their own strength that many thought his Majesty ill-advised in not fighting with the Earle of Essex neare Gloucester wherefore the Generall was to secure this retreat to take heed lest he be penned up in these parts and with that speed made after the Kings Army which by this time had gotten some miles in the Van of our Army that some horse and foot out of the remote quarters marched above thirty miles before they rested They came up before Cirencester where the King had left a strong party The forlorne hope entred the Town whilst the rest surrounded it killed the Sentinell sleeping marched up to the Market Place without opposition the enemy supposing them Prince Maurice his Forces that night expected till they entred the houses and surprized them in bed took foure hundred men and thirty Cart-loades of bread cheese and other provisions a great reliefe in a wasted Countrey and the only support of the Souldiers against the Battle at Newbery The successe of which Battell did close up with honour that happy and gallant undertaking of the Lord Generall and the Citizens of London As brave a service as these Warres can shew forth enobled by its wonderfull rise lively progresse nimble expedition admirable fortune and honourable conclusion Notwithstanding his Excellency had hereby disabled and broken the Kings Army and secured the Garrison of Gloucester from a sudden reverse yet his own Army was sorely bruised and retiring to London left but a little burthen upon the Enemy on that side By which meanes they were free to molest these parts and this Garrison left to beat the brunt provide for it selfe and run the danger though not of an other siege yet of blocking up and ruine by the spoyle of our Countrey which that party decreed to destruction and the Enemy at the doore and the distance of our friends did threaten no lesse Not a man could be left by the Generall to encrease our strength nor money to content the Souldier there was only an assurance of help from the Parliament when the arreares of Officers and Souldiers were large the Governour made certaine propositions to the Parliament concerning the support of this place That since at such a distance he could not expect a constant supply they would send down at once ten thousand pounds and a thousand men farre below the places due according to the termes of the Souldiers entertainment might set things in a thriving way and enable the Souldier to act of themselves without those continuall cravings and out-cryes against the State Vpon which termes the activenesse of this Government gave assurance of the framing of an Army to master the Countrey then enthralled to the enemy yea to lie upon the enemies quarters consume their store distresse their cheife Garrisons of Bristoll and Oxford and endanger the rest as Hereford and Worcester and stop their supply of men and money Such a strong beginning had been more then halfe way to the end of the work But the State seemed to walk in a frugall course and desire a daily dropping of reliefe rather then to entrust much which is not the way of great performance nor can bring to the end of the design when as this rationall adventure might give the encrease of an hundredfold and upon the failing hereof the greatest mischiefe could bee no more then the losse of that expence Wherefore they voted a supply and raised men and moneys in a languishing way that those five hundred listed for Gloucester were reduced to a fifty ere they could reach us and the greatest part of the money squandred away without a sensible advantage to this Garrison After Newbery fight Sir William Vavasour was sent to Hereford with a strong party to raise Forces in those parts with Commission to command in chiefe in the Countreys of Gloucester and Hereford and a command from his Majestie to distresse Gloucecester on the Welch side and to Garrison Tewkesbury Colonell Massie was not satisfied in keeping his own Garrison but eager of continuall service to destroy or disable the enemy for which no other place in the Kingdome was conceived capable of the like advantage Wherefore by himselfe urged he set upon the Parliament with importunate complaints that for lack of strength great opportunities of service to us and disservice to them were lost And a greater mischiefe did exercise this government the want of men and money and ammunition to defend it selfe upon which extreme scarsity of provision was like to follow and in these hopes did the enemy blesse themselves so that the advantage and honour of maintaining the City against the violence of an Army was like to vanish in the lingring death of the place And the Governour was about to embrace an other command in the Generalls Army yet reserving a submission to the Parliaments pleasure who required him to continue his service in this Government This charge was surrounded with difficulties and each day brought forth some new birth When the enemy begirt us in their Winter quarters the hopes of our promised succours were past without the Convoy of an Army Not one Gentleman of the Countrey durst be seen to assist us no Member of Parliament did reside here to encourage the businesse All things rested upon the Governours sole care both to store the Garrison with provisions and raise money out of that small pittance of the Countrey out of the enemies hands The discontent of the Souldier was now heigthned and ready to cause a disbanding To make good the place was the Parliaments command and inevitable necessity was the cheifest law to support it Wherefore apprehending more misery then in the late siege the Governor was constrained to lay some easie taxation on the Countrey to supply the present exigence whilst the enemies power extended on all sides almost to the Gates of Gloucester Hereupon daily complaints were brought before him that the taxes were unequally rated by the Officers of the severall Parishes that such as were broken by the enemy were rated as high as if their Estates were entire The Governour represented these things to the Parliament earnestly begged their direction in his intended course which by them was not in one syllable contradicted Wherefore at a Councell of Warre the condition of the Countrey was debated upon and an order made that some Officers Citizens should be intreated as a Committee to hear and rectifie the complaints concerning assessements and to use that moderation which reason did require Not long after a petition was presented to the Governour in the name of the Countrey That one Monthly rate without other charge might be imposed upon them likewise that the rate might be made according to equity and the poore spared that the money might bee paid in to the common Treasurer whence it should issue as necessity required and that a choyce Committee might be appointed to over-see all the money rated received and disbursed The Governour to
Seaverne supposing the Earle of Essex at hand to assault the other side but were meerely deluded by a false Message from the Enemy with a signall accordingly given at which instant of time Prince Rupert arrived at Worcester By meanes of this deceit the Horse rush upon an Ambuscado when through the straightnesse of the passage first over a Bridge then through a narrow Lane neither the Reare could be brought up nor the Van make a Retreat 'T was an hot skirmish and performed with sufficient gallantry on our part by them that came up where persons of value were slaine and taken the rest wholly routed and fled in confusion farre beyond the reach of a persuite This Victory was of great consequence to the Enemy because the Omen and first fruits of the warre Upon this the Kings forces hearing of the approach of the Parliament Army immediately quitted the Towne so they shifted from place to place since their inconsiderable number would scarce allow them to erect any Garrison yet they encreased by their motion and quick dispatch gathered the strength of the Countries as they passed along and withall overcame the contempt of their small numbers and by frequent execution gained the repute of a Party not easily to be vanquished This they acted while the Parliament Army lay still or marched according to the slow paces of a greater Body The day after the Skirmish the Earle of Essex entred Worcester with his whole Power and there continued a moneths space sent forth severall Parties as the Lord Stanford to Hereford to prevent the Forces of South-wales whilst the King lay about Shrewsbury and raised himselfe to such an Army as was able to deale with and endanger that maine power raised by the Parliament After the famous Battaile at Edge-hill the first large field of bloud in these Civill Warres though the Kings Army was there much broken yet his strength increased and multitudes began to looke towards him as one at least-wise possible not to be overcome and in this strange confluence of men His Army seemed like that fabulous generation that sprung out of the teeth of the Cadmean Serpent buried in the earth The neglected Enemy becomes formidable and the Parliament Forces may desire their first advantage but have sufficiently learned that to give the first blow is not against the Law of a defensive warre the hopes of a subitaneous service are lost and the Kingdome is made sensible that their peace and liberty will cost much bloud Both the Armies begin to take up their winter quarters in the most defensible places and for the most part are setled according to the affections and ingagements of the people Colonell Thomas Essex marched into Gloucester with the Command of two Regiments of Foote as Governour of the Towne but as yet the Deputy Lieutenants had the sole Command of the County Foure weekes had not passed in this Government but Colonell Essex was commanded to Bristoll to secure and settle that City of so great concernment both by Sea and Land and at that time much distracted between the well-affected and malignant parties So it was that the Kings Cause and Party were favoured by two extreames in that City the one the wealthy and powerfull men the other of the basest and lowest sort but disgusted by the middle ranke the true and best Citizens Thus the present state of things had taught men to distinguish between the true Commons of the Realme and the dreggs of the people the one the most vehement assertors of Publicke Liberty but the other the first rise of Tyrannicall Government and the foot-stoole upon which Princes tread when they ascend the height of Monarchy In that City many of the rich men were dis-affected to reformed Religion and some more powerfull were conscious of delinquency others upbrayded themselves with their owne publicke disgrace and therefore did much distaste the waies of the Parliament and the needy multitude besides their naturall hatred of good Order were at the devotion of the rich men These therefore began to raise Commotions and hearing of the advance of the Forces from Gloucester flocked together after a tumultuary manner shut up the Gates but chiefly guarded that Port where they expected an entrance would be made and planted many Ordnance against the approach of our men with a full resolution to fire upon them They were expected in the Evening but Colonell Essex had intelligence of these preparations and from a Party within was directed that night to march to another Gate then neglected by the multitude that should be set open this was performed accordingly and betimes in the morning he entred the City with his two Regiments besides great numbers out of this County and in an instant surprized the mutineers and quashed the businesse without drawing of bloud The City of Gloucester was againe left naked till the Earle of Stamford marched hither with his Regiment of Foot and two Troopes of Horse from Hereford the Earle himselfe was commanded into the West upon his first arrivall but his Regiment designed for this City under the command of Lieutenant Colonell Massie first as Deputy Governour under the Lord Stamford afterwards with the power in himselfe which for the space of two yeares and sixe moneths continued an uninterupted and happy Government The providence of God and the felicity of the place so over-ruling that that Country which should endure the brunt fustaine so many violent shocks and beare up under the Kings whole Army should be defended by a Commander whose experience fidelity and valour with indefatigable care and industry might answer the expectation of so great a trust assisted with that Regiment whose very name proved a terrour to the Enemy and long enjoyed the honour of the most ancient Regiment in the Parliament Army though broken torne and worne out with extraordinary duty and service And because the meere pompe of Military preparations and the hopes of a sudden Victory being now past the warre hath put on a blacker visage and the sad effects thereof come home to these parts it is meete to expresse what was the state of the Country at that time The inhabitants of this County had openly engaged themselves in the State service nor as yet had they any thought of repenting though cast into the midst of an inraged Enemy Oxford is the Kings head Garrison Herefordshire possessed by his Forces upon the first removall of the Earle of Stamford into Gloucester Worcester hath already entertained a strength Wales rise on the Kings behalfe by the power of the Lord Herbert the Earle of Essex with his Army is drawne towards London the Parliament Forces in the West have their hands full and there remaine in these parts of the Kingdome onely two broken Regiments at Bristoll which was much distracted by intestine divisions and one Regiment at Gloucester so that the most slender Guard was left upon these parts where the Enemy resolved their chiefe game for the winter action And
