them put them to a retreat and slew some few without any losse to our party who drew off expecting the opportunity of a greater strength About this time Sir John Winter entred upon the Government of Newnham whereupon he took the courage to plunder the Villages neare Gloucester his Horse came within three miles of the City and drove away store of the Countrey cattle The Governour receiving intelligence drew forth his small number of Horse not exceeding seventy made after and pursued them to the entrance of their new Garrison where they had already secured their plunder in the retreat five Troops of the Lord Herberts Regiment fell on the reare our men drew up in a narrow lane ready to receive the charge fired upon them and put them to a running retreat An Officer with twelve Troopers made the pursuit took one horse colours and some prisoners and killed a Cornet and Quartermaster which event made Sir Iohn Winter for present quit that government with much distraction At that time there was no lofty stage of action because the present enemy did yeeld no gallant opportunity Sir Iohn Winter was wise for himselfe nimble in inferiour businesses delighted rather in petty and cunning contrivance then open gallantry referred all his industry to his own house or the limits of the Forrest vexed his neighbours more then weakned his enemy and advanced the Catholike Cause no other way then by the plague and ruine of the Countrey On the other side of the City the enemy was imboldned to erect new Governments at Tedbury and Wotton Underedge These did invite the Governours march that way who withall had his eye upon Beversione Castle newly garrisond and commanding the rich Clothiers of Stroodwater hither he advanced with a party of three hundred foot and foure score horse These horse sent before were so formidable to the enemy at Tedbury that the Governour Horatio Cary with his whole Regiment were put to flight and dissipated with the losse of fourteene of their men slaine and taken prisoners Colonell Massey brought up his men and two Sakers against Beverston Castle where having surrounded it hee planted his Guns within Pistoll shot of the Gate and gave fire severall times Fifty Musketiers ran up to the Gate at noone-day and fixed a Petarre which neverthelesse failed in the execution Those from within threw Granodoes amongst our men but hurt none who although thereby forced from the Gate yet they ran up the second time being open to the full shot of a secure enemy and brought of the Petarre with much gallantry The design was not feazible for a quick dispatch for the Gate was barricado'd within the night came on and those remote parts did promise no security to so small a party likewise the state of the City required them nearer home wherefore after twelve houres the party was drawn off and in the retreat advanced towards Wotton Underedge where the enemy had placed a kind of temporary Garrison with a Regiment of horse they prepared for the coming of our Forces drew up on a Hill before the Town to face them and at night retreated to their Garrison Where our men arrived somewhat late and found the enemy all mounted sell upon them and put them to flight of whom about six were slaine and twelve taken prisoners the rest escaping to Bristoll The next day by an over-ruling hand of providence our party was led back to Gloucester contrary to the hope of Sir Iohn Winter and his Complices These having intelligence of the Governours absence with a stronge party and supposing the Garrison thereby weakned sent to all the quarters of the Forrest Monmouth and Herefordshire to draw together and advance for the surprisall of Gloucester It was afterwards suspected a complotment to be managed by the assistance of Malignants in the City Late at night the Governour had notice of the enemy in the Forrest Thereupon he commanded Captain Crispe to draw fifty Musketiers from the Guards and march three miles that way making good a house that stood on the passage As yet there was no suspition of a Plot but before our party had passed a mile and halfe they encountred the enemy who were drawn up Horse and Foot in a broad lane neare Highnam House instantly fired upon them slew a Captaine and some foure common souldiers The enemy were amazed at the sudden and unexpected encounter forced back with feare and retreated to Huntly where Sir Iohn Winter had secured his own person But distracted by the strange repulse marched off in great confusion at the approach of fifteene horse that fell in amongst the whole Brigade slew seven or eight and took ten prisoners This discomfited the enemy and dashed the designe yet the Hereford and Monmouthshiere Forces kept their randevouz at Coford in the Forrest and still threatned the City No meanes for the reducing of this place is left unattempted and at this present treachery was the grand design and over-ruled all their proceedings and prevented many mischievous acts of open hostility which might easily have destroid us for divers Malignant Gentlemen of this County went about to cast this City into extreme poverty and exigence by the Countreys ruine Wherefore conceiving the present enemies not sufficiently cruell they importuned his Majesty that Colonell Charles Gerrard might quarter upon us with his Brigade to devour spoyle and burn besides the expectation of all the mischiefe the Lord Herbort and Vavasour can doe But this malitious councell and instigation though most opportune for the Kings purpose was afterwards crossed by their own party waiting upon the successe of a close design About this time was the act of Pacification made by the King with the Irish Rebels which began to undeceive the world and wipe of the Varnish of the former Oathes and Protestations The world could not believe that any command or power could so soone allay and quell those Irish stormes but that word which raised them up Then did the effect declare the cause of those rare and slow Proclamations against that bloudy Rebellion and strange intercepting of reliefe sent from the State to the distressed Protestants The greatest admirer of the Kings Declarations could judge no lesse then that those Rebells did better comply with his intentions then the Parliament of England since his Majesty having two enemies is resolved to make peace with one to crush the other he will fall in with that party that carries least contradiction to his maine designe and this was the Rebell of Ireland whose chiefe aime likewise his Majesty must not abhorre for there can bee no lasting compliance without a mutuall engagement Besides the heads of that Rebellion were brought over not as accessaries but principals in the Kings warre and admitted to the secret Councell And to colour the Pacification the losse of that Kingdome and all the sufferings of the English Protestants were charged upon the Parliament The English Forces in Ireland were possest with the opinion of
