THE Souldiers Companion OR MILITARY GLORY Display'd In a True and Impartial Description of all the Memorable Battels and Fights by Land and Sea c. That have been fought in Europe Asia Africa and America for upwards of Six hundred Years deduced from the Conquest of England by the Normans Anno 1066 to the last fight in Hungary Anno 1687. Wherein is contained the manner of marshalling Armies and Fights of divers Nations the Policies and Stratagems of Emperours Kings Princes and great Captains of several Ages together with their Success or Misfortunes on sundry Occasions drawn and collected from the most Authentick Histories and Relations Antient and Modern c. To which is added Seasonable Advice to young Souldiers and Officers c. Together with the Art of Gunnery and preparing Artificial Fire-works for War or Recreation with other things and Matters necessary to be known on the like Occasion By J. S. Timidi nunquam statuerunt Tropaeum Mars Dubius victorque cadit victusque resurgit Qui fugit Huic merito nulla corona datur LONDON Printed for Nath. Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultrey 1688. LICENSED And Entred according to Order THE PREFACE TO THE READER READER it frequently appears by the Histories of all Nations that Military Glory has not only taken up the Thoughts but the Business of the most Illustrious part of Men in courting which they have not only spared to expose themselves to all the hazards and dangers imaginable but pressing on even beyond the sense of danger have performed to their immortal Fame such Heroick Enterprises and Actions as have shaken the belief of many into the highest degree of Incredulity especially such as have received them upon bare report naked and unadorned with the many Circumstances that attended them wherefore I have thought it highly convenient at this juncture to restore if possible their belief by giving them a true Relation of the many famous Battels and Sea-Fights that have been fought under the leading of Emperours Kings Princes and Great Captains the most expert of their times in Warlike Discipline with their various Success and Fortune Nor may it serve less to incite or inflame the Valiant where a Just cause offers an Invitation Precedents of this Nature always being attended with powerful Motives to stir up even the Pusilanimous at least to conceive a generous esteem of great Atchievements and kindle in Heroick Minds a restless Flame not to be extinguished but by Death Themistocles that Noble Graecian whose Fame reaches to the end of Time having seen the Triumph of Miltiades for a Victory he had obtained could not as the story of him goes sleep but became altogether restless till he found Opportunity to enter upon a command wherein he became the Bulwork and Glory of his Country and it is reported of the Great Julius Caesar first Emperour of Rome that whilst he was but in a low Station seeing the Statue of Alexander the great and being sensible what vast Kingdoms and Countries that Monarch had subdued and brought under his Subjection in a short spaoe he wept because being equal to him in years himself had not arrived at his Perfection and thereupon ceased not till he made almost all the then known World at his Devotion nor of this kind is he who was truly stiled the delight of Mankind and the Honour of our English Nation the wise and valiant Sir Philip Sidney to be omitted who reports of himself That hearing the Ballad of the fight between the Earls Piercy and Dowglass sung but by a common Chanter it raised in him such a desire of Martial Enterprises that he from that time coveted nothing more than to signalize his Valour in the Field which afterward became to his immortal Fame the wonder of the Christian World. Nor does this Treatise consist only of Battels c. but of the Policies Stratagems and Practices of the most Expert and Renowned Generals and Captains whereby they secured themselves in a retreat circumvented the Enemy or obtained the Victory To which a Scheme of Military Behaviour is added c. with the most material matters and things appertaining to Engenry especially as to what relates to Gunnery and Artificial Fire works c. with somewhat that refers to Fortification by which even the unlearned may have an insight into that great and curious Art and Mistery and be made sensible at once of the danger and advantage that attendâ— it which insight if it be his fortune to seek for Honour in the Field c. may greatly profit the Reader or if otherwise he will at least get this advantage by it to know in his Retirement what otherâ— have sought for not without effusion of Blood through innumerable hazards and dangers And so hoping it will prove advantageous not being perverted to a sinister end I humbly take leave to subscribe my self Reader Your devoted Friend and Servant J. S. ADVERTISEMENT REader be pleased to take notice that the Battel of Alcazar is by an unhappy Mistake placed out of due order and ought to have followed the Battel of St. Quintines after Page Folio 134. A POEM Recommended to the Reader upon the Perusal of the Book intitled The