no power to make them good because his field was too large for that strength and the State made an inconsiderable number of men the only stay of the remote parts These could over-run the enemies Countrey but get no ground master no strong hold nor reduce a people naturally malignant that were dashed at present but did flourish again in the reverse of the Kings Army The next attempt was made upon Worcester whither all the horse and the greatest part of the blue Regiment were drawn They at Oxford were said to have yeelded that Town for lost and to give out that Sir William was gone to take possession of his purchase For at that time Treason was the pretended cause of every losse on both sides especially if weak and unworthy Both horse and foot came up before the City where they lay a day and a night effected nothing and were drawn off at the noise of the Lord Capels advance at which instant Sir William Waller was taken off these parts and ordered to march into the West with all speed to prevent the joyning of Sir Ralph Hoptons forces with the rest of the Kings Army Sir Robert Cooks Regiment was called off from Tewksbury for the Western expedition and that Town once more slighted Hitherto Lievtenant Colonell Massie governed the City of Glocester by deputation from the Earle of Stanford whose returne was not expected wherefore the thoughts of the Citizens began to enquire after a Governour They thought well of a man neare home and cast their eye upon a knowne Patriot Neverthelesse more intelligent men upon the serious review of the Cities continuall hazard found that the necessity of this place did require a tried Souldier and that such a one might possibly be found faithfull but a timorous or unskilfull man must needs ruine all Wherfore they reflected on Massie whose good services gave them also a competent assurance of his fidelity that by the happy choice of the Citizens and the Lord Generals Commission he was appointed Governour To enable the City to defend it selfe a foot Regiment was raised by Commission from Sir William Waller out of the Townsmen for the major part both Officers and Souldiers under the Command of Colonell Henry Stephens The first intention of this Regiment was to defend the City only within the walls according to the infancy of warre but the hard service of this place did suddenly require and exact the full duty of Souldiers At this instant the City was well becalmed only there hapned one passage of inferiour nature but full of the fortune of warre The Governour with a party of an hundred and twenty Horse and Dragoons advanced towards Stow in the wold to beat up the enemies quarters By break of day he fell into Slaughter took a Lievtenant twelve Troopers horse and armes and thence marched to Odington a mile beyond Stow where he surprised a Captaine of a Troop with forty men and horse and so made homewards neglecting the residue of the enemy who drew out of their quarters with all speed The remainder of their Regiment fell upon the reere of our men neare unto Slaughter with some slight execution but were beaten back The Governour being confident he was able to fight with them upon any ground made no haste to march off till the enemy had received a supply of Horse from Sudely Castle and again charged him at Andovers foord whom our men received gallantly and repulsed without any losse The Captaine that led the Van was slain by the Governours hand and the rest wheeled about whereupon the Governour dismounted the Dragoons and divided his men into three bodies the horse to the right and left wing in this posture resolving to march up to the enemy who would gladly rid their hands of the businesse but having advanced a little distance and looking back to bring on his men saw the greater part in a strange hurry occasioned by the faceing about of some cowardly spirits and himselfe with those dismounted men desperately engaged for a while he shuffled amongst the enemies Troopes till observing himself eyed by some he sprang forth fired in their faces and came last off the field upon the maine roade He offended here by affecting too much gallantry and was deceived in his new raised men who were not hardned by the sight of an enemy Besides no ordinary care was had of securing the prisoners who were all recovered back Four of ours were slaine many wounded Colonell Stephens a Lievtenant with five and twenty private souldiers taken prisoners The springing hopes of Colonell Stephens failed unfortunately when his eager minde engaged him in the action without order and against the will of the Commander in chiefe he had no command in the action but hasted after as greedy of the service he was led captive to Oxford and a while after breathed his last in that poysonous ayre where many Gentlemen were observed in those dayes to expire Amidst these things Sir Iohn Winter a zealous Papist began to declare himselfe A subtile wit that pretended innocency till his houre was come and had almost perswaded the world that he durst deny himselfe and commit an unpardonable sinne against the Catholike Cause His house in the Forrest of Deane was at first neglected when it was in the power of this Garrison to ruine his designe But under hand he prepared for defence suddenly clapt in his owne Confidents and with a little labour made it inaccessible but with apparent great losse and maintained his den as the plague of the Forrest and a goad in the sides of this Garrison These things were acted about the time of that blow almost fatall to the Parliaments cause in the vanquishing of Sir William Wallers Army at the Devices which defeat cast these parts of the Kingdome into a miserable plight when the State had placed the whole game in the successe of this Army never providing a reserve The King became master of the field the Parliament left without an Army that could check the enemy who came up to our gates and by threats would seeme to shake the walls of the City Many began to prepare for flight whose presence no reall necessity but the peoples opinion did require They at Bristoll disclosed their feares and gave no good presages And when that City was yeelded Gloucester did stand alone without help and hope The Lord Generals Army pined away Sir William Waller at London for a recruit The Earle of Stamford shut up within the walls of Exeter The Kings Countrey reached from the utmost Cornwall to the borders of Scotland and he was able to divide his Army one part for Exeter and the other for Gloucester That sudden surrender of Bristoll which was almost beyond our feares brought forth a dark gloomy day to the City of Gloucester The mindes of people were filled with amazement and the failing of such a promising Government made most men infidels or at least to question all things But here was
the greatest mischiefe of all Many were not wanting to debate upon the maine cause of the Kingdom malignant spirits took the advantage of our misery and unstable mindes who beholding only the surface of things and led by the common voice of their equals were flushed in prosperous times now became crest-fallen and questioned the passages of State conceiving each miscarriage a fundamentall errour and accounting their present sufferings not for Religion and Liberty but some scruples of State policy The state of things required strong resolution the usuall posture could not pretend to the safety of the place The souldiers therefore acted with mindes more sturdy and vigorous as desperate concerning the enemy but not in despaire of their owne party The Commanders reserved no place of retreat and if causlesse jealousies over-clouded any they put themselves upon a free Declaration The old and carefull souldiers who were unlucky in the censures of the people upon the first arrivall of the sad newes from Bristoll vented themselves in sharp and cutted speeches which bursting from the fulnesse of the thoughts did imprint and pierce were received for good prognosticks and repaired likewise that credit which the presumption of a conceived opinion bore down and an ordinary good behaviour could hardly raise up but happily regained by one violent and severer passage The Officers were to give in a full resolve that no place be left for an after dispute wherefore they vowed never to see within the gates the face of a conquering enemy But chiefly the hearts of the people were to be held up wherefore the Governour appeared in publike rode from place to place with a cheerfull aspect and bearing before him no change in the sudden alteration of fortune To them that enquired into his very thoughts hee gave assurance of safety concealing the danger or lessening its esteem Fear did not beget confusion but things were transacted in a calm and constant order The presages of misery were exquisitely shunned and the least shew of distraction and weaknesse forbidden Money Plate valuable goods or any kinde of riches were not suffered to passe the Gates but here to rest as in a safe Treasury that the people might resolve upon a happy Deliverance or an utter Destruction Neverthelesse whosoever was weak and faint-hearted had leave to depart the City Meane while the enemy dealt underhand and by the mediation of seeming friends affectionately sollicited a Surrender with terrible information of our manifold losses abroad of the rage of the Kings Army and inevirable desolation and withall tendred the opportunity of an Accommodation between his Majesty and the Citizens The mouthes of the viler people were filled with curses against the authours of our engagements We received strange intimations of dreadfull things concerning the State The whole Countrey forsook us and employed some to represent their desires and thoughts of the businesse who in the generall had so farre revolted from themselves as to perswade us to make our peace with the enemy and to befool and execrate our perseverance for they conceived the standing out of Gloucester however advantagious to the Common-wealth yet miserable for them because by the falling down of a great Army they expected a destruction of corn and cattle and if at last the King should not take in this place to stoop perpetually under two burthens and be cast into a remedilesse condition of misery and poverty Whereas if the enemy should prevaile they were sure to rest in the heart of the Kings Countrey