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 A HISTORY OF HEREFORDSHIRE Monmouth, Worcester, Lancaster, Chester, and North Wales, and on 3 October he was sent down to attend on the Lord General. ^''^ His chief supporters were Sir Richard Hopton of Canon Frome, Sir John Kyrle of Much Marcle, his kinsman Kyrle of Walford, and Sir Edward Powell of Pengethly. Sir Richard Hopton's eldest son, following a policy not unusual in civil strife, became a colonel in the king's army, while a younger son was a major in the parliamentary service. Most of the neighbouring counties were royalist in their sympathies. Monmouth was swayed by the earl of Worcester and his son Lord Herbert. In Brecknockshire and Radnorshire there was at first no disposition to take part in the struggle, while in Shropshire and Worcestershire the majority were attached to the king, Gloucestershire alone was powerfully in sympathy with Parliament. On 10 February, 1 641-2, the Commons appointed Lord Dacre lieutenant of the county of Hereford,*"^ and when he fell sick Lord Essex was selected as his successor.*"' But the parliamentary nominee found himself without authority, while the military force of 'the county was raised for the king by means of commissions of array to Sir Walter Pye of the Mynde and other gentlemen.*"' The commissioners embodied and armed the train- bands and took possession of the county magazine in the city of Hereford at St. Owen's Gate. They also levied and fitted out 200 horse, undertaking to pay them for six months, and sent in a contribution of ^^3,000 to the king at York.*^" The marquis of Hertford was subsequently sent down with an extensive commission of array, dated 2 August, 1642, as lieutenant- general of all the forces raised within the counties of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Southampton, Gloucester, Berks., Oxon., Hereford, Mon- mouth, and South Wales.*" Between June and September Lord Scuda- more collected arms and ammunition at Holme Lacy, and armourers and saddlers were set to work.*'^ At the beginning of the war the line of the Severn was in possession of the royalists as far south as Gloucester, while they also held the whole of the country westward. Charles I set up his standard at Nottingham on 1 2 August, and on 20 September he established himself at Shrewsbury in order to ensure his communications with South Wales. Essex in turn moved westward from Northampton, and in spite of the disastrous skirmish at Powick Bridge occupied Worcester on 24 September, thus obtaining control of the Severn as far north as Bewdley. This movement exposed the line of communication through Herefordshire between Shrewsbury and the royalists in Monmouthshire and South Wales. In order to close this direct route to Charles it was necessary for Essex to occupy Hereford. This task he entrusted to the earl of Stamford, placing under him, as ' a forlorne hope,' a detachment of 900 men, drafted in fifteens from all the companies, together with three troops of horse and two pieces of ordnance. The city, which was unprepared for resistance, and possessed hardly any artillery, was surrendered by the mayor in a panic. Two days later the "■ forlorne hope ' was replaced by Lord Grey of Groby's regiment of foot and two ™ Ibid. 8 Aug. 1642. "» Ibid, i, 70-1, 97. ■"' Ibid, i, 1 00- 1. "" Ibid. 10 Feb. 1 641-2. '»' Webb, Memorials, i, 69, 96. 388
 * ™ Commons J own. 29 Aug., 3 Oct. 1642.
 * '' Ibid, i, 106-7.