Souldiers Companion c. By a Person of Quality IF Fame and Martial Glory you affect Reader what more than 's here can you expect Or if you 'd know what in days past was doneâ— This Book informs you how much Fame was won How by their Valour Heroes got Renown How never-fading Laurels wreath'd their Crown And rising Monarchs grasp'd a lasting Throne Or won vast kingdoms to augment their own How Nations felt a sudden change of State And Fortune's treacherous smiles perceiv'd too late How Princes set in Blood how Armies fell How Plains with might heaps of Ruine swell How Rivers with a Crimson Torrent rise How th' Victors shouts and how the vanquish'd's crys Pierce thinner Air and rend the blushing Skies How clashing Arms a horrid discord bray And Earth-born Thunders cloud the Lamp of day How Iron Globes with Death pave all their way Whilst angry Vollies bellow'd o're the Plain And made it seem but one great Field of Flame Here you may count the number of the slain Or see the yielding Souldier on his Knee Begging for Life from 's enrag'd Enemy See others nobly bold maintain a fight And in despair to conquer take delight More in a noble death than slavish flight See those in rout cast every way their Arms Whilst hot pursuit their rear with slaughter storms Sad sights you 'l say but he who War will court Must steel his Heart and think the Danger Sport Yet safely you may sit and view a Sceen That fatal has to bleeding Nations been Nor is this all in it more things you 'l find That may more please a weak and tender mind Though it for Heroes chiefly was design'd With Magick Flame it treats the God of War And new created Fires adds to his Star. THE Souldiers
or attempt to hinder his Passage when at Bachichich he mustered his Forces and found them to consist of 800000 Horse and Foot of divers Nations and there he gave them general Pay not having suffered any of them to do the least Outrage or Injury to the People or their Goods through the Country they had passed The News of whose Approach coming to Bajazet as he lay at the Siege of Constantinople he rise and with his whole Power passed into Asia happily as the Tarter wished who would have been otherwise much put to it for Conveniency to transport so great an Army nor had Bajazet failed with a small Fleet to have prevented it However whilst Tamerlane was passing the Euphrates and taking the great City of Sabastia Bajazet joyned his Lieutenant in Asia so that their united Forces made no less than 500000 effectual men when meeting with the Governour oâ— Sabastia whom Tamerlane had sent to acquaint him with the Subversion of that City he demanded which was the greater Army he having seen both to which after craving pardon if speaking according to his Judgment he should offend That doubtless Tamerlane's must needs be the greatest seeing he was Lord of far greater Countries at which Bajazet laughing said to those that stood by Out of doubt the sight of the Tartars have made this Coward so afraid that he believes every one to be two The Armies by this time being come within sight of each other upon the large Plains of Sennas it was not thought by either General convenient to joyn Battel that Evening by reason the Day was far spent but to stand upon their Guard till the next Morning though several Skirmishes passed between the Turkish Avaunt-guard and the Parthean Horsemen in which a Turkish Officer being taken and carried before Tamerlane he caused him to be dismissed with a Command to tell his Master That now he was come to meet him in the Field as he had desired and that he might the better know him he should find him fighting under the Green Standard The Morning being come and either Army standing in Battel-array the charge was sounded whereupon the Wings began to move with great speed whilst the Prince of Ciracan Tamerlain's Lieutenant and Kinsman with 40000 Horse gathered in Parthia and Media charging the Avaunt-guard with great fury pierced the main battel and put the Janizaries into disorder But the Prince entering too far amongst their Ranks was slain and his squadron in the end over-borne whereupon Axalla with his squadron composed of Sciths and Parthians with such fury charged the Turks left Wing that cutting down all that opposed him he stopped not till he faced the Battalion of the Janizaries at what time the foot-men came to joyn him yet so valiantly did the Janizaries stand to their Arms in the middle of whom was the Person of their King that the fight continued bloody and doubtful for the space of an hour or more all the place being paved with dead Men and Horses till the Tartars overcharged gave ground which Tamerlain perceiving sent 10000 Horse to reinforce them and other 10000 to fight in the Rear ward whilst his foot-men fell on with the Turk main battel that was as yet unshaken and forcing their way opened a Passage to the Rear-ward of the Janizaries who sustaineâ— their charge for a considerable time buâ— being in the end over-power'd by number they were obliged to give ground when Tamerlain coming on with a Reserve of 50000 fresh Horse and charging through