Prince Maurice lost in a Hurricane after many Hazards and Adventures Prince Maurice being separated from his Brother in that Tempestuous Ocean perished in a Hurricane The immature Fate of this Royal Youth was justly lamented by the Good and Brave for being no less eminent for Fortitude Gentleness Greatness of Mind and all other Vertues than Illustrious for his Birth he was snatcht away leaving his Fame to his Posterity and to us his Contemporaries the Desire of him The King being come to Breda met the Scots-Commissioners who attended his Majesty some Miles out of Town The first Congress was fair but the Disceptations and Arguings in the Treaty long and sharp The main Disputes were about the Covenant the Directory and the Catechism And tho the said Covenant did naturally regard the People not the Sovereign yet the Commissioners instigated by the English Presbyters did so obstinately adhere to them The Treaty at Breda that they refused to grant the King that Liberty in Holy Things which they challenged to themselves But to sweeten him they promise if he would consent to their Demands that they would not only restore him to the Scottish Throne but assist him in the Recovery of the rest of his Dominions and to bring to condign punishment the execrable Murtherers of his Royal Father His Majesty readily consented to the Civil Part of their Proposals remitting all Things to the Determinations of Parliament but stuck at the other until overcome by the Perswasions of the Prince of Orange and the greatest part of his Council as also by the Desperateness of his Affairs ruined both by Sea and Land he tho very unwillingly at length yielded And now the Treaty was upon Conclusion when the unfortunate Defeat and Death of Montrosse had like to have quite broke it off Those who were averse to any Agreement with the Scots took Occasion hence to disswade his Majesty from having any Commerce with them daily inculcating to him That this perfidious Nation had no other thoughts but of his Ruine because they had in the very time of Treaty so inhumanly murthered his Lieutenant But no Man did more affectionately bewail the immature and cruel End of this excellent Personage than the King himself who did not cease to expostulate the Injury done him in it by so barbarous an Act of Hostility even then whilst they pretended to Peace But Time and the Necessity of his Affairs did somewhat allay his Resentments so that the Treaty being at length happily concluded Concluded he and the Commissioners embarking at Scheveling with Young Trompe sailed towards Scotland Whilst His Majesty is upon the Ocean it will not be impertinent to be more particular in the sad History of the Illustrious Montrosse Our former Commentaries have noted those Actions of Glory he had performed in Scotland with the Lustre whereof he appeated so eminent in the Courts of Foreign Princes that his Exile seemed rather a Progress than Banishment until the Commands of the King obliged him again to arm and invade his Ungrateful Country The last Scene of Montrosse's Actions This was done by his Majesty with Design that by the known Valour of the General he might force his untractable Country-men to more Equal Terms But the Event proved unsuccessful Scotland was then full of Armed Men and their Forces intire whereas he had scarce Seven Hundred Souldiers with him when he landed Nay the Inhabitants either wearied with the War or terrify'd with the noise of Foreigners came but slowly in to him notwithstanding his known Valour and Conduct but forsaking their Dwellings fled with their Fears about them and filled the Country with the Apprehension of this Pretended Invasion Hereupon Lesley was sent with the Army to suppress this new Enemy who was also defeated by Straugham sent before with a Party of Three Hundred Horse and being betrayed by the Laird of Aston one he had entrusted with his Safety was taken and murthered with all the dire Circumstances of Enraged Malice and his Quarters sent to the Four principal Cities of the Kingdom to be fixt over their Chief Gates It is strange with what Firmness of Soul and unshaken Constancy he heard this dreadful Sentence saying only That he took it for greater Honour to have his Head fixt upon the Prison Gate in such a Cause than to have his Picture in the King's Bed-Chamber And lest his Loyalty should be forgotten they had highly honoured him in designing lasting Monuments to Four of the Chiefest Cities to bear up his Memorial to all Posterity wishing he had had flesh enough to have sent a piece to every City in Christendom to Witness his Loyalty to his King and Country Being ready to mount the Scaffold they put a Rope over his shoulders with his Declaration and History fastned to it which he wore with the same Calmness as formerly affirming That he embraced that with no less Alacrity than he had done the Garter when he was admitted of that most Honourable Order by his present Majesty He further asked these Barbarians Whether they had any more Dishonour to put upon him And thus ended this renowned Marquess not unjustly paralell'd to the great Captains of Antiquity if he had not fallen in the Untimely Prosecution of a most Just Cause The King having escaped the Dangers at Sea and eluded the Snares laid for him by the English landed having been convoy'd by Three Men of War lent him by the Prince of Orange at Spey in the North of Scotland where being received by a Noble Train of Attendants and welcomed by the grateful Acclamations of the People as he passed he came to Edinburgh His reception there from the Parliament and Committees of the Kirk was honourable and with all the Appearance of Affection and Loyalty July 15 1650. the People congratulating his happy arrival with continual and perhaps more sincere Shouts of Joy And now the Second Time he was proclaimed King of Scotland England and Ireland tho his Coronation was deferred as yet by reason of the pressing Difficulties of the War The English Parricides were not ignorant of these Triumphs and Preparations of their Neighbours and were also informed of their promises to restore the King They had Intelligence of what was transacted in Scotland by their Friends there and of what was done at Court by their Spies and Hirelings about the King They therefore to prevent a War at their own Doors resolve to transfer it to the Enemy as well to prevent their Invasion of England as to remove into another Country the Calamities that attend Camps and Armies But Fairfax could not be perswaded to bear Arms against the Scots their Brethren and sworn Confederates his Aversion to it being much fortified by his Wife and the Presbyterian Teachers Nor was the Mock Parliament much concerned at his Refusal for thinking they had done enough in having sent a Committee to perswade him they conferred the Generalate upon Cromwell lately called out
That he had resigned what Right he could pretend to it by that very Concession which they urged with so much Violence that forgeting the Rules of Modesty the King was forced to Dissolve them and to punish some of the most Factious of that Seditious Convention But the Causes of these Heats must be further sought In the Reign of Queen Mary a great Number of People withdrew themselves out of England whereof many Some pretended Causes of Sedition infected with the Discipline of Geneva upon Queen Elizabeth's Assumption to the Crown returning brought that uneasie Preciseness with them which suddenly grew to that height by the Carlessness or Pusillanimity of the Magistrates under King James that it did not only insinuate it self under the veil of Piety amongst the People but even into the Court and Parliaments where joining it self to those of Anti-Monarchic Principles it endeavoured to diminish the Prerogative and subject the King to those Necessities which might force him to unusual Ways of supplying them Which also happened for being pressed by the indispensible Exigence of his Affairs and perceiving no hopes of Subsidies from Parliaments he began to have an Aversion for them so Constituted and search for Refuge in his Prerogative And yet he had so much Reverence for the Laws that he would act nothing contrary to them as appears in Ship-Money which Tax however it were imposed to vindicate the Honour of the Sea against Pyrates and our Potent Neighbours he would not exact it till it was adjudged to him by all the Judges of Westminster and that under their Hands But the Common People despising the Moderation of their Prince and instigated by those who desired a Change crying out That their Laws and Liberties were endangered mutinied attributing all the Errors and Misfortunes in the