extant. Later they ventured further north and stayed at West Felton with Samuel Hildersham and his wife Mary. He was a Puritan writer, the son of Arthur Hildersham, and had been a leading figure in the second classis: they had the use of his substantial library for several months. Shrewsbury faced a further crisis in 1651, when governor Mackworth had to face down a demand that he surrender the town to Charles Stuart's mainly Scottish army. This contributed to delays in finding a replacement for Fisher at St Mary's. In 1652 the corporation and congregation approached Francis Tallents to take on the task. He had scruples about supplanting Fisher, with whom he shared a Presbyterian orientation and a close friendship with Richard Baxter. However, Fisher magnanimously wrote to the parish through Richard Pigot, the headmaster, expressing "not his willingness alone, but his earnest desire to have Mr. Tallents settle with them." London again Fisher preached at Bride's, London, (with the "Saint" omitted) apparently for two separate short periods, between his flight from Shrewsbury and his admission to the rectory of Thornton. The details are contained in the architect Walter Godfrey's monograph on the church, started as Wren's later building lay ruined in 1940. The advowson of the church belonged to Westminster Abbey – until the Dissolution of the Monasteries to the Abbot and Convent, afterwards to the Dean and Chapter. During the Civil War, the Vestry, which was strongly committed to the cause of Parliament and radically Puritan, took control. The incumbent, James Palmer, a moderate Puritan, was pressured into accepting voluntary sequestration on 18 October 1645 and the Vestry thereafter appointed a series of preachers closer to their own tastes. Fisher accepted the post of "lecturer" at Bride's on 28 April 1651. Two other short incumbencies followed and Fisher was then "entertained minister" from 30 June 1652 on a salary of 40s. per week – a good rate that reflected his considerable experience and ability. No reason is given for the interlude, but April 1651 seems rather early for Fisher to appear in London, where he was fairly notorious in some quarters. The parish minutes record that: a Sacrament be administered by Mr. Fisher on the next Sabbath day come Sennitt in the parishe to suche as have been admitted of formerly to the Eldershipp and to suche that come to give accompt to the Minister and Elders of