farre from spoile and plunder and have as free and ample trade as in times of peace The Citizens examined their own strength and grounds of perseverance a Common Councell was held the Officers being present their late protestation brought to remembrance by which they were all obliged never to act or comply with the adverse faction and upon that pretext joyntly refused the tender of peace Neverthelesse a great number of the Inhabitants were only not malignants but born up by the zeale of the rest and the souldiers power and those stuck most to the businesse who were held up by the deep sense of Religion or acknowledged a necessity to withstand a malicious and enraged enemy whose implacable hatred urged them to offend against their own designs and by horrid threatnings to make the attempt more desperate A den of Rebels was the common language A few dayes respit recovered the City and reports of a sudden reliefe did reare up the spirits of the common people No crosse show or doubtfull resolutions did hinder the businesse all suspended their private cares and the women and children acted their parts in making up the defects of the fortifications The strength of Gloucester was no more then two Regiments of foot an hundred horse with the Trained Bands and a few reformadoes there were besides about an hundred horse and dragoons from Berkley Castle in the whole about fifteen hundred men forty single barrels of gunpowder with a slender artillery The works of a large compasse not halfe perfect From the South-gate eastward almost to the North Port the City was defended with an ancient Wall lined with earth to a reasonable heigth thence to the North-gate with a slender work upon a low ground having the advantage of a stone Barn that commanded severall wayes Vpon the lower part of the City from the North to the West-gate being a large tract of ground there was no ancient defence but a small work newly raysed with the advantage of marish grounds without and a line drawn within from the inner North gate under the Colledge wall to the Priory of St Oswálds From the West towards the South gate along the River side no more defence then the River it selfe and the meadowes beyond levell with the Town from the Castle to the Southport a firme and lofty work to command the high ground in the Suburbs The ditches narrow but watered round In this posture did the City stand when the Kings forces hovoured over the hills and now and then skirted upon the Town before a close siege was laid upon the tenth of August they came down like a torrent full of victory and revenge with indignation that a forlorne City should stand before them Neverthelesse they would faine overcome without bloud and the losse of time then pretious in their full career of victory For which end His Majesty came in person before it that the terror of his presence might prevaile with some and the person of the King amaze the simple and seem to alter the case Thus they began to work because the Mayor had answered a former summons from Prince Rupert that according to his Oath he kept the Town in His Majesties behoof and some whisperers gave a malignant intimation that the Kings presence would sway the people And it was so that the Town was held for the use of His Majesty but according to the sense of the houses of Parliament and the Citizens put no difference between
once entred a breach there they were instantly possest of the highest part of the Town On this side therefore were their Ordnance brought up and first two Culverin of sixteen pound bullet were planted on the East side a little out of musket-shot where they made some store of shot but did no execution Next they planted three pieces of Ordnance of foureteene and five and twenty pound bullet upon their battery in a square redoubt on the South-side and began to batter the corner point of the wall and a brick house adjoyning where one of our men was killed without more harme Then they played upon our Ordnance mounted against their battery point blanck and made some slight breach which was quickly stopped up with wooll-packs and Cannon baskets By this time they had drawne the trench neer the moate where they made a kind of mine to drain it and sunk much of the water and attempted to cast faggots into the moate but were beaten off by our musketiers At severall times they shot large Granadoes out of their Morter-pieces many fell into houses and brake but did no harme and one that fell in the street had the fuz quenched before it came to ground was takenup whole and found to weigh three score pound After the Welch and Worcester forces came up foure peece of Ordnance were drawn a good distance before the place of their leager and one planted against the Awnegate and the Sconces thereunto adjoyning Wherefore a party of about foure hundred Musketiers commanded by Major Pudsey and Captaine Gray assisted by Captaine Faulkner and Captaine Massey sallied forth of the Norrhgate Meane while a Lieutenant with fifty Musketteers was sent over the works to give them an Alarm whilst the greater party got behinde their Cannon and breastworkes fell upon their maine guard slew many Officers two Canoneers with about a hundred common Souldiers mortally wounded took a Lieutenant with foure more prisoners nayled their Cannon and retreated with the losse only of two slaine and about foure taken prisoners The Enemy having planted three pieces of Ordnance against the Southside and now three more on the Eastside and two more neer the Eastgate within Pistoll shot of the Town wall began a most furious battery upon the corner point and made above an hundred and fifty great shot against it whereby the stones were sorely battered but the Earth workes stood firme By all this shot only two persons were hurt for the Battery was so neare that if the Bullet missed the wall it flew quite over the Town or lighted at randome yet in the intervalls of the great shot after each discharge our musketiers playd hard and killed foure principall Cannoneers neither were the people daunted at the noyse of Cannon which by the slender execution became so contemptible that at that very time women and children wrought hard in lining the walls and repairing the breaches The enemy continued the storme by sending Granadoes which were guided by the hand of providence into by-places and sometimes falling upon the houses did rend and teare the buildings when the people within were preserved After ten dayes siege two severall parties were designed for the nayling of the enemes cannon These were commanded to fall into the trenches and march on till they met each other The one party of about two hundred Musketiers of the Town Regiment commanded by Captaine Stevenson and Captaine Moore sallied forth at the Northgate to have fallen into their Trenches at the East Port but by the mistake of their guide over a marish ground and full of ditches were brought round about to Sir Iacob Ashleys quarter where most of them came not up only fourty Musketiers encountred with five Colours of the Enemy slew divers of them took two Lievtenants prisoners forced back the rest and marching a little farther faced and fired at eight Colours more and so retreated In the retreat two Troopes of the Enemies horse came on the Reare whom our men facing about and charging forced to fall back and made good their own retreat in this distracted skirmish two of ours were killed three hurt and a Sarjeant taken prisoner The other party of the Lord Stanfords Regiment commanded by Captaine Blunt and Captaine White sallied by boat down the River on the Southpart of the Town towards the maine Leagre marched up to a Square redoubt our Cannon in the mean while playing upon the houses in the Suburbs beat them thence killed a Major with some common Souldiers and advanced to meet the other party But the design failing through the misguidance of the other party they were called off and by the help of our Ordnance made a faire retreat without losse of any onely two wounded The failing of the enterprize crossed a brave exploit and seasible they might have scoured the Trenches under the shelter of our Walls Neither did the Enemy take care to prevent them by turning the mouthes of any one piece of Ordnance upon the entry of the entrenchment Neverthelesse the crosse event did much amaze them that a small party should runne up to their Head-quarters force their men and recover back without a sensible losse Certainely the care of a higher providence preserved and brought off those many severall parties when the vanquishing of any one of them must needs run the City upon extream hazard for our whole strength remained upon the works day and night except the reserve of a hundred and twenty men at the maine Guard One rare and slender Rank were to receive the storme without seconds yet the safety of the whole did require those frequent sallies a desperate remedy to a despairing City not only to cast back the enemies preparations but to amaze them that the Souldiers should be held up in such heigth of resolution and cause them to expect more hot service from within the works Our men likewise were to be kept in the heat of action to prevent the fainting of the spirits Their hands also imbrued in bloud did the more enrage them Nor by safer meanes could they overcome the terrour which by the reputation of the Kings Army might possesse their minds The Enemy were kept waking by continuall Alarums to waste and weary them And t was the care of the Governour to cause a perpetuall noise that whensoever their Cannon had been silent for a while one or two of our Guns gave fire to disturbe the calm and signifie to the Country that we were yet alive for the besiegers ever and anon scattered reports of the taking of the Town with a purpose to prevent our reliefe All things within did presage a deliverance The sadnesse of the times did not cloud the countenance of the people they beheld their fortunes with a clear brow and were deliberate and chearfull in the endeavours of safety No great complainings were heard in our Streets no discontent seized on the Souldiers at other times prone to mutiny men of suspected fidelity did not faile in action Every
valuable person was active in his own place The usuall outcryes of women were not then heard the weakenesse of whose sexe was not overcome by the terrible Engines of warre And our becalmed spirits did implore divine assistance without consusion The Governour personally performed ready at every turning of affaires and gracing the businesse with speech and gesture upon the least intimation of diffidence he pretended rationall hopes of successe adding withall that our late yeelding could not mollifie the Kings Army and if in the close we must needs be lost no suter meanes of safety then by the utmost gallantry to constraine honourable conditions The Enemy still prepared for a generall storm mean while seeking to waste our Magazine which they knew must needs suddenly fayl expended their own store and dayly acted to the terrour of the inhabitants shooting Granadoes Fire-bals and great stones out of their Morter-peeces and had now planted a Battery on the Southside westward unto which the lower part of the Town was open Thence in one night they shot above twenty fiery melting hot iron Bullets some eighteen pound weight others two and twenty pound weight which were seen to fly through the ayre like the shooting of a starre They passed through stables and ricks of hay where the fire by the swiftnesse of the motion did not catch and falling on the tops of houses presently melted the leads and sunk through but all the skill and industry of the enemy could not set one house on fire They still playd their great shot against the wals and wrought hard in filling up the Moat with faggots and earth at the place where they battered where also they built a Gallery over the head of the Trench the breadth of foure abreast in the shelter whereof they had almost workt themselves over the Moat Then we found that they had sunk a Mine under the East Gate whereupon the