the Horsemen that covered the main battel of the Turks and the Foot-men already wearied and tired out making but weak resistance many of their prime Commanders being slain they were on all sides miserably beaten down by the Horsemen who with their Maces Poll-axes and Scimiters entering their Ranks made great slaughter so that losing Courage and Power to resist they betook themselves to flight and amongst them Bajazet wounded in his endeavouring to restore the battel who together with his Son Musa fell into the hands of Axalla as also did the Despot of Servia who were presented to Tamerlain Nor is it held by many thar had not the Subjects of the Mahometan princes press'd to the War â—n divers parts of Asia the less perceived â—heir natural Lords under the Tartars Banâ—er and in the heat of the fight gone over â—o them the Victory had gone with the Turks However in this fight which lasted â—om seven in the Morning till four in the Evening 80000 Tartars and 120000 Turks â—re computed to be slain and amongst the â—ormer of note only the Prince of Ciracan who was slain at the beginning of the fight and amongst the latter Mustapha Bajazets eldest Son with divers Bassa's and the Agâ— of the Janizaries And it is further confirmed that when Bajazet being a Prisoner was brought before Tamerlane that he askeâ— him the reason that moved him to War againâ— so noble a Prince as the Greek Emperour without any cause given to which he replyed Even the same Cause that moved you to invaâ— me viz. The desire of Glory and Sovereigmâ— And why said the Tartar Prince do you 〈◊〉 such Tyranny over those you Conquer withâ— respect of Sex or Age That did I said hâ— to give the greater Terror to my Enemies Aâ— Ah continued Tamerlane What would yâ— have done with me if it had been your Fortâ—â— to have had me in your Power I would saâ— Bajazet boldly replying as not conqueâ—â— though overcome Have put you in an Iâ—â— Cage and as a Trophy of my victory hâ—â— carried you throughout my Dominions Thâ— said Tamerlane It is but just that I serve 〈◊〉 in the like kind and thereupon commaâ—â—ing him out of his Presence a cage by 〈◊〉 Order was made for him in which he continued till in a desperate Mood he beat 〈◊〉 Brains out against the Bars of it And 〈◊〉 though Tamerlain pursuing this Victorâ—â— won all that which the Turks held in 〈◊〉 rope and most of that in Asia yet he dyâ—â— Mahomet Bajazets Son recovered it in few years by Policy and Force Thus we behold how fickle Fortunes Wheel Plays Tricks with mighty Ones and lets them feel How soon from th' top of Empire she can thrust Monarchs and lay their Glory in the Dust A Description of the Battel of Azin-Court sought in France between Henry the Fifth King of England c. and the Dolphin of France c. on the Plains near Azin-Court c. KING Henry the Fifth coming to the Crown after the Death of Henry the Fourth his Father and being of a Martial Spirit began to consider how by some great Exploit he might leave a Name and thereupon considering that Normandy Guien Aquitain and Anjou were the rightful Inheritances of the Kings of England and had without any just Cause been wrested from his Predecessors during the Intestine Troubles of this Kingdom he sent Ambassadors to Charles the French King to demand them but not only being denied it
but some Affronts put upon him he sent Antelop his Pursuvant at Arms with Letters of defiance and having discovered and escaped a Conspiracy against his Life laid by the Contrivance of the French who had promised several of his Nobles a Million of Gold to effect his Death he embarked with his Army for France and landed at Harflew in Normandy where he had Burdeaux and many Towns of Note put into his Hands in which he left Garrisons and placed in them English Artizens with small Resistance which made him resolve to pass through the Countries of Caux and Ewe to his Town of Calais though his Army consisted of no more than 13000 Foot and 2000 Horse and so set forward with easie Marches the Country in his way being all destroyed before him for the French having notice of what he intended had not only removed the Forrage and Provisions but destroyed and brake down the Bridges fell'd Trees and plashed Woods in the way he was to take raising in the mean time great Forces in all parts of the Country as not doubting but they had him and his Army at their Pleasure and indeed for want of Necessaries and by reason of the Difficulties the Soldiers were forced to struggle with many oâ— them in a short time became sick and infirm so that the King finding himself in a strait began to repent him that he had so far advanced into the Enemies Country as knowing should he now retreat he must fight his way wherefore he made some Overtures to the French Generals proposing to surrender several Towns he had taken in Normandy but they rejected these Propositions with Derision as not doubting but himself and them together with his small Army wherein were many of the English Nobility would be at their disposal and so confident were they herein that the three Generals viz. The Dolphin the Dukes of Burgundia