Kings partie are Masters of the Field with Garisons round about plentifully supplied from the King but the Parliaments partie in great want are likely to disband within ten days And this is the Relation from the Lord Fairfax Decemb. 10. 1642. The Counties of Norfolk Suffolk Essex Cambridg the Isle of Elie Hertford and City of Norwich are authorized to associate and their General the Earl of Essex gives Commission to the Lord Grey of Wark to command in cheif as Major General over those Counties with Instructions to govern accordingly The most part of the Earl of Newcastle's Forces lie upon the County towards Halifax and the clothing Towns imposing Taxes upon the Inhabitants according to their qualities from one thousand pounds to one hundred pounds proportionable who found a Light-horse at an hundred pounds every one who found Musket or Pâ—ke at fourty shillings And about the fifteenth of December lands Colonel Goring for the King with more Arms some Pieces of Ordnance and some Money and fourscore old Commanders with the Queens Standard and to joyn with the Earl of Newcastle And in this Moneth of December the Kings Forces prospered Westward Marlborough and Tadcaster taken with a great Defeat of their Enemy Winchester and Chichester won by the Parliament The noble Lord Aubignie Brother to the Duke of Richmond died and was buried at Oxford And now it was thought time for the City to speak for themselves they well know what an odium lodged upon their disloyalty and therefore they petition the King how they are deeply pierced with Gangrene-wounds of his Majesties fear to hazzard his person in returning home to his Citie they abhor all thoughts of Disloyaltie making good their late Solemn Protestationâ— and sacred Oath with the last drop of their dearest bloud to defend and maintain the true Reformed Protestant Religion and your Majesties royal person honour and estate and do hereby engage themselves their estates and all they have to defend your Majestie with as much love loyaltie and dutie as ever Citizens expressed towards their Sovereign They are answered That his Majestie can distinguish some good Subjects in the Citie from the bad not all guiltie but what confidence can the King have there where the Laws of the Land are notoriously despised and the whole Government of the Citie submitted to the arbitrarie power of a few desperate persons of no reputation and names them Pennington their pretended Mayor the principal Authour of these Calamities which threaton ruine to that heretofore famous Citie Ven Foulk and Manwaring all of them notoriously guiltie of Schism and high Treason in oppressing robbing and imprisoning his good Subjects because they will not rebell against his Majestie nor assist those that do not that he condemns all for some that are guiltie and yet he offers his gracious pardon to all except such as are excepted if they shall yet return to their dutie if not he sums up the miserie that will necessarily fall upon every such person as shall continue acting and assisting the Rebellion This Answer full and home to the Cities conscience startled many into reluctancy when it was therefore thought fit by the Parliament to visit their Common Council and to caress them with a Committee of some Members lest this Answer should work too much with reluctancy And are told by Mr. Pym and others That this Answer reflects with wounding Aspersions upon persons of very eminent Authoritie of very great fidelitie amongst them that the Parliament owns them and their actions and will live and die in their defence and evermore concluding that their protection is the Armie and that it is hoped they will enlarge their Contributions for the maintenance of this Armie wherein as they have been liberal in former necessities so now they will exceed for safetie of themselves At the end of every period which Mr. Pym made in his Speech the applause was so great and so loud that he was silenced not without jugling and so concludes Worthy Citizens turning to the Rabble you see what the Parliament will do for your Lord Mayor and you 〈◊〉 your affections to do for the Parliament and State To which they replied We will live and die with them live and die with them All which says their printed Paper we may sum up in that Triumph of that Man of God In the thing wherein they dealt proudly God was above them There were some humble Desires and Propositions presented to the King at Oxford February 1. by four Lords and eight Members of the Commons but with so wilde and ranting a Preamble and the Desires so peremptory no less than fourteen viz. To disband his Armie and to return home to his Parliament Leave Delinquents to Trial Papists to be disarmed Bill for abolishing the Church-governours and Government and to pass such other Bills as shall be devised for a new Reformation Recusants to abjure Papacie To remove malignant Counsellours To settle the Mâ—litia as the Parliament please To prefer to the great Offices and Places of Iudicature such of the Parliament as they name and to take in all such as have been put out of Commissions of the peace A Bill to vindicate the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members To enter Alliance with his Proâ—estant Neighbours for Recoverie of the Palatinate To grant a general pardon with Exception of the Earl of Newcastle the Lord Digby and others To restore such of the Parliaments Members to their Offices and Places and to satisfie for their Losses c. The King answers with amazement If he had not given up all the faculties of his soul to an earnest endeavour of â—eace and Reconciliation or if he would suffer himself by any proâ—â—â—â—tion to be drawn to a sharpness of language at a time of Overtures of Accommodation he could not otherwise but resent their heavie charges upon him in the preamble and not suffer Reproaches which they cast upon him but his Majestie will forbear bitterness or the heat of his own sufferings throughout that if it be possible the memory thereof may be lost to the world And how unparliamentarie it is by Arms to require new Laws And he is pleased that a speedie time may be agreed upon for a Meeting and to debate those Propositions of theirs and these of his viz. That his own Revenues Magazines Towns Ships and Forts be restored That what hath been done contrary to Law and the Kings right may be renounced and recalled That all illegal power claimed or acted by Orders of Parliament be disclaimed The King will readily consent to the execution of all Laws made or to be made concerning Popery and Reformation so he desires a Bill for preserving the Book of Common Prayer and against Sectaries That all persons to be excepted against in the Treatie may be tried per pares with the cessation of Arms and for a free Trade But nothing followed till the third of March. In the North parts from
and to be published in all Churches c. May 5. And the Parliament finding no other way to encounter the King but by putting the people into a posture of War do require all persons in authority by virtue of their late Ordinance of the Militia to put the same in execution which by the Kings answer declares to be no legal power in any of the Houses and commands no Subject whatsoever to obey it And forthwith summons the Gentry of the County to York to whom he complains of all these illegal proceedings of the Parliament to the danger of his person and tells them his intent to have a Guard onely to secure his person in which he desires their assistance and the rather because the Members that came with the last Message to the King return not back but reside at York in whose presence all these passages were performed yet staid they here as a Committee to out-face the Kings actions keeping themselves in a double capacity as a Committee of Parliament and Free-holders of the County as they were all What Counsellours the King had at this time I finde not onely the Secretary Nicholas for as yet his affairs were but hatching at York the Parliament having spun out their business with humble and specious shews which amazed most men into some hopes of good effects those that could more narrowly pry into their actions and but Neuters were soon seized and presently questioned especially if he appeared a publick person of estate or interest Amongst whom Sir Thomas Gardner Recorder of London for six years last past was now impeached upon Articles drawn from Anno 1638. For advising the Mayor Sir Maurice Abbot and Common Council to pay the Tax of Ship-money and to levie the Loan-money for raising three thousand of the Trained Bands for the Kings service in his Expedition then against his good Subjects of Scotland That in 1639. he advised the Mayor Sir Henry Garraway and Common Council to impress Clothe and Conduct two hundred Citizens to serve in the said War against Scotland That he prevented the Citie Petition to the King against certain illegal Taxes and Levies That in May 1640. he perswaded them to lend to the King ten thousand pounds for that War against his good Subjects of Scotland And prevented sundry intendments of thousands of the Citie in December last to petition the House of Commons not to be diverted in their just way of proceedings That in January last he crossed the Order of the Commons House and the Citie election of the Committee for the Militia And advised two scandalous Petitions from the Citie to the King and to the Parliament viz. that the ordering of the Citie Arms was annexed to the Majoraltie and if otherwise conferred upon others it would reflect upon this Custome which every Free-man was bound to maintain And these were the high crimes for which they endeavour to hang him but he was carefull therein and got to the King May 5. Upon several Summons the County of York had meetings the Parliament Committee being there over-counselling the Free-holders in private prevailed with some of them by Protestation to oppose the Knights and Gentry who were willing to raise a Guard for the King And the Parliament declaring that it is against the Laws that any of his Subjects should attend him at his pleasure but such as are bound to it by special service and that