Here valiant Cromwel as always being punctual in the observation of Articles and being informed that some of his Souldiers had been faulty therein no sooner was the complaint made but the redress was provided for hanging up one to the terrour of others he sent the rest of the offenders to Oxford to be there punished at the discretion of the Governour Sir Thomas Glemham who returned them to him again with an acknowledgement of his great Nobleness in being so punctual with his enemy His tenderness in this respect had great influence on others that had a disposition to yeeld But now we come to Basing-house in Hantshire a place that knew not what it was to yeeld It was the Mansion of the Marquess of Winchester standing on a rising ground encompassed with a Brick Rampart and that lined with earth a deep dry ditch environing all The House being situate and built as if for Royalry had this Motto Aymez Loyalte Here the Marquess stands upon his Guard assisted onely at first with his own family and an hundred Musquetiers from Oxford but was recruited afterwards by the King from time to time as occasion served This Garison had been several times assaulted but to little purpose first by Colonel Norton and Colonel Harvey next by Sir William Waller with seven thousand Horse and Foot who although he were by many in those days surnamed The Conqueror did little more then heighten the courage of the besieged who made frequent desperate Sallies upon him Thus out-braving all Assailants for some years the place began to be esteemed impregnable but Cromwel soon evinced the contrary for having seen Sir Will. Ogle the late Governour of Winchester march out according to Articles and setled the affairs of that Garison for the Parliament he the next day marches for Basing whither he no sooner comes but he falls to the work in good earnest placing a strong Battery against it that soon made it assaultable which perceiving for he had an excellent faculty in discerning advantages he orders the several Posts to prepare for a Storm And although the danger and difficulty of the work were great even enough to take off the edge of an ordinary resolution having to deal with so valiant an enemy who had often manifested their high courage and great skill in withstanding several former Assailants yet he accounting any designe the more honourable by how much the more difficult to accomplish gives the Onset and that to so good purpose that the besieged saw themselves in no capacity to withstand him Thus was Basing subdued a service so much the more acceptable by how much the more good redounded to the Country even to the whole Nation thereby in opening a way for Commerce and Correspence betwixt the West of England and other parts which before had been so long obstructed by this Garison Langford-House neer Salisbury was visited next by Cromwel but they within having head what he had done at Basing despairing of any better success then that Garison yeelded at the first Summons From hence he marches towards the main Body of the Army who were then upon a march towards Exeter to block up that place But that designe being for the present waved they suddenly fall upon Dartmouth and take it Which being done they encounter the Lord Hopton at Torrington where he was defeated and upon pursuit received as he was formerly assistant in giving a Cornish Hug and thereupon enforced to disband Whereupon followed the rendition of Exeter There remained onely now in the West Pendennis Castle which being blockt up by Col. Fortescue was soon yeelded Thus Fairfax and Cromwel having thorowly scowred the West and onely Newark remaining in the North the hopes of the King and his party were very low yet not quite dead for they had still a Party commanded by that gallant old Souldier Sir Jacob Ashley but these hopes soon vanish for he being encountred by Col. Morgan neer Stow on the Woulds was utterly overthrown himself and 1600 becoming prisoners to the Victors And now that black cloud which had so impetuously showred upon other places began to gather about Oxford it self the Kings Head-quarters and place of his residence it being already blocked up by Fleetwood and Ireton and every day in expectation of a close Siege Here Art her self had contributed her utmost assistance to make the place impregnable it being encompassed with regular Fortifications furnished with a strong Garison of stout souldiers stored with abundance of all kinde of provisions and which is more then all the rest governed by one that had given sufficient proof of his valour and faithfulness formerly in holding out two other Garisons Carlisle and York to the utmost extremity But all this avails not Oxford must yeeld And the unfortunate King who had for some time past received no other News but Job-like one messenger of ill tidings at the heels of another having no Field-Army left nor scarce a Garison to flee to began now to consider the danger of his person and to cast about which way to secure himself and at last resolves to personate a Serving-man and by the Conduct of Ashburnham to escape to the Scotish Army before Newark The Parliament receiving intelligence of his being there they demand the King the Scots refuse to deliver him whereupon grew a great Contest betwixt the two Nations concerning their propriety in the person of the King But the Scots calling to minde that 200000 l. was behinde of what the Parliament had formerly hired them for thought they had now an opportunity to hedge it in and therefore like the Ape that made use of the Cats foot to take the Apple out of the fire they vvave further dispute and having gotten their money deliver up the King Being in the hands of the English he is conveyed to Holmby-House in Northamptonshire a Princely Mansion where we shall leave him at present and come to speak briefly of some transactions in Parliament City and Army Wars are not onely carried on by Swords and Guns but Tongues and Pens are co-instrumental which as they had been too much employed formerly were not idle now The distinguishing terms of approbry formerly used viz. Cavalier and Roundhead were now transmuted unto those of Presbyterian and Independent who at this time clash with a high hand The Presbyterians endeavour to carry on the interest of the Covenant but they are not herein countenanced by the Army who shew their dislike thereof by the impeachment of eleven Members of Parliament Hollis Stapleton Waller Massey c. vvho are its abettors they thereupon making a voluntary secession Great disputes also arose in the two Houses at this time concerning the King some pleading his coming to London with freedom safety and honour to treat with his Parliament others urged that no more Addresses might be made to him The City closeth with that party in the Parliament which was for the Kings return and were so hot upon it that in
