obedience The King fummons his Privy Councel who conclude a Parliament to be called the 13 of April 1640 and for the present each of the Councel except Hamleton who pretended poverty subscribed large Contributions for the carrying on of the war untill such time as the Parliament should convene which was a leading card for the rest of the Nobility the Judges and others The Scots being informed of the Kings Preparation for a war sent the Lord Dunferling Lord Louden Sir Will. Douglas and M. Markham as Commissioners to represent the affaires of their transactions which were friendly received by the King and he well hoped that all differences might be composed with lenity and gentlenesse but it could not possibly be for during the treaty most of the Nobility that wisht well to the Kings interest in Scotland are imprisoned procured old souldiers out of Holland made divers fortifications required ayd of the King of France and by colouring their designes with the pretence for Religion and the cause of God they had gained a very strong party here in England By this time Episcopacy was totally extirpated in Scotland and the Presbyterian Contagion began to reigne here in England The Bishop of Canterbury a man learned pious and devout though unseasonably zealous was by the vulgar lookt upon as a great freind and favourer of Popery by reviving ancient Ceremonies in the Church and service of God which gave great occasion of discontent to the more precise and godly party On the 13 of Aprill 1640. the Parliament began and were composed for the most part of persons of Honour affectionate to Religion and their Country onely some sew violent restlesse spirited men that endeavoured to represent all the transactions of the King in the most ugly colours The King laid before them the treacherons designs of the Scots and demands 12 subsidies Mr. Pim and divers other members made long speeches reciting the greivances both of Church and State which were very many for it is with Government both Ecclesiasticall Civil as it is with watches that how good and excellent soever they be length of time disorders them they urge that there was never more need of redressing grievances and that would be the onely way to procure the Subsidies required The King promised to redresse the grievances afterward The King seeing them very backward concerning the Subsidies which his pressing necessities call'd for on the sift of May came into the House and dissolv'd the Parliament using Civill Language protesting that he would governe as much according to Law as if a Parliament were constantly sitting yet Mr Bellosis and Sir John Hotham were committed for speeches a small time and Mr Crew Chaireman to the Committee for Ministers was committed to the Tower for refusing to discover some Petitions presented to the Parliament The Convocation now sitting had formed an Oath for maintaining their Hierarchy as the Scots on the other side had Covenanted for the destruction of Episcopacy for which they were much blamed by many good men They likewise granted a large Contribution of 45. in the pound for six years to be assest on all the Clergy of England toward the carrying on of the Scotch war which was lookt upon as Illegall being without consent of Parliament And now the English in Imitation of the Scots began in a rude manner to assault the Archbishop of Canterbury as they did the Archbishop of St Andrews conceiving him to be the onely man that advised the King to break up the Parliament and on Munday the 16 of May 1640. a great number of rude disorderd persons meet together and goe to his house at Lambeth beset it but he being forewarned had sufficiently provided for his own safety Some of the principall were apprehended and committed to the White Lyon in Southwarke which not long after was violently by the multitude broke open and the prisoners discharge One of the Principall Riag-leaders was afterwards apprehended and condemned to be hang'd drawn and quartered to terrifie the rest The King being in want applyes himselfe to the City for supply but they being discontented at the last dissolution pretend poverty a likely thing after so many yeares of peace plenty and prosperity as they had enjoyed under his Government besides they are a little troubled at the questioning of their London-Dery Lands in Ireland by the Star-Chamber They Gentry were generally more free and afforded large Contributions by which meanes the Army began to Muster the Earle of Northumberland was appointed Generall and the Earle of Strafford Lievtenant Generall but both being indispos'd in health the King resolved to goe himselfe in person In July 1640. The Queene was delivered of a Son who was baptized Henry August 20. 