and Orleans had conditioned and agreed amongst themselves for the Prisoners and Spoils and with their huge Army consisting of 150000. Horse and 10000 Foot many of the former being the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom who hoped to win Honour in such as they thought it an assured Enterprize they advanced apace so that King Henry a Man of an undaunted Courage seeing no way but to fight disposed his Army to the best Advantage placing in the front a competent number of Archers who carried beside their Bows and Swords long Stakes pointed with Iron to fix in the Ground slauntwise that when they retired they might secure them against the Horse And in a Meddow with a convenient Ditch to defend it he placed as in an Amubush five hundred Archers who lay within half shot of the French Wing whilst in the main Battel stood the men at Arms and the Horse divided into two Squadrons were to charge as advantage gave them Opportunity And now whilst the French who covered the Country were advancing in three main Battels as to assured Victory the King with a moving Oration exhorted his Captains and Souldiers For the Honour of their Country and their own safety not to faint but stand to it manfully and confiding in the justness of their Cause not to despair of Victory nor should for his part let France see him a Captive or England be put to the Charge of his Ransom as being resolved to dye with Honour if things came to Extremity And so the Charge being sounded the thick squadrons of the French who scarcely had room for an orderly march came furiously on and were when within shot met by a flight of English Arrows which gauling their Horses and dismounting divers of their Chiefs command was given to press on and come to a close fight thereby to frustrate the Archers of the use of their Bows at what time a furious charge being given the Archers retreated a few Paces and left bare a triple tire of pointed Stakes which till that time they had covered upon which the French Horse-men rushing a great number of their Horses were gored and sticking as it were altogether disabled barrocaded the English Army from the approach of the rest so that not only the Archers in the front continued to pour in their shot but likewise those in the Meadow that flanked the squadron of the Right Wing began incessantly to deliver their shafts which in a short time wrought such Confusion that the French finding no place to retire amongst the thick Ranks that still pressed on and wedged as it were each other in began to fall into disorder many of them disranking as not being able to manage their wounded Horses nor could their Foot conveniently advance to their relief so that the men of Arms breaking in with great fury and the English Horse charging their Right Wing a miserable slaughter ensued nothing but death and flight being seen on their part throughout the field whilst the King himself distinguished by a Crown he wore on his Helmet fought courageously piercing their main Battel forcing his Horse over heaps of the slain which the Duke of Alanso who commanded on that part perceiving broke through the formost rank in a desperate manner and charged with his Sword so forcibly that with the blow he bruised the Kings Crown and made him a little recoil but the King soon advancing gave him such a stroke as beat him to the Ground at which time he cryed out he was Alanso and begged for quarter notwithstanding which and though the King laboured to save him he was there slain and now the French began to retire in great disorder nor was it in the power of the Commanders to restore the battel which advantage the English perceiving had the Execution of them with such a fearful slaughter that it is reported by divers Historians and some of them their own that no less that 4000 Noble-Men Knights and Esquire were slain together with 100000 of the meaner sort though all agree the French lost 60000 in that defeat and so many Prisoners many of them of the first Rank were taken that the King fearing upon fresâ— Troops showing themselves upon the Hills which were indeed come too late to the battel as not hearing of the overthrow thaâ— being more in number than his own men if the French reinforced should rally anâ— come to another tryal they might fall upon his Rear in the battel caused them all except some of the Chief to be slain â—thâ— which although it was a bloody Sentencâ—â— yet Self-preservation at that time made it State Policy And soon after this Victory which he ascribed to God alone the King had not only Paris put into his Hands but Marrying Catharine Daughter to Charles the French King he was Crowned King of France in Reversion and possessed himself of all the Cities and Towns of that Kingdom except a few the Dolphin held out against him in Berry Nor did this Glorious Victory cost the English much Blood there being not above 2500 slain and of Note only Edward Duke of
