Parliament, thus apprised of the state of feeling in Kent, took prompt and efficacious measures to secure itself there by imprisoning suspected royalists and searching for gunpowder and arms. Dover Castle was taken by surprise⁵⁵  21 August 1642. In that month and the following, parliamentary troops under Sir John Seaton and Sir Edward Sandys, Philip Livesey and Richard Lee, acting on the instructions of the Committee of Safety for the Kingdom, made domiciliary visits throughout the county.⁵⁶  They reported to the Earl of Essex that on 14 August they apprehended Sir John Sackville coming to Sevenoaks church, then went to Knole House and brought away 500 arms belonging to the Earl of Dorset, which they sent to London. A detachment under Serjeant-major Douglas repaired to Cobham Hall, the Duke of Richmond’s seat, which they captured, and seized arms and horses there. Next they proceeded to Rochester, and at the bridge, stopped Lord Roper, ‘a papist appointed on the commission for array,’ and sent him prisoner to Upnor Castle, which had been taken by surprise while the soldiers were at bowls, and secured two sconces commanding the river. A guard was placed on Rochester Bridge, and subsequently Chatham Dock was surrendered by Captain Pett upon sight of their warrant. Search was made at Mr. Roper’s house at Eltham, where some resistance was offered, two troopers killed, and in the confusion Mr. Roper and those in the house escaped. On 26 August they were at Gillingham and put a guard on the ‘Sovereign.’ On the next day they visited the house of Sir Peter Ricoth (Rycauf) of Aylesford, a known rendezvous for malignants, took him prisoner and sent him to Upnor Castle, and seized arms and plate. The same day they went to Lady Wootton’s at Alington Hall, but found no arms; in the evening forced Sir William Butler’s house at Teston after but slight opposition from a few servants, Sir William not being there, and some arms and money were found and seized. The next day they reached the houses of Sir Edward Dering and Sir Robert Darrell, but did not find Sir Edward, and only a small quantity of arms. Then to Hothfield, to the Earl of Thanet’s, where they seized one load of arms. The night they passed at Ashford, where they were joyfully received.
   These reports state that they were received at Canterbury by the mayor and sheriffs with acclamation, took two loads of arms and six barrels of gunpowder from the dean and prebendaries, and some plate from a papist, Mr. West. Further particulars as to the conduct of the parliamentary soldiery on this occasion are furnished in a letter of Dr. Paske to the Earl of Holland, under date of 30 August 1642, which describes the terrible damage done to the cathedral, the keys having been given over to Sir Michael Livesey and Captain Player. Sir Michael Livesey apologised for the outrages committed, but Captain Baynes seemed inclined to justify himself. ⁵⁷
   From Canterbury they proceeded next day to Dover, where were many suspected persons who, however, to prove their fidelity, made a contribution for the king and parliament. By request of the Lord Admiral, they sent to Deal Castle, which surrendered after a short parley, Walmer, Sandown and Dover Castles having already surrendered. Next day they were at Faversham, where
   ⁵⁵  B.M.E. 115, 8.
   ⁵⁶  Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. v, App. 46; Rep xii, App. ii, 321-2; Cal. S.P. Dom. 1641-3, p. 374. Very full details of proceedings are given.
   ⁵⁷  Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. v, App. 45-48.