The petition of Rowland Hughes of Rhiw, Carnarvonshire, c. 1671 to 1673
<Caernarvon>
To the honourable his Majestys Justices of the sayd County [deputy lieutenants]
The humble petic[i]on of Rowland Hughes a poore maymed souldier who hath faythfully served his late Majesties of ever blessed memory &c in the late warres and distracc[i]ons in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Humbly shewing vnto your honors That your poore petitioner hath dureinge the sayd warres been sorely bruised and wounded in severall parts of his body and especially the head to the brackeing and crushing of his scull=bone whereby he is not onely becomen in the nature of a Lunaticke, insensible of reason or understanding but very prone at severall tymes to scowle, rayle and rave, as also is become incapable of any bodyly labour or worke to relieve himselfe but made an obiect of Charity. And that yo[u]r petitioner lately taken and surprized with that Lunacy or Phrenzy hath abused and rayled at the Justices of the Peace of this county not then knowing or perceaveing what he did, For which offence and abuse your petitioner is most heartily sorry for that and other his weaknes absurdities and deboystnes, humbly begging yo[u]r honour pardon and he beseecheth God to blesse and prosper your and yours in honour and happines Long to flourishe and Continue.
May it please therefore your honor (the premises duely considered) to Comisserate your petitioners deplorable and indigent estate and to remitte the sayd offence. And if it be your honors good pleasure to readmit him to haue and receaue the sallary granted him, according to the Ticket anexed and the arreariadges thereof. And to order the Treasurers of the Maymed souldiers mize to pay it vnto him accordingly. And {your petitioner shall ever pray &c}