had not an unhappy Accident fallen out viz. All things being now in a readiness for the Attack as Renowned Drake advanced to this great Enterprize his Men perceived him to faint and to their unspeakable sorrow found the cause to proceed from the great effusion of bloud that had issued from his Leg wounded with an Arrow and filled the prints of his foot-steps the which though it much pained him he concealed till his Men discovered it as loath to dismay them well knowing they would not suffer him to perish and if they forsook their station to carry him on board they could not at that time regain it and so it happened for although they would have hazarded much for such a booty yet they thought their Captain 's life of greater moment that both the Indias so that having refreshed him a little with some Cordials and bound up his Leg as well as the Juncture would permit they intreated him to go on board but finding him unwilling to remove rather choosing to hazard his life than retire from so great an advantage they partly by intreaties and partly by force constrained him to Embarque and so for the safety of their Captain were content to forgoe a treasure of inestimable value yet in the Harbour they took a Ship richly laden with Wines and other Commodities in this undertaking of the English few were lost but of the Spaniards near 100 killed and wounded and though he sped not in this place yet sailing in those new discovered Parts of the World he took may Towns and sundry Rich Prizes returning victorious with much Treasure and Applause Thus Drake Renown'd the second Neptune stil'd In their new world th' insulting Spaniards foil'd And in wide Tracts discovers unknown Stars Whilst England's Fame to both the Poles he bears Views what e'er Phoebus sees in his vast round And Lands unnumber'd then unknown he found Wild Nations him Adoring as a God Whilst he in Triumph on the Ocean rode Their Crowns and Scepters yielding to his hands Whose Name yet fair in Fames large Record stands A Description of the Memorable Battel foughâ— between Hasan Bassa General for Amurath the Third of that Name Emperour of the Turks and the Confederate Princes of the Empire A Murath the Third of that Name Emperour of the Turks having obtained a small Victory over the Persian Sultan and growing proud of his acquirement restless and impatient of Peace called hiâ— Bassas to consult what War was most convenient to be undertaken the succeeding Spring amongst whom were eight different Opinions whereof the first was to reâ— new the War against the Persians the second to Invade the Kingdom of Fess anâ— Morocco the third to War upon Spain thâ— fourth to besiege Malta the fifth to Waâ— upon the Venetians the sixth against Sigiâ—mund King of Poland the seventh to Invade the Territories of Rodolphus the German Emperour all which together with the several Reasons moving thereto being patiently heard by Amurath the last was approved so that resolving to turn his Arms on Hungary c. he raised huge Forces in all his Dominions as longing for the remaining part of that Kingdom and the Principality of Austria wherefore the better to be at leisure he concluded a Peace with the Persian Sophy ordering his Garrisons on the Frontiers to prosecute thoir Advantages with Fire and Sword which they improving seized upon Willitz the Metropolis of Croatia and committed therein many outrages and still increasing in power they suddenly and unexpectedly inclosed 6000 Foot and 500 Horse of the Christian Forces that had taken the Woods Mountains and straight Passages and cuâ— them almost all in pieces loading with their heads six Waggons which sudden Eruption so Alarmed the Christian Printes that they incontinently raised a great Power to put a stop to the progress of the infidels who had by that time taken many Towns Castles and strong Holds and â—est Amurath should alledge that these unexpected Hostilities were committed without his knowledge the Emperour Rodolphus sent an Ambassadour to Constantinople to understand the reason why without any cause he had broken the League but not being able that way to get any satisfactory answer he prepared more vigorously for War causing his Forces to joyn with those already raised by the Electoral Princes c. under the command of Rupertus Eggenbert his General who upon the approach of the Enemy consulted with his Chief Commanders what was best to be done and they being all of opinion that it was best speedily to give Battel thereby to prevent their joyning such other Forces as were advancing to their Aid it was Resolved that the Army consisting of 40000 horse root should immediately advance which they did with much celerity in good Array yet not so secretly but the Turkish Commanders had notice of it and put themselves in order to receive them and so confident were they of obtaining the Victory that they dreamt of nothing but the spoil of the Christians whom they already concluded overthrown by reason of the disproportion of number they being indeed much inferiour in number 〈◊〉 the Infidels yet had the Imperial General so ordered his Battel that placing thâ— Hussars and Croats in the Van-guard those of Carolslad and the Harquibusiers of Serina in the left Wing in the right the Borderers of Carrania all Horsemen and