Councel at Hampton Court the case was concluded for the Arch Bishop as the greatest reason not to rule themselves having suffered such an Inconvenience there without so much as taking notice much lesse reforming It had been more then fifteen moneths that the Writs of Ship-money were issued out to divers Counties many Men and in special Mr. Hambden of Buckingham Shire being Assisted by the Sherifâ— made default of payment this Person well known and supposed a stake for others not without a resolved factious assistance of powerful parties And therefore the King this Michaelmas Term not precipitate into a quarrel advised the opinion of his Judges stating the Case by Letter to them To our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Bramstone Knight Chief Iustice of Our Bench Sir John Finch Knight Chief Iustice of Our Court of Common Pleas Sir Humphrey Davenport Knight Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer and to the rest of the Iudges of Our Courts of Kings Bench Common Pleas and the Barons of our court of Exchequer Charls Rex Trusty and well-beloved we greet you well taking into our Princely consideration that the Honor and safety of this Our Realm of England the preservation whereof is onely entrusted to Our care was and is more dearly concern'd then in late former times as well by divers councels and attempts to take from Us the Dominions of the Seas of which We are sole Lord and rightful Owner or Propriator and the losse whereof would be of greatest danger and peril to this Kingdom and other Our Dominions and many other wayes We for the avoiding of these and the like dangers well weighing with our self that where the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger there the charge and defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general did for the preventing so publique a mischief resolve with our self to have a Royal Navy prepared that might be of force and power with Almighty Gods blessing and assistance to protect and defend this Our Realm and Our Subjects therein from all such perils and dangers and for that purpose We issued forth Writs under our Great Seal of England directed to all Our Sheriffs of Our several Counties of England and Wales Commanding thereby all Our said Subjects in every City Town and Village to provide such a number of Ships well furnisht as might serve for this Royal purpose and which might be done with the greatest equality that could be In performance whereof though generally throughout all the Counties of this Our Realm We have found in Our Subjects great chearfulnesse and alacrity which We gratiously interpret as a testimony as well of their dutiful affection to us and our service as of the respect they have to the Publique which well becometh every good Subject Nevertheless finding that some few happily out of ignorance what the Laws and Customs of this Realm are or out of a desire to be eased in their particulars how general soever the charge be or ought to be have not yet paid and contributed to the several Rates and Assesments that were set upon them And fore-seeing in Our Princely wisdom that from thence divers Suits and Actions are not unlikely to be commenced and prosecuted in our several Courts at Westminster We desirous to avoid such inconveniencies and out of Our Princely love and affection to all Our People being willing to prevent such Errours as any of Our loving Subjects may happen to run into have thought fit in a case of this nature to advise with you Our Judges who We doubt not are well studied and informed in the Rights of Our Sovereignty And because the Trials in Our several Courts by the Formalities in Pleading will require a long protraction We have thought fit by this Letter directed to you all to require your Judgments in the Case as it is set down in the inclosed Paper which will not onely gain time but also be of more authority to over-rule any prejudicate opinions of others in the Point Given under Our Signet at our Court of White-hall the Second Day of February in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign 1636. CHARLS Rex CHARLS Rex VVhen the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concern'd and the whole Kingdom in danger whether may not the King by VVrit under the great Seal of England command all the Subjects in his Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victuals and Munition and for such time aâ— he shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Danger and Peril and by Law compel the doing thereof in case of Reâ—usal or Refractoriness and whether in such case is not the King the sole Iudge both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided The Judges return their Opinions thus May it please your Most Excellent Majesty we have according to your Majesties Command severally and every Man by himself and all of us together taken into serious consideration the Case and Questions signed by your Majesty and inclosed in your Letter And we are of opinion that when the Good and Safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in Danger your Majesty may by Writ under your Great Seal of England command all the Subjects of this your Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victual Munition and for such time as your Majesty shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Peril and Danger And that by Law your Majesty may compell the doing thereof in case of Refusal or Refractoriness And we are also of opinion that in such Case your Majesty is the sole Iudg both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided John Bramston John Finch Humphrey Davenport John Denham Richard Hutton William Jones George Crook Thomas Trever George Vernon Robert Barkly Francis Crauly Richard Weston Thus they subscribe which was inrolled in all Courts at Westminster Hall and without doubt Warrant sufficient for the King to proceed against any Defaulters specially singly against Hambden who appeared upon Process and required Oyer of the Ship Writs and so being heard he demurred in Law and demanded the Iudges opinion upon the Legality of those Writs which being argued in the Exchequer all the Iudges and those Barons except Crook and Hutton were of opinion for the Writs and the Barons gave Iudgment accordingly against Hambden who under hand advised held up the Quarrel by Intermissions till further time and conveniency The Queen bare the Princess Ann the seventeenth of March the third Daughter to the King This Midsummer Term were censured in Star-chamber three Delinquents confederate A medley of Mal-contents The one a Divine Mr. Burton who is a mistiled Sometime Tutor to the King which he never was nor any
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
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
their practices provoking Aspersions upon the most gracious and best of Kings that he levels at none in particular let the faults lead to the men not to be exposed to irregular prejudices nor with-held from orderly justice Bodies natural to be effectually purged of Humours must be made moveable and fluid so of the Politick to be cleared of their Maladies by loosening and unsettling the evil Ministers and to be drawn into a Remonstrance and presented to a gracious Masters clear and excellent judgment And so he sat down This was held too courtly and which was suddenly laid hold on A forward young man well made up with Learning and by his Fathers fate kept aloof from the Beam of Sovereignty a little Sun-shine would enliven him some Marks of Majesty fell from the Queen which taken up tainted him presently after and in him his Father also now made Friends whom the King took also into favour The King to keep the City from Tumult and to prevent the Insolencies of busie and loose People had established a Constable of the Tower of London Supreme to the Lieutenant under command of the Lord Cottington enabling it with a Garrison also of four hundred Souldiers and with some shew of Fortification thereof at this very time when some publick notice was given to the Parliament of an extraordinary confluence of Popish Recusants in and about the City of London and Westminster and therefore to take away all Jealousies of conniving with them or other Fears of over-mastering the City he was pleased to send a Message to the Parliament that by Proclamation the Papists shall be instantly removed to their places of abode with prosecution also against their persons disarming their power according to Law And as for the Tower he erected the Government by a Constable and Garrison in favour to the peace of the City but is now resolved to leave the Tower to the command of a Lieutenant onely as hath been heretofore And in the afternoon came out an Order of the Commons House that all Projectours and unlawfull Monopolists that have or had lately any benefit from Monopolies or countenanced or issued out any Warrants in favour of them against Non-conformists to Proclamations or Commands concerning their Interests shall be disabled to sit in the House and Master Speaker is to issue out new Warrants for electing other Members in their places Whereupon it was notoriously observed how vacant their Rooms were upon the self-accusation of their own guilt who but lately framed speeches against others abroad who lodged under the Parliament lash for such Crimes The next day complaint was made to the Lords that their Privileges were infringed by the search of the Earl of Warwick and the Lord Brooks their Pockets Cabinets and Studies upon the Dissolution of the last Parliament And Sir William Beecher one of the Clerks of the Council being the Instrument alleged for his Excuse the command of the two Secretaries of State which could not protect him from Commitment to the Fleet Prison The Commons House intent upon publick justice sent Master Pym to the Lords with a Message the Impeachment of Thomas Earl of Strafford Lord Lieutenant of Ireland as guilty of High Treason Whereupon he was sequestred from the House and committed to the Usher of the Black Rod and Sir George Ratcliff his Confederate and supposed Criminary with him was two days after sent for out of Ireland by a Serjeant at Arms. And here we cannot pass by many wise mens opinions whether the Earl assumed his wonted judgment and courage when he came from the Army to this Parliament His wisdom could not chuse but know that the Scots and Scotizing English had infallibly resolved his destruction his innocency to be no Armour of Proof against Malice and Power why did he not rather keep under safeguard of the English Army at his command from which he had got much affection or have passed over into Ireland the Army there also at his devotion or in plain terms have taken Sanctuary into some foreign parts till fair weather might have invited him home whether it had been a betraying of his Innocency to decline the Trial where Partiality held the Beam of the Scales and self-ends backedâ— with power and made blinde with prejudice were like to over-ballance Justice that if Sentence should have passed against him for Non-appearance yet had he kept his Freedom till better times and have done his Master better service abroad than in Council at White-hall But on the other side it was said that all these Considerations had been pondered before he came from the Army even by the way where met him a Iunto of his confident Friends and then it was averred that he had gained in the North certain evidence that the Scots Army came in by Invitation a Confederacy between the Heads of the Covenanters and some of the English Parliament-members of both Houses his most deadly Enemies to subvert the Government of the Church and to innovate in that of the Civil State that therefore he himself had digested his Intelligence into the Form of an Impeachment which he intended to have offered to the House of Peers so soon as he had taken his place there There were his Reasons which he might have from Example of the Earl of Bristow who yet came too late to begin upon his grand Enemy the Duke of Buckingham in the like charge but then Bristow was ready at the instant to recriminate upon the Duke by an Impeachment of High Treason against him which took off the Dukes edg ever after But here Strafford was not so nimble as Master Pym who got the start and it seems the Earl failed of his former purpose which had he seconded by an after timely stroke and impeached them and prosecuted it in a reasonable pace and method as was afforded him it might have happened not so fatal to his utter ruine And the Commons speeding thus far it encouraged them no doubt to fall upon others in the same track with the Arch-bishop few Moneths after In this time the two Armies were heavy charge to the Counties where they quartered therefore the twelfth of November the Parliament borrow of the City of London an hundred thousand pounds upon interest and ingagement of the credit of some of the Members untill the Moneys might be levied upon Subsidies and so to repay them Munday the sixteenth of November upon the humble suit of the House of Lords to his Majesty the Lord Bishop of Lincoln was released out of the Tower and the next Day being assigned for Humiliation he was brought into the Abbey Church by four Bishops and did his Office as Dean of Westminster before the Lords Never wise-man so gulled into the false shew of true affection from Lords and Commons and so continued till their turns were served upon the Earl of Strafford and the Arch Bishop of Canterbury he became the spectacle of
