His Grace replied to Mr. Hungerford, "Since you desire it and are so earnest for it you shall not have it."[268]
They did offer to make proof that since the conversion there were more habitations of men of ability and fewer poor, and that whereas the King had before 4 or 5 soldiers of the trained band he had now 9 there; that the impropriation was much better to be let.
His Grace said to the rest of the Lords, "We must deal with these gentlemen as with those of Tedbury, to take 150l fine, and to lay open the enclosures."
Which they refusing to do they were there threatened with an information to be brought against them in the Star Chamber. And accordingly were within a short time after by the said Mr. Hussey served with subpœnas at Mr. Attorney his suit in the Star Chamber: And this, as Mr. Hussey told Mr. Hungerford, was done by my Lord Archbishop his command.
[Endorsed.] Depopulation. Mr. Hungerford and Mr. Southby. (1641.)
[268] See Clarendon, History of the Rebellion I, 204.
"And the revenue of too many of the Court consisted principally in enclosures, and improvements of that nature, which he [i.e., Laud], still opposed passionately except they were founded upon law; and then, if it would bring profit to the King, how old and obsolete soever the law was, he thought he might justly advise the prosecution. And so he did a little too much countenance the Commission for Depopulation, which brought much charge and trouble upon the people, which was likewise cast upon his account."