[101] Sir Robert Dighton and Sir Edward Dymmock said they heard many of the priests cry, "Kill the gentlemen." The parson of Cowbridge said that the lords of the council were false harlots; and the worst was Cromwell. "The vicar of Haynton, having a great club in his hand, said that if he had Cromwell there he would beat out his guts." "Robert Brownwhite, one of the parsons of Nether Teynton, was with bow and arrows, sword and buckler by his side, and sallet on his head; and when he was demanded how he did, he said, 'None so well;' and said it was the best world that ever he did see." My story, so far, is taken from the Miscellaneous Depositions, _Rolls MS._ A 2, 28; from the Examination of William Moreland, _MS._ A 2, 29; and from the Confession of John Brown, _Rolls House MS._, first series, 892. [102] Very opposite stories were told of the behaviour of the gentlemen. On one side it was said that they were the great movers of the insurrection; on the other, that they were forced into it in fear of their lives. There were many, doubtless, of both kinds; but it seems to me as if they had all been taken by surprise. Their conduct was that of men who wished well to the rising, but believed it had exploded inopportunely. [103] The plough was to encourage the husbandmen; the chalice and host in remembrance of the spoiling of the Church; the five wounds to the couraging of the people to fight in Christ's cause; the horn to signify the taking of Horncastle--Philip Trotter's Examination; _Rolls House MS._ A 2, 29. [104] Examination of Brian Staines: _Rolls House MS._ A 2, 29. In the margin of this document, pointing to the last paragraph, is an ominous finger ☞, drawn either by the king or Cromwell. [105] Compare the Report of Lancaster Herald to Cromwell, _MS. State Paper Office_, second series, Vol. XIX.: "My especial good lord, so far as I have gone, I have found the most corrupted and malicious spiritualty, inward and partly outward, that any prince of the world hath in his realm; and if the truth be perfectly known, it will be found that they were the greatest corrupters of the temporality, and have given the secret occasion of all this mischief." [106] Lord Hussey to the Mayor of Lincoln: _Cotton. MS. Vespasian_, F 13. [107] _Rolls House MS._ first series, 416. Cutler's Confessions MS. ibid. 407. Deposition of Robert Sotheby: Ibid. A 2, 29. [108] Lord Shrewsbury to the King: _MS. State Paper Office_. Letter to the king and council, Vol. V. Hollinshed tells a foolish story, that Lord Shrewsbury sued out his pardon to the king for moving without orders. As he had done nothing for which to ask pardon, so it is certain, from his correspondence with the king, that he did not ask for any. Let me take this opportunity of saying that neither Hollinshed, nor Stow, nor even Hall, nor any one of the chroniclers, can be trusted in their account of this rebellion. [109] _MS. State Paper Office_, first series.