in the main Battel the rest of the Soldiers with the Horse-men of Silesia under the command of Sigismund Paradiser the Reerward was incompassed or guarded with three Companies of Switzers nor were the Turks less diligent in Marshalling their battel placing their best Footmen in the front and extending their Wing of horse to great advantage Thus things being in a readiness on either part the Charge was sounded whereupon the Croats and Hussars in the Vaunt-Guard gave the first onset with such fury that being seconded by the Lord Aremsberg they after a cruel fight broke through the Squadrons of the Turks main battel with their huge Swords making fearful slaughâ—er and wide desolation insomuch that the stoutest gave way nor could Hassan Bassa their General with threats and promises Restrain it but still shrinking together in fearful manner and both the Wings broken by the Imperial horse who fell upon them with a tempest of shot by which a great number of them were overwhelmed this great Army consisting of 80000 horse and foot fell into rout and confusion in less than three hours space and although Hasan Bassa indeavoured to make an orderly retreat yet he could noâ— do it for the Christians following furiously and charging upon those that fled raised in them such a fear to prevent the Sword that urged them behind that in hastily passing the River Odder a great number of them were strangled in the Waters and those that stay'd in a fearful manneâ— on the banks to search for the foards were most of them miserably slain so that those who remained disranked and soughâ— every where to save themselves by
defeated near Stow and Dening surrendred to the Parliament yet the great blow that caused the Royal Cause so much to decline was the unfortunate battel of Naseby fought near the Town of that name and so as it was the saddest I shall conclude with the description of it this unfortunate War. The Armies meeting near Naseby and the King in a Council of War resolving to give battel to Fairfax who had for some time followed him in the Rear he so ordered it that himself commanded the main Body and Prince Rupert assisted by his brother Prince Maurice the right Wing and the Lest was committed to Sir Marmaduke Langdale there were likewise two Reserves the one commanded by the Earl of Lindsey and the Lord Ashley and the other by the Lord Bards and Sir George Lisle of the Rebels Army Fairfax and Skippon commanded the main Body the Right Wing was committed to Cromwell and Collonel Rossiter and the left to Ireton there were in the Army likewise two Reserves under the charge of Collonel Pride Rainsborrough and Hammond The Armies being in array the Charge was sounded whereupon Prince Rupert advanced with great Resolution charging the Left Wing commanded by Ireton which after some Resistance was forced to give ground in this conflict Ireton was wounded in the face and thigh and had his Horse shot under him and was taken Prisoner so that the Prince pursuing this advantage followed the chace even to the Town of Naseby and upon his return summoned the Baggage and Artillery to surrender but without success in the main for by reason of the Prince his not timely returning to the battel Cromwel had the best opportunity to charge the King 's Left Wing which he did with such fury that he soon broke and disordered it whereupon that Wing fled leaving the main battel wherein was the Person of the King open and unguarded in either flank so-that the Reserves not being able to make it good and Cromwel returning with his victorious party before the Prince charging in the flank whilst the battel of the Enemy did the like in the Front notwithstanding the great Resistance that was made the King's battel of Footmen became broken and disordered so that although it came to handy-strokes with much Resolution and obstinacy on either part yet fresh Supplies of the Parliament foot coming in and the Royal-Army considering the safety of the King who was pressed on all parts finding it self unable to make longer resistance retreated out of the Field as the Prince was advancing who perceiving the bad fortune of the King's Army since his absence and despairing to restore the battel retired likewise Fairfax pursuing the King till within two miles of Leicester though in the way a Retreating-fight was maintained on the part of the Royalists so that the King not thinking himself safe in Leicester marched without staying directly to Litchfield In this Fight about twenty Collonels and Officers of lesser note together with 600 common Souldiers were slain of the King's Party and many wounded amongst whom of note the Earl of Lindsey Lord Ashby Collonel Rastol c. but almost all the Foot together with their Officers were taken Prisoners and in all six Collonels eight Lieutenant Collonels eighteen Majors seventy Captains 4500 private Soldiers 200 Ensigns one of the King's Coaches with part of his Treasure and almost all the Waggons Ammunition and Baggage together with his Letters and Furniture with twelve Pieces of Ordnance 8000 Arms and the KING's Standard which quite broke the