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
God that you doe take those courses that are best for the good of the Kingdom and your own Salvations Bishop of London Will your Majesty though it be very well known what your Majesties affections are to Religion yet because it may be expected that You should say somewhat declare your self for the Worlds satisfaction in that point KING I thank you very heartily my Lord for that I had almost forgotten it In troth Sirs My Conscience in Religion I think is very well known to all the World and therefore I declare before you all That I die a Christian according to the profession of the Church of England as I found it left to Me by My Father and this honest * Pointing to the Bishop man I think will witnesse it Then turning to the Officers He said Sirs excuse Me for this same I have a good cause and I have a gracious God I will say no more Bishop of London There is but one Stage more This Stage is turbulent and troublesome it is a short one But You may consider it will soon carry You from Earth to Heaven and there You shall finde a great deal of cordial joy and comfort KING I goe from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be no disturbance in the World The Bishop You are exchanged from a temporal to an eternal Crown a good exchange Then the King after some short and servent ejaculations in private with hands and eyes lift up to Heaven immediately stooping down laid His neck upon the Block And then the Executioner appointed to give the fatal blow putting His hair under His Cap the King said Stay for the signe And after a very little pause stretching forth His hands the Executioner at one blow severed His Head from His Body and he changed a troublesome life for a quiet death His body was put in a Coffin covered with black Velvet and from thence carried to his House at St. James's where it was put in a Coffin of Lead laid there to be seen by the people On Wednesday the 7th of Feb. his Corpses was delivered to two of his servants to be buried at Windsor whether the next day The Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hartford the Earls of Lindsey and Southampton together with Dr. Juxon and divers others repaired where with much difficulty they finde a Vault in St. Georges Chappell where King Henry the Eighth was formerly buried which being prepared a small piece of Lead some two foote long and two inches broad was provided on which was inscribed King CHARLES 1648. which was sawdred to the brest of the Corpse all things being in readinesse the Corpse was brought to the Vault by the Souldiers of the Garrison over which was a black Velvet Hearse-Cloth which was supported by foure Lords the Bishop of London stood weeping by then was it deposited in silence and sorrow the Hearse-Cloth being cast in after it FINIS A Table of the principall things contained in this BOOK A. BIsnop Andrews death 15 Sir Robert Anstruther sent Ambassadour into Germany 25 Lord Audly Arraigned and condemn'd 26 Bishop Abbots death 27 Articles of the Church consented to in ireland 30 Articles betwixt the Scots and English 38 Armes atrive from Holland for the King 69 Armyes Declaration 133 Their second Declaration 167. Their reasons for secluding the Members 169 Petition for Justice on the Capitall offenders ibid B. Buckingham accus'd of Treasen by Gondamore 4. Sent into Holland 10. accuses Digly 12. His Voyage for Reliefe of Rochell 16. 1s stabd by Felton 19. Interd at Westminster 20 Judge Barkleys aresting in the Kings Bench. 47 Bucking ham shire Petition for Mr. Hamden 60 Blake executed for treachery 79 Bransord fight 80 Browns successes at Abbington 97 Brereton Victorious 105 Barwick surprized 142. C. King Charles borne 1. Created Duke of York ib. Goes into Spaine 2. Arrives safe home 3. Proclaimed King of Great Brittaine 6. Espousd to Henneretta Maria. 7. Summons a Parliament ibid. His Speech 8. Adjournes the Parliament to Oxford 9. In want ibid. And dessolves them 10. His Coronation 11. Calls a second Parliament ibid. His Speech in the House 12. Dissolves the Parliament 13. Assists the French 14. His speech to the Queens attendants ibid. Summons a third Parliament 17. Grants the Petition of Right 19. Speech in the Lords House 23. Dissolves the Parliament 24. Visited with the small Pox 27. Goes into Scotland ibid. His care for the service of God in Scotland 28. Sends an Army to suppresse the Scots 36. Summons a fourth Parliament 39. He addresses himself to the City for money 41. Rayses a second Army against the Scots ibid Speech to the long Parliament 44. Speech in the Banqueting House 46. He breaks the Dutch match to them 47. Passeth the Bill for Trieniall Parliaments ibid. Vindicates the Earl of Strafford 49. Goes into Scotland 54. Appoints Essex Generall ib. Returnes from Scotland 55. Charges the five Members with high treason 57. Goes to the House to demand them 59. Goes to Hampton Court 61. Thence to Dover 62. Comes back to Greenwich thence to Theobalds 62. Sends to the House of his Intentions for Ireland 64. Demands Hull 65. Speech to the Gentry of Yorkshire ibid. Sends out Commissions of Array 69. His speech to the Nobility and Gentry at York 70. Besieges Hull ib. Hepublishes his Grand Declaration at York 72. Sets up his Standard 73. Sends a Message from Nottingham ibid. Sets up a Mint at Shrewsbury 75. Summons Glocester 