Welsh Journals

papist, and that there were more priests to be seen there than Anglican clergymen. He was so troublesome to the court that his private bill to settle his estates was refused the royal assent in 1677.43 From the foregoing it can be seen that religious differences, old political divisions, and a struggle for local hegemony between great families, had led to feelings running very high in the close-knit gentry community of Monmouthshire by the time Worcester sent his men into Wentwood in April 1678. Many of that community saw their rights threatened. Different documents give different figures, but there were some thirty manors or houses with major rights in Wentwood, held in 1678 by some fifteen different people.44 Worcester himself held four, and claimed extra rights as lord of Chepstow. William Morgan and Thomas Lewis of St. Pierre also held four, and William Kemeys of Kemeys two. These three were to take a major part in the early stages of the case, and were present at a meeting of tenants called to decide how to respond to Worcester's arbitrary action. Also present, with interest in one manor each, were Sir Edward Morgan of Llantarnam, George Kemeys of Llanvair Discoed (the son of Sir Nicholas) and William Blethin.11 Nathan Rogers was there as a free tenant, as were Edward Kemeys of Bertholey and John Jones of Llantrisant. The meeting appointed Nathan Rogers to be the tenants' solicitor, and he was on the deputation which went to ask Worcester's workmen to desist, along with William Blethin and George and Edward Kemeys. Surprisingly, the workmen did hold off for a short time, but they soon returned in even greater numbers. Rogers then went to London to consult learned counsel, who suggested that the tenants should force Worcester to try his right at law. The tenants maintained it hath been the constant Custom, that if any Lord or Tenant do cut any more Wood, than he or they can carry away, and leaves it unguarded for the Space of a Day, it may be lawful for any other Tenant to carry away the same. So Nathan Rogers summoned some local free tenants to bring teams and horses and they carried away some of the unguarded wood, 'first being promised by the Gentlemen aforesaid, and the other Tenants to be 43 D.W.B., Henning, op. cit., pp. 727-31, and Walker, op. cit., p. 130. 44 The list in Memoirs is incomplete. Fuller lists are in N.L.W., Badminton Papers 1809 and Tredegar Papers 59/27. 45 The Sir Edward Morgan of 1678 was a Catholic who died in 1679; this is probably his son, also Sir Edward, but a Protestant and the nephew of William Morgan. He succeeded his uncle in the county seat, supported by John Arnold. Most Blethins were called William; Wroth Rogers's colleague died in May 1678, so this is probably his nephew and heir.