[83] Sir Henry Slingsby and Dr Hewet were executed for treason against the government of Oliver Cromwell in 1658. Colonel John Gerard was brought to the block at the beginning of the Protectorate, in 1654, for being engaged in a plot to assassinate Cromwell.
[84] John Lord Lisle represented Yarmouth in the Long Parliament. He sat for Kent in the Parliament of 1653, and was afterwards a member of Cromwell’s “other House,” and held the office of Lord Commissioner of the Great Seal. He was president of the High Courts of Justice which tried Gerard, Slingsby, and Hewet.
[85] Nathaniel Fiennes, member for Banbury. In the Parliament of 1654 he represented Oxfordshire. He was afterwards, as Nathaniel Lord Fiennes, a member of Cromwell’s “other House.” Fiennes was accused of cowardice in surrendering Bristol (of which he was governor) to Prince Rupert, somewhat hastily, in 1643. His father, Lord Say and Sele, opposing Cromwell, was obliged to retire to the Isle of Lundy.
[86] John Lord Glynn, member of Cromwell’s “other House,” was “Chief Justice assigned to hold pleas in the Upper Bench.” He was engaged in the prosecution of the Earl of Strafford. He was one of the eleven members impeached by the army in 1647. In the Long Parliament, as well as in Cromwell’s Parliaments, he was member for Carnarvon.—T. W.
[87] Henry Nevil, member for Abingdon. In Cromwell’s last Parliament he represented Reading. In a satirical tract, he is spoken of as “religious Harry Nevill;” and we find in Burton’s Diary, that some months before the date of the present song (on the 16th Feb. 1658–9) there was “a great debate” on a charge of atheism and blasphemy which had been brought against him.—T. W.
[88] In the satirical tract entitled “England’s Confusion,” this member is described as “hastily rich Cornelius Holland.” He appears to have risen from a low station, and is characterized in the songs of the day as having been a link-bearer.—T. W.
[89] Major Salwey was an officer in the Parliamentary array. On the 17th January, 1660, he incurred the displeasure of the House, and was sequestered from his seat and sent to the Tower. He is described as “a smart, prating apprentice, newly set for himself.” He appears to have been originally a grocer and tobacconist; a ballad of the time speaks of him as,
“Salloway with tobacco
Inspired, turned State quack-o;
And got more by his feigned zeal
Then by his, What d’ye lack-o?”
In another he is introduced thus,
“The tobacco-man Salway, with a heart tall of gall
Puffs down bells, steeples, priests, churches and all,
As old superstitions relicks of Baal.”