horse of the Lord Ormonds Troop made their way through without loss of a man A great loss to us and a greater gain to the Rebells of Ammunition and monies and now it appeared plain who were the Enemies in the Pale heretofore Neuters The Governour of Drogheda upon our Scouts intelligence issued out with 600. foot and two Troopes of horse but came too late and now it became certain that whilst the Commissioners were in the Treaty at the Town they themselves were of this Plot. Not long after the Enemy took another advantage The Master of a Chester Bark corrupted by some Popish Merchants abroad he run her on ground at the Skerms in faire weather riâ—â—ing the English Passengers of store of money and fraughted with powder and Ammunition designed for Dublin At the which Landing of the English the Lord Netherfield as in favour to them sent them to Dublin assuring them that he would take Tredagh the next morning which was believed at Dublin before the Account and evermore in these surprisals the Enemy would boast of the special hand of Gods providence in their successes and likelyhood to deliver the Kingdom unto Catholiques The Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale being secretly the first contrivers of the Rebellion and had now drawn the Rebells down from the North into the Pale and that presently after the defeat of the English at Gelianston bridge the Lord Germanston a secret conspiratour summons the County at Dulick and after to the Hill of Crofty to the number of 1000. persons to whom came divers of the chief Leaders of the Northern Rebells where they are associated to live and die in their quarrel And a week after the like summons was to all the Lords and Gentry of the County of Meath to meet at the Hill of Taragh where multitudes assembled And now by reason the Northern Rebells had setled their Camp within the River of Boyne besieging Tredagh between that and the City of Dublin and all entercourse of the Pale interrupted the passages stopt so that the State were ignorant of what passed there They therefore called a grand Council of the Lords within distance of Dublin and so Letters were posted to them in effect That the State had present occasion to confer with them concerning the present estate of the Kingdom and the safety thereof And pray and require to his Lordship to be at Dublin the eight day of this Moneth at which time others of the Peers will be here From his Majesties Castle of Dublin the third of December 1641. To our very good Lord Georg Earl of Kildare Your very loving friends William Parsons John Buclaâ—r c. And the same day to other several persons who near about that time had made the publick Combination with the Ulster Rebells And there they frame their General answer thus in effect May it please your Lordship We have heretofore presented our selves and freely offered our advice and furtherance which was by you neglected c. Having received advertisement that Sir Charls Coot had uttered at the Council-board some speeches tending to execute upon these of our Religion a general Massacre by which wee are deterred to wait on your Lordships not having security for the safety of our lives but rather to stand upon our Guard till we shall be secured from perills Nevertheless we all protest to continue faithfull advisers and furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present state of this Kingdome and the safety thereof Your Lordships humble servants Fingale Germaston Slame Dunsany Netervile Oliver Lowth Trimbleston Dec. 7. 1641. To this Letter the State gives answer by Proclamation with all satisfaction to the Lords to remove all misunderstandings and clear Sir Charls Coot from any such pretended speeches or any intention thereto and pray the Lords to attend the Board on the seventeenth day after But not prevailing Netervile and others of the Pale gather forces and quarter at Swores within six miles of Dublin and there encamped To whom the State send theiâ— warrant Immediately upon sight hereof to disband and separate and that Netervile and six other principal persons amongst them do appear to morrow morning at ten a Clock before the Council upon their utmost perills  Ormond Ossery c. Dec. 9. 1641. To which they answer That for the safety of their lives they were constrained to meet and resolve so to continue till they might be assured of their lives Hereupon by publique Proclamation the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General of the Army hath warrant to suppress them and to bring up such shipping and vessels to the new Crane at Dublin and to destroy the rest the fourteenth of December The Rebels now declare Germanston general of their forces in the Pale Hugh Birne Lieutenant General and the Earl of Fingale General of their Horse and several Commissions to raise forces and in a very seemly order and proportion frame an Army with all manner of provisions accordingly The sad condition of Ireland was very often recommended to the King and Parliament of England with a proposition 10000. Scots to be sent over from Scotland with Letters met the King at his return from thence to London And Commissioners out of Scotland arrived at London to treat with the Parliament therein they make offer of 10000. men provided to receive forth an advance of 30000. l. of brotherly assistance to be afforded them by the Kingdom of England to have shipping for their transport and upon Landing in Ireland to have 100 horse joyn with each 1000 foot but to receive order and to obey their Scotish General which was condescended unto and great hopes of the effeâ—ts specially that the Parliament was so very often urged thereto by his Majesties several speeches as that of the fourteenth of December 1641. More he could not say or offer to do in person therein But ah alas all was delaied and nothing performed for the Parliament was more busied to quarrel their priviledges with the King and the house of Commons utterly refused to send any English Forces which the Lords proposed to be 1000. Foot so that Dublin began to be nearly distressed All the provinces of Munster likewise in rebellion The State therefore again send over Letters into England That the Rebells were formidable 20000 in a Body besides several other Brigadoes in divers Counties and complain that of the 20000. l. lately sent to them they received but 16000. But in fine the last of December arrives Sir Simon Harcourt with his Regiment out of England Tredagh was now beset on all sides by Sea and Land all ways of entercourse to Dublin stopped divers designs were devised for conveyance of intelligence thither And now upon this grand confedaracy of Meath and Lowth they style themselves the Catholique Army The Town increased their Fortifications Breast works before each Gate Platforms in convenient places where the walls were defective centinels put to their stands Ordnances mounted abundance
and profitable Pasture Bogs Woods and barren Mountains cast in over and above in free and common Soccage of the King as of his Castle of Dublin Secondly that out of those Acres a constant Rent to be reserved to the Crown of England in this proportion Out of each Acre thereof in Ulster one penny Connaught one penny half penny Munster two pence farthing Lemster three pence Thirdly that for erecting Mannours creating Corporations regulating of Plantations Commissioners shall be impowred by Parliament Fourthly all Undertakers to subscribe before several Days prefixt in reference to the distance of abode from London Fifthly their Moneys to be paid into the Chamber of London at four payments viz. a fourth part in ten Days after subsigning and the third payment at thrice three Moneths Sixthly at subsigning to pay down the twentieth part of his total Sum and if he fail of his residue of the first fourth part within ten Days he shall forfeit the twentieth part of the total deposited and so much more of his fourth payment to be added thereto as shall make up the one Moiety of the said first payment And if he fail in any other of the three payments he shall then forfeit his entire first fourth part and all his Subscription to accrue to the common benefit of the rest of the Undertakers which the King confirms Febr. 26. And the Committee of Members issue out their Warrants We the Committee appointed to receive the Moneys given by the Members of the House of Commons for the Relief of the distressed that are come out of Ireland require you to send a Certificate of what Sums of Money are collected in your Parish and the Moneys to us who are appointed to receive the same It is marvellous what Contributions were gleaned from the people by the prevailing Incitements of the Ministers such whining for the distressed Brethren of Ireland what vast Sums collected at every Church-doors and paid and how disposed is yet very doubtfull but how much or little the Members themselves did contribute mine eâ—s were never witness nor could I ever learn The Parliament thus forward in power press the King to confirm the Ordinance of the Militia To which the King now returned to Greenwich sends this Answer commanding the Lord Keeper Littleton to see it read to the House of Peers Febr. 28. He first findes great cause to except against the Preface which confesseth a most dangerous Design upon the House of Commons supposed to be an effect of the bloudy counsels of Papists which some may understand by their printed Papers to be his coming in person the fourth of Ianuary to demand the five Members In which he had no other Design than to require them to justice without any intent of violation upon any person nor was there any provocation by any of his Train As for the Militia he is contented to allow the persons named for the Counties but concerning the City of London and other Corporations it can not stand with justice or policy to alter their Government in that particular but will grant to them such Commâ—ssions as he hath done this Parliament to other Lieutenants or otherwiâ—e he shall do it than to have it first by some Law invested in him with power to transfer it to others and to be digested into an Act of Parliament rather than an Ordinance lest there be a latitude for his good Subjects to suffer under any arbitrary power whatsoever As to the time for continuance of that power he cannot consent to divest hâ—mâ—elf of the power which God and the Laws have placed in him to put it into the hands of others for an indefinite time And sinâ—â— the ground of their Designs refers to their Jealousies and Feaâ— he hopeth that his grace to them since the former Exceptions â—s sufficient to expell any fear from former suspitions And since he is willing to condescend to all their Proposals concerning the County Militia onely excepting that of London and other Corporations which will be more satisfactory if the Parliament weigh it well than their own Proposals by an Ordinance to which for these Reasons he cannot consent And because he perceives that in some places some persons begin to intermeddle of themselves with the Militia he expecteth that his Parliament should examine the particulars thereof being of great concernment and consequence and to be proceeded against according to Law And now it working very high the King takes leave of these parts and progresseth to Theobalds declining this place and his Parliament Nor are they willing to stay him being that his absence would contribute to their intentions yet thither they follow him with a Petition rather to put him forward than to recall him Therein protesting that if his Majesty persist in the Denial of the Militia the Dangers are such as will endure no longer Delay but to dispose of it by Authority of Parliament and resolve so to do as it hath been by them propounded And that for the safety of his person and people in much Jealousie and Fear he will be pleased to continue his abode near London and the Parliament and to continue the Prince at Saint Iames's or any other Houses near London to prevent the Jealousies and Fears of the people That by the Laws of the Realm the power of the Militia of raising ordering and disposing thereof in any place cannot be granted to any Corporation by Charter or otherwise without consent of Parliament and that those parts of the Kingdom that have put themselves in a posture of Defence have done it by Declaration and Direction of Parliament March 1. The King so much confounded with the former pressing Petitions and this so peremptory to which no Answers have appeared satisfactory in much regret he suddenly replies under his own hand That he is so amazed at this Message he knows not what to answer You speak of Iealousies and Fears says he lay your hands to your hearts and ask your selves whether I may not in earnest be disturbed with Fears and Iealousies And if so I will assure you this your Message hath nothing lessened them For the Militia I thought as much before my last Answer being agreeable to what in Iustice or Reason you can ask or I in honour grant which I shall not alter in any point I wish my Residence near you might be so safe and honourable that I had no cause to absent my self from White-hall Ask your selves whether I have not I shall take that care of my Son which shall justifie me to God as a Father and to my Dominions as a King I assure you upon mine honour I have no thoughts but of Peace and Iustice to my People which I shall by all fair means seek to preserve relying upon the goodness of God for the preservation of my self and Rights This is such a style of Resolution they quickly proceed to Voting of all the particulars of their former Petitions and
an Accommodation and states the case to the Lords The King offers says he to concur with the Parliament in the setling of our Liberties is willing to hearken unto all our Propositions and for establishing the Protestant Religion he moves us to it That the Rule of his Government shall be the Laws of the Kingdom and offers a more large and general Pardon than by any his Predecessours And truly my Lords this is all that ever was pretended unto by us We on the other side profess to make his Majestie a glorious King to endeavour to support his Dignitie and to pay unto him dutie and obedience which we by our Allegeance several Oaths and late Protestation ow unto him and to maintain all his just Regalities and Prerogatives which may be conceived is as much as his Majestie will expect from us What then is wanting to give to either mutual satisfaction The greatest difficultie may be how that which shall be agreed upon may be secured It is commonly the last point in Treaties betwixt Princes and of the greatest niceness much more between a King and his Subjects the chiefest difficultie of Accommodation for it is much easier to compose Differences arising from Reasons yea from wrongs than it is to satisfie Iealousies which arising out of diffidence and distrust grow and are varied upon every occasion nay already increased to that height and the mutual replies to those direct terms of opposition that if we make not a present stop it is to be feared speedily to pass beyond verbal contestation In some Answers it is spoken as in fear of a Civil War a word of horrour to such as have seen those unexpressible calamities witness Germany the most flourishing Countrey in Europe now reduced to monstrous miserie Of which we had lately a costly Example for in these unhappy troubles betwixt us and Scotland after there was a stop from acts of hostilitie a desire of peace and the Articles propounded yet the keeping of those Armies whilest the Treatie was on foot at Rippon and after at London cost this Kingdom no less than a million of pounds Then he proposes the way A select Committee of Parliament truly to state the matters in difference with the most probable ways of reconciling them Secondly to descend into the particulars which may be expected either in point of supporting the King or relieving his people And lastly how these conditions agreed upon may be secured Then he sums up the present unhappy estate which needs relief and remedy The deplorable estate of Ireland the Debts and Necessities of the Crown the Distractions likely to produce Confusion of Religion most dangerous and destructive to a State Besides those publick Calamities to consider the distracted condition of every one of us under the different commands of the King and of the Parliament no caution can promise any safetie inconsistent to obedience The Parliament command all persons to obey their Ordinance as the Fundamental Laws The King declares it to be contrary and commands us upon our Allegeance not to obey it and unto contrary commands Conformitie cannot be submitted but by Fasting and Prayer to reduce both parties to Reason But for what was done at York in reference to a Guard of Horse for the Kings person the Parliament vote as a preparation for War against the Parliament a Breach of the Trust reposed in him by his people contrary to his Oath and tending to the dissolution of his Government and all such as serve him there are Traitours to the Laws of the Kingdom 11 Rich. 2. 