former engagement and espoused their young Lady to the Dolphin of France which so enraged our young King Edward the sixth his father Henry being dead that he resolved Seeing the Foxes skin could not prevail To piece it with the Lions tayl And to that end sends an Army under the Duke of Somerset into Scotland to avenge himself on them for their perfidious dealing This Army exceeded not 18000 in number too small in appearance to deal with a whole Kingdom but greatness of courage supplying the paucity of their number they encountered the Scots neer Muscleborough where notwithstanding they doubled the English in multitude besides 3000 Monks Fryers and Kirk-men armed both with VVord and Sword they got the day and obtained a most compleat Victory But while they beat the bush the bird was flown into France Here many of the Scotish Nobility were taken prisoners one of which being brought to the English General and asked by him how he liked the Match answered wittily Very well but not that manner of wooing This Battel and that of Flodden-field four and thirty years before were both fought upon the Ninth of September as afterwards those of Worcester and Dunbar were both upon the Third of the same month so that that month seems to be more ominous to the Scotish Nation then any in the whole Kalendar This Digression hath been made onely to shew what endeavours there have been all along to unite these Kingdoms under one Head but nothing could effect it until King James came in by succession he being son to that Queen Mary formerly espoused to Edward the sixth This Line was thought perpetual and the Tye indissoluble according to the Motto upon King James his Coyn Que Deus conjunxit nemo separet But he that rules in the Kingdoms of men hath been pleased to over-rule their designs by a sudden cutting off of that Line and dissolving that League which was esteemed so inviolable By this means the Scots begin to play Rex as we have heard in part already but how and by whom they were reduced under the obedience and subjection of the English as at this day is our next work to shew they being as sings ingenious Mr. Waller's Panegyrick A Race unconquer'd by their Clime made bold The Caledonians arm'd with want and cold Have by a Fate indulgent to his fame Been from all Ages kept for him to tame Whom the old Roman wall so ill confin'd With a new Chain of Garisons he binde Here forraign Gold no more shall make them come For Cromwel's Iron holds them fast at home Cromwel was the man by whom this stupendious work was wrought who being now constituted Generalissimo for the Parliament of England as we have seen before made this improvement of his new honour adding this Conquest to his former Heroick atchievements And what order he observed in the carrying on of this business we shall now relate beginning where we left off before The Army being come up all together in a Body and quartered upon the very edge of Scotland as afore is shewed on July 22. 1650 the Lord General drew them forth to a Rendezvous upon a hill within Berwick bounds from whence they had a full view of the adjacent parts of Scotland the Stage whereon they were to act their parts in the ensuing Tragedies Here he made a Speech to his Souldiers exhorting them to be faithful and couragious and then not to doubt of a blessing from God and all encouragement from himself which was answered with loud and unanimous Acclamations from them who going thus chearfully about their work it was the more likely to prosper in their hands as indeed it did Upon this the Lord General marches his Army into Scotland quartering them that night in the field neer Mordington where he caused it to be proclaimed thorowout the Camp for the better conservation of good order and discipline That none on pain of death should offer violence or injury to the persons or goods of any in Scotland not in Arms and withal That no Souldier should presume without special license to straggle half a mile from the Army Hence they dislodge for Copperspeith thence to Dunbar where they are recruited with provisions from the English ships sent thither for that purpose the Country affording them none for the Scotch Estates had taken a course beforehand to sweep all the Country betwixt Berwick and Edinburgh of all things that might yeeld any comfort or succour to the English But this entertainment was not at all strange to the English it being but what they expected neither did it in the least appal or discourage them Their next remove is to Handington twelve miles from Edinburgh and all this without the least opposition not seeing all this while the face of an Enemy in Arms. But although they could not be seen yet they were heard of giving out that they would meet the English at Gladsmore The Lord General prepared to meet them accordingly and knowing his adversary exceeded him in number he laboured to possess the Moor before them to gain the advantage of ground in case they should meet him which it seems they never intended having no great stomack to fight Upon this Major-Gen Lambert and Colonel Whalley men of approved courage and valour with 1400 Horse were sent as a Van-guard to Muscleborough Major Hayns commanding the Forlorn fac'd the Scots within a mile of their Trenches The next day the Lord General with the main Body drew up before Edinburgh where some bickering happened about the possession of King Arthur's Hill a place within a mile of that Citie which the English obtained and soon after possest themselves of a Church and certain houses But notwithstanding all these provocations the Scots would not forsake their Trenches but lay upon the catch and according to the Proverb Harm watch harm catch so it fell out with them For the Lord General seeing no good to be done this way and that his Army was much wearied out with hard duty and continual rain drawing off to Muscleborough there to refresh and recruit his men with provisions the Scots would needs have one snap at parting and to that end came powdering down upon the last Reserve of the English Rere-guard and had like to have over-run them but Major-General Lambert and Colonel Whalley with his giment came in to their rescue routing the Scots and pursuing them to their Trenches In this Encounter Lambert received two wounds and the rest came not off altogether Scot-free for they left behind them one Lieutenant-Colonel one Major and some Captains with a few private souldiers for company By this defeat the English had an opportunity to march off quietly to Muscleborough that night although in a wet and weary condition expecting also every moment to be set upon as indeed at last they were for Col. Straughan and Montgomery very slyly followed them in the rere with the Kirk's Regiment of Horse and some others to the