1640. The King advances toward the North the Army having rendevouzed some dayes before whether being come he was informed of the sad disaster of a defeate given by Lessly to 1200 Horse and 3000 foote under the Command of the Lord Conway who were lest to secure the passe over the River Tine nere Nuburne as likewise Sir Jacob Astley Governour of Newcastle quit the Towne after he had sunck all the Ordinance as being no way tenable By this time the Earle of Strafford was recover'd and came to his command much troubled at my Lord Conways loss which Conway stoutly alledg'd was neither through neglect nor oversight Yet notwithstanding the Covenanters had a Check in their own Country Lesley having left some superfluous Ordnance at Dounse which the Garrison of Warwick being advertised of adventure forth and did seaze them which allarum'd the Earle of Haddington who with 2000 horse and foote pursue and with a very sharp Encounter rescue them which were carried back to Duglasse The Earle being at dinner the next day with diverse Knights and Gentlemen in a roome over the Magazine of Powder in the midst of their mirth they were suddenly blowne up whether by easualty or on purpose it was not known In September following the King was at Yorke presented with a Petition subscribed by eleven of the English Nobility To which he made Answer as followeth Before the receipt of your Petition his Majesty well foresaw the danger that threatens himselfe and Crowne and therefore resolveth the twenty-fourth of this moneth to summon all the Peeres and with them to consult what in this case is fittest to be done for his own honour and safety of the Kingdome where they with the rest may offer any thing that may conduce to these ends And accordingly they were by Writs from the Lord Keeper summoned to attend the 24 of September Great were the sufferings at that time of the Northerne Counties for Lesley the Scots Generall had imposed a tax of 350 l. per diem on the Bishoprick of Durham and 300 l. per diem on Northumberland on penalty of plundering and likewise seaz diverse English Ships laden with Corne in Newcastle Road as lawfull prize On the 24 of September the Lords assembled at Yorke
with part of the Army marches Westward who after he had soundly batterd the Castle at the Devizes forc't it to be surrendred and not many dayes after he comes before Winchester and summons it which was on honourable Conditions surrenderd He immediately marches to Basing-House which for a time had been besieged but to no purpose and having summon'd it he on refusall resolv'd to storme it by which meanes he got it The General was now before Tiverton and had raised severall Batteries by which meanes he gained the Towne In October 1645. Langford-House was delivered up to Lieutenant General Cromwell The General approaches neere Exceter October 20. 1645. summons it and received a flat deniall it was for sometime besieged but by reason the King had a body moving up down it was twice deserted onely a party left to surround it upon the Armies returne from the West after it was storm'd was delivered up on Articles He likewise summons Dartmouth on refusall took it by storme A great defeate was given to Hopton at Torrington who not long after was forced to disband his Army in the West Sir Marmaduke Langdale received a great defeate neare Sherburne In March Ashbe de la zouch was surrendred to the Parliaments forces In the same Moneth Prince Charles set saile for Scilly with diverse Lords and Gentlemen Other Garrisons as Westchester Barnstable St Michaels Mount Ruthen Castle Woodstock together with diverse other Garrisons were delivered up to the Parliament The Scots Army was at that time besieging New-wark with the assistance of some York-shire Horse There was not at that time a Towne or Castle in England but what was either besieged or blockt up by the Parliaments forces The Commons Vote the Committee of Darby-House to take care to besiege Oxford and accordingly the Generall having secured the West returnes with intent to besiege it which at that time was the Kings Royall seate The King Causes a Muster of Horse which in all amounted to 1100 Horse and Dragoones great care is taken to make good the Workes and to repaire what ever is amisse The Towne being besieged the King offers to come to the two Houses upon assurance of the safety of his person and to advise with them for the good and safety of the Kingdome Provided all that have adhered to his Majesty may have Liberty to goe to their own homes in safety their sequestrations to be taken off upon these conditions his Majesty is willing to disband all his Souldiers and dismantle his Garrisons passe an act of oblivion and free pardon to all These Propositions the Parliament would by no meanes consent unto they having him at that advantage The King seeing no hopes on the 27 of Aprill 1646. in disguise came out of Oxford attended by Mr John Ashburnham and one more severall conjectures past which way he should goe The Parliament being mis-inform'd that he was come to London Order