such as do are disturbers of the peace and command the Sheriff to oppose any such with the power of the Countie and all people whatsoever to assist them herein May 17. In what miserable condition the people of the Kingdom were reduced unto no publick Officer knew how to command or Subject how or whom to obey so differing were their duties depending on several authorities thus distinct onely those for the King directly in love and duty for the other in fear or gain and so wrought upon gave the advantage on the Parliaments part whereas the the Kings assistance was purchased out of the fire of faithfull affections yet all ways and means of Prerogative were used as now for the King to adjourn the next Term to York which the Parliament vote illegal and order that the Lord Keeper Littleton issue out no Writs or seal any Proclamations to that end May 17. And now Designs being ripened into action the people are called upon and invited to a belief of the Parliaments just proceedings and the Kings mis-actions being guided by a malignant party summed up into a very large Declaration of the nineteenth of May ripping up all their former complaints and grievances from the first day of this Parliament to the date hereof in effect the very Exceptions and Repetitions formerly mentioned and controverted between the King and them even from the first dispute for the Militia the misprision of Kimbolton and the five Members Remembering the intended War against Scotland being a Design they say to alter Religion by thâ—se wicked Councils of the King from which God did deliver us never to be forgotten That the Rebellion in Ireland hath been countenanced by evil counsel about the King The Proclamation whereby they were declared Traitours was so long with-held as to the second of Ianuary though the Rebellion brake forth in October before and then but fourty Copies appointed to be printed nor any of them to be published without the Kings pleasure signified and so but a few onely could take notice thereof but the proceedings against the Scots were quick and sharp forthwith by Proclamations dispersed throughout all the Kingdom with publick Prayers and Execrations But to repeat the particulars they are but the same said over again The King calls it a Book and so for the bulk it may well be intituled and to answer each particular must needs be very tedious as himself professes His small malignant Iunto Council as the Parliament calls them to replie to their numbers of several Committees in these proceedings But the King being never weary of any of any pains to undeceive his people of these mischievous infusions daily instilled to corrupt their loyalty gives them answer the next day after the twentieth of May in effect what he had said as before recited in their due time and place The Parliaments complaints were always forced The Kings answers more ingenious and natural in the opinion of indifferent observers The Parliaments onely to amuze the people and to steal away their allegeance and duty to themselves and otherwise it had been but loss of time and business to answer or to reply And at length though penned on both sides with wit and art the wiser sort of the Subjects whom it most concerned were astonished at the reading of either But indeed as to the Kings connivence at or want of zeal against the Rebellion of Ireland so often hinted and now put home upon the Kings score He answers That he then being in Scotland immediately recommended the care of the business to the
the Breaches of the State without the Ruines of the Church as I would be a Restorer of the one so I would not be an Oppressor of the other under the pretence of Publick Debts The Occasions contracting them were bad enough but such a discharging of them would be much worse I pray God neither I nor mine may be accessory to either And now dies Mr. Iohn Pym a Member of the House of Commons and a notable stickler for the Parliament he was ever observed to be an high Prebyterian in profession whose subtilty managed the most of their publick affair and ended his days when he had wrangled for the Mastery and left all in great doubt which party might overcome not without some regret and repentance they say that these Differences which he hatched should prove so desperate as he now too late fore saw would undo this Nation In the midst of May it was that Colonel Nath Fines Governour of the City of Bristol had discovered a Plot of the Inhabitants to betray the Town which after much Examination lighted upon Robert Yeomans and George Bourchier who had secretly provided themselves of Arms intending to kill the Centinels by night and possess the Main Guard whereby to master the greatest part of the other side within the Town to kill the Mayor and many others affected to the Parliament and by that means to betray the City to the Kings Forces which should lodg near hand for that purpose two miles off but the Plot pretended was discovered and those men condemned by a Council of War to be hanged This was known at Oxford whereupon the Kings Lord Lieut. of all his Forces the Lord Ruthen lately made Earl of Forth writes to the Governour of Bristol I having been informed that lately at a Council of War you have condemned to death Robert Yeomans late Sheriff of Bristol who hath his Majesties Commission for raising a Regiment for his Service William Yeomans his Brother George Bourchier and Edward Dacres all for expressing their loyalty to his Majesty and endeavouring his Service according to their Allegeance do therefore signifie to you that I intend speedily to put Mr. George Mr. Stevens Captain Huntley and others taken in Rebellion at Cirencester into the same condition I do further advise you that if you offer by that unjust Iudgment to execute any of them that those here in custodie must expect no favour or mercie At Oxford May 16. 1643. To the Commander in chief of the Council of War in Bristol Forth The Answer comes from the Governour Colonel Nathaniel Fines and the Council of War at Bristol in effect That if you shall not make distinction between Souldiers of Arms and secret Spies and Conspirators we will not onely proceed against them but others and if by any inhumane and unsouldierlike Sentence you shall execute those persons you named then Sir Walter Pye Sir William Crofts and Colonel Connesby and others whom we have here in custodie must expect no favour or mercie May 18. 1643. Nath. Fines President c. To Patrick Earl of Forth Lord Lieutenant General And so notwithstanding the Kings Letter also to the Mayor and Citizens in their behalf Yeomans and Bourchier were hanged May 30. There was a Plot discovered at London the last of May against the Cities of London and Westminster and by consequence the whole Parliament the chief of the Conspiracy were Mr. Waller a Member of the House of Commons Mr. Tomkins his Brother in Law and lately Clerk of the Queens Council Mr. Chaloner Mr. Hasel Mr. Blinkhorn Mr. White and others As for the Plot we have ravelled into the search of the truth but must take it from the Parliaments Declaration That they should seize into their custodie the Kings Children some Members of the Parliament the Lord Mayor and Committee of Militia all the Cities Out-works and Forts the Tower of London and all the Magazines Then to let in the Kings Forces to surprize the Citie and destroy all Opposers and to resist all payments of Taxes And much heartened they were by a Commission of Array sent from Oxford at that time and brought secretly by the Lady Aubigne Daughter to the Earl of Suffolk Widow of the late Lord Aubigne wounded at Edg-hill and died at Oxford the thirteenth of Ianuary This Commission was directed to Sir Nicholas Crisp and divers others This Plot was discovered the last of May. They were arreigned in publick at Guild-hall and all those four named condemned onely Tomkins and Chaloner executed the first 〈…〉 Door in Holborn the other in Corn-hill but the chief Conspirator Waller was by General Essex reprieved imprisoned a twelve-moneth in the Tower and after for a Fine of ten thousand pounds pardoned and for shame sent to travel into France The reason is much studied for satisfying the World why he the chief Actor the other but brought in by the by should receive such partial Justice because he was ingenious and confessed all and Mr. Pym had engaged his promise for his Life but certainly the most evident Reason is very apparent his great Sum of Money paid down and belike his ample confession of the particulars which the other at their death did not acknowledg Iuly 5. The Parliament having been put to it in want of the great Seal of England now at Oxford for confirmation of their Acts and Ordinances it had been oftentimes disputed and committed the making of another Seal for the use of the Parliament yet deferred the times not â—itted for so great a business the renewing of the Treaty being offered at on both sides But now the Parliament pass four Votes 1. That it is necessary the Great Seal to attend the Houses 2. That there hath been a failer of it at this Parliament 3. Much prejudice to the King Parliament and Kingdom 4. That the Houses ought to provide a Remedie thereof for the time to come Afterwards they made an Order That if the Lord Keeper Littleton upon Summons did not return with the great Seal within fourteen days he should lose his Place and whatever should be sealed therewith by him after that time should be null and vacate in Law A worthy Member desired the Serjeant at Law that ordered the Ordinance not to wade too far in the business before he did consult the Statute of 25 Edward 3. where Counterfeiting the Great Seal is declared high Treason To which the Serjeant replied That he purposed not to counterfeit the old Seal but to make a new Indeed the Parliament being the highest Court and Council had shewn their legislative power by passing Ordinances without the Kings assent to binde the Subject in the exercise of the Militia and that there wanted nothing but the executive part with a Great Seal for the administring justice in all Courts of Law and Equity which would sufficiently declare their power in all necessary Incidents of that supreme Council That since inferiour Courts had their proper Seals the
