rusted,
took care--"with most loyal intentions to his majesty," as they were
careful to make known--that the city's force, consisting of forty companies
in six regiments, was properly exercised both together and by separate
regiments, one regiment "going abroad" weekly for exercise. The action of
the committee gave rise to much adverse comment by royalists, and led to
two members of the committee, viz., Sir John Gayer and Sir Jacob Garrard,
withdrawing from it. At the request of the committee the Common Council
agreed that the lord mayor and sheriffs should take the place of the
retired members, and at the same time signified their approval of all that
the Committee of Militia had done for the defence of the city.(540)

(M234)

Skippon and other officers were directed (6 Sept.) to take a view of the
city and liberties and inspect the gates and posterns, and especially a
passage through the Bell Inn into the fields at Temple Bar. They were to
consider the advisability of stopping up the less used passages as adding
to the city's peril, and of erecting more watch-houses in addition to
those about to be made at Moorgate and Bishopsgate. They were further to
report anything that might the better conduce to the safety of the city
and liberties "in these times of great and eminent danger."(541)
Pennington, the new mayor, had previously given orders for the gates and
portcullises to be seen to, the city's chains and posts repaired, and the
usual precautions to be taken against fire.(542)

(M235)

On the 9th September Essex set out from London to put himself at the head
of the parliamentary army which (it was fondly hoped) was to make short
work of the royalists. He carried with him, we are told, his coffin and
his winding-sheet, together with his funeral escutcheon, in token of his
readiness to die in the cause.(543) On the 14th he reviewed his forces,
and was soon convinced that they would quickly desert unless promptly
paid. Disaffection had appeared in the ranks a week before, the soldiers
demanding five shillings a man, which sum had been promised them monthly,
and threatening to throw down their arms unless paid.(544)

(M236)

In this strait the earl despatched a letter to the City desiring a loan of
L100,000 for the maintenance of the army.(545) This letter having been
read to the Common Council (15 Sept.) and well received, the mayor issued
his precept to the aldermen of each ward to incite the inhabitants to
und