Governour commanded a Counter-mine in two places but finding the Springs left off conceiving for the same reason the endeavour of the enemy to no purpose To discover or interrupt this work a Serjeant with five daring men were put forth at a port hole in the dungeon at the East gate came close to the mouth of their mine took off the board that covered it and for a while viewed the miners One of these cast in a hand-Granado amongst them whilst the foure musketiers played upon them as they ran forth and with the noise of our men from the walls gave the whole leager a strong alarm and crept in at the port-hole without harm Wherefore discovering that the enemy notwithstanding the springs went on with their mine we renewed our countermine for they had sunk a great depth under the moat and extreamly toyled in drawing up the spring water till at length they had gotten under the gate that our miners could heare them work under them and did expect to spoyle them by pouring in water or stealing out their powder For a remedy to this mischiefe and withall the enemy having planted store of Canon baskets within half musketshot of the East gate point blank intending a battery there upon the springing of their mine We made a very strong work crosse the street with a large trench before it and filled it with water intending to raise it up to the Eaves of the houses and to plant some Cannon there we answered their severall approaches by so many counter works A sconce was built upon a rising ground that looked into their trenches where we could plant foure piece of Ordnance to cleare within the wals a ground called the Friars Orchard southward and scoure their flank upon their entrance at the East gate and so northward Also an inner work was drawn from the south side along the middle of the Orchard and all passages stopt between that and the East port And to hinder their gallery we began to undermine for a place to put forth a peece of Ordnance at the bottom of the wall to batter the flank thereof which was perfected and a saker there placed Commanded men were drawn out upon the walls Granadoes provided and when the great Gun played upon the gallery the musketiers sent plenty of shot and cast divers Granadoes into their trenches in the mean while they firing their Ordnance against the top of the wall we cut off a maine beame of the gallery with our bolt shot But the same day the enemy had sunk a piece against the port-hole of out mine and forced us to withdraw the sakre yet we cast them back three dayes work And because all this side of the Town had no flankers nothing did more offend the enemy in their entrenchments then an old Barne at a corner point near the North Port in which was mounted a Peece that commanded three severall wayes and obliquely looked into their Trenches and oft times did good execution upon the pioners This was the chiefe strength of that side conceived the weakest part of the Town Vpon the Key head an halfe moon was raysed with a breast-work upon Seavern side under the Castle and the river chained to defend an assault from those high grounds beyond the river which was ever feared by those within His Majesty constantly residing at a miles distance would not solemnly invite by publique Summons lest hee should detract from the honour of his enterprize Neverthelesse those about him dealt underhand by sundry advertizements of the Kings displeasure threatnings perswasions and many intimations of possible grace and favour Some of our neighbours in their own names desired admission to a conference and perswaded the Surrender of the City in regard of the great power and terrible menacings of the enemy with the small hopes and in a manner impossibility of reliefe adding withall the heavy burthens under which the Countrey groaned The Governour made answer that we were sufficiently conscious of our own strength and the ground of our resolution and that we did not think our selves obliged to the enemy for the hopes and offers of favour These manifold perswasions made the besieged more obstinate and enabled them to understand themselves as a people worthy of entreaty a prize worth the purchase and in no wise lost or desperate the enemies themselves being Iudges As the â—ouldiers within were heated with their own performance so the enemy without being wasted in a lingering design before the houre of service came grew feeble in their own thoughts and to us contemptible Our common souldiers took to themselves a liberty to revile prevented and confounded the enemy with the self-same language in which they were wont to abuse and scorne our party which contumely though it begets a more deadly hatred and desire of revenge in generous mindes at that time did deject exceedingly and debase the spirits of their private souldiers who had never performed one gallant atchievement and to whom the sturdinesse of our men was well known The slownesse of their design in that form of
a leaguer proceeded from the desire of saving their foot with this presumption that there was no power to raise the siege which confidence deceived them till too late for their foot after those many knocks and the first fury spent were not so capable of the service without the help of many tedious preparations Wherefore besides their mine and battery they framed great store of those unperfect and troublesome engines to assault the lower parts of the City Those engines ran upon wheels with planks musket proof placed on the Axel-tree with holes for musketshot and a bridge before it the end whereof the wheels falling into the ditch was to rest upon our breast works Our reliefe seemed slow and the straitnesse of the siege debarred all intelligence Only two Spies which we sent out returned from Warwick and brought newes of the advance of the Lord Generall The report of his Excellency who then lay under a cloud did give no great assurance The truth is the sense of the depth of our distresse did not reach us Sir William Waller upon whom the Citizens of London cast their favour had not the reliques of an Army The Generals Army crumbled away the malignants of London fomented tumults in the City and insurrections in Kent distracted the businesse The house of Lords voted a treaty with the King the house of Commons debated the matter The resolution of Gloucester turned the stream whose succour was resolved upon as the Kingdoms safety The recruit of the Army was too slow for the service The London trained Bands or none must relieve us but could not agree who should undertake the businesse Essex was not favoured but the more prudent saw that he must be the man That none might decline the service upon whom the lot fell the shop windows were commanded to be shut up and trading for a time suspended The expedition was hasted in every pulpit carried on with continuall fasting and prayer an Army was framed in an instant and marched with incredible swiftnesse Prince Rupert with the greatest part of the Kings horse drew from Gloucester to retard their march but still appearing in the Van did no more then drill them along The enemy stayed before us till the last houre judging every particle of time a great advantage not knowing what a moment might bring forth They within not satisfied with the former intelligence sent out two other Spies with a double signall first one fire on the side of a hill to signifie their escapes and two fires on the same place if they heard good newes which latter was accordingly performed and beheld by us The fifth of September was appointed for a publike Fast to be kept by such as might be spared from labour This day we discovered their carriages marching from the leaguer and their horse and foot marching after yet we were not confident of the raising of the siege till the men were drawn out of the trenches and the reer-guard fired their huts We then perceived that God had sent a deliverance and that in the close of a solemn Fast as a gracious returne of prayer This evening the Lord Generall came to the brow of the hills seven miles from the Town and fired a warning piece but by reason of the contrary winds the report was not heard neither did the newes reach us that night Wherefore we did not venture upon the Reere of the enemy with our slender and wearied forces but kept as strong and watchfull guards as any time before presuming that reliefe at hand had raised the enemy yet suspecting that in point of honour they would attempt something worthy of a Royall Army But abiding before us to the last extremity they were driven away with great confusion after so many vowes of victory and revenge when their mines batteries and engines were in readinesse This hurry preserved the Countrey from injury which by them was devoted to ruine His Majesty was forced to leave the Town behinde him and constrained to a tedious march in that tempestuous rainy night their carriages were not got up the hills till the next morning which distraction was not known to us and the Generals Army was tired with long and continuall marches The admirable care of providence was beheld in the season of our reliefe when all things were prepared by the enemy for a generall storme our ammunition consumed but three single barrels of powder left in our magazine and not so much more elsewhere in the little harm done by their Cannon and Morter-pieces that sent amongst us so many terrible messengers Our lost men taken or slain did not amount to the number of fifty and of these but two Officers were slain Captain Harcus and the Governours Ensign yet we killed of the Enemy who never ventured an assault above a thousand men by the lowest confession The King expended much in Ammunition Engines and keeping together the discontented Souldiers besides the losse of his pretious time in that full tyde of Victory Here was a bound set to the swelling of those proud waves and the rock that split that Army when the Queen was sayd to be transported with passion because her counsell was not followed who advised the King to wave Gloucester and advance for London whilst the Parliament had no Army in the field the number of Malignants in the City did equall the rest began to rayse tumults and the actions of State were unresolved This City diverted the enemies thoughts from that rare opportunity which not so conscious of the Kingdoms weaknesse held up beyond reason and gave a breathing time to the State to effect its own reliefe Great was the failing of the Kings hopes in this defeat who by the gaining of this town would have held an undivided uninterrupted command and the granary of the Kingdome in the heart of his Country on the West bounded with the Sea cleare through the middle of the Land to the Northerne parts where also the Earl of Newcastles Army prevailed and in breadth reaching from the utmost Wales to the London Association and backed with Ireland with whom an Accommodation was then preparing Neverthelesse the raising of the siege was but an unperfect deliverance The successe of the Generals Army with the supply of our wants were to make it compleat For the enemy continually lay at our doores commerce was clean taken away and we farre distant from the fountaine of future supplies Wherefore during the stay of his Excellency parties of horse were continually sent abroad to fetch in provisions out of the Enemies quarters and Malignants estates The Granary was quickly filled The Generall left three Culverins forty single barrels of Gunpowder and set the Garrison in order The London Train-Bands and Auxiliaries supposing the work already done and the date of their Commission expired earnestly contended homewards yet must they break their way through the Kings Army and give him some further blow to secure and perfect the reliefe of this Garrison for so confident were the enemy of
