In April 1644 the Earl of Essex wrote a letter to Colonel Hutchinson the Governor of the Parliamentary Garrison at Nottingham. The recommendations given by Essex to Hutchinson in this letter appear to be concerned with the tightening of military discipline in the Nottingham Garrison. Bearing in mind Essex's letter, it is interesting to see that by the end of 1644 Hutchinson had issued a set of Orders for the Nottingham Garrison. There is little evidence to suggest whether these orders were a direct result of Essex's suggestions or that their issue was just a coincidence with Hutchinson himself feeling a need to improve discipline. Either way the Garrison Orders are a unique survival from the period, they are reproduced below along with Essex's letter:

A Letter from the Earl of Essex.

Robert Earle of Essex and Ewe, Viscount Hereford Lord Fferrers of Chartley Bourchier and Lovagne nominated and appoynted Captaine Generall of the Army ymployed for the defence of the Protestant Religion the safety of his Mats person and of the Parliam't, the preservacon of the Lawes Libertyes and peace of the Kingdome and proteccon of his Mats subjects from violence and oppression.

To Colonel John Hutchinson Governor of Nottingham

By Virtue of the power and Authority given me by an ordinance of the Lords and Comons in Parliament I doe authorize and appoynte you to call a Councell of warre as often as need shall require for the Tryall of the Officers and Souldyers of the Garrison of Nottingham and any other under your Comand and for the safety and security of the said Garrison which said Councell to consist of twelve Officers at the least none whereof to be under the degree of Captaines; And from time to time to use and exercise the discipline of Marshall Lawe for the well ordering and governing of the officers and souldyers and other persons within the said Towne and garrison of Nottingham. Given under my hand and seal this Tenth day of April 1644.

Essex

Governor's Orders to the Nottingham Garrison, 1644 December

Maister Maior and the Governor doe require all persons whatsoever within this Guarrison (for the better orderinge and governinge of the same), to take notice of theis orders here following, as they will answer the Contrary:
1. If anyone shall bee found idely standinge, or walkinge in the streete, in sermon-tyme. or playing at any games upon the Sabath, or fast-day, hee shall pay halfe a Crowne, or suffer imprisonment till hee pay the same.
2. If anyone shall bee found drinkinge in any Taverne, Inne or Ale house, on the Sabath or fast-day, hee shall pay 10s., or suffer imprisonment till hee pay the same; And the maister of that house shall pay for every person soe taken in it XS., and if hee offend the second tyme, hee shall bee disenabled for sellinge wine, ale, or beare any more.
3. If any Taverne, Inne or Alehouse-Keeper shall sell any wine, ale, or beare out of their houses upon the Sabath or fast-day (except to anyone who is sick), for the first offence hee shall pay Vs., for the second XS., and for the third, disenabled for sellinge any wine, ale, or beare any more.
4. If any Tradesmen shall carry home any wares to any of their customers on the Sabath-day, they shall forfeitt their wares, and suffer a weeke imprisonment.
5. If anyone shall keepe open any shopps or buy or sell any commodities whatsoever on the Sabath or fast-dayes, the buyer shall pay VS., and the seller XS., and suffer imprisonment until hee pay the same (unless it bee upon an extraordinary occasion for one that is sicke).
6. If anyone shall sweare, hee shall pay Xijd. for every oathe, or suffer imprisonment till hee pay the same.
7. If anyone shalbee druncke, hee shall pay five shillings, or suffer imprisonment till hee pay the same, and the maister of the house where hee was made druncke shall pay XS., and likewise suffer imprisonment till hee pay the same.
8. If anyone shalbee found tiplinge or drinckinge in any Taverne, Inne, or Alehouse after the houre of nyne of the clock at night. When the Tap-too beateth, hee shall pay 2s 6d., and the house, for the first tyme, shall pay 2s 6d for every man so found, and the second tyme 5s., and for the third tyme bee disenabled for sellinge wine, ale, or beare any more.
9. If any soldier(s) shalbee found drinckinge in their Quarters after nyne of the clock at night, when the Tap-too hath beaten, they shall pay 2s., or suffer 24 houres imprisonment, with bread and water.
10. If any Taverne, Inne or Alehouse-Keeper shall sell any wine, ale, or beare (except upon an extraordinary occasion to one that is sicke), after the houre of nyne of the clock at night, after the Tap-too hath beaten, untill the Revelly hathbeaten the next morninge, hee shall pay VS.. or suffer imprisonment till hee pay the same; and hee who fetcheth the drincke after the aforesaid houre. shall pay 2s 6d, or suffer imprisonment till hee pay the same.

Whosoever shall give informacion of any person who shall committ any of theis offences, hee shall have halfe the penalties sett upon them for his rewarde.

Will Nix, Major John Hutchmson

To Corporall Saxton at Maine-guard

Corporall, see to ye executeing these Orders today.

Sabbath, December 1644, Saml. Cotes.

Notes and Sources.

1. The Will Nix mentioned at the end of the orders is probably William Nixe, a Nottingham Alderman. He raised a company of Infantry for the Nottingham Garrison, at one point it being 200 strong. He also sat on the local Parliamentary Committee.
2. The Saml. Cotes also mentioned in the Orders is possible Samuel Coates a former Rector of West Bndgford (now part of Nottingham), who raised a troop of horse for the Roundhead cause.
3. Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson Vol. II.Firth.
4. Records of the Borough of Nottingham Vol. V (1625-1702) pages 423/424.
5. Transactions of the Thoroton Society Vol. 18 (1914)
6. The Original Orders Ref.No.M22 Notts Archivies Office.
7. Letter of the Earl of Essex to Hutchinson Ref.DD683/5 Notts Archmes Office.
8. Nottinghamshire in the Civil War: Wood Article by J.Bnscoe. Notes and Queries Jan.29th 1876.
9. Essex's letter and the Garrison Orders reprinted with the kind permission of the Princpal Archivist. Notts Archivies Office.

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