86. Summons a Parliament at Oxford 90. Receives the Sacrament at Oxford 91. Sends a Message for peace 93. Dissolves the Parliament at Oxford 94. Flies to Leicester 104. Sends Propositions for peace 109. Flies disguisd to the Scots Army 110. Sends a Message from Newcastle 114. Comes to Holmbey 116. Desires to come to London 118. comes to Newmarket 119. Removd to Causum 120. Thence to Woborne 121. Removd to Hampton Court 122. Flies to the Isle of Wight 126. his Letter to the House 150. Sent a Letter to the Generall 133. Letter to the Lords 134. He earnestly presses a personall Treaty 135. is discontented 139. sends an answer to the Parliaments Message 150. sends a Message to the House 157 conveyd to Hurst Castle 168 brought to Windsor 170. brought to St. James's 171 His first dayes Triall 172 second dayes Triall 179 third dayes Triall 181. last dayes Triall 183. sentence 188. his reasons against the Court 189. Committee appointed to consider of Execution 191. Jan. 30. 1648. appointed for his execution 193. His speech on the scaffold 194. He 's executed 198. Inter'd at Windsor 199 Cades Voyage 10 Mr. Cooks Insolent speech in the House 11 Mr. Crew sent to the Tower 40 County of York petition the King 64 City of London set up Chaines and Posts 76. Petition the Parliament 141 Cirencester for the Parliam 81 Covenant Taken throughout the Kingdome 87 Countesse of Darby holds out Latham House 91 Coruish Hugg 92 Lieutenant
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
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
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
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
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
fatall day he prays and receives the Sacrament and at ten a Clock attended by a Regiment of foote and his Guard of Partisons with Bishop Juxson on one hand and Colonell Tomlinson on the other walks afoote through the Parke as they were going he bids them goe faster telling them he now went before them to strive for a heavenly Crowne with less solicitude then he had oftentimes bid his Souldiers to fight for an earthly Diadem he goes into his Cabinet Chamber at White Hall continuing in his devotions refusing to dine but about twelve a Clock he eat a bit of bread and drank a glasse of claret wine neere one of the Clock he was convey'd through the Banqueting-house and past through the great window upon the scaffold covered with black where he beheld two Executioners disguisd with vizards the Ax and Block ready which nothing affrighted him he addrest himself to Colonell Tomlinson as followeth I Shall be very little heard of any body else I shall therefore speak a word unto you here Indeed I could have held My peace very well if I did not think that holding My peace would make some men think that I did submit to the guilt as well as to the punishment But I think it is My duty to God first and then to My Countrey to clear My Self both as an honest man a good King and a good Christian I shall begin first with My innocency and in troth I think it not very needfull for Me to insist long upon this for all the World knows that I never did begin a War with the two Houses of Parliament and I call God to witnesse to whom I must shortly make an account that I never did intend to incroach upon their Priviledges they began upon Me it is the Militia they began upon they confest that the Militia was Mine but they thought it fit for to have it from Me and to be short if any body will look to the dates of Commissions of their Commissions and Mine and likewise to the Declarations he will see clearly that they began these unhappy troubles not I so that as for the guilt of these Enormous crimes that are laid against Me I hope that God will clear Me of it I will not for I am in charity and God forbid that I should lay it upon the two Houses of Parliament there is no necessity of either I hope they are free of this guilt but I believe that ill Instruments between them Me have been the chief cause of all this bloodshed so that as I finde My self clear of this I hope and pray God that they may too yet for all this God forbid that I should be so ill a Christian as not to say that Gods judgements are just upon me Many times he doth pay Justice by an unjust sentence that is ordinary I will only say this That an unjust * Earl of Strafford sentence that I suffered for to take effect is punished now by an unjust sentence upon Me so far I have said to shew you that I am an Innocent man Now for to shew you that I am a good Christian I hope there is * Poiating to Dr. Juxen B. of London a good man that will bear Me witnesse That I have forgiven all the World and even those in particular that have been the chief causers of My Death who they are God knows I doe not desire to know I pray God forgive them But this is not all My charity must goe further I wish that they may repent for indeed they have committed a great sin in that particular I pray God with St. Stephen That this be not laid to their charge and withall that they may take the right way to the peace of the Kingdom for My charity commands Me not only to forgive particular men but to endeavour to the last gasp the peace of the Kingdom So Sirs I doe wish with all My Soul Turning to some that wrote I see there are some here will carry it further that they may endeavour the