strength o◠the Royalists insomuch that they could no◠bring any formidable Army into the field afterward nor was it long before the King◠being besieged in Oxford made His escap◠thence and cast himself upon the Scotch Army who for a Summ of Money delivered Him up to the Parliament whose usage towards Him was so Inhumane that it cannot be mentioned without a deep sence of sorrow by any good Christian Wherefore in silence let us mourn His fate Who dy'd a Martyr for the Church and State. A Brief Description of the second Battel of Worcester fought on the Fatal Third of September Anno 1651. KIng Charles the Second of blessed memory being crowned at Scone in Scotland entred England with an Army for the Recovery of his Right in August 1651 and by easy Marches with little difficulty entered Worcester on the 22 of August being Joyfully received by the Town 's men who were glad of that opportunity to Return to their Allegiance and there it was solemnly debated whether he should stay there and expect the event or immediately march to London but in the end the former was concluded at least so long till the Soldiers had well Refreshed themselves which gave the Enemy advantage to gather about that City from all parts yet care was taken for fortifying the place and securing the advantageous Passages to which purpose a Line and several Mounts were raised yet Major-General Lambert who commanded for the Parliament sending suddenly a Party of Horse to discover the difficulty of the passage at Vpton where Major General Massey commanded 300 Horse and Dragoons for the King about fifty of them venturéd over on a piece of Timber accidentally left cross that part of the Bridge that was broken down and although the Royal party immediately took the alarum and beat them into a Church where they defended themselves yet so speedy was Lambert in sending over a greater number of men that after a hot dispute Massey having his Horse killed under him and himself shot through the Arm was obliged to Retreat and now Cromwell's Army that had followed the King in the Rear out of Scotland began to joyn with those Parties that were already gathered out of divers Counties making in all between 50 and 60000 Men when as the King 's whole Power exceeded not above 10000 so that with these numerous Forces he was in a manner encompassed and there being no hopes left of marching away without coming to a battel after divers Sallies with various success the fatal day drew nigh for Cromwell Fleetwood and others after the gaining the pass at Vpton endeavoured to make themselves a clear passage to the City that their Army might joyn in the Leaguer to which end two Bridges were ordered to be made the one over the Severn and the other over Thame over the last of which Fleetwood advanced to attaque the City on the West part which so Alarum'd the Royal Army that then lay within their Leaguer at St. Jones that to hinder the approach they sallied out with the greatest part of the Horse and Foot so that a hot dispute ensued till overpowred by number more than by true valour they were obliged to Retire again into their Leaguer But whilst this encounter was on the West side Cromwell passed his Army over Severn and marched directly towards the Wall which the King perceiving sallied at the head of the Horse and charged with so much courage and bravery that
Prisoners and a hot skirmish hapned between the Kings party and Essex's men near Causum Bridge wherein the former was worsted and obliged to retâ—â—â—t with some loss and in May divers sâ—â—â—mishes with various success hapned in the West between Sir Ralph Hopton who commanded there for the King and Sir Geo. Chudleige for the Parliament though the former for the most part had the advantage nor did Hostilities cease in other parts for in June divers skirmishes hapned between Prince Rupert and Essex the most material of which was in Chalgrave-field in Oxford-shire where the Prince furiously charging a body of the Parliament Horse routed it killing and wounding a great part of the Enemy and amongst the latter John Hambden who soon after dyed of his Wound as did some others and on the fifth of July Sir Ralph Hopton with a few Forces of the Kings under his Command engaged Sir William Waller who had double his number maintaining the fight from two in the Afternoon till about one the next Morning whereupon Waller perceiving him resolved to obtain the Victory or dye in the place left the field yet soon after being ashamed of the retreat he followed Sir Ralph to the Devises in Wilt-shire whither he was marched with a Resolution to set upon him of which the King having notice sent 1500 Horse from Oxford where he lay encamped to his assistance but upon the Comjunction Waller not thinking it convenient to try the event in that place drew off to Roundway-down but being hotly charged he was in a short time broken and disordered whereupon with his Horse he fled in great Confusion leaving his foot to the mercy of the Royallists who were most of them slain in the fight or taken Prisoners together with four pieces of Cannon all the Amunition