monies thereto for maintenance may be as the Parliament shall think fit The like for Scotland An Act for setling all forces by Sea and Land in Commissioners to be named by Parliament and as both Kingdoms shall confide in and to Suppresse all powers and forces contrary hereto and to act as they shall be directed by Parliament So for the Kingdom of Scotland That the Militia of the City London and of the Parishes without London and the Liberties within the weekly Bills of Mortality be in the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-council That the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City and the Chief Officers those be nominated and removable by the Common-council That the Citizens or forces of London may not be drawn out of the City without their own consent and that the example in these distracted times may be no Precedent for the future The next three dayes began the 7. of February and the same was also taken up again Feb. 18. for other three dayes for Ireland That an Act of Parliament be passed to make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties of the Rebells without Consent of Parliment and to settle the prosecution of the War of Ireland in the Parliament to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms and his Majesty to assist and to do no act to discountenance or molest them therein But the Kings Commissioners were so far from yeilding to this Proposition that they had intimation from the King how he was ingaged for Ireland having two dayes before in great earnest writ to hasten the Peace in Ireland in these words Ormond I cannot but mention the necessity of hastning the Irish Peace But in case against all expectation and reason Peace cannot be had you must not by any means fall into a new rupture with them but continue the Cessation c. for a year for which you shall promise them if you can have it no cheaper to joyn with them against the Scots and Inchequin for I hope by that time my condition may be such as the Irish may be glad to accept lesse or I be able to grant more 16 February 1644. Oxford By those Letters the mystery is opened why the King is so violent for Peace with the Irish but this was tenderly treated by the Kings Commissioners and well they might be willing to shadow these designs if they were acquainted with the bottom which few could fathom In general the Kings Commissioners had upon the matter of the Parliaments Propositions consented unto many particulars and alterations of great Importance and complain that the other have not abated one title of the most severe of their Propositions nor have offered any prospect towards Peace but by submitting totally to those Propositions which would dissolve the Frame of Government Ecclesiastical and Civil In the matter of Religion the Kings Commissioners offered all such alterations as they conceived might give satisfaction to any Objection that hath or can be made against that government with their reasons why they cannot consent to the Propositions but if consented unto could not be in Order to Reformation or publique Peace And though in the Parliaments Covenant enjoyned to be taken by the King and all his Subjects they undertake the Reformation in Government and in Doctrine too thereby laying an imputation of Religion it self yet the Parliaments Commissioners have not given the other the least Argument nor the least prejudice to the Doctrine of the Church of England Nor given any view in particular of what they would propose to be abolished And therefore the Kings Commissioners offered That if the Articles proposed by them did not give satisfaction that then so great an alteration as the total abolishment of a Government established by Law may for the imparlance of it and any reformation in Doctrine for the scandal of it be suspended till after the Disbanding of all Armies the King may be present with the Parliament and calling a National Synod may receive such advice both from the one and the other as may be necessary and as any Reformation thus calmly made must needs prove for the singular benefit so whether the contrary that is an alteration even to things though in themselves good can by the principles of Christian Religion be enforced upon the King or Kingdom In that of the Militia Though the Parliaments Commissioners did not deny that the apprehensions of danger are mutual and that the chief end of depositing the Militia into the hands of certain persons is for securitie against possible dangers Yet they did insist that those persons should be nominated by the Parliaments of England and Scotland and that the time of that great unheard of Trust shall be in such manner that though it seems limited for seven years yet in truth it shall not be otherwise exercised then as the King and Parliament shall agree and he may thereby be totallie divested of the Sword without which he cannot defend himself from Foreign or Domestick or protect his Subjects Add to all that Scotland professing distinct and different Laws shall yet have a great share in the Government of this Kingdom Instead of consenting to these Changes the Kings Commissioners proposed That the persons to be Trusted with the Militia may be Nominated between them or that an equal number the one half by the King the other by the Parliament and all those to take Oath for the due discharge of that Trust so their securitie being mutual neither can be supposed to violate the agreement the whole Kingdom being eye-witnesses of the failing And as it is reasonable that for this security the King parting with so much of his own power as makes him unable to break the Agreements so it is most necessary when the apprehension of all danger of that breach be over that then the Soverain power of the Militia should revert and be as it hath alwaies been in the Kings proper Charge And therefore the Kings Commissioners proposed that the Trust should be for three years a time sufficient to produce a right understanding of both sides and if any thing else material may be necessary to be done that the same may be considered after the Peace setled But in all that this Kingdom may depend of it self and not of Scotland as Scotland shall without advice of this Kingdom Concerning Ireland The Parliaments Commissioners proposed that the King Nul this Cessation made by Royal Authority The Lords Justices and Councels desires and for the preservation of the remain of the poor Protestants there from Famine and Sword And to put the whole War Militia and Government of Ireland into the hands of the Scots General by advice of a Ioint Committee of both Kingdoms wherein each to have a Negative voice To which the Kings Commissioners acquainted them with the just Grounds of the Kings proceedings in that businesse of Ireland which they conceived might satisfie all men of his
they were of mixed natures in each Petition so were they diverse in the contents some of which partly for the Parliament and much for the Army those of the Parliament come oft time from the well affected of such a County or Corporation and booted and spurr'd they must have answer and the Gentlemen must be called in for to receive thanks which usually was thus expressed by Mr. Speaker That though there be some things in the Petition that the House cannot so well approve of to be presented by Petition yet because in other things they express their good affections they have the thanks of the House And evermore in the tail of all they are told that the House had thoughts to such and such of their particulars expressed and for others of them the House were now in debate thereof And so the Gentlemen Commoners that came of the Errand trot home again no wiser than they were before onely with thus much honour that they have seen the Parliament sitting And according to the change of the time one of their Articles is evermore to be tender in imposing the Covenant upon any of their own Members or upon others whose consciences dare not subscribe unto it that they would provide for succouring tender consciences and not suffer them to be grieved and to be brought into bondage by rigid Impositions who live without offence and never fail to give a wipe against the King and his Prelatical party And last of all they petition that many men of competent gifts of good life and conversation who are willing to imploy their talents in the Lords work and yet are by occasion of some scruples about Ordination discountenanced from engaging in the work of the Gospel and in the things of our peace and pray that such men may receive encouragement and protection from both Houses This wrought for them for as the Protestant reformed from Romes Papacy the Presbyters from the Prelacy the Independents from them and the Libertines from all in which we sum up numberless Sectaries under the notion of godly gifted men And indeed the Members were not well pleased at the strictness of the Presbytery and forbore the House so that at this time there were absent of the Commons near two hundred Members in neglect or contempt of their proceedings so that the House make Orders and Proclamations in every County with Amerciaments by Fine of such as come not by the third of November next Octob. 9. But the gifted men fall to preaching and every Libertine began to profess himself of a tender conscience so suddenly increasing that the Parliament order That they shall have Liberty to meet for religious Duties in any place at any time and may be excused from the Churches on the Lords Day if so be they meet elsewhere to hear preaching or expounding But with this Proviso That the Indulgence as to tender consciences shall not extend to tolerate the use of the Common Prayer in any place whatsoever that was the Bug-Bear in all places Octob. 