our relief and in thought have already divided the spoyle Sir William Vavasour willing to act something in the latter end of the day to repaire his credit in the Kings Army desired a greater strength with a sufficient Artillery to distresse and straiten Gloucester and having obtained two Culverins from Oxford with a proportion of powder he advanced with a strong Brigade towards Painswick with unusuall preparations and expectation Their march afflicted the Country and indangered our out-garrisons The enemy were confident to the last that extremity would compell us to yeild up all to their mercy Sir William Vavasour entred Painswicke with as gallant horse and foot as the Kings Army did yeild Here the Governour had placed a guard in a house neer the Church into which the Church also was taken in by a Breast work of Earth The intention of the guard was to command contribution and keepe off a plundering party and order was given to the Lieutenant which commanded to maintaine it against a lesser party but if the maine body and Artillery advanced upon them to relinquish it and retreate down the Hill to Bruckthrop where the Governour had set a guard to prevent the Enemies falling down into the bottome for which purpose they were assisted with a Troop of horse to make good such a Retreate if need were But the Lieutenant more confident of the place and not understanding the strength of the Army and not willing to draw off before the last minute was inforced by the Enemy to engage himselfe and many willing people of the Neighbourhood in that weak hold and upon the first onset deserted the house being the stronger part and betook himselfe to the Church which wanting flankers the Enemy had quickly gained by firing the doores and casting in hand-Granadoes some few were slaine in defending the place and the rest taken prisoners We lost three inferior Officers seaven and thirty common Souldiers and many Country men At that season the Governour had commanded to Stroud another guard of fifty Musketiers to support and strengthen the place in its own defence But Ammunition was their only cry which struck us dead and constrained the Governour to withdraw that party to the garrison at Essington For our Magazine did then yeild no more then six single barrells of powder by which meanes he was wholly disabled to encounter the Enemy Only to preserve the bottome he drew forth the greatest part of both Regiments with their Colours display'd to flourish at a distance and summoned the Volunteers of the Country whom himselfe had engaged in a posture of defence These were to increase the appearance of strength by day and at night to guard the severall passages So that the Enemy durst not adventure below the Hills nor seek us in our advantages nor was it safe for us who wanted horse to set upon them in those large and open places Either party kept their own ground They wasted the Hill Countries whilst we secured the Vale and the Souldiers sustained hard duty in marching to and fro to give the Country satisfaction where the Enemy prevailed they plundered to the bare walls and this was the accomplishment of the great service so long expected from Sir William Vavasour This Brigade upon the defeate of Sir Ralph Hoptons Army by Sir William Waller at Charrington Down was commanded hence and instantly marched for Cirencester and so to Oxford our horse made after them but could not recover the Reare only they lighted upon some straglers and in the whole businesse we killed and took near fifty men This diversion relieved Gloucester which else had bin blocked up to the Gates and cast into as great necessity as ever In this pinch we received twelve horse loade of Ammunition strangely conveyed between the Enemies garisons only by the Carriers and a foot post when their designed convoy that set forth a little after and missed them gave them for lost and returned to Warwicke The residue of the relief was stolne by parcells through the enemies Quarters for though their greater body was drawn off yet were we still vexed with their garrisons Not long after there arrived another portion and three Troopes of horse to make up the Governours Regiment At length came Lieutenant Colonell Ferrar that had the command of these succours with a little long expected pay for the Garrison As for the Foote Souldiers that came with him out of London in regard they came severall wayes and at severall times in a lingering march with want of pay and some taken prisoners about fifty came to Gloucester and of the rest no good account could be given When Vavasour was called off the Enemy revived and grew bold under a more active Leader Colonell Nicholas Min who commanded the Irish Brigade In the first entrance hee began to lash out and made assayes of action cut down the Bridge at Masemore allarmed the City from the Vineyard Hill and took divers of our men that issued out upon a sally over the River in a boate At this present there came dayly cries for the reliefe of Brampton Castle in the remote parts of Herefordshire which held out a long time in the midst of the Enemies Country to the expense of much time and bloud And their succour was the more importuned by the rage of the Enemy which had lately acted their cruelties upon fourty prisoners of the same command taken by Colonell Woodhouse in Hopton Castle which were basely murthered after the surrender Colonell Massie had no forces under his command to undertake a march through the midst of the Enemy when they pressed hard on our own borders and the Brigade of horse assigned for the Convoy and commanded by Commissary Generall Bher were unwilling to undertake the service Yet while these horse remained here the Governour desired to set them a worke that they might not act only to the spoyle of the Country Wherefore they joyned with a party of our foot and made an attempt upon Newent Colonell Mins garrison but were called off in the midst of the service by a speciall order from the L. Generall The Enemy have lost the hopes of their Winter action and this garrison made the best of a bad game in continuall petty services and small parties yet beyond the strength of the place not to conquer but live nor to destroy the Kings Forces but to stave off or delude them But to enable Colonell Massie to march with a better strength Colonell Purefoy with his Regiment of horse about the first of April 1644 was by the Committeè of both Kingdome commanded into these parts and the maine designe was to remove or take in the garrisons that lay round the City These horse having brought but a slender part of the Ammunition and none of the Armes that were sent from London were remanded to Warwicke for the Convoy of Match and Powder The Governour resolving not to undertake a march or action of time without a proportion of Powder
found but the place it selfe was of greatest consequence and worthy of the service being now a strong Frontier-town securing that side of the County and commanding a good part of Worcestershire and in this nicke of time extreamly crosse to the intentions of the Kings Army The enemy confest themselves to be neer seven hundred strong when our whole body could not reach that number That very day Colonell Myn was to march from Hereford to ayd this Town but prevented by our possession These things were acted here while the Earle of Essex and Sir William Waller lay neere Oxford with both their Armys and compelled His Majesty to withdraw himselfe from his strongest hold The King having shifted between them both by a close and nimble conveyance and being on a swift march over Cotswood hils had this Town of Tewkesbury in his thoughts for his owne passe and a stop to the pursuing Army not understanding his losse till within a daies march of the place The intelligence of this surprisall and that Upton-bridge was made unpassable perplexed the King and turned aside the course of his flight towards Evesham where he quartered for a night and rose thence in great distraction and caused all the bridges in those parts to be broken down after him to hinder Sir William Waller in the pursuit whom he expected in the Reare every hower In such a hurry confusion and feare did the Enemy run that a smaller party of horse only with the report of the foot comming after in a constant and close pursuit might have consumed and dissipated the whole army which neverthelesse remained a body with life in it selfe and quickly grew up to the perfection of parts The Governour had reduced these parts into a reasonable condition of ease and security made a convenient passe for the Parliaments forces through the heart of the Kings Country and blocked up the course of the Enemy almost on every side unlesse the maine Army did march Malmesbury and Beverston-Castle lie in the Roade from Oxford to Bristoll and inforce the lesser parties to fetch a compasse by Worcester and Hereford thence round about into Wales and at last to passe the River of Severne below Berkely Castle When the King had winded himselfe out of the snare Sir William Waller could not well follow the chase with his foot and a traine of Artillery though the horse might performe gallantly to the ruine of those who resolved rather to flie before them then fightupon any tearmes Wherefore he made some pause by the way with a purpose to march his great Ordnance to Gloucester and appointed Colonell Massie to meet him before Sudeley where he performed an acceptable service to this Country The Governour forth with faced the Castle beat in the Enemy and took twenty horses from under the Castle walls expecting the arrivall of Sir Wil. Waller who came up within few houres with a strong party of Horse The Enemy within discharged their Ordnance and fired their out-houses like men resolved upon extremities rather then to yeild up or lose the garison In the evening Sir William Waller summoned the Governour of the Castle and it fell out that the very name of his Army and presence strooke them to the surrender of that hold that might have expended the lives of many and much time then pretious in that great advantage on the Kings distressed Army yet they refused to render at the first summons The Battery was planted within halfe Musketshot But the great pieces did little execution upon the soft and yeilding stone nor could the Castle be taken by battery but one shot by chance took off the head of their Cannoneer and exceedingly daunted the common souldier and the Governour Sir William Morton did in his owne thoughts incline to a surrender whether out of a naturall feare or free choice He was knowne to be active and violent in the Kings service of an high spirit and bold bearing before him the semblance of valour and supposed by an high degree of enmity most obnoxious to the justice of the Parliament one that had the repute of a knowing man able in the profession of the Law and versed in the wayes and actions of men He was likewise more strongly linked unto that cause by the late honour of Knighthood which by the State is held no better then a note of infamy to stigmatize those persons that have been eminent in the disservice of the common-Wealth Notwithstanding this being lost and desperate in the opinion of the Parliament he gave up that strong hold and himselfe into their hands having not provided for the indempnity of his own person when by his own party likewise he must needs be branded with treachery or cowardize and so lost on all hands So that no faction seemes to be assured of its principall confidents and that no resolved nature or judgement can secure the strongest enterprize to a wise and honorable conclusion After the surrender Sir William advanced thence to seek out the Kings Army and left the Castle to be kept by the Gloucester forces By this time the Enemy had no footing in the County save Berkely-Castle and Lidney house And as this government had by maine force gained every step of its command so no lesse skill and vertue is required to maintaine the victories we have the possession of Gloucester Tewkesbury Sudely Newneham Beverston and Slimbridge all to be defended and maintained at so great distances only by two Regiments of foot For Malmesbury was kept by Colonell Deveraux his Regiment who was appointed Governour under the command of Colonell Massie unto whom the disposition and settlement of that garrison was intrusted by the Parliament For want of money the City Regiments were weake and uncertaine in duty and service and the Souldiers ranne dayly to other garrisons where they found alwayes constant pay and lesse hardship But the Governour could find none so rationall as to clap them in Irons or give them back to his justice For this cause he was perplexed in each designe uncertaine of the atchievement and could not waite for a regular disposition and traine of circumstances but nimble in the secret and sudden motions of the time and season and sometrue resolving upon the sole guide of providence but in this never running a greater hazard then the shame of a non-performanee These many garrisons having taken up the whole strength for want of a marching brigade we were deprived of the fruit of our labours in the supplies of monies to be commanded out of the Enemies quarters and disabled to relieve the remote parts that were by this time united under the power of this government So that the first fruits were nipt in the bud and we remaine miserable after so great enlargements being inforced to cry to the Parliament for help which we should have held a disparagement had we received a stock to improve to a larger support and livelyhood Wherefore the house of Commons taking notice of