and Baggage nine Cornets and 28 foot Colours so that by this fatal blow given on the 13th of July Waller having lost his Army most of the Horse deserting him in his flight he hasted to London with the lamentable story of his defeat Essex by this time with a powerful Army having relieved Glocester and surprized a Convoy of the Kings which fell into his hands through mistake marched to Newberry where the King remained as yet with his Army and had prepared to receive him in the best order the short time of notice would give leave or opportunity so that on the 20th of September 1643 both Armies confronting each other the charge was immediately sounded and seconded by the thundring of the Cannon and Vollies of small shot on either side whilst Prince Rupert with his Squadron forced the main battel and put it into great disorder but whilst he pursued his good fortune he found himself charged by two squadrons of Horse that descended from the Hill where till now they had been posted so that the fight was doubtful and bloody on all parts it being in many places brought to the Sword so that the Lord Jermin who commanded there a Regiment of horse for the King being over charged by number was obliged to force his way not without great hazard through the Battalions of foot yet was the fight maintained with considerable slaughter on either part till Night put an end to the fury both Armies keeping the field till the next day and then retired from each other as by consent The Persons of Note slain were the Earls of Carnarvan and Sunderland the Lord Viscount Faulkland and in all on both sides near six thousand In March Sir Thomas Fairfax and Mitton were set upon by Prince Rupert at Drayton in Shropshire and routed as likewise was Sir John Meldrum who had entred England with his Scotch Forces in favour of the Parliament forced to leave Newark which they had besieged with the loss of their Canon Ammunition and all their Baggage which was Relieved by Prince Rupert and only permitted to depart with their Lives But now Sir William Waller having gotten another Army Anno 1644 fell upon the Lord Hopton's Forces near Winchester at unawares and over-pow'ring him in number cut off divers of his men and obliged him to leave the field whereupon Winchester surrendred but Waller was soon after overthrown by the King's forces at Crop-ready Bridg and Essex with the gross of the Parliament Army blocked up in Cornwall and now the Earl of Newcastle being besieged in York Prince Rupert advanced with an Army of Horse and Foot to Relieve the City upon whose approach the Besiegers drew off and were upon their retreat hotly pressed and charged by a Sally from the Town when the Garrison under the command of the Earl joyning with the Prince they with conjunct Forces followed the Parliament forces to a place called Marston-Moor where both Armies drew up and with great sury joyned battel which continuing with much effusion of bloud for the space of four hours victory in the end declared against the Royalists and in this fight called by many the bloudy fight of Marston-Moor 9000 men on both sides are computed to be slain after which battel York surrendred and almost all the Towns in the North so that for a while nothing but Skirmishes happened But on the 27 of October both Armies meeting a second time near Newbury an obstinate fight ensued but the Royalists having done all that could be expected from true valour and still oppressed with fresh numbers of the Enemy were forced in the end to give way to necessity and leave the field in some disorder nor is it guessed that on both sides less than 4500 were slain after which nothing more happened in England this year but the skirmishing of Parties and taking of Towns and Castles but in Scotland the Marquess of Montross with inconsiderable forces raised by virtue of a Commission from the King routed divers Armies of the Covenanters putting all Scotland in fear of being Reduced to its obedience by his Prowess Anno 1645 Essex having laid down his Commission it was taken up by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Cromwel was made Lieutenant General most of the prime Officers of the Army being changed yet the King's party strugled strongly for the Royal cause though many finding things in a manner desperate had retired from the Army and passed the Seas for besides divers skirmishes Collonel Massey in April was routed by Prince Rupert at Lidbury with considerable loss But in June following the King's forces were defeated at Langport where about 200 were slain and 1400 taken Prisoners which occasioned soon after the surrender of Pomfret Scarborough Bath and Bridgwater yet in August the Parliaments Quarters with some slaughter on both parts were beaten up about Tame and the Scots defeated at Kielsieth in Scotland by Montross and in September Montross was defeated at Phillipphaugh in the said Kingdom and the King's forces in England were Routed on Routon heath near Chester and in October the Lord Digby was likewise defeated at Sherborn in the County of York and in March following the Lord Ashley was