Lord Derby’s orders were strictly carried out. Anxious to avoid a repetition of the terrible scenes that had occurred at Lancaster, he would not allow any slaughter.
Several hundred prisoners were made, and being deprived of their arms, were shut up in the church or in the gaol.
Finding it impossible to check the clubmen, Lord Derby allowed them to plunder a certain number of houses and shops, and then dismissed them.
Heavy fines were imposed on several of the wealthier rebels, and were ordered to be paid at the town-hall on the following day, and the amount was then distributed among the soldiers.
When Preston was stormed by Sir John Seaton, Adam Morte, the loyal mayor, was slain while fighting valiantly against the besiegers.
His grave was in the churchyard, and all the prisoners taken to the church were compelled by Sir Thomas Tyldesley to walk past it bareheaded.
Not deeming this indignity enough, the guard would willingly have forced them to kneel down at the grave, while some of the townspeople, who revered the memory of the heroic mayor, went still further, and would have shot a score of rebels on the spot.
“In losing Adam Morte, we lost the best and bravest man in Preston,” remarked a bystander. “He was a staunch Cavalier, and detested a Roundhead as much as he loved the king. He vowed he would never surrender Preston with life, and if the besiegers entered, it should be over his dead body. The first three Parliamentarians who mounted the walls fell by his hand. He could have escaped with his men, but he would not fly. He fought obstinately to the last—wounding a rebel with every blow. Mad with rage against him, they thrust him through with their pikes, and flung his bleeding body from the walls. And here the brave man lies. Shall we not bedew his grave with their blood?”
Had the guard received a look from Sir Thomas Tyldesley they would have complied, but he sternly shook his head.
“Adam Morte fell in fair fight,” remarked one of the prisoners—a dark-looking Puritan.
“Thou art one of those who helped to slay him, Phineas Clay,” cried the first speaker.
“I deny it not,” rejoined Clay. “I glory in the deed. I did good service in removing so bitter a malignant.”
As the words were uttered, a bullet was lodged in the Puritan’s brain, and he fell upon Adam Morte’s grave.
No one knew by whom the shot had been fired. Nor did Sir Thomas Tyldesley care to inquire.
Lord Derby and Lord Molineux took up their quarters in the town-hall. Sir Gilbert Hoghton owned a large mansion in the town, which had been occupied by Sir John Seaton, while he was in command of Preston.
Of course, Sir Gilbert took immediate possession of his own house, and Sir Thomas Tyldesley and Sir John Girlington were lodged with him. There was no difficulty in providing the soldiers with quarters.
Plenty of ammunition was found in the magazine, and on the walls, which had recently been strengthened by Seaton, were a few small pieces of ordnance. This was highly satisfactory to Lord Derby, since it was quite possible he might soon be besieged in his turn.
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IX
How Frank Standish brought news of the Surrender of Preston
ABOUT noon on the same day on which Lord Derby regained Preston, the countess ascended the Eagle Tower at Lathom House, in company with her daughters, Gertrude Rosworm, and Doctor Rutter. She conversed with none of them, and her countenance wore a thoughtful, almost sad expression.
Early that morning a messenger had brought word that Lancaster had fallen; adding that half the town was burnt and many of the inhabitants slain.
The latter part of the intelligence distressed her exceedingly, and she could not shake off the painful impression.
“Your ladyship looks pensive,” observed Doctor Rutter.
“I am thinking of Lancaster,” she replied. “Much mischief must necessarily be done when a town is stormed, and if the soldiers only suffered I should not much heed, but I cannot help grieving for the inhabitants who have been forced by the garrison to resist. I am sure my lord would willingly have spared them, had it been possible.”