watering place in the Bay To what intent and purpose this was I shall be silent and leave it for others to judge The Army being come into the Bay had not that supply of Victuals from the ships as formerly but were necessitated by parties to go in the Woods to catch Cattel which many times cost them dear for the Negro's instead of hunting Cows would oftentimes change their game and breath them back again to their Quarters These things brought the Army to such distress that fearing to fight for Food abroad they exercised their Valour at home upon the Troop-horses belonging to their own Army thus did they continue for some days till a resolution was taken to imbark them and with all speed to make for Jamaica May the third day all the remaining part of the Army being shipped without the least disturbance from the Spaniard the Fleet set sail for the aforesaid Island On the tenth of the same moneth the whole Fleet cast Anchor in Jamaica Harbour and quickly after possest themselves of Oristano the chief Town in the Island here the Army having taken up their standing began to plant which since hath been and is like to prove a bad Neighbour to the adjacent Spanish Islands General Pen presently after returned for England and was quickly followed by General Venables to give an account to the Court of the brave service they had performed for the honour of their Country which pleased the Protector so well that he sent them both to the Tower of London This unfortunate Voyage to Hispaniola cannot well be let pass without some small inspection into the miscarriage of the Action Where there is want of Food and Arms fitting for an Army they must of necessity become a prey to their Enemies neither of which were sufficiently provided for in the beginning as they ought to have been It hath been alwayes the policy of Conquerous first to possess and then to plant but the Wives and Children in this expedition shewed a confidence in the fruition before they gained possession Alexander at his entrance into the Wars of Persia had but 35000 men which proved sufficient to carry on his enterprise By this we see two thousand Cocks are better to fight then ten thousand Capons But above all if the spring be corrupted the stream cannot run clear Where covetousness is at the root the branches of a design are alwayes blasted This made Achan prosper no better with his ill gotten gold A General that will prohibit plundering in an Enemies Country must resolve to do all the service himself for Souldiers will suffer him to win all that must wear all To dwell longer on this lamentable lame Story can be no way useful unless it be to call to minde that excellent saying Man proposeth but God disposeth Therefore to sweeten the bitterness of the blow received in America it will not be much amiss to recount brave Blakes successes in Affrica Not long before Pen set saile for the unfortunate Islands Blake set forth with a considerable Navy to scowre the Straights from Pirats which had much damnified the English Merchants in their passage out of the Levant Sea At first he beat about on the Spainsh Coast in hopes to finde them roving abroad but missing of his expectation a sudden resolution was taken up to fire their nests and consume their shipping in the very Harbors to effect this April 18. 1655. the Fleet approching near Tunis General Blake sent to the Dye demanding satisfaction for ships taken and a speedy release of the poor English taken in them from their present Captivity To this Message such an arrogant Answer was returned by the imperious Turk as very much enraged the English Sea-men insomuch that after a small debate it was concluded to revenge themselves on nine ships that lay in Porta Ferino the wind at present sitting fair encouraged a present prosecution of the designed project which was effected in this manner At first there entered the Harbour the Boats of every Ship man'd with resolute Sea-men and then followed Blake himself in the Admiral with the Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral These lying within Musket-shot of the Enemies Castle and Forts plagued them perpetually with whole broad sides until the Boats had utterly consumed the Turkish men of War which were reduced to ashes in four hours time with no more loss to the English then 25 men slain and 48 wounded This may in part wipe off the blemish which stained Englands reputation in the former disastrous Expedition At this time the Lord Protector endeavouring to strengthen himself abroad made an alliance with the Swede the effects of which Peace have since been felt to purpose in some parts of Europe Then presently after he constituted Major-Generals and divided England into eleven parcels amongst them The names of these Vice-Roys and the Counties allotted to every one's share were as followeth Colonel Kelsey For Kent and Surry Col. Goff For Sussex Hampshire and Berkshire Gen. Desbrow For Glocestershire Wilts Dorset Somerset Devon and Cornwal Lieutenant Gen. Fleetwood For Oxfordshire Bucks Hartford Cambridge Isle of Ely Essex Norfolk and Suffolk Major Gen. Skippon For the City of London Com. Gen. Whaley For Lincolnshire Nottingham Derby Warwick and Leicestershire Major Butler For Northamptonshire Bedford Rutland and Huntington Col. Berry For Worcester Hereford Salop and North-Wales Col. Wortley For Cheshire Lancashire and Staffordshirre Lord Lambert For Yorkshire Durham Cumberland Westmerland and Northumberland Col. Barkstead For Westminster and Middlesex These Major-Generals in their respective Provinces did the Protector no small service in forcing Delinquents to pay the Decimation of their Estates which was imposed upon them by the Court for the sins of their youth he very well knowing 'T is good for Princes to have all things fat Except their subjects but beware of that Yet this new device after a while grew troublesome to the grand Projector himself who fearing they might in time eclipse his own greatness if continued brought them down again to move in an inferiour Orb. Another designe of a far different nature but for like ends with the former was about this time set on foot by the Protector to wit the re-admission of the Jews into this Nation This people indeed were sometime Gods peculiar people to whom pertained the adoption and the Glory and the Covenant and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises insomuch that Moses thus expostulates with them What Nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for But as if all this had not been sufficient it pleased God so far further to honour them that of them according to the flesh Christ came who although he were approved of God among them by miracles wonders and signs for their conviction Yet they entertained him with crucifixion uttering this direful imprecation thereupon His bloud be upon us and our