Muskettiers were drawn thence with eight troops of our poore horse unto Clurewall expecting there to meet the Newnham foot drawn off for this designe the garrison supplyed in the interim by the Countrey Voluntiers In the close of the next evening they approached neer the Enemy where no good presage did favour the busines The horse failed six houres of the time appointed whom the constant want of pay and hands bound up from plunder made irregular and disabled the Commander in chief to reward or punish Himself must manage the designe not by advice onely but personall action and act a part in the duty of each inferior Officer That night we beat up their ambuscades forced them within their works and by frequent alarms kept them waking yet as much as possible from working The next morning at break of day was the time reserved for a storme but the foot were all stragling and could not be gathered up insomuch that the Governors own troop with no more then fourscore Muskettiers made the onset and by Gods help performed gallantly They found the Enemy well prepared the works followed with dexterity and diligence with much art and cost on pallisadoes and breast-works and the most defective places from Wye to Seaverne defended with a tall quick-set hedge a ditch within the Pinnaces riding in each River with Ordnance to play upon us and the line so strongly guarded with hammer Guns Murtherers placed on the Flanks at either end that it seemed impossible to storme the same by day without apparent great losse yet was the Governour to wait for lowe water that the Guns from the ships might not reach us which happily fell out at the opening of the day yet were we in the reach of the Ordnance planted on the Weleh shore and equall to our height He laid holdon the instant of season with a small party in a silent march came close to the works wherupon after the taking of the alarme when the Enemy had spent many shot our men forced two or three Pallisadoes that some of the foot and the forlorn hope of horse brake in but finding themselves at a stand between the Pallisadoes and the quick-set hedge lined with Muskettiers began to face about when there was no looking back nor passing forwards by reason of the continuall shot In this party was the Governor engaged who now became the Leader of the Forlorn-hope and with not a little difficulty forced his own horse over the hedge fell in among them was recharged furiously his head-peece knocked off with the but-end of a Musket strangely preserved till three or foure foot and some horse brake over the hedge after him then there came up a full body of horse and foot and by maine force bore down before them a resolved and prepared Enemie slew thirty and tooke prisoners a Leiutenant Colonell one Major two Captaines three Leiutenants three Ensignes with other Officers and common Souldiers to the number of two hundred and twenty They forced Sir John Winter downe the clift into the river where a little boate lay to receive him and convey him thence into the ships riding within Musket shot of the shore with many Musqueteers and great shot Many tooke the water some whereof were drowned and others saved themselves by recovering the boates Prince Rupert the Patron of this designe was expected there the next high water being then upon the river but extreamely prevented and crossed in the height of his desire and confidence It was a brave exployte and true victory upon such an eminent disadvantage over a formidable enemy They were stronger within the Fortifications then sixe times the same number in the open field The storme that hovered was blowne over we calme and secure in the possession of Monmouth But as for this necke of land so fortunate and famous to the Government of Gloucester for two remarkable victories though Sir John Winter and the VVelsh forces had their eye continually upon it yet the neglect of the place was no oversight in our Garrison but caused by the incapacity of the place it selfe it being impossible to be held by us till we were Masters at Sea because at every floud the ships on the Seaverne lay levell with the highest ground Wherefore it was resolved by a Councell of Warre that the buildings should be demolished and all trees and hedges cut downe The taking and securing of Manmouth was a faire beginning and almost the possession of halfe Wales But as yet the County became unserviceable to us and we made loosers by enlarging our bounds The Substance of Gloucestershire was expended in maintaining the Garrison foote and the Horse left wholly unfurnished yet bounde up from plunder and rapine neither did we finde that assistance in the County as was expected and promised considering which with our meane forces and slender pay no progresse could be made in gaining the Countrey but the time was spent in light skirmishes and surprizals betweene petty parties on both sides and we sustained some losse by Colonel Broughtons Captaine Leiuetenant who with fifty souldiers undertooke to garrison a house neare Godridge Castle neither obvious to releife nor caring to fortify or store the place with victualls This was done in the Governours absence without order disavowed by all and owned onely by the Captaine himselfe whose plea was that he had no support for his men and was enforced to get his living there But within a few dayes his house was fired upon him and he and all his carried prisoners to Hereford before releife could reach them Notwithstanding our necessitous condition the Parliament were informed of great multitudes and a burden of supernumerary Officers and Souldiers and seemed to require out of the superfluity of those parts an assistance more ample then the maine strength of the place It was hard to take a just and full view at such a distance and peradventure perpetuall action and the great things effected here might multiply the numbers of the Garrison and represent things in the largest forme But the voyce of the people gave out that we were kept low by the malice of misinformations and that the souldiers cry could not be heard because they were apt to be thought ever craving and querulous Wherefore at that season there came some particular commands from the Powers above which did not correspond with the State of our Affaires or the ground of the enjoyned Service November the tenth Colonell Massie received Instructions from the Committee of both Kingdomes to march with all the strength he could make into the Borders of Oxfordshire to prevent the joyning of the Welsh forces under the Conduct of Colonell Gerrard with the rest of the Kings Army or to take advantage of the enemy or joyne with the Parliaments Army as occasion did offer This command found him overwhelmed with manifold imployments and in that instant of time some Monmouthshire Gentlemen tendred their assistance to the taking in of Chepstow
so neere Bristoll and farre from releife especially in the Winter Nor at that season could they draw off without a stronger Guard and Convoy To this end the Governour marched to Kingscoate with three hundred Horse and Dragoones intending to send a party to bring off that Garrison but receiving advertisement of a Regiment of Horse quartered that night in Sâ—dbury he fell downe thither where he found an enemy there arrived to the assistance of Colonell Gernard against Tate-House here he resolved to undertake them that night and had no sooner appeared at the Townes end but the first Guard fledde and our men marched into the Town one by one because of the enemyes baracadoes went up to the maine Guard consisting of forty Horse who being surprized daunted at the sudden entrance of our men and not confiding in their owne strength quitted the place and left the rest in their quarters most of which escaped on foote by the backe side of the Towne We tooke fourescore Horses many Armes twenty prisoners and of them two Captaines and the next morning brought off the forlorne Garrison In the depth of Winter when each parcell of the Parliaments Army had retired into London or the securer parts of that Association and the Kings forces were dispersed into the severall quarters Cirencester and the hill Country of Gloucestershire was assigned to Sir Jacob Ashley having the Command of three Brigades of foote and assisted with the Queenes Prince Ruperts Prince Maurices and the Lord Wilmots Regiments of Horse with others His designe was to destroy the Countrey and live upon the ruines thereof whose incursions on that side and the Bristoll forces about Berkely with the Worcester Hereford and Monmouth forces on the other side act something daily to the spoyle of a miserable Countrey which is left as the Kingdomes forlorne hope and croucheth daily betweene two burdens The distressed Neighbourhoode did seeme to challenge those severall Armyes then in being which lay rusting in their quarters to keepe the Associated Countyes where no feare was when they might prevent the ruine of their freinds and starve the enemy who live upon our fatnesse when they might hinder the Kings Recruits disturbe their Winter calmes and make them fight for the possession and enjoyment of their owne Territoryes But in the deepe silence of that part of the Kingdome these parts are borne downe by the maine Bulke of the Kings Army without the least inablement at present or the hopes of future releife The enemyes whole burden rests upon this Government Colonell Massie placed a Guard at Lypiat commanded a party of Horse and Dragoones to Strouds a place most exposed to spoyle and set Guardes of Horse at severall places of advantage These Guardes affronted Sir Jacob Ashley in the stoppe of Contribution and Plunder the indignation whereof drew him out of Cirencester with foure Regiments of Horse to Hampton Roade where he divided his men and sent them out three severall wayes to surprze our Horse in their quarters and plunder the Countrey Each party fayled of the designe through the favour of Providence to that well affected people At each Guardes some few that tooke the Alarme did encounter and stave off the enemyes first violence till the rest of a few slender troopes were drawne up and encouraged by the Governours fortunate arrivall from Gloucestershire at that instant charged and overcame a farre greater power which were also engaged to fight by their heavy plunder and difficult returne In the whole about eight or nine slaine and twenty of the best men of the Queenes and Princes Regiment taken prisoners and of these one Captaine and Cornet The successe did revive and engage the Countrey Yet after a few dayes Sir Jacob Ashley marched out of Cirencester with a greater power of Horse and Foote and assaulted the Guard at Lypiat in the absence of the Captaine that commanded there with instructions from the