which was assessed in Money proportionable to the condition of the Family The Scots are come and great care taken at Westminster for pay of that Army the twentieth part over all the North they have power to assess for themselves and all Malignants Estates that they can seize within their reach Nay several Counties and Associations are assessed for them Against whom the Marquess of Newcastle marched Northwards and to attack him in Yorkshire follows Sir Thomas Fairfax who was guided by his Father as the Father is by the grand Committee at Westminster as the Committee is by the Scots This dependency being very necessary to assure them good Welcome for so says their Letter to the Lord Fairfax My Lord VVe have taken into consideration the opportunity offered for reducing of Yorkshire whilest the Marquess of Newcastle hath drawn his Forces towards the North to oppose the Scots and how necessary it is to hinder his further Levies that Sir Thomas your Son march into the VVest Riding with all his Horse with two Regiments of Foot out of Lancashire and that your self take the Field with what Forâ—es you can and joyn with your Son for effecting these ends to hold a continual Intelligence with the Scots Army by drawing near Tees March 2. Northumberland Jo Maitland And here we see the great Earl of Northumberland invites the ancient Enemies of England into his own County and the Lord Fairfax into Yorkshire Cambridg University lay under the ordering of the Earl of Manchester Serjeant Major General of the Association where these Heads of Houses were turned out Dr. Beal Dr. Martin Dr. Stern in whose places were put in Masters of the Colleges Mr. Palmer Mr. Arrowsmith Mr. Vines as men more fit indeed such others as these were changed into the like I know not how more fit I am sure some of them are famous for false Latine Sir William Waller forward on his way to finde out the Lord Hopton who was drawn out of Winchester with sufficient Horse to oppose Sir William Balfore whom Waller had sent before to possess Alresford but came last for his Lordship was there first and forced Waller into small Villages in the morning Hopton drew down to Bramdean Heath and found Waller on a fair Hill and would not be forced thence till a long Dispute the Hill thus gained Colonel Lisle with his commanded Men kept it all night in this time of darkness Waller had mastered another Hill of greater advantage by the covert of Trees and Hedges which Colonel Appleford was to repossess and found it a hard Task to mount up against the powring shot of such as lined the Hedges not seen from whence it came Volleys well performed which yet were fain to give way to force which cost them dear enough for they paid a good price for it Here was a pretty breathing if Waller went off Hopton would follow to his undoing if they came on they would undo themselves but the Allarm was given by a mistaking Corporal of Hopton's who took his Enemies for Friends and so were engaged too far to seek throughout within their Ambuscadoes who now play their parts by this Advantage and put Hopton to a Retreat and neither parts had cause to cry Victoria for both sides were soundly beaten I intitle the Fight to the Lord Hopton but General Forth was there upon the other score he came in with the Lord Iohn Stuart sore wounded but I know not how concluded for dead yet Sir Arthâ—r Hasâ—erig called it A safe Deliverance though at London it was cried up for a Victory on this side Sir William Balfore in his Letter to his General â—ssex numbers then to be eight Commanders killed by him the Lord Stuart indeed and Sir Iohn Smith died afterwards of their wounds two gallant Gentlemen so did Colonel Sandys and Colonel Manning and Colonâ—l Scot Colonel Appleyard and Captain Pierson Sir Edward Stowel and Sir Henry Bard these were hurt and deserve honourable mention But at London they mention three Lords killed Stuart is confessed but not the General who they make a double one for his two Titles Forth and Ruthen And so they are described to be Gebal Moab and Ammon and to be utterly vanquished by the Servant of God Sir VVilliam VValler And the Parliament had some of theirs slain Dalbier wounded and Colonel Thomson had his Leg shot off by a Cannon Bullet And this happened upon a Friday March 29. The Cavaliers in disorder drew their Cannon off towards VVinchester but wheeled off unseen to Basing House VValler marches to VVinchester which was rendered to him upon Summons and Hopton is now at Oxford But a solemn Thanksgiving was ordered in London for this Victory and some Members sent to the City to encourage them for Supplies The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery told them That the City Auxiliaries had done their part and if they went but once more they would rid the Kingdoms of these Rogues the occasion of all our miseries And upon these preparations and success of the Parliament the King draws all his Forces to a Rendezvouz to oppose his Adversaries And as VValler had done such Encouragements heightened others to undertake Mountains Colonel Griffith commonly called Prince Griffith had the confidence to propose to the House of Commons That if he might have a Commission to command in chief of all North Wales next under General Essex and to have Delinquents Estates there by him to be discovered and the Income of such as he should conquer in North Wales not exceeding the Sum of fifteen thousand pounds he would engage his Life and Estate to raise such Forces as should reduce Wales to obedience Which was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms And he set out in all magnificence with his Silver Trumpets and guarded Coats But at his first Encounter with some of Prince Rupert's Forces whom he sought out for a single Duel Prince Griffith was totally routed which occasioned a merry Lady to tell him He looked sadly ever since he lost his Silver Trumpets And so cashiered he became debaucht and abused the Lady Herbert for which he was imprisoned but her honour much concerned he was released and so having spent a reasonable Fortune he was necessitated to travel beyond Seas where at Paris he was killed in a Tavern the end of his impudency We may enter this Spring with the setting out of General Essex and his Army to be recruited to seven complete Regiments of Foot and six Regiments of Horse and a constant Pay of thirty thousand five hundred and four pounds a Moneth for four Moneths And the Parliaments Navy to be complete for this Summer with addition of twelve Merchants Ships in the places of nine others unserviceable and fifteen small Catches to be added to the Fleet. And a new way of Contribution was devised for getting Moneys towards the charge of arming the Auxiliary Forces now raising within the City of London That all Inhabitants
little darknesse upon nature but thou by thy mercies and passion hast broke through the jawes of death So Lord receive my soul and have mercie upon me and blesse this Kingdom with peace and plenty and with brotherly love and charity that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them for Iesus Christ his sake if it be thy will Then laying his head upon the Block and praying silently to himself he said aloud Lord receive my soul which was the signal to the Executioner who very dexterously did his Office at a blow This one Note I may not forget as a truth from an Honourable person then present upon the Scaffold that though the Chinks were stopped yet there remained a small hole from a knot in the midst of a Board and in which his finger of the right hand happened to fall into and to stop that also that his desire might be fulfilled lest his blood might descend on the peoples head his soul ascending to Heaven and leaving his body on the Scaffold to the care of men imbalming it with their tears His body was accompanied to the earth afterwards with great multitudes of people whom love had drawn together to perform that Office and decently Interred in the Church of Allhallows-Barking a Church of his own Patronage and jurisdiction according to the Rites and â—eremonies of the Church England He deserved that honour at his death being the greatest Champion of the Common Prayer Book whilst he lived Nor need Posterity take care to provide his Monument It being well observed by Sir Edward Deering He who threw the first stone at him that St Pauls Church will be his principal Monument and his own Book against the Iesuite his lasting Epitaph and so I leave him to that comfort which the Psalmist gives him The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance and shall not be affraid of any evil report Psal. 112. 6 7. Take this though for the present Thy brave attempt on Pauls in time to come Shall be a Monument beyond a Tombe Thy Book shall be thy Statua where we finde The Image of thy Nobler part thy Minde Thy Name shall be thy Epitaph and he Who hears or reads of That shall publish Thee The Kings Party had Garisoned a repaired Castle at the Devises and Colonel Devereux had a Garison at Roudon House between the Devises and Malmsburie being set upon and Besieged Colonel Stephens in Wiltshire newly made by the Parliament Governour of Beverston Castle was willing to give aide to the Besieged at Roudon and sets upon the Besiegers with three Troopes of his own and some Malmsburie Foot without staying for Devereux assistance broke through the Cavaliers and Relieves the House with Provision and Powder and alighting would needs eate and refresh himself with his friends giving time to the Cavaliers Party to Rally and cast up a Brestwork before the passage and so he with 1400. Horse and Foot cooped up all together and so the Besieged more straitned then before News gets to Glocester from whence comes sixty Horse well commanded and were to joyn with one hundred Horse and Dragoons from Malmsburie to break through the Cavaliers and these added to the four hundred and thirty within the House were conceived to force a Passage through the first Sconce But then comes Sir Iacob Ashlie with three thousand Massie raises the County about Strodewater doing what he could to face the Garison at Cirencester and to divert the danger of the Besiegers