Government for the Undertakings Abroad had not been very successful to his Counsellors that they might transversly smite him and blast his Reputation To this the exuberant Power of the Clergy that pretended Exemption from the Jurisdiction of the Laicks did not please The unusual Introduction of Ceremonies as they cried out and the placing of the Communion-Table at the East-End of the Church with the more severe Imposition of Rites however indifferent except in the Command did trouble them and were the occasion of very great Tumults in many Parishes But nothing did equally move their Choler and Pity as the Punishment of some Seditious Scriblers against Ceremonies and the Bishops their Authors by Incarceration and cutting off their Ears who however Guilty and deserving what the Rigour of Justice could inflict were yet thought to be hardly dealt with considering the serene Tranquillity of those Halcion Days And truly Peace and its Concomitant Plenty flourish'd amongst us to the Envy of our Neighbours continuing to the Fourth Lustre of the King's Reign The Flourishing Condition of the Nation which might have been perpetual being inexpugnable from Abroad if it had not been destroyed by the more than Civil Rage of our Mischievous Dissenters Nothing seemed wanting to our Felicity before it was disturbed by these nefarious Tumults and our People if they could have seen their own Happiness were considering the inexhaustible affluence of all Things the Liberty of Commerce and the free Enjoyment of what they had acquired the happiest of any Subjects under any known Government in the World But our Luxury encreasing with our Abundance we grew wanton and fell into such a Surfeit that nothing but a violent Bleeding could effect a Cure The true Cause of these Evils had its Rise from the noxious Indulgence of our Physicians who neglecting to stifle the Factious Humours of the Puritans in their Infancy gave such force and boldness to this Contagion that it unhappily Infected the whole Body Politick to the Ruine of Hierarchy the best of Spiritual and Monarchy the best of Temporal Governments 'T is scarce conceivable that there were found any in so happy a State that should seem to desire a Change And yet such there were amongst which Who they were who desired a Change the chief Ring-leaders were the Presbyterians who had their Missionaries and Lecturers in all the Quarters of the Kingdom and those swarms of Sectaries their Brood who contended for an equal Liberty in Civil as well as Sacred Things The Catholicks wished for the Dominion of Rome in Spirituals But the Gentry and Lesser Nobility which composed the House of Commons out of Contemplation of their own Greatness whilst they sate there preferred Democracy before all other In the mean time this disguised Impiety grew up under the plausible pretence of Sanctity seducing the Vulgar with a Shew of Religion into a Reverence of it It is not imaginable how far this Sacred Novelty prevailed by the seditious Fury of its Preachers and their uncontrouled railing against the received Rites of the Church and the lawful Power of the King It had bewitch'd the Town the Country and Private Families into an Opinion of it nor were the great Representatives of the Kingdom exempted from its Contagion which the King had abundantly Experimented in all the Parliaments he had summoned For in them the Novellists and Democraticks pretending the Liberty and Defence of Religion against the Designs of the Court and Popery oppressed the Prerogative to advance their own endeavouring to raise the Authority of the People whose Vicegerents they were upon the Ruines of the King To this they branded with the Odious Title of Papists all that opposed them by which means they deceived the People who are still the more addicted to their Superiors by how much they observe them the more Zealous for the Advancement of Religion And truly the depravedness of the Age was so great that whatever was said in behalf of the King and his Ministers against Popery had no Credit but on the contrary whatever was affirmed to perswade the People that the Court did Favour Superstition was greedily swallowed down without any regard to Reasons of State which sometimes obliged to a Compliance with the Desires of Foreign Princes and Embassadors But the true Source of our Miseries came from Scotland this Embryo of Rebellion gathering Strength from Foreigners upon this Occasion The Nobility in the Infancy of King JAMES had by the Connivance of Murrey the Governour The Scots Tumults usurped the Lands and Possessions belonging to the Cathedrals and Monasteries of that Kingdom which they also enjoyed untill King Charles pressed with foreign Wars and but ill supplied from Scotland resolved by the Advice of his Council there to reunite the said Possessions to the Crown again which he did by an Act of Revocation with a Commission of Surrend'ries of Superiorities and Tithes But those Nobles resolved to turn all upside down rather than part with their Usurpations and be deprived of the Vassalage of the Ministers and Land-owners And so conspiring against the King himself designed to oppose his Authority both Sacred and Civil in the next
in Order Essex marches to the Relief of Glocester Essex mustered his Army the Members of both Houses being present upon Hounsley-Heath which did not exceed Ten Thousand Men too weak for the Expedition they were designed but being much reinforced by the City-Auxiliaries and Trained-Bands marched that Night to Colebroke and so forward Glocester seated upon the Banks of Severne was with the Addition of some Works and the River esteemed strong Colonel Massey an active and vigilant Commander was Governour strengthened with Two Regiments of Foot and Two Troops of Horse who however vigorously attacked did no less vigorously oppose Force to Force Sallies to Assaults and Countermines to the Mines from without But in truth neither understood the Methods of besieging or defending as yet that Part of War being but in its Infancy amongst us But we must allow the Defensive to have carried it here seeing they held it out until the Arrival of their Succours The King being advertized of the Enemies Advance sent Prince Rupert with all the Horse to retard their March which he did by continual Excursions Velitations and forcing of Posts and Quarters At Stow in the Wowld the Prince drawing all his Horse in one continued Line upon the Side of the Hill made a very great Appearance On the contrary the Rebels march up the Ascent in Battalia Lieutenant Colonel Bayly with the City-Regiments were in the Left-Wing and Colonel Harvey with his Regiment of Horse and Two of Foot being some-what advanced in the Right the Prince sent a strong Party with orders to endeavour to get betwixt them and Home which being perceived Three Regiments more were presently sent to his Assistance the which with the Thunder of their Cannon obliged the Royallists after some skirmishing to retire to their Body which being composed only of Horse did also give way to this great Army which advanced upon them The King preferring the Blessings of Peace before the Triumphs of Victory sent a Trumpeter with Propositions to Essex who answered crudely enough That he had Orders to relieve Glocester not to treat which he also did the King rising from the Siege at his Approach and passing the River with a Resolution to fight the Rebels upon their return And this seemed another Omission The Siege of Glocester raised for if the King had fought them before they reached the Town he had probably either beaten them or impeded their Progress both or either of which would infallibly have obliged them to surrender Essex having relieved the Town his next Care was to preserve his Army especially the Londoners the Chief Strength of it which he in a great Manner did by his Surprizal of Cirencester where he found Store of Provisions which he much wanted The Royallists obstructing the Enemy in their Return upon every Occasion fell into their Rear upon Auburne Chase with all their Horse forcing it up to their Main Body They charged them a second Time with the same Success but having no Foot by the Advance of their Enemies and the Night they retreated with little loss save that of de Vieuville a French Marquiss The Rebels lost many as well slain as taken The next Morning the King's Army being drawn up near Newbury having the River on their Right-Hand expected the Rebels there The Battel of Newbury There was a little Hill Five Hundred Paces from the Town which the Cavaliers had possessed and fortified with Guns Essex perceiving it and having no other way to pass he himself with his own