that Proclamation be made that whosoever shall conceale his Majesty shall dye as a traytor and forfeit his estate On the sixt of May 1646. His Majesty came to the Scots Army and had cast himselfe upon them which occasioned the Scotch Commissioners to write to the Parliament that contrary to their expectation the King was come to their Army ingaging to stand for the Interest of the Kingdome The Commons Vote that his Majesties person be disposed of as both Houses shall desire and direct and that he be sent to Warwick Castle Upon the Kings desire to the Governour Newark was deliver'd up to the English The Scots marcht away to Rippon with the King The Parliament seeing the King was got into the Scots possession sent a Letter to the Prince of Wales then in Gersie to invite him to come to London with promise of Honour and safety but he durst not venter The siege before Oxford being more close then formerly the Generall sent a summons to Sir Thomas Glenham the Governour who sent a civill answer with a request that Sir John Minson and Mr Philip Warwick may informe his Excellency in order to a Treaty and accordingly on Articles it was surrendred on Honourable tearmes The 19 of May the Scots Army came with the King to Newcastle the reason of their retreating Northward was for feare that Sir Thomas Fairfax should have falne on them and compeld them to deliver up the King A great dispute was at Newcastle betwixt the King and Mr Alexander Henderson which was since published Divers Propositions were presented to the King by the Commissioners from the Parliament who were the Earle of Pembrooke Earle of Suffolke Sir Walter Earle Sir John Ipsley Mr Goodwin and Mr Robinson who came to Newcastle the 27 of July and ordered to return in ten dayes the next day the Propositions were presented and his Majesty promised an answer within the time but withall told them that if they had not power to treate they might as well have sent a Trumpet at the reading of the Propositions his Majesty protested he would never give away his Crowne and Militia and further told Mr Marshall he could not in Conscience signe some things therein required His Majesty gave the Commissioners in a Paper which not being satisfactory they returne to London The Scots likewise petition him to take the Covenant and likewise they set out a Declaration of their Intentions for the good of both Kingdomes Litchsield Worcester and Wallingford were all deliver'd on Articles In July 1646. Prince Rupert went for France and Prince Maurice for the Hague where they both safely arrived The Duke of York came for London and was Honourably received by the Nobility His Majesty wrote four times to Montrosse at the Scots Commissioners request to lay downe his Armes In August 1646. the Commons order the Presbytenan Government to be settled in London In the same Moneth the Commons caused the Great Seale to be broken in the Lords House The 14 of September 1646. dyed the Noble Earle of Essex of an Appoplexie a man truly faithfull to the Interest of his Country The House having respect to his former service Voted 3000 l. to be given toward his funerall Mr. Vines preached his funerall Sermon he was Honourably attended to his Grave not without much Lamentation Upon the Kings refusall of the Propositions the Scots sent Commissioners to the Parliament to desire an agreement betwixt them Pendennis and Ragland Castle are in August surrendred The Scots Commissioners demand 500000 l. upon the payment of which they offer to deliver up the King And accordingly it was Voted by the House to deliver 200000 l. then borrowed of the Citizens of London and raised out of the saile of the Bishops Lands together with the assistance of the Excize and 200000 l. more secured to them to be payd at severall times October the 8th 1646. the House Votes to every Member 1000 l. a piece in recompence of their Good service and that so many as are Lawyers may have Liberty to plead within the
to Next he took care for the solemne Interring of the Royall Corps which on the 14 of May was performed with all funerall Rites his Statue was lively presented on a magnificent Heare King Charles being present thereat His funerall Sermon was preached by Dr Williams Lord Keeper and Bishop of Lincolne King James by his death had intailed a war and an empty Exchequer upon his Successour which in all humane probability was the occasion of the great differences and vast breaches betwixt him and the people The King though much possest with griefe yet there remained some part for love he had still an eye toward France and to manifest it he sent out Letters of procuration to the Duke Chevereux to Espouse the Lady Heneretta Maria which Espousalls were solemnly performed in the Church of Nostredam in Paris The Bride prepares for England the Duke of Buckingham and the Earle of Montgomery with divers other Gentlemen of quality were sent