but nothing prevailed and so they were faine to Surrender upon bad quarter The Cavaliers grow strong on all sides and a stream of ill success rushes in upon their enemies upon Colonel Hopton having raised sixty Horse and fourty Foot Garisoned Castle-ditch near Lidburie in Herefordshire a Party from thence of three hundred Horse and Foot in twenty four houres took him Horse and Foot Prisoners to Hereford Sir Iohn Winter hath Guards set round about upon him to straiten his Garison his own House in the Forest of Deane but they break out through all those Guards and joyn with a Party of Foot from Cheystow which Landed at Lancaught intending to make good the Passe over Wye and so to issue out of Wales at pleasure To oppose them all the Guards drew together thither Sir Iohn violently charged the Forlorn of Foot who gave back to let in their Foot and so both Horse and Foot fell upon him some were slain Colonel Gamne and Vangerris Colonel Pore of Berkley Castle drowned but Sir Iohn and his escaped being the industrious enemy to all his Parliament neighbours These things happened the latter end of the year February about the time of surprizing Shrewsburie by the Parliament Prince Rupert falls back out of Shropshire and comes upon Herefordshire with all his Army the greatest in the Kingdom being a confluence of these Forces his own formerly Prince Maurice Colonel Gerard Lord Hastings Lord Ashlie and Sir Marmaduke Langdale and yet impresse more men in aboundance in all the neighbouring Counties with store of Arms necessity casting them in such waies of violence and coercive power prest-men of suspected fidelity and lesse value often deceiving them in Battle yet the King was forced to these waies for conducing to the sudden forming of an Army when the Kings affairs became desperate and so thrust in with the old Volunteers made up the bulk of a great Body when the Parliament had no such necessity to enforce rather a more cunning way to win upon that party the City of London being the undrained Magazine of Men and Money the common Asse that bare the burden and so ends this year A continuance of the brief Narrative of the Kings Affairs Military in Scotland under Conduct of the Marquesse of Montrose Montrose with considerable Forces enters Scotland 13. April 1644. comes to Dunfrize seises that Town expecting Antrims Irish but being there in some danger returns to Carlisle with his men for the Earl of Calander had raised a new Army in Scotland to second General Leslie in England and now besieging York Montrose having beaten a Garison out of Morpith pillaged the Castle and took a Fort at the mouth of Tine He plentifully sent Victuals to Newcastle which come from Almwick And is now sent for by Prince Rupert then in his way to raise the siege of Yorke but could not possible get to him till the retreat from that unfortunate Battle of Marston-moor and so returned back to Carlisle with a few but faithful gallant men He sends the Lord Oglebie and Sir William Rollock into the heart of Scotland in disguise who return with sad news that all Strengths in Scotland were possessed by the Covenanters The Earl of Traquair contrary to his Oaths and promises to the King was an Agent for the Covenanters Yet this man was more in the Kings Favour then any Scotish except the Hamiltons Montrose in these Difficulties sends Oglebey with his earnest
of Dundee It was a Fight of four hours space equal till Montrose his Men got the Advantage which soon after proved a Victory Could it be otherwise when a ragged Irish man having his Leg broke with a great Shot On my Comrades quoth he I am sure now to be mounted a Trooper and with his Skene cut off the skin by which it hung bidding his Fellow to bury it lest the hungry Scot feed on my flesh Then Montrose enters Aberdine affording his Souldiers two days rest When News comes that Arguile was at hand assisted by the Earl of Lothian with fifteen hundred Horse therefore Montrose removes to Kinton twelve miles off and from thence sends Sir William Rollock with News of his good Success to the King at Oxford and withall to get Supplies against so potent Enemies every day increasing so that he was forced to bury his great Guns in a Bog quit his heavy Carriages and to get into the High-land Mountains where the Enemies Horse could not come and for Foot he feared none to that end he marches to the River Spey at Richmursie ruined Castle and there incamps On the other side he findes the Countrey in Arms about five thousand to hinder his passage till Arguile might come at him Montrose was now fain to turn aside to Badenoth a rocky place where he lay sick some days but being recovered he returns to Athole and sends Mac-Donel with a party to the High-lands to win the people by fair means or to fight them by force himself marches through Angus and gets over the Grainsbane a perpetual Ridg of Mountains that parts the East and West of Scotland and so into the North and leaving Arguile so far behinde who by his slow Marches meant not to fight goes to Strathboggy to meet with the Gordons and perswades them to engage but they were hindered by Huntly himself their Chief out of malice to Montrose his Success and the Lord Huntly's eldest Son was detained by Arguile his half Uncle the Earl of Alboin the second Son inclosed within the Siege of Carlisle and Lewis another Son was forced with the Enemy so that the Gordons had no one of their Famâ—ly to fight under Here Montrose quarters sometime skirmishing abroad and evermore with Booties but doing no good as to get aid he in the end of October goes to Favy Castle and possessed it when on the sudden he hears that Arguile and Lothian were within two miles with two thousand five hundred Foot and twelve hundred Horse Montrose now Mac-Donel being gone had but fifteen hundred Foot and fifty Horse In this exigent and the best way he draws his Men up to a Hill rough ground Hedges and Diâ—ches as good as Breast-works and here such of the Huntly's Dependents fairly forsook him and up the Hill the Enemy mounts Lothian charging with five Troops and were no sooner encountred but retired and other of their Foot were beaten from a Fastness leaving some Bags of Powder behinde and towards night Arguile retreats two miles off and slept not it seems till the next day for then he did nothing neither to any purpose This while Montrose in mighty want of Shot melts all his Vessels into Bullets but Arguile was gone marcht off over the River the very same way he came three miles off back again like a Coward as he came and Montrose returns towards Strathboggy but is pursued by Horse which entertains Skirmish with his Rear till Arguile gets up to Montrose who was mounted on a Hill and which induces Arguile to come to a Cessation of Arms that they both might treat and whilest they confer Montrose is bought and sold for Silver to betray him which he could not better secure than resolving to march away by mid-night as far as Badenoth but sent away his Carriages before when on the sudden Sibbals his old Friend and first Comrade stole away with a Prisoner to Arguile but Montrose instantly posts his Command to his Convoy of the Carriages to return by which he meant to amuze the Enemy with longer stay that the Fugitives might not be believed untill after four days he with great skill and courage marched away to Balveny where most of his Men of Birth and Quality by Arguile's corruption and Bribe fell off from him onely that noble Lord Ogleby and his two Sons never forsook him nay the Irish and High-landers professed themselves the more intirely faithfull Montrose returns from Balveny to Badenoth and hears that Arguile with his Foot onely lay at Dunkeldon in Athole thither goes Montrose in wondrous haste one night twenty four miles through ways untroden untill'd waste full of Snow and never inhabited by mortal man but ere he gets thither and sixteen miles off Arguile had knowledg by Scouts and up he rises and runs away in wondrous Disorder they whither they would but himself goes into Perth a strong Garison By this time returns Mac-Donel with the Macarenolds five hundred Men and Patrick Graham from the Funeral of his Chief with some choice men of Athole and with this Recruit he marches to the great Lake the Head of the River Tay and so through Bradalbain into the Countrey of Arguile Why he did so is too tedious to tell but he never did any thing without Reason for his Resolution for in a word Arguile was powerfull tyrannous and cruel amongst the Highlanders formidable to any of the Kings Friends forcing the Countrey to fight against their wills and yet hated him in their hearts the Low-lands of the Kingdom garisoned with Covenanters and great Bodies of Horse and so Montrose had no other place to winter in and therefore with a minde beyond extraordinary through long and foul Winter way with incredible speed he comes to Arguile The Earl was listing Souldiers at a Rendezvouz secure by the Castle Innerare supposing no Enemy within an hundred miles nor was it imaginable that an Army could ever get thither when the trembling Cow-herds told him Montrose was within two miles and so scared him into a Fisher-boat and flies away leaving his Friends and Fortunes and his own Countrey to the mercy of a provoked Enemy a Countrey barren of Corn and mountainous but Pastures and Cattle which Montrose visits round about with three several Brigades of his Army by himself one Mac-Donel another and the chief of the Macarenolds the third they range and waste all kill all in Arms that will not submit and drive all serviceable men out of that Territory fire the Villages level with the ground with that like usage as Arguile had done to the Kings Friends he being the first of any that prosecuted with Fire and Sword and thus was Montrose forced to do from the thirteenth of December 1644. to the last of Ianuary following and so departing through Lorn Glencow and Aber he came to Logh-ness And here he meets with new-raised Forces of the Enemy the Earl of Seafort with the Garison of Inerness and the whole
