that he denied the King Entrance They are both sent by Sea prisoners to the Parliament and Sir Matthew took possession of the Towne June 17. 1643. The Earle of Essex at Tane orders the Buckingham Forces to beat up the Kings quarters which accordingly they did Prince Rupert having notice of it falls in with a body of Horse Routed and disperst most of the party There was slaine the Earle of Musgraves Son and Mr. Hamden one of the five Impeached Members a man violently active against the King At that time the Parliaments Army was much visited with the Contagion many dying daily On the fift of July was a great defeat given to Sir William Waller in the West after he had continued there victoriously for some time by a party from Oxford conducted by the Lord Wilmot which defeate gave a great Check to the Parliament The Generall by reason of the sicknesse and other great wants of his Army marches towards London quartering them at Kingston on Thames and other adjacent places Great were the successes of the King almost in every part of the Kingdome for Sir William Waller was quite routed in the West Sir Ralph Hopton in the head of a Gallant Army upon whom the King was pleased for his fidelity and Valour to confer the Honour and Title of a Baron Prince Rupert was order'd to besiege Bristoll which in short time was deliver'd to him Prince Maurice besieged Exceter whither the Earle of Stamford was fled which on the fourth of September 1643 was diliver'd up to him upon Articles Sir John Barkly was made Governour The Lord Fairfax Sir Thomas Fairfax and most of the Parliaments forces in the North were defeated driven into Hull by the Lord of Newcastle who at that time commanded the Greatest Army in England and not onely able to terrifie the Parliaments Forces in England but likewise formidable to any Scotch forces that should come to their assistance Collonell Goring landed at Newcastle with 200 old Souldiers The Earle of Newcastle in his march from Tadcaster surprized Leeds and in it diverse persons of quality friends to the Parliament he likewise proclaimes the Lord Fairfax traytor The King in the Head of a Gallant Army summons Glocester offering free pardon and protection to the Inhabitants if they would lay downe their Armes requiring a positive answer in two houres In the Interim he surrounds the Towne with six thousand Horse and foote by the time appointed the Magistrates Officers and Souldiers returne this answer That they kept the Towne for his Majesty and his Royall posterity and doe accordingly conceive our selves wholly bound to obey the Commands of his Majesty signified by both Houses of Parliament and are resolved by Gods Help to keep the City accordingly The King stood amazed at their confidence for at that time they could not hope for reliefe In the Towne was onely one Regiment of foote an hundred Horse beside the trained bands in all not exceeding fifteen hundred men The King resolves to lay a close siege and a considerable party Intrencht on the South and East side though they within sallied out with some damage to the Kings forces the Welsh and Worcestershire forces on the North west side Generall Ruthen on the South-side the East and South parts were dam'd up with Earth They within make no lesse then eight sallies in ten dayes with no small prejudice to the besiegers The King prepares for a storme which with much valour was performed on both sides a mine was sprung under the East gate which they countermand by the industry of Collonell Massey the Governour The Parliament being inform'd of the Kings Intentions toward Glocester order the Generall to march out who mustred about 10000 Horse and foote at Hounslow and so marches forward for the reliefe of the Towne They likewise took care for recruiting an Army for Sir William Waller The Generall being come within seven miles of Glocester fired some pieces of Ordinance to give notice of his approach On the first of September a party of Horse is sent to face him whilst the King drew off from the siege Many of the Kings friends much blamed him for sitting downe before the Towne when he might without difficulty have come to London and fully ended the work for the Parliament were never in so low a condition since the beginning of the warre as they were when the King first sat downe before the Towne The Lords House being sensible of the danger Uote a Treaty and the Commons were consulting of it The Parliament sent to require the assistance of their brethren of Scotland and Vote 30000 l. be instantly borrowed for their advance The Solemne League and Covenant was drawn up and taken by all the Members of both Houses and orderd to be Imposed on all the associated Counties Doctor Featly a reverend and learned Divine was Imprisoned for refusing to take it The King immediately sends out his Proclamation against it in these words Whereas there is printed a paper pretended to be order'd by the Commons in Parliament on the 21 of September last to be printed and published which Covenant though it seemes to make specious expressions of piety and religion it is indeed nothing else but a traiterous and seditious combination against him and against the established religion and Lawes of this Kingdome in pursuance of a traiterous designe and endeavour to bring in forraine forces to invade this Kingdome his Majesty doth therefore straitly charge and command all his loving subjects of what degree and quality soever upon their allegiance that they presume not to take the said seditious and traiterous Covenant most straitly forbidding all his subjects to tender the said Covenant as they will answer the contrary at their extreamest perill The Earle of Bedford and Holland came to Oxford to tender their allegiance to the King but after a short stay return'd to the Parliament The Marquesse of Ormond the Kings Lieutetenant Generall in Ireland upon the Kings Letter sends over five Regiments of Souldiers for the Kings service every Officer and Souldier first took an Oath to defend the Protestant cause and the Kings person against all enemies Essex suddenly surprizes Cirencester by killing the Centery marcht into the Towne without any opposition and in it took Great store of Armes and Ammunition with thirty Cart Load of provisions which was there reserv'd for the Kings Army From thence he marches to Chilleton The Kings Forces drew up on Maverne hills The Earle of Essex drew off toward Hungerford and from thence toward Newbery which the Kings Forces had possest before-hand On Wednesday the 20 of September 1643. was fought the famous battell of Newbery on which depended the condition of the whole Kingdome The Kings Forces early in the morning had possest themselves of Biggs hill Essex his own Regiment assisted with Collonell Barkleys and Collonell Holburnes Regiment marcht and Charging furiously beate them from the Hill and possest it By this time a great