peace of the Kingdom Now Sirs I must shew you both how you are out of the way and put you in a way first you are out of the way for certainly all the way you ever have had yet as far as I could finde by any thing is in the way of Conquest certainly this is an ill way for Conquest in My opinion is never just except there be a good and a just cause either for matter of wrong or a just Title and then if you goe beyond the first quarrel that you have that makes it unjust at the end that was just at first For if there be only matter of Conquest then it is a great Robbery as a Pirate said to Alexander that he was the great Robber himself was but a pety Robber and so Sirs I doe think for the way that you are in you are much out of the way Now Sirs for to put you in the way believe it you will never go right nor God will never prosper you untill you give God his due the King his due that is my Successour and the people their due I am as much for them as any of you You must give God his due by regulating rightly his Church according to the Scripture which is now out of order and to set you in a way particularly now I cannot but only this A National Synod freely called freely debating among themselves must settle this when every opinion is freely and clearly heard For the King Indeed I will not the Laws of the Land will clearly instruct you for that therefore because it concerns My own particular I only give you a touch of it For the people Truly I desire their liberty and freedom as much as any body whomsoever but I must tell you That their liberty and their freedom consists in having Government under those Laws by which their Lives and their Goods may be most their own It is not in having a share in the Government that is nothing pertaining to them A Subject and a Soveraign are clean different things and therefore untill you doe that I mean That you doe put the people into that liberty as I say certainly they will never enjoy themselves Sirs It was for this that now I am hither come for if I would have given way to an Arbitrary way for to have all Laws changed according to the power of the Sword I needed not to have come here and therefore I tell you and I pray God it be not laid to your charge That I am the Martyr of the people In troth Sirs I shall not hold you any longer I will only say this to you That I could have desired some little time longer because I would have put this that I have said in a little better order and have had it a little better digested then I have done and therefore I hope you will excuse Me. I have delivered my Conscience I pray
February 1647. they were carried to his Majesty by Major Generall Browne and the Scotch Commissioners who were to bring an answer in six dayes upon the Receit of the Propositions he desired to know whether they were the same with those he received at Newcastle it was answered there was onely some little alterations as to persons that served him in the late war then he desired to know of the Scotch Commissioners if they concur'd they answer'd they did His Majesty said they were matters of Great concernment and requir'd serious consideration but he would take care that they should have an answer within the time limited The Committee and Commissioners order 6000 foote 2400 Horse and 500 Dragoones to be sent into Ireland and care was taken to provide all necessary provisions The Commons likewise Order a moneths Gratuity to be given to the Army They likewise Vote a standing Army of 18000 foote 7200 Horse and a 1000 Dragoones be kept up as a standing Army for England An answer came from his Majesty which was by the House Voted not satisfactory The Commons took into consideration the Actions of diverse Eminent Citizens in London tending to a new war Vote a Charge of high nature be brought in and the Lord Mayor Alderman Adams Alderman Langham Alderman Bunce and Sheriffe Cullam with diverse other active Citizens were taken into Custody diverse Lords were committed to the Black Rod as the Earle of Lincolne Earle of Suffolke Lord Barkley Lord Willowby Lord Maynard Lord Hunsden September the 28. 1647. The Commons once more Vote to send to his Majesty and to that purpose they considered of severall Propositions That about Religion being the maine thing They also Vote his Majesty be desired to give his consent to such Act or Acts of Parliament as shal be presented to him for setling of Presbyterian Government according to the matter of severall Ordinances of Parliament for the Directory or Church Government to continue for the space of three yeares from the time that the King shall give his consent to such Act or Acts. They likewise Voted the Common-prayer-booke shall not be used in private The Souldiers about his Majesty are very civill permitting his Majesty to Hunt with the Duke of Richmond Marquesse of Hartford Marquesse of Ormond Earle of Southampton and diverse others of the Nobility without any Interruption His Majesty sent a Letter to the Generall desiring his Children to stay with him a night or two it being too great a Journey to goe and come to St James's in a day which he communicates to the Parliament They Order the Earle of Northumberland to satisfie his Majesty about his Children The Heads of the Propositions agreed upon by both Houses to be presented to his Majesty were these 1. The Militia for twenty yeares in the hands of