Regiment and C. Barclay and Holborne's Brigades attacks it bravely being as bravely received by the Royallists Stapleton with his own Regiment and that of the General 's Guards charging the Earl of Carnarven was repulsed but the Earl pursuing too far was kill'd by a Shot in the Head of his own Men a Person no less remarkable for his Fortitude and Fidelity to the King than for the Nobleness of his Extraction Prince Rupert valiantly charging the Right-Wing of the Rebels who were rallied again did again disorder them driving them to the Entry of the Lane by which they were come But the Cavaliers were forced to make as much hast back having been saluted with a Volley of Shot from the adverse Foot posted there and not without loss The King 's Right and the Enemies Left-Wing being hindred by Hedges and Inclosures fought only by small Parties and light Skirmishes Nor had the Foot though they fought stoutly any signal Advantages of each other the Earl of Brentford on the King's side and Major General Skippon on the Rebels behaving themselves with equal Courage and Vigilancy The Royallists had taken some Field-pieces which they were forced to quit again with loss The approaching Evening put an end to this bloody Contest and the King's Army rallied and drew up again as at first in the Field where they had fought with design to renew the Combat in the Morning which yet they did not being content to send Major General Harvey who had lately deserted them with a strong Party of Horse and Foot to fall in their Rear They had also stood in Arms all Night not retreating before the Morning at which time they were close followed and charged their Rear-guard commanded by Stapleton being forced up to their Foot with considerable Loss There were slain on the King's Side many eminent Persons as the Earls of Carnarven and Sunderland the Wise Lord Faukland and Colonel Morgan with others The Rebels also lost many but of no great Quality being most Plebeians And this was the End of the famous Expedition of Glocester wherein Essex and his Party had gained much Honour if they had not fought against their King Nor did the Royallists behave themselves less Valiantly though more Commendably as having the Better Cause The Rebel Parliament invite the Scots to their Aid The Men at Westminster being heightned with this Appearance of Success which carried more Noise with it by reason of the Loss on the King's Side of so many Noblemen whereas they had but few to expose they yet prudently considering the Equality of the Balance not over-confident in their own Strength invited the Presbyterian Scots to their Assistance and to oblige them the more strictly to their Party being not to be gained by the ordinary Stipend of Mercenaries they mutually oblige themselves by a Solemn League and Covenant contrary to all Laws Humane and Divine to extirpate Episcopacy and the Liturgy and to obtrude in their Places the Scottish Ecclesiastical Discipline built upon the Basis of Rebellion and Tumult Moreover Archbishop Laud retained hitherto in the nauseousness of a Prison was now as Strafford had been formerly to be immolated a Sacrifice to the Malice of these Hirelings and the Revenues of the Church to be divided amongst these Sacrilegious Confederates as will shortly appear This best of Princes might have expected better Things from the Scots as being his Countrymen as well as Subjects Nay he had heaped
so many Graces upon them upon his being in Scotland having refused them nothing they had demanded of him that their Parliament taken with so great Indulgence had decreed That if any whosoever should levy Men or take up Arms upon any Pretence whatsoever except by the King 's Express Order he should be guilty of damnable Treason Nay they profess farther upon Oath That in Case the King's Person should at any Time be endangered they would defend his Majesty's Cause and Honour as they were in Duty bound with their Lives and Fortunes When the King was at Edinbrough he had advanced Two very Ingrateful Persons to great Honour Lesley he made an Earl and Hamilton a Duke The First exstasied with the Greatness of the Favour protested solemnly perjured Wretch That he would never bear Arms more against his Majesty And the other if we may believe publick Fame betrayed all his Master's Counsels to his Enemies but perfidiously concealed Theirs though a Privy Counsellor from his King It may not be unworthy Notice to declare what farther happened at the same Time There was a great Noise rumour'd A pretended Conspiracy against Hamilton and Argyle of a Conspiracy against the Lives of Hamilton and Argyle with some others contrived by the Earl of Crawford and his Party This Report however fictitious and imaginary gained such Credit that the King himself was not obscurely reflected upon Which his righteous Soul took in such Scorn that he could not forbear to tell Hamilton when as the Custom is he delivered him his Patent in Parliament whereby he was created Duke That he did not deserve to be suspected by him who could not choose but remember That at that very Time when he was accused to him of High-Treason he suffered him that very Night to lie in his Bed-Chamber After this the Wars growing Hot in England the King advertised his Privy-Council in That Kingdom of the State of his Affairs in This demanding their Advice and Aid who returned an Answer full of Duty and Loyalty but with a Resolution to perform nothing they had promised For the Business being known at London they of Westminster caressed their lately acknowledged Brethren so effectually that they did not scruple to declare That they would act nothing against the Parliament no not in Favour of the King himself which they also perfidiously faithful did perform Nay more these Ungrateful Wretches forgetful of their Honour and Allegiance invade England with a Great Army causing that Fatal Change in the Kings Affairs till then very Prosperous that cost him his Life and them their Liberty to those whose Encrease they had so obstinately pursued The King perceiving how furiously the prevailing Faction did drive on and that it daily received Strength from London resolved to remove the Parliament to Oxford which he did by publick Proclamation where most of the Lords and amongst them the Earls of Holland Bedford and Clare who were lately come in to the King tho' they left him again with the same Levity and near Two Hundred of the Commons met at a Day The rest in Scorn of their Duty continued at Westminster until they were outed thence by their own Servants The first Business that the Parliament at Oxford undertook was to admonish the Scots by Letters That they should not hostilely Invade England it being no less than High-Treason to attempt it But this as also the King's Dissuasory Message was to no purpose Nay they were so rudely impudent that they caused a Letter writ to them and Signed by all the Lords to be Burnt by the Hands of the Common-Hangman The Scots enter England March 1. They therefore Invade England the Year being far spent with Eighteen thousand Foot Two thousand Horse and One thousand Dragoons and passing the River Tine send their Declaration before them pretending That they designed nothing but the Reformation of Religion the King's Honour and the Peace of the Kingdom The King extreamly surprized with this Invasion having been still kept up with a Belief that the Scots would not enter England finding himself deluded committed Duke Hamilton and his Brother Lanerick who were newly posted out of Scotland as afrighted with the News they brought to Prison The former being accused of several other Treasons also Hamilton sent to Pendennis-Castle was afterwards sent to Pendennis-Castle His Brother escaped to London and so to Scotland which he lately abandoned as unsafe whereof he was Secretary though the Court-Signet had been taken from him But to march with the Scots into England where the Parliament had long since seized upon the King's Castles Forts Arms Ships Revenues Treasure Ornaments c. they now to Complement their new Allies urge their impious Covenant so far that the Subject must either forfeit his Faith or Estate But Religion was always pretended and all their Undertakings veiled with the Masque of Godliness They divest her of her Ornaments under pretence of dressing her and with Impious Hands prophane her Monuments transferred to us from our pious Ancestors who sealed the Faith we own with their Bloods Their zealous Fury extends to our Churches destroying whatever was in them either Reverend for Antiquity or to be Esteemed for its Artifice They turn Temples into Stables and the House of Prayer into a Den of