1 H. 4. Then comes out another larger Declaration or third Remonstrance of all the Kings mis-actions wherein for themselves they allege these following as infallible Positions 1. That they have an absolute power of declaring the Law and that whatsoever they declare to be so ought not to be questioned by the King or any Subject So then in consequence all right and safety of the King and his people must depend upon their pleasure 2. That no Presidents can be Limits to bound their proceedings Then may they do what they please 3. That a Parliament may dispose of any thing wherein the King or Subject hath a Right for the publick good That they without the King are this Parliament and Iudg of this publick good and that his consent is not necessary Then the Life and Liberties of the Subject and all the good Laws made for the security of them may be disposed of and repealed by the major part of both Houses at any time present and by any ways or means procured so to be and the King hath no power to protect the people 4. That no Member of either House ought to be troubled or meddled with for Treason Felonie or any other Crime without the cause first brought before the Parliament that they may judg of the Fact and their leave obtained to proceed 5. That the sovereign power resides in both Houses and that the King hath no Negative Voice Then the King must be subject to their commands 6. That the levying of Forces against the personal commands of the King though accompanied with his presence is not levying War against the King But the levying of War against his Laws and Authority which they have power onely to declare and signifie though not against his person is levying of War against the King 7. That Treason cannot be committed against his person otherwise than as he is intrusted with the Kingdom and discharging that trust and that they have a power to judg whether he have discharged this trust or no. 8. That they may dispose of the King when they will and are not to blame for so doing Certainly the Duke of Venice is of more power than such a Monarch But as large as that was it was not long ere the King returns his Answer to this Book and we may be excused for the length thereof which necessarily is required to their particulars And to which I must refer the Reader being on both parts as much and no more than the Reader may finde in the daily Transactions observed in this History heretofore set down and which hereafter follow But to this Answer of the King we meet with no Reply untill the second of November next following which the Authour styles A Treatise or rather a Tome and that he doubts not but he shall therein give ample satisfaction to the Reader By which we suspect it Apocrypha To which the King never vouchsafed any Rejoinder But the Parliament in reference to their power and authority ordain That all High Sheriffs Iustices c. within an hundred and fifty miles of the Citie of York to make stay of all Arms and Ammunition carrying to York and the persons so conveying to be apprehended c. Another also they ordain That all Sheriffs within the Kingdom of England and the Dominion of Wales shall by the power of the Counties suppress all Forces of Horse and
his Forces within the Counties of Devon Cornwall Somerset Dorset Wilts Southampton Glocester Berks Oxford Hereford Monmouth Radnor Brecknock Glamorgan Carmarthen Pembroke Cardigan The Cities of Exeter Bristol â—locester Oxford Bath and Wells New Salisbury and Hereford The Towns of Pool Southampton and Havenport and of all the Trained Bands and others Voluntiers to march against the said Earl of Essex and his Complices and them subdue specially in behalf of the Town of Portsmouth the Isle of Wight and Southampton August 9. at York 'T is true that the King did what he could to answer them in Arms he being put upon the defensive part and so and not otherwise to oppose the Parliament As they began by Meetings and Mutinies they now proceed to the effects fighting upon which the King falls into a Soliloquy with himself thus I finde that I am says the King at the same point and posture I was when they forced me to leave White-hall what Tumults could not do an Armie must which is but Tumults listed and enrolled to a better order but as bad an end my recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered And so I easily may as to any outward strength which God knows is little or none at all but I have a Soul invincible through Gods grace inabling me here I am sure to be Conquerour if God will give me such a measure of constancie as to fear him more than man and to love the inward peace of my conscience before any outward tranquillitie And must I be opposed â—ith force because they have not reason wherewith to convince me O my Soul be of good courage they confess their own weakness as to â—ruth and Iustice who chuse rather to contend by Armies than by Arguments Is this the reward and thanks that I am to receive for those many acts of grace I have lately passed and for those many Indignities I have endured Is there no way left to make me a glorious King but by my Sufferings It is an hard and disputable choice for a King that loves his People and desires their love either to kill his own Subjects or to be killed by them Are the hazzards and miseries of Civil War in the bowels of my most flourishing Kingdom the fruits I must now reap after seventeen years living and reigning among them with such a measure of justice peace plentie and Religion as all Nations about either admired or envied Notwithstanding some miscarriages in Government which might escape rather through ill counsel of some men driving on their private ends or the peevishness of others envying the publick should be managed without them or the hidden and insuperable necessities of State than any propensitie I hope of my self either to injuriousness or oppression Whose innocent bloud during my Reign have I shed to satisfie my lust anger or covetousness What Widows or Orphans tears can witness against me the just crie of which must now be avenged with mine own bloud For the hazzards of War are equal nor doth the Cannon know any respect of persons In vain is my person excepted by a Parenthesis of words when so many hands are armed against me with Swords God knows how much I have studied to see what ground of justice is alledged for this War against me that so I might by giving just satisfaction either prevent or soon end so unnatural aâ—otion which to many men seems rather the production of a surfeit of peace and wantonness of mindes or of private discontents ambition and faction which easily finde or make causes of quarrel than any real obstruction of publick justice or parliamentarie privilege But this is pretended and this I must be able to avoid and answer before God in mine own conscience however some men are not willing to believe me lest they should condemn themselves When I first withdrew from White-hall to see if I could allay the insolencie of the Tumults of the not suppressing of which no account in reason can be given where an orderly Guard was granted but onely to oppress both mine and the two Houses freedom of declaring and voting according to every mans conscience what obstructions of justice were there further than this that what seemed just to one man might not seem so to another Whom did I by power protect against the justice of Parliament That some men withdrew who feared the partialitie of their trial warned by my Lord of Strafford's death while the vulgar threatned to be their Oppressours and Iudgers of their Iudges was from that instinct which is in all creatures to preserve themselves If any others refused to appear where they evidently saw the current of justice and freedom so stopped and troubled by the Rabble that their lawfull Iudges either durst not come to the Houses or not declare their sense with libertie and safetie it cannot seem strange to any reasonable man when the sole exposing them to the publick odium was enough to ruine them before their cause could be heard or tried Had not factious Tumults overborn the freedom and honour of the two Houses had they asserted their justice against them and made the way open for all the Members quietly to come and declare their consciences I know no man so dear to me whom I had the least inclination to advise either to withdraw himself or denie appearing upon their Summons to whose Sentence according to Law I think every Subject bound to stand Distempers indeed were risen to so great a height for want of timely repressing the vulgar insolencies that the greatest guilt of those which were voted and demanded as Delinquents was this That they would not suffâ—r themselves to be overaw'd with the Tumults and their Patroâ—s nor compelled to abet by their suffrages or presence the Designs of those men who agitated Innovations and ruine both in Church and State In this point I could not but approve their generous constancie and cautiousness further than this I did never allow any mans Refractoriness against the Privileges and Orders of the Houses to whom I wished nothing more than Saftie Fulness and Freedom But the truth is some men and those not many despairing in fair and Parliamentarie waies by free deliberations and Votes to gain the concurrence of the majoâ— part of Lords and Commons betook themselves by the desperate activitie of factious Tumults to sift and terrifie away all those Memâ—ers whom they saw to be of contrarie mindes to their purposes How oft was the business of the Bishops enjoying their ancient places and undoubted privileges in the House of Peers carried for them by far the major part of Lords Yet after five Repulses contrarie to all Order and Custom it was by tumultuarie Instigations obtruded again and by a few carried wheâ— most of the Peers were forced to absent themselves In like manner was the Bill against Root and Branch brought on by tumultuarie Clamours and schismatical Terrours which could never pass â—ill both Houses were
Aug. 16. Upon these grounds The Parliament of England take resolution and declare their approbation and thanks to the secret Council and Assemblie in Scotland for their desires of unitie in Religion and uniformitie in Church-government in the three Kingdoms we having say they often had that matter in debate concurring in judgment and experience of the manifold mischiefs which the Government of the Prelacie hath in all times and ages produced in this Church and State and so we hope to satisfie the Christian desires of our dear Brethren of Scotland although we know that hereby we shall exceedingly irritate that malignant partie who will bend all their forces to ruine that holy work and to ruine and destroy us in the undertaking being the very same partie which hath now incensed and armed his Majestie against us The very same Design of rooting out Reformed Religion endeavoured to begin that Tragedie in Scotland which being perfected in one Nation will be accomplished in the other Religion is the band and safetie of both And as we resolve by the national Covenant betwixt the two Kingdoms to be carefull of Scotland so we doubt not but the secret Council and Assemblie there will be always ready to express their brotherly kindness to us according to the Articles ratiâ—ied between both Parliaments and advantagious to all the professours of the Reformed Religion in Christendom And so this being the Proeme to their Declaration the Parliament goes on with lamentable sighs and groans from the bowels of their hearts for being obstructed in this piaculous work of true Reformation and after much striving and seeking God wrestling with the Engines of Satan they have jumped in resolution with their Brethren in Scotland that the Prelatical party is the cause of all distraction And being thus backed they take the boldness to declare That this Government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissioners Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and other Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierarchie is evil and prejudicial to the state and Government of this Kingdom and resolve the same shall be taken away And according to our Declaration of the seventh of February we will consult with godly Divines to setle a Government of Reformation And intend that a Bill for this Assemblie may be passed for their Meeting the fifth of Novemb. next And desire their dear Brethren of Scotland to concur with them in petitioning the King for his approbation And because nothing will prosper without their handy work they pray them to send some out of their many good â—nd godly Divines of that Kirk to assist our Assemblie for setling of one Confession one Directorie and one Catechism in all three Kingdoms to the relief and deliverance of the poor afflicted Churches abroad and confusion of the tyrannie of Rome being the prime cause and fountain of all calamities bloudy massacres outrages cruelties and bitter persecution of Gods people and saints in all the Christian world for many ages Here is now a resolution to reform all Christendom and beat down Popery in a trice but the result was that under colour of Religion the Design went on and so prospered in outward success And now to encourage the well-affected to lend money and bring their Plate upon Publick Faith which without a mans strong belief could hardly get Customers to come in fearing belike that the Kings gentleness and mercy might agree to an Accommodation having been upon terms of Treaty on his part The Parliament therefore once again to ascertain their Resolution to fight it out to the last man and being confident of success do declare That the Arms which they have been forced to take up and shall take up for the preservation of the Parliament Religion the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom shall not be laid down untill his Majestie shall withdraw his protection from such persons as have been voted by both Houses to be Delinquents and shall leave them to the justice of the Parliament to the end that those great charges and damages wherewith all the Common-wealth hath been burdened since the Kings departure from his Parliament may be born by the Delinquents And all his Majesties good and faithfull Subjects who by loan of moneys or otherwise at their charges have or shall assist the Common-wealth may be repayed and satisfied out of the Delinquents Estates And these Delinquents were sure to be made so out of the noblest and richest persons in the Nation against whom there could be found but the scent of Malignancie so that it became a huge crime first to be rich or able in any condition to be either Neuter or not wel-affected to the Parl. or to be suspected so to prove it a slender Accusation would serve the turn witness sundry persons which we shall have occasion to speak of ruined upon that score onely And first they begin with Iames Lord Strange Son and Heir of William Earl of Derby who to the intent and purpose to subvert the Laws c. did upon the fifteenth of July last past at Manchester in the Countie of Lancaster traiterously summon call together and raise great Forces and did kill murder and destroy Richard Percival a Linnen Webster for which the Parliament impeach him of high Treason And the sixteenth of September he is so published in all Churches and Chapels and Markets in the Counties of Lancaster and Chester and where the Parliament had any power for the County was mostly for the King against which party the City of London are desired to advance sixteen thousand pounds for setting forth ten thousand Dragoons and some Troops of Horse for suppressing that party upon Publick Faith which was soon raised but not repayed The King being at Shrewsburie whither Judg Heath came and advised for the Adjourning part of Michaelmass Term from the first Return In Octab. Sancti Martini Octob. 4. And at Bridg-North he proclames Thomas Nichols Humphrey Mackworth and Thomas Hunt Esq guilty of high Treason active men in the Militia and assisting the Kings Enemies in their Rebellion Octob. 14. The L. Fairfax for the Parl and Mr. Bellases for the King with considerable parties Commissioners on either side had concluded upon certain Articles concerning the peace in Yorkshire and dated the 29. of September To which the Parliament take exception That the Parliament gave no such authoritie to binde that Countie to a Neutralitie it being prejudicial to the whole Kingdom for one Countie to withdraw from the rest which thâ—y are bound by Law to assist It being derogatorie to the power of Parliament for private men to suspend the execution of the Militia and therefore it is ordered that no such Neutralâ—â—â—e be observed in that Countie without any defensive force whereby it will be open to the King to return with his Armie for Winter quarter in that plentifull Countie New-castle near for his Supplies by Sea And so they declare the Lord Faâ—â—fax and his
