In the Carriage, 2060 and one-half ounces assorted gold and silver plate stamped with College coat of arms; an array of misc. ecclesiatic plate; some plate of foreign, likely Florentine origin; numerous mazers, coconut cups; nautilus spoons; etc; in those last though the silver content small. My uncle and the Trained-Band seized even more at King’s College, as it was about to be loaded into other carriage; plate from every college, it seems: all told after comparing with Bursar’s account for each College we were able to secure all of it against delivery to the King, but for about 1400 ounces, from Queens; 1100 ounces, from Jesus. All told we hold Plate in the amount of approximately £20,000.  We have sequestered all, and maintain it under guard, at Sidney Sussex.

A delegation of scholars, namely Dr Beale of St John’s, Dr Martin of Queens, Dr Sterne of Jesus, made an embassy to us, in great anger, asking, How dare we violate the liberties of the University. My Uncle saith, How dare they lend plate and prayers to he that would violate the liberties of England and the people of God. The scholars said, You have violated the laws, and my uncle said, Necessity hath no law. He whipped himself to a rage as he spoke; trembling with passion, red-faced, beating his breast; so that the scholars withdrew, with apologies, but muttering as they scurried away. And immediately he calmed, and with a smile turned to myself and James and said, Mounts. We need mounts, I would say, sixty. A troop of cavalry is sixty, is it not?

Then he took up a quill that was on the desk there, and flicked ink at James, and said, Ha, freckles, we need Mounts, and he flicked me with ink and said, Ha, spotted one, and Godly men to ride them, to train in the way of war. Mounts and men! Mounts and men!

Laughing, he burst out of the room, toward our horses, and we with no choice but to follow. It’s my understanding the coachmen suffered but a broken arm, and the man in the carriage (Mr Oley) only a severe fright.

I have slept these two nights the best since I arrived in England.

Spotted one. I am a fool to imagine that is more than a jest, that he sees something. Yet he watches, and he reads men close, like a scholar.