losse advance to the further parts where they kept their Randevouze and which they laide wast plundering the houses to the bare walls driving all the cattell siezing upon the persons of men and sending them Captives to Monmouth and Chepstow except such as escaped to us by flight as many did with their Armes and some few that saved themselves in Woods and Minepitts The enemy did not adventure into the lower and neerer places where our foot lay ready and resolved to undertake theirs if they came on Our Neighbouring parts of Hereford and Worcestershire runne the like fortune with these in the Forrest and looke blacke upon this Garrison which was not able to preserve them The Kings forces returned the second time into the Forrest and tooke the gleanings of the former Harvest yet the neerer parts are still prrserved The enemy raised themselves to a great power already reputed sixe thousand horse and foote and seeme to endeavour Northward wherefore the Governour intending to helpe the Countrey by driving up the Reare of their march or to put in for any service advanced to Lidbury with foure hundred horse and five hundred foot his whole marching strength notwithstanding the addition of two hundred and fifty Horse from Northampton and Warwicke and with this party attended the enemyes motion Hither Prince Rupert advanced with the best part of his Army of whose approach neither spye nor Scout from the Out-guards made the least discovery till they came within halfe a mile of the Towne horse and foote to surprize or at least to surround us The Governour instantly commanded the Horse to mount and drew up the foote though not in so good order as he might by reason of the sudden Alarme and suspecting what he afterwards founde that the Prince would endeavour to compasse him in he marched off the foot with all due speed that the enemyes right or left wing might not get before us which they endeavored by sending one party to the Towns end to keep us in action there whilst two other parties fetched a compasse upon either hand In the meane while he brought up those few horse that were not upon the Out-guards to charge the enemy at their first entrance and placed an Ambuscado of twenty Musqueteeres to make good the retreate But the businesse was acted so that the Governour in person with the Field Officers and Captaines were enforced to entertaine the enemy with severall charges and beare their brunt alone till the foote had ridde some ground before them In this part of the skirmish their losse was the greatest for number of ours only Major Backehouse mortally wounded the Governour whom the Prince aimed to charge had his horse wounded under him by two severoll shots Our men drew off as was meete made good the retreat three or foure miles to the enemyes losse till they came up to a place of shelter when hasting to get before the right wing of the enemyes horse they were put into some confusion And the Horse having no great desire to fight neglected the advantage of the place to stop the pursuit though the Governour endeavoured what he could to engage them That the enemy fell in among the Reare Guard of the foote where he lost neare two hundred men taken prisoners many Country men being taken in to make up the number This businesse cost them the lives of some gallrnt Officers and the Prince missed his aime of surprizing Colonell Massye but the Governour supposed the stay of the Princes march an advantage to the Service Neverthelesse the Army continued some dayes after betweene Hereford and Worcester recruiting dayly and seeme to put much confidence in the Country whom they cause not onely to abjure the Parliament but binde over to themselves by solemne oath swearing in the presence of God That they beleeve no power of Pope or Parliament can depose the King and obsolve them from their naturall obedience to his Royall Person and Successors that the two Houses of Parliament without the Kings consent have no power to make Lawes or to binde or oblige the subjects by their Ordinances that they beleeve the Earl of Essex and Manchester and Sir Thomas Fairsaxe Sir William Waller Colonell Massie together with all such as have already or shall hereafter take up Armes by Authority or commission from the members of Parliament at Westminster pretending to fight for King and Parliament doe thereby become actuall Rebells and as such ought with all their adherents and partakers to be presented and brought to condigne punishment that they will never beare Armes in their quarrell but will if they be thereto called assist their Soveraine and his Armies in the defence of his Royall Person Crowne and Dignity against all contrary forces to the utmost of their skill and power and with the hazard of their lives and fortunes that they will not discover the secresies of his Majesties Army unto the Rebells nor hold any correspondence with them and all designes of theirs against the Kings Army for the surprizing or delivering up of the Cities of Hereford or Worcester or any other of his Majesties Forts they shall truly discover to those whom it shall concern so soone as it comes to their knowledge That his Majesties taking up Armes for the causes by himselfe so often declared in Print is justly necessary That they shall endeavour all they can to hinder popular tumults risings randevouzes meetings confederacies and associations of the people townes hundreds and countries which are not warranted to assemble by his Majesties expresse commission or by power derived from him by vertue of his Commissions and in the sense he meanes it and that they detest from their heart that seditious and traiterous late invented nationall covenant and protest never to take it All these particulars they vow and protest sinceerely to obsolve without Equivocation or mentall Reservation This Pretestation was strictly injoyned by the Princes to be taken by all without exception in the Counties of Mounmouth Glamorgan Breeknoâ—ke Radnor Hereford and Worcester Neverthelesse this constained act could not knit the hearts of a male-contented Country to the love of that side nor could the State permit the enemies exaction and violence by this vow eternally to binde up the people from well-doing The Princes Army is the maine rest of the Kings Affaires which they strengthen daily by impressing the Countrey taking in lesser Brigades and draining the Garrisons and a part of Gorings Army passed over the Seaverne from Bristoll into Wales and so to Rupert at Hereford After a little stay to perfect the recruite the enemy drew thence the Infantery and Artillery lay betweene Worcester and Beaudly commanded by Sir Jacob Ashley whilest Rupert and Maurice with the horse and some select foote fetch off the King from Oxford assisted also with Gorings Horse and Dragoones who left his Majesty at Stew and marched backe over the hills into the West through our Borders The Governour received another dropping
