the Parl. as those in the Castle, he said, that he was so: but withal
said, that he was Major of the town, and it was the custome of that
place, that all the Tenants belonging to the Major of Pembroke
must appear twice every yeer before the Major of that town compleatly
armed, and the Major was to command in chiefe the Forces
so armed, &c. and this they were bound to by their tenure, &c. He
said, that he never saw the Princes Commission before it was now
shewed; but it was proved, that he consessed he knew of it at the
surrender of the Castle, but denied he acted by it.
The great question then was (as to him) whether he did not hold
out the said Castle against the Parl. Forces, and killed many of them,
which was apparently proved, and could not be denied by himself:
yet by way of a slender excuse, he said that he was necessitated to it,
that it was in defence of his own house, and was forced to retire
thither for safety against the Kings party, which but little before
Col. Flemming coming thither, laid waid to take him after he had
refused large proffers, (viz.2000.l. and to be made a Knight and Baronet)
if he would have joyned with them. It was here aleadged, that
this kind of plea, was matter of circumstance, the thing hee was to
speak to was matter of fact, & having litle to speak to those things,
more then what he had formerly pleaded, He was found guilty of
the Charge against him, and condemned to die.
The next that came upon his tryall was Maj. Gen. Laughorn, which
was the last man of eminency that joyned in those tumults in Wales,
and it seemes least ingaged in his own person; He was also found
guilty of the Charge against him, and sentenced to be shot to death:
Yet is there hopes in his wife and children, that Mercy and Justice
will herein kisse each other.
The Commons ordered that the Armes of the late King in the
Court of Commonspleas, be forthwith taken down.
At a Common councell in London was also a motion for taking
down those Armes, which as yet remain in that Court.
Thursday 12 April.
THe House considered on the Act for Fee-farm Lands. An act also
passed for setling the Militia of the City of Westminster, Impowring
the Committee authorized for that purpose, to train, exercise,
and put in readinesse, and them after their abilities and faculties, wel
and sufficiently from time to time to be arrayed and weaponed, and
to take the, Musters of them in places most fit for that purpose: and