a tumultuous vvay they vvould needs compel them to alter their Militia and bring home the King The contrary Party in the House seeing violence offered them they vvith the Speaker betake themselves to the protection of the Army vvho being thus countenanced by Authority and thereby encouraged resolve upon a March for London to restore the Members of Parliament to their places and Authorities Upon the Armies approach the Citizens vvho before had made some semblance of resistance raising Forces to that purpose under Massey desire a Truce which vvas granted upon these Conditions 1. That they should desert the Parliament then sitting and the eleven impeached Members 2. That they should recal their Declaration 3. That they should relinquish the present Militia 4. That they should deliver up the Forts together vvith the Tower 5. That they should disband their Forces VVhich things being performed the Army made a triumphant passage thorow the City of London To return again to the King vve finde him not to continue long at Holmby ere Cornet Joyce vvith a Party of Horse seiseth on his Person and carries him away to the Head-quarters The Army having him now in their custody remove him from one place to another as to Royston Hatfield Causam an House of the Lord Cravens one that hath had a deep share in the sufferings of the Nobility here the Kings Children came to him vvhere they dined together But here he continued not long neither before his remove to Hampton Court vvhere being terrified vvith an Apparition of Agitators he left that place and unfortunately renders himself to Col. Hamond in the Isle of Wight vvhere he vvas secured in Carisbrook-Castle Propositions are sent to him from the Parliament but vvith little effect Provoked herewith the Houses past their Votes of Non-addresses to his Majesty and take the Government upon themselves vvhich vvas followed vvith a Declaration from the Army to stand in defence of those Votes These Actions so far discontented the people that in every place nothing could be heard but bad vvishes and vvorse threats from vvhence many did prognosticate the ensuing Summer vvould be a hot one in respect of VVars And now the Subjects of both Kingdoms vvhich before had joyned in Arms against the King begin to look upon his Estate and condition vvith commiseration blaming themselves for being instruments in bringing him into the condition he then vvas and now they petition the Parliament after the same manner that some years before they had the King in a tumultuous manner and impatient to have the grant of their desires delaid they press the Houses for a speedy redress of their present Grievances but could have no other answer but vvhat vvas delivered by the Souldiers guarding the Parliament and a Troop of Horse from the Mews these disswaded the Surry-men vvith feelling arguments from coming there any more These things made those that before seemed passive to be active the sable cloud of VVar blown by the fury of the people had now over-spread our Hemisphere vvhich Alarms the Army in all their Quarters First a considerable part of the Navy vvith Captain Batten sometimes Vice-Admiral to the Earl of Warwick desert the Parliament and put themselves under the power of Prince Charles Next the Kentish-men rise in Arms under pretence of Petitioning Laughorn Poyer and Powel seised on some strong Towns and Castles in South-Wales and declared against them Yet this vvas not all there blew a Northern blast that made many men shake Duke Hamilton a man vvho had received much of the King but deserved little rusheth in vvith an Army of Scots and joynes himself to Langdale Glemham and others of the Kings Party in the North. Upon these Risings the Parliament considers how to conjure these evil spirits down againe the Valour of their Souldiers had been tried in many Fights and Sieges before their former good successes made them confident that Victory was settled in their Scabbards and that they should no sooner draw their Swords but their enemies would fly To manage these Wars Fairfax was sent into Kent Lambert into the North there to stop as much as could be the over-flowing Torrent of Hamiltons Army who wasted the Country at pleasure wheresoever they came for Wales victorious Cromwel was designed before him as forlorn marches Col. Horton with 3000 who engaged Laughorns 8000 raw Welchmen and routed them Cromwel himself soon follows after with two Regiments of Horse and three of Foot Now we see him in the Field again to accomplish great undertakings which he did with so much facility that it rather seemed a Recreation then labour Caesar's Veni Vidi Vici may well be attributed to him who no sooner came neer an Enemy and beheld him but he overcame him and indeed his quick Marches furious Onsets and victorious Conquests came very neer Casars Atchievements The first place we finde him at in his march was Chepstow-Castle which he resolved to besiege but himself hastning to Pembrook he leaves Col. Eyre to dispatch this piece of service who accomplished it in fifteen days Cromwel on the twentieth of May comes to Pembrook Poyer being Governour of it who relying much upon the strength of the place refuseth all Conditions that are proffered to him Cromwel not being accustomed to despair of any thing that is possible applies himself to the Siege at Land Sir George Ayscough in the mean time with a Squadren of Ships cast Anchor in the Roade to forbid any succours to be carried in by Sea and as occasion served to furnish the Leaguer with great Guns and other provisions necessary Cromwel having taken a full view of the Castle and considering the strength of it makes his way by approaches and with his great Guns summons them to yeeld This course he thought the safest upon these considerations First for that by certain intelligence he was informed of the small Magazine of Provision that they had in the Town and Castle so that of necessity they must yeeld their bodies being weakned for want of sustenance would bring down their stout Stomacks Then Divisions among themselves which grew to that height at last that the Souldiers began to mutiny against their Commanders And lastly though he had Men enough to enforce them yet considering this was not the last service his Forces must go upon he would not be too prodigal of pretious blood knowing that Victory to be the cheapest which is won without blows Having thus considered of the matter he causes strict guard to be kept in his Trenches that so they might be kept in from running away This order was not long observed before Hunger had so battered down their Bellies and therewith so quell'd their courage that they desired a Parly and willingly yeelded up the Town and Castle upon quarter as to the common Souldiery but Laughorn Poyer and Powel with some other of the prime Commanders render themselves prisoners at mercy which some of them found but others were afterwards made