Parliament or Committee of Parliament in Intervalls 2. Money be raised to pay the publique debts of the Kingdome 3. All Honours bestowed by his Majesty since the 22 of May 1642. to be Null and Voyd 4. Nulling his Majesties Great Seale and confirming that of the Parliament 5. Totally to abolish Bishops and their Hierarchy roote and branch 6. All their Lands to be sould for the payment of publique debts and other necessary Charges of the Kingdome 7. Make voyd the cessation of Ireland 8. The Election of all the Chiefe Officers of trust as Treasurer Admirall be by Parliament and they to hold during their good behaviour The Deputy of Ireland to be appointed by Parliament and to hold during pleasure 9. The Presbyterian Government to be settled as to the Religious service of God 10. The Treaties betwixt England and Scotland be confirm'd as it is now agreed 11. Justices of peace and Sheriffs to be Chosen by Grand Jury men 12. That his Majesty restore all such servants to their places as have been put out for adhering to the Parliament 13. That his Majesty passe an Act for the sale of Deane and Chapters Lands and the money to be dispos'd of as both Houses of Parliament shall think fit 14. That his Majesty shall not give pardon of Life to seven excepted persons 15. That his Majesty passe an Act for the dis-forresting all the Forrests and Chases in England 16. That his Majesty passe an Act for securing the arreares of the Souldiers of the Army and all other Souldiers that have serv'd the Parliament and those arreares to be payd out of the Remainder of Bishops Lands 17. That the Count of Wards be null and that his Majesty have 50000 l. per Annum in lieu of it 18. A period may be set to this Parliament All which being Granted His Majesty the Queene and Prince to Enjoy their revenues and the King to Governe The Commons order diverse of his Majesties old servants be discharg'd and that there be a stricter Guard then usuall The Scotch Commissioners sent a Letter to the House of the deep sense of his Majesties Imprisonment withall desiring his Majesty may come to London to treat with Honour Freedome and Safety and advise that it would withall be the most profitable and effectuall meanes for attaining of a happy peace and setling Religion the Restoring of his Majesty to his just Rights and continuing and strengthning a good understanding with both Nations Which Letter was layd aside News was brought to the House that his Majesty had made an escape out of his restraint from Hampton Court The manner thus November 11. 1647. He according to his custome withdrew himselfe to be private a little before Evening prayer staying somewhat longer then was usuall it was taken notice of yet at first without suspition but he not coming forth suddenly there were feares which increased by the Crying of a Grayhound severall times within in the room and upon search it was found that the King was gone and by the way of Paradice a place so call'd in the garden much about the close of the Evening He left on the Table three Papers one to the Parliament one to the Commissioners and a third to Colonell Whaly one of them was as followeth Liberty being that which in all times hath been but especially now is the condition the aym and desire of all men common reason shews that Kings lesse then any should endure captivity yet I call God to witnesse with what patience I have endur'd a tedious restraint which so long as I had any hopes that this sort of my suffering might conduce to the peace of my Kingdomes or the hindring of more effusion of blood I did willingly undergoe but now finding by too certaine proofes that this my continued patience must not onely turne to my personall ruine but likewise be of more prejudice then furtherance to the publique good I thought I was bound as well by naturall as politicall obligations to seeke my safety by retiring my selfe sometime from the publique view both of my friends and enemies and I appeale to all indifferent men to judge if I have not
just cause to free my selfe from the hands of those who change their principles with their condition and who are not asham'd openly to Intend the destruction of Nobility by taking away their negative voyce and with whom the Levellers Doctrine is rather countenanc't then punisht and for their Intentions to my person their charging and putting more strict Guards upon me with the discharging most of all those servants of mine who formerly they willingly admitted to waite on me doe sufficiently declare nor would I have this my retirement mis-interpreted for I shall earnestly and uncessantly endeavour these things for a safe well-grounded peace where ever I am or shall be and that as much as may be without the effusion of more Christian blood for which how many times have I desired yea prest to be heard yet no ear given me and can any reasonable man thinke that according to the ordinary course of affaires there can be a setled peace without it or that God will blesse those who refuse to heare their own King surely no. Nay I must further add that besides what concernes my selfe unlesse all other chiefe Interests have not onely a hearing but likewise just satisfaction given unto them to wit the Presbyterians Independents Army those who have adhered to me and even the Scots I say there cannot I speake not of miracles it being in my opinion a