16. Upon Examinations of divers Actors Fomenters of the late Uproar of Parliament and City sundry were imprisoned Mr. Glyn the Recorder of London was charged that he had been very active in the late Actions for a new War countenanced the Cities last Declaration encouraged the riotous Petitioners had been very active with the Committee of safety and new Committee of the Militia of London c. And although he was able and did make his Defence at the Bar yet the Commons were divided as to his guilt but concluded to discharge him from being a Member and was committed to the Tower during pleasure and Mr. Steel was elected Recorder in his place Sir Iohn Mainard a petit busie Member always and in all kindes was impeached of high Treason Captain Macquire was condemned at the Old Baily for the same matters and the Murder and Ryot at Guild Hall But because he had been faithful to his Principles and but a looker on in the Crowd with his Sword drawn great means was made for him by Colonel Sanderson his best friend it seems who Petitioned the Parliament and General for the present and his very day come of Execution he got to be put off and afterwards his Reprieve and lastly his Pardon Mr. Braynton also was deeply concerned but being a Member it was considered how far such Members should be questioned And because the eleven Members were accounted rotten Summons was sent to Hollis Waller Clotworthy Massey Long and Nichols to attend the House the 16. October And by President of the Commons the Members of the Lords were also Involved and Impeachments of High Treason against the Earls of Suffolk and Lincoln and Middlesex the Lords Willoughby of Parham Hunsdon Maynard and Berkly for Levying War against the King Parliament and Kingdom And the Charge against them seat up by the Commons Not long after they fall upon some Citizens and Impeach them of high Treason those were Sir Iohn Gayer Lord Mayor â—ulham Bruce Langham and Adams Aldermen and are all committed to the Tower The Citizens of other Rank were Colonel Lawrence Colonel Hooker and Captain Iones impeached of high crimes And Captain Musgrave and about fifteen Citizens and Mr. Melton a Minister were indicted of high Treason at the Kings Bench Bar. And because their Mayor stood committed the Aldermen and Commons were to consider of a Government of the City according to their Charter These confusions brought work to the Printers in spight of all their Orders against Pamphlets as No Merling no Mercury Bellum â—ibernicale and I need not tell you how many more The Lords impeached of High Treason were the Earls of Suffolk Lincoln and Middlesex the Lords Willoughby of Parham Hunsdon Maynard and Berkley enduring nasty imprisonment to humble them to submit and so they escaped And now the City were curb'd in their former power of the Militia extending heretofore to the Lines of Communication which indeed are digged down and these their particular Militia set up for Westminster and the out Parishes for the Burrough of Southwark and for the Tower Hamlets and the last to be under the immediate command of the Constable the other of several Committee-men or any seven And an Ordinance passed also for the Citizens and Prentices to demolish the Forts and Guards and to dig down the Lines of Communication to another more doleful tune then when they were digg'd up And yet nothwithstanding the burthened City must bear more and advance fifty thousand pounds to pay the Army by two dayes time no longer delay so that upon the same sudden they must advaâ—ce a Moneths pay of the Army as a gratuity aforesaid the moneths pay of the Army besides and fifty thousand pounds also for the necessity of the Army being inforced to burthen the Countrey with free Quarter And therefore the Army declare That for what time the Cities fault and delayes have occasioned and shall further occasion the stâ—â—y of
provision be made for the education of the Children of Papists in the faith and Religion of Protestants for the imposing of Mulcts on Papists and disposing the benefit thereof at the discretion of the Parliament That provision be made for suppressing the practises of Papists against the Common-wealth for the executing the Laws against them without fraud and for the stricter forbidding of administring and frequenting Mass whether in the Court or whatsoever place within England and Ireland 3. That the power of the Militia by Land and Sea throughout England and Ireland reside in the Parliament solely to raise train as many Souldiers as they please to lead them whither they please to levy what monies they think fit for their pay whereby they may encounter intestine troubles and invasions foreign and that the King and his successors shall not claim any right therein for the space of twenty years after the expiration whereof if the Parliam shall think the safety of the Commonwealth to be concerned that an Army whether for Land or Sea service be raised and pay alotted them and exact the same by their Authority that such Votes shall have the force of a Law or Statute even though the King refuse If persons of what quality soever to the number of thirty be gathered together in Arms and at the command of the Lords and Commons shall not lay down Arms they shall be accounted guilty of high Treason without hope of pardon from the King To these by way of Corollarie were added some provisions touching the City of London Priviledges and ordinary power of Ministers of Iustice in executing sentence given 4. That by an Act the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties and Articles there made without the consent of Parliament be voided That the right of prosecuting the Irish War depend upon the discretion of Parliament That the Deputy and all Ministers whether of the Martial or â—ivil Government be nominated by Parliament the Chancellor of Ireland Keep of the great Seal Treasurer all Officers of the Kingdom all the Judges the places offices honours 〈◊〉 Donations of Lands grâ—nted by the King since the Cessation made be â—ulled 5. That all Honours and Titles since the second of May 1642. at which time the 〈◊〉 of the great Seal carried away the Seal with himself from the Parliâ—ment be declared Null No man likewise 〈◊〉 chosen into the Order of Peeâ—age shall sit in the House of Lords without the consent of both Houses 6. That the Parliament raise what moneys they please for payment of the publick debts and dammages and for whatsoever publick uses they shall see hereafter needfull 7. In the first tank of Delinquents be reckoned to whom no hope of pardon shall be left either for life or fortune with the Kings Kings consent The two Princes Palatine of the Rhine Rupert and Maâ—ricâ— three Earls five Lords two Bishops two Judges of the Kingdom twenty two Knights whose names to remember were too large but these persons were those who had done the King the most acceptable service All Papists which had been in Arms namely the Marquess of Winchester with two Earls two Lords and six Knights as also all that raised or fomented the Rebellion in Ireland In the 2. Rank were placed fifty Noblemen and Knights all Memberâ— of the lower House who deserting the Parliament passed over to the Kings Party as also all the Judges Lawyers Clergy-men be banished from the Kings Court and abstain from publick Offices and that under penalty of Treason loss of life and fortunes that the Judges and Lawyers be proscribed from Courts and their practice the Clergy interdicted their Benefices and liberty of Preaching Such fell upon the third Rank as had committed or councelled ought against the Parliament none whereof shall obtain in future the Office of Justice of Peace or Judge or Sheriff or publick Officer To the fourth Rank are reckoned the Common Souldier and all persons of baser rank whose fortunes were narrower then two hundred pounds All the Lands and goods of those of the first Rank be publickly sold to pay publick debts but of the Members which in the new Parliament held at Oxford pronounced those guilty of High Treason which adhered to Westminster two parts in three of their lands and goods The Moity of others of the Judges Lawyers Clergy-men the third part and the sixth of all the third Rank be sold for the foresaid points The rest be let goe without Câ—nsure Provided they have ingaged themselves in the National Covenant All in the second and third Rank after the payment of their Fines the pardon of Parliament being sued granted be entirely restored 8. That all Offices of the Kingdom and chief Magistracies for â—wenty years next ensuing be collated and constituted according to the pleasure of Parliament 9. That the new Seal framed aâ— the Houses appointment pass by the King into the Seal of England and that no other hereafter be used That all Grants and Commissions sealed by this new one remain firm all under the old Seal which was with the King be voided from such time as the Keeper Littleton conveyed it away from the Parliament 10. That all Priviledges Grants Charters and Immunities of the City of London be confirmed with itâ—rated Acts That the Tower of London and Militia be ordered at the discretion of the Mayor of the City Members and Common Council therein That no Citizen be compelled to Military service out of the Liberties of the City unless at the Parliaments appointment and the last was 11. That the Court of Wards with all Offices and Employments thereto belonging be exterminated That all services likewise on that accompt imposed cease all inheritances which formerly were held of the King in Capite c. namely by Knights service being freed from burden and charges fifty thousand pounds notwithstanding being paid the King yearly in compensation These were the conditions of peace propounded by the Parliament for the Argument or Matter of the Treaty to be commenced so vehemently sought after by the desires of all men and by the Arms of many Nothing changed from those which being formerly sent to the King whilst he remained at Hampton Court were not only rejected by the King but also of the Army as being somewhat too unequal In this one thing they differed that in these last the Scots are unconsidered The Parliament Commissioners are vested with no other Authority then to reply to the Kings Arguments rejoyn Reasons to force his assent having no power to sweeten or alter a word nay not to pass over the Preface but are forthwith to adverâ—ise the Parliament touching the Kings Concessions to transact all in writing and to debate the Propositions one by one in order not to descend to another before agreement touching the precedent and the time limited to dispatch within fourty dayes The Treaty goes on for a good while when suddenly advice comes to the Parliament that