Conference and conclude of two Letters to Fairfax and Massie to be communicated to the chief of the Club-men of the Intentions of the Parliaments Forces in general in opposition to the King and of the present Design to advance to the Relief of Taunton and that done to leave the Countrey in defence and quiet and therefore the Countrey-men are required to retire to their habitations not to be questioned for this Insurrection and Tumult in case they shall speedily submit to the present Order otherwise the Commanders Fairfax and Massie are to take all advantage to force them and to bring the chief Actors to condign punishment and if it shall be necessary to execute martial Law upon them These Resolutions of the Parliaments and Fairfax and Massie joyned in a Body soon scared the Club-men into a moderate Treaty and Cessation The while Goring hearing of these powers against him draws off his Horse towards Chard but leaves sufficient Foot to keep the Town in Siege and so he keeps himself at distance to fight or fly the fury of his Adversaries Forces who the nearer they march towards him the farther he retreats and in fine falls off with his Forces and marches towards Exeter giving room for Fairfax to enter and relieve Taunton for the present The Club-men are now formed into a Body and countenanced into a publick cause as concerning all Counties and persons of some quality are chiefs in their Council these are sent for as Agents to treat with the General Fairfax near Dorchester Iuly 3. The chief or Spokesman was one Mr. Hollis of that County and Brother to him of Salisbury their Embassie but for a Pass to their Commissioners returning some to the King others to the Parliament Those to the King were Doctor Henry Goche and Thomas Browel Divines Io St. Loe Peter Hodskins Esq Thomas Young an Attourney and Robert Pawlet Gent. To the Parliament were directed Melchisedec Woltham and Richard Cook Club-teachers or Preachers Tho. Trenchard and Robert Culliford Esqs George Haule and Richard Newman Gent. And together with Hollis Desire he delivers the Petitions themselves with their devised Articles concerning an Association of the County independent of either Armies The effect of the Articles That those Associate shall finde Arms for themselves to be at peace unless in opposition of disorderly Souldiers on either side to be brought to the next adjacent Garison That they will submit to Quarter and Contribution to their abilities till their Petitions be preferred and timely answered Not to favour either party nor to protect any not so associated Then in their Petitions They desire a râ—newed Treaty of King and Parliament with Cessation of Arms. That the Garisons of Dorset and Wiltshire be put into their hands till the King and Parliament agree about the disposal of them That they be free from all charge but maintenance of those Garisons That all Laws not repealed be in force and to be executed by the ordinary Officers That all men that desire may lay down Arms and others who have absented themselves from their Dwellings may have liberty to return home This being the sum and sufficient to trouble the General what to do he and the Committee with him conclude of this Answer Although the Paper brought to me being not subscribed cannot challenge any Answer yet to clear my self from aversness to the satisfaction of the Countrey who are pretended to be intrusted in these Petitions I return this That my affections and the affections of this Army are as much inclined to peace as any mens whatsoever And we undertake the War for no other end than the establishment of a firm and happy peace by opposing the Enemies thereof and that I shall be ready so far as it concerns me to further all lawfull means to procure it But having seen the Petitions for the conveyance of which a Let-pass is desired I must profess my self not so well satisfied with some things contained in them as to concur to their delivering by any act of mine 1. In particular That a Cessation is desired whilest by Letters written by the King and Queen taken at the Battle at Naseby it evidently appears that Contracts are already made for the bringing in ten thousand French and six thousand Irish. 2. It is further desired That the Garisons in these parts whereof three are Sea-ports should be delivered up to the Petitioners which to grant were for the Parliament to acquit part of the Trust reposed in them by the Kingdom and considering these foreign Preparations to run very great hazzards of these Ports to themselves and the whole Kingdom It is further propounded That liberty be given to all Souldiers to disband and to return home if they desire it which may with equal justice be desired by all parts of the Kingdom and so the Parliament made unable to mannage the War before Peace be setled These Considerations with some other as yet to be debated will not allow me to grant the Desire of the Letter But as to that other part of the Petition which declares the Grievances of the Countie by Plunder and violence committed either by Garisons or Armies I do hereby promise and undertake for the Garisons and Armies under the Command of the Parliament that whatsoever Disorders are committed by them upon a Complaint making known the Offences and the Persons justice shall be done and satisfaction given As also that I shall endeavour that the Parliament Garisons be regulated according to any reasonable agreement with the Countrey and without doubt the Parliament will cause them to be slighted so soon as the condition of these parts and the publick good shall permit And that the Army under my command shall be ordered as may be most for the good and advantage of these Counties and the whole Kingdom of which some reasonable testimony is already given in their quiet and orderly passage through these and other Counties without many of those Complaints which usually follow Armies I further desire that in the publishing of this my Answer to your Request all assembling of the people to puâ—â—â—ck Rendezvouz may be forborn and that Copies hereof may be dispersed to the several Parishes that the Countrey may be acquainted herewith Th Fairfax But although these Club-ambassadors went away with no better satisfaction from so potent an Army yet they quarrelled with the Governour of Lime about Bridg-port who sent to them to disband and to return from tumult To declare themselves for answer they in scorn tore his Paper-Message and thereupon they had a Bickering and some scores slain on both sides and no doubt Goring had fomented that Difference and lent them some Officers But Goring having drawn off all his Forces from Taunton the seventh of Iuly marched to Lang-port expecting a party of Horse and Foot to joyn with him from the King which Fairfax resolved to prevent and first to fight him and to that end divides his Army Massie
with four thousand being seven or eight Regiments of Foot was quartered at Martobe who advanced to the very Rear of Goring fell upon them took some Prisoners but few slain Fairfax by this time was come up with his Horse Brigade within a Mile of the Cavaliers Head Quarters at Lang-port not knowing of the Ingagement of Massie who was quartered on the other side of the River Fairfax early the tenth of Iuly drew out seven Regiments of Horse in Sutton Field and a great part of his Foot likewise upon whose Advance Goring seeing the Resolution against him possest himself of a Pass very advantageous by the Hedges which he lined with Musquetiers this Pass lying between his Enemies Armies and hindered the conjunction and served his own turn to draw off his Ordnance and Provisions for Bridgwater with an honourable Retreat if need were but his Foot were soon beaten away from their Post and those that lined the Hedges and so with more security advanc'd their Horse Major Bethel the first man that forced the Pass with a single Troop the rest followed and charged Goring's Body that were ready in a Lane to receive them with as gallant a Charge as good Souldiers should do and forced them to a Retreat to their Body for more help when Colonel Desborough being at hand supplied that loss and with about four hundred Horse of the General 's Regiment gave a smart Encounter and turned the Scale of Fortune for Goring not able to endure their fresh Assaults and expecting more retreated to Bridgwater there were eleven hundred slain on both sides and prisoners to each party equally But Fairfax pursuing and the other disorderly retiring the Victory was more evident for Goring had the worst Men and Horse taken many Colours two Pieces and some Carriages for Ammunition And the News of these two Fights of Massie and Fairfax were presented to the Parliament by Major Harrison from the Army Goring marches away from Bridgwater towards the North of Devonshire Barnstable to whom Greenvile and Berkley hastening out of Cornwall and Devonshire to joyn with him met at Miniard six thousand strong and Prince Charls Hopton and the Lord Wentworth were gone into Cornwall to raise the County And the General Fairfax turns aside to salute the Club-men two thousand in a Body between Bristol and Bridgwater to whom he offers Propositions That the Kings Forces in Bridgwater might not be supplied by them that his men should have nothing of them but for necessary subsistence and to be paid out of the first moneys which was expected daily from the Parliament and justice shall be done to any that offends them But they continue in a Body and return him a doubtfull Answer More News of Success to the Parliament came poast from Pomfret Castle in the North Major General Poins having with much cost and time spent now at last receiving it by Surrender on the one and twentieth of Iuly upon honourable terms for the Surrender and with liberty to march to Newark with a safe Conduct to Doncaster and the military power of this Castle voted to be invested in the Gen. Fairfax which Northern Association had some limitation in his Commission but indeed it was suddenly done to prevent the Lords who had bestowed the command on Poins for his labour but the Commons Vote was first and so the Lords came too late We left Fairfax near Bridgwater which he meant to besiege and to plain his way four miles off he takes in a Garison Fort of the Kings called Burroughs upon good