Seaverne supposing the Earle of Essex at hand to assault the other side but were meerely deluded by a false Message from the Enemy with a signall accordingly given at which instant of time Prince Rupert arrived at Worcester By meanes of this deceit the Horse rush upon an Ambuscado when through the straightnesse of the passage first over a Bridge then through a narrow Lane neither the Reare could be brought up nor the Van make a Retreat 'T was an hot skirmish and performed with sufficient gallantry on our part by them that came up where persons of value were slaine and taken the rest wholly routed and fled in confusion farre beyond the reach of a persuite This Victory was of great consequence to the Enemy because the Omen and first fruits of the warre Upon this the Kings forces hearing of the approach of the Parliament Army immediately quitted the Towne so they shifted from place to place since their inconsiderable number would scarce allow them to erect any Garrison yet they encreased by their motion and quick dispatch gathered the strength of the Countries as they passed along and withall overcame the contempt of their small numbers and by frequent execution gained the repute of a Party not easily to be vanquished This they acted while the Parliament Army lay still or marched according to the slow paces of a greater Body The day after the Skirmish the Earle of Essex entred Worcester with his whole Power and there continued a moneths space sent forth severall Parties as the Lord Stanford to Hereford to prevent the Forces of South-wales whilst the King lay about Shrewsbury and raised himselfe to such an Army as was able to deale with and endanger that maine power raised by the Parliament After the famous Battaile at Edge-hill the first large field of bloud in these Civill Warres though the Kings Army was there much broken yet his strength increased and multitudes began to looke towards him as one at least-wise possible not to be overcome and in this strange confluence of men His Army seemed like that fabulous generation that sprung out of the teeth of the Cadmean Serpent buried in the earth The neglected Enemy becomes formidable and the Parliament Forces may desire their first advantage but have sufficiently learned that to give the first blow is not against the Law of a defensive warre the hopes of a subitaneous service are lost and the Kingdome is made sensible that their peace and liberty will cost much bloud Both the Armies begin to take up their winter quarters in the most defensible places and for the most part are setled according to the affections and ingagements of the people Colonell Thomas Essex marched into Gloucester with the Command of two Regiments of Foote as Governour of the Towne but as yet the Deputy Lieutenants had the sole Command of the County Foure weekes had not passed in this Government but Colonell Essex was commanded to Bristoll to secure and settle that City of so great concernment both by Sea and Land and at that time much distracted between the well-affected and malignant parties So it was that the Kings Cause and Party were favoured by two extreames in that City the one the wealthy and powerfull men the other of the basest and lowest sort but disgusted by the middle ranke the true and best Citizens Thus the present state of things had taught men to distinguish between the true Commons of the Realme and the dreggs of the people the one the most vehement assertors of Publicke Liberty but the other the first rise of Tyrannicall Government and the foot-stoole upon which Princes tread when they ascend the height of Monarchy In that City many of the rich men were dis-affected to reformed Religion and some more powerfull were conscious of delinquency others upbrayded themselves with their owne publicke disgrace and therefore did much distaste the waies of the Parliament and the needy multitude besides their naturall hatred of good Order were at the devotion of the rich men These therefore began to raise Commotions and hearing of the advance of the Forces from Gloucester flocked together after a tumultuary manner shut up the Gates but chiefly guarded that Port where they expected an entrance would be made and planted many Ordnance against the approach of our men with a full resolution to fire upon them They were expected in the Evening but Colonell Essex had intelligence of these preparations and from a Party within was directed that night to march to another Gate then neglected by the multitude that should be set open this was performed accordingly and betimes in the morning he entred the City with his two Regiments besides great numbers out of this County and in an instant surprized the mutineers and quashed the businesse without drawing of bloud The City of Gloucester was againe left naked till the Earle of Stamford marched hither with his Regiment of Foot and two Troopes of Horse from Hereford the Earle himselfe was commanded into the West upon his first arrivall but his Regiment designed for this City under the command of Lieutenant Colonell Massie first as Deputy Governour under the Lord Stamford afterwards with the power in himselfe which for the space of two yeares and sixe moneths continued an uninterupted and happy Government The providence of God and the felicity of the place so over-ruling that that Country which should endure the brunt fustaine so many violent shocks and beare up under the Kings whole Army should be defended by a Commander whose experience fidelity and valour with indefatigable care and industry might answer the expectation of so great a trust assisted with that Regiment whose very name proved a terrour to the Enemy and long enjoyed the honour of the most ancient Regiment in the Parliament Army though broken torne and worne out with extraordinary duty and service And because the meere pompe of Military preparations and the hopes of a sudden Victory being now past the warre hath put on a blacker visage and the sad effects thereof come home to these parts it is meete to expresse what was the state of the Country at that time The inhabitants of this County had openly engaged themselves in the State service nor as yet had they any thought of repenting though cast into the midst of an inraged Enemy Oxford is the Kings head Garrison Herefordshire possessed by his Forces upon the first removall of the Earle of Stamford into Gloucester Worcester hath already entertained a strength Wales rise on the Kings behalfe by the power of the Lord Herbert the Earle of Essex with his Army is drawne towards London the Parliament Forces in the West have their hands full and there remaine in these parts of the Kingdome onely two broken Regiments at Bristoll which was much distracted by intestine divisions and one Regiment at Gloucester so that the most slender Guard was left upon these parts where the Enemy resolved their chiefe game for the winter action And
