The plunderers commenced with the shops of the goldsmiths, silversmiths, and jewellers, where they expected to find the greatest quantity of valuables.
These shops were all shut up, but were quickly broken open, and stripped of their contents—plate, watches, rings, and chains being carried off.
From this booty alone the soldiers obtained several hundred pounds.
They next entered all the best private houses in Church Street and Fishergate, breaking open closets and chests, and abstracting all the plate and valuables they could find.
While one set of plunderers were thus engaged, others were similarly employed in different parts of the town.
Everywhere the houses were ransacked, and no portable article was left behind.
Not till a late hour in the day, when they had carried off all they could, did the soldiers desist from the work.
Great was the indignation of the inhabitants at this treatment, but they did not dare to resist.
However, there were no cases of intoxication, for the men were prevented by the sergeants and corporals from breaking open the cellars.
But it was a woeful day for Preston, and such as its inhabitants never thought to experience. Wills's severity caused him to be held in universal detestation.