Our Generall with a Letter of the taking of Waymer Castle in Kent took his oppertunity and carried it into Colchester to the Lord Goring and took up arms there Friday 14. The new Battery being raised against St. Iohns from the Lord Lucas house 2 pieces of Canon plaid thence made a breach in the wall The Souldiers entred fell on immediately drove the Besieged out of the first Court-yard into the second thence into the Gatehouse and the same day a strong party of Horse Foot fell upon the Hieth stormed the Church took all the Guard therein prisoners being about 70. and that night we possest our selves of the Hieth a great part of the Suburbs which much troubled the Besieged the Suffolk Foot did well in this service Saturday 15. The Gate-house being a place very considerable mighty advantagious for us Our Generall resolved to storm the same though it had a strong work before it whereupon 6 Souldiers for 3 shillings a piece undertook to throw in Granadoes and 20 men to carry Ladders for half a Crown a piece a Commanded party of Foot to storm led on by Major Bescoe which accordingly they did as soon as 8 peice of Canon had given fire upon the Besieged and the Granadoes did great execution the Ladders were placed with much advantage the Besieged much dismaied forced to quit ther works flie into the Gate-house one Granadoe kindled their Magazin and blew up many of the Besieged the rest were taken prisoners and slain the prisoners confest they were above a hundred in the Gate-house work and few of them could escape 13 at one place were pulled out the next day from under the Rubbish This night the Besieged indeavoured to escape with their horse Commanded by Sir Bernard Gascoign and past the River between the North-bridge middle Mill and had the Miller for their Guide but the Miller when he came in t othe Closes ran away and the Pioneers after him and our Centinels giving fire the Besieged retreated The Suburbs was Fired in 6 or 7 places which burnt in a most-dreadfull manner all night long that the Town might be seen almost as well by night as by day so great was the flame And on Sunday the 16. other Streets were set on fire with design to consume the whole Suburbs but by the industry of the Inhabitants Souldiers it was prevented This day our Generall had certain Intelligence That an Army of Scots under Duke Hamilton had invaded the Kingdom joyned the Cavaliers under Langdale Sunday 16. Our Generall sent a Summons again to Surrender the Town The Lord Goring Lord Capell Sir Charles Lucas joyntly returned Answer in writing under their hands to our Generall That if the Trumpeter came any more with such a Summons they would hand him up The Conditions then offered to the Souldiers was Liberty and Passes to go to their severall homes submitting to the Authority of Parliament Munday 17. Again more houses were fired towards the North street other places This day our Generall had certain News brought him of the Surrender of Pembrook Town Castle Langhorn and Poyer submitting their lives to mercy Tuesday 18. Their Horse again attempted to break through towards the North but were beaten in again Wednesday 19. Seventeen of the Besieged this day came over to us and their Horse were all drawn this day into the Castle-yard a certain number out of every Troop was chosen to be killed and there were told in the Castle Baily 700 horse belonging to the Souldiers Thursday 20. They killed their horses one Butcher ran away rather than he would do it The Besieged at night drew out their Horse at 12 of the clock and afterwards at 2 of the clock in the morning to escape but our men were in such readiness they durst not advance Friday 21. News came of Captain Batten's Revolt to the Revolted Ships deserting the Parliament and turning to the King Saturday 22. Severall Souldiers ran from the Besieged much complaining of their Diet in horse-flesh a Trumpeter was this day sent in again to expedite the Exchange of Sir Willm. Massam for Mr. Ashburnham but the Besieged refused it as also to admit of the exchange of the rest of the Committee though they had Gentlemen of very good rank offered for them quality for quality in exchange Sunday 23. The Besieged roasted a horse near the North-bridge to make the Souldiers merry at the entrance into such Diet this day our Generall had Intelligence of Col. Lamberts engagement with the Scots near Appleby where above 100 Scots were slain Col. Harrison others on our part wounded Munday 24. Nothing of moment Tuesday 25. The Besieged had a hot Alarm round the Town about 12 at night and a partie in the meane time fired the Middle Mill with the loss of three men and cut off a sluce but the fire did not take so the design proved ineffectuall at that time at the same time we shot 20 Arrows with papers of advertisement offered into the Town to undeceive the Souldiers acquainting them with what Conditions were offered them and shall still be made good unto them if they come out which coming to some of their knowledge above 200 came out by that day 7. night Wednesday 26. Nothing of moment Thursday 27. A Troop of the Lord Capells sallied out and took 3 or 4 men as they were working upon the Line near St. Botolphs and wounded one miserably being a Country Souldier but a spectator Friday Saturday Sunday 28. 