endeavour after a smoother path a greater harmony and more exact symmetry of parts whereas the face of things is conscious of more disproportion sometimes a confusion of businesse and the severall scenes may easily swerve from the originall plot but the divided parts drawne in severall are not so constrained and rackt but come naked and more simple and shew that the reason of the same Counsells is one in the Senate or Conclave another in the field discovers the failing or the crosse-working of contrivances how in the midst of action the maine Land-markes are waved and many grand projects never reach their period Out of all which the comparing faculty of a judicious observer may collect the mis-guidance or defects of Policy and see how the pearcing subtilties of wit are broken and shattered by the course of things more knotty rude and and violent and this is the life of History that ought to declare the delinquency of State as well as its accomplishment and perfection If the materialls of the Worke be questioned whether fit to be drawne up into one regular and compacted whole and to make a standing monument we also know that nothing in this kinde is to be thrust upon the world since History doth intend to gratifie the future times with the remembrance of those things onely which prudent men desire and claime from such as pretend an interest and portion in the treasures of knowledge it beares therefore before it nothing more then the thing it selfe gives forth and which may finde acceptance with severer wits for not onely the remarkable changes of the Universe the grand periods of Kingdomes and Common-wealths the chiefe and turning points of State-affaires but particular Plat-formes lives examples and emergent occasions also are to be observed and laid up for posterity More yet those particularities and minute passages are they that come home to mens businesse approach their experience and guide their course but things more grand and lofty seeme to be turned upon the wheeles of Providence too high for the imitation of men The worke of a politick or martiall man is to fixe his designe and then to expect the accomplishment not by one sudden or great atchievement but by a series of many particles and through an infinite variety of emergent occasions and at last the maine turning point falls in by the over-ruling power of the Universall cause such are properly the workes of men into which they ought to enquire and search Besides the chiefe skill is not the generall knowledge of the maine undertaking but a certaine dexterity in meeting every point in working through many mazes and windings since sundry passages of small purport intervene to disturbe or promove it Experience tells that many Universall Schollars are the most uncouth persons to Civill imployment which so happens because they study Bookes more then the course of businesse in which they gaze upon high objects and binde themselves to the riged observance of received Canons that if they venture amongst men upon a slight accident unexpected they sticke in the mire or runne a wrong course We dislike not the taking up of well tryed Principles onely by examples of all sorts must we learne to except and distinguish and by consequence to use or abate the rigour of Politicall Maximes neither doth it seldome come to passe that inferiour things over-rule and a circumstance may be predominant From such a low bottome and meane beginning are great things raised and as their verticle point come in an instant so may they be turned upon a weake and slender hinge yet we meane not those circumstances that are the inseparable attendants of every naturall action but onely such as are worthy and have a morall influence all which shun their understandings who respect onely great and excelse objects which peradventure may flourish with ostentation and pompe but if applyed unto the life of man bring forth an effect like the birth of the Mountaines And here we tender a naked Comentary and true rehearsall of those things as deserve not wholly to be forgotten if it be not full of rare changes which may grace the composure and affect the Reader yet doth it give the full draught of a Martiall command and a true Copy of the things it intends to expresse it hath this advantage it common with others of the like nature that it can come forth to the censure of the present Age without the guilt and shame of mistakes or flatteries Authors more Universall could never gaine to be stiled the Writers of unquestionable verities for they see at a greater distance and by a more obscure and duskey light certainly a nearer approach and some kind of interest is required of him that desires to shew not onely some tarcke and foot-steps but the expresse image of things for whatsoever passes from hand to hand though upon the most undubitable Authority proves at the best but the image of a Picture for the best wit that takes things though upon the surest trust must needs fall short of the Copy by which he writes if not in beauty yet in the truth and life thereof The onely danger in such as are intressed is least they be partiall to their own side or make the Discourse more lofty then the Stage can reach which mischiefe the deliberate thoughts of a serious man can prevent and tell him that the unvayling of the defects and misfortunes of his owne party doth evince the sincerity of the Relation and graceth it with more variety then what the continuall streame of the hight of gallantry and successe can yeeld and which is most of all doth demonstrate that at some times the designe was laid upon the principles of reason and prosecuted with industry whereas continuall victory is attributed to a certaine hidden felicity and the bounty of providence Affection therefore receives a check from that man who is more true to his owne faction and ends then to transgresse against the honour of that worke he takes in hand As for this Military Government the power hereof hath rested in one Command and therefore doth more easily close into a single frame yet not in a smooth and equall straine but distinguished by many rises and falls 't is a branch almost divided from the maine stocke and hath been put to live and act of it selfe neverthelesse a branch still and enlivened by the Authority of the Kingdomes soveraigne power from which it receives an influence both of support and guidance but its distance from the fountaine of power had derived upon the Trustee a more free command and made way for the perfect worke of a souldier both counsell and action which is the surest way to make such commands both active and prosperous The seate hereof lyes in the heart of the enemies Country like a forlorn hope and is maintained not so much for its owne sake or that so much ground might lye under a Parliament Power but to divide the Kings