Quarter to march off not more than an hundred and fifty therein Then he sits down against Bridgwater rather to rest for he does nothing till his Money come from the Parliament to encourage his Army somewhat sullen for Pay which being come the three and twentieth of Iuly and the Army paid he surrounds the Town he had sent his Summons to the Governour but was answered with much courage being affisted by Council of gallant persons his Companions therein Sir Hugh Windham Sir Iohn Digby Sir Francis Courtney Tom Eliot was there too Sir Iohn Stowel and Sir Iohn Hales well fortified and fitted with Men and Ammunition and endured the first Onsets of their Enemy with Success which made the General to consult whether by Siege or Storm but he was told by the Renegadoes of their strength within and excellent store of good Victual which confirmed his Resolve to storm the Souldier animated the Day before by Mr. Peters preaching to them the piety of the Cause then the Foot towards Evening were drawn out and that Night spent in ordering for the Storm which began early at two of the clock in the Morning the one and twentieth of Iuly the General 's Regiment led on to the Work and gave not over till they had mastered the top and fixed his Colours gaining that Plat-form and the Guns and let down the Draw-bridg for a Captain one Reynolds to enter with a Forlorn of Horse scouring the Streets but with much loss forced the Besieged from the hither to the upper part of the Town Massie endeavoured to do his duty and did his good will on the other side but excuses himself not so ready at the time appointed and vvas beaten off and the Tovvnsmen had the better this lasted but an hour and being before day the Assailants escaped some of the great Shot that flevv over head and did no harm The hither Tovvn being vvon the Defendants vvere the more couragious to the admiration of the Assailants flinging their Granadoes and other combustible Shot that fired the hither Tovvn upon their Enemies heads not a house left standing so that vvhat vvas got vvas in fire vvhich put the General to a second Summons and to a Parley sending his Trumpet to tell them That he was moved in compassion to spare the effusion of more bloud and to save to the Inhabitants what was left from confusion This vvas in the Evening at six a clock But the Defendants vvould not stoop to a Treaty resolving sooner to die than to yield vvhich put Fairfax to a Resolution to vvin them by force and the next Morning early for Massie to begin the second Storm on that side of his Quarters Iuly 22. at the davvn of the day he fell on so did Fairfax on the other side but the Tide vvas up and high vvhich hindered the intention for a time and indeed Massie did but alarm and yet lost some men and the General put to it mightily troubled for this ill success and therefore summons them again pretending a Treaty in favour of the Women and Children from this horrid Destruction giving Cessation for that purpose till 4. a clock afternoon and so the Lady Governess a gallant person was intreated to quit the hazzard of an enraged Enemy with her went out the Lady Haule Mrs. Maire and divers others of quality but not prevailing by Storm they try by firing all their
yet suffers not your Majesties Service herein to proceed with that advantage it might do I conceive it not so fit to commit to Paper but I shortly send my Brother who shall fully inform your Majestie with all particulars and thereby rectifie your opinion and give you true 〈◊〉 who are your faithfull Servants I hope long ere this that â—â—ptain Bacon hath arrived with you since mine Enlargement and therefore I need onely tell your Majestie that my further Services intended for you will I hope without further crosses be suffered to go on though strange is the industrie used by many seeming Friends to hinder me therein but I am confident it shall not lie in their power your Majestie remaining still constant as I doubt not but you will to your favourable opinion and right interpretation of my poor Endeavours which if they may take place will procure you to be a glorious and happie Prince I having no other ends but to approve my self Your Sacred Majesties most dutifull and most obedient Subject and passionate devoted Servant Glamorgan Waterford Febr. 23. 1645. But in the mean time ere this last Letter of Glamorgan's was discovered the King had sent another Message Febr. 26. CHARLS R. His Majestie needs to make no Excuse though he sent no more Messages unto you for he very well knows he ought not to do it if he either stood upon punctilio's of Honour or his own private interest the one being already call'd in question by his often sending and the other assuredly prejudg'd if a Peace be concluded from that he hath already offered he having therein departed with many his undoubted Rights But nothing being equally dear unto him to the preservation of his People his Majestie passeth by many Scruples Neglects and Delaies and once more desires you to give him a speedie Answer to his last Message for his Majestie believes it doth very well become him after this very long Delay at last to utter his impatience since the Goods and Bloud of his Subjects cries so much for Peace Given at our Court at Oxford the six and twentieth Day of February 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated c. The King hears of their Votes and Debates daily canvasing the Heads of Propositions and to remove these Remora's that stuck in their way he clears them by another Message and presses for his coming to London CHARLS R. Notwithstanding the unexpected silence in stead of answer to his Majesties many and gracious Messages to both Houses whereby it may appear that they desire to 〈◊〉 their ends by force rather than by Treatie which may justly discouraâ—â— his Majestie from any more Overtures of that kinde yet his Majestie conceives he shall be much wanting in his Dutie to God and in what he oweth to the safetie of his People if he should not intend to prevent the great Inconveniences that may otherwise hinder a safe and well-grounded Peace His Majestie therefore now proposeth that so he may have the Faith of both Houses of Parliament for the preservation of his Honour Person and Estate and that Libertie be given to all those who do and have adhered to his Majestie to go to their own houses and there to live peaceably enjoying their Estates all Sequestrations being taken off without being compelled to take any Oath not enjoyned by the undoubted Laws of the Kingdom or being put to any other molestation whatsoever he will immediately disband all his Forces and dismantle all his Garisons and being accompanied with his Royal not his Martial Attendance return to his two Houses of Parliament and there reside with them And for the better securitie of all his Majesties Subjects he proposeth that he with his said two Houses immediately upon his coming to Westminster will pass an Act of Oblivion and free Pardon and where his Majestie will further do whatsoever they will advise him for the good and Peace of this Kingdom And as for the Kingdom of Scotland his Majestie hath made no mention of it here in regard of the great loss of time which must now be spent in expecting an Answer from thence but declares that immediately upon his coming to Westminster he will applie himself to give them all satisfaction touching that Kingdom If his Majestie could possibly doubt the Success of this Offer he could use many Arguments to perswade them to it but shall onely insist upon that great one of giving an instant Peace to these afflicted Kingdoms Oxford March 23. 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers c. But not prevailing we shall end this years Proposals hoping by the next to finde the Parliament herein better disposed The Garison of Westchester for the King was of great consequence and therefore commanded by a Noble Person the Lord Byron the Port and Passage for Ireland the Countrey Contribution was of such a Circuit and sufficiencie that the Parliament now somewhat setled in successes resolved in the begining of August last to besiege it But ere their Forces undertook it they drew considerable strength into the Shire Quartering thereabout and Associating with other of their Garisons The work begins enduring many a brunt from Chester who were well appointed and vexed their Enemies with several repulses to resolve upon a design thus Col. Iones who commanded the Horse for the Parl in a Leaguer near hand at Beeston drew off with Col. Louthian at midnight who commanded the Foot and both making a Party of 1300. Horse and Foot came the next morning at 4. a clock before Chester on the East-side dividing their Forces into four parts to storm in 4. places and being so early and undiscovered Captain Ginbert got upon the Out-works at Forrest-street end Finch on the left hand Holt and Davis at two other places They were opposed by as gallant resolute Commanders but came too late for the Enemy was got in and paid dear for their purchase The Forrest-street and Lanes thereto was taken with the possession of the Mayors House Sword and Mace and the Sheriffs Wand and these sent to the Parliament for signal of thus much success Sept. 23. These Suburbs they possess against the Sallies of the Town daily incounters of either side within and without the Town The Kings Forces thereabout endeavouring with all possible waies to relieve this so useful Garison But then the Enemy enlarges by degrees almost block up the West-side of Chester Oct. 2 The distress comes close which troubles the King at Oxford who gives order to draw out from several Garisons of Hereford Ludlow Bridge-North and Worcester such considerable Forces as made up 1700. Horse and 700. Foot commanded by a Noble Knight Sir William Vaughan and got into a Body near Denbigh Castle twenty miles off of Chester when the Besiegers hear of this and go to Council whether to rest their near appoach or to fight them far off They resolve draw out 1400. Horse and
