found with the bloody hand, I had in a short time the country more quiet. All this while were but in jest as it were, but now began the great quarrel between us.

There was a favourite of his (of Sir Robert Car), a great thief, called Geordie Bourne. This gallant, with some of his associates, would, in a bravery, come and take goods in the East March. I had that night some of the garrison abroad. They met with this Geordie and his fellows, driving of cattle before them. The garrison set upon them, and with a shot killed Geordie Bourne's uncle, and he himself, bravely resisting, till he was sore hurt in the head, was taken. After he was taken, his pride was such, as he asked, who it was that durst avow that night's work. But when he heard it was the garrison, he was then more quiet. But so powerful and awful was this Sir Robert Car and his favourites, as there was not a gentleman in all the East March that durst offend them. Presently after he was taken, I had most of the gentlemen of the March come to me, and told me, that now I had the ball at my foot, and might bring Sir Robert Car to what condition I pleased; for that this man's life was so near and dear unto him, as I should have all that my heart could desire for the good and quiet of the country and myself, if upon any condition I would give him his life. I heard them and their reasons; notwithstanding, I called a jury the next morning, and he was found guilty of March treason.

Then he feared that I would cause him to be executed that afternoon, which made them come flocking to me, humbly intreating me that I would spare his life till the next day: and if Sir Robert Car came not himself to me, and make me not such proffers as I could not but accept, that then I should do with him what I pleased. And further, they told me plainly, that if I should execute him before I had heard from Sir Robert Car, they must be forced to quit their houses, and fly the country; for his fury would be such against me and the March I commanded, as he would use all his power and

strength to the utter destruction of the East March.

They were

so earnest with me, that I gave them my word he should not

die that day. There was post upon post sent to Sir Robert Car; and some of them rode to him themselves to advertise him in what danger Geordie Bourne was: how he was condemned, and should have been executed that afternoon, but, by their humble suit, I gave them my word, that he should not die that day; and therefore besought him that he would send to me with all the speed he could, to let me know that he would be the next day with me, to offer me good conditions for the safety of his life. When all things were quiet, and the watch set at night, after supper, about ten of the clock, I took one of my men's liveries, and put it about me, and took two other of my servants with me in their liveries, and we three, as the Warden's men, came to the Provost Marshal's, where Bourne was, and were let into his chamber. We sat down by him, and told him that we were desirous to see him, because we heard he was stout and valiant, and true to his friend; and that we were sorry our master could not be moved to save his life. He voluntarily of himself said, that he had lived long enough to do so many villanies as he had done; and withal told us, that he had lain with about forty men's wives, what in England, what in Scotland; and that he had killed seven Englishmen with his own hands, cruelly murdering them: that he had spent his whole time in whoring, drinking, stealing, and taking deep revenge for slight offences. He seemed to be very penitent, and much desired a minister for the comfort of his soul. We promised him to let our master know his desire, who, we knew, would presently grant it. We took our leaves of him; and presently I took order, that Mr Selby, a very worthy honest preacher should go to him, and not stir from him till his execution the next morning: for, after I had heard his own confession, I was resolved no conditions should save his life; and so took order, that, at the gates opening the next morning, he should be carried to execution, which accordingly was performed. The next morning I had one from Sir Robert Car for a parley, who was within two miles staying for me. I sent him word, I would meet him

where he pleased, but I would first know upon what terms and conditions. Before his man was returned, he had heard, that in the morning very early Geordie Bourne had been executed. Many vows he made of cruel revenge, and returned home full of grief and disdain, and from that time forward still plotted revenge. He knew the gentlemen of the country were altogether sackless (innocent); and to make open road upon the March, would but shew his malice, and lay him open to the punishment due to such offences. But his practice was how to be revenged on me, or some of mine.