the Nation Col. Jones they commissionated Lieutenant-General of the Horse This being done the Souldiers march with great speed not resting above one night in a place to the Randezvous near Milford in Wales there to expect the Lord Deputy Cromwel who having dispatched his business with the Parliament began his Journey Tuesday July 10 1649. leaving London he set forward in great state himself drawn in a Coach with six Flanders Mares attended by many Members of the Parliament and Councel of State with the chiefest Officers of the Army his Life-guard consisting of eighty men which had been formerly Commanders bravely mounted and accouter'd both themselves and Servants Thus he rid to Branford where those Gentlemen that accompanied him took leave wishing a successful issue to this designe which was answered again with great respect Away he posts for Bristol to take order for the Traine of Artillery and many other businesses needful for the hastning his men on Ship-board From thence he takes his way to Wales having before sent three Regiments viz. Col. Reynolds of Horse Col. Venables and Col. Muncks of Foot these as the Vaunt-Coureurs to the Army were ship'd from Chester and the Ports thereabout who being favoured with a prosperous Gale soon arrived at the Port of Dublin where they were received with unspeakable Joy and Gladness the Citizens spared for nothing that might be a comfort to the Sea-sick Souldiers hoping that the recovery of their Health might be an enlargement of their Liberties vvho now vvere vvholly confined within the narrow compass of their City-walls They were not at all deceived in their expectation Jones his courage being much heightned by the arrival of these men novv scorned the Enemies Bravadoes and resolves upon the first opportunity by Gods blessing to remove them farther off which it was not long before he performed as appears by what follows On Tuesday August 2. 1649. the Enemy confidently draws down vvith a party of 1500 Foot besides Horse to Baggotsrold a place within one quarter of a Mile Eastward of the City upon the Sea hence they intended to run their trenches towards the City-works and thereby secure those Forts which were intended to be made towards the water to hinder the landing of supplies and succours expected from England But Jones and Reynolds with those other Commanders in the City observing the intent of the Enemy saw a necessity to interrupt them in their designe and therefore speedily drawing out twelve hundred Horse and four thousand Foot they with these quickly enter the works which the Enemy had newly raised and fell upon them with so much courage that they routed their Horse at the first charge the greatest part of the Foot were soon after cut in pieces and most of the rest taken prisoners This success so heated Jones his Men that they followed the chase to Rathmines where Ormond's Camp was and there they engaged his whole Army consisting of 19000 Men. The report of this bold Attempt quickly reached the General Ormond's Ears who then like a doughty Commander was valiantly playing at Tables in his own Tent and being told the news wished the Rebels as he called them would come that so he might have sport with them His wish he had but not the wished effect for the Tables are soon turned the sport proving very bad and bloody to Ormonds whole Army who were totally routed with a very great slaughter 4000 killed in the fight and chase 2517 prisoners taken most of them men of quality amongst the rest Ormonds own Brother All their great Guns Ammunition Provision they left behind them and withall a rich Camp to reward the valiant Souldiers who with the spoil thereof quickly clothed themselves in rich Habits and so marched into the City as it were incognito for many of the Officers knew not their own Souldiers they were grown so fine This Victory was obtained with the loss of few the number not exceeding twenty The News of this great Victory quickly reached the Lord Governour Cromwel at Milford Haven who was then shipping himself and Army August the 13 he set sail from thence with thirty two ships wherein vvas the Van of the Army on the 15 day Major-General Ireton followed after vvith the Body shipped in forty two sail Mr. Hugh Peters brought up the Reare in about twenty sail The Winds being favourable quickly brought them to Dublin where they were received vvith all the signes of Joy imaginable the great Guns ecchoed forth their vvelcome and the peoples Acclamations resounded in every street When Cromwel the now Lord Governour vvas come into the City the concourse of people being very great to see him vvhom before they had heard so much of at a convenient place he made a stand and in an humble posture having his Hat in his Hand he speaks thus to the people That as God had brought him thither in safety so he doubted not but by his Divine Providence to restore them all to their just Liberties and Proprieties and that all those whose hearts affections were real for the carrying on of the great work against the barbarom and bloody-thirsty Irish and the rest of their Adherents and Confederates for the propagating of the Gospel of Christ the establishing of Truth and Peace and restoring that bleeding Nation to its former happiness and tranquillitie should finde favour and protection from the Parliament of England and himself and withal should receive such endowments and gratuities as should be answerable to their Merits This Speech was highly applauded by the people and answer returned by many hundreds That they would live and dye with him The Army being all vvafted over the General knowing that vvithout Gods blessing his labour vvould be in vain therefore to obtain it he published a Proclamation strictly forbidding all persons under his Command to use the frequent practise of swearing cursing and drunkenness declaring a full resolution to punish with the greatest severity that the Law could inflict all those that should neglect or contemn the same This vvrought a great Reformation many taking vvarning by the punishment of some The Army being now refreshed and the Lord-Governour having settled the Affairs of the City both Military and Civil he draws the Army out of Dublin to a general Muster vvhere appeared a compleat Body of 15000 Horse and Foot out of these were drawn twelve Regiments containing in number between 9 or 1000 stout resolute Men for the present Expedition This Army being provided vvith all things necessary either for Offence or Defence drawing along vvith them a gallant traine of Artillery four vvhole Cannon and five Demy-cannons besides other Pieces useful either for a Siege or the field the Lord-Governour marches them away and quickly seats himself under the Walls of Tredagh Here he finds a most resolute enemy that vvould sooner break then bend the Governour of the Town vvas Sir Arthur Ashton vvho had formerly been Governour of Reading and Oxford in England for the King a