to attend her At Bulloigne she was attended with one and twenty Ships and divers Ladies of Honour and on Sunday the 12 of Jane 1625. she landed at Dover the King then lay at Canterbury and the next day met her at Dover whence with all solemnity she was conducted to Somerset-House in London where a Chappel was prepared for her devotion with a Covent adjoyning of Capuchin Fryers according to the Articles of Marriage London at that time was much visited with the Contagion which broke out under the same roof that it formerly did at King James his Initiation into the Government and that which is more remarkable on the same day The King was not altogether Rapt up with the enjoyment of his deare Consort but he was mindfull of the affaires of State summons a Parliament which being met he speaks to this purpose My Lords and Gentlemen You are not ignorant that at your carnest Intreaty March 23d 1623. my Father of happy memory first took up Arms for the recovery of the Palatinate for which purpose by your assistance he began to forme a considerable Army and to prepare a Goodly Armado and Royall Navy but death intervening between him and the atchievement the war with the Crowne is divolved upon me to the prosecution whereof I am obliged both in nature and Honour so I question not but the same necessity continuing you 'le cherish the Action with the like affection and further it with a ready contribution True it is you furnished my father with affectionate supplyes but they hold no simmetry proportīo with the Charge of so great an enterprize for those your donatives are all disburst to a penny and I am inforc't to summon you hither to tell you that neither can the Army advance nor the Fleete set forth without further ayd Consider I pray you the eyes of all Europe are defixt upon me to whom I shall appeare ridiculous as though I were unable to out goe Muster and Ostentation if you now desert me Consider it is my first attempt wherein if I sustaine a foyle it will blemish all my future Honour If mine cannot let your own reputation move you deliver and expedite me fairely out of this warre wherewith you have encumbred let it never be said wherein you have betraid me I desire therefore your speedy supply speedy I call it for else it will prove no supply the Sunne you know is entring into his declining point so it will be soone too late to set forth when it shall be rather too soone to returne Againe I must mind you of the mortality now Regnant in the City which should it as so it may and no breach of proviledge neither arrest any one member of either House it would soone put a period both to consultation and session so that your own periclitation necessitates an early resolution In summe three of the best Rhetoricians Honour Oportunity and Safety are all of a plot and plead you see for expedition Perhaps it may be expected I should say something in way of account of my Religion as also of the temper and tenure of my future Government but as I hope I have not been guilty of any thing which may justly start the least question in either so I desire you will repose in this assurance that I will in neither vary from those principles wherein I have been instituted at the feete of that eminent Gamaliel my late Father Which being ended he valed his Crowne This Speech I set downe at large it being the first and I think not Inferiour to any for Rhetorick Though this Speech consisted of very pressing Arguments yet the Parliament made but slow hast for they had two Petitions one for Religion the other for Grievances which were presented to King James the last Session but received no answer which Petitions were presented to the King with this pretence that he might have time to consider and give a deliberate answer To the Petition for Religion his Majesty promised very faire but to the Petition for Grievances his Majesty gave very many satisfactory Answers he caused the Accounts of the severall disbursments relating to the Army and Navy to be delivered in to the Parliament which wrought such good effect that they gave him freely two Subsidies from Protestants four from Papists and three from the Clergy The King taking notice of the small appearance in the House by reason of the Infection Adjourn'd the Parliament to Oxford and the first of August the Parliament met at Oxford where they presented his Majesty a Petition against Recusants which the King readily and freely assented to The King urgeth the speedy Contributions which caused great debates some were very free and willing others were backward and pretended the businesse was managed with green heads speaking very unworthily of the Duke the greater part that refused resolved upon a Remonstrance the King being informed of it and fearing the distemper would grow too high dissolves the Parliament In September the States of Holland send over an Ambassadour to request a League