confirmed by Parliament did after add two shillings per pound without leave of the Parliament We began to be great Practitioners in the School of Revolting in Tumults and Insurrections following the Rules of our Neighbour Brethren in their pretences of Liberty and as it is truly brought into parallel with the Scots former Proceedings in their Discipline of Reformation even from their first Murder upon their Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews Anno And so by that and other Examples we are set on work to begin violation upon our Arch-bishop of Canterbury A Paper being poasted up at the Old Exchange the ninth of May exhorting Prentices to rise and â—ack the Arch-bishop house at Lambeth the Munday following when in the dead time of Night the number of five hundred beset his Palace and endeavour to force their Entrance but were repulsed by such power as he had prepared to oppose them who parted without more hurt than the Glass Windows for which attempt many of them the next day being narrowly observed were seized and sent to Prison to the White-Lion but three days after some of their former Companions in the open day-time beset the Prison force the Doors and delivered them to liberty for which and for Example onely one of them a Captain Cobler was apprehended tried in Southwark and condemned and hanged drawn and quartered and his Limbs set upon London-bridg The King in very great earnest for his Expedition to the North cals a Iovento of select Counsellors where Secretary Vane was conceived so trusty as not to be left out who yet took such Heads of the Debate as he and his Son made use of afterwards towards the destruction of the Earl of Strafford The Heads were thus in brief as they are recorded No danger in undertaking this War Whether the Scots are to be reduced or no To reduce them by force as the state of this Kingdom stands If his Majesty had not declared himself so soon he would have declared himself so no War with Scotland they would have given him plentifully The City to be called immediately and questioned to lend an hundred thousand pounds The Ship-money to be put rigorously upon Collection and by these two ways will furnish his Majesty plentifully to go on with Armies and War against Scotland The manner of the War Shipping of the Trade of Scotland to be detained prejudice so they had the Trade free with England for their Castle A defensive War to sally against offensive War into the Kingdom his opinion is that few Moneths will make and end of the War do you invade the Scots strongly If no more Money than what proposed how then to make an offensive War a difficulty Whether to do nothing or to let them alone Or to go on with a rigorous War Go on rigorously or let them alone No defensive War love of Honour and reputation the quiet of England will not hold out long your might will languish as betwixt Saul and David Go on with an offensive War as you first de signed loose and absolute from all Rulers and Governments being returned to extreme necessity every thing will be done as power will admit and that you are to do They refused you are acquitted towards God and Man you have an Army in Ireland you may imploy it to reduce the Kingdom I am confident as any thing under Heaven Scotland shall not hold out five Moneths One Summer well imployed will do it I venture all I have I would carry it or lose all Whether a defensive War as impossible as an offensive or whether to let them alone Tried always Refused always By the Laws of God you should have subsistence and ought to have it and lawfull to take it Leagues they make abroad and we will do so for the defence of this Kingdom The Lower House are weary both of King and Church Commission of Array to be put in execution they are to bring them to the Borders In reason of State you have power when they are to use them at the Kings pay If any of the Lords can shew them a better way let them do it The Town full of the Nobility who will talk of it he will make them smart first These were the Notes taken thus by Vane and to the Design and general opinion for War the Londoners are summoned to lend Money but the Citizens were sullen indeed no Trading made them poor they who had injoyed such a length of time in peace and commerce just fourty years as never any City could boast of more happiness nor truly of more wealth their bliss Luxury and Pride and Plenty with all Vices answerable unfaithfull to their Sovereign unstable in Religion ungratefull to their own Members and Friends We cannot finde other than this the onely cause that this City might justly regret upon unkindness from the King was the account of their Plantation of London Derry in Ireland a slender occasion their usurpation of more liberty than their Patent would impower was here questioned in Star-chamber and sentenced to be forfeited to the King and Fines imposed upon the Undertakers which though very justly deserving correction yet they proposed reasonable overtures of satisfaction and more honourable for the King to have accepted which was to have contributed a very ample Sum of Money by way of Composition towards the erecting of a Royal Palace for his Majesties Court in Saint Iames's Park according to a Model drawn by Inigo Iones his excellent Architectour and to have taken down White-hall towards the Thames carrying the common way in the room thereof directly from Charing-cross straight through Cannons-row to Westminster-hall leaving the River-side an open Wharf quite along And although their offer in Money came short of the Sum to finish such a Fabrick yet so noble a Design might have found many well-affected to have offered to the supply besides sundry other occasions of raising Money sufficient to have perfected that Work whereas this Fine producing a considerable Sum was begged and squandred away to the Kings small advantage But neither the City nor Nation could pretend to want the Kingdom became the envy of Europe Mollia securae peragebant otia Gentes The Court never so glorious the Gentry no where more gallant the Citizens so abounding with Treasure Bullion and Buildings that no Age can parallel Commerce inward and outward never at that height before the Custome increasing to admiration the Narrow Seas never better guarded with braver Ships nor the Navy Royal for number of Vessels and Magazine the Vniversity replenished with learned men and for the Church among all the Reformed she was esteemed as in truth she was justly stiled the Church Triumphant And Ireland was arrived almost to the like degree of prospertiy All the Arrerages of the Crown were paid there without a Penny sent from hence for some years past to maintain that standing Army Traffique there to that
Earl craved not to Answer an unexpected addition without time assigned yet the Lords prevailed and put him to a present reply 1. That he had withdrawn four and twenty thousand pounds and more from the Exchequer in Ireland and converted to his own use 2. That in the beginning of his Government the Garrisons of Ireland had been maintained by the English Treasury 3. That he had advanced popish and infamous persons as the Bishop of Waterford and others to the prime Room in the Church of Ireland Answer 1. That England was indebted to Ireland so much which he took up upon his own credit and paid it in again producing the Kings Authority and Letter for the same 2. That the Garrisons had been formerly burdensom to England which he so found and had so improved the Kings Revenues there that they were not burdensom at all 3. That he never preferred any but whom he conceived consciencious and honest not being able to prophesie of mens future conditions And for the Bishop of Waterford he hath satisfied the Law The next Day March 24. the particular Articles were inforced to each he answered in order The further Impeachment of Thomas Earl of Strafford by the Commons assembled in Parliament The first Article was not insisted upon 2. That shortly after the obtaining of a Commission dated the 21. of March in the 8. Year of his now Majesties Reign to wit the last Day of August then next following he the said Earl to bring his Majesties Liege-people into a dislike of his Majesty and of his Government and to terrifie the Iustices of the Peace from executing the Laws he the said Earl being then President of the Kings Council in the Northern parts of England and a Iustice of Peace did publickly at the Assizes held for the County of York in the City of York in and upon the said last Day of August declare and publish before the People there attending for the administration of Iustice according to the Law and in the presence of the Iustices sitting that some of the Justices were all for Law but they should finde that the Kings little finger should be heavier than the loyns of the Law Testified by Sir David Fowls and others The Earls Reply That Sir David Fowls was his profest Enemy that his words were clearly inverted that his expression was That the little finger of the Law if not moderated by the Kings gracious clemency was heavier than the Kings loyns That these were his words he verified First by the occasion of them they being spoken to some whom the Kings favour had then enlarged from Imprisonment at York as a Motive to their Thankfulness to his Majesty Secondly by Sir William Pennyman a Member of the House who was then present and heard the words Which Sir William declaring to be true the House of Commons required Iustice of the Lords against him because he had voted the Articles as a Member of the House whereupon Sir William wept 3. That the Realm of Ireland having been time out of minde annexed to the Imperial Crown of this his Majesties Realm of England and governed by the same Laws the said Earl being Lord Deputy of that Realm to bring his Majesties Liege-people of that Kingdom likewise into dislike of his Majesties