October and in his speech made an ample illustration of his concessions to the petition of right which by some was accounted a great failing And now a 3d Fleet is reasdy at Portsmouth for the releif of Rotchel The Duke was very diligent in preparation when on the 23 of August 1628. the Duke having prepared himselfe to wait on the King who made that in his progresse cal'd for his breakfast the Duke comes downe from his chamber to a lower parlour where taking leave of Sir Tho. Frier one of his Colonels Just as he was going in one Felton stabd him to the heart with a knife which the Duke took out but the effusion of the blood was so great that he died instantly the Earl of Cleveland and others that were within hearing reported that the murtherer seconded his blow with these words The Lord have mercy upon thy soul The murtherer imediatly went into the Kitchin the report throughout the house was wher 's the murtherer which he misconstrued her 's the murtherer suddenly starting cried I am he who was imediatly secured and hardly escaped the fury of the servants The King was at his devotion when the news was brought who was not in the least startled at it The commons rejoice at it and by this means hoped of a freer and more permanent correspondency betwixt the King and people which the event suddenly shewed The Dukes body was inter'd the 25 of September at Westminster at the charge of his Executors Felton was arraigned at the Kings bench-bar who upon examination confest That the only motive that induced him to the fact was the late Remonstrance of the Commons and that he could not sacrifice his life to a nobler cause then by delivering his Country from so great an enemy He being found guilty was hanged at Tiburne and his body afterwards sent to Portsmouth to be hanged in Chaines This tragicke act nothing hindred the Fleets motion which by the personal industry care of the King set fail from Portsmouth the 8 of September 1628. the Earl of Linsey being Admiral and being arived at the mouth of the haven found that monstrous Boone and Baracado finished which was designed by Cardinal Ritchlew a cross wind suddenly arose beat them back with great confusion which the Rotchellers beholding from the bulwarks imediately set open the gates and submitted themselves wholly to the King who entred the 8 of October and found onely four thousand remaining of twenty two thousand the Fleet upon the news returned home safe A Proclamation was proclaimed against Papists The 20 of October the Parliament met divers complaints and petitions were exhibited touching the seising of marchants goods for Tunnage and Poundage The King had notice of it summons them to the banquetting house and thus speaks The occasion of that meeting was a complaint made in the lower House for staying some merchants goods for denying Tunnage and Poundage which difference might be soon decided were his words and actions rightly understood for if he did not take these duties as appendixes to his hereditary prerogative and had declared he chalenged them not of right and onely desired to enjoy them by the gift of his people why did they not passe the Bill as they promised to him to clear his by-past actions and future proceedings especially in this his time of so great necessity Therefore he did now expect they should make good what they promised and put an end to all questions emergent to their delay Two Committees were appointed one for Religion the other for civil affairs that for Religion report that upon due inspection they find it in a very tottering and declining condition The other report that many marchants had had their goods seised for not paying the customes of Tunnage and Poundage being then against the Petition of Right and priviledge of Parliament for which Sr Jo. Worsham M. Daws M. Carmarthen Farmers of the Customes were required to give an account The King intervenes and tels the Parliament that what they did was as men addicted to his command neither were they commissionated to take it as a due debt but he presumed the Parliament would performe their large professions and grant it by bill They replyed the Farmers did it without warrant the warrant being only to levy and collect not to seize for the Bill they desired his pardon being to insist on matters of Religion first The King requests them to forbeare prosecuting these men and intimated that what they did was by his warrant The House in great discontent adjourned for some few dayes and being met again they resolved upon a Remonstrance which the Speaker refusing to read and offering to rise Mr. Hollis held him and swore he should fit there so long as they pleased which not prevailing Mr. Hollis read these ensuing Articles as the Protestation of the House 1. Whosoever should bring in Innovation of Religion or by favour seek to introduce Popery or Arminianism or other opinions disagreeing from the true and orthodox Church shall be reputed a Capitall enemy to the Kingdome and Common wealth 2. Whosoever shall councell or advise the taking and levying the subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage not being granted by Parliament or shall be an actor or instrument therein shall be reputed a Caitall enemy to this Common-wealth 3. If any man shall voluntarily yeild or pay the said Subsidies of Tunnage and Poundage not being granted by Parliament he shall be reputed a beirayer of the Liberties-of England and an enemy to the Common-wealth At which the House gave a great shout The King advised of it sent the Usher of the blacke rod to dissolve the Parliament who would not be admitted Sir Miles Hobert lockt the door The King incensed at their contempt sent for the Captain of the Pensioners and the Guard to force a passage the members fearing the issue slunk away The King went presently into the House of Lords and delivered his mind as followeth My Lords I never came here upon so unpleasing an occasion it-being the dissolution of a Parliament therefore you may have some cause to wonder why I should not rather choose to doe this by Commission it being a generall Maxim of Kings to leave harsh commands to their Ministers themselves onely Executing pleasing things yet considering that Justice consists as well in reward and praise of vertue as punishment of vice I thought it necessary to come here to day to declare to you and all the world that it was meerely the undutifull and seditious carriage of the Lower House that hath made the dissolution of this Parliament and you my Lords are so far from being causes of it that I take as much comfort in your dutifull demeanour as I am justly distasted with their proceedings yet to avoyd mistakings Let me tell you that it is so far from me to adjudge all that House guilty that I know there are many there as dutifull subjects as any in the World it being but