if the French or any other Nation should be called in thither it might be of dangerous consequence for so the Irish Rebells now threatned in case they should be put to extremity The Picts called for the Scots out of Ireland to assist them against the Britains and having done that Work they fell upon the Picts themselves and destroyed them and so took possession of that part of North Britain which from them ever since takes name of Scotland The like did the Saxons or rather a Rout of Pirates and Sea-Rovers they were no better invited to assist the miserable Britains against the barbarous Scots and put a final stop to their Incursions and after by Surprize of the Nobility of Britania and slew them The Remain of the people fled into the Mountains of Wales and Cornwall where they remain ever since and left the best of the Land to the insulting Saxons Nay did not Heraclius the Greek Emperour call for aid of the Rake-Hell Rabble of Scythians to assist him against the Saracens but no sooner got footing in the Empire and in process of time seized Constantinople slew Constantine the last of the Imperial Race of Paleologs and now possess that Seat the chief Residence for the great Turk descended of those Saracens But these were Pagans and Infidels we are all Christians Truly they can practise the old Rule Si violandum est jus regni causa violandum est in caeteris pietatem colas To gain Kingdoms we may bid Conscience good night And so it was happy for the King that his party called not over the French to fight for him nor would the Parliament at any time make Peace with the Irish wise enough they were to keep down the pride of the treacherous Scot that had good footing there in Ireland See before Anno 1643. the Treaty at Siginstone Septemb. 15. But the Parliament of England had considered of the order and manner of governing of Ireland by a Lord Lieutenant General and whom should they pick out but the Lord Lisle Son to the Earl of Leicester to command all the Forces raised and to be raised in and for reducing that Kingdom with a Council about him both at home and abroad the better to enable him for the Government but not as the Motto sets out Caesar this General went thither and so came home again as hereafter is mentioned The English Forces there in some distress the British in the North in great want but the happiness was that the Rebells were at difference amongst themselves And the thirteenth of May the Lord Lisle had order to beat his Drums to raise six thousand Foot and eight hundred and fifty Horse in England and Wales and for maintaining of these Forces it was ordered Six thousand pounds every six moneths end to the Treasurers for Ireland News came the fifteenth of Iune of the great Defeat given to the English and Scotish Forces in the Province of Ulster and the Parliament ordered five thousand Foot more fifteen hundred Horse to be added to the former Forces ordered in May and Arms Amunition and Victuals speedily to be sent over And notwithstanding the Parliamentary proceedings in Ireland by their advice and directions to such of their own party the King likewise had a particular party under the publick Government of the Marquess of Ormond Lieutenant General of his Majesties Forces for the Government of Ireland to whom he writes for the discharging all further Treaties with the Irish Rebells for any Peace as the Parliament advised the King to write the eleventh of Iune The Lord Broghall and the Lord Inchequin were particularly for the Parliament Broghall had intermixed several Successes against the Rebells he took Castle Lions and Inchequin Castle near Yougball then his Horse marched to Dungarven returning with five or six hundred head of Cattle and besieged the Garison of Blarnly Castle and the next Night gained the Out-works and the next Day set threeâ— Battering Guns against one of their new Flanks sixteen foot thick within the Castle their Powder took fire and blew up and spoiled twenty of their Men which with the bold Attempts of the Besiegers the Castle was surrendered the next Day the fifteenth of Iune two hundred persons to march away who left this exceeding strong place being held by faint hearts for a small space and now delivered up to slender Forces Musgrave was General for the Rebells and with the greatest Army of theirs was set down besieging Banratty against whom they sally out daily with very good Success Notwithstanding the Kings Letters at Newcastle whilest he was under durance That Ormond should not treat with the Rebells yet it seems he had finished and articled into a Peace with them August 1. That the Irish be not bound to take the Oath of Supremacy A Parliament to be held before November All Acts against the Roman Catholicks to be repealed Places of Strength to be in the hands of men of merit But the reason might be the wonderfull misery of the English and Scots Forces there impossible to hold out without any reasonable Food for Man or Horse And it was conceived there by Ormond and the Kings party that it was most convenient for the general good of the Protestants for it soon occasioned a Breach amongst the Rebells the Popes Nuncio and that Clergy protesting against it as being done without their privity and the chiefest of their Towns oppose the Peace as Limrick Waterford Wexford Lemster and Galloway And herein Ormond according to the Articles on either side was to assist against the Opposers of the Peace the fourteenth of Septembeâ— who marching with some thousands towards Kilkenny had intelligence by the way that a party of the discontented Rebells against the Peace had a Design against his person which made him suddenly to return to Dublin Concerning the thirty Articles the Popish Clergy disclaimed them and at a Supream Council ordered That all and singular Confederate Catholicks who shall adhere to the said Peace or consent with the Favourers of it or after any other manner shall entertain and imbrace it are absolutely to be accounted perjured specially for this reason because in these Articles there is no mention made of the Catholick Religion and the security thereof nor any regard had of the Consecration of the Priviledge of the Countrey as it was promised by the Oath But that all things are rather referred to the judgement of our most renowned King From whom in this present estate we can have nothing setled and in the mean time the Armies Weapons and Fortifications and the Supream Councel of the Confederate Catholicks it self are subjected to the Authority and Command of the Council of the State and the Protestant Officers of his Majestie from whom that we might be secure we have taken Oath For which and many other causes being moved only by our Consciences and having God before our eyes that it may be known to all and singular as
semblance of hardship or Invasion upon the Subjects Liberties which the very Papists in this the better Partners seemed more really to resent and offered in lieu of some favour to them in the penal Lawes not Toleration to contribute very largely to the safeguard of the Narrow Seas which put the State into present condition rather to collect their Arrears of Thirds due to the King by Law It appeared not for private gain but extream necessity of State which involved all and therefore with possible endevours the Naval Forces were to be compleated for the summer But let us passe over to Ireland to see what they do there It was Michaelmas Term in Ireland when the Papists there offered Propositions to maintain five hundred Foot for a more Toleration of Religion but the Protestants to pertake in some measure of the charge To that end a great concourse of the Nation of both professions appeared before the Lord Deputy Fawkland in the Castle of Dublin but the Primate and Bishops in their Assembly prevented their further proceedings subscribing to a Protestation as their judgement concerning Toleration of Popery That the Religion of the Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous their Faith and Doctrine erronious and hereticall their Church in respect of both Apostaticall To give them therefore a Toleration or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion and professe their Faitb and Doctrine is a grievoâ—s sin and that in two respects For first It is to make our selves accessary not only to their superstitious Idolatries Heresies and in a word to all the abominates of Poperty but also which is a consequent of the former to the perdition of the seduced people which perish in the Deluge of the Catholique Apostacy 2. To grant them Toleration in respect of any money to be given or Contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it the souls of people whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious blood And as it is a great sinne so also a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideration whereof we commend to the wise and judicious Beseeching the zealous God of Truth to make them who are in Authority zealous of Gods Glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and couragious against all Popery Superstition and Idolatry Amen Ja Armachanus Auth Medensis Ro Dunensis c. Richard Cork Cloyne Rosses Tho Kilmore Ardagh Mich. Waterford Lismore Mal Casohellen Tho Hernes Laughlin Geo Deceus Andr Alachadeus Theo Dromore Franc Lymrick Conferred and agreed upon 6 Nov. 1626. And this their judgement in April 23 after 1627. Dr. Downham Bishop of Derry at the next Assembly and before the Lord Deputy Falkland and his Council took occasion to publish in the midst of his Sermon His preamble herein was That many amongst us for gain and outward respects are ready to consent to a Toleration of false Religion and are guilty of putting to sale their own and others souls and so unwilling to deliver his own private opinion onely but the judgements of the Arch-Bishop and Bishops which he thinks good to publish to them to cleer themselves from consenting To which the people gave their vote Amen But then he went on Not hereby said he to hinder the Kings service for we desire that not onely the sole Army of 5500 may be maintained but also a far greater Army besides the trained Souldiers onely he wished that the King would reserve to himself the most of those peculiar Graces of late offered and granted to the dishonour of God and the King the prejudice and Impeachment of true Religion and what is wanting might be supplied by the County to which he exhorted all good Christians and faithfull subjects The Text the Bishop took was Luke 1. 