Government and intending the subversion of the Fundamental Laws and settled Government of that Realm and the distraction of his Majesties Liege-people there did upon the 30. Day of September in the 9. Year of his now Majesties Reign in the City of Dublin the chief City of that Kingdom where his Majesties Privy Council and Courts of Iustice do ordinarily reside and whither the Nobility and Gentry of that Realm do usually resort for Iustice in a publick Speech before divers of the Nobility and Gentry and before the Maior Aldermen and Recorder and many Citizens of Dublin and other his Majesties Liege-people declare and publish that Ireland was a conquered Nation and that the King might do with them what he pleased and speaking of the Charters of the former Kings of England made to that City he further said that their Charters were nothing worth and did binde the King no further than he pleased Testified by the Earl of Cork and two other Lords The Earls Reply That if he had been over-liberal of his tongue for want of discretion yet could not his words amount to Treason unless they had been revealed within fourteen days as he was informed As to the Charge he said True it is he said Ireland was a conquered Nation which no man can deny and that the King is the Law-giver in matters not determined by Acts of Parliament he conceived all loyal Subjects would grant 4. That Richard Earl of Cork having sued out Process in course of Law for recovery of his Possessions from which he was put by colour of an Order made by the said Earl of Strafford and the Council-table of the said Realm of Ireland The said Earl of Strafford upon a Paper-petition without legal proceedings did the twentieth Day of February in the eleventh Year of his now Majesties Reign threaten the said Earl of Cork being then a Peer of the said Realm to imprison him unless he would surcease his Suit and said that he would have neither Law nor Lawyers dispute or question any of his Orders And the twentieth of March in the said eleventh Tear the said Earl of Strafford speaking of an Order of the said Council-table of that Realm made in the time of King James which concerned a Lease which the said Earl of Cork claimed in certain Rectories or Tithes which the said Earl of Cork alleged to be of no force said that he would make the said Earl and all Ireland know so long as he had the Government there any Act of State there made or to be made should be as binding to the Subjects of that Kingdom as an Act of Parliament And did question the said Earl of Cork in the Castle-chamber upon pretence of Breach of the said Order of Council-table and did sundry other times and upon sundry other occasions by his words and speeches arrogate to himself a Power above the Fundamental Laws and established Government of that Kingdom and scorned the said Laws and established Government The Earls Reply It were hard measure for a man to lose his Honour and his Life for an hasty word or because he is no wiser than God hath made him As for the words he confessed them to be true and thought he said no more than what became him considering how much his Masters Honour was concerned in him that if a proportionable obedience was not as well due to Acts of State as to Acts of Parliament in vain did Councils sit And that he had done no more than what former Deputies had done and than what was agreeable to his Instructions for the Council-table which he produced And that if those words were Treason they should have been revealed within
Strafford with the assistance of the said Arch-bishop did procure his Majesty by sundry Speeches and Messages to urge the said Commons House to enter into some Resolution for his Majesties supply for maintenance of his War against his Subjects of Scotland before any course was taken for the relief of the great and pressing Grievances wherewith this Kingdom was then afflicted Whereupon a Demand was then made from his Majesty of twelve Subsidies for the release of Ship money onely and while the said Commons then assembled with expressions of great affections to his Majestie and his service were in Debate and Consideration of some Supply before Resolution by them made he the said Earl of Strafford with the help and assistance of the said Arch-bishop did procure his Majesty to dissolve the last Parliament upon the fifth Day of May last and upon the same Day the said Earl of Strafford did treacherously falsly and maliciously endeavour to incense his Majesty against his loving and faithfull Subjects who had been Members of the said House of Commons by telling his Majesty they had denied to supply him And afterward upon the same did treacherously and wickedly counsel and advise his Majesty to this effect viz. That having tried the affections of his People he was loose and absolved from all Rules of Government and was to do every thing that Power would admit and that his Majesty had tried all ways and was refused and should be acquitted both of God and Man and that he had an Army in Ireland meaning the Army above mentioned consisting of Papists his Dependents as is aforesaid which he might imploy to reduce this Kingdom to obedience The Earls Reply That he was not the principal cause of dissolving the last Parliament for before he came to the Council-table it was voted by the Lords to demand twelve Subsidies and that Sir Henry Vane was ordered to demand no less but he coming in the interim he perswaded the Lords to vote it again declaring to his Majesty then present and them the danger of the breach of the Parliament whereupon it was again voted that if the Parliament would not grant twelve Subsidies Sir Henry should descend to eight and rather than fail to six But Sir Henry not observing his Instructions demanded twelve onely without abatement or going lower that the height of this demand urged the Parliament to deny and their denial moved his Majesty to dissolve the Parliament so that the chief occasion of the breach thereof was as he conceived Sir Henry Vane He confesseth that at the Council-table he advised the King to an offensive War against the Scots but it was not untill all fair means to prevent a War had been first attempted Again others were as much for a defensive War it might be as free to vote one as the other Lastly Votes at a Council-board are but bare Opinions and opinions if pertinaciously maintained may make an Heretick but never can a Traitour And to Sir Vane's Deposition he said it was onely a single Testâ—mony and contradicted by four Lords of the Iunto Tables Depositions viz. the Earl of Northumberland the Marquess of Hamilton the Bishop of London and Lord Cottington who all affirmed that there was no question made of this Kingdom which was then in obedience but of Scotland that was in Rebellion and Sir Henry Vane being twice examined upon Oath could not remember whether he said this or that Kingdom and the Notes after offered for more proof were but the same thing and added nothing to the Evidence to make it a double Testimony or to make a Privy-counsellours Opinion in a Debate at Council high Treason The four and twentieth Article not urged 25. That not long after the dissolution of the said last Parliament viz. in the months of May and June he the said Earl of Strafford did advise the King to go on rigorously in levying of the Ship-mony and did procure the Sheriffs of several Counties to be sent for for not levying the Ship-money divers of which were threatned by him to be sued in the Star-chamber and afterwards by his advice were sued in the Star-chamber for not levying the same and divers of his Majesties loving subjects were sent for and imprisoned by his advice about that and other illegal payments And a great loan of a hundred thousand pounds was demanded of the City of London and the Lord Maior and the Aldermen and the Sheriffs of the said City were often sent for by his advice to the Counsel Table to give an accâ—unt of their proceedings in raising of Ship-money and furthering of that loan and were required to certifie the names of such Inhabitants of the said City as were fit to lend which they with much humility refusing to do he the said Earl of Strafford did use these or the like speeches viz. That they deserved to be put to Fine and Ransom and that no good would be done with them till an example were made of them and that they were laid by the heels and some of the Aldermen hâ—nged up The Earls Reply That there was a present necessity for Money that all the Council-board had voted with yea before him That there was then a Sentence in Star-chamber upon the Opinion of all the Judges for the legality of the Tax of Ship-money and he thought he might advise the King to take what the Judges had declared was by Law his own He confessed that upon Refusal of so just a service the better to quicken the Citizens to the payment of Ship-money he said they deserved to be fined Which words might perhaps be incircumspectly delivered but conceives cannot amount to Treason especially when no ill consequence followed upon them and it would render men in a sad condition if for every hasty word or opinion given in Council they should be sentenced as Traitours But that he said it were well for the kings service if some of the Aldermen were hanged up he utterly denieth Nor is it proved by any but Alderman Garway who is at best but a single Testimony and therefore no sufficient Evidence in case of Life 26. That the said Earl of Strafford by his wicked counsel having brought his Majesty iâ—to excessive charges without any just cause he did in the moneth of July last for the support of the said great charges counsel and approve two dangerous and wicked Projects viz. To seise upon the Bullion and the Money in the Mint And to imbase his Majesties Coin with the mixtures of Brass And accordingly he procured one hundred and thirty thousand pounds which was then in the Mint and belonging to divers Merchants strangers and others to be seised on and stayed to his Majesties use And when divers Merchants of London owners of the said Bullion came to his house to let him understand the great mischief that course would produce here and in other parts what prejudice it would be to the Kingdom by discrediting the Mint and hindring the