29. 30. Nothing of moment Munday 31. In the night about 20 of them with Spades 6 only having Muskets past the first Centinell as friends saying they were come to make an end of the work where they wrought the night before but were fired upon at the second guard had a Lieutenant slain and retreated and took a Serjeant with them prisoner Tuesday August 1. A Cornet Quartermaster Corporall and one Trooper came away with their horses Wednesday 2. Thursday the third there came severall Souldiers from the Besieged much complayning of their ill diet with horseflesh and said it was attended with Gentlewomen in white-Gownes black hoods meaning Maggots so that they could not eat it that it had brought many of them to the flux Monday August 7. Nothing of moment hapned this day it was resolved at a full Counsell of War to proceed by way of Approaches in order to a Storm Friday 11. Nothing of note This night 30 houses were burnt Tuesday 15. Many men came over this day from the Besieged the poorer sort of people began to rise for want of bread Wednesday 16. They rise in great Numbers and come to the Lord Gorings Quarters some bringing their Children starved to death they crying out so long as Horseflesh Dogs and Cats were to be had they did not complain This day the Mayor of Colchester sent a Letter to the Gen. That the Inhabitants might come out for that they had no provision it being all seised by the Souldiers Our Generall returned answer He pittied their condition but to grant that was to make the Town hold out longer and did not stand with his trust to permit it This day we had the news of the killing dispersing the Princes forces by some Horse and Foot of the Army commanded by Col. Rich near Deale and also of the regaining of Tinmouth Castle by Sir Arthur Haselrigg Thursday 17. The Lord Goring Lord Capell and Sir Charles Lucas who before threatned to hang our Trumpeter if he came any more with a Message for a Party desired Our Generall they might send to the Kings Forces and if they had not relief within 20 days they would then Treat Answer was returned by Our Gen. that he hop'd in much less time than 20 days to have the Town without Treaty All things are preparing in Order to a storm Friday 18. No action but preparation for storm Saturday 19. The Besieged sent for a Treaty to surrender Sunday 20. The Generall returned an answer to their offer for a Treaty That all Souldiers Officers under the degree of a Captain excepting such as have deserted the Army since the 10 of May last shall have Passes to go to their severall homes and all Captaines and Superior Officers with Lords and Gentlemen to mercie Munday 21. The Besieged turned out of the Town in the night many men women children but the next morning took them in again Tuesday 22. The Besieged sent out Major Sheffield one of the Committee that was prisoner in Colchester that they would surrender upon honourable conditions and desire to know the meaning of the word mercie This day the news of routing the Scotsh army came which we sent into the Town A Manuscript of COLCHESTER taken out of the Records of the said Town Anno 219. Coell Duke of Brittanie began to build the Citty Raymore otherwise Colchester Anno 238. Coell Duke of Colchester began to Raigne over Essex and Hartford-shire Anno 242. Helena Daughter of Coell was borne att Colchester Anno 260. Constantius Captain of the Romanes in Spain comeing into Brittain besieged Colchester the space of two Years Anno 264. The Siege was Raised by a match Between Constantius and Helena Anno 265. Constantine the Son of Constantius was born in Colchester Anno 288. Constantius then was called Ceasar of the Gaules Anno 289. Constantius when he had Slaine a considerable number of the Almaines that woarsted and over run Gassia being called Ceasar of the Gaules was now Saluted Ceasar Augustus Anno 290. Coell when he had Slaine Asclepodatus the Tyrant Reigned over all Brittaine but was tributary to Rome The same Coell Duke of Colchester Anno 297. Coell King of Brittaine Dyed in Colchester the Second Month. Anno 298. Constantius Returning out of Gallia disposed of the Kingdome Anno 299. Constantinus the Emperor dyed at Yorke in the Sixteenth Year of his Empire Anno 303. Helena upon the death of Constantinus made a Vow of perpetuall Widowhood FINIS Printed and Sold by Tho Witham at the Golden Ball in Long Lane near West Smithfield LONDON
