‘WITHOUT INTEREST’? Amongst papers of the Strachey family at the Somerset Heritage Centre is a folder with a label written in the 19th century stating ‘Miscellaneous letters as far as examined without interest’. Almost 340 years after the Monmouth Rebellion it is worth publishing the following transcript for those with an ‘interest’ in the rebellion and Norton St Philip.
June the 27th 1685
In a skirmish with the Rebells at Phillipsnorton I Mr Thomas Clark riding in Captain Sands his Troope brought away one Bay mare about foureteene hands high the owner being killed of from her Back their in the place In witnes that the content here off is true wee have here unto set our hands
[signed] Will Codrington John Davis Tho: Wyrall Robert Muttelbery Henry Kidman1
The action by Clarke to legitimately claim possession of the rebel’s goods after the skirmish, with the help of the testimony of his companions, would have been worthwhile as the value of a horse at this time was in the region of at least £5.00. This document, which if it concerned any other time in history would be 'without interest'. However, it is yet another piece of history relating to the rebellion has come to light.
1. SRO, DD/SH box 35 folio E.