conscience of a selfe insufficiency the Souldier therefore began to acknowledge the remainder of power which did not appeare contemptible with the Kings Army Hitherto the City hath been lodged in the midst of many out Garrisons as the heart in the body but now it hath enough to doe in its owne safety and the remote parts must be pared off that a liberall nourishment might preserve and foster that place which was the seate and fountain of life unto these parts of the Kingdome Sudeley Castle was deserted the Garrison of Tewksbury which was defended onely with such slender Forces as Gloucester could spare out of its penury before the Enemy fell on the County was already surprised with feare both places could not be maintained when so great a power did urge and heare downe on every side Those of Tewksbury sent an expresse to the City to informe them of the State of their Towne and to request more aide likewise they dispatched Messengers to the Villages round about to acquaint them with the state of things and to try whether the Inhabitants would come in person or send in their Armes but there came neither the one nor the other and itwas resolved by the Counsell of Warre at Gloucester that the Forces Ordnance and Ammunition with all well-affected persons should forth-with repaire thither In the heate of this debate there came an invitation from Worcester by a Letter from Sir William Russell with intimation of conditions of Peace all which disposed that Towne to complyance with the Enemy Hereupon a Common Counsell being held and the Officers present 't was determined that the Gloucester order was to be obeyed The Towne thus deserted was willing to provide for its owne safety and chused rather to obtaine some reasonable termes of Peace then suffer it selfe to be quite ruined wherefore they drew up some Propositions to be sent to Sir William Russell yet before the dispatch they sent to Gloucester a second Message by the Minister of the Towne and an Officer of the Garrison with Sir William Russells Letter and their Answer These promised an early return but failing some houres of the time appointed in the meane while the Propositions were sent to Worcester This Message brought a countermand when there sprung an Alarum that Cirencester was regained and the spoile and prisoners recovered backe for this cause the Souldiers were detained a while but when the report was found untrue of themselves they began to quit the Towne In the Evening the Messenger returned from Worcester with the Propositions granted the subjection seemed unfortunate and dishonourable in them whose affections were engaged to this Cause neither did there appeare a meanes to prevent it for the transmigration of the whole Towne was impossible nor as yet did the condition of the warre require any such thing from one particular place for the Parliaments adherents as also the Malignant Faction did never at once forsake their habitations to be gathered into one body for a suddain conclusion but were brought peece-meale unto action and many lye under covert in the Enemies Country reserving themselves for future service Thus the people entertained gladly those conditions which though performed in part yet were a sufficient bondage did impoverish their spirits coole their zeale of Religion and lessen the former inclination to liberty after which by frequent changes under many Lords they became so feeble that they never durst confide in themselves to vindicate the Towne into its former happinesse but a long time remained averse to the fairest opportunities yea necessities of ingagement and desired an everlasting neutrality The deserting of this Towne encreased the forces of Gloucester by two hundred Foot and Dragoones and tooke off the feare of a greater mischiefe for though the quitting of the place caused us to resent our great distresse yet the taking thereof would have confounded our thoughts and hazarded the maine chance where the whole strength did not lye at stake The enemy breathed out threatnings many false friends sought cunningly to make us affraid the Country-men in generall were taken off who in their jocund beginnings still concluded on the Victory but never prepared for a blow that the whole businesse was dashed at one clap and especially when Cirencester was taken in which they did repose so much trust The issue discovered the weaknesse of the former proceedings in committing the whole fortune of the Country and the lives of so many men to such a poore defence and hazarding the maine rest where the strength of the game could not be managed Besides the Enemy had this great advantage in over-powring the minds of men who since their cause could not lay claime to justice nor themselves procure love sought to prevaile by terrour and by their late cruelties became dreadfull so that such spirits as wanted greatnesse of minde or strong fidelity to persevere did greedily comply with that Party supposing themselves secure from this side at least in respect of a deep personall suffering which supposals were grounded upon the Parliaments lenity and unto which peradventure they were bound that they might gaine affections in a voluntary warre The more zealous and active had no head under whom they might unite and grow strong the power of the Deputy Lieutenants was quite fallen a kind of command suitable onely to the infancy of Military affaires and the whole businesse was devolved on the Souldier whom the people then beheld as the professed servants of fortune and trusted not till after manifold experience so they sunke under the burden and gave up themselves to spoile and rapine The clouds gathered round the City the Enemy lay strong at Cirencester and Tewksbury our men were confined to the Towne walls the workes not halfe finished the Souldier within mutinous and desperate no monies came from the State and but small supplies out of the Country that the vilest mutineers were to be dealt with by intreaty their insolencies to be suffered with patience who tooke so great advantage by our extremity that their humours had a full vent and ran forth into incorrigible wickednesse the City was constrained to free quarter and great disbursements by way of lone and the Governour to use his skill in keeping together the male-contented Souldiers The Army raised in Wales by the power of the Earle of Worcester and his Son the Lord Herbert begins to appeare is designed for Gloucester and comes on at Coford in the Forrest of Deane three miles from Monmouth where Colonell Berrowes Regiment had made a kind of loose Garrison for the defence of the Forrest in an open Towne and with slender preparations Here the Welch fell on but their Officers with strange fury drove our party before them which was borne downe by their multitudes yet with a greater losse on their part divers Officers were slaine and with the rest their Commander in chiefe Sir Richard Lawdy Major generall of South-Wales of ours few slaine but Lieutenant Colonell Winter and some