Northward to joyn with Sir Marmaduke Langdale leaving no place open to them but towards the Sea where they could not go far and the same day Our Generall sent a Party of Horse to secure Mersey Island to prevent the Kings Ships from coming into the River to relieve the Town the Besieged sent Col. Tuke with a strong Party an hour after but came too late Thursday 15. The Besiegeds Canon from the Royall Fort at St. Maries plaid very hard killed severall of our men as they did the day before some as they were raising the first Work called Fort Essex others as they were stragling in the field Friday 16 Nothing of importance happened but. 3 of Capt. Canons men killed with a Canon Bullet Saturday 17. A Trumpet sent in about the Exchange of prisoners this day the Besieged got provisions out of Tendering Hundred which we could not prevent till the Suffolk Forces march'd to our assistance Sunday 18. We took 2 of their Frigots the one with 10. the other with 11 Guns this day Col. Ewers came up with 6 Companies from Chepstow Castle The Essex Foot under Sir Tho. Hunniwood Col. Cooke endured many Canon shot this day and were very ready upon an Alarm Munday 19. The party of Horse sent from the Leaguer under Major Sparrow Capt Wallingford engaged the Kings Forces at Linton coming to assist the Lord Goring where Major Muschampe others of the Kings Forces were slain Master Reynolds others taken prisoners the rest about 500. disperst This day a Trumpet came from the Ld. Goring prentending to desire a Treaty of Peace Tuesday 20. Answer returned if a generall Peace was intended that then it was proper for the Parlament to determine of that and offered them in that answer Conditions Viz. The Gentlemen Officers to go beyond sea and the Souldiers to go home without prejudice Wednesday 21. The Besieged returned a scornfull answer moving for a free-trade for the Townsmen Thursday 22. A small Party of the Besieged sallied out to view a new Work afterwards called Col. Ewers Fort but were instantly beaten in by Musqueteers Their Canon killed two men of ours That day the Lord Goring sent a summons to the Suffolk Forces at Callaway-Bridge Comm dd by Capt. Fisher Capt. Brandling to joyn with him which they refused Resolving still to adhere to the Parliament Army Friday 23. The Guns began this day to play from our new Battery which much annoyed the Besieged at North bridge Our Generall sent a Reply concerning his former offer offering the same Conditions again to all in the Town Except the Ld. Goring Ld. Capell and Sir Charles Lucas Saturday 24. One of the Besiegeds Canoneers was killed This day the Suffolk Forces advanced out of their own County took up their Quarters upon Mile-end over against the North-gate being about 2500 Horse and Foot leaving a guard at Cattaway and Nayland to secure those passes Sunday 25. Nothing of importance Munday 26. A party of Col. Barksteeds Foot the Besieged having drawn out near the Almes-house beat them from the Hedges and from their Court of Guard fired the Guard-house and brought away the hour-glass by which they stood Centry Tuesday 27. A Trumpeter went in with the Lady Campions Servant with a Letter to her husband for she did not beleeve he was slain Wednesday 28. Chewed Poysoned Bulletts taken from severall of the Besieged Affidavit made by those Souldiers of the Besieged who brought them out of Colchester that they were given out by the Lord Gorings speciall Command These Examinations were sent to the Lord Goring with this Message from Our Generall That his men should expect no Quarter hereafter if they used such Bullets This day early in the morning the Besieged with a party of Horse very boldly attempted our Horse Guards near St. Maries shot a Scout but were instantly beaten back Thursday 29. They killed some Hors Foot of ours with their great Canon as they shot against our men at the making of Col. Barksteeds Fort fired the House which was lately Sr. Harbottle Grimstons at night fired Mr. Barringtons house a party of the Besiegeds Horse advanced over the Bridge at East-gate where Ambuscadoes being laid for them by our Dragoon's Lieut. Col. Hatcher divers other Officers Souldiers of the Besieged upon their hasty advance were slain none on our part Friday 30. Exchange offered for Sir Will. Massam but refused Saturday July 1. Col. Whaley possest Grinsted Church