This Day in History: 1649-03-09

On 9th March 1649, Robert Baynes wrote to his brother, Parliamentarian Captain Adam Baynes in London from Pontefract: ‘ …. They are this day to parley for the surrender of the castle: I hope they will agree about it, for the soldiers and gentlemen will have good terms, they surrendering 6 to mercy..’ ‘Mercy’ in this context signified ‘Justice’ (the hangman’s rope) for the six besieged persons, including Colonel Morris, who were excluded from the general pardons granted to the garrison’s personnel.