no power to make them good because his field was too large for that strength and the State made an inconsiderable number of men the only stay of the remote parts These could over-run the enemies Countrey but get no ground master no strong hold nor reduce a people naturally malignant that were dashed at present but did flourish again in the reverse of the Kings Army The next attempt was made upon Worcester whither all the horse and the greatest part of the blue Regiment were drawn They at Oxford were said to have yeelded that Town for lost and to give out that Sir William was gone to take possession of his purchase For at that time Treason was the pretended cause of every losse on both sides especially if weak and unworthy Both horse and foot came up before the City where they lay a day and a night effected nothing and were drawn off at the noise of the Lord Capels advance at which instant Sir William Waller was taken off these parts and ordered to march into the West with all speed to prevent the joyning of Sir Ralph Hoptons forces with the rest of the Kings Army Sir Robert Cooks Regiment was called off from Tewksbury for the Western expedition and that Town once more slighted Hitherto Lievtenant Colonell Massie governed the City of Glocester by deputation from the Earle of Stanford whose returne was not expected wherefore the thoughts of the Citizens began to enquire after a Governour They thought well of a man neare home and cast their eye upon a knowne Patriot Neverthelesse more intelligent men upon the serious review of the Cities continuall hazard found that the necessity of this place did require a tried Souldier and that such a one might possibly be found faithfull but a timorous or unskilfull man must needs ruine all Wherfore they reflected on Massie whose good services gave them also a competent assurance of his fidelity that by the happy choice of the Citizens and the Lord Generals Commission he was appointed Governour To enable the City to defend it selfe a foot Regiment was raised by Commission from Sir William Waller out of the Townsmen for the major part both Officers and Souldiers under the Command of Colonell Henry Stephens The first intention of this Regiment was to defend the City only within the walls according to the infancy of warre but the hard service of this place did suddenly require and exact the full duty of Souldiers At this instant the City was well becalmed only there hapned one passage of inferiour nature but full of the fortune of warre The Governour with a party of an hundred and twenty Horse and Dragoons advanced towards Stow in the wold to beat up the enemies quarters By break of day he fell into Slaughter took a Lievtenant twelve Troopers horse and armes and thence marched to Odington a mile beyond Stow where he surprised a Captaine of a Troop with forty men and horse and so made homewards neglecting the residue of the enemy who drew out of their quarters with all speed The remainder of their Regiment fell upon the reere of our men neare unto Slaughter with some slight execution but were beaten back The Governour being confident he was able to fight with them upon any ground made no haste to march off till the enemy had received a supply of Horse from Sudely Castle and again charged him at Andovers foord whom our men received gallantly and repulsed without any losse The Captaine that led the Van was slain by the Governours hand and the rest wheeled about whereupon the Governour dismounted the Dragoons and divided his men into three bodies the horse to the right and left wing in this posture resolving to march up to the enemy who would gladly rid their hands of the businesse but having advanced a little distance and looking back to bring on his men saw the greater part in a strange hurry occasioned by the faceing about of some cowardly spirits and himselfe with those dismounted men desperately engaged for a while he shuffled amongst the enemies Troopes till observing himself eyed by some he sprang forth fired in their faces and came last off the field upon the maine roade He offended here by affecting too much gallantry and was deceived in his new raised men who were not hardned by the sight of an enemy Besides no ordinary care was had of securing the prisoners who were all recovered back Four of ours were slaine many wounded Colonell Stephens a Lievtenant with five and twenty private souldiers taken prisoners The springing hopes of Colonell Stephens failed unfortunately when his eager minde engaged him in the action without order and against the will of the Commander in chiefe he had no command in the action but hasted after as greedy of the service he was led captive to Oxford and a while after breathed his last in that poysonous ayre where many Gentlemen were observed in those dayes to expire Amidst these things Sir Iohn Winter a zealous Papist began to declare himselfe A subtile wit that pretended innocency till his houre was come and had almost perswaded the world that he durst deny himselfe and commit an unpardonable sinne against the Catholike Cause His house in the Forrest of Deane was at first neglected when it was in the power of this Garrison to ruine his designe But under hand he prepared for defence suddenly clapt in his owne Confidents and with a little labour made it inaccessible but with apparent great losse and maintained his den as the plague of the Forrest and a goad in the sides of this Garrison These things were acted about the time of that blow almost fatall to the Parliaments cause in the vanquishing of Sir William Wallers Army at the Devices which defeat cast these parts of the Kingdome into a miserable plight when the State had placed the whole game in the successe of this Army never providing a reserve The King became master of the field the Parliament left without an Army that could check the enemy who came up to our gates and by threats would seeme to shake the walls of the City Many began to prepare for flight whose presence no reall necessity but the peoples opinion did require They at Bristoll disclosed their feares and gave no good presages And when that City was yeelded Gloucester did stand alone without help and hope The Lord Generals Army pined away Sir William Waller at London for a recruit The Earle of Stamford shut up within the walls of Exeter The Kings Countrey reached from the utmost Cornwall to the borders of Scotland and he was able to divide his Army one part for Exeter and the other for Gloucester That sudden surrender of Bristoll which was almost beyond our feares brought forth a dark gloomy day to the City of Gloucester The mindes of people were filled with amazement and the failing of such a promising Government made most men infidels or at least to question all things But here was