offensive and defensive against their common enemies the Emperour and the King of Spaine which the King consented to on condition they would bear a fourth part of the charge of the Fleet Buckingham and Holland are sent over into the Low Countryes to advise with the Ambassadours of severall Princes about the restauration of the Kings sister but they were disappointed for the Danes denied ability the French unwilling upon their returne came the sad newes of the ill successe of our Fleete who put out the 8 of October and by the 12. were dissipated by reason of a furious storme which was so violent that 50 ships of 80 were missing for some time the storme being over a Councell was called and concluded to annoy the Ships in Gades Bay but finding it difficult by reason of a Fort just before it orders were issued out to cleere it or secure it in order to the designe but finding it Impregnable by Sea they conclude to
which they answer'd with a Petition moving him to accord with his two Houses they likewise set out a Declaration for the safety of Hull promising satisfaction for all damages sustained On the 11 of June 1642. The Parliament Vote that an Army shall be raised for the defence of King and Parliament and the Earle of Essex to be Generall The King according to his former Intentions with an Army of 3000 foote and 1000 horse Intends to besiege Hull by Land and made Proclamation that none on paine of death carry any provisions into Hull Hotham being Inform'd of the Kings advance summons a Councell of War which resolve to hold the King play with their Ordinance till the tide came in and then to draw up their sluces which accordingly was performed with much damage to the Kings Souldiers Hotham likewise sends to the Parliament requiring 500 men for the safety of the Towne and provisions Upon which by command of the Parliament Drums are beaten p in London and other adjacent Counties for Volunteers to goe immediatly to Hull and within a week 500 men and more were sent by Sea under the command of Sir John Meldram to assist Sir John Hotham The King calls a Councell and resolves to break up the siege By this time the Earle of Warwick was possest of most of the Fleete for the service of the Parliament and they were in a considerable way to raise an Army by the assistance of that mass of money and plate that was brought in for it is almost Incredible with what zeale and affection by the Ministers perswasions the people were willing to be rid of their Treasure every one vying who should contribute most nay the women and maidens spared not their Rings Thimbles and Bodkins for the advancement of the cause The Earle of Essex with much prudence raiseth a considerable body of horse and foote The Earle of Bedford was Voted to be Generall of the Horse Collonell Goring eldest Son to the Lord Goring was sent down to Portsmouth by the Parliament but suddenly he declares for the King The King being return'd to York summons the Gentry and requires their assistance for the raising of a Regiment for the Princes Guard to be commanded by the Earle of Cumberland The Parliament declare against the Commission of Array Vote it Illegall on the other side the King being Inform'd of the Earle of Essex his raising an Army proclaimes hm a Rebell and a Traytor to the King and his Crowne and that all Collonells and other Officers under his Command that shall not Instantly lay downe their Armes are Guilty of High Treason And likewise Commands the Marquesse of Hartford to raise what Forces he could to suppresse him Great was the Contest almost in every County betwixt the Parliament Commissioners and the Commissioners of Array In some Counties the Kings party prevailed in others the Parliaments London the Great Metropolis was not exempted for Sir Richard Gurney then Lord Major was committed to the Tower for causing the Kings Commission of Array to be read and was by the Lords deprived of his Majoralty never to beare Office in City or Common-wealth and to continue prisoner during the pleasure of the House The King being at York publisheth a Grand Declaration of all the proceedings from the beginning of this Parliament to this present time concluding with a solemn Protestation of his affections to Parliaments and the peace and happiness of the Kingdome and within few dayes sends a Message to the Parliament taxing them with borrowing 100000 l. out of the Adventures money for the reliefe of Ireland to which they returne a speedy answer The King in person moveth from place to place On the 22 of July he made a Speech to the Gentry in Leicestershire on the 4th of August to the Gentry in Yorkshire and that war might not want its solemnity on the 20 of August he sets up his Standard Royall at Nottingham and by Proclamation requires the ayd and assistance of all his Subjects on the North side Trent and within twenty miles Southward thereof for his just defence