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
County importuned the King that Colonel Charls Gerrard might quarter upon the City with all the mischief that Hebert and Vavisor could do besides At this time comes over out of Ireland more forces for the King and land at Bristoll and thence fell down into Glocester commanded by Colonel Min and Sir William St. Leger with both their Regiments making up one thousand Foot and one hundred Horse with eight pieces of Ordinance and advance to Thornbury and the twentieth of December a party of two hundred Horse and Dragoons commanded by Captain Backhouse was set out to fall upon them who were now quartered at Wotton charged their main guard but were forced to retreat And now again the Clouds gather about Glocester the County Cavaliers shew themselves and those of Colsword take arms with them and garison several Houses Oxford Forces expected at Painswick and Stroud the Irish were to lyâ—on this side Barkleyâ— the Lord Herbert and Sir Iohn Winter in the Forest the Lord Chandois at Chettenham Sir VVilliam Vavisor and Sir VValter Pie at Teuxbury round about Glocester they were thus designed Every corner of the County had Garisons likewise at Newnham Lidney Monmouth Hereford VVorcester Dimock Newent Highleaden Taunton Teuxbury Snidly Sapton Beverston and Berkley and had in field at once twenty six hundred Horse and Foot After some stay a party of these Forces were drawn off towards VVarwick-shire to joyn with the Kings party waiting thereabout to intercept the supplies from London for Glocester was in want of Powder and Match Sir VValter Pies Foot and Colonel VVroughtons Horse remained at Teuxbury to block up Glocester on that side about which City fifteen hundred Horse were constantly quartered for Colonel VVashingtons Regiment was garisoned at Evesham and a Regiment of Horse also at Parshore besides what were at Snidley and all these to watch supplies of the City The Parliament party had these out guards Presbury Welbury Essington Framton and Froster which were set to keep Markets open which amongst all these was but little these Garisons eating up all the County impoverished the Commission of Excise not setled and the King was Petitioned by the County to free the County and distress Glocester at once Massy had built a Friggot for service upon Severn to hinder the Landing from Bristol and Wales this Frigot manned with Sea men and Souldiers for any attempt which ariving at Chepstow the Musketiers hastned a shore entered the Town surprized some officers of Colonel Oneals Regiment and returning with their Prisoners seized a vessel laden with Oil Wine Sugar but did so no more for the County set up many Vessels upon the River to prevent mischief The Counties thus pestered with Garisons to little purpose and straitned of quarter were fain to seek out for contribution two thousand Horse and Foot march out of Teuxbury to Panswick and Stroodwater and divided into three bodies whom to encounter Massy draws out two hundred Foot and one hundred Horse whilst two parts faced him the third got down a lane and drove him to a flight with loss of many two Lieutenants and sixteen Souldiers prisoners the rest ran back to a reserve for such an accident and gave liberty to the Cavaliers to return to Teuxbury laden with plunder suddenly after this the Parliament lost two Garisons Huntly which were taken by Sir Iohn Winter from Captain Davis who betraying them it was said went to Westbury and received there as a friend led in his train of Cavaliers and so both places surprized in two hours and one hundred men and arms taken The great design upon Glocester was thus what force could be spared from Oxford and Irish are drawn together Herbert Vavisor and VVinter lodged in their Garisons and Prince Rupert at Newent fifteen Cornets of Horse arrive at Cirencester and five hundred Horse and Foot advanced to Saperton and Misanden within ten miles of Glocester so that round about the Cavalier party were six thousand One Stanford a cunning gallant assaults Captain Backhouse his old friend by Letter presuming of former friendship to tender him the Kings pardon and preferment urging his Loyalty and Duty to render up the Town of Glocester being bound not to obey and unjust power and to deceive them was no deceit This hasty and abrupt temptation wrought the first onset which he communicated to the Governour Massy and both agreed to drill on the design and to accept the offer and so they take into the Junto Captain Singleton an Alderman and Captain Read and so Backhouse returns his professed duty and service to the King by any way to prove Loyal agreeing upon a trusty Messenger and to have money in hand as part of reward and draws the model of the plot in a Letter to Stanford Sir You desire my proposals and Plot Thus then whether to draw out my Troop in an evening meet with your Forces bring them in and Master the first guard My Troop alwaies in the Rear and at your Mercy whether if I perswade the Governour with a strong party of Horse and Foot upon some design to lie out all night eight or ten miles off and I stay at home and you to advance in the evening whom I can bring in as our own Forces or whether I shall draw off the Centinels and you to enter whether I send out for Hay and you have notice of their return in the night and you clap in like Carters with ammunition in the Carts master the first guards possess the Ordinanee so let in Horse Dragoons these or any other as you shall direct For my reward though against my Spirit to indent before hand but my straits and necessity such as I would expect two thousand pounds to be secured two or three hundred in hand for service likewise to the Souldier if need be and to ingage my own Troop with a silver Cord these I leave to you and hope to meet when all the world shall not know R. B. These being sent to Oxford the Lord Digby returns answer and ratifies the proposals Sir You having so far declared your desire to serve his Majesty unto Mr. Stanford I think fit to give you more assurance than his bare word therefore I do solemnly engage my word unto you as a Minister of State and a Gentleman that immediately after your faithfull performance of your promise you punctually receive such a Pardon as your self shall desire and two thousand pounds and as soon as I shall receive your Answer hereto under your Hand the three hundred pounds shall be paid to any person or any place which you shall appoint As for the Proposals for effecting the Design so rational in either of yours it is left to your choice who are to execute with whom if possible you should meet at some unsuspected place it is at your choice whether of these persons to be imparted and no other Sir William Vavisor Commander in
Lord and Commons do declare that all such persons as shall upon any pretence whatsoever assist his Majesty with Horse Arms Plate or Money are Traitours to the Parliament and shall be brought to condign punishment The French in publick appearing very sensible of the unchristian â—â—il War in this Nation had sent the Prince of Harcourt Extraordinary Ambassadour into England commissioned to mediate peace between the King and Parliament being received at London with all due respects but his Arrand was first to the King and therefore desires the Parliaments Pass and had it but notwithstanding at the out Fort at Hide Park corner was stopped the Guard having no such Warrant without searching his Coach and Train of Baggage which he highly resented as the greatest injury from any Nation but there he refused and staid untill some Members of the House were sent to relieve him with such publick scorns Libells and Pamphlets without President and knowing that he came to mediate the Parliament would not be backward upon that score and therefore voted Sir Henry Vane Mr. Saint Iohns with the Lord VVharton a Committee to relate to the City a great Plot discovered which was set forth to the Common Council on Munday the seventh of Ianuary still filling up the Periods of their Speeches with the Gun-powder Treason which they said was much like this Plot for a Peace It was frequent with the Armies whether necessity or special advantage to act extraordinary business on Sundays as Keinton Field Brainford Hopton-heath Leeds Chalgrove Field Basing The King had now large Territories for his Army to march in this Year set him up for on this Day Twelve-moneths past he had but one small County of all the West in Yorkshire but York City and Pomfret Castle and except Reading Wallingford Brill and Abington he had not a Souldier quartered out of Oxford when he had not one Ship nor any Port save Newcastle and Falmouth when the Parliament declared in print that he had not ten thousand Men. And yet the King hath now five small Armies better than Brigades and in all the Western Counties the Parliament hath not a Souldier but at Plymouth and Pool in Yorkshire none but Hull and in Cheshire onely Nantwich The last Battels if we may so call them were at Bodwin Tadcaster Hopton-heath Ancaster Middleton-cheany Stratton Bradford More Chalgrave Chuton Lands-down Round-way-down Auburn Newbury Leek Middlewich and if of some the King had the better of the rest not much to boast The remnant of South Wales is fully reduced and North Wales cleared the whole Principality Cavaliers The Parliament got from the King Strafford and Warrington but all these Towns were the Parliaments last Year which now the King hath viz. Saltash Cirencester Burningham Leege Lichfield Bradford Hallifax Wakefield Taunton Bristol Bath Dorchester Weymouth Biddeford Barnstable Appleford Tenby Haverford-west Pembroke Exeter The Marquess of Newcastle for the King in the Commission of Array was met at Chesterfield in Darbyshire with a vast concourse of people as a Novel to see and hear where he listed fifteen hundred Voluntiers assisted by Sir Iohn Gell his interest thereabout and Sir Iohn Harpers The Lord Byron had good success and took Crew House with all the Arms and Ammunition six Commanders an hundred threescore and five Souldiers as also he took Dodrington belonging to Sir Thomas Delves being a Garison and cleared many places Middlewich Beeston Castle Someback with sundry Prisoners his Brigade being now near seven thousand Horse and Foot Sir William Waller having besieged Arundel Castle in Sussex eight and twenty Days with the sacrifiâ—e of many men had it surrendered the Cavaliers at Oxford will not be perswaded but that it was not fairly delivered on their parts but rather by connivence if not for Reward and if we consult the strength of the place it self the Fortifications Men and Ammunition we may suspect no less not to credit the Purchasers for then it will seem true whose relations of the numbers of Men slain and strength of Ammunition surrendered as it is usual with all conquerours to account comes to a great Sum. This Service made Sir William Waller to fly high desiring the Parliaments Commission to him To place and displace all Governours of Towns and Castles within his Association But this took off the General Essex his Authority from whom all the military Commanders had Commissions And was occasioned through a late difference between Sir William and the Governour of Chichester who refused to admit Colonel Norton to enter his Garison being routed and pursued by the Lord Hopton which difference was by the Parliament referred to the General as it appears by his Letter to the House of Commons he tells them That in truth the Commission he sent to Sir William Waller was not so full as he usually grants and the Reasons why he was so limited are not to be discovered But tells them withall that he did no more than what he ought to do and that the charge he took upon him was not his own seeking though it was a great encouragement to him that the Houses thought him once worthy of the sole command which however lessened yet he will never desert the Cause as long as he hath any bloud in his veins till the Kingdom hath regained her Peace or an end made by the Sword But Sir VVilliam not well pleased with all this returned his Commission back to Mr. Nichâ—las with much regret as it appears by his Letters which accompanied this Surrender I have said he returned the Commission which is as good as nought The Counties of Devon and Cornwall Cavaliers for the King unanimously joyned in Association in these words VVhereas a few malevolent and ambitious persons in the name of two Houses of Parliament have by treasonable practices imbroiled this Kingdom in a Civil VVar pursued his Majesties person murdered his good Subjects some of them barbarously by the common Hangman against Law and Iustice others by hostile Assault brought a general devastation upon the whole Kingdom taking away all Liberty from the Members of both Houses by awing terrifying and assaulting them with Tumults and Arms usurping the Regal power counterfeiting a great Seal to shew their horrid intentions against the King Kingdom and Government and finding their Acts not likely to protect them from the punishment due to their merits have unnaturally invited the Scots to invade this Kingdom and in these Distractions to make a total Conquest of this Nation for Resistance whereof and preserving the common peace the Inhabitants of Devon and Cornvvall have united themselves and for continuance of which union this ensuing Protestation is to be taken I. A. B. do in the presence of Almighty God promise vow and protest with my utmost power to maintain and defend the true Reformed Protestant Religion established by Law in this Kingdom against all Popery popish and all other Innovations of Sectaries and Schismaticks as also his