intentions of tyrannie unto which they onely are moulded who detesting a close hardy and industrious way of living doe eate their bread in the sweat of other men and neglecting a secure estate rejoyce rather in the height of fortune though inconstant and dangerous Such is the predominant humour of Gentlemen in a corrupted age Besides the Country-man had of his owne and did not live by the breath of his great Land lord neither were the poore and needy at the will of the Gentry but observed those men by whom those Manufactures were maintained that kept them alive By which meanes it came to passe that neither they of the middle ranke nor the needy were de voted to the examples of the Gentlemen who turned back betrayed their trust and are alwaies more apt to be corrupted or mistaken in judging of the common interest but had learned to reverence their Liberties and to acknowledge their native happinesse But some higher cause had a greater influence on the endeavours of many for a well-bounded Freedome and regular Priviledges a knowledge of things pertaining to Divine Worship according to the maine Principles of the Christian profession Which Religion is not according to the will of man but grounded upon an unchangeable and eternall Truth and doth indispensably binde every soule to one Law perpetuall and constant This therefore doth strongly implead the necessity of externall priviledges in her Professors and though it doth not destroy the Kingdomes of the World nor usurpe a greater liberty then humane Lawes will easily grant yet it will not give away its native right and it hath moreover in its nature an irreconcileable emnity against Arbitrary Government and will worke its selfe out of bondage when the felicity of the times shall give power and a lawfull call And in this kinde of knowledge this City and County was more happy then many other parts of the Kingdome by meanes of a practicall Ministry which hath not onely its powerfull working in Divine things but doth also inable vulgar capacities more fitly to apply themselves to such things as cenverne the life of a morall man and although each Person thus informed reacheth not the depth of the reason yet he can comprehend the truth thereof and jealousie makes him the more quick-sighted Thus have we found that the common people addicted to the Kings service have come out of blinde Wales and other dark corners of the Land but the more knowing are apt to contradict and question and will not easily be brought to the bent For this cause the ambition of the times hath endeavoured the undermining of true Religion to promote a blind and irrationall worship that might bring forth an ignorant and slavish generation of men which kinde of bondage the meanest person that performes a reasonable service cannot but resent and feare Yet something there was that might debase and infeeble their spirits the plague and mischiefe of the whole Realme a grosse ignorance and supine neglect of Military Discipline there being no ground for the study and exercise of Armes that might keepe the body of the State in health and vigour Nor is it unlikely that extreame vassalage was the end of that long sluggish Peace when the Nation could not have been more happy then in some just and honourable warre with forraigne parts though now none more miserable by reason of these civill broyles that teare the bowels and eate up the strength of the Kingdome 'T is no shame in the progresse of time to looke backe upon the beginnings of action The Trained Bands accounted the maine support of the Realme and Bulworks against unexpected invasions were effeminate in courage and uncapable of Discipline because their whole course of life was alienated from warlike imployment in so much that young and active spirits were more perfect by the experience of two daies service Wherefore these men might easily repine at oppression and have a will to preserve themselves yet a small body of desperate Cavalliers might over runne and ruine them at their pleasure Some professed Souldiers were sent downe from the Parliament to settle these and the Militia bands who had this onely according to the Rules of warre to be gathered under severall Captaines and many of them into the forme of a Regiment which disposition might fit them for a suddaine service and the very posture conferre something of a warlike spirit Within the City of Gloucester one Company of Volunteers was added to the Trayned Band and some Peeces of Ordinance obtained from London and Bristoll which were then received with universall amazement by an Inland people though not long after they grew familiar with their terrible executions meane while the City was open on three parts at least and had no considerable defence onely capable thereof by advantage of scituation The Citizens did mainely shew their care and affection in fortifying the Towne a worke both expensive and tedious being of great compasse and raised from the ground During these things the Enemy came not neere our dwellings we heard of them a farre off but little thought that the cloud of blood should be blowne from the North and settle over us upon