25. 23 24 25. verses speaking against mens subordinating Religion and the keeping a good Conscience for worldly respects and to set their souls to sale for gain of earthly things The L. Primate preached the next day before the same Auditory and took his Text 1 Ioh. 5. 15. Love not the World nor the things that are in the World when he made the like application as the Bishop did rebuking such who for ready gain like Iudas sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver or as Balaam following the wages of unrighteousnesse c. foretelling as he had often the judgement for these our Inclinations to such permissions and Tolerations and spake as Ieremiah did to Baruch of Gods being about to pluck up what he had planted and to break down what he had built and his bidding him not to seek great things for himself he applied to these times Indeed the judgement of the Bishops prevailed much with the Protestants that the Proposals sank by degrees and therefore induced the Lord Deputy to desire the Primate as the fittest person of the Assembly and a Privy Councellor and so concerned to promote the Kings affairs to summe up the state of the Business and to move them to an Absolute Grant of some competency to the Kings Necessities without any such former Conditions which was so done with much prudence and to this effect his Speech followeth My Lords THe refusal of those Gentlemen to contribute supply to the Army for defence of this Nation minds me of the Philosophers observation That such as have respect to a few things are easily misled Their minds so intent to ease themselves of a petit burthen without regard to the desolation of a heavy war which an Army may prevent forgetting the lamentable effects of our late Civil War by famine rapine and what not and now again the storm is foreseen which if not prevented our state may prove irrecoverable The Dangers are from abroad and from home Abroad we being now at odds with two potent Princes France and Spain to whom heretofore our dis-affected persons have offered this Kingdom to their Conquest In the daies of Henry the eight the Earl of Desmond did it to the French King the Instrument in the Court of Paris yet extant expresses so much and the Pope afterwards transferred the Title of Ireland to Charles 5. and so afresh confirmed to his Son Philip in the time of Queen Elizabeth with a resolution to settle this Crown upon the Spanish Infanta These Donatives though of no value yet they serve for a colour to a potent Pretender powerfully to supply what is defective And of late even when our Match was on foot with Spain a Book was countenanced there the Author a Spaniard Philip O Sullevan wherein he concludes the only way to establish that Monarchy first to set upon Ireland the Conquest of Scotland then of England and after of the Low Countries will easily follow Nor is the fear more from abroad then the like danger at Home Domestick Rebellion but lest I be mistaken now as your Lordships have been lately I must distinguish the Inhabitants Some
witness that he shall not fail on his part Ian. 20. It is true that the misery of Ireland cried out for Relief and as often the King enforced the consideration offering Propositions very probable which the Parliament always declined But the Scots having a fair Interest there in their British Plantations and a Committee being a foot to that purpose the Scots seeming very forward to do somewhat and to involve their Propositions together with their general Proposals of the Treaty of Peace make these Offers to transport two thousand and five hundred Scots into Ireland meaning thereby to hasten the end of theâ—r Treaty But upon these Articles That Provisions of Victuals be presently sent to Carrickfergus to be sold to the Scots Souldiers answerable to their Pay They to have the command of that Castle and Town to remain there or to enlarge their own Quarters into the Countrey That Match Pouder and Ball be sent from hence but what Arms Ammunition or Artillery shall go from Scotland with their Forces the same shall be supplied into Scotland out of England That a part of the brotherly Assistance thirty thousand pounds be advanced to them presently which though in proportion came but to seven thousand and five hundred pounds yet they crave ten thousand pounds for their encouragement That their Pay which was condiscended to commence from the eight of December last may be advanced to the eighth of February next when they hoped to march To have Ships of Convoy And that all this may be done without prejudice to their Treatie Jan. 24. The two Houses having swallowed these Propositions the Kings consent was desired but excepts very sparingly against the third Article as somewhat prejudicial to the Crown of England and desires conference with the Scots Commissioners there which being long disputed and the strength of the Kings Argument implying too great a trust for Auxiliary Forces in them To which they reply that they hoped that his Majesty being their native would not shew less trust in them than in the Neighbour Nation seeing his two Houses had consented yet although the Reason bore little force as the Kings condition now stood yet to take away all Delays of Dispute he condiscended And the Scots Commissioners following the King out of Scotland interpose Mediation between the King and Parliament in several private Addresses and in some Propositions in writing so effectually to the Parliaments purpose and their Designing that Mr. Pym is sent specially to give them Thanks on Saturday the twenty second of Ianuary My Lords We are commanded to present to you their affectionate Thanks for your wise Counsels and faithfull advice given to his Sacred Majestie for the appeasing and removing of the present Distraction and Distempers of this State My Lords The House of Commons are very sensible and do tenderly and affectionately consider that this your dutifull and faithfull advice is a large testimonie of your fidelitie to the King affection to this State and of wisdom for honour securitie and peace of his Majesâ—ie and both Kingdoms and not onely very acceptable to this House but likewise of great advantage to both Nations They clearly perceive you rightly understand the causes of our Distempers and your carefull endeavours to complie with them in the quieting and removing of the same that the brotherly Communion lately confirmed by both Parliaments of England and Scotland binde them both to maintain the peace and liberties of one another being highly concerned equally therein as the assured means of the safetie and preservation of both and being so united the Disturbance of the one must needs disquiet and distemper the peace of the other as hath been often acknowledged by them both They are likewise sensible that those waies which you advise are the onely means to settle peace and unitie in this Kingdom viz. First to endeavour a right understanding between his Majestie and his People by which he may truly see the real causes of these Disturbances and their Authours who are his faithfull and loyal Subjects his faithfull and dutifull Counsellours and who not by which means the brotherly affection betwixt the two Nations shall be confirmed to the glorie of God and peace of the Church and State of both Kingdoms their unitie advanced and all mistakes and jealousies betwixt his Majestie and this Kingdom removed and the establishment of the affairs settled in perpetual peace and tranquillitie the Liberties and Privileges of his Subjects freely enjoyed under his royal Scepter which is the most assured Foundation of his Majesties honour and greatness of the securitie of his royal Person Crown and Dignitie Secondly the removal and prevention of all such plots and practises entertained by the Papists Prelates and their Adherents whose aim in all these Troubles hath been to prevent all further Reformation and to subvert the puritie and truth of Religion their constant endeavours have been to stir up Division betwixt his Majestie and his People by their questioning the Authoritie of Parliaments and the lawfull Liberties of the Subjects and really weakening his Majesties power and authoritie royal upon pretence of defending the same which mischievous Counsels Conspiracies and Attempts have produced these Distempers in his Majesties Kingdoms of England and Ireland Thirdly that his Majestie would be pleased to have recourse onely to the faithfull advise of his Parliament and to depend thereupon as the happie means to establish the prosperitie and quiet of this Kingdom and in his royal wisdom to consider and prevent these Apprehensions of fear which may possess the hearts of his Majesties Subjects in his other Kingdoms if they shall conceive the Authoritie of Parliaments and the Rights and Liberties of the Subjects to be here called in question My Lords these your faithfull and loyal Propositions is the greatest Demonstration of your affections faithfully united and devâ—tâ—d to the securitie of his Majestie and your heartie Wishes and Desires of the peace and prosperitie as well of his Majesties Kingdom of England as Scotland and Ireland these Propositions have been the onely endeavours and intentions of his Majesties high Court of Parliament to effect and make manifest to all men and in any other means whatsoever that shall by you be conceived necessary to the composing and settling of these present Distractions they declare themselves desirous to have the same communicated unto them and they shall be right joyfull and thankfull therefore and will willingly and chearfully joyn with you in the same The House of Commons having an itching desire of power had moved the Upper House to joyn with them for obtaining the command of the Tower and mannagement of the Militia and being refused therein yet they will not be beaten off but singly of themselves petition the King for them both and other principal Forts of the Kingdom and pray for his gracious and speedy Answer Ian. 26. That his Majestie having preferred to the Lieutenancie of the Tower a person