and that whosoever shall supply him with money and plate he as God shall enable him will repay and reward accordin gto the measure of their love and affection to him and their Country On the 25 of August 1642. from Nottingham the King sends a Message to both Houses by the Earles of Southampton and Dorset and Sir John Culpepper for a treaty of peace and that an equall number may be chosen to meet where they should appoint that there may if possible be an accommodation out of a deep sense of the Calamities that attend the Kingdome To which they answer That untill he recalls that Proclamation which proclaimes them Rebells and takes down his Standard they will by no meanes heare of it To which he replyes That to remove all scruples that may hinder the Treaty by him so much desired so that a day be appointed by the Parliament for revoking their Declarations against all persons as traytors assisting him he will with all chearfulness on the same day recall his Proclamations and take down his Standard and likewise promised to grant any thing that should be for the good of his subjects assuring them that his greatest desire was to get a right understanding To which they humbly answer and petition that his Majesty would take down his Standard withdraw his Declarations and leave his Forces and returne to the Parliament and receive their faithfull advice of whose reall affection he need not to doubt Within few dayes the King sends a second reply That he could neither doe nor offer any more then he had already and that he should think himselfe cleare fromany blood that might be spilt in this quarrell The Parliament give encouragement to the well affected that what moneys they should lend should be satisfied out of Delinquents estates and declare that whosoever shall returne from the King to the Parliament within ten dayes shall be pardoned excepting the Duke of Richmond the Earles of Newcastle Cumberland Bristoll Rivers and Carnarvan Mr. Edward Hide Endimion Porter Secretary Nicholas Vicount New-wark Vicount Haltland The Parliament being Inform'd that the Queen was soliciting the States of Holland to contribute Armes and Ammunition for the King send Mr. Walter Strickland a Member of the House over into Holland with Credentiall Letters They likewise drew up a Declaration to the States of Holland to satisfie them of their whole proceedings Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice in September arrive in England and offer their service to their Uncle who were immediatly put into Command Prince Rupert with a small body of Horse flew up and downe through diverse Counties and gained a considerable body together The King himself moves though with a slower pace and had gotten a great number together marches to Shrewsbury a place of great concernment as being the Inlet to Wales where he orders a Mint to melt down the plate which
was largely contributed by the Gentry and offers the Crowne Lands in Morgage to ease the Country of the burthen of taxes and free Quarter The Earle of Lindsey is chosen Generall for the King and the Generall Rendevouz of his Forces was appointed at York The Earle of Essex Generall for the Parliament appointed a Rendevouz of all the Parliament Forces at Northampton being about 20000 Horse and foote who gave stirct Charge to restraine all prophaness and disorders in their Army He divided his Army into severall bodyes to prevent the Roving of Prince Rupert and to find out the King from Northampton he marches to Coventry thence to Warwick Worcester was possest by Sir John Byron a skirmish happened betwixt Prince Rupert and Mr. Fines Collonell Sands Captain Hales and others Thus the Prince came out of Worcester into a greene Meadow resolv'd to fight those he could first meete withall The passage to the Meadow was narrow Collonell Sands being over-valiant Charg'd with his Regiment before the rest could come up both sides being equall in number fought with Great resolution but the prince fearing the Generalls approach retired into Worcester though with some loss in the Reare being pursued through the Towne by the Parliaments Forces Collonell Sands and Sergeant Major Duglaas were slaine at the first Charge There was found dead in all thirteen person The Prince marcht immediately to Ludlow and the King with some horse marcheth into Wales and made a Speech full of protestations to the Gentry of Denbighshire and Flintshire and returnes to Shrewsbury where his strength much increased being 16000 foote and 5000 Horse and Dragoones Both Armies think of providing winter Quarters Collonell Essex with two Regiments of foote is appointed Governour of Glocester but not long after was order'd to Bristoll The towne being divided and hearing of his coming began to mutiny but he had a party which opened the gates to him in the night and surpriz'd the Mutiners Upon Essex Removall from Glocester Collonell