.

Of the Gathering in the Market-square.
The fair town in which we now found ourselves was, although Monmouth had not yet reached it, the real centre of the rebellion.

It was a prosperous place, with a great woollen and kersey trade, which gave occupation to as many as seven thousand inhabitants.

It stood high, therefore, amongst English boroughs, being inferior only to Bristol, Norwich, Bath, Exeter, York, Worcester, and Nottingham amongst the country towns.

Taunton had long been famous not only for its own resources and for the spirit of its inhabitants, but also for the beautiful and highly cultivated country which spread around it, and gave rise to a gallant breed of yeomen.