Sunday 2. Strong Guards kept that night to prevent the Besiegeds escape Northward we having notice of their intention Monday 3. Tuesday 4. Little of moment happened except a Porter or Chamberlain coming from the Bell in Gratious-street stole into the Town with Intelligence of the Earl of Hollands raising an Army in about London for their relief Wednesday 5. The Besieged sallied out with a strong party Commanded by Sir George Lisle surprised our Guard at Eastbridge and gained two Drakes but advanceing to the Main Guard were routed by Col. Whaleys horse Commanded by Major Swallow 19 slain on the place the Drakes recovered and our former ground also Lieut. Col. Weston Lieut. Col. Weeks and 80 odd prisoners were taken most of them sore cut for shooting poysoned bullets 20 of them died the next day On our part we had slain Lieut. Col. Shambrooke and some others of Col. Needhams Regiment who were engaged Capt. Moody on our side wounded taken prisoner and one Lieutenant Ensign 40 private Soldiers of ours taken prisoners also Friday 7. Col. Scroop sent from the Leaguer by our Generall with a Regiment of Horse to engage the Forces under the Duke of Buckingham and Earl of Holland got into a body to raise the Siege Saturday 8. News of Col. Rossiters routing the Pontefract Forces at Willoughby field where 3 Troops of the Army were engaged many of the men wounded Colonel Generall Sir Philip Mouncton Major Generall Biron divers Officers of quality taken prisoners by Colonell Rossiter Sunday 9. News of the Earl of Holland and Duke of Burckinghams being routed in Surrey of the Lord Villiers being slaue by Sir Michael Leversey Major Gibbons who Commanded a party of Horse of the Army Monday 10. Several of the Besieged came away to us newâ— came this day of the taking of 600 Horse in Northumberland of Sir Francis Ratcliff Col. Tempest Col. Grey other prisoners taken by Col. Lilburn Tuesday 11. We had a Gunner a Matrosse shot as they were battering St. Maries steeple News came this day of the Earl of Hollands being taken prisoner by Col. Scroop Sir Gilbert Gerrard others of quality that Col. Dalbeer was slain and their whole force dispersed at S. Needs in Huntington shire The 12 13. Little of moment happened only Mr. Iohn Ashburnham offered in exchange for Sir William Massam but not accepted and this day the messenger who came to
A DIARY of the Siege of COLCHESTER by the Forces under the Command of Generall FAIRFAX The SIEGE of COLCHESTER By the Lord Fairfax As it was with the Line and Outworks 1648 Col Fothergall's Fort Horse Guard Foot Guard Fort Suffolk Fort Rainsborough Fort Bloyes Col. Fothergall's quarters Col. Harvey's quarters Col. Gourdons Horse quarters Horse Guard Foot Guard Col. Bloyes his quarters Col. Sir Tho. Barnadileons quarters Col. Whaley's Horse quarters Fort Whaley Grinstead Church Foot Guard Water Mill Horse Guard Water Mill Col. Scroops quarters of Horse Col. Ingolesby's quarters of Foot Col. Ewers his quarters of Foot at first Horse Guard Horse Guard Col Ewers Leagure The great Broom Heath Fort Ingolesby the Town Waterhouse Grinstead house burnt Lucas house S. Iohns Abbey Trinity Church the Castle S. Peters Maudline Chap. S. Mary Magdalens Hithe Black Fryars Crouchet Fryars Fort Needham M. r Barringtons House Col. Fleetwoods Horse quarters Fort Essex Barkstead Fort Lexden head quarters Foot Guard Horse Guard Col Cook 's Foot quarters Traine of great Gunns Col. Hunniwoods Foot quarters 5 Comp. of Col. Barksteads Regt. quarters Dragoons Guard and quarters Horse Guard The Generalls quarter of Horse 2 Troops of the Lieut. Generalls Horse 4 Comp. of the Lord of Warwick's Regiment Col. Harlackendens Horse quarters Colne River Suffolk Road London Road Malden Road Road into the Hundreds Merrie Road Cambridge Road East Street maudline Street A. S. Martins B. S. Rumbals C. S. Tenant Chap. D. S. Nicholas E. Allhalows F. S. Iames G. S. Botolphs H. S. Gyles I. North Gate K. East Gate L. Botolphs Gate M. Shore Gate N. Head Gate O. High Street P. East Street Q. Botolph Street S. Marys R. Wyer Street S. Cow Street T. Middleborow V. Bouchers W. More-elm Lane X. Trinity Lane Y. S. Martins Lane Z. Tenants Lane Tuesday June 13. The Lord Fairfax engaged in the fields befâ—â—â— Colchester near S. t Maries the Lord Gorings Forces together with the Forces under Command of the Lord Capell and Sir Charl's Lucas and beat them into the Town Colonell St. William Leyton and between 4 and 500 of the Kings Forces were taken prisoners 200 of them being of Colonell Farrs Regiment and in pursuit of the rest Col. Barkestead with his Regiment entred the Suburbs as far as head-Gate and entred the Gate but being overpowered there