[8] “A full and particular relation of the manner of the late besieging and taking of Chepstow Castle, in Wales, by the forces of his Excellency the Lord Fairfax, expressed in a letter from Colonel Ewer to the Honourable William Lentall, Speaker of the House of Commons. The governor to the said castle within, that betrayed it to the King’s forces, was slain in this service; as also all the rest of the commanders and soldiers killed and taken. London: printed by Mathew Simmons, for Henry Overton, in Paper Head Alley, 1648.”
[9] Historical and Descriptive Account, &c., of Chepstow Castle, 1808; Heath; Burke’s Commoners, &c.
[10] The family of Kemeys is one of the most ancient in Monmouthshire. The late William Kemeys, Esq. of the Maindee, and the present J. Gardiner Kemeys, Esq. of Pertholy, are descended from the same family.
[11] This report is somewhat different from that given by another authority, already quoted.
[12] If such be the fact, it would almost lead to the conclusion that there was some truth in the story of the Parliament party having disposed of his remains in some unusual way; although, otherwise, the story seems very improbable, as that was not the form in which their cruelty was wont to show itself. They were likely enough to have seized his estate, his goods and chattels, and to have turned his family out of doors; but they had no respect for dignities or titles, and cared little for churches, churchyards, and dead bodies.
[13] This lady showed Mr. Heath a document of Oliver Cromwell, of which the following is a copy:—
Oliver P. It is our will and pleasure that you permit and suffer Colonel Edward Coke, with his company and hounds, to hunt, kill, and dispose of a Brace of Staggs, this season, in our Parke or Woodes neer Chepstowe, and that you, and every of you, be aydeing and assisting to him herein; and for your soe doing this shall be your sufficient warrant.
Given at Whitehall, the 12 July, 1683.
To Major Blethan, or, in his absence, to Lieutenant Phillips, or any other of the keepers of Chepstow Parke or Wentwood Chase.
[14] See Burke’s Commoners, vol. iv.