whom it afterwards brake into so many showres that this place should become the seate of Warre and the Stage of action that then lying open to a free commerce with the World it should be shut up sometimes in strict custody but still under a larger confinement and beleagured at a distance in the midst of the Kings head Garrisons At that time the rumours of Warre and first acts of Hostility quickly filled the eares and tongues of people Alarms were then taken at a greater distance and the first was given from the neighbour City of Worcester by five hundred of the Kings Horse which entred the Towne and at that season were not the least part of his Majesties forces His whole strength could not amount to the number of a just Army according to the slender proportion of those times neither could they march like a set and perfect body but flasht through the Land as the Lightning that strikes from one quarter of the Heaven to the other The noyse of a nearer Enemy raised the Volunteers of the Country who marched under the conduct of some Gentlemen towards Worcester expecting to meete Colonell Nathaniel Fiennes with a strength of Horse but Colonell Fiennes had faced the Towne and drawne off before the advance of our Foote and they also retreated having done nothing but so meanely prepared for the service that they were much bound to the Enemy that they fell not out of the City and cut them in peeces The same Volunteers came on the second time and were to joyne once more with Colonell Fiennes who returned with a greater strength of Horse and Dragoones under the Command of Colonell Sands and now also prevented our Foot they attempted the onset and approached the Towne with much speed and confidence on the Welch side of
Association to stop his Recrutes to scarter his Forces and continually to distract the designes of that Army Experience is witnesse of how great concernment it hath been to the safety of the Common-wealth not one place in the Kingdome of England hath so much exhausted the enemies Army nor hath the like advantage to ruine it It can paine them at the heart 't is a fire kindled in their bowels that might eate out their strength had it been the felicity of the State to have sent hither a part of those great supplies which have been else-where expended and done little towards the conclusion of the great worke If this Collection shall present any thing that comes home to a civill life or the imployment of a Souldier if it shall bring to minde acceptable services and cause the people to remember the day of small things with the power of active and faithfull endeavours that observe and follow the Divine Providence I shall not faile of my end and I know that this my adventure is no more then what the action doth deserve and the world may challenge THe ingagement of the City of Gloucester in this common Cause of Religion and Liberty first began when the Houses of Parliament declared to the Kingdome their resolution of a defensive War neither were its principall and active men drawne in by inferiour and accidentall motives but quickened by the same Principles in the maine that did enliven and actuate the Supreme Court expressing themselves the very motions of a Parliamentary spirit by an absolute and greedâ compliance with every act that breathed towards the perfect health of the State the severall Remonstrances of both Houses were received with all due respect whereas no Declaration sent from the other Party found the courtesie of a formall entertainment It hath beene the honour of that Civill Government never to be guilty of the least act of disservice against that Cause which their hearts wish might prevaile and prosper Therefore when the fire kindled and fomented by Jesuited Papists and their adherents was blowne up into a flame and the heads of two Parties appeared within this Realme the City of Gloucester determined not to stand Neutrall in action but to adhere unto one party with which they resolved to stand or fall necessity requiring no lesse which affection improves into vertue The acknowledgement of its owne advantage in scituation and strength importuned a more timely Declaration least by it selfe neglected it should be seized by the Enemy whose eâe was upon it and so cast into perpetuall bondage Also the greatest part of the Country consented and resolved to maintaine their Birth-rights in the defence of the Priviledges and Power of Parliament against all invasions of usurpation and tyranny During the Kings preparaetions in the North they attempted according to the slendernes of al beginnings to put themselves into a posture of defence and exspected the instructions of Parliament And whereas the Ordinance of Militia was the first pretended ground of difference betweene his Majesty and the Houses they desiring such Officers in whom the State might confide and the King refusing to deprive them that by himselfe were intrusted when the rent was once made a greater necessity impleaded the execution of that Ordinance Whereupon the Lord Say was by Order of Parliament appointed Lord Lieutenant A Commission was likewise granted unto divers Gentlemen for Deputy Lieutenants many whereof drew back and shunned the imployment that the power for the most part rested in the Members of the House of Commons for this County by whose countenance many Companies of Volunteers were raised then called the Militia Bands and led by such Captaines as the Embryo of the Warre could afford But the first undertaking was more jocund then the progresse as oft times it comes to passe that a Military pompe and appearance of bravery doth affect and raise up many feeble spirits who quickly lye flat when they begin to feele the stubbornesse and cruelty of Warre The Commission of Array did not adventure to render it selfe to the people it was about to be offered to their liking at Cirencester by the Lord Chando's and some other disaffected Gentlemen but was stifled in the birth and crusht by the rude hand of the multitude before it saw the light the chiefe Abetter