charles ii summoned sir thomas to support him in a letter dictated to the earl marischal dated 5 october 1650. the king wrote again to sir thomas on 12 april 1651, granting him an exemption from the quartering of soldiers. there followed charles's defeat at the battle of worcester after which there were widespread persecutions. however, sir thomas burnett appears to have again trod a diplomatic course as general monck wrote to him from dundee on 26 december 1651, assuring him of protection.