summons to the Town which at first was slighted but they taking a resolution to storm Commissioners were sent to treat who agreed upon Articles to deliver up the Town and march away with their Arms. The taking of this place much refreshed the Army who were tired with tempestuous weather Yet here they tarried not long but removed to Callyne a Garison of the Enemy about six miles from Kilkenny where they joyned with Ireton Reynolds and Zankey making up in all a considerable Body The chief strength of Callyne consisted in three Castles that were in the Town these the Souldiers stormed one after another and carryed them all putting all to the Sword they met with this so terrified those that kept a House about a Musquet-shot from the Town that immediately they sent to desire liberty to march away to Kilkenny which was granted When the Souldiers had sufficiently recruited their Knapsacks with the provisions taken in the Town they marched back again to Featherd by the way the two Castles of Knoctover and Bullynard were reduced presently after fell in Kiltennon Arfennon Coher and Dyndrum very considerable places in taking the latter Col. Zanckey received a shot through the hands The Lord Governour Cromwel had now wholly subjugated all places of advantage except Limerick Waterford Clonmel Galloway and Kilkenny these were strong and required much time however he resolves upon the last but considering that the strength he had would not be sufficient to carry on the designe he sent for Col. Huson to march speedily up to him with his Forces which he did and by the way took the Castle of Loughin afterwards he joyns with the Lord-Governours Army near Goram a populous Town strengthned by a strong Castle which was commanded by Col. Hammond a Kentish man to him was sent an invitation to deliver up the Castle but he trusting to the Valour of his men which were Ormonds own Regiment returned a very resolute answer thereupon the great Guns quickly roared out their perswasions which made him beat a Parley when 't was too late for no other conditions could now be obtained but these That the common Souldiers should have their lives and the Officers be disposed of as should be thought fit These sharp conditions being yeelded unto the next day Hammond his Major and the rest of the Commission-Officers all but one were shot to death and the Priest that vvas Chaplain to the Catholicks in the Regiment hanged This place being thus vvon preparations were made for the besieging of the City of Kilkenny This Garison required a more then ordinary Force to master it for besides the Souldiers of the ordinary Garison there to it had resorted all those that had yeelded upon Articles the small Castles and Towns in that County Yet this did not at all discourage Cromwel vvhose imaginations comprehended all things that vvere not impossible and he scorning that this one place though never so strong should be a dam to stop the current of his Victories March 22 1650. he dislodged the Army sending first of all a small party of Horse before upon discovery quickly after came up the Body vvithin a mile of the City there he made a stand and sent the Governour Sir Walter Butler and the Corporation a summons to deliver up the City for the use of the Parliament of England The next day an answer vvas returned but not satisfactory thereupon the approaches vvere made neer to the Wall and a Battery of three Guns planted to play upon the best place that could be to annoy the besieged and vvithal to open an entrance to the Besiegers All this vvhile they vvithin vvere not idle but perceiving where the Lord Cromwel bent his greatest strength they provide there to make the greatest opposition by raising two Retrenchments on the inside strongly pallisadoing them and placing some pieces that might play to the best advantage but above all there vvas a crew of choice men that promised much Cromwel hating delay vvhen his business required dispatch caused the Guns to play vvhich had not made fully one hundred shot before a breach vvas opened VVhile this vvas in doing Col. Ewers vvith 1000 Foot vvas ordered to endeavour the possession of one part of the City called Irish Town and the better to facilitate the enterprise Cromwel gave the signe for the Souldiers to fall into the breach which they had no sooner done but they were beaten out again with loss and so disheartned by it that the storm was left off yet for all that Col. Ewers carried the Irish Town with small loss which made satisfaction for this affront There being on the other side of the River another small Town or Suburbs to the main City it was thought fit to send eight companies of Foot to possess it which was done without any opposition The gaining of this encouraged them to endeavour to force a passage over the Bridg into the City but it proved to the same effect as at the breach before But these desperate attempts made the Governour reflect upon his condition and the rather because the Garison in Cantwel Castle whom Butler had sent for desired Passes of the Lord Cromwel to go beyond Sea to serve forraigne Princes ingaging to act nothing prejudicial to the Parliament of England which was granted them That was one thing that discouraged him but chiefly this that he must not onely defend himself but withal must be his own relief there being no Army in the field sufficient to do it and withal the longer he held out the worse it would be for him These things considered made him hearken to a Treaty which being once commenced they soon concluded to deliver up the City and Castle upon these terms 1. To deliver up the City and Castle to the Lord Cromwel with all the Arms Ammunition and publick store 2. The Inhabitants of Kilkenny to be protected in their Persons Goods and Estates from the violence of the Souldiery and they that were desirous of removal to have liberty three Months after the date of the Articles 3. The Governour Officers and Souldiers to march away with bag and baggage 4. The City to pay 2000 pounds as a gratuity to his Excellency the Lord Cromwels Army Thus was the City of Kilkenny which had been the seat of the supream Councel and the Centre where the lines of all their pernicious devices met the productions whereof had so malevolent an influence upon poor Ireland brought under obedience in six days time for no longer the Siege lasted chiefly by the industry and indefatigable pains of the Lord Cromwel who ever was a partaker with his Souldiers in their hardships and never flincht from them at any time when need required his personal valour insomuch that at many places he laid by the dignity of a great Commander to act the part of a private Souldier Here he tarried no longer a time then was requisite to settle the Affairs of the City which having done he then marched