chief of the Forces in Glocestershire or Colonel Min Commander of the English Brigade that came out of Ireland or Colonel Washington at Evisham or the Governour of Berkley Castle As soon as you send an Answer you shall receive satisfaction from Your assured Friend G. D. Backhouse replies and conceives Sir William Vavisor the fittest to comply and gives his Reasons but the present payment of the three hundred pounds was waved by Stanford and as deeply pressed by Backhouse till they in private met at Coflawn without Arms or Attendants where he receives two hundred pounds and a promise to disingage a Bond of his of fifty pounds And the Plot was thus that Colonel Massie should be drawn out of Glocester with a strong party towards Berkley Castle with assurance that the Castle should be rendered in whose absence Backhouse was to open the Gates and deliver the Word but with some counter considerances The fifteenth of February was now come the time assigned and nine a clock at night the hour and a Messenger is sent to the Cavaliers Quarters with the Word but the Design of Backhouse was discovered and so nothing was effected But how Backhouse could receive the Money and dispence with his deep Oaths to be sincere and just to his promise I know not certainly so much Money could not satisfie for an evil conscience nor can his part be excused from corruption in the highest nature if duly examined The Actions of Glocester against the Welch set up Sir William Waller and the Kings party thereabout to withdraw for Sir Matthew Carew forthwith quitted Teuxbury which within twelve hours was possessed by Captain Iohn Fines with sufficient strength of Horse and Dragoons to whom also their affected Friends at Glocester came home again hastily and with much confusion but no sooner warm in their new possession but the former Forces with a greater power returned upon design The Assistance was of Horse a gallant Brigade commanded by the Lord Grandeson which came from Chiltenham without the least intelligence to the other and as little to his Lordship to be met with by Glocester Forces which came suddenly to the succour yet Fines had been surprized with all his Horse had not a ridiculous Accident prevented it Captain Fines at a Miles distance off the Town meets a Man whom they question he supposing them a party of the Parliament to curry favour tells them of vast numbers and great strength of Cavaliers but seems to defie them with indignation this frightens Fines to a Council of War and were about to fall back which delay gave an hours respite and so the Enemy entred After Sir William Waller had refreshed his Men about the first of April he advanced towards Monmouthshire invited by some Gentlemen to reduce their parts at his coming to the Town of Monmouth the Garison of the Lord Herbert retired leaving a naked place to Sir William where finding small success of his parties sent abroad for Supplies of Moneys he marched to Usk and spending some time to no purpose in that County he returns the stream of the people affording him no welcome being all universal Tenants of that County to the Earl of Worcester In this time Prince Maurice enters Teuxbury with a Brigade of Horse and Foot added to the Lord Grandeson resolving to make after Waller or to meet his return out of Wales A Bridg of Boats wafts him over Severn with a Body of two thousand Horse and Foot Waller was nimble in his Retreat not to be catcht in a noose or neck of Wales but by a Bridg of Boats came back at Chepstow with his Foot and Artillery and himself with his Horse and Dragoons passed through the lowest part of the Forest of Dean near the River side of Severn and ere the Prince had notice sends forth two Parties to fall upon two of the Princes Quarters which was performed whilest Waller's main Body slipt between both and a Party was left also to face them and make good the Retreat which came off but disorderly with loss of some Souldiers It was held a handsome conveyance and unexpected to bring himself out of the Snare by uncouth ways This Allarm soon reached Glocester and caused Massie there to send assistance of two Troops of Horse and three hundred Foot to fetch him off This Party met him two Miles off the Town where being combined they design to set upon Teuxbury and taking conveniency by the Princes absence and Waller's supposed Defeat instantly they march and come up to the Town by break of day one part whereof fell into the Ham seized the Guard left with the Bridg-of Boats and cut off that Bridg but his Horse with the rest of the Foot came up Glocester way surprized and slew the Centinel climbed over the Works cut down the Draw-Bridges the Horse and Foot rushing in and the party on the other side Avon ready to enter also There they found in the Town three hundred men commanded by Sir Matthew Carew whom the Triumph of yesterday's supposed Victory had lull'd asleep and now awakened by this sudden Allarm rowsed up to a shufflâ—ng fighting posture and then to a Retreat and after to an Escape and but some Souldiers taken These sudden Surprisals gave various intelligence to Oxford not able to credit any Relations being so strangely inconstant but onely to chances Yet a party of the Princes Horse appear from the top of the Hill near Teuxbury as if his Body were hard by whereupon Waller marches thither that Evening resolving to break down or make good the Bridg at Upton upon Severn besides which there was no Pass nearer than VVorcester but the Scouts told him the Prince was there before and guarded it The next day VValler advances and found him in Ripple-field his Army drawn up and divided into three Bodies faces him but would not fight being fewer in number no Shot prepared no Cannoneers few Foot the Winde nor Sun to friend and their Retreat if need were through a long Lane In this posture though some perswade to fight others would not and so VValler retreats into the Lane commanding a Party of Dragoons to face the Prince and the Musketiers to stand at the corner to make good his Retreat But the Prince falls on the Dragoons fly over Hedg and Ditch broke over the Bridg disordering their own and were killed or taken Massie sends to Teuxbury for Supply but Haselrig with his Troop and some Foot made a Charge which in part took off the foulness of the Flight for at the end of the Lane a Ditch stopt their haste and a Gate flung off the Hinges barred the Pursute with time to make a Stand no longer than that the Prince came up but then faced about and fled in a great hurry and loss till a Supply of Foot from the Town met them near Mith-hill and there made a false Stand rather to take breath than to fight for their
Noble-man or Gentleman of worth ever deserted the King that had before fought for him Of Scots there were a couple whom I except In this time the Earl of Manchester's Army plyed their work upon the North East of Newburie near Shaw about four a clock they came down the Hill before Shaw advancing towards those Guards which the Lord Astley disposed under command of Colonel George Lisle the Colonel appointed Lieutenant Col. Richard Page to keep Mr. Dolman's House and Garden and Sir Thomas Hooper with his Dragoons and other Foot to keep the Hedges and Lane Col. Thelwel with his own Regiment and others of the Reading Brigade being for a Reserve The Earl of Manchester's Horse and Foot with the Trained Bands of London came down the Hill advancing hastily upon Colonel Lisle's Guards and worsted them but then Sir Io. Brown advanced with Prince Charls's Regiment of Horse charged the Foot and after received a Charge of a thousand Horse and then retreated to the Foot in the Garden At the same time when Sir Io. Brown charged with Horse the Reserve of Foot came on which were three hundred of Lesley's Tertia commanded by Colonel Thelwel whereto were joined those Musquetiers in the Lane and those other fourty that were driven from the Hedg and this Body of Foot came up and gave fire upon the new gotten Hedg and both sides fought well falling on with their but-But-ends of their Musquets till the Hedg-men retired out of the Field leaving their Colours and two Pieces of Cannon behinde which were taken and drawn off which the first Owners endeavoured with a Body of Horse half an hour after to recover but were forced to return to their other Cannon upon the Hill for those were past recovery In this last Charge Lieutenant Colonel Page was shot through both his Thighs and through his Arm. The Kings side had plenty of Pillage and killed many the number uncertain of his party there fell Sir Anthonie St. Leaguer Lieutenant Colonel Leak and Lieutenant Colonel Topping not more of note and many common Souldiers Some eminent persons wounded Sir Io. Greenvile Sir Bevil's Son and Sir Richard Campsfield Major Alford shot in the Thigh and the General the Earl of Brainford in the Head This Fight lasted four hours from four a clock after-noon till eight at night The King marched to Wallingford without any Allarm to his Rear which staid upon the place till mid-night General Essex marched into Newburie and then summoned Dennington Castle three several days three several times and three several Assaults but were beaten off The Kings Army in Oxfordshire increased expecting the joyning of the Welch under conduct of Colonel Gerard and Massie was sent unto with all speed to hinder their conjunction or to joyn with the Parliaments Army and so calls off his own Regiment of Horse from about Monmouth and with them marches towards Evesham where the Cavalier was before eight for one leaving Monmouth under command of Throgmorton who was Serjeant Major to Colonel Harley designed Governour by the Parliament and being forward in his fresh Authority to merit draws out three hundred Horse and Foot to take in Chepstow Castle the Cavaliers from Ragland and Godridg about break of day Novemb. 