with part of the Army marches Westward who after he had soundly batterd the Castle at the Devizes forc't it to be surrendred and not many dayes after he comes before Winchester and summons it which was on honourable Conditions surrenderd He immediately marches to Basing-House which for a time had been besieged but to no purpose and having summon'd it he on refusall resolv'd to storme it by which meanes he got it The General was now before Tiverton and had raised severall Batteries by which meanes he gained the Towne In October 1645. Langford-House was delivered up to Lieutenant General Cromwell The General approaches neere Exceter October 20. 1645. summons it and received a flat deniall it was for sometime besieged but by reason the King had a body moving up down it was twice deserted onely a party left to surround it upon the Armies returne from the West after it was storm'd was delivered up on Articles He likewise summons Dartmouth on refusall took it by storme A great defeate was given to Hopton at Torrington who not long after was forced to disband his Army in the West Sir Marmaduke Langdale received a great defeate neare Sherburne In March Ashbe de la zouch was surrendred to the Parliaments forces In the same Moneth Prince Charles set saile for Scilly with diverse Lords and Gentlemen Other Garrisons as Westchester Barnstable St Michaels Mount Ruthen Castle Woodstock together with diverse other Garrisons were delivered up to the Parliament The Scots Army was at that time besieging New-wark with the assistance of some York-shire Horse There was not at that time a Towne or Castle in England but what was either besieged or blockt up by the Parliaments forces The Commons Vote the Committee of Darby-House to take care to besiege Oxford and accordingly the Generall having secured the West returnes with intent to besiege it which at that time was the Kings Royall seate The King Causes a Muster of Horse which in all amounted to 1100 Horse and Dragoones great care is taken to make good the Workes and to repaire what ever is amisse The Towne being besieged the King offers to come to the two Houses upon assurance of the safety of his person and to advise with them for the good and safety of the Kingdome Provided all that have adhered to his Majesty may have Liberty to goe to their own homes in safety their sequestrations to be taken off upon these conditions his Majesty is willing to disband all his Souldiers and dismantle his Garrisons passe an act of oblivion and free pardon to all These Propositions the Parliament would by no meanes consent unto they having him at that advantage The King seeing no hopes on the 27 of Aprill 1646. in disguise came out of Oxford attended by Mr John Ashburnham and one more severall conjectures past which way he should goe The Parliament being mis-inform'd that he was come to London Order that Proclamation be made that whosoever shall conceale his Majesty shall dye as a traytor and forfeit his estate On the sixt of May 1646. His Majesty came to the Scots Army and had cast himselfe upon them which occasioned the Scotch Commissioners to write to the Parliament that contrary to their expectation the King was come to their Army ingaging to stand for the Interest of the Kingdome The Commons Vote that his Majesties person be disposed of as both Houses shall desire and direct and that he be sent to Warwick Castle Upon the Kings desire to the Governour Newark was deliver'd up to the English The Scots marcht away to Rippon with the King The Parliament seeing the King was got into the Scots possession sent a Letter to the Prince of Wales then in Gersie to invite him to come to London with promise of Honour and safety but he durst not venter The siege before Oxford being more close then formerly the Generall sent a summons to Sir Thomas Glenham the Governour who sent a civill answer with a request that Sir John Minson and Mr Philip Warwick may informe his Excellency in order to a Treaty and accordingly on Articles it was surrendred on Honourable tearmes The 19 of May the Scots Army came with the King to Newcastle the reason of their retreating Northward was for feare that Sir Thomas Fairfax should have falne on them and compeld them to deliver up the King A great dispute was at Newcastle betwixt the King and Mr Alexander Henderson which was since published Divers Propositions were presented to the King by the Commissioners from the Parliament who were the Earle of Pembrooke Earle of Suffolke Sir Walter Earle Sir John Ipsley Mr Goodwin and Mr Robinson who came to Newcastle the 27 of July and ordered to return in ten dayes the next day the Propositions were presented and his Majesty promised an answer within the time but withall told them that if they had not power to treate they might as well have sent a Trumpet at the reading of the Propositions his Majesty protested he would never give away his Crowne and Militia and further told Mr Marshall he could not in Conscience signe some things therein required His Majesty gave the Commissioners in a Paper which not being satisfactory they returne to London The Scots likewise petition him to take the Covenant and likewise they set out a Declaration of their Intentions for the good of both Kingdomes Litchsield Worcester and Wallingford were all deliver'd on Articles In July 1646. Prince Rupert went for France and Prince Maurice for the Hague where they both safely arrived The Duke of York came for London and was Honourably received by the Nobility His Majesty wrote four times to Montrosse at the Scots Commissioners request to lay downe his Armes In August 1646. the Commons order the Presbytenan Government to be settled in London In the same Moneth the Commons caused the Great Seale to be broken in the Lords House The 14 of September 1646. dyed the Noble Earle of Essex of an Appoplexie a man truly faithfull to the Interest of his Country The House having respect to his former service Voted 3000 l. to be given toward his funerall Mr. Vines preached his funerall Sermon he was Honourably attended to his Grave not without much Lamentation Upon the Kings refusall of the Propositions the Scots sent Commissioners to the Parliament to desire an agreement betwixt them Pendennis and Ragland Castle are in August surrendred The Scots Commissioners demand 500000 l. upon the payment of which they offer to deliver up the King And accordingly it was Voted by the House to deliver 200000 l. then borrowed of the Citizens of London and raised out of the saile of the Bishops Lands together with the assistance of the Excize and 200000 l. more secured to them to be payd at severall times October the 8th 1646. the House Votes to every Member 1000 l. a piece in recompence of their Good service and that so many as are Lawyers may have Liberty to plead within the