sacrilegious Impurity Amongst other Acts and Triumphs of their Reformation they demolished Charing and Cheapside-Crosses eminent for their Beauty and the Artificiousness of their Structure converting the Superstitious Metals they were composed of to their own Use It may not be from the Purpose to relate a Story of ludicrous as well as impudent Boldness Harry Martin H. Martin Inspects the Regalia who had said in the House That the Felicity of the Nation did not consist in the Family of the Stuarts for which he then to palliate the Impudence had been confined was ordered to Survey the Regalia which he did for breaking the Iron Chest wherein they were kept he took out of it the Crown Sceptre and Vestments belonging to Edward the Confessor wherewith the Kings of England had since been always inaugurated saying though falsly with a scornful Laughter There will be no more Vse of these Trifles With the same unmannerly Impudence he caused George Withers a pitiful Poet then present to be dressed in those Royal Vestments who being also Crowned walked at first stately up and down but afterward putting himself into a Thousand Mimick Postures endeavoured to expose those Sacred Ornaments to the Contempt and Derision of the By-standers These afterwards as also the Robes and Plate belonging to the Church were sold Nor could they be perswaded to leave one Silver Cup to be used at the Communion affirming with barbarous Sacrilege That a wooden Dish would serve the Turn Nor is it any wonder That these Sacred Vtensils were thus abused when the Sacred Function of Ministers was so Inhumanely treated of whom a Hundred and Fifteen in the City and Suburbs were for their
BEATAM AETERNAM CLARIOR E TENEBRIS CELI SPECTO ASPERAM AT LEVEM CHRISTI TRACTO In verbo tuo Spes mea MUNDI CALCO SPLENDIDAM AT GRAVEM Alij diutius Imperium tenuerunt nemo tam fortiter reliquit Tacit. Histor Liâ—â— 2. c. 47. p. 417 THE HISTORY OF THE Rebellions IN England Scotland and Ireland WHEREIN The most Material Passages Sieges Battles Policies and Stratagems of WAR are impartially Related on both Sides FROM The YEAR 1640. To the Beheading of the Duke of Monmouth in 1685. In Three Parts By Sir ROGER MANLEY Kt. late Governour of Land-Guard-Fort Quaeque ipse Miserima vidi LONDON Printed for L. Meredith at the Angel in Amen-Corner and T. Newborough at the Golden Ball in St. Paul's Church Yard MDCXCI THE PUBLISHER TO THE READER IN regard the Reputation of Histories is generally raised on the Worth of their Authors I thought it convenient to acquaint the World That the Compiler of This was a Gentleman of known Integrity bred in the Church of England for whose Cause joined with that of the Royal Family he was a valiant and zealous Champion having been Personally engaged in the most considerable Battles which his Royal Master King Charles I. fought against his Rebellious Subjects You are not therefore here to expect the Reversion of other Mens Labors no borrow'd Fragments or Scraps of Records no patch'd or imperfect Collections but an entire uniform History with great Impartiality and for the most Part of his own certain Knowledge Yet to free him from Suspicion of any Mistake in these Memoirs it is sufficient to observe That he collected them in those Troublesome Times whose Iniquity would not admit the Publication of them which he reserv'd till there was a clear Stage for Truth to appear on And having surviv'd this Great Rebellion for many Years he has added to the History of that an Account of all the Remarkable Transactions with the Conspiracies Insurrections and Tumults that happ'ned in the Reign of King Charles II. And concludes with the Invasion and Overthrow of the Duke of Monmouth in the West I shall say no more but that this Gentleman dying soon after he had finished these Commentaries the Publication of them was entrusted with me Which I did very readily undertake since I had the Honour to know the Author so well that his very Name was a sufficient Recommendation of the Work And all honest Men that knew Sir Roger Manley were very desirous of a History from his Hand whose Pen was aâ—â—oyal and Just as his Sword Reader honour the Memory of this brave Man and think not ill of the Publisher who like a faithful Executor presents thee with this his last Legacy And if thou take my Pains in good part 't is all the Acknowledgment I expect from thee Adieu THE CONTENTS PART I. BOOK I. THE Vnion of the Kingdoms of Great Britain The State of Affairs in England The Scots Tumults and their Causes They Rebel and Arm. The King Marches against them but concludes a Peace They break it and enter England with an Army The Little Parliament call'd and dissolved The Treaty at Rippon referred to the Parliament which met in November 1640. The Preludes to their ensuing Rebellion Strafford Impeach'd and Beheaded The Fatal Act of Continuance The Scots dismissed The King follows them into Scotland The Irish Rebellion breaks out The King upon his Return is pompously received by the Londoners The King enters the House of Commons The Bishops accused of High Treason The King forced by Tumults retreats Northward Contests about the Militia His Majesty is repulsed at Hull p. 1. BOOK II. The King attempts Hull in vain Propositions sent to his Majesty to York Most of the Lords and many of the Commons repair to his Majesty He erects his Standard at Nottingham and raises an Army Essex the Rebels General at Worcester at Keynton The famous Battle of Edge-hill Fight at Branford The King fortifies Oxford Some Actions in other Provinces The Queen lands at Burlington Goes to Oxford The Battle of Lansdowne Of Rownday Downe The Siege and Relief of Glocester The great Battle of Newbury The Parliament invite the Scots to their Succour They enter England The Siege of York The fatal Battle of Marston Moor. The Fights at Brandon Heath and Copedry-bridge Essex defeated in the West The second Battle of Newbury Alexander Carew and the Two Hothams beheaded Mac-Mahon and Macquier executed The Archbishop of Canterbury martyr'd The Treaty at Uxbridge Essex discarded and Sir Thomas Fairfax made General in his Place 38. BOOK III. The Continuation of the Irish Rebellion The Lords of the Pale side with the Rebels Their Model of Government The Cruelty of the English in Ireland Ormond makes first a Cessation then a Peace with the Irish Delivers Dublin to the English The King vindicated from any Correspondence with the Irish Rebels Fairfax marches Westward recalled besieges Oxford The King relieves Chester Takes Leicester The Fatal Battel of Naesby described The King's Cabinet taken and published Fairfax relieves Taunton The Fight at Langport He takes Bridgwater Sherburne and Bristol The King's Travels and Labours The Scots besiege Hereford They quit it The Fight at Rowton-Heath Digby and Langdale defeated in the North. Barclay-Castle the Devizes and Tiverton taken Cromwell takes Winchester and Basing-House by Assault The Fight at Torrington The Prince passes into France The Lord Hopton disbands his Army Distructions at Newark The King returns to Oxford The Lord Ashley defeated 84. BOOK IV. The King leaves Oxford and goes to the Scots Army Hereford is surprized and Chester surrender'd Oxford besieged and taken The other Royal Garrisons follow Massey's Forces disbanded Contests with the Scots Their barbarous Vsage of the King They sell him He is imprisoned in Holmbey-House The History of the Scots Rebellion and valorous Actions of Montross Independency triumphant The Army mutinies and seize upon the King at Holmbey They court him but deal treacherously with him He flies to the Isle of Wight 122. BOOK V. The King in the Isle of Wight His Message for Peace The Four Dethroning Bills The Votes of Non-address Cap. Burleigh attempts the King's Delivery Rolfe his Life The King appeals to the People They rise in several Parts of the Kingdom Are suppressed Pembroke taken The Scots defeated and Hamilton a Prisoner Colchester surrendered The Treaty in the Isle of Wight broken by the Army They seize upon the King Garble the Parliament The perjur'd Remains of the Commons assume the Supream Power Constitute a pretended Court of High Justice Arraign Condemn and Murther their King His End and Elogy 169. PART II. BOOK I. The Regicides prohibit the proclaiming of the Prince of Wales They abolish the House of Lords and the Government by Kings Choose a Councel of State Displace and Fine the Lord Mayor for refusing to publish the Act for abolishing of Monarchy Declare they will maintain the Fundamental Laws Erect a High Court of Justice Hamilton Holland and
