, Westgate drawbridge £60 13s 4d, outward drawbridge at the Eastgate £43 3s 0d, the other five great drawbridges £200, 'besides the charge of the two horse bridges not at all computed'. Only 20 tons of Forest timber allowed towards the rebuilding

pp. 111-113 1651 Mayor to Speaker Lenthall and President Bradshaw referring to this expense occasioned by the previous drawbridges having been made of elm which had rotted - the garrison has eight great drawbridges for carts, and two horse bridges. £200 allowed to Gloucester towards expense

p. 114 1651 Further payment to Capt. Hill's company of militia

p. 115 1651 Mayor and Aldermen to General Cromwell - present of 40 barrels of strong beer in congratulations for relief of the area

p. 116 1651 Lord Scudamore's estate in Llanthony not charged - future proportions of charges as between Llanthony and Hempstead

p. 117 1651 Payment to workmen employed on the bridges and fortifications

pp. 117-120 1651 Further levy ordered by Commissioners for the Militia of Gloucester to pay horse and foot. Discharge of Wm. Sheppard for contribution within the City

pp. 121-124 1651-2 Copy of the Patent creating Oliver Cromwell High Steward of the City and granting him an annuity of 100s. Copy of Cromwell's receipt for £5

pp. 126-127 1651 Mayor and Aldermen to Col. Harvey and other Customs Commissioners in London - petition for discharge from duty of 12d per ton on coal brought to the city from 'Bewdly, Bridgenorth and other parts adjacent where they are digged'

pp. 127-129 1651 Survey of lands within parish of Churchdown for an assessment due

pp. 131-132 1651 Proportion of money recovered towards reimbursing Gloucester for losses during siege, to be paid to Major John Wildman and other persons promoting the case of the City in London

pp. 133-135 1651 Mayor and Aldermen to the Committee of Parliament appointed to state the sufferings of Worcester and Gloucester: losses sustained in the defence of the City in 1643 amounted to £34,000 and upwards according to a calculation made in 1645, but that in 1646 the Grand Inquest presented to the Lord Chief Baron that the damage amounted to £26,000 and upwards. Parliament had granted £4,000 towards the expense of supporting the garrison, of which little had been received [see also pp.210-216]

pp. 136-137 1651 Mayor and Aldermen to Parliamentary Committee appointed upon reading the petition of the Mayor, Burgesses, and Inhabitants of the City: certifying that the Governor and Council of War considered it necessary in August 1643 to destroy the suburbs and to flood the meadows on the N. and N.W. sides of the City. That in 1646 the Grand Inquest presented that the losses so sustained amounted to £26,000 and upwards, but that other inhabitants suffered losses over and above £26,000, 'who are in much want and misery'

pp. 138-141 [1651] Humble Petition of the Mayor, Burgesses and inhabitants of the City of Gloucester to Parliament: the Cathedral is becoming ruinous and St. Mary de Lode church in which c.1,500 prisoners taken at Highnam in April 1643 were kept is also ruinous, and without a minister, 'the cure being formerly supplied by singing men presented or appointed by the late Dean and Chapter'. Requesting that the Cathedral and St. Mary de Lode should be united, and the tithes, parochial profits, patronage, bells, vestry, chapter house and library, cloisters, schoolhouse, schoolmasters and ushers, houses, churchyards, waste and void ground adjoining granted to Mayor and Burgesses with additional salary besides the tithes for the maintenance of a preaching minister and repair of the Cathedral and premises, and also that they may collect £101 3s 4d p.a. from Dean and Chapter lands for the schoolmaster and other salaries and charitable uses, plus 17s 1d ancient rents. 83 signatures

pp. 142-143 1651 Wm. Lenthall to [Commissioners of Gloucester] : further assessment for maintenance of army

p. 145 1651/2 Letter accompanying 'small present'

p. 146 1651/2 Mayor and Aldermen to Wm. Lenthall with 'small token of respects'

p. 147 1651-2 Mayor to tenants and occupiers of Manors of Ruardean and Newland requiring payment of fee-farm rents conveyed to Corporation by Parliamentary Trustees

