Page:The histories of Launceston and Dunheved, in the county of Cornwall.djvu/305

CIVIL WAR. 273 On the 15th of that month Prince Charles gave to Hopton (then Lord Hopton of Stratton) the charge of the whole army, with sub-directions that Lord Wentworth should command the horse, and Sir Richard Grenville the foot. Hopton was a member of Prince Charles's council; so was also Arthur Lord Capel. In our accounts we find these entries concerning the latter: "23th to 31th January, being 8 dayes, delivd in Ots [oats] to those that came for orders to the Lord Capell 2 pecks a daye ;" and "for quartringe of such as came unto my Lord Capell for ordars." It seems that Sir Richard Grenville had been oppressive in his magisterial office, and was unpopular. So many acts of severity were alleged against him, that the Prince at length instituted an enquiry into the causes of complaint. The enquiry resulted in Grenville's being committed to the governor of Launceston gaol. Clarendon relates that, while Sir Richard was thus incarcerated, a young man named Hammond, whom Grenville had committed to the same prison, lay there in irons. The Prince ordered Hammond to be discharged. Sir Richard forbade the discharge, and threatened the gaoler with an action if he obeyed the Prince's order. Clarendon says that Grenville afterwards actually caused proceedings to be taken against the gaoler in the town court of Launceston. Lord Hopton left Launceston for Torrington on Friday, the 6th February, and on the 7th of that month we have the manuscript entry : " For meate & drinke for shouldiers w ch came from the gaurde from Poulstone Bridge 7s." On the 16th February Hopton was attacked at Torrington by the celebrated Parliamentary General, Sir Thomas Fairfax, and by the more celebrated Parlia- mentary Lieutenant- General, Oliver Cromwell, with 6000 foot, 3500 horse, and 500 dragoons ; and Hopton was compelled to retire. He went first to Stratton, where he T