it The Complaint of the Country every where was very Great by reason of free quarter which the Officers of the Army upon serious Inspection discover a designe to stop their pay to make them more odious to the people At a Councell of War held at the Bull in St Albanes where were present sixteen Colonels besides other Officers a Declaration was read of all their Grivances and desires containing 26 sheets of Paper which was orderd to be presented to the House Nemine contradicente The Commons order the drawing of severall Acts to be sign'd by his Majesty As 1. An Act for Justifying the War made by Parliament 2. An Act for Nulling all Honours since the carrying away of the Great Seale 3. An Act for explanation and preventing future Interpretations of the Statute 25 Ed. the 3d and all other Acts of Treason and that of the 11 of Henry the 7th concerning the subjects aiding the King in his Wars for the better securing the Kingdomes peace and subjects lives and estates which being sent to the Commissioners together with the Votes of the House concerning the Bishops their Lands were by them presented to his Majesty who seemed very much dissatisfied The Commissioners againe press upon the King to which he replies that he had given his answer already and could not with a safe conscience consent to the abolishing of Bishops nor approve of the alienating of their Lands because he is perswaded the first is Apostolicall the second sacrilegious He further tould them that if his two Houses will not recede from their former Votes and content themselves satisfied in order to peace He can be content with Christ to suffer any thing that can befall him rather then deprive himselfe of the tranquility of Conscience still hoping that the Parliament will consent To which the Commissioners answer that the Parliament conceive it necessary that his Majesty grant their request for the peace and welfare of the Kingdom assuring that it is not the Apostolicall Bishop which they require but the Bishop establisht by Law growne up to that height of pride and state Insulting over all power and burthensome to the persons and estates of the subjects And for alienating Bishops Lands they answer they were settled by Law and by Law may be alienated and that it was an ordinary practice of his Majesties Predecessors in the Case of Abby Lands On the 26 of November was presented a Declaration of the Army to the Commons House which was the day before subscribed by the Generall it contained 26 sheets of paper shewing the misgoings of King Parliament severally also in all Treaties betwixt them especially that they are now in They conceive the Parliament hath abundant cause to lay aside any further proceedings in this Treaty and to returne to their Votes of non-addresses and settle with or against the King that he was Governe no more by rejecting those demands of the King especially concerning his restitution and coming to London with freedome Honour and safety and that they proceed against the King in way of Justice and that a peremptory day be set for the Prince of Wales and Duke of York to come in if not to be declared uncapable of any Government and stand Exiled for ever as traytors The Governour of the Isle of Wight sends a Letter to the Lords that he may be discharged of his Imployment which they would by no meanes consent to but ordered him to continue his Imployment The Generall Orders Collonell Euers Governour of the Island and sent for Colonell Hamond to the head quarters at Windsor whither being come He was for some time detained The Generall sent a Letter to both Houses of the Grounds and reasons of his advance with his Army toward the City in pursuance of their former Declaration And on the second of December accordingly the Generall and Army enter the Lines of Communication The Generall quarterd at White Hall with a Regiment of foote the Horse and the rest of the Army quarter in the Mews St James's York House and diverse other places about the City The King from Newport was by the new Governour convey'd to Hurst Castle a very noysome and unwholsome place where during his restraint he composed his book entituled The portraiture of his sacred Majesty in his solitude and sufferings a Royall Monument which he left to posterity The House sat all day and night till eight of the Clock next morning many Speeches were made by divers Members of the Kings Concessions among the rest Mr Prin made a long Speech proving the Kings Concessions to be a Ground for a setled peace which was afterwards Voted in the House 129 being for it and 84 against it Wednesday December the sixt some part of the Army having a List of those Members that were to be taken into custody according they did it not permitting them to enter the House the number seazed was thirty-four two whereof viz. Sir Benjamine Ruddier and Mr Nathaniel Fines were by the Generall discharged the rest were carried to the Kings head in the Strand and divers other places of Westminster having Guards upon them Presently after was publisht the Reasons why the Army had secluded divers Members which were First That very many had turn'd Malignants and had brought such into the House and kept them in notwithstanding Votes to the contrary secondly They endeavouring to bring the King in upon his own tearmes thirdly Their protecting the 11 Members from Justice fourthly Their abetting and pertaking with the Cities violence on the House and tumults fifthly Encouraging the City and others to Petition for a personall Treaty sixthly Encouraging the late Insurrections and calling in the 11 Members The remaining Members continue sitting on the seventh of December Lieutenant Generall Cromwell came to the House and had their thankes for his faithfull service both in England and Scotland The same day the Lords Voted his Majesties Concessions a Ground for peace and forthwith adjourne Severall Regiments of Horse and foote were quarterd in Black Fryers St Pauls Church and all the Houses adjacent On the ninth of December a Petition was presented to the Councell of War at White Hall by the Officers and Souldiers of divers Regiments That the Grand and Capitall Enemies of the Common-wealth may be speedily brought to Justice The Committee fitting in White Hall order a Representative of 400 persons to be chosen throughout the Nation for the settlement of the Kingdome December 13. the Remaining part of the Commons House Nuld and Vote for his Majesties Concessions and order the Generall to take care of the King The Councell of War were orderd to sit to draw up a Charge against the King and accordingly orders were Issued out for his removall December the 10th his Majesty came from Hurst Castle dined at a Ladyes and that night came on Hors-back to Winchester where he lay all night The next night to Farnham attended by Colonel Harison and a Guard of 2000