p. 149 1651 Confirmation at Assizes, 17 July 1651, of orders made by Mayor and Justices for suppressing excessive number of alehouses and restricting number to 40

pp. 151-152 [1652 or 3] Petition of Mayor and Burgesses to Parliament stating that garrison has caused decline of trade because of the 'miscarriages' of the soldiers

p. 153 1653 Letter from Cromwell to Commissioners of Gloucester re continuance of the assessment [for the army] for 6 months

p. 157 1654 Wm. Lenthall to Mayor and Aldermen: assuring them of his continuing endeavour on their behalf

pp. 158-159 [1654] Wm. Lenthall to Mayor and Aldermen: as above, proposing a meeting when he comes to Burford

p. 163 1654 See p. 165

pp.165-166 1654 Copy of Parliamentary Order concerning the proportion of the next assessment to be paid by County of City and City, and appointing Commissioners for the City and its County

pp.169-170 1654 Orders of Mayor and Aldermen concerning muskets

p. 171 1654 Order for assembling militia and keeping watch

pp.173-175 1654/5 Cromwell to Major Wade, Major Creed, and Mayor and Aldermen: thanks for support in recent insurrection; J.P.s to keep watch for strangers especially at coasts and disband dangerous assemblies

pp.177-178 1655 President of Council to Mayor and J.P.s of Gloucester: referring to petition in previous year of persons in Winchcombe area to be allowed to harvest present tobacco crop; Act prohibiting planting of tobacco to be enforced without exception in future

pp.179-180 1655 Copy of Letter of Attorney to Captain Griffantius Phillips for taking possession of lands in Ireland allotted to Mayor and Burgesses for their 'adventure'

pp.181-203 1654 Proportion of assessment to be borne by City and County of City; appointment of Commissioners; disputes between City and County of City; award of Committee of the Army

pp.205-206 1656 Mayor and Aldermen to Wm. Lenthall: City has further business which it hopes he will undertake

p. 209 1656 Order by the Lord Protector and Council to whom the petition of the Mayor and Burgesses was referred, that the cathedral, its 'utensils', with cloisters, churchyard and appurtenances, the library, schoolmasters and ushers houses to be enjoyed by the corporation for the 'preaching and hearing of God's word, the education of children in learning and other public uses' [see GBR/I/1/37, Stevenson 32/27]

pp.210-216 [1646]-1656 Certificate of losses sustained in the siege in north, east and south wards, and Kingsholm: names, number of houses, value of houses and goods

pp.219-220 [1656] Act of Parliament for granting the cathedral etc. to corporation [see GBR/I/1/37, Stevenson 32/27]

p. 221 1657 Corporation to Henry Cromwell: Dr. Thos. Clarges has been most helpful in obtaining above Act for recompensing the city for its losses; has further business which it is hoped will be favourably received

pp.222-224 1657 'The Manner of the Solemnity in the proclaiming of his Highness the Lord Protector'

pp.227-233 1657 Petitions and correspondence relating to corporation's 'adventure' in Irish lands

pp.235-236 1657 Lord Protector to corporation: raising militia and defence of city against the 'Cavaleir party'

pp.237-247 1657/8 Lord Protector to corporation: danger of invasion from Flanders; defence of the city

pp.249-256 1658 Death of Oliver Cromwell, succession and proclamation of Richard Cromwell; humble address of corporation

pp.257-259 1659 Notes of muskets and other arms delivered to or removed from the Tolsey

pp.261-264 1659 Exchange of letters between the Committee of Safety and the corporation over the quartering of soldiers in private houses

p. 269 1660 Appointment of Henry Duke of Gloucester as High Steward

pp.272-273 1661 Money due from the city towards disbanding the army and navy, arrears of poll tax and assessments 1659-1660

pp.295-297 [1639] Table of contents pp.1-26

p. 300 n.d. Note of 'the dozens of Bread sent by the several bakers in this city to Tewkesbury for the Lord General Cromwell's Army'

p. 302 n.d. [damaged] City of Bristol: militia

[Stevenson 1421/1541]