County of Bucks and evermore Messages are sent to the Lord Mayor of London of all their Victories and now and then a Thanksgiving for the late Successes of Sir Waller's Victories which evermore had a long tail after that is to encourage the City to advance some speedy Payments And also vote that no Members of the Commons House that adhere to the King shall ever be received agaâ—n and if a Member of the Lords depart to the King it shall be Treason and never to be received again Colonel Purifoy with his Regiment of Horse is commanded to Glocestershire either to remove or take in the Cavalier Garisons assisted with four hundred foot with two great Guns drawn out of Glocester marched after Colonel Myn who was lodged at Rosse fortifying the Church with his own and Sir Iohn Winters Regiments but left them and marched to Ledbury in Herefordshire and there kept quarter drawing out 150. Musquetiers with all the Horse marched towards Hereford In whose absence Prince Rupert comes to Evesham with a Brigade of Horse and Dragoons intending to fall upon Upton-bridge and to get in between Glocester and Colonel Myn and Sir Iohn Winter who held Massey play the whiles in Wales where he fired Sir Iohn Winters Iron Mills and so returned where he found a prisoner Captain Oglethrop Governour of Beverston Castle by whom he understood the weaknesse thereof which stopt the passages of the County Thither he comes and demands the Castle for the King and Parliament and was rendred after some dispute and not tenable aginst such a force Some Forces in the absence of Sir Iohn Winter were sent to summon his Lady that kept Garison at home ingaging by the honour of Governour Massey that her Ladyship should receive protection for her and hers with good usage If she refuse this offer of mercy fire and sword must follow The Lady with great courage and more Loyalty sends him word Sir Mr. Winters unalterable Allegeance to his King and Sovereign and his particular interest to this place hath by his Majesties Commission put it into this condition which cannot be pernicious to any but to such as oppose the one and invade the other wherefore rest assured that in these relations we are by Gods assistance resolved to maintain it all extremities notwithstanding Thus much in Mr. Winters absence you shall receive from Mary Winter Massey marches to Malmsbury commanded by Colonel Henry Howard and being denied upon summons some Foot and Artillery were sent for from Tedbury drawn into the Suburbs causing a Blinde crosse the street to bring up his Ordinance neerer the Town within Carbine shot but in a panick fear that a Sally was coming out upon them they all fled and left their Ordinance behind Yet recovering and Rallying they gave the charge all together with a great shout came up to the Turn-pike and routed Colonel Howard and 100. men taken and so returned Then with fresh Forces he marches to Tewxbury which he took by surprise in the dead and dark night with the Governour Colonel Myn but were again beaten out by the Garrison Rallying then comes up the whole Body of Massies Foot and took the Town with much loss though the pâ—ice of his Prisoners General Essex and Sir William Waller being joyned Forces they hovered about Oxfordshire to divert them the King had a design And so the first of Iune went to Woodstock to his Horse Quarters where he supped and returned to his Foot Forces quartered at and about Wolvercâ—â— Amongst whom he was Billeted no better then in his Coach all that night and the next morning gave command for his Forces on the Charwel to come to his Army and altogether to march close to the walls of Oxford and about six a clock the same morning himself came back into Oxford The passages on the Charwel were no sooner cleared but the Parliament Forces began to account upon the effects as if the Kings Army were forced from thence with losse which was true in the main for the King lost some men But the King having setled his Orders at Oxford resolved to depart for he knew his Person was his Adversaries aime Then he commands a great Body of Foot to march towards Abington the better to amaze his Adversaries to hunt after the wrong sent And the same night the King with divers Lords and Gentlemen his own Troop and Menial servants went out of Oxford and came the next morning to Northlye where he drew up his Army of 3000. Foot and 4000. Horse 12. Drakes and 60. Carriages and left a Tertia of his Foot and a new raised Regiment of Horse under command of the Earl of Peterborough and all his great Ordinance at Oxford besides these of the Garrison and Ordnances of the place for defence thereof leaving behind also the Duke of York and the most of his Privy Council and gave Order for all Duties and Ceremonies of Court as if himself were still there present But Iune 4. news was carried to General Essex that the King was gone beyond them after whom all his Forces followed presently to Woodstock but such as scattered back again towards London no small numbers And in their march they faced Oxford again but far enough off and so drew up into Battalia upon Campsfield neer Woodstock where there fell such a prodigious storm that frighted their present enterprise of hunting the Lords Annointed like a Partridge For Captain Willoâ—ghby writes to his Couzin of Parham that his Lordship may do well to make good use of it for they suffered the anger of heaven for two houres space the Hailstones fell as big as Nutmegs thus he saies that felt them there yet no such storm was seen at Oxford The King refreshed at Mr. Parrets house in Northlye went forwards to Bourton on the water a Village between Burford and Stow on the World and there lodged at Doctor Temples the Parson there In this while Essex and Waller divided their Forces Essex attempts the River Charwell at Pitsworth Bridge but repulsed and Waller to passe Isis but was obstructed and the second time Essex is beaten back at the same Bridge but the King being gone Essex got over and Marched after him to Chipping-Norton but returned to Burford and there deputes Waller to follow the chace For the King a Party of Horse was gone towards Worcester leaving his maine Body to march softly after who were the fifth of Iune to quarter at Winchcombe a â—arge Town in the â—olswold Hills neer to Snidley Castle Essex was at a stand full well observing that he prosecuted an haâ—d taske for fighting would not so much waste his men as tedious and hungry marches after the Kings light Army when his own was loaden with heavy Ordnance and therefore resolved to give over this uncomely pursuit after his flying Soveraign And so thought it the wiser way to put this service upon his Rival General Waller and to stay for him
at Burford where they both met what their Councels were we may imagine by the sequel In the mean time it was confidently affirmed that divers of Essex his Souldiers were weary of their marching and left him Buâ— here at Burford it was concluded that General Essex with his heavy Guns should march fair and softly to these Counties of the West Countries to reduce them to the Parliament and that Sir W. Waller with the lighter Field Pieces should joyn with Massey's Forces and pursue the King to which Waller seems unwilling for he was the rather for the West to recover his late misfortunes there until his friends advised him to his own game better to act at a distance from Essex that two Suns cannot shine in one Sphere So that Essex marches to Farindon and Sir William towards Glocester which design gave jealousie to the Members at Westminster who voted ten thousand pound a moneth from their General to Sir William of which the Earl complains to the Parliament in a Letter and subscribes Your innocent though suspected servant ESSEX The King marches from Bourton on the water with his Army to Pershore and on Tuesday to Worcester joyfully received by that Loyal City He sent out relief to Dudly Castle and afterwards hearing that Waller came nearer by tedious and hungry marches the King intended to tire him out and to that end advanced towards Bewdly Iune 12. where he stayed four dayes But then considering how maliciously he was traced by a contemptible Adversary the King turns back vvith resolution to be furnished vvith Amunition from Oxford and to give him Battel Some Troops of Horse vvere therefore ordered to shevv themselves along the Shore of Severn tovvards Bridgenorth as if he meant to march to Shrewsbury Waller at Brovesgrove hears of this and had quartered some of his Horse at Kiddermister vvithin tvvo miles of his Majesty and presently dislodged them and made vvhat haste he could to get before the King Knovving that having a full proportion of Pikes and Ordnance of which the King had none he might fight at great advantage But the King amazed him and with his Foot came before night to Worcester his Horse soon following leaving Waller to encounter with his shadow two daies march behind And the next day Iune 16. the King marches through Eversham to Bradway and the next day to Burford and there he was provided from Oxford to meet the expected Wallers coming and meant to fight him Aâ— Whitney 7. miles from Oxford the King staies where some Forces came and imbodied with his Army during those marches the Parliament heard thereof and of the Kings absence from Oxford they vote therefore that all the Horses about London should be taken up to scour the County of Oxford from victualling that City least they should they said be troubled with a winters siege and crosse the Proverb after the stable door is shut to steale the Horses But the King being at Buckingham and having intelligence that Waller was at Chipping-norton and the next day to Pillerton in Warwickshire His Majesty marches to Brackley 26. of Iune and Waller to his Rendezvouse in Keâ—nton Fields where his friends came to him from Coventry VVarwick and Kenelmworth Castle with these he ascends Edge-hill and so to Harley The King marches to Culworth and lay that night at Sir Samuel Danvers On Friday VValler gets to Hanwel and so to Croch-hill near Banbury hither was the King come into Grymsbury Fields facing his Enemies all that day and stayed all that night having sent 1000. well commanded men under Conduct of Colonel Thelwall to defend that side of Burley towards his Enemy and also Nethorp a Village adjoyning which was disputed with losse on both sides till night But so soon as the Sun VValler drew off and advanced to Burton Hill somewhat neerer Banbury and stood in Batalia upon advantage of ground nor could be drawn dovvn so that he marches to Daintry leaving a Guard of Dragoons at Copredy Bridge being the passe over Charwel betvvixt the tvvo Armies The Kings Van and main Body gon and the Reare only passing by and the Musquetiers at the Bridge gon off then VValler makes dovvn to the Bridge vvith 2000. Horse and 9000. Foot 14. Pieces already gon over the rest of his Army coming after sufficient he thought to distresse the Kings Rear consisting of the Earl of Northampton and the Earl of Clevelands Brigades of Horse and Sir Bernards Tertia of Foot These faced about tvvice charging through and through and were so vvell seconded that they routed Sir VVilliams Horse and Foot killed 150. took his Ordnance viz. five Sakers one tvvelve pound Piece one Demiculverin tvvo Minions and tvvo three pound Pieces vvith other Leather Guns made by VVeems a Scot the Kings svvorm Servant and Master Gunner of England for vvhich Gun he had received of the King 2000. l. and by his place had 300. l. per. an for all vvhich he vvas novv become General of VVallers Artillery and novv God put him a Prisoner to the Kings mercy vvith the vvork of his hands and being brought before the King he said good faith his heart was alwaies with his Majesty There vvere these Prisoners Lieutenant Col. Baker Lieutenant Col. Baines three Captains Ramsey VVort and Hill tvvo Lieutenants Perry and Goodwin four Coronets Camfield Nichols Linde and Blades vvith other Ensignes and Officers 188. Common Souldiers and five Gunners The King lost tvvo Noble Kentish Knights Sir VVilliam Boteleer and Sir VVilliam Clark divers hurt the Lord VVilmot Lieutenant General of the Horse he vvas tvvice prisoner but rescued by Sir Frederick Cornwallis and Mr. Robert Haward Knighted for that Action Colonel Nevil hurt and so vvas Capt. Hatcher Capt. Boswel tvvelve Coroners vvere taken four of Foot and eight of Horse Coronet Bruke sore hurt vvith many Common Souldiers and 20. slain and this Defeat vvas performed the 29. of Iune and the King marched to Eversham and so to the Bath from vvhence vve hear no more of Sir VVilliam VValler but at London vvhither he travelled for Recruits and met his Dear Lady at VVestminster vvho saluted him aloud thou man of God come kisse me And in earnest Sir VVilliam did not much more in this Journey in reference to his Errand vvhich vvas to cath the King from his evil Councellours Indeed he faced VVorcester but at the like distance as an other Army did at Oxford vvheeled off and vvent to Glocester in hope of some Recruit to joyn vvith his Forces vvherein he failed for I finde from the very beginning of his Successes he was cried up for the London Conquerour and so stole the glory from their General who was used but coursly in their Discourses somewhat more dishonourably than he deserved and so increased eâ—mity and neglect between these two great Commanders and their confidents Massey being one devoted to Essex The King marches to Bath 15. Iuly and so towards the West into Cornwal in pursuit of General Essex
