LUCY HUTCHINSON, Nottingham ; a post which he retained till the close of the war, always subjected to the same irritating cabals and annoyances which he had hitherto suffered from. His fidelity was frequently tested by the Royalists ; and they vainly proffered him any terms he chose to fix if he would come over to their side and deliver up the Castle. Shortly after the decisive battle of Naseby, John Hutchinson was chosen member for his native county, but did not take his seat for some months ; from which time the family were enabled to live alternately in London and at Nottingham. In 1647, Sir Allen was in danger from the fact of having held out Barnstaple to the very last for the King ; but Colonel Hutchinson had gained the respect and trust of all the leading men of the day so far that he was enabled to use his influence on behalf of the gallant Cavalier, who was now still more closely connected with him, having married his sister Mistress Hutchinson. The once beautiful home at Owthorpe, pillaged and ransacked, was now a mere ruin ; but Lucy took up her residence here on the restoration of peace, in 1648 ; and here, during the first months of her stay, she was once much alarmed by the sudden appearance of a Cavalier troop, under the command of one of her husband's cousins, Sir Gilbert Byron. Secreting the plate and arms, she resolutely prepared for an attack ; but Colonel 38
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