the greatest mischiefe of all Many were not wanting to debate upon the maine cause of the Kingdom malignant spirits took the advantage of our misery and unstable mindes who beholding only the surface of things and led by the common voice of their equals were flushed in prosperous times now became crest-fallen and questioned the passages of State conceiving each miscarriage a fundamentall errour and accounting their present sufferings not for Religion and Liberty but some scruples of State policy The state of things required strong resolution the usuall posture could not pretend to the safety of the place The souldiers therefore acted with mindes more sturdy and vigorous as desperate concerning the enemy but not in despaire of their owne party The Commanders reserved no place of retreat and if causlesse jealousies over-clouded any they put themselves upon a free Declaration The old and carefull souldiers who were unlucky in the censures of the people upon the first arrivall of the sad newes from Bristoll vented themselves in sharp and cutted speeches which bursting from the fulnesse of the thoughts did imprint and pierce were received for good prognosticks and repaired likewise that credit which the presumption of a conceived opinion bore down and an ordinary good behaviour could hardly raise up but happily regained by one violent and severer passage The Officers were to give in a full resolve that no place be left for an after dispute wherefore they vowed never to see within the gates the face of a conquering enemy But chiefly the hearts of the people were to be held up wherefore the Governour appeared in publike rode from place to place with a cheerfull aspect and bearing before him no change in the sudden alteration of fortune To them that enquired into his very thoughts hee gave assurance of safety concealing the danger or lessening its esteem Fear did not beget confusion but things were transacted in a calm and constant order The presages of misery were exquisitely shunned and the least shew of distraction and weaknesse forbidden Money Plate valuable goods or any kinde of riches were not suffered to passe the Gates but here to rest as in a safe Treasury that the people might resolve upon a happy Deliverance or an utter Destruction Neverthelesse whosoever was weak and faint-hearted had leave to depart the City Meane while the enemy dealt underhand and by the mediation of seeming friends affectionately sollicited a Surrender with terrible information of our manifold losses abroad of the rage of the Kings Army and inevirable desolation and withall tendred the opportunity of an Accommodation between his Majesty and the Citizens The mouthes of the viler people were filled with curses against the authours of our engagements We received strange intimations of dreadfull things concerning the State The whole Countrey forsook us and employed some to represent their desires and thoughts of the businesse who in the generall had so farre revolted from themselves as to perswade us to make our peace with the enemy and to befool and execrate our perseverance for they conceived the standing out of Gloucester however advantagious to the Common-wealth yet miserable for them because by the falling down of a great Army they expected a destruction of corn and cattle and if at last the King should not take in this place to stoop perpetually under two burthens and be cast into a remedilesse condition of misery and poverty Whereas if the enemy should prevaile they were sure to rest in the heart of the Kings Countrey farre from spoile and plunder and have as free and ample trade as in times of peace The Citizens examined their own strength and grounds of perseverance a Common Councell was held the Officers being present their late protestation brought to remembrance by which they were all obliged never to act or comply with the adverse faction and upon that pretext joyntly refused the tender of peace Neverthelesse a great number of the Inhabitants were only not malignants but born up by the zeale of the rest and the souldiers power and those stuck most to the businesse who were held up by the deep sense of Religion or acknowledged a necessity to withstand a malicious and enraged enemy whose implacable hatred urged them to offend against their own designs and by horrid threatnings to make the attempt more desperate A den of Rebels was the common language A few dayes respit recovered the City and reports of a sudden reliefe did reare up the spirits of the common people No crosse show or doubtfull resolutions did hinder the businesse all suspended their private cares and the women and children acted their parts in making up the defects of the fortifications The strength of Gloucester was no more then two Regiments of foot an hundred horse with the Trained Bands and a few reformadoes there were besides about an hundred horse and dragoons from Berkley Castle in the whole about fifteen hundred men forty single barrels of gunpowder with a slender artillery The works of a large compasse not halfe perfect From the South-gate eastward almost to the North Port the City was defended with an ancient Wall lined with earth to a reasonable heigth thence to the North-gate with a slender work upon a low ground having the advantage of a stone Barn that commanded severall wayes Vpon the lower part of the City from the North to the West-gate being a large tract of ground there was no ancient defence but a small work newly raysed with the advantage of marish grounds without and a line drawn within from the inner North gate under the Colledge wall to the Priory of St Oswálds From the West towards the South gate along the River side no more defence then the River it selfe and the meadowes beyond levell with the Town from the Castle to the Southport a firme and lofty work to command the high ground in the Suburbs The ditches narrow but watered round In this posture did the City stand when the Kings forces hovoured over the hills and now and then skirted upon the Town before a close siege was laid upon the tenth of August they came down like a torrent full of victory and revenge with indignation that a forlorne City should stand before them Neverthelesse they would faine overcome without bloud and the losse of time then pretious in their full career of victory For which end His Majesty came in person before it that the terror of his presence might prevaile with some and the person of the King amaze the simple and seem to alter the case Thus they began to work because the Mayor had answered a former summons from Prince Rupert that according to his Oath he kept the Town in His Majesties behoof and some whisperers gave a malignant intimation that the Kings presence would sway the people And it was so that the Town was held for the use of His Majesty but according to the sense of the houses of Parliament and the Citizens put no difference between