Capell condemned by it and murthered Several Acts of State The Scots proclaim Charles II. Some Actions of the Levellers The King leaves Holland and goes by Brussels into France The Duke of Gloucester banished Continuance of the History of Ireland The King at Jersey Prince Rupert Sails from Kinsale to Portugal Loseth his Brother Prince Maurice by a Hurrycane The King at Breda Treats and Concludes with the Scots Montrosse's unfortunate End Fairfax routed and Cromwell General His Actions in Scotland The Scots barbarous Vsage of the King They are defeated at Dunbar The King crowned at Schone He enters England The Battle of Worcester The King 's miraculous Escape 109 110. BOOK II. Cromwell enters London Triumphantly Continuation of the Irish Affairs Ormond leaves Ireland and Clanrickard his Deputy there Ireton dyes of the Plague Monk takes Sterling Dundee and Subjugates Scotland The Isles of Scilly Barbadoes Garnsey Jersey and that of Man surrendered to the Regicides Their Greatness They are courted by the Neighbouring Kings and States They send a solemn Embassy into Holland Cromwell Cabals Turns out the Mock-Parliament Chooses another Is chosen Protector The Wars with the United Provinces The various Sea-Fights betwixt the Two States Cromwell makes a Peace with them and a League with France The Expedition of San Domingo and Jamaica Blake's success at Tunis and Santa Cruz. Dunkirk taken The Death of Oliver Cromwell His Character 249. BOOK III. Richard succeeds his Father in the Protectorate He is deposed by the Army The Rump restored Lambert defeats Sir George Booth Montague returns with the Fleet out of Denmark Lambert turns out the Rump Monk dissents and declares for the Rump Lambert marches against him Being deluded by Treaties he is deserted by his Army The Committee of Safety routed and the Rump yet again restored Monk marches to London Readmits the Secluded Members The Parliament dissolv'd by its own Act. An Abstract of the King's Actions and Motions abroad He is proclaimed by the Parliament Returns into England His glorious Reception The End of our Troubles 278. PART III. BOOK I. The REBELLION breaks into new Flames Some Millenaries secur'd Venner's Insurrection and End The Presbyterians stickle for new Elections Several Seditious Tumults detected and punished The Plague consumes the People The Conflagration of the City Tumults in Scotland Oate's Plot. The Parliament insist upon removing the Duke from the King's Presence and Councils It is dissolved Another Parliament call'd The Duke retires from Court A new Council chosen The Parliament refuse the King Money and insist upon the Bill of Exclusion It is also dissolved another being Summon'd A new Rebellion in Scotland The Arch-bishop of St. Andrew's inhumanly butchered The Rebels are defeated at Bothwel-Bridge The King sick He recovers The Duke returns to Court Monmouth Cabals and is outed of his Employments The Lord Stafford beheaded The Parliament dissolv'd and succeeded by another at Oxford which is likewise dismiss'd College is hang'd and Shaftsbury try'd The strange Encrease of the Fanaticks Their Insolence and Power in the City They form a Conspiracy The Council of Six The Plot to Murther the King and Duke The Providential Fire at New-Market Keeling discovers the Conspiracy Russel and Sidney are executed Monmouth absconds but upon his Submission is pardoned He again transgresses and is banished The King dyes of an Apoplexy The Duke succeeds 312. BOOK II. The Rebellion breaks out in Scotland under Argile in England under Monmouth Both are vanquished taken and executed The Final Ruin and End of the Rebellion 336. COMMENTARIES ON THE REBELLION OF England Scotland and Ireland PART I. BOOK I. The Vnion of the Kingdoms of Great Britain The State of Affairs in England The Scots Tumults and their Causes They Rebel and Arm. The King Marches against them but concludes a Peace They break it and enter England with an Army The Little Parliament call'd and dissolved The Treaty at Rippon referred to the Parliament which met in November 1640. The Preludes to their ensuing Rebellion Strafford Impeach'd and Beheaded The Fatal Act of Continuance The Scots dismissed The King follows them into Scotland The Irish Rebellion breaks out The King upon his Return is pompously received by the Londoners The King enters the House of Commons The Bishops accused of High Treason The King forced by Tumults retreats Northward Contests about the Militia His Majesty is repulsed at Hull THE Kingdoms of Great Britain being United under the Dominion of one Prince and the Animosities and Emulations which usually disorder Neighbour-Nations thereby removed gave a sudden Rise to a very great and formidable Power which could not be destroyed but by it self The Moderator of this vast Empire was JAMES VI. King of Scotland and First Monarch of Great Britain undoubted Heir to both as well by Right of Succession from Margaret the only Daughter of Edgar Atheling the last of the Saxon Princes as by that of Force derived to him from the Norman Conqueror This Wise and Learned Prince Charles I. succeeds to the Crown being gathered to his Fathers the loss which his Dominions suffered by it however great was abundantly repaired by the Succession of his Son CHARLES who being truly Heir to his Father's Greatness and Vertues as well as Scepters did excel all his Predecessors in the more severe Disquisition of what was Fit and Just so that our Tragedies will scarce find Credit with Posterity whilst the Ages to come mistrusting the Reports of such enormous Villainies will look upon our unheard-of Vicissitudes but as the Fancies of Poetry and the Decoration of Theatres For how is it possible to believe that the Best of Princes should meet with the Worst of Subjects on whom he had conferred more Graces than the whole Series of his Ancestors and that he who valued his Kingdoms and Life at a lower Rate than the Happiness of his People should by a Judicial Parricide be sacrificed to the ambitious Violence of a prevailing Faction in their Representative and that under the pretence of Usurpation and Tyranny But these things happened an everlasting Reproach to the Nation and not to be atoned for by any Resentment or Hecatombs of Victims King James left a flourishing Kingdom behind him but an empty Treasury and his Successor engaged in a War with Spain and what was worse the Parliament that oblig'd the Father to Arm abandoned the Son when they had exposed him Nor were the succeeding Parliaments more Obsequious or forward in supplying his Necessities how great soever either in recovering the Palatinate or rescuing the French Protestants though undertaken in Defence of the Reformed Religion 'T is true his Third Parliament voted him Five Subsidies but we must own also The Petition of Right that the Petition of Right being a Condescension even to Supererogation deserv'd their best Acknowledgements for raised with that Grant they that very Session questioned the Tribute of Tonnage and Poundage though perpetually enjoyed by his Predecessors Kings of England affirming
aloud Stop pierced the Throng and having whispered a while Sir Phelim answered aloud in the hearing of several Hundreds of Spectators I thank the Lieutenant General for his intended Mercy but I declare good People before God and his Holy Angels and all of you that hear me that I never had any Commission from the King for what I have done in levying or prosecuting of this War Nor was it only with him but with several other Prisoners that they most impiously endeavoured by Promises of Life Liberty and Estates and no less abominable Artifices to sooth them to Confessions that might entitle the King to this nefarious Rebellion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And 't was thus the Enemy did with exquisite Malice to use the King 's own Expressions in his Divine Meditations mix the Gall and Vinegar of Falsity and Contempt with the Cup of his Affliction charging him not only with Vntruths but such as wherein he had the greatest Share of Loss and Dishonour by what was committed Whereas in all Policy Reason and Religion having least cause to give the least Consent and most grounds of utter Detestation he might be represented by them to the World the more inhumane and barbarous Dublin surrendred to the Parliament The Treaty being concluded with the Committee of Parliament the City was surrendred into their Hands Ormond stipulating amongst other Things a Liberty of going to the King to give him an Accompt of the Progress of that War He found his Majesty in Hampton-Court in the Hands of the Army but seeing how Affairs were carried he withdrew himself into France where he continued until the Confederate Irish terrified with the Preparations