in the bud and prevent their further increase 4. It was necessary to have a special regard to and warchful eye upon Scotland because by reason of its contiguity no Enemy could be so obnoxious to England as it and how ready they have been to lay hold on all opportunities to disturb the peace of England frequent examples testifie both of former and later times And unless that back-door were pin'd up as great mischiefs were like to be let in thereby now as ever In order therefore to their former Resolutions the Parliament provide for a war they order the Army to march Northwards to sit upon the skirts of the Scots But Sir Tho. Fairfax their General at that time being it seems not satisfied in the thing as many others likewise were not desired to be excused and laid down his Commission VVhich action of his bred consternation in most and several descants were given thereupon the Plebeian rout whose tribunal nothing of moment can pass judged the reason to be that he durst not venture to abide the gust of those Northern blasts But wise men know how much vulgar bruits are to be heeded and that notwithstanding what was said then or can be said now the trumpet of his fame shall not be put to silence nor shall Time it self be able to wipe his name into oblivion The Parliament being thus disappointed are to seek for a General to command their Army but for that they need not go far since they had then amongst them the most renowned Cromwel of whose prowess and faithfulness they had had manifold experience and who upon their request did accept of the Charge upon which they give him a Commission thereby impowering him to command all the Forces raised and to be raised in the Commonwealth of England annulling all Commissions formerly granted to the Lord Fairfax Cromwel being thus invested with power presently addresses to the vvork and in order thereunto he took his journey towards the Army in the North June 28. 1650. As he passed great demonstrations of respect were given him by the generality of the people July 4. he arrived at York attended by many great Officers of the Army No sooner vvas he entred that City but the Lord Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs gave him an invitation to a stately Dinner expressing how much they joyed in the presence of so renowned an Hero But he remembring that it was Fighting and not Feasting that he came about tarried there no longer then to order supplies for the Army and expedite their Rendezvous By this time the Committee of Estates in Scotland was alarmed insomuch that they were frighted into an Expostulation with the Parliament thinking thereby to protract time till their Levies were perfected to that end they sent a Letter to the Speaker by Col. Grey to this effect That they wondered at the report of the English Armies advance towards their Nation and that many of their Ships were seized and secured by the English contrary to the Act of Pacification in the large Treaty which provided that no acts of Hostility should be used against each other without three months warning beforehand and that those Forces which they were raising were onely for their own defence and therefore they desired to know if the Forces of England now on their march Northward were intended for Offence or Defence to guard their own borders or invade Scotland Papers of like import were also sent to the Governour of Newcastle Major Gen. Lambert and the Lord General Cromwel The Parliament answered them by a Declaration shewing the Grounds and Reasons of their Armies advance vvith the equity and necessity thereof Their Grounds and Reasons vvere these 1. For that the Scots endeavoured to seduce the people of the Commonwealth of England from their affection and duty to the Parliament and to promote the Interest of the late King under pretence of the Covenant 2. In that they took Berwick and Carlisle and put Garisons into them in the year 1648. contrary to the large Treaty in 1640. and this done by the Parliament of Scotland even whilst English Commissioners were at Edinburgh offering to endeavour the composing of all differences betwixt the Nations by a Treaty which they refused But forasmuch as every quarrel that is lawful is not necessary for in some cases injuries are to be passed by or at least to be composed by Treaty therefore they proceed to declare the Necessity also of their present Expedition which they thus grounded All reparations of the damages done by the Scots in their late Invasion have been denied to be given in a fair way by their Parliament vvhereby they have owned the vvrongs done thereby That they have a designe again to invade us which appears thus 1. In that upon the English their demanding a Treaty for satisfaction of the injuries done in their late Invasion they in express terms declared themselves enemies to this Commonwealth 2. In that although they could not claim to themselves any Authority or Dominion over us yet in Scotland they proclaimed Charles Stuart to be King of England and Ireland and since that promised to assist him against this Commonwealth 3. In that vvhen upon preparation in Scotland for Hamiltons Invasion of England the Parliament of England sent Commissioners to treat of an Accommodation to prevent effusion of bloud they declined the Treaty and in stead thereof an Army speedily marcheth into England 4. In that they declared against the English Parliament and Army as Sectaries ranking them vvith Malignants and Papists These provocations being intolerable and no satisfaction being to be had but vvhat the Sword must procure the Parliament resolve upon that course vvhereby seeing no other expedient could effect it to vindicate the Nations honour and to secure it against the like insolencies for the time to come This Declaration was quickly seconded by another from the Lord General and his Army which they directed to the well-affected in Scotland and was to this effect That they being to advance into Scotland for the ends expressed in the Parliaments Declaration of June 26. they considering the practices of some in that Kingdom whose designes are by unjust reproaches and false slanders to make the Army odious and render them to be rather monsters then men Therefore to clear themselves they could do no otherwise then re-minde them of their behaviour when they were before in Scotland what injury or wrong was then done either to the persons houses or goods of any considering this it was hoped that such their former demeanour would not be forgotten nor the present reports affright the people from their habitations To satisfie them further the Lord General and the Army declared from the integrity of their hearts That such of the Gentry and Commonalty as inhabit where the Army may come they being none of those who by their counsels laid the foundation of a second Invasion or closed with him who hath endeavoured to engage forraign Princes against