fifteenth of February the 〈◊〉 time is come nine of the clocke at night is the houre appointed the guards are to be drawn off from the further Bridge and the Sentinells to be taken in Prince Rupert is to advance with fifteen hundred horse and foot and it would be very satisfactory if Captaine Brickhouse met them with his own Troop pretending to beat up a horse quarters but this they urge not it it be found inconvenient In the evening a Messenger is dispatched from Gloucester to the Enemies quarters with the watch word for their assurance and some private directions for their march up the Town while himselfe waited at the Gate which he undertook to set open if they came by nine of the clock or within half an houre-after After the messengers dispatch the ports were shut up round the City carefull Sentinells set The Governour called a councell of War acquainted the Officers with the Plot gave order that aswell Citizens as Souldiers should continue that night in Armes drew to the Westgate three peeces of Ordnance and a strong guard of Musketiers well provided with Granadoes and commanded foure stout men in a boate under Ouers Bridge halfe a mile distant from the gate to lie under the maine Arch with direction that upon the firing of the first Ordnance they should out a cable rope which being done the Bridge would fall into the River By which meanes they had all been killed drowned or taken being cooped up in an Island open to our shot without possible meanes of escape In this preparation and posture we continued all night watching the time to have delivered our selves from the future mischiefe of such bloud thirsty Enemies They advanced with their whole body of horse and foot but before they came within a mile and a halfe of the City it was open day when having lost the time by the slownesse of their manch they durst not come on but instantly retreated to Newent from thence Captaine Backhouse was informed by letters of the reason of their faylings which induced us to believe that the Enemy did not yet know that their designe was destroyed Wherefore we indeavoured secrecy and the next day suffered no man to passe the ports desired to salve the matter and bring them on once more but the whole frame quickly fell asunder though the languishing enemy gave some cold entertainment to a few patching letters because they were ashamed to acknowledge such a strong delusion As they had all justly perished in their own hellish mischiefe so are they deservedly branded with notorious folly in the whole mannage and the chiefe undertakers might have learned not to indulge their hopes of faire conclusion by their own subtilty cogitations and the shew of a neate contrivance when nothing beneath a like mutuall engagement and strong necessity doth deserve assurance and confidence Neverthelesse the pregnant hopes of this maginary treason as it brought forth a lie to the contrivers thereof so it wrought much good for this garrison and the common service of the State The imbracing of the motion held up the desires of the enemy and made them lesse active elsewhere It preserved the Country till our succours came which were every day expected Neither was this plot the cause that the power of the enemy did beare hard on the Countrey for here was the confluence of their Winter quarters but since we must beare their burden it made it the lesse grievious 'T was impossible to keep out an Enemy but all the skill was to allay his fury and hinder the acting of mischiefe which was carried on with violence by the Malignant Gentry and that party that were not privy to or disliked the Plot inso much that Sir William Vavasour was complained of reviled and cursed and at once lost the opportunity of action and advancement in the Kings Service The Enemy swarmes in every corner except the County of the City and Whitstone hundred that each day creates new troubles and the Governour constrained on one side or other continually to draw out strong parties to defend our selves maintaine our Markets and incourage that part of the Country which is yet clear All advantages were taken to ingage the people and herein did the Governors industry put forth it selfe in setling the Country in a posture of defence when the command of the City did not reach above three miles some wayes and not above seaven miles on the best side At severall Randezvouzes published the nationall Covenant and Declaration of both Kingdomes expressing their mutuall care of repayring our breaches and perseverance in their maine undertaking which gave great satisfaction to such as were damnityed in this cause and confirmed unto them the vigor and strength of the Parliament By which meanes the nearer parts became wholly ours not only yeilding a supply of maintenance but engaging themselves on their own and our defence And some of them that did not seem to confide in the State were drawne in being first enraged by the Enemeis cruelty which discontent and desire of revenge the Governour cherished and raised to an open Declaration and unawares of the multitude put them beyond the hopes of a faire retreate So that these men observed the Enemy upon every motion sent alarms to the City and in a great part took off the feare of a sudden surprizall Amidst these things the expectation of the London supply and the dayly hopes of money strongly upheld the common Souldiers by a meere delusion its delay became a greater advantage since its reall strength had before bin crumbled to dust No part of the Kingdome was capable of better service by a considerable number yet a meane and slender reliefe did not onely not shake off the burthen but disgrace the businesse and contract and sinke the mindes of men when hope doth enlarge and beare up The Governour therefore advised the stay of the Convoy and was willing to expect such a party as might inable him to beare off the Enemy fifteen miles round about Want of Ammunition was the greatest exigence and the preserving thereof till a supply came was the maine hinderance of all designes Neverthelesse we had perpetuall Bickerings that the Enemy might not grow upon us and our dayly nimble performances were unto them as a continuall dropping Amongst others a party of horse and Dragooners issued forth as far as Marshfield fell upon a Troope of horse quarters there and brought thence a Lieutenant Cornet and Quartermaster with a few common prisoners and such horse and Armes as the Troop did yeild Whilst Colonell Ueales foot and the Lord Incheequeenes horse lay in and about Berkely and sorely oppressed the Country we fell into a horse quarter of Incheequeenes Regiment and took a Major and two Captaines three Lieutenants two Cornets with two Colours and other inferior Officers and Souldiers to the number of three and twenty all this while the strength of the Kings army is lodged between us and Warwick to intercept
