The petition of Giles Blaston of Brigstock, Northamptonshire, Michaelmas 1682
To the Hon[oura]ble the Justices of the peace in their Sessions for the County of North[amp]ton[shire]:
The petition of Giles Blaston of Brigstocke Laborer.
Most humbly sheweth
That your petitioner had the Honor and happines to serue his late Maj[es]tie in his warrs and hath euer since endured very great hardship by oppressions put vpon him me by diuers of my Neighbours in Olivers Daies well knowne to be of the then reputed Godly p[ar]tie yet I your petitioner notwithstanding all attempts p[er]swasions and affronts of my enemies have hitherto continued Loyall and faithfull and never deserted his late or now Ma[jes]ties interest but am still ready with the hazard of my Life to serue the King whom I pray God to bless.
But now soe it is may it please your Hono[u]rs that I your petitioner by the wounds receiued by hardships endured and old age come vpon me, as by the Certificate of my Freinds and loyall Neighbours herevnto annexed may appeare, am become very poor having a wife to maintaine insomuch that I in all probability likely to fall vpon the Town Charge, and thereby become a Scorne to my old enemies who liue & flourish vnless your Hono[u]rs please to Comiserate my sad Condic[i]on.
May it therefore please your hono[u]rs the pr[e]mises Considered to grant to yo[u]r petitioner some pr[e]sent supply of maintenance for my releife and also such penc[i]ons for the future as to your hono[u]rs shall seeme good that thereby your pet[itione]rs enemies may be daunted and your petitioner and all other good Subjects be thereby encouraged to Serve and Honnor their King and to abhor and detest treason and Rebellion as the Sinne of Witchcraft:
And your petitioner as in duty bound shall euer pray for yo[u]r Hon[ou]rs health and happines long to continue.
A penc[i]on of 3 li. p[er] ann[um] ord[e]r[e]d to ye Pet[itione]r.