Massey was appointed Governour The Earle of Essex sends horse and soote to the Lord Wharton to make a body to prevent the Cavaliers going to Wollverhampton The King being at Shrewsbury summons the County to bring horse and carts for his removall who marches neer Coventry and that night lay at Southam The King so exceedingly increased in strength that he caused feare in those at London who order all the trained bands of London and the adjacent Counties to be in readiness and to set up Posts and Chaines in all the passages into the City and order twelve Companies out of London for the security of Windsor Castle The Parliament Vote that it was and should be lawfull for all Counties in England to enter into a mutuall association for the defence each of other The danger that the Parliament apprehended was reall for the King had gotten between the Earle of Essex and London and they conjectur'd it more fesable forhim to attempt London then fight the Army Yorkshire at that time abounded with Cavaliers commanded by the Earle of Cumberland Sir Francis Wortley Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Thomas Glenham In Cornwall there was a considerable strength for the King who were commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton In Wales they began to body besides the Army the King Commanded and a great body of horse commanded by Prince Rupert The King with an Army of 14000 foote and 4000 Horse and Dragoones came on Saturday the 22 of October within six miles of Keynton and quarter'd his Army at Crepeda and Edghill The Earle of Essex quarter'd at Keinton with his Army On Sunday the 28. both Armies draw up in a body The King having the advantage of a high hill called Edg Hill at the foote of which was a vale call'd the Vale of the red horse where Essex his Army was drawne up upon a Rising Ground in Battalia three Regiments of horse on the right wing commanded by Sir Philip Stapleton Sir William Belford and the Lord Fielding Sir John Meldram commanded the Van the Generall Collonell Hollis and the Lord Brooks in the Reare on the left wing twenty Troops of Horse commanded by Sir James Ramsey The Earle of Lindsey was Generall for the King but the Battaile was order'd by the Lord Ruthen Earle of Forth The Generall on foote led on the maine body of the Army with a pike in his hand The Earle of Essex shewed personall Valour till he was disswaded not to expose himselfe to danger and so retir'd to the body The Forlorn on the Kings side was commanded by Major Backstake and Captain Hamond who being come downe to the bottom of the hill charg'd the Parliaments Forlorn which was no sooner done but the Kings Canons began to play Prince Rupert Generall of the Horse Commanded the Right wing Charg'd furiously the Left wing of Essex his Army and Routed them pursuing them to Keinton Towne tooke the Carriages the Earles Waggons and Cloak-bag being too Eager of the plunder The Earle of Lindsey being too adventurous was kil'd and by reason of the absence of Prince Rupert the maine body of the Kings was assaulted with great fury and his Standard taken Sir Edmund Varney the Standard-bearer being kil'd which was afterwards retaken by an unknown person and convey'd away The foote on both sides Charge with equall Valour untill the night came on which parted the fight Both Armies continue in the field all night and the next day the King made Proclamation of pardon to such as would lay down their armes and submit The Victory was much disputed both sides returning thanks to God for Victory Indeed there was reall signes of Victory on both sides by the taking of Colours and Canons of equall number And although the Parliament lost more men yet the King lost more men of quality The number of the slaine was computed to be between five and six thousand The Kings Army drew off toward Keinton and the Earle of Essex withdrew toward Warwick In Examining the Earle of Essex his Cabinet they discover'd one Blake that attended the King to be Treacherous by holding a Correspondency who was immediatly condemn'd by a Councell of War and hang'd in the high way On the Parliaments side were slain of note the Lord St John Collonell Ch. Essex Lieutenant Collonell Ramsey The Parliament take care to recruite their Army by giving Liberty to apprentices to serve their time in the war which occasion'd very many to leave their trades and repaire thither They likewise solicite the Scots to raise and Army for their own defence The King on the other side sends a Declaration to his Councell in Scotland Stating the quarrell betwixt him and his Parliament requiring their assistance The King and Prince Rupert repaire neer London with a flying Army which occasioned the Parliament to provide for their own safety The Earle of Essex likewise drew neer to the City quartering his men at Acton and the places adjoyning The Kings Artiffery with some Troopes of Horse