SIR J. TURNER

HERE I will set down an accident befell me; for though

it was not a very strange one, yet it was a very odd one in all its parts. My two brigades lay in a village within half a mile of Appleby; my own quarter was in a gentleman's house, who was a Rit-master, and at that time with Sir Marmaduke; his wife kept her chamber ready to be brought to bed. The castle being over, and Lambert far enough, I resolved to go to bed every night, having had fatigue enough before. The first night I slept well enough; and rising next morning, I missed one linen stocking, one half silk one and one boot hose, the accoutrement under a boot for one leg; neither could they be found for any search. Being provided of more of the same kind, I made myself ready, and rode to the headquarters. At my return, I could hear no news of my stockings. That night I went to bed, and next morning found myself just so used; missing the three stockings for one leg only, the other three being left entire as they were the day before. A narrower search than the first was made, but without success. I had yet in reserve one pair of whole stockings, and a pair of boot hose greater than the former. These I put on my legs. The third morning I found the same usage, the stockings for one leg

B

only left me.

It was time for me then, and my servants too, to imagine it must be rats that had shared my stockings so equally with me; and this the mistress of the house knew well enough, but would not tell it me. The room, which was a low parlour, being well searched with candles, the top of my great boot hose was found at a hole, in which they had drawn all the rest. I went abroad, and ordered the boards to be raised, to see how the rats had disposed of my moveables. The mistress sent a servant of her own to be present at this action, which she knew concerned her. One board being but a little opened, a little boy of mine thrust in his hand, and fetched with him four and twenty old pieces of gold, and one angel. The servant of the house affirmed it appertained to his mistress. The boy bringing the gold to me, I went immediately to the gentlewoman's chamber, and told her, it was probable Lambert having quartered in that house, as indeed he had, some of his servants might have hid that gold; and if so, it was lawfully mine; but if she could make it appear it belonged to her, I should immediately give it her. The poor gentlewoman told me with many tears, that her husband being none of the frugallest men (and indeed he was a spendthrift) she had hid that gold without his knowledge, to make use of it as she had occasion, especially when she lay in; and conjured me, as I loved the King (for whom her husband and she had suffered much), not to detain her gold. She said, if there was either more or less than four and twenty whole pieces, and two half ones, it should be none of hers, and that they were put by her in a red velvet purse. After I had given her assurance of her gold, a new search is made, the other angel is found, the velvet purse all gnawed in bits, as my stockings were, and the gold instantly restored to the gentlewoman. I have often heard that the eating or gnawing of clothes by rats is ominous and portends some mischance to fall on these to whom the clothes belong. I thank God I was never addicted to such divinations, or heeded them. It is true, that more misfortunes than one fell on me shortly after; but I am sure

I could have better foreseen them myself than rats or any such vermin, and yet did it not. I have heard indeed many fine stories told of rats, how they abandon houses and ships, when the first are to be burnt and the second drowned. Naturalists say they are very sagacious creatures, and I believe they are so; but I shall never be of the opinion they can forsee future contingencies, which I suppose the devil himself can neither foreknow nor foretell; there being things which the Almighty hath kept hidden in the bosom of his divine prescience. And whether the great God hath preordained or predestinated these things, which to us are contingent, to fall out by an uncontrollable and unavoidable necessity, is a question not yet decided.

JOHN MANNINGHAM

TO KEEP SHEEP THE BEST LIFE

15 February 1602.-The Life of Man was so affected to this life, that he denied not to crown his deity with this title : and by this he directed his especial charge to his especial disciple: giving us men this best name of a beast, of the best nature of beasts. They are innocent, they are patient, so would God have man; they love and live together, so would God have man. God made thee to behold the Heaven, and to meditate the wonders thereof; make thyself a shepherd, and thou art still beholding, still meditating. God commands thee to forsake the world: if thou art a shepherd thou dost so, thou withdrawest thyself from the world. The private life is the sweetest life; if thou livest the life of a shepherd, thou livest the sweetest private. Wilt thou be a King? Be a shepherd, thou hast subjects, thou hast obedient subjects, thou hast sheep, thou hast a sceptre, thou hast a crook; thy fold is thy council chamber, and the green field thy flourishing palace. Thy companions are the sun, the moon and the stars, of whom thou makest continual use, and from the view of their lights receivest thy counsel