Another riotous assembly

Tidal Protection Barrier for Sutton Saltmarsh (2009) by Simon Read

Sept. 15th [1632]

Affidavit of John Hunns, of Tyd St. Giles, co. Cambridge, Labourer.
On the 26th July last James Balder, accompanied by George Tilson the elder, and various others, came in a riotous manner into Sutton Salt Marsh, lately inned from the sea by Sir Cornelius Vermuyden. They demanded of deponent whose man he was. He answered he was employed by Sir Cornelius. They replied in a scornful manner that Sir Cornelius had nothing to do there, neither should any horses which belonged to the workmen stay there. They then destroyed a gate and a bridge, and assaulted deponent and tore all his clothes from his back.

Sept. 15th [1632]

Affidavit of William Leake, of Newark -upon-Trent, co. Notts, and John Hunns, mentioned in the preceding article. They depose to another riotous assembly of Capt. Skipwith, James Balder, George Tilson the elder, and others in Sutton Salt Marsh, on the 12th inst. They threatened to pull down a house of one of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden's labourers, took the horses of the labourers, cut their halters, and violently pulled some of the labourers from their horses to the peril of their lives.

from Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of Charles I: 1631-1633