thereof was like to suffer violence by the meanest of the people whose fury constrained him to promise and give under his hand that he would never more deale in the businesse But when they saw that this Lord had escaped their hands by a secret conveyance they were the more enraged and waxed cruell against his Accoutrements and Furniture and whatsoevtr of his was left behind delighting in a contumelious revenge and rustick triumph Such were the effects of that fury that tooke hold on the ignoble multitude in whom not alwaies the deepe sense of their owne interests doth provoke this extasie of passion but peradventure a slighter accident and unexpected turning of the fancy sets them in a hurry when their insolency becomes intollerable and they glory to vent their humours by reason of an usuall restraint and subjection Neverthelesse they have produced good effects and oft times a more undescerned guidance of superiour Agents turnes them to the terrour of the Enemy and an unexplecable selfe-ingagement upon the common people which prudent men promote and maintaine yet no farther then themselves can over-rule and moderate Hereupon the full streame of the Country runnes for the Ordinance of the Militia and against the Kings Declarations and Commission of Array But since we are now upon the beginning of action it will not be from the matter to declare the grounds of that affection which the Country did expresse and were common unto them with many parts of the Kingdome that were devoted to the same Cause but might appeare in a greater degree and have a clearer evidence in the present example Most men therefore did undoubtedly foresee greater hopes of liberty from the Parliament then the Kings Party in so much that there appeared in all the States adhearents an inbred propensity to freedome but a desire of vast Dominion Dignity revenge or rapine in them that tooke to the contrary Faction by which this Country did seeme well disposed to comply with the Parliaments grand Designe for there was no excessive number of powerfull Gentry who for the most part care not to render themselves the slaves of Princes that they also might rule over their Neighbours as Vassalls But the Inhabitants consisted chiefly of Yeomen Farmers petty Free-holders and such as use Manufactures that enrich the Country and passe through the hands of a multitude a generation of men truely laborious jealous of their Properties whose principall ayme is Liberty and Plenty and whilst in an equall ranke with their Neighbours they desire onely not to be oppressed and account themselves extreamely bound to the world if they may keepe their owne such therefore continually thwart the
Seaverne supposing the Earle of Essex at hand to assault the other side but were meerely deluded by a false Message from the Enemy with a signall accordingly given at which instant of time Prince Rupert arrived at Worcester By meanes of this deceit the Horse rush upon an Ambuscado when through the straightnesse of the passage first over a Bridge then through a narrow Lane neither the Reare could be brought up nor the Van make a Retreat 'T was an hot skirmish and performed with sufficient gallantry on our part by them that came up where persons of value were slaine and taken the rest wholly routed and fled in confusion farre beyond the reach of a persuite This Victory was of great consequence to the Enemy because the Omen and first fruits of the warre Upon this the Kings forces hearing of the approach of the Parliament Army immediately quitted the Towne so they shifted from place to place since their inconsiderable number would scarce allow them to erect any Garrison yet they encreased by their motion and quick dispatch gathered the strength of the Countries as they passed along and withall overcame the contempt of their small numbers and by frequent execution gained the repute of a Party not easily to be vanquished This they acted while the Parliament Army lay still or marched according to the slow paces of a greater Body The day after the Skirmish the Earle of Essex entred Worcester with his whole Power and there continued a moneths space sent forth severall Parties as the Lord Stanford to Hereford to prevent the Forces of South-wales whilst the King lay about Shrewsbury and raised himselfe to such an Army as was able to deale with and endanger that maine power raised by the Parliament After the famous Battaile at Edge-hill the first large field of bloud in these Civill Warres though the Kings Army was there much broken yet his strength increased and multitudes began to looke towards him as one at least-wise possible not to be overcome and in this strange confluence of men His Army seemed like that fabulous generation that sprung out of the teeth of the Cadmean Serpent buried in the earth The neglected Enemy becomes formidable and the Parliament Forces may desire their first advantage but have sufficiently learned that to give the first blow is not against the Law of a defensive warre the hopes of a subitaneous service are lost and the Kingdome is made sensible that their peace and liberty will cost much bloud Both the Armies begin to take up their winter quarters in the most defensible places and for the most part are setled according to the affections and ingagements of the people Colonell Thomas Essex marched into Gloucester with the Command of two Regiments of Foote as Governour of the Towne but as yet the Deputy Lieutenants had the sole Command of the County Foure weekes had not passed in this Government but Colonell Essex was commanded to Bristoll to secure and settle that City of so great concernment both by Sea and Land and at that time much distracted between the well-affected and malignant parties So it was that the Kings Cause and Party were favoured by two extreames in that City the one the wealthy and powerfull men the other of the basest and lowest sort but disgusted by the middle ranke the true and best Citizens Thus the present state of things had taught men to distinguish between the