Governour to draw off if at any time an Army fell downe But the House being unfortifyed was soone taken and uncapable of defence where we lost a Lieutenant and fifty private Souldiers At which very time we had lodged three hundred foote within Muserden House sent thither the day before with orders to defend it as a Garrison who had no knowledge of the enemyes approach till they came within halfe a mile They remained in the House according to command but in no defensible posture neverthelesse expecting the Onset every moment The surprizall of these men was prevented by a meere accident of the Governours Arrivall who faced the great Body with no more then sixty Horse till the Foote were drawne off the Hills That the strength of the Kings Army should lie upon us was not strange but that no care was had of a competent provision for a deserving Country was beyond the conceit of them that beheld our misery The enemy were strong in horse and our few divided into so many parcells and swallowed up in the petty guards that no sooner could we drawe to the rescue of one side but the forces on the other hand fell on to the ruine of the poore people The Governor knowes no remedy but by daily shifting motions and becomes an Ubiquitary He can attempt no designe but first in his owne person faceth the Enemy on the contrary side and fills them with the alarme of his presence Sir Jacob Ashley sends Warrants for contributions to the gates of Gloucester The forces from Hereford were marched forth to Canon-Froome towards Lidbury whereupon the Governor advanced with a party of horse and foote as farre as Bosbury waiting for action but staied onely for a night having placed guards towards Worcester and Hereford in the most passible wayes for the Enemies approach and fell into one of their quarters tooke a Captaine and his Cornet with some common Troopers and fifteene horses the Enemy falling downe from Cirensester suddenly fetches home this party Whiles these things happened the Governour received a command from the Committee of both Kingdoms to attempt Campden House newly Garrisoned by the Kings forces under Sir Henry Bard and the horse of Warwicke and Coventry by command of the same Committee were to aide and receive Orders from him in the prosecution of this designe Colonell Massie tooke courage to resolve them of the incapacitie of that service for the present since it could not be done without greater losse to the State then the fortune of the action could countervaile for it was a worke of continuance that required our whole strength and that side of the Country from which we drew must be given up to destruction and the Enemy waited no greater advantage then to fasten the Governor upon a tedious enterprize besides the intendment was unvailed in all those parts that were required to send aide and before the Orders of the grand Committee came to his hand the London Mercuries had proclamed it to the world The Earl of Worcester the Lord Herbert and their
which the representative Body of the Kingdome thinks fit For a third party cannot be in England And therefore they have no way of safety or justification in this action but a speedy declaration for the Parliament from whom they would finde security and protection and after assurance of fidelity a setling of the Countrey to their owne likings He gave them likewise to understand that the charge of the Parliament in maintaining the Souldiers and of the Countrey in contribution did thence arise that the people being disingaged in person might looke to their Husbandry declaring withall that the disunion of the Country not understanding their interest in the Parliament was the sole cause of the entertayning of Souldiers For had the whole Kingdome rose in time and expressed themselves of this opinion that they would stand up as one man against the Popish partie and enemy of their Countrey the worke had beene long since done But their drawing backe put the Parliament upon this way of raysing Armes upon their stocke and expence or the Kingdome must needs fall He minded them likewise that if they lost this opportunity of closing with the Parliament nothing but destruction would follow that if they closed with Hereford and composed the difference this compliance might last till Prince Ruperts returne and then they must looke to pay for this rebellion but if they purpose at last to fall in with Rupert it would hasten their bondage yet givethem no security This kinde of entercourse passed betweene Colonell Massie and the Countrey people meane while he drew backe to Rosse waiting the event of this commotion but not engaging himselfe amidst a promiscuous and doubtfull multitude He represented likewise to the Committee of both Kingdomes what advantage the gaining and disadvantage the losse of this opportunity might be to the whole worke that their expressions of their esteeme of himselfe and his gentle dealing with them were great that the weaknesse of his forces cheifely of Horse was the maine businesse that caused the Major Part to decline his invitation importuning them if they desired to gaine this partie as also a leading party to the whole Kingdome to send a considerable strength of Horse and if the forces saide to be intended had come to him when fifteene thousand appeared in Armes before Hereford and of them sixe thousand Musqueteers and some well mounted he had gained a full testimony of compliance with the Parliament and drawne them with ease to aide him against Prince Ruperts Army when they were in the moode so farre incensed and inraged And to compleate the designe a Recruite for the Regiments of Horse was necessary and that the Auxiliaries should bring along their meanes of entertainment for the sending of strength without money did more wound then heale us for the Souldiers challenge their pay or plunder And as it was hatefull to the Governour so the State of the Countrey would not permit him to spend his time in gathering contribution But for want of a just and due supply these men were lost to us and to themselves also concluding a peace with the Governour of Hereford and obnoxious and open to the Kings Army Hereupon Colonell Massie marched from Rosse and passed the Seaverne towards Berkely purposing to joyne with Sir William Waller who was noysed to be come into the Borders of this Countrey when the day before some of the Berkely forces had issued out towards our Garrison at Slimbridge but ere they could retreate to the Castle the Garrison forces fell upon them slewe twelve wherof one Captain an Irish Rebell and took twenty five prisoners whereof two were Captaines and one Leiutenant The Governour with his party advanced thence towards Chipping-Sodbury where Colonell Strange with a party of Horse began to fortify but upon the notice of our Advance retreated to Berkely No sooner had the Herefordshire men disbanded and returned to their owne houses but Prince Rupert falls backe out of Shropshire and comes upon them with his whole Army The noise of his Arrivall doth hasten the Governours returne to Gloucester who drew thence two hundred Horse and five hundred foote into the Borders of Herefordshire where many of the Countrey people resorted unto him some with fire weapons some with others but the want of strength especially of Horse render'd him of little capacity to preserve them The people having good desires but daunted with the greatnesse of the enemy and the slendernesse of our forces were wholly lost Sir William Waller was importuned to draw this way or to send a strong party which might prove of the greatest advantage to the Kingdome when the Princes designe was to lye on that Countrey to recruite his Army with men horses and money for the Spring action and the approach of the Parliaments Army and would not onely bring in the Countrey and make them firme to their service but disappoint if not destroy Prince Ruperts Army at that time the greatest in the Kingdome being a confluence of the forces of Prince Rupert Prince Maurice Colonell Gerard Lord Hastings Lord Ashly Sir Marmaduke Langdale These men beare all before them take mens Persons spoyle their Estates disarme the Countrey reape the benefit of the late insurrection and extract money by force and terrour from the poore people whose destruction as well as their late rising in Armes is wholly lost to the Parliament and serve onely to make up the enemies recruite The Princes impresse men in great abundance in Hereford Monmouch Worcestershire raise great summes of money get good store of Armes necessity in part casting them upon such ways of violence and coercive power And though the prest men were of suspected fidelity and lesse value and had often deceived them in the heate of battell yet they conduced to the sudden forming of an Army when the Kings Affaires grew desperate and thrust in with the old Volunteers made up the bulke of a great Body Thus both the strength and the ruines of the Countrey are left to the enemy when by the aide of twelve hundred Horse in the beginning of this insurrection the hopes of the businesse might without vanity promise the Parliament many thousand fighting men of all sorts besides those already in pay Sir John Winter the plague of the Forrest once more importuned the releife of Lidney House and obtaines from the Prince about two thousand Horse and fifteene hundred foot who breake in to destroy the Countrey and disarme the Inhabitants The Governour with what strength he can make marched to Wesbury and quartered within a mile and a halfe of the enemy and gave order to the Guards that beset Lidney that the foote be drawne off to the Garrison of Nast and Highmeadow and the Horse repaire to the Randevouze which was done without losse when the Forrest was full of the enemy He preserved likewise the lower parts neere the river but for want of horse wherein the enemy did abound could not without extreame hazard and
losse advance to the further parts where they kept their Randevouze and which they laide wast plundering the houses to the bare walls driving all the cattell siezing upon the persons of men and sending them Captives to Monmouth and Chepstow except such as escaped to us by flight as many did with their Armes and some few that saved themselves in Woods and Minepitts The enemy did not adventure into the lower and neerer places where our foot lay ready and resolved to undertake theirs if they came on Our Neighbouring parts of Hereford and Worcestershire runne the like fortune with these in the Forrest and looke blacke upon this Garrison which was not able to preserve them The Kings forces returned the second time into the Forrest and tooke the gleanings of the former Harvest yet the neerer parts are still prrserved The enemy raised themselves to a great power already reputed sixe thousand horse and foote and seeme to endeavour Northward wherefore the Governour intending to helpe the Countrey by driving up the Reare of their march or to put in for any service advanced to Lidbury with foure hundred horse and five hundred foot his whole marching strength notwithstanding the addition of two hundred and fifty Horse from Northampton and Warwicke and with this party attended the enemyes motion Hither Prince Rupert advanced with the best part of his Army of whose approach neither spye nor Scout from the Out-guards made the least discovery till they came within halfe a mile of the Towne horse and foote to surprize or at least to surround us The Governour instantly commanded the Horse to mount and drew up the foote though not in so good order as he might by reason of the sudden Alarme and suspecting what he afterwards founde that the Prince would endeavour to compasse him in he marched off the foot with all due speed that the enemyes right or left wing might not get before us which they endeavored by sending one party to the Towns end to keep us in action there whilst two other parties fetched a compasse upon either hand In the meane while he brought up those few horse that were not upon the Out-guards to charge the enemy at their first entrance