made in England to destroy them by their humble Addresses to the Queen and Prince of Wales obtained his Return But it is now time to return into England where upon Essex his being laid aside the Command of the Army was as we have already related given to Sir Thomas Fairfax who with great Industry and Toil modell'd and formed the divers Forces that were dispersed under several Chieftains into one entire Body This being effected he marched from Windsor his head Quarters in the Beginning of May by Orders of the Committee of both Kingdoms to the Relief of Taunton Fairfax marches to the Relief of Taunton which had been long besieged and reduced to great Extremity In the mean Time Cromwell had been sent from Windsor with a strong Party to disturb the King's Preparations about Oxford He defeated two Thousand Horse at Islip-Bridge killing several and taking Four Hundred Horses as also Two Hundred Prisoners with the Queen's Standard Some Runnaways had taken Sanctuary in Blechingdon House where being followed and the Place summoned the unfortunate Governour to gratifie the Fears of his Lady tamely surrendred it which cost him his Life by being shot to Death by the Sentence of a Court-Marshal Sir Willam Vaughan sent with some Foot to Radcot-Bridge was likewise with Two Hundred of his Party intercepted by him Fierce with these Successes and strengthened with Six Hundred Foot from Abington he assaulted Faringdon but not without Loss being bravely received by Sir George Lisle the Governour At the same Time General Goring being sent for by the King to Oxford fell upon Five Hundred of Cromwell's Men under the Command of Whaley near Faringdon where Bethel who led the Van was taken and the rest routed with the Loss of Three Colours But Goring having Intelligence of Fairfax's march Westward returned with all imaginable Haste to oppose his Attempts upon Taunton In the mean time the King taking the Opportunity of Fairfax's Absence sent for his Horse under the Command of his Nephews Rupert and Maurice and marching himself with his Cannon out of Oxford joined them notwithstanding Cromwell and Browne's Endeavour who were commanded to observe him to the contrary His Forces being united for Gerrard having vanquished Langhorne in South-Wales was also come up he grew so formidable the Rebels Army being absent that he was greatly apprehended especially in the associated Counties and neighbouring Countries Fairfax was recalled upon these Apprehensions And though advanced as far as Blainford he there received Counter-Orders commanding his Return which he obeyed sending Col. Welden with betwixt Six and Seven Thousand Men to the succouring of Taunton whilst he himself strengthened with the Addition of Cromwell Browne and some other Chiefs of the Party marches to Oxford and lays Siege to it Besieges Oxford The Royallists at Taunton upon the Approach of Welden supposing the whole Army to be there removed from the Town but perceiving their mistake Goring Hopton and Greenville joining their Forces fight and beat Welden and besiege the Town more closely than before The King relieves Chester The King having united his Forces moved with quick Marches towards Chester one of the Loyallest and Chief Cities of his Party then besieged by Sir William Brereton who drew off upon Report of his Majesty's Advance The King thereupon wheeling about flies to Liecester and by Summons commands the Town to be surrendred to him The Place lying in a fertile Country was also well stored with Ammunition and Provision The Committee of the Shire was then there and consulting with the Townsmen about the Summons told the Messenger they would return an Answer next Morning But that being refused and but one Hour's Space granted for Consultation by a Drum sent on purpose whilst they delayed the Cannon began to play which together with the small Shot they continued to do without Intermission that Evening and the following Night The next Morning the Town was assaulted in many Places at once Leicester taken and after a stout Defence forced The Garrison embodied again upon the Market-Place and continued the Fight with great Resolution till being oppressed with Numbers they were defeated with a great Slaughter The Plunder of the Place followed which was great the Governour * Colonel Gray and the Committee with several other Officers and Gentlemen being made Prisoners The King's Affairs much heightned with this Victory were judged by most Men not inferiour to the Enemies And he himself thought no less when he writ to the Queen in these Terms I may without being too sanguine affirm That since this Rebellion my Affairs were never in so hopeful a Way The Men at Westminster terrified with the Greatness of the Danger and in no less Disquiet by reason of the Diffidence and Dissensions amongst themselves which every Success on the King's Side would improve dispatch'd sudden Commands to Fairfax who had thus long trifled at the Siege of Oxford That be should forthwith follow the King and having overtaken him fight him if possible and so decide the controversie by Battel This City seated in the middle of the Kingdom was a great Eye-sore to the Faction Besides it extreamly incommoded London and being the Royal-Seat of the King and head of the contrary Party it seemed great to attempt it Nor
the Duke of Gloucester the King 's Youngest Brother as least obnoxious to the Wiles of the Enemy by reason of his tender Years but this also displeased and nothing was fixed upon In the mean time several Petitions out of the Counties were presented to Cromwell in which after an Enumeration of his Glorious Actions they earnestly desire That God having given him the Power of the Sword they might be eased of their Grievances by his and his Armies mediation Moved with these Supplications and his own Ambition he ceased not to press the Members singly and collectively to put an End to their odious Domination and permit the Election of a new Representative of Men singular for their Integrity and Holiness of Life to whom the Government might be transferred But these Conscript Fathers bewitcht with the Sweets of Empire turned every Stone to prevent their casheering and being vehemently urged to it promised that they would name a day for the ending of this Session But Cromwell raving with the Thoughts of Supremacy and looking upon every Delay as pernicious rushing into the House of Commons having taxed all with their Crimes pointing at several with his Finger accused some of Adultery some of Drunkenness others of Gluttony and not a few of Robbing the Common wealth And his Officers upon his stamping with his Foot which was the Signal crowding in to him he turned out this Hated Juncto putting a Period to that detestable Convention which had thus long abused the Sacred Name of Parliament And here we ought to adore the unsearchable Judgments of God seeing them who violated the Majesty of their own Lord become Slaves by as just Retribution to their own Servants 'T is scarce credible with what universal Applause this Dissolution was effected not that better Times unless the King were restored durst be hoped for but that People were willing to try every Change rather than longer to bear the Yoke of this odious Domination And thus this perfidious Servant subverted his equally perfidious Superiors and constituting a Council of State which should govern at his beck requires by Proclamation the Subjects Obedience and Submission under great Penalties to their Dictates Many eminent Men have acquired Dominion over their Fellows by Fortitude and Vertue and some by flagitious and detestable Crimes but very few by cheating and perhaps scarce another besides Cromwell who ever invaded and obtained the Supreme Power by Tears and Sighs and Lyes and Pretences of Religion And yet it was with these Arts that this Ambitious Trooper and False Prophet having deceived the Army he commanded being Fanaticks and gained the Independants by Benefits durst attempt what ever Power and Ambition could suggest The Mock-Parliament being turned out the Civil Employments in the Kingdom were by Proclamation confirmed in their Hands that enjoyed them whilst the Souldiery by Sea and Land as also the Armies in Scotland and Ireland did not only approve of this Change by their suffrages but by their congratulatory Addresses too protesting their Obedience to their Generalissimo and his Orders in all Things But Cromwell lest he might seem to arrogate the Supreme Power to himself and thereby offend the Dissenting Brethren and the better to delude the Democraticks with the jugglings of Appearances convened another Assembly by advice of his Officers to the