respect to my self whatever is whispered to the contrary that hath made me thus long omit to declare my readiness thereto it being not unknown to divers men of Honour that I had resolved it after the action of Glocester but that some importunities pressed on me with arguments of publick advantage and that by those of unquestionable affection over-ruled me therein I now do it and return my Commission into those hands that gave it me wishing it may prove as good an expedient to the present distempers as some will have it believed which I shall pray for with as hearty a zeal as any can desire my doing this which I now do I think it not immodest that I intreat both Houses that those Officers of mine which are now laid by might have their debenters audited some considerable part of their Arrears payed them for their support and the remainder secured them by the publick Faith and that those of them that remain questioned may be brought to some speedy trial whereby they may receive either the punishment or justification that is due to them under which notion I remember onely three of whom I must testifie that they franckly and couragiously have adventured their lives and lost their blood for the Publick and that with continued fidelity for ought ever I could observe My Lords I know that jealousies cannot be avoided in the unhappy condition of our present affairs yet wisdome and charity should put such restraints thereunto as not to allow it to become destructive I hope that this advice from me is not unseasonable wishing my self and my friends may amongst others participate the benefit thereof this proceeding from my affection to the Parliament the prosperity whereof I shall ever wish from my heart what return soever it brings me I being no single example in that kinde of that fortune I now undergoe Good man little dreamed he heretofore to be so soon discarded being lately caressed from the King and the whole body of that Army offering to him the wayes and means of reconciliation and peace then in his power which indeed was some reason of his remove To tamper with an Enemy gives cause of suspition from those that imploy him and in truth they found him honourable and honest We say no more but they mistrust him and he comforts himself Not to be the single example of eminent Persons of this kinde and fortunes No we need not wander much out of the way to fetch a President from his Father for tampering with Tyrone he forfeited his head not long after Indeed Denbigh was neglected and Manchester was wise and saw how the world went biassed with desperate design to undoe all as they imagined But upon these surrenders the Lord calls a conference with the Commons and conclude this Declaration Whereas the Earl of Essex Earl of Manchester and Earl of Denbigh had this day in the House of Peers laid down their Commissions the House did declare that they did esteem it an acceptable service in this conjuncture of time and as an evident demonstration of the fidelity and care these three Lords had to the publick and therefore desired the House of Commons to concur for payment of their Officers arrears And a Committee was chosen to consider of gratifying those Lords for their former faithfull service Which when it shall come to their Receipt I shall not fail to remember the summons of their reward But not to trouble your expectation I shall take leave at this time to sum up his future condition He retired out of the publick apparance unto Eltham House in Kent where his melancholy disposition contracted into a Fever of which he dyed at London September 24. 1646. Of whom more particular in that due place and time The Earl of Warwick also surrenders his Commission of Admiral and that Office intrusted to Commissioners six Lords and twelve Commons they are named the Earls of Essex Northumberland Pembroke Warwick the Lords Say and North. But the Commons did the work the others for names sake onely Sir T. Fairfax in a Triumphing March sets out of London towards VVindsor his Army being compleat but stayed for the finishing the great Ordinance For discharging the Members of Parl from all Offices Military and Civil which indured notable debates ere that the Houses could concurre in each particular the substance thereof was That all and every the Members of either House shall be discharged at the end of fourty daies after the passing of the Ordinance of all their command Military or Civil conferred by Parliament since the 20. of November 1640. That all other Governours and Commanders not Members by Land or Sea shall continue in their Offices wherein they were intrusted the 20 of March 1644. Provided and excepted that Lieutenants or their Deputies in the several Counties Cities and Places or of any Custos Rotularum or Iustices of Peace or Sewers or any Commission of Oyer and Terminer or Goal Delivery And also that those Members of either House who had Offices by Grant from his Majesty before this Parliament and were by Him displaced before the sitting of this Parliament and have since by the Parliament been restored shall not be discharged from their said Offices or Profits thereof but shall enjoy the same April 3. At this time came forth a grievous complaint of a scandalous Pamphlet as they call'd it in Print Entituled A Character of a London Diurnal fathered by Mr. Cleveland of St. Iohns Colledg in Cambridg and appears say they a precious piece of wit in the eyes of Malignants I shall not thereby confess my self to be one if I commend it But did ever any man read more mistaken stuff forced together then what may be found in the Diurnals News Books of that time we hope that this History shall not be arraigned by those Texts The King continues at Oxford Garison but hath all things in readiness to march out for the City was hard beset by the Parliaments Forces the two Princes Brothers with Goring Hopton Gerard and others are all met at Bristol to confer about the war The Forces of Greenvile and Dorington continue blocking up of Taunton in the West Langdale hath lately relieved Sir Winter's house in the Forest of Dean and beat of Col. Massey with great loss Lieutenant General Cromwel and Waller follow the Western war and are now about Salisbury Skippon about Buckingham Brown about Abbington Brereton in Cheshire And the Scots sent unto by several Messengers to march Southwards the North being well cleared But the General Fairfax quartered at Windsor Lieutenant General Cromwel with a Brigade of but eleven hundred Horse had fallen upon the Kings Horse under the Command of the Earl of Northampton and part of the Queens Regiment at Islip Bridge neer Oxford and had taken four hundred Horse two hundred Prisoners the Queens Colours and those that escaped fled to Blackington House where Colonel Windebank kept a Garison for
urged But they have found a Letter of his Majesties to the Queen which shewes that the Eminent places of the Kingdom are disposed of by her advice and then conclude from her Religion that they are by consequence disposed of by Papists and Jesuits and that the persons there Named even during the sitting of Parliament are either all impeached by them or bear Armes against them To this his Majesty replies First that he cannot but deplore the condition of the Kingdom when Letters of all sorts to Husbands and Wives even of his Majesty to his Royal Consort are intercepted and brought in evidence and published to the world Secondly that the places there named are not places as they call it of the Kingdom but private menial places a Treasurer of the Houshold a Captain of the Pensioners and a Gentleman of the Bed-chamber c. Nor of the persons there named is there any one a Papist or like one That in these his most private Letters to the persons nearest him wherein he cannot be justly suspected to say any thing out of Design or Policy His own clear perswasion that the Parliament and not he have been the cause and are the fosterers of this War and Universal distraction and his sence of it and his desire of the end of it are so plainly expressed that they will by this accident be much satisfied with his Innocency and reality and believe that the reading this in such a Letter is the very next degree to reading it in his Heart But their successes increase Leicester is rendered upon Articles and thus the Manner Sir Iohn Gell for the Parliament whilst the Armies were fighting had summoned all the forces of those Counties of Darby and Notingham and two dayes after the Battel they met with some of the Kings scattered Horse and took fifty Another of his party fell upon threescore of the Newarkers Horse did so by them and carried away fourty Prisoners and fifty Arms. And forthwith they joyn with Fairfax and sit down before Leicester Instantly Summons it with the true Relation of what had befallen the King and advises the Governour the Lord Loughborow to surrender speedily to avoid the Mischief of storming But he stoutly refused professing that it were a shame for them to submit since if the state of War was so to his Majesty it might prove the rather now propitious to them however their opposers should finde their Loyalty never a whit abated by the unhappinesse of his Majesties success but to do their duty to the utmost of their power which was equal to their Spirits Fairfax finding their Confidence calls a Council of War and concludes of storming the next day and instantly to surround the Town which was done with great expedition Raising their Batteries providing Ladders and Engins for their best advantage On Tuesday 17. Iune they began their Batteries with their great shot without ceasing and together fell upon storming in several places especially the Newark side supposed their greatest strength And not over-long it was that the breach widened which strook so much terrour to the besieged that Overtures were offered of surrender The Commissioners sent in were two Colonels Pickering and Rainsborough But whilst they capitulate Fairfax provides himself of Necessaries which he wanted Pittars Carts Hay Granadoes Ladders resolving to fall on upon their return But it was concluded to surrender and thereby much blood saved upon Noble Articles And at the Thanksgiving-day in London the City feast the Parliament at Grocers Hall where was for Principal guest the Prince Elector drinking health from the fatall events of his dearest Uncle the King and when a bold and worthy Merchant true to his principles Arrested him in the Room delivering a writ of Execution to the Sheriffes of London there present to do their Office which debt of 1000. Marks was instanly secured by the Lords that were present the Citizen committed for some dayes but his mony paied him to a farthing And after their full bellie-cheer they sung the 46. Psalm being a song of Thanksgiving for deliverance of Ierusalem after Senacherib with his Army was driven away or some other such deliverance But the prisoners were now disposed the most of them more then a thousand to be listed for the Parliaments service in Ireland Oxford siege is now resolved upon by the Parliament and twenty thousand pounds advanced for the Army for that and the Relief of Taunton now again hard beset by the Kings Forces Sir Thomas Glenham a gallant person had been for some time Governour of Carlisle Garison for the King and had endured a strickt and forceable Seige but not able to do more then could be expected by starved Souldiers lessened by small numbers little Ammunition and without expectation of Succour he surrenders the eight and twentieth of Iune upon honourable Conditions and the Garison to march away to Newark so then the Parliament had the North parts clear and therefore have a Conference how mainly to keep their Northern Garisons with Berwick Carlisle and Newcastle clear from the King or any other Enemy not trusting therein to our dear Brethren the Scots who were loth to remove Southward from the Northern neighbouring Counties We are told that the King is now in person about Ragland Castle in Wales to gather Recruits from his faithfull Brittains Fairfax at Marlborough Massie at Shaftsbury and Goring keeps aloof of Taunton so that the Besieged can sally out in more safety and this Goring might do and forrage the Countrey for the Club-men were up I cannot say in Arms onely with Cudgels nor can we as yet finde for whom they intend assistance an unruly Rabble five thousand and upwards daily increasing without Order or Discipline and so insolent that they forced the Parliaments Quarters in Wilts and Dorsetshire specially at Sturmister-Neuton and killed many and seize all the Horse in the grounds near a hundred Dragoons at a clap to whom therefore Major General Massie sends a Trumpeter for Restitution of Horse and Arms in other places also or suddenly reports to reduce them to obedience These Club-men were called Levellers in respect of some Principles which we shall discuss hereafter but for the present take this Description of their pretences at first The Countreys especially Wilts and Dorsetshire and some others had been extremely harrased plundered of their Lives and Fortunes by a two-edged Sword now in power for the King then for the Parliament and between both the poor people are crushed and ground to powder and in no one place more than at this time concerning Taunton to defend themselves the Clowns and Countrey-men stood upon their guard not submitting Contribution to either and in truth so formidable they were and for the present so independing as Fairfax is in doubt to march forward to relieve Taunton untill these mens interests were calmed or their intentions fixed And to make the business more formidable the Parliament come to a
great Guns Morter-pieces Fire-balls hot Irons with the help of the Winde fired the upper Town in four places of a flame and unquenchable Tom Eliot was sent down to the General who now would not be intreated nothing but Fire and Sword having twice refused his Offer of Treaty yet they agree and Surrender is made and a Cessation on the sudden the fire quenching and conclude with fair Quarter and to march out leaving such Ammunition and Plunder as escaped burning vvhich vvas very little not vvorth the bloudy purchase And to conclude this Moneth the lasting Siege of Scarborough Castle in the North vvas novv surrendered upon honourable terms many Commanders having laid their Bones there Meldrum the Scot did his best for a long time but enduring monstrous misery by a Shot in his back died under the Walls Then comes Sir Matthew Bointon in his place and after his tedious time and the Garison vvorn out by sickness and many slain and no hope of Relief all the North cleared to the Parliament the noble Governour Sir Hugh Cholmlâ—y renders it upon very good Conditions Rabby Castle suffered under the like fate and like Conditions Some two or three such Garisons continue yet for the King as Skipton and Sandal Castle but are upon surrendring The Scots are marching towards Worcester and by the way took Canon Froom a strong Garison by Storm Hopton is near Exeter Greenvile about Southam Goring at Okington Rupert at Bristol ready to endure a Stege Prince Maurice at Worcester and the King in Wales On goes the General and the last of Iuly Bath was surrendered to him His Head Quarters being at Wells he sent a Party against Sherburn and another Party of two Regiments of Horse and two Companies of Dragoons under Command of Colonel Rich towards Bath to view the Town at the approach of his Horse and coming down the Hill to the Bridg the Town took an Allarm and discharged their Ordnance and Rich assailed an Out-work and beat them in possessing the place all night indeed it was not fortied and no boot to stand it out against so great a power as Fairfax had hard by and the sooner to condition the better terms and so Sir Thomas Bridges the Governour renders it upon good Conditions to march out in Souldier-like posture to Bristol And Fairfax marches to Wells where he stays being by this time in want of Recruits and then he is for Sherburn The City of Hereford for the King was committed to the Goverment of Sir Barnabas Scudamore a gallant expert Commander a Garison of good consequence faithfull and loyal receiving Contribution from the Counties thereabout and thither were the Scots ordered to march for reducing it to the Parliaments Service They came the thirtieth of Iuly their Forlorn of Horse were suddenly charged with a party of twenty Horse and beaten into the Main Body retreating in disorder then the whole Body of Horse faced the Besieged about ten a clock in the morning within the reach of Cannon and were welcomed with some execution the Foot as yet undiscovered a strong party of Foot came out privately and lined the Hedges galling the Scots in their passage to the Fords and so retreated and presently insafed all their Ports the next Morning came up the sole Body of Foot and surrounded the City No sooner set but they invite the Besieged to a Surrender by a double Summons one from the General Leven directed to the Governour the other from the Committee of both Kingdoms attending the Army sent to the Mayor and Corporation who complied so well in their Resolution that one Answer served for both parties a scornfull Denial The Scots challenge was thus For the Governour of the Citie of Hereford SIR Our appearance in this posture is for no other end but the setling of Truth with Peace in England without the least desire of shedding the bloud of any Subject therefore this is to summon you to deliver up that City unto me for the King and Parliament of England if herein you be wise and happy you may have Conditions honourable and safe otherwise all the world will acquit me of the manifold Inconveniencies Consider your own condition and those under your charge whose bloud will be required upon your account And return me Answer within three hours July 31. ten a clock Leven My Lord I am not to give up the Kings Garisons upon any Summons or Letter neither shall it be in the power of the Mayor or other to condescend to any such Propositions made unto him I was set in here by the Kings command and shall not quit it but by special Order from his Majesty or the Prince And with this Resolution I shall persist in Hereford this July 31. 