true Commons of the Realme and the dreggs of the people the one the most vehement assertors of Publicke Liberty but the other the first rise of Tyrannicall Government and the foot-stoole upon which Princes tread when they ascend the height of Monarchy In that City many of the rich men were dis-affected to reformed Religion and some more powerfull were conscious of delinquency others upbrayded themselves with their owne publicke disgrace and therefore did much distaste the waies of the Parliament and the needy multitude besides their naturall hatred of good Order were at the devotion of the rich men These therefore began to raise Commotions and hearing of the advance of the Forces from Gloucester flocked together after a tumultuary manner shut up the Gates but chiefly guarded that Port where they expected an entrance would be made and planted many Ordnance against the approach of our men with a full resolution to fire upon them They were expected in the Evening but Colonell Essex had intelligence of these preparations and from a Party within was directed that night to march to another Gate then neglected by the multitude that should be set open this was performed accordingly and betimes in the morning he entred the City with his two Regiments besides great numbers out of this County and in an instant surprized the mutineers and quashed the businesse without drawing of bloud The City of Gloucester was againe left naked till the Earle of Stamford marched hither with his Regiment of Foot and two Troopes of Horse from Hereford the Earle himselfe was commanded into the West upon his first arrivall but his Regiment designed for this City under the command of Lieutenant Colonell Massie first as Deputy Governour under the Lord Stamford afterwards with the power in himselfe which for the space of two yeares and sixe moneths continued an uninterupted and happy Government The providence of God and the felicity of the place so over-ruling that that Country which should endure the brunt fustaine so many violent shocks and beare up under the Kings whole Army should be defended by a Commander whose experience fidelity and valour with indefatigable care and industry might answer the expectation of so great a trust assisted with that Regiment whose very name proved a terrour to the Enemy and long enjoyed the honour of the most ancient Regiment in the Parliament Army though broken torne and worne out with extraordinary duty and service And because the meere pompe of Military preparations and the hopes of a sudden Victory being now past the warre hath put on a blacker visage and the sad effects thereof come home to these parts it is meete to expresse what was the state of the Country at that time The inhabitants of this County had openly engaged themselves in the State service nor as yet had they any thought of repenting though cast into the midst of an inraged Enemy Oxford is the Kings head Garrison Herefordshire possessed by his Forces upon the first removall of the Earle of Stamford into Gloucester Worcester hath already entertained a strength Wales rise on the Kings behalfe by the power of the Lord Herbert the Earle of Essex with his Army is drawne towards London the Parliament Forces in the West have their hands full and there remaine in these parts of the Kingdome onely two broken Regiments at Bristoll which was much distracted by intestine divisions and one Regiment at Gloucester so that the most slender Guard was left upon these parts where the Enemy resolved their chiefe game for the winter action And
if this Country must be preserved it must be done by the Volunteers which were yet as a Cake not turned a kinde of Souldiers not wholly drawn off from the Plow or domesticke imployments having neither resolution nor support suitable to the service But the greatest defect was the want of able and experienced Officers neither had they any Commander in chiefe upon whom the hearts of the people might fasten Amidst these things the strength of the County was drawne to Cirencester a fronteer Towne towards the Kings head quarters then made a Garrison to prevent the incursions of the Enemy as well to preserve the Country from ruine as to advance the Publicke Service Colonell Fettiplace had the Command of this Garrison under whom some Traine Bands and Volunteers were drawne into a Regiment and two Companies of the Lord Stamfords Regiment were added to incourage the businesse a few Horse and Dragoones were raised at the free charge of the Country and the rest of the Militia were to assist upon all appearance of danger all things were trans-acted in a more voluntary but lesse regular way The businesse chiefly rested on Sir Robert Coske Sir John Seamore Master Natbaniel Stephens Master Edward Stephens Master Thomas Hodges with the rest of the Deputy Lieutenants and setting aside these men with some gleanings of the Gentry the Yeomen Farmers Cloathiers and the whole middle ranke of the people were the onely active men The Gentlemen in generall denyed their concurrence discerting their Country either by open enmity or detestable neutrality and from the Major part no better fruite was to be looked for in a degenerate Age when in many of them there appeared an hatred of the Commons and a strong disposition to the ends of Tyranny Others there were not wholly averse from the good of the Common-wealth whose enmity was grounded in Religion which obtained the most eminent place in the Parliaments Cause The superstitious adoring of their old way imbittered their spirits against reformed Religion which to them seemed a peevish affectation of novelty besides the hatred and feare of Ecclesiasticall Discipline But the greatest number neither driven by ambition nor the spirit of blind zeale onely resolving to be true to themselves deserted the State with some inclinations to the contrary Faction reflecting on their estates invironed with the Kings Country neare the heart of his strength and farre from Parliamentary supplies besides the violence and quicke dispatch of