It is recorded in the diary of Christopher Sanderson Esq., that on the 24th day of October 1648 a deputation of local citizens escorted Lieut. General Oliver Cromwell to these lodgings where he held a council and was presented with burnt wine and oat cakes. The town did not suffer in any way from his visit as it was known by Cromwell that the leaders of the place were noted Puritans and not likely to hinder him in the work he wished to carry out, however it is said he did take offence at the crested ceiling on the second floor which bore royalist features and ordered it be covered over if he were to spend the night here before continuing his journey onto Richmond