number of one Hundred and Four and Twenty To these being Godly Men and chosen by himself out of the Provinces he devolved the Supreme Power who being Sectaries and Enthusiasticks met at Westminster and usurping the Name of a Parliament as most plausible began to manage the Affairs of the Kingdom But they performed nothing of consequence save that they endeavoured to take away Tythes and alienate the Revenues of the Church as Antichristian They attempted also to abrogate our Laws as Badges of the Norman Conquest imposed to enslave us to suppress our Vniversities and Publick Schools as savouring of Paganism and to annihilate Titles and Nobility as contrary to the Law of Nature and Christianity All which they had also effected if they had not been stopt in their Carreer by a suddain Dissolution Cromwell had many Privado's amongst this mad Rabble who seeing they could do no good with them by tempering their Obstinacy and considering that they acted by a precarious Authority and the Will of another the Speaker being likewise of their Cabal they took their time when many of the other were absent declaring that since no good was to be expected from the Common-wealth so constituted it seemed consonant to reason that the Parliament should be dissolved Which by the Speaker's leaving the Chair was done who marching in the Head of the rest of the Party to White-Hall they surrendered to Cromwell the Authority they had received from him opening thereby a Passage to that Supremacy he so eagerly thirsted after year 1653 Being then by a Decree of the Council of War and Consent of the Army Lambert contributing mainly to it for he also hoped to have his Turn in the Government after the Death of his General chosen Protector he was no less vigilant in conserving his Dignity than he had been industrious in acquiring it But first it was thought fit he should be installed in this New Dignity which was done in great state at Westminster-Hall Dec. 18. where he took an Oath according to the Tenor of an Instrument then presented to him To govern the Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs to seek their Peace and cause Justice and Law to be equally administred The Heads of the said Instrument were That the Protector should call a Parliament every Three Years which should sit Five Months That their Bills unless he consented to them in Twenty Days should pass without him That his Council should not exceed One and Twenty nor be under Thirteen who immediately upon his Death should choose another Protector but that no Protector after him should be General of the Army That he should have power to make Peace or War and with his Council make Laws in the intervals of Parliament that should be binding to the Subjects c. His Council for the present seemingly appointed by the Chief Officers but allowed by himself were Fourteen in Number Harrison and some others being disgusted with the Change being lest out tho they had hitherto strenuously but blindly contributed to it But the City not content to have testified their Joy by their Bells and Bonfires invited this New Dictator to a magnificent Feast at Grocers Hall where he Knighted Viner the Mayor but in his Return was saluted with a Brick-bat which light upon his Coach nothing else save a profound Silence accompanying this splendid Cavalcade But Cromwell not taken with Appearances in Order to his Settlement sends his Son Henry to Command in Ireland and General Monk into Scotland securing thereby the Three Kingdoms in his Power At home he discountenances Bradshaw the Regicide with Scot Vane and other Enemies to Monarchy and
with his Ships of War and fights retreating The Third day the Battle being renewed the Dutch after a stout Conflict got away by Favour of the Darkness having lost Eleven of their Men of War and Thirty of the Merchant Ships The English lost the Sampson but saved her Men as also the Captains Mildmay and Ball commanding the Triumph and Vanguard and Blake himself was wounded in his Thigh The slaughter on both sides especially the Enemies was very great Tromp gained great Honour and that deservedly for saving his Fleet justly attributing the Cause of his Retreat to his Care for his Merchants which he convoy'd The Hollanders admonished by their Losses write to the Rump for a Reconciliation but seeing the other Provinces had not concurred their Letters were rejected But what the Dutch lost in the Channel seemed to be compensated by their Victory in the Tyrrehenian Sea off of Leghorn where Van Galen defeated Appelton taking and sinking Fire Men of War He had formerly taken the Phenix at Porta Longona which was afterwards recovered by Cox sometime her Lieunant who in the Night under the Notion of Fisher-men clapt her on Board with a Hundred Men in Three Boats forcing Young Tromp who commanded her to save himself out of the Cabin Window and brought her to Naples The Danes favouring the Dutch had detained an English Fleet in the Sound loaden with Masts Pitch Tar Hemp and other Naval Provisions which the English mainly wanted Nor would they release them although pressed to it by Captain Ball with a great Fleet of War year 1653 In the Beginning of this Year 1653. Cromwell as is mentioned had dislodged the Rump assuming to himself the Supream Authority over these Nations And now the Dutch proposing to themselves much Advantage by this Change and as they supposed unsetled state of Affairs prepare a great Fleet consisting of Fourscore brave Ships of Force Wherewith Tromp sailing out of the Texel made Northwards to meet their French Merchant Fleet coming round Ireland and Great Brittain for fear of the English who obstructed the Passage through the Channel These being sent Home in safety Tromp sailed to Dover which Town he battered with his whole Fleet a whole Day The English in the mean Time under the Command of Monk and Dean sailing along the Coasts of Scotland Denmark and the Belgick Strands carried no less Terror with them June 2. The Coasts having been thus allarm'd on both Sides both Fleets came in Sight of each other and engaged The Fight as usual was brave and bloody Dean was slain by a Cannon Bullet from the first Broad-side but the Dutch in Revenge were so ill treated that the Night coming on they retired towards Dunkirk securing themselves from the Enemies greatest Ships betwixt those known Sands The next Morning the English augmented by the Accession of Blake with Eighteen Ships renewed the Fight and after a sharp Encounter force the Dutch to flye notwithstanding Tromp who put himself at the foremost of them his Endeavours to the contrary The Belgians lost at least Fifteen of their Ships sunk and taken the Dammage the English suffered being very inconsiderable The Conquerours raised with their Success besieged the Havens and Ports of Holland and Zealand to their very great Detriment for the Ships homeward bound ignorant of what had happened fell into the Hands of the Besiegers and those within durst not venture out The Dutch finding the Inequality of the Party send Embassadours into England to treat of Peace where whilst they are disputing about the Conditions the Fleets again meet not far from the Texel This Naval Battel seemed to exceed all the other in Fierceness and Slaughter though nothing memorable happened that or the following Day by reason of the Tempestuousness of the Weather On the Third Day July 31. being the 31st of July the Fleets from the Texel and Zealand being joyned Tromp and De Witt made up to the English who bearing off at Sea by reason of the Sholes and a Lee-shore quickly tackt upon them and receiving their Attack with equal Fortitude and Fierceness at length repelled them The Fight dured from Six in the Morning till Noon Nor did the Party seem unequal until Tromp was slain being shot in the Breast with a Musket Bullet And thus fell this great Man to be mentioned with Honour for the Glory of his Achievements and his skill in Naval Affairs He finished his Course with no less Reputation than he had continued it seeing he died in Defence of his Country and that the War which he had begun expired with him The Admiral being dead the Valour of his Men vanished with him who unequal to the English in Perseverance fled before them with much Disorder and Loss towards the Texel Nor were they much pressed in their Retreat for Monk however successful bought his Victory dear being necessitated to return into England to repair his Breaches and Losses He had Six of his Captains slain and as many wounded and Two of his Ships lost Pen and Lawson did particularly signalize themselves What the Enemy suffered was not known save that Five of their Captains were made