some few Vipers among them that cast this mist of undutifulnesse over most of their eyes yet to say truth there was a good number there that could not be infected with this contagion in so much that some did expresse their duties in speaking which was the Generall fault of the House the last day To conclude as these Vipers must look for their reward of punishment so you my Lords must justly expect from me that favour and protection that a good King oweth to his loving and dutifull subjects And now my Lord Keeper doe what I command you who in the Kings name dissolv'd the Parliament The Parliament being dissolv'd the King sets forth a Declaration of the Causes Grounds and Motives that caused him to dissolve them together with an account of all the Transactions of this and the last Parliament Not long after the King sent for ten of the last Parliament to appeare at the Councell Table viz. Mr. Hollis Sir Miles Hobert Sir John Eliot Sir Peter Hayman Mr. Selden Mr. Stroud Mr. Correton Mr. Valentine Mr. Long Mr. Kirton who having been examin'd by the Lord Treasurer some were sent to the Tower some to the Gate-House others to the Fleete which afterward begot a very high controversie in Law The Queen being affrighted was before her time delivered of a Son who was baptized Charles which lived not above two houres The States of Venice sent over an Ambassadour to mediate for a peace betwixt us the French which was concluded in eight Articles and confirmed with solemn Oaths on both sides Two great Reasons were given for the Kings suddaine consent to a peace the one was the ill successe and bad fortune that alwayes attended his warlike designes the other and maine the sinews of war being dried and shrunk up the Exchequer was very barren Peter Reuben the famous Painter of Antwerp came over into England and made overtures of a peace with Spaine by offering the restitution of the Palatinate then which nothing was more desirable of the King but he had not full power to performe On the 29 of May 1630. the Queen was deliver'd of her second Son who was baptized the 27 of June at St James's with all Princely ceremony and named Charles which caused great rejoycings and acclamations among the people excepting the Puritan party At his birth a Star appeared visibly at noone day just as the King went to St Pauls Church to give thankes where he was presented with these Verses When to Pauls-Cross the Gratefull King draw nere A shining Star did in the Heavens appeare Thou that consults with divine Mysteries Tell me what this bright Comet signifies Now is there borne a valiant Prince i' th West That shall Eclipse the Kingdoms of the East The King being deeply sensible of his brothers miseries and being informed of a Diet at Ratsbone sent Sir Robert Anstruther Ambassadour to the Emperour and Estates in Germany to mediate in his brothers behalfe to which the Emperour return'd Answer that no forraine businesse was to be medled withall at the Diet but as soone as possibly he could he would doe that which might be for his Honour and he hoped to his Majesties content upon which the Ambassadour returnes One Layton a Rigid Presbyter who published a book call'd Zions Plea in which he excited the Parliament and People to kill all the Bishops Very abusive also to the Queene calling her the Daughter of Heth a Canaanite an Idolatresse was sentenced in the Star-Chamber to have his nose slit his eares cropt and stigmatized in the forehead which he for some time prevented by an Escape out of the Fleete but being taken underwent it The Peace betwixt England and Spaine was at last concluded the Articles being the same in effect with those that were betwixt King James and Philip the Third excepting that the King of Spaine should dispose of all his Interest in the Emperour toward the restitution of the Palatinate which was proclaimed Sunday the 27 of November 1630. with Great solemnity Aprill the 25. 1631. Mervin Lord Audley Earle of Castle-Haven was arraigned at the Kings-Bench Bar before Thomas Lord Coventry who for that day was appointed Lord High Treasurer of England he being found Guilty of Rape and Sodomy was by his Peeres condemned and Executed the 14 of May at Tower hill And on the 27 of June following Mr. Broadway and Fitz Patrick servants to and concriminaries with the Lord Audley were tryed at the Kings-Bench-Bar and being found Guilty the one of Rape the other of Sodomy were condemned and on the sixt of July were executed at Tyburne The Queene was the 4th of November 1631. deliver'd of her eldest Daughter who was baptized Mary December 2d 1632. The King was visited with the small Pox but by Gods blessing soone recovered Anno 1632. The Church of St Paul which by the pious zeale of our Auncestors was raysed to that huge bulke that all Christendome was not able to paralell being through age decayed was by the piety of his Majesty the Bishops the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty of the Nation begun to be repaired and a very great progresse was made therein but the unhappy differences of the Nation ensuing caus'd its obstruction Anno 1633. The King having been often solicited to goe into Scotland in order to his personall Coronation on the 13th of May he sets forward with a Princely Traine most of the English Nobility all the Scots that attended here and on the way was very Nobly treated by diverse of the Nobility and Gentry ospecially by the Earle of Newcastle at Welbeck On the 10 of June he came safe to Edenborough where he was Crowned with all outward seeming affection and on the 20 of July return'd safe to the Queen at Greenwich In the beginning of August dyed the Reverend Prelate George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud then of London immediately succeeded him October the 13th 1633. the Queen was delivered of her second Son who was baptized James and on the 24 of the same moneth was by Letters pattent created Duke of York The King taking into his Princely care the Irreverend and remisse service of God in the Kingdome of Scotland sent Orders to be observed by the Deane of his Chappell as in England 1 That prayer be said twice a day according to the English forme 2 The Sacrament to be administred once a moneth and to be received Kneeling 3 That he which Officlates on Holy dayes doe it in his Surplice Which though backt with a Letter requiring exact obedience the Deane durst not performe for feare of discontenting the people The King by the Advice of the Bishops and Councell Reviv'd his Fathers Declaration for tolerating Lawfull Sports on the Sunday which gave great distast to the people especially to the puritanicall party On the second of February being Candlemas day at night the King and Queene were entertained at White Hall with a Mask of the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court The