and plenty comparatively in respect of their Neighbours but even of those times which were justly accounted Fortunate Their Fears and Jealousies he supposes may be either for Religion or Liberty and their civil Interests the Fears for Religion to be invaded by the Romish party by any favour or inclination to them he professes that as he hath been bred up and practised the Religion now here established and as he believes he can maintain the same by unanswerable Reasons so he is ready if need be to seal with his bloud Having always been as much to the evidence of his care and duty herein as he could tell possibly how to express And for matters indifferent in reference to tender consciences he will comply with the advice in Parliament being to be pursued with temper and submission not with bold licence of scandalous Pamphlets and seditious Sermons against him and his Government a fit Prologue to Confusion upon the very profession of this Religion in England Concerning the civil Liberties and Interests of Subjects His Princely care of the Subjects this Parliament in passing Laws so large and ample that many sober men can wish for no better He understood well the Right and pretences of Right which he parted from in the Bill Triennial for continuance also of this Parliament Bill of Tunnage and Poundage taking away High Commission and Star Chamber Courts and in a word all Doubts secured by the Triennial Parliament but he had rather his grace and favours might be valued in the hearts of his people than in any mention of his own If these Resolutions be the effects of his present Councils as he takes God to witness they are no ill Design can follow why should he and they suffer under Misunderstandings If he hath or shall be mistaken in his Election of them the particular shall be no sooner discovered to him than he will leave them to justice But if any shall under colour of this endeavour to lessen his Reputation and Interest and to weaken his lawfull power and Authority with his good Subjects and to loosen the Bonds of Governments and so all Disorder and Confusion break in upon us he doubts not that God in his due time will discover them If his Intentions be thus clear and his part to be fully performed and that the peoples quiet depends upon themselves and as he will observe the Laws himself so he will maintain them against any opposition though with the hazzard of his own being And he hopes not onely their Loyalty and good affection will concur with him in preserving a good understanding between him and his people but at this time the bleeding condition of Ireland will invite them to unity for Relief of that unhappy Kingdom to which he hath lately offered to raise ten thousand English Voluntiers for that Service though it hath been most falsly whispered the want of alacrity in him which he acknowledges a high crime to Almighty God if he should be guilty thereof And conjures all his good Subjects of what degree soever by the Bonds of Love Duty Obedience to remove all Doubts and Fears and then if the sins of this Nation have not prepared an inevitable Iudgment for us all God will yet make him a glorious King over a free and happy People During this time the loose people of the City and the Mechanick sort of Prentices were encouraged by the Ministers Lecturers and other incendiaries in tumultary manner to come down to Westminster and by the way at Whitehal to be insolent in words and actions which caused the King to command the Major to call a common Council to receave his Majesties pleasure which was then brought by the Chancellor of the Duchy To signifie to them the late riotous assembly of people about his Palaces of Whitehal and Westminster and commands their care to prevent the like especially these ensuing holidaies or that by the late loyal affections of the City to him he cannot understand it of them to have any share therein but only the unruly people of the suburbs and as he is confident of their affections so he bids them be assured of his care and protection not to be disturbed by jealousies and fears Hereupon a double watch and guard kept the rabble in some Order And though the Houses kept Christmas at Westminster having much business and doing very little to the Kings desires He again sends a Message to the Lords House by the Lord Chamberlaine the eight and twentieth of December That being sensible of the miseries of Ireland and yet the succours so slow he will as he hath offered raise 10000. Voluntiers if the Commons will undertake to pay them And to express his detestation of that Rebellioâ— and the care that he hath of suppressing their Insolencies He publishes this Manifesto the first of Ianuary By the King Whereas divers lewd and wicked persons have of late risen in Rebellion in our Kingdome of Ireland in surprizing our Forts Garisons Arms and Munition disposessed many good subjects of the British Nations and Protestants of their Houses Lands and goods Massacred multitudes of them c. we do therefore declare our just indignation thereof and denounce them Rebells and Traitors with all such as adhere and abet them Commanding them immediately to lay down their Arms. Having authorized his Iustices of Ireland and other his Governour Governours General or Lieutenant General of his Army there to prosecute them with fire and sword and to be countenanced and supported by him and his powerful succours assisted by his good subjects of England and this his royal pleasure he commands his Iustices and other his Officers there to proclaim throughout the Kingdom of Ireland The King having intelligence of some high misdemeanours of suâ—dry of the Members of the Commons House and setting a narrow watch and spies upon their private meetings found that a Junto of them had designed a correspondence with the Scots and countenanced these late Tumults from the City He commanded Sir William Killegrew and Sir William Fleming by warrant to repair unto the Lodgings of several persons Members of the House of Commons to seale up their Trunks Studies and Chambers by name the Lord Kimbolton Iohn Pym Iohn Hambden Denzil Hollis Sir Arthur Hasserig and William Strode but whether that they had timely notice their persons were not to be met with but their Truncks and papers were seized and whilst a doing the House hears of it and instantly vote Die Lunae Ianuary 3. 1641. That if any person whatsoever shall come to the Lodgings of any Member of this House and then offer to seale the Truncks doores or papers of either of them or seize upon their persons such Members shall require the aid of the Constable to keep such persons in safe custody till This House do give further Order And that if any person whatsoever shall offer to arrest or detain the person of any Member without first
But all would not do to the purpose which the Parliament expected for the City were not able to effect more and so the time calling for the General Essex to march out he mustered on Hounslo-Heath but ten thousand and so Sir William Waller would be the longer attendant for his yet on goes Essex fresh Supplies being promised and soon sent after him for two Designs to take Oxford or to raise the Kings Siege against Glocester which he did marching for this purpose to Maidenhead and so forward and by the tenth of September raised the Siege as hereafter in due place But the King failing at Glocester his Service was performed by Prince Maurice at Exeter which City he summoned often and at last had this Answer That no evil counsels or hard opinions should abate the loyalty of their affections and they neither did nor would enjoy any thing whereof his Majesty should not have the just and true command And accordingly on the fourth of September he took possession of Exeter for having given a fierce Assault the day before flung in their Granadoes fired part of the Suburbs and came to parley but not liking their Conditions for that day and having slept upon it also on went the Prince made himself Master of the great Sconce or Bulwark turn'd the great Ordnance thereof upon the Town it self which the Souldiers considered as having no safety but in their seasonable submission with all their Ordnance Arms and Ammunition the Officers to depart with their Swords by their sides and the common Souldiers with cudgels in their hands And Sir Iohn Berkley made Governour thereof for the King The King having prospered so well in the West by the merit of his County of Cornwall as also other wonderfull Successes which it hath pleased God to bless that loyalty in despite of all humane probability He declares and signifieth that as he cannot be forgetfull of so great Deserts so could he not but desire to perpetuate the memory of these their merits and of his gracious acceptance of them and to that end did thereby render his Royal thanks to them in the most publick and lasting manner that he could devise Commanding Copies thereof to be printed and published and to be read in every Church and Chapel of the County and there to be preserved upon good Record that so as long as the Historie of this State continueth the memorie of their merits in the present action may be derived to perpetual posterity A gracious Act not more conducing to the praise and honour of them who receive than of him that gave it Judg Berkley one of the Judges for the promoting of Ship-mo-money hath been long a Prisoner for that cause and now was censured in a Fine of twenty thousand pounds to be incapable of Dignity and Office in the Common-wealth and to be continued a Prisoner during pleasure so being formerly accused of high Treason this Sentence seemed very partial to condemn him for Misdemeanours The strength of Glocester for the Parliament was no more than two Regiments of Foot one hundred Horse and the Trained Bands with some Reformadoes one hundred Horse more from Berkley Castle in the whole about fifteen hundred men fourty Barrels of Powder and a slender Artillery the Works large and not perfected from the South Gate Eastward to the North Port defended with an old