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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: History
Topic: The English Revolution

Sir John Rayney’s Information concerning the insurrection in Kent. - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 2 [1894]

Edition used:

The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, Secretary to the Council of the Army, 1647-1649, and to General Monck and the Commanders of the Army in Scotland, 1651-1660, ed. C.H. Firth (Camden Society, 1894). 4 vols.

Part of: The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, 4 vols.

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Sir John Rayney’s Information concerning the insurrection in Kent.

Sir John Rayney of Wortham in the County of Kent, Bart. certifieth, That uppon the 22th of May instant hee being come to Rochester, uppon a summons for a generall meeting of the Deputy Lieutenants of Kent to bee there that day, found the gate uppon the bridge shutt, and about 20 musqueteers uppon the guard, and 2 peices of ordnance mounted uppon the bridge; and the gates being open’d unto him hee was followed by a musketeer to the inne called the Crowne, without being questioned att all, untill such time as this informant, perceiving the said souldier to follow him, did speake to the said souldier these or the like words, “Thou needest not to follow mee.” Hee this informant supposing the said guard to have bin placed by the Deputy Lieutennants of the County, and demanded of the said souldiers and others what Deputy Lieutennants were there; wheruppon the said souldiers and divers others replyed, that there were none of the Deputy Lieutennants there, neither did they expect any of them. Wheruppon this informant answer’d, that there was a meeting of them appointed to bee there that morning; to which one amongst the rest replyed “the case is alter’d now,” and that the Citty was for the Kinge, and should bee kept for him or words to that effect; and another of the said companie demanded whether this informant were nott for the Kinge, to which this informant jestingly replyed, “There is noe doubt of that.” Uppon which one of the said companie, who had formerly bin this informants coachman, replyed in these or the like words, “I know that Sir John Rayney wisheth well to the Kinge,” and offer’d to guard him out. To whome this informant replyed “you neede nott,” and soe left them; and passing back through the maine streete found them all armed alonge the streetes in the manner of a court of guard att every doore, and att Margretts Church in his returne was againe stop’t and questioned by a guard, demanding his name and whither hee went, and whether hee were for Kinge Charles; whome this informant did putt off with the like answer as before.

John Rayney.