is a breach of their priviledge against the Laws of the Land and the liberty of the subject They likewise past an Order to prevent the Levying any Souldiers in Yorkshire or Lincolnshire to force a passage into the Towne of Hull and the more to enrage the King Hotham is ordred to Levy The trained bands which being come into the Towne he disarmes and dismisses them There was a select Committee appointed to goe to Hull with Instructions for the safety of the Counties of York and Lincoln to whom all Sheriffs Justices of the peace Constables and other Officers are requir'd to be ayding and assisting Things began to grow very high The King summons the Gentry of the County of York where he gave them a large account of all the messages and replyes touching Hull and the Reasons why he did not signe the Bill for the Militia To be short You see my Magazine is going to be taken from me directly against my Will The Militia against the Law and my consent is going to be put in execution and lastly Sir John Hothams Treason is countenanced all which being considered none can blame me to apprehend dangers and upon this reall Ground to tell you that I am resolv'd to have a Guard onely to secure my person In which I desire you assistance that I may be able to protect you the Laws and the true Protestant Religion from any affront or Injury Which speech was by them received with great affection The Parliament being inform'd of the Kings Speech to the Yorkshire Gentry declare that it is against the Laws and liberties of the Kingdome that any of the subjects thereof should be commanded by the King to attend him at his pleasure and that whosoever upon pretence of his Majesties command shall take up Armes in a warlike manner shall be esteemed disturbers of the peace and to be proceeded against accordingly and likewise signed an Order to the Sheriffe of that County to take care to suppresse the raising of the trained bands upon the Kings Command But the Parliament Issue out Commissions to all parts of the Kingdome appointing certain dayes for all the trained bands to be exercised in each County and that severall Members be sent into the severall Counties to see the Commissions put in execution and all the Magazines in the severall Counties to be put into the hands of their confiding friends Which Commissions were answered by Proclamation from the King forbidding the trained bands and all others to rise or muster on pretence of any Ordinance of Parliament without his consent The breach was now growne wide the Parliament still opposing and thwarting the King on all occasions moved diverse of the Members to desert it and repaire to the King so that in a small time the Lords at York were more in number then those at Westminster The names of those that went were the Marquesse of Hartford the Earle of Lindsey Cumberland Huntington Bath Southampton Dorset Salisbury who presently return'd Northampton Devonshire Bristoll Westmerland Barkshire Munmouth Rivers Newcastle Dover Carnarvan Newport the Lord Howard Charlton New-wark Pawlet Paget Matreverse Willowby Rich Fawconbridge Chandois Coventry Lovelesse Savill Seymor Mohune Dunsmore Lord Capell Gray of Ruthen Together with above fifty of the Commons House whose departure startled the active men of the House who notwithstanding having gone so far proceed and Vote That it appeares that the King being seduced by evill Councell Intends to make war against the Parliament and that when he doth it is a breach of trust reposed in him and likewise that whosoever shall ayd or assist him in the said war are traytors by the fundamental Laws of the Kingdome And on the 30 of May by Vote summon nine of those Lords that went to returne but they utterly refused which the House deemed a sleighting of them which occasioned Mr. Hollis after a long Speech to Impeach them of high treason which the Peeres afterwards confirm'd in Voting them never to sit in the House more and to be uncapable of any priviledge of Parliament And not long after the Lord Keeper Littleton sent away the Great Seale to the King and immediately followed it which put the House to a great plunge for the present In June 1642. The two Houses sent a Petition with 19 Propositions to the King to which he reutrn'd a smart answer taxing them that they had contrary to law pressed their Ordinances on the people wrested from him the command of the Militia countenanced the Treason of Hotham and had directed to the people Invectives against his Government asperst him with the favouring of Papists and with an utter dislike of the Propositions protested that if he were vanquisht and a prisoner in worse condition then any the most unfortunate of his predecessors had ever been reduced unto he would never stoop so low as to Grant those demands and to make himselfe of a King of England a Duke of Venice And now both sides prepare for war The Parliament the 10 of June 1642. past an Order for bringing in money and plate to maintaine horse and foote for defence of the publick peace for which they did engage the publick faith The King on the other side receives advice by Letters from Amsterdam of a considerable quantity of Armes and Ammunition which was provided upon some Jewells pawned by the Queen he likewise sends Commissions of Array with Letters to the Lieutenants of the severall Counties making use of the Parliaments Vote and declares That the Kingdome being in danger of Enemies abroad and a Popish party at home it is necessary to put the people in a posture of defence that you immediately cause to be restored all the ancient trained bands and free-hold bands and to appoint Collonells and Captaiens and other Officers to command them The Parliament Vote the Commission to be against Law and the actors therein to be esteemed disturbers of the peace Whereupon the King summons the Lords of the Councell with the rest of the Nobility at York and declares that he requires no obedience of them but what shall be according to law and requires them to yeeld to no commands Illegally Imposed by any other and that he will not Ingage them in any war against the Parliament except for necessary defence against such as shall Invade him or them Upon which with unanimous consent they all freely engag'd to him their duty and allegiance The King sends a Letter to the Lord Mayor of London Aldermen and Sheriffes forbidding any contribution of money and plate toward the raising of any Armies whatsoever for the Parliament By this time the Armes were arrived from Holland but the King wanted men to weild them yet by his Speeches and Declarations had gained the affections of many of his people and a considerable number was got together and from Beverly he sends a Message and Proclamation to the Parliament of his Intentions to goe against Hull requiring it might be delivered up to him