Wall lined with Earth with a slender Work at the end thereof with a Stone Barn that commanded several ways upon the lower part of the City from the North to the West Gate there was a Work newly raised and the advantage of Marsh-grounds without and a Line drawn within from the inner North Gate under the College Wall to the Priorie of St. Oswalds the West side defended by the River the Meadows beyond level with the Town from the Castle to the South Port with a firm and lofty Work which commanded the ground in the Suburbs the Ditches narrow but full of Water round about Thus they within when the King hovers over the Hills and now and then skirted upon the Town before he laid his close Siege Upon the tenth of August they descended the Hills the Mayor of the Town having heretofore answered Prince Rupert's Summons That he kept it according to his Oath for the King It was considered with themselves what Answer novv to make to the Kings person this then True it is say they It was held so but as to the sense of the Parliament and the Citizens put no difference between a Command in Person and a Deputation Whereupon tvvo Heralds gave them this Summons CHARLS REX Out of our tender compassion to our City of Glocester and that it may not receive prejudice by our Armie which we cannot prevent if we be compelled to assault it we are personally come before it to require the same and are graciously pleased to let all the Inhabitants Souldiers and others to know that if they yield all shall have pardon without Exception and that in the word of their King and without prejudice to any person or their Estates and a Governour shall be appointed and such a moderate Garison for ease and security of the City and County but if they shall neglect this offer of grace they must expect the issue To this Message we expect a clear and positive Answer within two hours and for any persons safely to repair to and return from us And novv vvas the King dravvn before the Tovvn attended by Prince Charls and the Duke of York Prince Rupert and General Ruthen vvith about six thousand Horse and Foot on that side and tvvo thousand Horse on the other side And by this time an Ansvver is come presented by Major Pudsey and one Citizen We the Inhabitants Magistrates Officers and Souldiers within this Garison of Glocester unto his Majesties gracious Message return this humble Answer That we do keep this Citie according to our Oath and Allegeance to and for the use of his Majestie and his Royal Posteritie and do accordingly conceive our selves wholly bound to obey the Commands of his Majestie signified by both Houses of Parliament and are resolved by Gods help to keep the Citie accordingly The King vvondered at their confidence vvithout any hope of Succour Waller not in being and Essex cannot come and therefore they vvent to vvork advancing forvvards into the East Suburbs vvhich the City instantly fired for their better security vvithin The next day they intrenched on the South and East parts under the shadovv of the night but induring some Sallies from the Town vvith loss on both sides the Ordnance also killed some few and a Lieutenant Colonel and Captain of the Queens Black Regiment Sir Iacob Ashley also shot in the arm By this time the Welch Forces under command of Sir William Vavisor vvere advanced to the Bishops house leaving a Guard half a mile from the West Gate the place deserted by the Enemy and so passed over
some are set awork to advise the Duke of Yorke's escape which was thus The Royal Family were all at St. James's under government of the Earl of Northumberland and his Lady the Duke of York had been tampering not long since with Pen and Ink and framed a Letter in Ciphers to the Queen his Mother the rather to let her see how capable he was of Intelligence The Parliament blamed him for medling with writing without leave of his Governour but his ingenuity soon confessed his first fault and promised to offend no more in that kind nor did he and therefore had great freedom to walk within the walls in his sisters company the Princess Elizabeth of whom he seemed very fond His pretty sport was in the long covered Walk the Statue Row in the Privy Garden where a door opens into the Park there he walks and sports There was one Colonel Bamfield come over from the Queen and closely sent a Message to the Duke that at the said door in the Walk he would shadow himself without and whisper to him at the Key-hole his Mothers Message to trust his escape to his design The Duke borrows of the Gardner the Key into the Inner Garden because of his being often out of the way and with safety enough for it was out of minde the other door into the Park The evening come he accompanies his Sister very late and to have the more freedom he usually had the sport of Hide and Keep childrens play which shadowed his missing till very late and he was gone out at that door where Bamfield receives him on foot to the waterside that night and instantly habits him in womans apparel and down the River towards a Barque at Anchor neer Margates By the way in a Barge the Steersman peeps in behinde and sees Bamfield take off his Garter George under the Petticote which discovers so much that the man steers round and demurs but his mouth was made up and on they Rowed and boarded the Barque already under sail and safely landed at Dort in Holland a welcome guest to his dearest Sister the Royal Princess of Orange Tumults increase in several Counties and are seasonably allayed some by force or flattery others surcease of themselves But now to the purpose which the people drive at A Petition of the Grand Jury and many thousands of Knights Gentlemen and Freeholders of Essex presented to the Parliament 4. of May. That it is impossible that the sad and direfull effects of this late War should cease without the principal causes be taken away His Majesties absence from his Parliament hath been pretended the main cause of increasing Iealousies and misunderstandings between them And conceive that a timely concession to the King for a personal Treaty might remove all fears which are yet the only obstacles of peace And for the Army they pray That they may have their Arrears and so Disband them And that the Parliament would consider of that unum necessarium and condescend to the Royal Intimations of his Majesty for a personal Treaty without which no hope of peace or quiet of the Kingdom And after them comes another of Surrey That the King may be restored to his due Honour and Rights according to the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance and to be established in his Throne according to the splendor of his Ancestors To come forthwith to Westminster that he may Treat personally for composing of the differences That the Free-born Subjects may be governed by the known Laws now in force That the War beginning may be prevented that the Ordinances for preventing free Quarter may be duly executed and speedily to disband the Army having their Arrears due and paid them The Petitioners were many and numbers of them at present in the Hall whilst the Petition was debated and as usual some slight occasion is taken to Mutiny against the Guard of Subscribers one or two slain many hurt and the Tumult increasing by Abetters at hand on both sides more force of Horse and Foot were called from White-hall and the Mews but night came and parted the Fray And therefore to suppress these Tumults about London and in many Counties of the Kingdom and Wales all the Ordinances against Malignants are rigorously pursued against them and yet would not prevail But as these Petitions were conceived Mutinies So the City thought it time to be serious in one of theirs And very modestly acknowledge the high favours of Parliament in communicating sundry their Votes to the City wherein to their great comfort are expressed the Parliaments Resolutions not to alter the Fundamental Government of the Kingdom by King Lords and Commons And to preserve inviolably the Solemn League and Covenant and the Treaties between England and Scotland in the Propositions agreed upon by them both and preservation of their union according to the Covenant and Treaties And in the end thereof are much grieved for their Magistrates and fellow Citizens a long time under restraint and the City thereby deprived of their service Praying That the Parliament would improve the prosecuting and perfecting the said Votes and preventing a new and bloody War and that the Citizens and Recorder now prisoners may be released 23. May. The Parliament had proceeded against those of the City and against some Lords and other Members of the Commons who had tart and bold defences as refusing to be tryed by the Lords or by Councels of War but stand upon the tryals at the Common Law and by Juries of their own And in truth Tumults increased in each Counties that the Parliament knew not whether hand to turn unto so that to begin their clemency they are over intreated or rather wearied out to release the City Prisoners first and by degrees the rest And to remove the Lieutenant of the Tower and to pâ—t in Mr. West a Citizen to afford them their security of their own Militia and to caress them into some quietness who began to be angry Indeed the Presbyter now takes heart But among many Insurrections that of Kent increased formidably so that the General was desired to march upon them and was now Rendezvouzed on Black-heath The Kentish men for King Parliament and Kingdom offer a parley by Letter signed with several hands Sir Thomas Payton their Lieutenant General and Esquire Edward Hales their General to which they had this Answer from Fairfax SIRS I received a Message from you for a Pass for some Gentlemen as Commissioners to come treat according to an Order of Parliament To which I Ans. That I know not of any such order nor any authority in you to appoint Commissioners for such a purpose But I finding you and them in Arms against the Parliament I cannot admit of Treaty but if ye shall forthwith lay down your Arms and retire home I doubt not of the Parliaments mercy to such as have been deluded into this rebellion and their exemplary justice to the