19. lodg themselves undiscovered behinde a rising ground near Monmouth and viewing all Advantages fourty of them came up to the higher side of the Town towards Hereford having a sloping Bank cast up of good height with a Ditch over which they pass mount the Bank and climbed over and so got to the next part fell upon the Guard some killed others â—led and with an Iron Bar break the Port Chain forces the Gate and opens it to the Horse who rid up with full career to the Main Guard seized them and took the rest in their Beds with Colonel Broughton four Captains as many Lieutenants and Ensigns the Committee all the common Souldiers two hundred Prisoners two Saâ—â—ers a Drake nine Hammâ—r Guns Amunition and Provision and five hundred Musqueâ—s This News comes to Throgmorton who had no heart to follow his Chepstow Design but marches away to meet Maâ—â—ie at Burford onwards upon the Parliaments Order and now meant to way-lay the Lord Grandeson with the Worcester Forces going to Oxford buâ— turned on the other side in hope to come to the Relief of â—embridg Castle being an Out-guard to the Garison of Monmouth but the Bridg was broken down and the Castle forced to surrender upon Quarter but all the Souldiers turned to the King Monmouth now becomes a famous Garison and strong Association with all the Countrey and Neighbours to oppose them sundry Garisons are erected in the Forest the Garison of Hichmeden to affront Monmouth Ruredeant was a stop to the Cavaliers from Hereford and those at Lidney are kept in by another party at Nast This dead of Winter the Kings Forces were dispersed Cirencester and the Hill-countrey of Glocestershire was assigned to Sir Iacob Astley having three Brigades of Foot and assisted with four Regiments of Horse the Queens Prince Maurice's Prince Rupert's and the Lord Wilmot's and others whose Incursions on that side and the Bristol Forces about Berckley with the Forces of Worcester Hereford and Monmouth on the other side acted daily to the destruction of a miserable Countrey crouching under the burden of two parties evenly resolved to destroy all Such hereabout and so in all other Counties remote from London but for the most part the Seat of War was here more certain Massie Commander of Glocester Association places a Guard at Lipiat commands a party of Horse and Dragoons to Stroud and other Guards of Horse and Foot at places of Advantage Sir Iacob Astley his Antagonist for the King draws out of Cirencester four Regiments of Horse to Hampton Roade divides his men three several ways where each party ransacks surprizes and return with Prisoners and Spoil And himself assaults the Guard at Lipiat where he found slender Resistance the Lieutenant slain and fifty common Souldiers besides Prisoners and Spoil and becomes so formidable that he commands Contribution to the very Gates of Glocester The Earl of Worcester the Lord Herbert and Sir Iohn Winter procure from Prince Maurice at Worcester a Regiment of Horse and Dragoons for the service and use of Lidney Garison in the Forest of Dean which hotly disputed with Massie ere they could get in and so Massie draws off when they of Lidney sally out upon Sully House a Mile distant Massie comes to the Rescue where both partâ—es dispute to the close of neithers advantage and so part And now the Ordinance being passed for continuance of the Martial Law for four Moneths longer Sir Iohn Hotham and his Son came to their Trials The Earl of Manchester and others assigned to be their Judges sate in the Hustings Court at Guild-hall London the first of December where the Father came first and his Charge in effect That he had traiterously betraied the trust reposed
not a day produced less than double Sallies upon me Nay shall I say oftner than we eat it was my Meat and Drink to beat them alwaies back again c. But the manner of the Storm how he got up and then got in paying and pelting untill not many left alive c. He took all he found Then have we the numberless number of Arms and Ammunition by thousands Bullets by Cart-loads wondrous provisions even unto the Beans and Bacon And such a Bed-role of the slain and the most of them Commanders ten Colonels fourteen Majors twenty Captaines and other Officers but names none least they should prove alive again to requite him Basing House had been first attempted in August 1643. again by VValler in November after and then with considerable Forces from Iune 14. in the year 1644. and relieved 11 September after then continues very considerable Forces constantly besieging it and yet could do no more till now that Cromwel comes to storm and take it The Batteries well placed and each Brigade ordered to their Posts Dalbier the long time Besieger to the North-side next the Grange Pickering on his left to VValler Sir Hardress and Mountague next him After six a clock the signal given they all fall on at once took the two out-Houses Pickering stormed the new House passed through and got the Gate of the old House which put them within to a parley but the fight was hot and the noise great the souldier could not hear and recover the inner Court of Guard and a whole Culvering with that Work And drawing their Ladders after got over another Work and the House Wall ere they could enter And take all with the gallant Marquess honourable and an honest Faithfull Subject to the interest and cause he alwaies undertook and shewed himself a noble Enemy and therefore Cromwel treats him kindely It is much wonder how it held out so long It can not require less than a thousand men to manage it It was not considerable for publick service for it is no Frontire The Country poor all about not worth the defence nor able to support a Garison And now indeed so defaced and weakened with Batteries and Morter-pieces and a fire upon it that chanced since the surrender for these reasons and perhaps a more fit place for a Garison Indeed this House was now utterly slighted and this goodly antient Fabrick pull'd down to the ground And accordingly as Cromwel commanded the whole Garison of Farnham some men from Chichester and those Foot of Dalbier who was soon laid aside and with these to make a strong quarter at Newburie with some Troops of Horse were sufficient to curb Donnington and serve as a Frontier to all those parts For Newburie lies upon a River which secures it from any incursion of Donnington Wallingford or Farrington and to advance the common Trade between Bristol and London And as a true rule the County will rather maintain Garison on the Frontier then in their Bowels less charge and more safety The Wealth of Basing House was of greater value then any single Garison could be imagined in Money Plate Jewels Houshold-stuffe and Riches One Bed valued at fourteen hundred pound and so orderly under rate of others Chambers the most compleat for Furniture And for help to the House Inigo Iones was gotten thither He was an excellent Architector to build but no Engineer to pull down and but one woman amongst so many men Doctor Griffiths daughter a godly Divine Protestant for protection mixed with some Popish Priests profession One common man had plundered a bag of three hundred pound in silver And to make sport with this raw souldier his Comrades pillaged him by pâ—ece meal to an half Crown coin The King had gotten into a good Body of Horse the 10 of Octo. and marches to Texford thence to Welbeck and quartered part of his Army at Blits the 13 day being Munday and had a Rendezvouz at Walsop the next day where he divides his Army and himself retreats his own Brigade to Warwick Appointing the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale with considerable Forces to march North-ward in some design to joyn with the gallant Marquess Montrose in Scotland for the King and that night went through Doncaster lodging upon Scawsby-lees and by long marches from Blits Walsop and Balrick amuzed the Parliaments Forces who attended their motion supposing that they were designed for Chester but certainly the intent was for Scotland And here they wheel beat off a guard near Sherburn and gave an Alarm but had appointed a Rendezvouz before at Bramton Bierly The Parliaments Forces commanded by Copley march by day-light towards Ferry-Bridge to keep that pass secure and to joyn with some Foot And therefore he sends away Post to Pontefract to give notice to draw off the Foot to Caywood least Digby should surprize them This warning came out to them though it came to Pontfract so the Cavaliers got to Ferrie-bridge before their Enemy and marched on amain surprizing seven hundred Foot and more at Sherburn and Milford with their Arms shattered Colonel Wrens Regiment of Horse and took many Prisoners and slew more having no conveniency to carry them away But Copely comes to Pontefract Castle who tels him the Cavaliers are passed whereupon he drawes out a strong Forlorn to joyn with that which is sent before with Orders to advance with all speed and bring the Cavalâ—ers to a stand hoping thereby to have saved his Foot he marches with this Body fairly after to Milford where from the Forlorn he heard that his former Foot were all lost Hereupon he drawes out and means to fight not being able otherwise to retreat with honour or safety And durst not march through Milford fearing there might be some Dragoons but wheel'd about the West end of the Town thinking to keep his Bodies firm and so all march to Sherburn to fight them there and by the way light on a deep Ditch un-passable and could not draw up but in haste and disorder which heeded not for the Cavaliers were busily imployed about their prize and were thereby in more disorder but drew up towards each other and at once ready at once give fire charging together Bodies to Bodies and Copley's Regiment paid for all who was soundly beaten but having reserves and the other none over-powring with fresh men the Cavalier in fury fell to retreat and giving ground turned their back and fled through the Town with loss North-ward and Copeley comes home again intending South-ward and joyn with Rossiter and the associate Horse with design to meet with the King who is supposed about Newark with fifteen hundred Horse Some persons of quality slain and taken The Prisoners were four or five Colonels Captains and Officers a dozen three hundred Troopers taken as many Hâ—rse the Countess of Nidsdale was taken Digbie's Coach and Horses The Forces were equal in number but the Cavalier not so fresh nor