1645. B. Scudamore This not satisfactory the Scots began their Approach the first of August but very slowly rather intending their own security than the hurt of others but their art could not protect them from small and great Shot which fell upon them and by several Sallies were much galled first over Wye Bridg beating them to their Main Guard at another time demolisht one side of Martin's Steeple which would have annoyed the Besieged at the Bridg and Pallace and in these two Sallies they lost but two Men but the Scots lost many Then the Scots make use of a better Engin the Mayor and Aldermen are now courted to yield the Town by an Epistle subscribed by six of the County Gentlemen very compassionate and swasive which was answered with neglect And so they continue their Line of Communication raise their Batteries commencing at Wye Bridg from whence they received their own greatest Dammage and here amongst many others was slain their much lamented Major General Crafford which provoked them to play upon the Gate for two Days battering it useless but was stopt up with Wool-packs and Timber and to elude the Assailants the Besieged broke an Arch but raised a very strong Work behinde it The Scots frustrate here raise two several Batteries at the Friers and over the River and from thence ply their Ordnance against Wye side but are as quick repaired and the Walls lined faster than they can batter and therefore desist Then the eleventh of August the Scots undermine at Frene-gate but are discovered and counter-mined and thereupon it is carried on at the other side of the Gate which was defeated by making a Sally Port and issued thereout broke it open and fired it The thirteenth they raise Batteries round about the Town and make a Bridg over Wye The fourteenth they send a Messenger to Dr. Scudamore with a simple Letter from three Gentlemen of the County to the Governour May it please your Honour We having a great desire for the good of the City and County and seeing the great distress like to ensue to both Citie and Countie think fit to present these to your Honour and to give you to understand that if it
the old Speakers and many Members were fled to their Protection And the eleven Members that had leave to travel were now got into this new Parliament and Massie Sir William Waller and Colonel General Poins the City Favourites were Listing Reformadoes and others Souldiers And out comes the City Declaration 31. Iuly in effect That his Majesty was surprised at Holmby and though the Act was disavowed by the General Yet the Armie desire that his person may be Resident with them Improving their interest throughout the Kingdom That the City have indeavoured by Remonstrance and Petitions to satisfie all unbiassed men of their zeal to Peace by establishing the True Religion restoring his Majestie and maintaining Priviledge of Parliament easing the charge of the Kingdom securing the peoples Liberty and relieving of Ireland Endeavouring to hold good correspondency between the Army and City That the Priviledges of Parliament have been violated by the Armies causing the eleven Members to withdraw whilst the City Militia is demanded contrary to the Establishment by Ordinance of Parliament and is subject to no other Cognizance then of the King and Parliament That there is nothing in the world that we desire more then that his Majestie be left free in such an honourable condition and capacitie as his person may appear to be at libertie to receive and treat upon Propositions to be presented to him from the Parliaments of both Kingdoms for whilst his Royal person is invironed by an Army and remains under the power thereof He cannot give that free assent to Propositions as is requisite or if he doe we nor our Posterity have no hope to enjoy the same without alteration And therefore we are resolved to apply our selves to the Parliament and hope that all good Subjects touched with the sence of Duty and Allegiance which by the Law of God and man they owe to the King will unanimously joyn with us therein The matter of difference thus truly stated between us and the Army to wit That we would not submit the Militia of the City to be ruled at the pleasure of an Army after it had been so orderly setled into the hands of such as were intrusted with it for a year when there was a full and free Parliament So we finde it more then time that the whole Kingdom be possessed with the true state thereof and upon whom the guilt of a new War which God forbid must justly lodge and accordingly we expect a blessing from God in our just defence And conclude their desires summmond up to be The settlement of Religion by re-establishing his Majesty in his just Rights and Authority by upholding all lawful priviledges of a free Parliament by maintaining the Fundamental Laws by restoring the Subjects Libertie and propertie by freeing this long oppressed Kingdom of all Taxes enforceed Free Quarter of the Army which hath had no visible Enemy to encounter and from this resolution we shall never recede for any earthly consideration or advantage what soever And although the Parliament had by Ordinance of 19. Iuly given the General power over all the Land Forces under the pay of the Parliament they declare it shall not extend over the Trained Bands and Garisons And both Houses Order that this Declaration be Printed and published by the Militia of the City by sound of Trumpet and that the Sheriffs of the several Counties of this Kingdom and Wales do publish the same in their respective Limits accordingly The Army comes on this night at Wickam to morrow to be at Colebrook and the King now at Latimer The last of Iuly he was two dayes after at Stoke Abby near Windsor In this confusion the City differ among themselves at the sitting of their Common Councel at Guildhall the Trained Bands of Southwark came in a Muâ—inous manner and would not be commanded out of their Borough but there to stand upon their own Guard Then were presented Petitions of thousands well-affected one against another that matters might be composed but what way they cared not nor could they tell And therefore their new Leaders Massey Waller and Poins were displeased with the multitude at Guildhall fell to words and blows divers wounded and some slain and the Aldermen in Councel fearing the people were fain to sit all day and that night and only concluded to write to the General And Petitions are set on work on either side as their constitutions led them some against the Parliament others against the Army others made it their sport to see this confusion in Church and State and like true Bautofees kindled this fire into a flame Men they say that have wasted their Estates in the Kingdoms extremity Some complain for liberty of Conscience are now to a new tone and tune for their Faith are Imprisoned though nothing can be found worthy of death or of durance only for differing in the outside controversies though blameless in Conversation and Office So that in truth it was apparent to the people that after such a vast expense of Blood and Treasure the exchange was of men in Places but not of Manners old burthens with new names new men with old Corruptions Then in places of new Election for Members they first made the choice and then give the Voice complaining against the Parliamentary proceedings and pray the Army not to lay down their power till the Kingdom with its Ruler be committed to the care and chaâ—ge of such persons as may secure us from fear of future oppression The City send 6. Aldermen and 12. Commons with a Letter to the General and complain That the City is suspected though innocent from Acting against the Army and therefore these their Members they send to be added to their Committee now attending the Councel of the Army and pray the General to forbear the mischief of a new War No sooner come but they were presented with the Armies Remonstrance and Proposals And on Hownslow Heath they Rendezvouz twenty thousand Men Horse and Foot with a great Train of Artillery to astonish the City and therefore such of the Parliament as trusted to the Souldiers were there present the Earls of Northumberland Salisbury Kent the Lords Wark Howard Wharton Say and Moulgrave and others fourteen in all the Speaker Mr. Lenthal of the Commons and above a hundred more of their Members The City stand in a maze unresolved and inconstant the Army in the mean time send a Brigade under Command of Rainsborough and Hewson over Kingstone Bridge and all night March to Southwark being called thither in opposition to the City Massey was busie and knowing his own case desperate sent out his Scouts and are met with and taken prisoners some of the Train-men would needs march out and were worsted and lost their Colours for the General was now near Brainford And therefore the City meet him with humble Messages That finding that his desires of Marching so near is to settle the Members of the Lords and
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
chief Actors therein Black-heath 30. May 1648. Tho. Fairfax This Answer sticks in their stomacks they therefore divide their Forces into Brigades some of the South besiege Dâ—ver Castle and are not yet fitted to fight with Fairfax who endeavours to engage which the others avoid and rather to dispute by Letters in their Reply to the General My Lord The Laws of Nature are universal and perpetual amongst which that of self preservation is one and you have declared as much Iudge if it be not we have taken up Arms to defend our selves and Proviâ—ence hath blest us with a power to doe it which we cannot relinquish 〈◊〉 with the forfeiture of our reason and honour we invade not your Right but stand firm to secure our own and so to doe is neither Tumult nor Rebellion you are pleased to hold forth conditions of uncertain mercy to the people and withall affix mâ—naces of an exemplary and positive prosecution upon the principals To this we must assure you Sir it is but one soul that informs this great body and we are determined to staâ—d or fall together being rendered uncapable of any fear save only of relapsing into our former slavery We need no other Arguments than what the fair mannage of this business affords â— to testifie our lâ—ve to peace if your self stand so inclined also Be pleased rather to make this County a Friend than an Enemy As to the Petition we hope it will be seasonably considered of we are Signed by the name and appointment of the Gentry of the Countrey by us Your servants Philip Masilds Major Edward Hales The first Fight was at a Bridge between Crayfâ—rd Heath and Gravesend which the Countreymen had â—â—racadoed yet the Generals Forces of Horse swam over and put the other to flight and Major Child their Commander hardly escaped his Horse being shot under him his Son wounded and taken twenty others slain and thirty prisoners those were only some of the County Saylers and City Prentices The General follows after and Major Husbands advanceth some miles beyond Gravesend and then to Mauâ—en the General now thereabouts at Mapham and there makes a halt to see what the Enemy meant to doe for they were numerous near ten thousand and their chiefs were Sir Gamaliel Dudley Sir Geo. Lisle Sir William Crompton Sir Robert Tracie Colonel Leigh Sir Io. Mavy Sir Tho. Payton Sir Tho. Palmer Esquire Hales 〈…〉 be General Sir Iames Hales Sir William Mavy Sir Iohn Dorrel Sir Thomas Godfrey Sir Rich. Hardress Colonel Washington Colonel Hamond Colonel Le â— strange Colonel Culpepper Colonel Hacker Iames Dorrel Colonel George Newman and Mr. Whelton sometime Treasurer for the Parliament I mention them for no dishonour their pretence was just I judge none But on goes the General and Marches towards Rochester and by the way Major Husbands disputes a Passage over a Bridge at Norfield maintained by Major Childe with six hundred Foot which was gained and killed twenty men and took thirty Prisoners with small loss to the Assailants This having rouzed the Kentish men it was expected they should imbody and meet their Adversary ere he were further entered upon them which the General expected and therefore Marched full bodyed six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse well Ammunitioned for the City sent after what ever possible could be called for The County were not so many ill trained dispersed meanly armed slender Ammunition and such Commanders as in like cases are more for reputation then direction or execution But no opposition appears the General Advances with his whole Army now collected near ten thousand men to Rochester where the Bridge is quitted to him and he goes on towards Maidstone was strengthened with reasonable Force to defend and valiantly indured the first Assault by Storm and the second but the third time got entrance upon disadvantage for the Streets were well manned the houses lined and their case-shot so galled the Assaylants with much loss and long dispute twelve a clock midnight and so valiantly defended that the old Souldiers confest what ere they got was by Inches and dearly bought and that the like desperate service they had never felt before So then the County men could fight but overpowred they lost two hundred slain one thousand four hundred Prisoners four hundred Horse two thousand Arms and many men of quality slain and taken The other lost not many and this was done the second of Iune Whilst this was acting the Rocestrians drew out into a Body within three miles of Maidstone which weakned the Generals Assault for he was fain to draw out considerable Forces to attack them at a distance but the other came not on And when all was lost they marched away and left Rochester to the Generals mercy The County now in desperation send to the City of London relating their condition and that in this just quarrel they hoped of Association and help in for the General good of the Nation and people oppressed but the City refuse and acquaint the Parliament who return them thanks And to reward their faithfulness it was now conceived very seasonable to Answer their late Petitions in behalf of the eleven Members and other Prisoners for the Tumult of Parliament and as a day of Jubile for the Kentish News The Parliament Order That the Votes whereby Denzil Hollis Sir Jo. Maynard Sir William Waller Sir William Lewis Sir John Clotworthy Colonel Edw. Massey Anthony Nichols and Walter Long Esquires stand accused by the House be fully discharged That the Votes whereby the Lord Willoughby of Parham the Earls of Lindsey Suffolk and Middlesex the Lord Barkley Hunsdon and Maynard stand accused by this House be fully discharged That the Votes whereby the Aldermen Gayer Langham and Bunce and Serjeant Glyn accused by this House be fully discharged 3. June But the Kentish men kept in a Body and marched towards London in hope of assistance from hence and being come to Black-heath and no help afforded the Generals Horse hastening at their heels The Kentish men sensible of their misfortune quit their Commanders and retire home And therefore Goring Earl of Norwich one amongst them tells them plainly that he is no Souldier but though old he had a heart to lead them on that would follow him the Generals Horse in sight and they no time to Councel suddenly they bethink Goring with about 5. hundred gets over the Ferry at Greenwich into Essex and gathers strength and Quarter about Stratford Laughton and Bow and joynes with Sir Charls Luâ—as and others of Essex to whom comes the Lord Capel with Forces of Hartfordsbire and Rendezvouz at Chelmsford Dover Castle was hardly besieged but the Parliaments Forces raise that Siege and the County men retire to Canterbury against whom Ireton and Barkstead March with their Regiments and at Eversham are met by two Commissioners for Composition to those of Canterbury which were granted and Ireton goes thither to perform them and