simple perswasion in such cases to expect or trust to them be a safe and lasting peace Now I cannot deny but that as my personall security is the urgent cause of my retirement so I call God to witnesse that the publique peace is no lesse before my eyes and I can finde no better way to expresse this my profession I know not what a wiser man can do then by desiring and urging that all chiefe Interests may be heard to the end each may have satisfaction as for example the Army for the rest though necessary yet I suppose are not difficult to content ought in my judgement to injoy the Liberty of their consciences and to have an act of oblivion and Indempnity which shall extend to all the rest of my Subjects and that all their arreares shall be speedily and duly payd this I will undertake to doe so I may be heard and that I may not be hindred from using such lawfull and honest meanes as I shall choose To conclude Let me be heard with freedome Honour and safety and I shall instantly breake through this cloud of retirement and shall shew my felfe ready-to be Pater Patriae Charles R. His absence struck all into amazement The Parliament order his neere attendance to be under restraint untill examination all the Sea-ports to be layd to prevent his Majesties Transportation They likewise Voted that whosoever shall conceale his Majesty shall forfeit Life and estate Every one was big with Expectation to know what was become of his Majesty On the 15 of October 1647. Information was brought to the House that his Majesty was safe at the Isle of Wight and had put himselfe into the protection of Colonell Hamond then Governour of the Island His Majesty told the Governour that there was a designe against his person which moved him to fly thither for safety The Lords and Commons were well satisfied with his Majesties being there and Order those servants that attended him at Hampton Court to attend him there On the 18 of November his Majesty sent a Letter to the Parliament and another to the Scotch Commissioners giving them to understand of his being as he apprehended in more safety there then at Hampton Court and doth professe his readinesse as to an agreement and though he cannot consent to alter the Government by Archbishops and Bishops neither as a Christian because Apostolicall nor as a King because at his Coronation he swore to maintaine this order yet he is willing to consent that their power be so limited that they be not grievous to tender Consciences For the sale of Church Lands he accounts it sacriledge that it subverts the Intent of the Donors discourages learning He is willing Presbytery be continued for three yeares provided those that cannot concur be not oblig'd and that a free debate be had with the Divines at Westminster and twenty that he shall appoint to resolve how Church Government hereafter shall be setled with full Liberty to all that differ yet without toleration of Popery Atheisme or blasphemy He is willing to put the Militia both by Sea and Land to be disposed of by his two Houses or who they shall appoint for his Reigne provided it returne to his Successors that it be limited to suppresse disturbance in this Kingdome and against forraine Invasion and that the power goe from his Majesty by Grant of Patent to those that act He is willing and consenting to the payment of the arreares of the Army and that he will undertake to raise 400000 l. in eightteen moneths and if that will not doe he is willing to give way for the sale of Forrest Lands and for payment of other debts his Majesty is willing to passe such an Act as both Houses shall consent to He is willing the Parliament doe choose privie Councellers during his Reigne provided they have their Pattent from him He is willing the Court of Wards be taken away provided there be a valuable consideration allow'd and that care may be had of his Children who were by that Court cared for And that the memory of these late sad distractions may be quite wiped away he is willing to Null all Oaths Declarations Proclamations against both or either Houses of Parliament or any Inditement against any for adhering to them And his Majesty offers as the best expedient an Act of oblivion to all his subjects And although his Majesty cannot in Honour and Justice make voyd all his Acts and Grants under his Seale since the 22 of May 1642. yet he doubts not but upon perusall to give full satisfaction to his two Houses in that And thus he conceives he hath satisfied all Interests for other things that may be propos'd to him from both Houses of Parliament on his part he moves earnestly for a personall Treaty at London all which being done he believes the Houses will thinke it reasonable to thinke of such Proposalls as were made by the Army touching the succession of Parliaments and their due Election For the Kingdome of Scotland he is ready to give satisfaction to what shall be propounded Not long after the Scots sent a Letter to the Parliament that they Regret that no answer is given to their Letter and that they are inform'd that Propositions are to be sent without allowing any competent time to consider They take notice of his Majesties being carried from Holmbey and his just cause of going from Hampton Court And in regard the Kingdome of Scotland are highly concern'd in the safety of his Majesties person and in duty bound to doe their best to