LUCY HUTCHINSON, brother-in-law, as Prince Rupert's troops had that morning marched out of the town. The Captain smiled, and, with much seeming courtesy, withdrew; but he speedily returned, accompanied by a friend, and, with a troop of dragoons at hand, arrested George Hutchinson under the name of his brother, In vain they all protested, and offered to explain ; the Captain was inexorable; and it was not until the prisoner arrived at Derby, when some of his cousins, who were in the Royal army, interfered, that George was released. This mishap had a terrible effect upon poor Lucy's health, and it was months before she recovered the shock. Eventually the Royalists left the neighbourhood ; and the brothers were enabled to regain Owthorpe in safety ; when, shortly after the battle of Edge Hill, the citizens of Nottingham, hearing that the Cavaliers were preparing to take possession of their town, determined to offer stout resistance, and assembling without delay, about seven hundred enlisted them- selves, electing George Hutchinson for their Captain. Finding Nottingham prepared for defence, the Cavaliers did not attack it, but the militia of the county being organized, John and George Hutchin- son were appointed Lieutenant-Colonel and Major in one of the regiments. As the Cavaliers were plundering the houses of the Puritans in the vale of Belvoir, near Owthorpe, Colonel Hutchinson considered his wife and children would be safer in the town of Nottingham than in 32
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