and out of the Church-yard the Kings Forces Barracadoed the Gate leaving neer 500 men to our mercy yet notwithstanding those foot and Col. Needhams fought many hours after in hopes to gain the Town at that place but could not the Kings Forces making good resistance there were slain of the Kings Forces Col. Sir William Campion Col. Cooke and divers Officers of quality and about 80 private soldiers Col. Panton Capt Brunkerd Clifford Wors op and divers other Officers wounded On General Fairfax's side Col. Needham Capt. Lawrence of Horse Capt. Cox of foot and neer 100 private souldiers and inferior Officers were slain when we enter'd the Suburbs the Lord Goring was Summoned but returned an Answer not becoming a Gentleman The Word of the Kings Forces at the Fight was Charles the ground they fought upon Maries C … Gods our help The Forces under the Command of Generall Fairfax engaged in the Fight before Colchester June 13. 1648 As also the names of the chief Commanders and persons of Quality of the Lord Gorings Forces engaged at that Fight Generall Fairfaxes Forces engaged in that Fight Part of the Generalls Regiment of Horse being 4 Troops Commanded by Major Desbrough Of Col. Whaleys Regiment 6 Troops Commanded by himself Of Col. Fleetwoods 5 Troops Commanded by Major Coleman Three Troops of Commissary Genl. Iretons Commanded by Captain Cecill Two Troops of Dragoons Commanded by Captain Freeman and Captain Barrington Of Foot Col. Barksteeds Regiment Commanded by himself consisting of 10 Companies about 800 men Col. Needhams Regiment lately the Tower Regiment ComÌ„anded by Col. Needham being 7 Companies and about 400 men Part of Col. Inglesby's Regiment of 4 Companies Commanded by Capt. Grimes 320 men Of the Essex Forces Col. Harlackendenâ— Regiment of 4 Troops of horse Commanded by Major Robert Sparrow and Captain Turners Troop of Dragoons Sir Thomas Hunniwoods Regiment of Foot Col. Cooks Regiment of Foot both which said Regiments consisted of Auxiliaries and Trained bands The County Forces of Essex left to secure Chelmsford and Mansden two considerable Passes left more Forces should resort from London to the Lord Goring Colonel Henry Mildmaies Regiment of Horse and two Troops of Dragoons Part of Col. Carew Mildmaies Regiment of Foot Commanded by Major Bard. The Suffolk Forces who made good the Passes over the River at Nailand Stratford and Cadaway lest the Enemy should escape towards Suffolk and Norfolk were under the Command of Capt. Fisher Captain Bradling and Captain Sparrow besides the assistance which Capt Ball Capt. Cox and the rest of the Sea Commanders gave to secure the River The Suffolk Forces that came afterwards to help besiege this Town Colonel Gourdons Regiment of Horse Of Foot Regiments Colonel Sir Thomas Barnadistons Col. Fothergils Col. Harveys Col. Bloises Of the Army that came up after the Fight Col. Scroop with 3 Troops of horse of his Regiment The Lord Gorings Forces engaged in that Fight Of Horse Lord Gorings Regiment Lord Capels Regiment Sir William Comptons Col. Slingsbies Col. Sir Bernard Gascoignes Colonel Hamonds Colonel Culpeppers Of Foot Sir Charles Lucas his Regimt. Sir George Lisles Regiment Colonel Tilleys Regimt. Col. Tewk his Regiment Col. Farrs Regiment Colonel Gilburds Regiment Col. Sir William Campions Regiment himself slain Colonel Burds Regiment Colonel Bowmans Regiment Col. Chesters Regiment Colonels who had no Commd. of Regiments yet assisting at that Fight Earl Louborough Lord Hastings Sir William Leyton Colonel taken Prisoner and wounded Col. Sir Richard Hastings Colonel Iohn Heath Colonel Lee of Kent Colonel Panton wounded Colonel Cook slain Colonel Sir Hugh Orelie Quarter-master Gen. Col. William-Mexey Col. Pitman Col. Beal Lieu. Col. Hatch slain Major Jammot Adjutant Gen. besides divers Lieutenant Colonels and Majors who were assistants but had no Commands Wednesday 14. Generall Fairfax perceiving the Lord Gorings Forces would not stand the field resolved to sit down before the Town in order to a Siege but being too few to Storm it having not then nor when he first engaged 1500 old Foot and but about 1500 Horse and two Troops of Dragoons besides the 2 Regiments of the Trained Bands under Col Sir Thomas Hunniwood and Col Cooke the Lord Gorings Forces at that time being about 6000 Horse Foot in Town and the Town and Suburbs larger in Compas than Oxford and would require 5000 men to Besiege it appointed Lexden in the road to London for the Head-Quarter where the greatest Body was to lie to prevent more aid for coming from London to the Lord Goring and kept strong Guards of Horse on Cambridge road on the other side the River that they might not escape