One of the first applications of the word Tory to a party purpose, occurs in "a True Relation of a late Barbarous Assault committed on Robert Pye, Esq." in which one John Bodnam, of Brunguin, in the county of Hereford, "an obstinate and violent papist," is said by the author to have defended himself against the constable and his assistants "so well, or rather so ill," that they were forced to retire and leave him "than which a _Toree_ or an Outlaw could have done no more." Finally, the justice having appeared in person, Mr Bodnam, "in good earnest let fly at his head with a hedge-bill," which, the author says, is "no bad argument for the truth of the black bills prepared for the papists in Ireland." This paper is dated 1681.] [Footnote 218: Birmingham was already noted for base and counterfeit coinage. In a Panegyrick on their Royal Highnesses congratulating their return from Scotland, 1682, mention is thus made of Shaftesbury's medal: The wretch that stamped it got immortal fame; 'Twas coined by stealth, like groats at Birmingham. Tom Brown also alluded to the same practice; "I coined heroes as fast as Brumingham groats."[219] The affected zeal of the country party for the Protestant religion, led them to be called Birmingham Protestants, while the pretensions of Monmouth to legitimacy led his adversaries to compare him to a spurious impression of the king's coin; and thus _Birmingham_ became a term of reproach for him, his assumed title, and his faction in general. There are numerous allusions to this in the libels of the age. Thus, in "Old Jemmy, an excellent new Ballad," Old Jemmy is the top, And cheef among the princes; No mobile gay fop With Bromingham pretences. In another ballad bearing the same title, the same phrase occurs: Let Whig and Bremingham repine, They shew their teeth in vain; The glory of the British line, Old Jemmy's come again. These are in Mr Luttrell's collection; where there is another Tory song, entitled, "A proper new Birmingham ballad, to the tune of Hey Boys Up Go We." In another Grubstreet performance, entitled, "a Medley on the plot, by Mathew Taubman:" Confound the hypocrites, Birminghams royal, Who thinks allegeance a transgression; Since to oppose the king is counted loyal, And to rail high at the succession. * * * * * Let them boast of loyal Birminghams, and true, And with these make up their kirk of separation; We have honest Tory Tom, Dick, and Hugh, Will drink on, and do more service for the nation.