which they answer'd with a Petition moving him to accord with his two Houses they likewise set out a Declaration for the safety of Hull promising satisfaction for all damages sustained On the 11 of June 1642. The Parliament Vote that an Army shall be raised for the defence of King and Parliament and the Earle of Essex to be Generall The King according to his former Intentions with an Army of 3000 foote and 1000 horse Intends to besiege Hull by Land and made Proclamation that none on paine of death carry any provisions into Hull Hotham being Inform'd of the Kings advance summons a Councell of War which resolve to hold the King play with their Ordinance till the tide came in and then to draw up their sluces which accordingly was performed with much damage to the Kings Souldiers Hotham likewise sends to the Parliament requiring 500 men for the safety of the Towne and provisions Upon which by command of the Parliament Drums are beaten p in London and other adjacent Counties for Volunteers to goe immediatly to Hull and within a week 500 men and more were sent by Sea under the command of Sir John Meldram to assist Sir John Hotham The King calls a Councell and resolves to break up the siege By this time the Earle of Warwick was possest of most of the Fleete for the service of the Parliament and they were in a considerable way to raise an Army by the assistance of that mass of money and plate that was brought in for it is almost Incredible with what zeale and affection by the Ministers perswasions the people were willing to be rid of their Treasure every one vying who should contribute most nay the women and maidens spared not their Rings Thimbles and Bodkins for the advancement of the cause The Earle of Essex with much prudence raiseth a considerable body of horse and foote The Earle of Bedford was Voted to be Generall of the Horse Collonell Goring eldest Son to the Lord Goring was sent down to Portsmouth by the Parliament but suddenly he declares for the King The King being return'd to York summons the Gentry and requires their assistance for the raising of a Regiment for the Princes Guard to be commanded by the Earle of Cumberland The Parliament declare against the Commission of Array Vote it Illegall on the other side the King being Inform'd of the Earle of Essex his raising an Army proclaimes hm a Rebell and a Traytor to the King and his Crowne and that all Collonells and other Officers under his Command that shall not Instantly lay downe their Armes are Guilty of High Treason And likewise Commands the Marquesse of Hartford to raise what Forces he could to suppresse him Great was the Contest almost in every County betwixt the Parliament Commissioners and the Commissioners of Array In some Counties the Kings party prevailed in others the Parliaments London the Great Metropolis was not exempted for Sir Richard Gurney then Lord Major was committed to the Tower for causing the Kings Commission of Array to be read and was by the Lords deprived of his Majoralty never to beare Office in City or Common-wealth and to continue prisoner during the pleasure of the House The King being at York publisheth a Grand Declaration of all the proceedings from the beginning of this Parliament to this present time concluding with a solemn Protestation of his affections to Parliaments and the peace and happiness of the Kingdome and within few dayes sends a Message to the Parliament taxing them with borrowing 100000 l. out of the Adventures money for the reliefe of Ireland to which they returne a speedy answer The King in person moveth from place to place On the 22 of July he made a Speech to the Gentry in Leicestershire on the 4th of August to the Gentry in Yorkshire and that war might not want its solemnity on the 20 of August he sets up his Standard Royall at Nottingham and by Proclamation requires the ayd and assistance of all his Subjects on the North side Trent and within twenty miles Southward thereof for his just defence and that whosoever shall supply him with money and plate he as God shall enable him will repay and reward accordin gto the measure of their love and affection to him and their Country On the 25 of August 1642. from Nottingham the King sends a Message to both Houses by the Earles of Southampton and Dorset and Sir John Culpepper for a treaty of peace and that an equall number may be chosen to meet where they should appoint that there may if possible be an accommodation out of a deep sense of the Calamities that attend the Kingdome To which they answer That untill he recalls that Proclamation which proclaimes them Rebells and takes down his Standard they will by no meanes heare of it To which he replyes That to remove all scruples that may hinder the Treaty by him so much desired so that a day be appointed by the Parliament for revoking their Declarations against all persons as traytors assisting him he will with all chearfulness on the same day recall his Proclamations and take down his Standard and likewise promised to grant any thing that should be for the good of his subjects assuring them that his greatest desire was to get a right understanding To which they humbly answer and petition that his Majesty would take down his Standard withdraw his Declarations and leave his Forces and returne to the Parliament and receive their faithfull advice of whose reall affection he need not to doubt Within few dayes the King sends a second reply That he could neither doe nor offer any more then he had already and that he should think himselfe cleare fromany blood that might be spilt in this quarrell The Parliament give encouragement to the well affected that what moneys they should lend should be satisfied out of Delinquents estates and declare that whosoever shall returne from the King to the Parliament within ten dayes shall be pardoned excepting the Duke of Richmond the Earles of Newcastle Cumberland Bristoll Rivers and Carnarvan Mr. Edward Hide Endimion Porter Secretary Nicholas Vicount New-wark Vicount Haltland The Parliament being Inform'd that the Queen was soliciting the States of Holland to contribute Armes and Ammunition for the King send Mr. Walter Strickland a Member of the House over into Holland with Credentiall Letters They likewise drew up a Declaration to the States of Holland to satisfie them of their whole proceedings Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice in September arrive in England and offer their service to their Uncle who were immediatly put into Command Prince Rupert with a small body of Horse flew up and downe through diverse Counties and gained a considerable body together The King himself moves though with a slower pace and had gotten a great number together marches to Shrewsbury a place of great concernment as being the Inlet to Wales where he orders a Mint to melt down the plate which