Prisoners and scarce Ninty of One Hundred and Twenty Ships they had fought with escaped into the Texel A day of Thanksgiving was appointed in England for this Victory the Chief Officers and Captains of the Fleet being honoured with Gold-Chains and Medals as Marks of their Valour and good Service Opdam a Person of Honour and of the Nobility which is conspicuous in Holland succeeded Tromp in the Command of the Fleet. And now both Republicks weary of the War seemed desirous of Peace which was also concluded betwixt them upon Conditions honourable enough for the English if the Protector too solicitous for the future had not too much apprehended the Young Prince of Orange then in his Nurses Arms. The Danes were included in the Treaty the Price of the detained Ships being paid by the States Peace was likewise concluded with the King of Portugal as also with the Sweeds by splendid Embassies from both Sides A more strickt League was also made with the French and all upon his own Terms For he forced the Dutch and Portuguese to pay the Charges of the War Nor would he conclude with the French without inserting an Article their King being then under Age That France should upon Demand assist him with Ten Thousand Men to establish his Authority against the King against the People and against the Defections of his own Army which he had reason to apprehend Nay they valued the Friendship and Favour of this Usurper at that Rate that they forced King Charles by an unheard of President upon his Demand to leave that Kingdom banishing him out of his very Exile against the Law of Nations which allows Sanctuary to the distressed and against the Rights of Blood and Hospitality Cromwell being offended with Spain or perhaps in Consequence of the League with France Proclaims War against that
changed his Battery and will now try to gain them by Civilities and a more gentle Usage But that taking no effect with Men immoveable in their Loyalty and whom nothing could oblige to abandon that Cause they had so religiously maintained he thought of other ways to be rid of these Men so averse to his Tyranny Upon this accompt he permits Foreign Ministers in League with him to make Levies of them for their Wars the Prisons having often times been emptied for that purpose The Colonies in the West Indies consumed many of them by Slavery and others allured into the unfortunate expedition of San Domingo perished in it His Domestick Enemies being thus removed or oppress'd the Vsurper became also formidable to Strangers And now it seemed seasonable for him to think of transmitting his Tyranny to his Posterity As he had usurp'd the Power of a King so he ambition'd the Title which a Parliament he had convened for his Purpose endeavoured to invest him with But he was opposed by the Chiefs of the Army who expected and hoped after his Fate to have their Turns in the Supremacy However he managed his Design so well that he was created Sovereign Protector with Power to name his Successor which was in effect what he desired in rendring his Tyranny Hereditary The Spaniards to repay one War with another seized and confiscated all the English Merchants Goods and Shipping in his Dominions and by a Publick Edict declared War against the Nation But Cromwell acting more Effectually sent Blake and Montague with a Fleet to shut up the Haven of Cadiz where the Rich Ships from the Indies usually arrived Stayner with his Squadron of Seven Frigats 1656. Sep. 1. fell upon Eight of them in the Absence of their Admiral whereof he took Two burnt One with the Marquess of Badaiox the Vice-Roy of Peru and his Lady in it sunk Another forced Two on Shore and the other Two escaped into Port. This was a great Victory wherein they took above Two Millions of Pieces of Eight But that which Blake won at Teneriffe the Year following surpassed all other in Nobleness of Action and Resolution of the Undertakers The West India Fleet consisting of Sixteen Rich Ships 1657. Apr. 20. having Intelligence that the English were cruising upon the Atlantick Ocean put into the Haven of Santa Cruz where by the Advantage of their strong Castle at the Entry and Seven Forts round the Bay they thought themselves secure But Blake perceiving their Order sending Stayner a brave Commander with some nimble Frigats before followed himself with the rest of his Fleet. And plying the Castle and Forts with his great Ships beat the Spaniards from their Guns and after a sharp Fight took the Fleet abandoned by the Sea-men who ran on Shore but not being able to carry it away with them they set in on fire consuming both it and the immense Riches it was fraughted with A Thanksgiving-Day being appointed in England for this so eminent a Victory Blake was honoured by the Parliament with a Present of Five Hundred Pounds But this so famous Admiral did not long survive so many Victories expiring at his Entrance into Plymouth Road by the Malignity of the Dropsy and Scurvy Thus ended this brave and fortunate Warriour worthily to be celebrated if he had not so audaciously resisted his own Prince Nor was it at Sea only that Cromwell plagued the Spaniard for he sent Six Thousand Men under the Command of Collonel Reynolds into Flanders who much facilitated the Successes of the French Montmedy and St. Venant were taken by their Asstance and some time after Mardike which was delivered to the English and by them so strongly fortified that it firmly withstood the Assaults of the Brittish Regiments in the Service of Spain Hereupon Dunkirk was Besieged by the Confederates But Don Juan of Austria Governour of those Low-Countries Solicitous for the conserving of so considerable a Sea-port and to prevent the Excursions of the French into Flanders on that side having drawn his Army together and strengthened it with Veterane Souldiers taken out of their Garrisons and being joyned by the Duke of York with four Batalions of English and Irish then under his Command he marched to the Relief of the Besieged and suddenly possessing the Height of the Sand-Hills opposite to Turin's Camp pitcht his there Marshal Turin having left Guards to Defend Forts and Posts against the Sallies of the Besieged drew the rest of his Army out of his Trenches The English were in the Van who notwithstanding the Showers of shot powered upon them ascended the Hill and after a sharp encounter at push of Pike and Butt-end of Musket forced the Enemy from their Ground This being done the French Horse charged the opposite Cavalry which being long sustained by the Valour and Vertue of the Duke of York and his Brother Gloucester was at last the English advancing upon them obliged to leave the Field There were above a Thousand slain and more then Two Thousand taken Prisoners The Cannon and Spoil of the Field were the present Reward of the Victors and some time after Dunkirk it self Which by the Death of the Governour the Marquess of Lede was surtendered upon Conditions and put into the Possession of the English by Contract Cromwell however heightned by this Victory did not long survive it being oppressed with a Melancholy which he had contracted upon the Death of his beloved Daughter Cleypoole Which accompanied with a Fever and Faintings snatcht him hence deprecating his immature Destiny in vain to that Tribunal where he was to give an Accompt of his Rebellions Sacriledge Perjury Parricide and Tyranny He died indeed like other Men in his Bed but not without some extraordinary Commotions of Spirit Nay the whole Frame of Nature suffer'd violent Concussions by a dreadful Tempest at the Exit of this Impostor which threatn'd by Tumult and Noises loud as his Sins to reduce the World into its pristine Chaos again We cannot with Justice deny this great Artist in Dissimulation and Imposture Courage and Vastness of Mind since he raised himself up from a Private Condition and a simple Gentleman to the Supream Height of Empire not altogether unworthy the Degree he attained to if he had not acquired it by ill Means BOOK III. Richard succeeds his Father in the Protectorate He is deposed by the Army The Rump restored Lambert defeats Sir George Booth Montague returns with the Fleet out of Denmark Lambert turns out the Rump Monk dissents and declares for the Rump Lambert marches against him Being deluded by Treaties he is deserted by his Army The Committee of Safety routed and the Rump yet again restored Monk marches to London Readmits the Secluded Members The Parliament dissolv'd by its own Act. An Abstract of the King's Actions and Motions abroad He is proclaimed by the Parliament Returns into England His glorious Reception The End of our Troubles OLiver having during his Sickness been vainly