the attempt of the Earl of Bath and his party to enforce the Commission of Array at South Molton: According to my bounden duty I cannot chuse but acquaint your worship with the newes at South Molton, I my selfe being present at it. On Saturday last the Earl of Bath sent one of his servants unto the Maior of the Towne to know whether he should have a peaceable entrance into his Town the Tuesday following, for he was minded to come there, to meet some Gentlemen upon some occasions; the Maior answered the messenger, that if his intent were for peace, he should come. After better consideration, which the Maior had, he was blamed by some of his friends, for that he had not taken respite to give his answer, but that advice came too late. The Tuesday [Sept. 13] being the day appoynted, there came the Earle of Bath, my Lord Chichester, Baronet Pollard, Sir Popham Southcot, Sir Ralph Sidenham, (Sir Ralph Sydenham, of Youlston, near Barnstaple (which he held in right of his wife), a younger son of Sir John Sydenham of Brimpton, Somerset) Master Basset, Master John Acland, Master John Giffard, Captaine Newcond, with their followers, and diverse others which I cannot name. A Banquet being provided at Henry Hearders house the Inne-keeper, where the Earle sent store of Venison, and his owne Cooke for to dresse it, the common sort of the Towne fell in a great rage with the Maior and his company, for giving licence that they should enter, and swor that if they did attempt any thing there, or read their Commission of Array, they would beate them all downe and kill them, if they were all hanged for it; and thereupon betooke themselves to Armes, both men, women, and children, about the Crosse in the Market place. I doe verrily beleeve they were in number at least l,000, some with Musquets loaden, some with Halberts and blacke Bills, some with Clubs, some with Pikes, some with dunge Evells, some with great Poles, one I saw which had beat the calke of a Sive, and beat him out right, and set him into a long staffe, the women had filled all the steps of the crosse with great stones and got up and sate on them, swearing if they did come there they would braine them. One thing which is worth