The journey to London

Arundel brought him to London in a specially constructed litter and not without difficulty because Parrs intelligence and venerable demeanor impressed every one, and crowds thronged to see him and pay him homage. Parr was often in danger of being smothered, and his guards proved quite inadequate at keeping away the curious.

The journey was made in easy stages, as Thomas had been blind for twenty years, and the Earl provided a jester for his entertainment. The earl, as we are informed,

'commanding a litter and two horses (for the more easy carriage of a man so enfeebled and worn with age) to be provided for him; also that a daughter-in-law of his (named Lucye), should likewise attend him, and have a horse for her owne riding with him; and to cheere up the olde man, and make him merry, there was an antique-faced fellow, called Jacke, or John the Foole, with a high and mighty no beard, that had also a horse for his carriage.

These all were to be brought

'out of the country to London, by easie journeys, the charges being allowed by his lordship: and likewise one of his honour's own servants, named Brian Kelly, to ride on horseback with them, and to attend and defray all manner of reckonings and expenses; all which was done accordingly.'

In London he was put on show Lord Arundel's house in the Strand for a few weeks and was presented to King Charles I. But the change of air and diet soon affected him, and the old man died on the 14th of November 1635.