the Kings Army with the slow performances of our Country Agents after the space of an ordinary legall course in those extremities did much deterre them the Country complained of their principall men for the neglect of Taxes and the Gentlemen might happily see the grudgings of the Country in the payment of those Taxes for the common people are alwaies covetous though well-affected and forbeare to urge whatsoever might distaste the people or crosse the Parliaments accustomed moderation Which slow deliberations did lessen the esteem of the service in the hearts of many The secession of the dis-afiected Gentlemen did cast an aspeâ—sion that could not sticke that the businesse was deseâ—ted by knowing men and prosecuted by a rash and confused multitude Whereas by no one thing could it more evidently appeare to be the Cause of the Common-wealth then by the acknowledgement of the whole Body of the Commons which is more honest and wise in things of publicke concernement for though they be very weake one by one yet brought together they ballance each other and when no man hath power to impropriate much each man expects onely a proportionable share in the Publicke interest Neither is their judgement and fore-sight to be undervalued who are apt to discerne any thing that concernes themselves and being united are not like to faile for they have the best experience and are neerely affected with the woe or weale of the State and so may sometimes judge better then those that guide it as he that useth the house can better judge thereof then the Builder and the Pilate of the Sterne then the Carpenter And although they have not the first and most excellent part of knowledge to finde out and by themselves to understand the rules of Government yet have they the second part which is also excellent to judge aright of things proposed and if not made fit for the yoke by dependence on the Gentry can discover the fraud that lyes under the fairest pretext but the Gentlemen by depriving the meaner people of their due protection blemished the reputation of their Families and crossed the end of their honours and possessions which in a well ordered State are given for a shelter to the under shrubs that some generous spirit neerer the Commons might keepe off the invasion of Princes and whose power was most desired in such an exegence to gather up the scatterings of the people and keepe them united who for want of this concurrence were of lesse strength and vigour Such was the face of this Country now ready to receive the first shocke of the Enemies fury About the first of January 1642. the maine strength of the Kings Army came before Cirencester prepared and resolved to storme it yet they onely faced the Towne and after two daies were strangely taken off either disabled by the extreame cold on the Hills or some suddaine misfortune or daunted by the shew of unanimity and resolution in the people or else clouded in their thoughts by the secret Will of God in the nick of action that they made not the least attempt but threatned an afterclap A few daies after our forces had their designe upon Sudely Castle at that time kept by Captaine Bridges in the behalfe of the Lord Chandos Leiutenant Colonell Massie was intrusted with the manage of this action who drew from Gloucester a Party of three hundred Musketteers with two Sakres assisted with fourescore Horse and foure Companies of Dragoones from Cirencester by order of a Counsell of Warre held there and consent of the Deputy Lieutenants there were in the Castle neere threescore Souldiers with Provision and Ammunition sufficient Our men drew up before it in the Evening made severall shots and the Canon did some Execution the same night summons was given the enemy refused to render upon quarter but craved time till the next day which in part was granted Guards were set upon them all night the next morning our men were drawne out to make an assault Beds and Wooll-packs were fetched out of the Neighbourhood which they tumbled before and saved themselves from shot the Horse and Dragoones came up before the foot approached the wall and possest themselves of a Garden under the Castle and got Hay and Straw which they fired that the smoake driven by the wind smothered the house in the shadow of which the Ordnance were brought up undiscovered and planted against the weakest part of the Castle which when the enemy perceived they sounded a parley and immediately rendred upon agreement
no power to make them good because his field was too large for that strength and the State made an inconsiderable number of men the only stay of the remote parts These could over-run the enemies Countrey but get no ground master no strong hold nor reduce a people naturally malignant that were dashed at present but did flourish again in the reverse of the Kings Army The next attempt was made upon Worcester whither all the horse and the greatest part of the blue Regiment were drawn They at Oxford were said to have yeelded that Town for lost and to give out that Sir William was gone to take possession of his purchase For at that time Treason was the pretended cause of every losse on both sides especially if weak and unworthy Both horse and foot came up before the City where they lay a day and a night effected nothing and were drawn off at the noise of the Lord Capels advance at which instant Sir William Waller was taken off these parts and ordered to march into the West with all speed to prevent the joyning of Sir Ralph Hoptons forces with the rest of the Kings Army Sir Robert Cooks Regiment was called off from Tewksbury for the Western expedition and that Town once more slighted Hitherto Lievtenant Colonell Massie governed the City of Glocester by deputation from the Earle of Stanford whose returne was not expected wherefore the thoughts of the Citizens began to enquire after a Governour They thought well of a man neare home and cast their eye upon a knowne Patriot Neverthelesse more intelligent men upon the serious review of the Cities continuall hazard