the Force that could be spared from all the Southern County and the City of London also It was vigorously assaulted and gallantly defended with â—uch Sallies at several times and successes as rendred the Gâ—â—eral â—ot very prosperous At last the whole City was surrounded and by often Skirmishes they within grew weak of fighting men provisions of all sorts spent both for Ammunition and Victuals and whilst they within had hopes to their hearts they neglected â—ay disdained offers of Treaty or capitulation for almost three moneths when horrid necessity inforceth them to consider of a Treaty when Horse-flesh and Dogs Cats and Vermin failed for Food No hope of succour the Princes Fleet part fell from him the Wâ—lsh reduced the Earl of Hollands Insurrection suppressed Revolts Muâ—inies Allarms in several Counties quieted the Scots whole Army of Invasion totally defeated and the King himself lay'd aside for whose sake all these pretended And of all which the Besieged had continual intelligence then the Horror waxed high And therefore the chief Commanders within capitulate with the Camp without That they at the desire of the Inhabitants think fit to send to the General they are constrained to turn out the Towns-pâ—ople for bâ—tter accommodation of the Souldiery whereby their houses and gâ—ods would be left lyable to ruine for prevention they think fit to Treat with the General for surrender of the City to which purpose they would send out Officers to Parley To whose Letter they have this Answer That the General believes their extream pressure upon the Inhabitants and all the rest but he clears himself from the occasion of their sufferings he is compassionately willing to allow the proper Inhabitants only to come forth provided the Committee of Essex now prisoners within be first sent out and excepting the wives children of such as remain behinde in Arms. And concerning the Rendition of the Town hâ—â—ffers that all Souldiers under the degree of a Captain shall have free pass to their homes and all Captains and other Offcers superiour with Lords and Gentlemen to submit to mercy These Conditions would not go down with Goring therefore the next day five hundred women are forced out upon the powdercharged Cannon and Muskets to frighten them back but better so to dye then to return to Famine and thus they make a stand and crave rather sudden destruction They within make a Sally for a dead horse and one slain yet â—fter two dayes stink it is got in for food And to the Generals Letter they within Reply That they would not Render themselves to mercy to any but to God alone And therefore to spare blood they send out their utmost offer the lowest conditions they could yield unto 24. Aug. Which in truth were too high for the General to grant And therefore he is peremptory not to give Answer Then they 〈◊〉 send out a Drum with Mr. Barnardeston one of the Committee pâ—â—â—oners and Colonel Tuke desiring a Treaty upon what the General offered heretofore and concerning the explanation of the words to submit to mercy how far they would extend and in reference to the Officers and Souldiers and Townsmen And had Answer that in respect the Officers and Souldiers c. had neglected that former offer that now they should have only fair Quarter the rest to submit to mercy But however the Treaty should succeed the misery was much within and therefore the private Souldiers were resolved to deliver up their Commanders who caress the Souldiers with Wine and Victuals and fair words to joyn with them to break through the Besiegers over the North-bridge the way to escape but that Design shrunk for it was soon apprehended by the Souldiers that whilst they should fight the Commanders would fly And therefore in this high distemper they all submit to mercy the twenty seventh of August The Inhabitants of the Town were fined fourteen thousand pounds to be preserved from Plunder â—â—d two dayes after Sir Charls Lucas and Sir Geo. Lisle were shot to death they disputed this kinde of Justice to be in cold bloud without any Tryal without president of men at Arms and unsouldier-like but seeing no remedy Lucas was said to dye like a Christian justified his taking up Arms in defence of the King his Sovereign and bad them doe their worst he was prepared Lisle came to the stake kissed the others warm Corps wreaking in bloud and was shot to death also But why this unusual Execution was so acted I cannot be satisfied which the General in his Letter to the Parliament calls Military Execution and hopes that your Lordships will not think your honour or justice prejudiced had he put it to the question before their death the Lords would have resolved him but it was now too late and must be submitted to the worlds censure The rest of the Lords Officers Gentlemen and Souldiers are referred to the Parliaments mercy or justice Indeed the Commissioners that treated put the question what is meant by fair Quarter what by rendering to mercy It was resolved to the first That with Quarter for their lives they shall be free from wounding or beating shall enjoy warm clothes to cover them shall be maintained with Victuals fit for prisoners while they be prisoners For the second That they be rendered to mercy or render themselves to the General or to whom he shall appoint without certain assurance of Quarter so as the General may be free to put some immediately to the Sword Although the General intends chiefly and for the generality of those under that condition to surrender themselves to the mercy of the Parliament Neither 〈◊〉 â—he General given cause to doubt of his civility to such as render to mercy The chief Commanders deserve to be mentioned Some amends for their sufferings they were Valiant men The Earl of Norwich the Lord Capel Lord Loughborough Sir Charles Lucas Sir William Compton Colonel Sir Geo. Lisle Sir Bernard Gascoigne Sir Abraham Shipman Sir Iohn Watts Sir Lodowick Dyer Sir Henry Appleton Sir Denart Strutt Sir Hugh Ovelly Sir Rich. Maliverer Colonels Garter Gilburn Farr Till Hamond Chester Heath Tuke Ayloff and Sawyer Eight Lieutenant Colonels nine Majors thirty Captains Commissary General Francis Lovelace Master of the Ordnance Major Gen. Graveston Gentlemen sixty five Lieutenants seventy two Ensigns and Corners sixty nine Serjeants a hundred eighty three private Souldiers three thousand sixty seven The Gen. Fairfax having done his Work Marches Northwards to Yarmouth and up and down these Counties to settle Peace caress his Garrisons receiving testimonies of thanks for his Victorious Successes and returns to St. â—lbans his Head Quarters in the beginning of October from which time we shall hear more of him and his hereafter The universal distractions of the Parliament and Kingdom by Insurrections Revolts Tumults and Disorders both on Land and also in the Fleet at Sea made the City of London sensible of the sufferings which fell heavily
upon their purses at all times of need The general opinion of the people was never to have other but Uprores and Disorders untill the King were treated with To that end after sundry Petitions from several Counties had led the way The City also exhibit theirs for a personal treaty with the King to be at London Upon which Petition now so seasonable Committees are appointed to Treat That of the Parliament interrogate the Cities What was meant by these words of their Petition Viz. That the King and Parliament may meet and treat with freedom honour and safety according to the Ancient Fundamental constitutions of the Kingdom They Answer Free from force and violence to the King What was meant That the City will defend his Royal person and the Parliament during the Treaty according to the Covenant Answer As much as in us lyeth free from all fear and violence Whether will the City maintain their Guards during the Treaty there Answer They will and after the Treaty refer themselves to the King and Parliament for satisfaction thereof In case the King doe not consent in the Treaty whether the City will engage that the person of the King shall be disposed of by Parliament Answer They in such a case which God forbid will submit to the wisdom of Parliament By what means and in what manner will they make good their Engagement by defending the King and Parliament against all violence Answer As much as in us lyeth by the Trained Bands of the City and Lines of Communication To that end they desire that the Militia of the out places of the City may by the Ordinance of our intire Militia be speedily passed and no other Forces to be made use of within the City That no Forces in Arms may come within thirty miles thereof during the Treaty and that it shall be death for any within the City to make Tumult And desire the Treaty may speedily commence To which consent and engagement the Common Councel men get subscription of the chief of each Parish which was done to purpose But then how long did it last true some two dayes in which time a Rabble of Subscribers to another Petition sang to a contrary tune for which they had thanks but however the Parliament go on and made hast whilst the Officers of the Army were busied abroad The Propositions are ready the fourth of August a seasonable time to hasten them to the King for whilst the General Lieutenant General Major General Commissary General and the most of the chiefest Commanders are abroad in active service others are encouraged thereby and Major Huntington gave in his Narrative to the Lords House why he left the Army complaining against the most eminent Officers and their carriage since the Parliaments Orders to Disband the Army and in relation to Overtures made with the King and concerning the proceedings against the Lords and Commons and Aldermen These were large and being but Complaints not proved we shall forbear Yet Huntington delivered them in upon Oath and had the protection of that House for so doing The Prince of Wales also with his Fleet then in the Downs and in good condition and some bustling by the Prince of Orange for his assistance with Land Souldiers out of Holland gave hopes of success for the King And the Prince writes to the Speaker of the House of Peers not naming the Commons taking notice 〈◊〉 the progress of the Parliament with the King and desires That the Treaty may be in place and manner as may consist with the Kings Honour and safety of his person so that the agreement be not blemished with any face of restraint That the Treaty include the Kingdom of Scotland That during the Treaty there may be a Cessation of Arms and that an orderly moderate subsistance may be agreed upon for all Forces on foot and the Scots Army now in England as may be with the least pressure on the Northern parts And that some course may be taken to give content to his Ships in the Dowâ—s that common Trade be not hindered by them and to discharge the Ships which he hath lately taken into hold And joyntly with these Letters are presented Petitions to the Commons House of the very same nature with the others and have a fair Answer and great thanks The like from the reduced Officers of the Army according to the late desires of the City of London And in Order to the publick effects the Parliament Vote That the Houses desire a Treaty with his Majesties person in what place of the Isle of Wight that he shall appoint upon the Propositions tendered to him at Hampton Court and concerning Wards and Liveries and to treat with Honour Freedom and safety to his person and to the Coâ—missioners of Parliament 2. To receive such other Propositions to be treated on as shall be presented to his Majestie 3. The Commissioners sent with this Message to return in ten dayes The Messengers were the Earl of Middlesex Sir Io. Hepsly and Mr. Bulkley who arrived there Sunday the 6 of Aug. delivering their Votes first to be agreed unto and them for a Treaty The King told them no man desired Peace so much as he in his several Relations as a King a Husband a Father and a Master for who ever gained by these troubles He was like to lose And so without a Secretary he said he would frame an Answer to the Parliament with which the Messengers returned the tenth of August It was thus C. R. If the peace of my Dominions were not much dearer to me then any particular interest whatsoever I had too much reason to take notice of the several Vâ—tes which passed against me and the sad condition I have been in now above these seven moneths But since you my two Houses of Parliament have opened as it seems to me a fair beginning to a happy peace I shall heartily apply my self thereunto and to that end I will as clearly and shortly as I may set you down those things which I conceive necessary to this blessed work so that we together may remove all impediments that may hinder a happy conclusion of this Treaty which with all chearfulâ—ess I doe embrace And to this wished end your selves have laid most excellent grounds for what can I reasonably expect more than to treat with honour Freedom and Safety upon such Propositions as you have or shall present unto me and such as I shall make to you But withall remember that it is the definition not names of things which make them rightly known and that without means to perform no Proposition can take effect And truly my present condition is such that I can no more treat than a blinde man judg of colours or one run a race who hath both his feet fast tied together wherefore my first necessary demand is That you will recall all such Votes and Orders by which people are frighted from coming writing or