The certificate for Hugh Prescott of Warndon, Worcestershire, July 1660
To all to whome these pr[e]sents shall Come: wee whose names are herevnto subscribed doe Certifie as wee are Credibely informed, that Hugh Prescott of Warndon in the County of Worcester, the bearer hereof, haueing beene a trooper in the service of the Late King Charles, and vnder the Com[m]and of Colonell Sandys at Wickfeild & other places, where hee was in the Service aforesaid, had there disasters and Sadd Accidents befell him: first in a Skirmish at Wickfeild his Arme was broke: not long after beeing with a party for the same King, neere the Citty of Worcester, hee was taken by some of Colonell Whales company, And in a Wood called Perry wood neere the said Citty was bound to an Oake to bee Shott to Death Then when our now Sovereigne Lord King Charles Came to the Citty of Worcester, the said Hugh Prescott Comeing to the said Citty and beeing vnder the Com[m]ande of Francis Lord Talbott now Earle of Shrewsbury, and haueing some personall Estate and Children to dispose of it to, went from the said Citty of Worcester to Warndon aforesaid, to Dispose of his Estate as aforesaid; and as hee was Comeing back hee was taken by some of Cromwells Souldiers, and by them in a Cruell and horrible manner hanged by the neck and Armes vntill hee was Supposed to bee dead; to Compell him to betray his trust, And Confesse what Gentilemen of his knowledg had raised Forces then against the States; Not long after that, waiteing vpon the Reverend Thomas Warmstrey doctor of Divinity into Wales, for his Security and by his permission leaveing him with intenc[i]ons to retire to his Place of habitac[i]on at Warndon aforesaid: hee was in the Citty of Worcester Surprised, apprehended, and brought beefore Alderman Elvins, one of the Aldermen of the said Citty: and for his Service towarde the King, was by him Com[m]itted to the Towne hall of the said Citty and Concerning him it was decreed that hee should bee sent with maymed Scotts from the towne hall beyond the seaes, butt haueing a Convenient op[por]tunity offered him hee made an escape.
Gyles Thornburgh
Richard Trimnell John Sayer Luke Hem[m]ynge
Richard Wingfeild Tho[mas] Boye Attorney at Law
Edward Wingfeild Gy Trimnell
Ro: Bagott
Ri[chard] Carwardine