body of the Kings Horse fell on a party of Horse commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton who received the Charge with much resolution and beate the Enemy up to their maine body The fight continued till neer night The London Trained bands and Auxiliaries behaved themselves with much Valour and resolution The number of the dead was not certainly known There were diverse persons of quality slaine and wounded on the Kings side as likewise diverse Colours were taken and sent up to London Collonell Massey from Glocester moves up and downe with a party of Horse and doth much mischiefe to the Kings Forces The Kings forces Garrison all round about Glocester a party of the Kings Horse and foote rove up and down and seaze upon diverse good booties But the Kings maine body was orderd toward Reading which was then besieged by Essex Arundell Castle having been 28 dayes besieged by Sir William Waller was deliver'd on Conditions The King in December 1643. summons the Members of both Houses to appeare in January following at Oxford to advise in setling the peace of the Kingdome where on the 22th of January they meet at the Great Hall in Christ-Church where his Majesty declar'd That if he had the least thoughts of disagreeing with the happinesse of this Kingdome he would not advise with such Councellers as they were The Lords sat in the Upper Schooles the Commons in the Great Convocation House There were assembled the Prince the Duke of York Cumberland Fr. Cottington Treasurer Ed. Littleton Keeper of the Seale the Duke of Richmond and Marquesse of Hartford 19 Earles 18 Lords 126 Knights and Gentlemen beside a Great quantity of Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen imployed in his Majesties service in the severall parts of the Kingdome Their first work was to endeavour a peace to which purpose a Letter is sent to the Earle of Essex which he communicates to the House at Westminster On the 16 of January 1644. The Scots Army consisting of 18000 foote and 2000 Horse enter England by the way of Newcastle and set forth a Declaration of the justness of their Cause the Lawfulness of their Call New-wark having been three weeks besieged by Sir John Meldram with an Army of 7000. Prince Rupert with a body of 4000 Horse and Dragoones and 1000 foote raises the siege The Lord Fairfax and his Son Sir Thomas goe on victoriously in the North and in severall Encounters gave diverse defeats to the Earle of Newcastles forces The Parliament at Oxford having sat from January to Aprill and done no great matter the King after a Speech prorogues them to the 8 of October and afterwards by Proclamation till the 9 of November The Queen went from Oxford toward the West of England in order to her going over into France was attended the first dayes journey by her two eldest Sons and many of the Nobility The King in presence of the Peeres at Oxford received the Sacrament from the hands of Bishop Vsher using these solemne Protestations My Lords I espie here many resolv'd Protestants who may declare to the world the Resolution I doe now make I have to the utmost of my power prepar'd my soule to become a worthy receiver and may I so receive comfort by the blessed Sacrament as I doe intend the Establishment of the true reformed Protestant Religion as it stood in its beauty in the happy dayes of Queen Elizabeth without any connivance at Popery I blesse God that in the midst of these publick distractions I have still liberty to communicate and may this Sacrament be my damnation if my heart doe not joyne with my lips in this Protestation The Countesse of Darby held out Latham House against a considerable force of the Parliaments for neer 18 weeks The besiegers hearing of Prince Ruperts advance for the Countesses reliefe drew off from the siege upon which they sally out and did great Execution upon the Enemy The Parliament at Westminster Vote it treason for any Member of either House to desert them and goe to the King and the Member or Members so doing never to be receiv'd more into the House In June 1644. Collonell Massey summons Malborrough which was commanded by Collonell Hen. Howard who refusing to deliver it up to him causes a Great battery and with some Great Ordinance forc't his passage who with much Courage enters the Towne put the Enemy to flight and took above a hundred prisoners Sir William Waller with a body of Horse and foote attends the Kings motion from place to place and neere Crepida bridge the Kings Horse faced Sir William and Charg'd them through and through kill'd 150 men and took all his Traine of Artillery together with diverse considerable Officers prisoners The King presently marches to Bath with intent to follow the Earle of Essex who was gone that way On the 23 of July 1644. he came to Kingsmore and by the first of August came to Liskard some few miles distant where he encompast the Earle of Essex his Army his Majesty and Prince Maurice at Boneke on the one side Sir Richard Greenvill in Bodnim and Sir Jacob Astley at Hall The Kings Souldiers were very desirous to fight but it was thought more convenient to keep them up from provisions In eight dayes attendance very little was performed but some small skirmishes of Horse a party of 1500 foote was sent West to prevent all provisions coming that way Essex his Army marcht toward Foy leaving most of their great Pieces behind them the King followed and fell in upon the reare forc't them to retire in disorder and had not night prevented in all probability the whole Army had been destroyed The next morning Early the Earle of Essex quit his command and went by boate to Plimouth They require a Parly and chose Collonell Barkley Collonell Whichcot and Collonell Butler on the Parliaments party On the Kings side Prince Maurice the Lord Generall and the Lord Digby in eight Articles the agreement was made to deliver up all their Artillery with all their bag and baggage no person under the degree of a Corporall to weare any kind of weapon all Officers above onely sword and pistoll There were accordingly deliver'd up 49 Pieces of Brasse Ordinance 200 barrells of powder with bullet and match proportionable 9000 Armes for Horse and foote some thousands of the common Souldiers were immediately upon their desire entertain'd in his Majesties service Essex endeavoureth to excuse it to the Parliament as if by reason of Wallers not pursuing the Kings Army Yet notwithstanding this Great Victory the King sends a Message to both Houses of Parliament for a peace and likewise a Letter to the Earle of Essex to the same purpose The Nobility likewise subscribe a Letter to the Earle of Essex The King from Tavestoke sends another Letter to both Houses for an accommodation but the Parliament were so averse that nothing could prevaile The Parliament at Oxford met againe but unfortunately they fell into divisions and factions