they went about to starve him Even so these State-Doctors dieted this poor Prince for some time feeding him with hopes and expectations of his desire and then at last give him no more but onely a Nut without the Kernel a Crown without a Kingdom so that his Commands were presently countermanded by a stronger and made invalid by General Cromwels sword who never left hunting him from place to place till at last he was forc'd to flee into Flanders for shelter where he now remains The Lord General Cromwel having given this deadly blow at Worcester September 3. 1651. which laid the Scots hopes low in the dust and thereby raised to himself a full assurance of the security of all his former Conquests tarried no longer in that City then to see the Walls of it levelled to the ground and the Dikes fill'd with Earth that so the disaffection of the inhabitants might be bridled from attempting to secure any future Enemy And now leaving this Golgotha he hastened away to offer his victorious Palms at the Parliaments feet Accordingly September 12. approaching neer to London the Speaker with the Members of Parliament and the Lord President of the Council of State with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and some hundreds more of Quality met him with demonstrations of extream affection to congratulate all his Noble Atchievements and Worthy Exploits here they comment on his Valour making large notes on his Victories the more because he had done much in a small time bringing that about in fifteen Months which was rather judged to be the work of so many years having in this time quite dispelled those Vapours fearful to the Parliament which were exhaled by the Rayes of Regality and once more made the serenity of Peace to shine in our Hemisphere Thus the Lord General was received in Triumph having before sent his Trophies the Scotch Prisoners with great acclamations and conducted to his house neer White-hall And after some small repose there he and his valiant Lieutenant-General went to take up their places in the Parliament where the Speaker in a congratulatory Oration acknowledged the Obligation of the State to them for their indefatigable industry The same day the Lord Mayor of London to compleat the rejoycing and shew his gratitude in behalf of the City feasted the General and his chief Officers This being ended with mutual returns of thanks the Lord General took his leave and returned back again to consider what was farther to be done for the settlement of the nation This is his next Work And what he did in order to the accomplishing thereof we now come to shew The End of His Personal Wars HIS ACTIONS In the PROTECTORSHIP THE English Nation having by a Civil War banished Monarchy with an Exit Tyrannus presently institute an Oligarchy which to give them their due acted in their Infancy like Hercules in the Cradle stifling all those Serpents that offered to hiss against their Authority and with such vigor prosecuted they their designes that both Ireland and Scotland were inforc't to yeild obedience to their commands The Authority of this Power being thus miraculously extended it grew at length dreadful to the neighbouring Nations especially the Dutch a people who of all others were most sensible of the growing greatness of the English Commonwealth they knowing full well that two neighbouring States of equal greatness could never long agree being still jealous of each others actions which jealousie causing misconstruction would at last break forth into open hostility Examples are frequent in this kinde Rome and Carthage so long contended till the one was ended They first fell out about the Island of Sicily and so by degrees this fewd extended it self through all those Nations where either side had any dominion But at last a peace being patched up it continued until the second Punick War wherein Carthage was made a Puny indeed and brought under subjection to Rome Another Example we have in that most noble Republick Venice whose first Founders being hunted by the barbarous Huns out of Italy were fain to shelter themselves by flying unto some little barren Islands which lay in the Adriatick Gulph where necessity putting an edge upon industry caused these people to begin an admirable Structure which since hath been increased to such a magnitude and splendor that it may well be termed The Worlds Wonder for the excellent Architecture multitude of Bridges rare Arsenal or Magazine but above all the Policie of this State far surpasseth all others in Government and may well be a pattern for direction and imitation to any people in the world Venice thus gradually ascending to eminency grew so great as to challenge the superiority over all the watry Element about it as well it might being situate therein and therefore Neptunes Minion This City being on one side of Italy on the other side lay Genoa situate neer the feet of the Apennine Hills a Commonwealth too and therefore aspiring high grew emulous of the Venetians greatness which made those two Republikes grow at enmity The first occasion of their falling out was about a Church allowed them both for exercise of Divine Service in Ptolemais commonly called Acoe in Syria this Church being too little to hold both people of such great spirits there grew a hot Dispute whose it should be which came to this issue That it must be theirs that could get possession which prov'd to be the Genoeses who to maintain their Mass armed the Church with Fortifications not for example to after-Ages and so kept it wholly to their own Use Thus began the Quarrel which continued for many years chiefly by Sea till at last the Genoeses received such dangerous shot betwixt winde and water that they were fain to cry Quarter and ever since vail to Venice acknowledging it their superiour Even so was it between these two mighty Republikes England and the United Provinces The Dutch fearing that current of Traffick would be stopped which they had so long enjoyed by reason of Englands Domestick and Forreign Wars themselves mean while having Peace with all Nations except Portugal whereby they increasing their Trade by an un-interrupted fishing in the British Seas and still greedy in their unsatiable appetite of ingrossing all to themselves without either Right or Reason grew at last highly conceited of their own abilities both as to Policy and Power Their Policy was seen in giving assistance to the Enemies of the English Parliament whilst in the mean time their Embassadors tickled the Council of State and Parliament into a belief of their Masters real affections and hearty wishes for their prosperity But these unworthy actions being privately suspected it was not long before they were publikely detected This put the Dutch to their Trumps and made them arm out a considerable Navy to execute a designe upon the Isle of Scilly which then was in possession of the Scotch Kings Forces But the Council of State in England having timely notice of this project