found that the necessity of this place did require a tried Souldier and that such a one might possibly be found faithfull but a timorous or unskilfull man must needs ruine all Wherfore they reflected on Massie whose good services gave them also a competent assurance of his fidelity that by the happy choice of the Citizens and the Lord Generals Commission he was appointed Governour To enable the City to defend it selfe a foot Regiment was raised by Commission from Sir William Waller out of the Townsmen for the major part both Officers and Souldiers under the Command of Colonell Henry Stephens The first intention of this Regiment was to defend the City only within the walls according to the infancy of warre but the hard service of this place did suddenly require and exact the full duty of Souldiers At this instant the City was well becalmed only there hapned one passage of inferiour nature but full of the fortune of warre The Governour with a party of an hundred and twenty Horse and Dragoons advanced towards Stow in the wold to beat up the enemies quarters By break of day he fell into Slaughter took a Lievtenant twelve Troopers horse and armes and thence marched to Odington a mile beyond Stow where he surprised a Captaine of a Troop with forty men and horse and so made homewards neglecting the residue of the enemy who drew out of their quarters with all speed The remainder of their Regiment fell upon the reere of our men neare unto Slaughter with some slight execution but were beaten back The Governour being confident he was able to fight with them upon any ground made no haste to march off till the enemy had received a supply of Horse from Sudely Castle and again charged him at Andovers foord whom our men received gallantly and repulsed without any losse The Captaine that led the Van was slain by the Governours hand and the rest wheeled about whereupon the Governour dismounted the Dragoons and divided his men into three bodies the horse to the right and left wing in this posture resolving to march up to the enemy who would gladly rid their hands of the businesse but having advanced a little distance and looking back to bring on his men saw the greater part in a strange hurry occasioned by the faceing about of some cowardly spirits and himselfe with those dismounted men desperately engaged for a while he shuffled amongst the enemies Troopes till observing himself eyed by some he sprang forth fired in their faces and came last off the field upon the maine roade He offended here by affecting too much gallantry and was deceived in his new raised men who were not hardned by the sight of an enemy Besides no ordinary care was had of securing the prisoners who were all recovered back Four of ours were slaine many wounded Colonell Stephens a Lievtenant with five and twenty private souldiers taken prisoners The springing hopes of Colonell Stephens failed unfortunately when his eager minde engaged him in the action without order and against the will of the Commander in chiefe he had no command in the action but hasted after as greedy of the service he was led captive to Oxford and a while after breathed his last in that poysonous ayre where many Gentlemen were observed in those dayes to expire Amidst these things Sir Iohn Winter a zealous Papist began to declare himselfe A subtile wit that pretended innocency till his houre was come and had almost perswaded the world that he durst deny himselfe and commit an unpardonable sinne against the Catholike Cause His house in the Forrest of Deane was at first neglected when it was in the power of this Garrison to ruine his designe But under hand he prepared for defence suddenly clapt in his owne Confidents and with a little labour made it inaccessible but with apparent great losse and maintained his den as the plague of the Forrest and a goad in the sides of this Garrison These things were acted about the time of that blow almost fatall to the Parliaments cause in the vanquishing of Sir William Wallers Army at the Devices which defeat cast these parts of the Kingdome into a miserable plight when the State had placed the whole game in the successe of this Army never providing a reserve The King became master of the field the Parliament left without an Army that could check the enemy who came up to our gates and by threats would seeme to shake the walls of the City Many began to prepare for flight whose presence no reall necessity but the peoples opinion did require They at Bristoll disclosed their feares and gave no good presages And when that City was yeelded Gloucester did stand alone without help and hope The Lord Generals Army pined away Sir William Waller at London for a recruit The Earle of Stamford shut up within the walls of Exeter The Kings Countrey reached from the utmost Cornwall to the borders of Scotland and he was able to divide his Army one part for Exeter and the other for Gloucester That sudden surrender of Bristoll which was almost beyond our feares brought forth a dark gloomy day to the City of Gloucester The mindes of people were filled with amazement and the failing of such a promising Government made most men infidels or at least to question all things But here was
