of them a bust of the Lord Protector was depicted, thus showing the
tradition to have been honoured during the second George's time.[17]
Saffron Walden was the rendezvous of the Parliamentarian forces after
the sacking of Leicester, having their encampment on Triplow Heath. A
remarkable incident may be mentioned in connexion with this fact. In
1826 a rustic, while ploughing some land to the south of the town,
turned up with his share the brass seal of Leicester Hospital, which
seal had doubtless formed part of the loot acquired by the rebel army.

[17] These tiles have now found a place in the excellent local museum.

The Sun Inn, or "House of the Giants," as it has sometimes been
called, from the colossal figures which appear in the pargeting over
its gateway, is a building which evidently grew with the needs of the
town, and a study of its architectural features is curiously
instructive.

The following extract from Pepys's _Diary_ is interesting as referring
to Saffron Walden:--

"1659, Feby. 27th. Up by four o'clock. Mr. Blayton and I took
horse and straight to Saffron Walden, where at the White Hart we
set up our horses and took the master to show us Audley End House,
where the housekeeper showed us all the house, in which the
stateliness of the ceilings, chimney-pieces, and form of the whole
was exceedingly worth seeing. He took us into the cellar, where we
drank most admirable drink, a health to the King. Here I played on
my flageolette, there being an excellent echo. He showed us
excellent pictures; two especially, those of the four Evangelists
and Henry VIII. In our going my landlord carried us through a very