losse advance to the further parts where they kept their Randevouze and which they laide wast plundering the houses to the bare walls driving all the cattell siezing upon the persons of men and sending them Captives to Monmouth and Chepstow except such as escaped to us by flight as many did with their Armes and some few that saved themselves in Woods and Minepitts The enemy did not adventure into the lower and neerer places where our foot lay ready and resolved to undertake theirs if they came on Our Neighbouring parts of Hereford and Worcestershire runne the like fortune with these in the Forrest and looke blacke upon this Garrison which was not able to preserve them The Kings forces returned the second time into the Forrest and tooke the gleanings of the former Harvest yet the neerer parts are still prrserved The enemy raised themselves to a great power already reputed sixe thousand horse and foote and seeme to endeavour Northward wherefore the Governour intending to helpe the Countrey by driving up the Reare of their march or to put in for any service advanced to Lidbury with foure hundred horse and five hundred foot his whole marching strength notwithstanding the addition of two hundred and fifty Horse from Northampton and Warwicke and with this party attended the enemyes motion Hither Prince Rupert advanced with the best part of his Army of whose approach neither spye nor Scout from the Out-guards made the least discovery till they came within halfe a mile of the Towne horse and foote to surprize or at least to surround us The Governour instantly commanded the Horse to mount and drew up the foote though not in so good order as he might by reason of the sudden Alarme and suspecting what he afterwards founde that the Prince would endeavour to compasse him in he marched off the foot with all due speed that the enemyes right or left wing might not get before us which they endeavored by sending one party to the Towns end to keep us in action there whilst two other parties fetched a compasse upon either hand In the meane while he brought up those few horse that were not upon the Out-guards to charge the enemy at their first entrance and placed an Ambuscado of twenty Musqueteeres to make good the retreate But the businesse was acted so that the Governour in person with the Field Officers and Captaines were enforced to entertaine the enemy with severall charges and beare their brunt alone till the foote had ridde some ground before them In this part of the skirmish their losse was the greatest for number of ours only Major Backehouse mortally wounded the Governour whom the Prince aimed to charge had his horse wounded under him by two severoll shots Our men drew off as was meete made good the retreat three or foure miles to the enemyes losse till they came up to a place of shelter when hasting to get before the right wing of the enemyes horse they were put into some confusion And the Horse having no great desire to fight neglected the advantage of the place to stop the pursuit though the Governour endeavoured what he could to engage them That the enemy fell in among the Reare Guard of the foote where he lost neare two hundred men taken prisoners many Country men being taken in to make up the number This businesse cost them the lives of some gallrnt Officers and the Prince missed his aime of surprizing Colonell Massye but the Governour supposed the stay of the Princes march an advantage to the Service Neverthelesse the Army continued some dayes after betweene Hereford and Worcester recruiting dayly and seeme to put much confidence in the Country whom they cause not onely to abjure the Parliament but binde over to themselves by solemne oath swearing in the presence of God That they beleeve no power of Pope or Parliament can depose the King and obsolve them from their naturall obedience to his Royall Person and Successors that the two Houses of Parliament without the Kings consent have no power to make Lawes or to binde or oblige the subjects by their Ordinances that they beleeve the Earl of Essex and Manchester and Sir Thomas Fairsaxe Sir William Waller Colonell Massie together with all such as have already or shall hereafter take up Armes by Authority or commission from the members of Parliament at Westminster pretending to fight for King and Parliament doe thereby become actuall Rebells and as such ought with all their adherents and partakers to be presented and brought to condigne punishment that they will never beare Armes in their quarrell but will if they be thereto called assist their Soveraine and his Armies in the defence of his Royall Person Crowne and Dignity against all contrary forces to the utmost of their skill and power and with the hazard of their lives and fortunes that they will not discover the secresies of his Majesties Army unto the Rebells nor hold any correspondence with them and all designes of theirs against the Kings Army for the surprizing or delivering up of the Cities of Hereford or Worcester or any other of his Majesties Forts they shall truly discover to those whom it shall concern so soone as it comes to their knowledge That his Majesties taking up Armes for the causes by himselfe so often declared in Print is justly necessary That they shall endeavour all they can to hinder popular tumults risings randevouzes meetings confederacies and associations of the people townes hundreds and countries which are not warranted to assemble by his Majesties expresse commission or by power derived from him by vertue of his Commissions and in the sense he meanes it and that they detest from their heart that seditious and traiterous late invented nationall covenant and protest never to take it All these particulars they vow and protest sinceerely to obsolve without Equivocation or mentall Reservation This Pretestation was strictly injoyned by the Princes to be taken by all without exception in the Counties of Mounmouth Glamorgan Breeknoâ—ke Radnor Hereford and Worcester Neverthelesse this constained act could not knit the hearts of a male-contented Country to the love of that side nor could the State permit the enemies exaction and violence by this vow eternally to binde up the people from well-doing The Princes Army is the maine rest of the Kings Affaires which they strengthen daily by impressing the Countrey taking in lesser Brigades and draining the Garrisons and a part of Gorings Army passed over the Seaverne from Bristoll into Wales and so to Rupert at Hereford After a little stay to perfect the recruite the enemy drew thence the Infantery and Artillery lay betweene Worcester and Beaudly commanded by Sir Jacob Ashley whilest Rupert and Maurice with the horse and some select foote fetch off the King from Oxford assisted also with Gorings Horse and Dragoones who left his Majesty at Stew and marched backe over the hills into the West through our Borders The Governour received another dropping