fifteenth of February the 〈◊〉 time is come nine of the clocke at night is the houre appointed the guards are to be drawn off from the further Bridge and the Sentinells to be taken in Prince Rupert is to advance with fifteen hundred horse and foot and it would be very satisfactory if Captaine Brickhouse met them with his own Troop pretending to beat up a horse quarters but this they urge not it it be found inconvenient In the evening a Messenger is dispatched from Gloucester to the Enemies quarters with the watch word for their assurance and some private directions for their march up the Town while himselfe waited at the Gate which he undertook to set open if they came by nine of the clock or within half an houre-after After the messengers dispatch the ports were shut up round the City carefull Sentinells set The Governour called a councell of War acquainted the Officers with the Plot gave order that aswell Citizens as Souldiers should continue that night in Armes drew to the Westgate three peeces of Ordnance and a strong guard of Musketiers well provided with Granadoes and commanded foure stout men in a boate under Ouers Bridge halfe a mile distant from the gate to lie under the maine Arch with direction that upon the firing of the first Ordnance they should out a cable rope which being done the Bridge would fall into the River By which meanes they had all been killed drowned or taken being cooped up in an Island open to our shot without possible meanes of escape In this preparation and posture we continued all night watching the time to have delivered our selves from the future mischiefe of such bloud thirsty Enemies They advanced with their whole body of horse and foot but before they came within a mile and a halfe of the City it was open day when having lost the time by the slownesse of their manch they durst not come on but instantly retreated to Newent from thence Captaine Backhouse was informed by letters of the reason of their faylings which induced us to believe that the Enemy did not yet know that their designe was destroyed Wherefore we indeavoured secrecy and the next day suffered no man to passe the ports desired to salve the matter and bring them on once more but the whole frame quickly fell asunder though the languishing enemy gave some cold entertainment to a few patching letters because they were ashamed to acknowledge such a strong delusion As they had all justly perished in their own hellish mischiefe so are they deservedly branded with notorious folly in the whole mannage and the chiefe undertakers might have learned not to indulge their hopes of faire conclusion by their own subtilty cogitations and the shew of a neate contrivance when nothing beneath a like mutuall engagement and strong necessity doth deserve assurance and confidence Neverthelesse the pregnant hopes of this maginary treason as it brought forth a lie to the contrivers thereof so it wrought much good for this garrison and the common service of the State The imbracing of the motion held up the desires of the enemy and made them lesse active elsewhere It preserved the Country till our succours came which were every day expected Neither was this plot the cause that the power of the enemy did beare hard on the Countrey for here was the confluence of their Winter quarters but since we must beare their burden it made it the lesse grievious 'T was impossible to keep out an Enemy but all the skill was to allay his fury and hinder the acting of mischiefe which was carried on with violence by the Malignant Gentry and that party that were not privy to or disliked the Plot inso much that Sir William Vavasour was complained of reviled and cursed and at once lost the opportunity of action and advancement in the Kings Service The Enemy swarmes in every corner except the County of the City and Whitstone hundred that each day creates new troubles and the Governour constrained on one side or other continually to draw out strong parties to defend our selves maintaine our Markets and incourage that part of the Country which is yet clear All advantages were taken to ingage the people and herein did the Governors industry put forth it selfe in setling the Country in a posture of defence when the command of the City did not reach above three miles some wayes and not above seaven miles on the best side At severall Randezvouzes published the nationall Covenant and Declaration of both Kingdomes expressing their mutuall care of repayring our breaches and perseverance in their maine undertaking which gave great satisfaction to such as were damnityed in this cause and confirmed unto them the vigor and strength of the Parliament By which meanes the nearer parts became wholly ours not only yeilding a supply of maintenance but engaging themselves on their own and our defence And some of them that did not seem to confide in the State were drawne in being first enraged by the Enemeis cruelty which discontent and desire of revenge the Governour cherished and raised to an open Declaration and unawares of the multitude put them beyond the hopes of a faire retreate So that these men observed the Enemy upon every motion sent alarms to the City and in a great part took off the feare of a sudden surprizall Amidst these things the expectation of the London supply and the dayly hopes of money strongly upheld the common Souldiers by a meere delusion its delay became a greater advantage since its reall strength had before bin crumbled to dust No part of the Kingdome was capable of better service by a considerable number yet a meane and slender reliefe did not onely not shake off the burthen but disgrace the businesse and contract and sinke the mindes of men when hope doth enlarge and beare up The Governour therefore advised the stay of the Convoy and was willing to expect such a party as might inable him to beare off the Enemy fifteen miles round about Want of Ammunition was the greatest exigence and the preserving thereof till a supply came was the maine hinderance of all designes Neverthelesse we had perpetuall Bickerings that the Enemy might not grow upon us and our dayly nimble performances were unto them as a continuall dropping Amongst others a party of horse and Dragooners issued forth as far as Marshfield fell upon a Troope of horse quarters there and brought thence a Lieutenant Cornet and Quartermaster with a few common prisoners and such horse and Armes as the Troop did yeild Whilst Colonell Ueales foot and the Lord Incheequeenes horse lay in and about Berkely and sorely oppressed the Country we fell into a horse quarter of Incheequeenes Regiment and took a Major and two Captaines three Lieutenants two Cornets with two Colours and other inferior Officers and Souldiers to the number of three and twenty all this while the strength of the Kings army is lodged between us and Warwick to intercept