and placed an Ambuscado of twenty Musqueteeres to make good the retreate But the businesse was acted so that the Governour in person with the Field Officers and Captaines were enforced to entertaine the enemy with severall charges and beare their brunt alone till the foote had ridde some ground before them In this part of the skirmish their losse was the greatest for number of ours only Major Backehouse mortally wounded the Governour whom the Prince aimed to charge had his horse wounded under him by two severoll shots Our men drew off as was meete made good the retreat three or foure miles to the enemyes losse till they came up to a place of shelter when hasting to get before the right wing of the enemyes horse they were put into some confusion And the Horse having no great desire to fight neglected the advantage of the place to stop the pursuit though the Governour endeavoured what he could to engage them That the enemy fell in among the Reare Guard of the foote where he lost neare two hundred men taken prisoners many Country men being taken in to make up the number This businesse cost them the lives of some gallrnt Officers and the Prince missed his aime of surprizing Colonell Massye but the Governour supposed the stay of the Princes march an advantage to the Service Neverthelesse the Army continued some dayes after betweene Hereford and Worcester recruiting dayly and seeme to put much confidence in the Country whom they cause not onely to abjure the Parliament but binde over to themselves by solemne oath swearing in the presence of God That they beleeve no power of Pope or Parliament can depose the King and obsolve them from their naturall obedience to his Royall Person and Successors that the two Houses of Parliament without the Kings consent have no power to make Lawes or to binde or oblige the subjects by their Ordinances that they beleeve the Earl of Essex and Manchester and Sir Thomas Fairsaxe Sir William Waller Colonell Massie together with all such as have already or shall hereafter take up Armes by Authority or commission from the members of Parliament at Westminster pretending to fight for King and Parliament doe thereby become actuall Rebells and as such ought with all their adherents and partakers to be presented and brought to condigne punishment that they will never beare Armes in their quarrell but will if they be thereto called assist their Soveraine and his Armies in the defence of his Royall Person Crowne and Dignity against all contrary forces to the utmost of their skill and power and with the hazard of their lives and fortunes that they will not discover the secresies of his Majesties Army unto the Rebells nor hold any correspondence with them and all designes of theirs against the Kings Army for the surprizing or delivering up of the Cities of Hereford or Worcester or any other of his Majesties Forts they shall truly discover to those whom it shall concern so soone as it comes to their knowledge That his Majesties taking up Armes for the causes by himselfe so often declared in Print is justly necessary That they shall endeavour all they can to hinder popular tumults risings randevouzes meetings confederacies and associations of the people townes hundreds and countries which are not warranted to assemble by his Majesties expresse commission or by power derived from him by vertue of his Commissions and in the sense he meanes it and that they detest from their heart that seditious and traiterous late invented nationall covenant and protest never to take it All these particulars they vow and protest sinceerely to obsolve without Equivocation or mentall Reservation This Pretestation was strictly injoyned by the Princes to be taken by all without exception in the Counties of Mounmouth Glamorgan Breeknoâ—ke Radnor Hereford and Worcester Neverthelesse this constained act could not knit the hearts of a male-contented Country to the love of that side nor could the State permit the enemies exaction and violence by this vow eternally to binde up the people from well-doing The Princes Army is the maine rest of the Kings Affaires which they strengthen daily by impressing the Countrey taking in lesser Brigades and draining the Garrisons and a part of Gorings Army passed over the Seaverne from Bristoll into Wales and so to Rupert at Hereford After a little stay to perfect the recruite the enemy drew thence the Infantery and Artillery lay betweene Worcester and Beaudly commanded by Sir Jacob Ashley whilest Rupert and Maurice with the horse and some select foote fetch off the King from Oxford assisted also with Gorings Horse and Dragoones who left his Majesty at Stew and marched backe over the hills into the West through our Borders The Governour received another dropping
Association to stop his Recrutes to scarter his Forces and continually to distract the designes of that Army Experience is witnesse of how great concernment it hath been to the safety of the Common-wealth not one place in the Kingdome of England hath so much exhausted the enemies Army nor hath the like advantage to ruine it It can paine them at the heart 't is a fire kindled in their bowels that might eate out their strength had it been the felicity of the State to have sent hither a part of those great supplies which have been else-where expended and done little towards the conclusion of the great worke If this Collection shall present any thing that comes home to a civill life or the imployment of a Souldier if it shall bring to minde acceptable services and cause the people to remember the day of small things with the power of active and faithfull endeavours that observe and follow the Divine Providence I shall not faile of my end and I know that this my adventure is no more then what the action doth deserve and the world may challenge THe ingagement of the City of Gloucester in this common Cause of Religion and Liberty first began when the Houses of Parliament declared to the Kingdome their resolution of a defensive War neither were its principall and active men drawne in by inferiour and accidentall motives but quickened by the same Principles in the maine that did enliven and actuate the Supreme Court expressing themselves the very motions of a Parliamentary spirit by an absolute and greedâ compliance with every act that breathed towards the perfect health of the State the severall Remonstrances of both Houses were received with all due respect whereas no Declaration sent from the other Party found the courtesie of a formall entertainment It hath beene the honour of that Civill Government never to be guilty of the least act of disservice against that Cause which their hearts wish might prevaile and prosper Therefore when the fire kindled and fomented by Jesuited Papists and their adherents was blowne up into a flame and the heads of two Parties appeared within this Realme the City of Gloucester determined not to stand Neutrall in action but to adhere unto one party with which they resolved to stand or fall necessity requiring no lesse which affection improves into vertue The acknowledgement of its owne advantage in scituation and strength importuned a more timely Declaration least by it selfe neglected it should be seized by the Enemy whose eâe was upon it and so cast into perpetuall bondage Also the greatest part of the Country consented and resolved to maintaine their Birth-rights in the defence of the Priviledges and Power of Parliament against all invasions of usurpation and tyranny During the Kings preparaetions in the North they attempted according to the slendernes of al beginnings to put themselves into a posture of defence and exspected the instructions of Parliament And whereas the Ordinance of Militia was the first pretended ground of difference betweene his Majesty and the Houses they desiring such Officers in whom the State might confide and the King refusing to deprive them that by himselfe were intrusted when the rent was once made a greater necessity impleaded the execution of that Ordinance Whereupon the Lord Say was by Order of Parliament appointed Lord Lieutenant A Commission was likewise granted unto divers Gentlemen for Deputy Lieutenants many whereof drew back and shunned the imployment that the power for the most part rested in the Members of the House of Commons for this County by whose countenance many Companies of Volunteers were raised then called the Militia Bands and led by such Captaines as the Embryo of the Warre could afford But the first undertaking was more jocund then the progresse as oft times it comes to passe that a Military pompe and appearance of bravery doth affect and raise up many feeble spirits who quickly lye flat when they begin to feele the stubbornesse and cruelty of Warre The Commission of Array did not adventure to render it selfe to the people it was about to be offered to their liking at Cirencester by the Lord Chando's and some other disaffected Gentlemen but was stifled in the birth and crusht by the rude hand of the multitude before it saw the light the chiefe Abetter thereof was like to suffer violence by the meanest of the people whose fury constrained him to promise and give under his hand that he would never more deale in the businesse But when they saw that this Lord had escaped their hands by a secret conveyance they were the more enraged and waxed cruell against his Accoutrements and Furniture and whatsoevtr of his was left behind delighting in a contumelious revenge and rustick triumph Such were the effects of that fury that tooke hold on the ignoble multitude in whom not alwaies the deepe sense of their owne interests doth provoke this extasie of passion but peradventure a slighter accident and unexpected turning of the fancy sets them in a hurry when their insolency becomes intollerable and they glory to vent their humours by reason of an usuall restraint and subjection Neverthelesse they have produced good effects and oft times a more undescerned guidance of superiour Agents turnes them to the terrour of the Enemy and an unexplecable selfe-ingagement upon the common people which prudent men promote and maintaine yet no farther then themselves can over-rule and moderate Hereupon the full streame of the Country runnes for the Ordinance of the Militia and against the Kings Declarations and Commission of Array But since we are now upon the beginning of action it will not be from the matter to declare the grounds of that affection which the Country did expresse and were common unto them with many parts of the Kingdome that were devoted to the same Cause but might appeare in a greater degree and have a clearer evidence in the present example Most men therefore did undoubtedly foresee greater hopes of liberty from the Parliament then the Kings Party in so much that there appeared in all the States adhearents an inbred propensity to freedome but a desire of vast Dominion Dignity revenge or rapine in them that tooke to the contrary Faction by which this Country did seeme well disposed to comply with the Parliaments grand Designe for there was no excessive number of powerfull Gentry who for the most part care not to render themselves the slaves of Princes that they also might rule over their Neighbours as Vassalls But the Inhabitants consisted chiefly of Yeomen Farmers petty Free-holders and such as use Manufactures that enrich the Country and passe through the hands of a multitude a generation of men truely laborious jealous of their Properties whose principall ayme is Liberty and Plenty and whilst in an equall ranke with their Neighbours they desire onely not to be oppressed and account themselves extreamely bound to the world if they may keepe their owne such therefore continually thwart the
intentions of tyrannie unto which they onely are moulded who detesting a close hardy and industrious way of living doe eate their bread in the sweat of other men and neglecting a secure estate rejoyce rather in the height of fortune though inconstant and dangerous Such is the predominant humour of Gentlemen in a corrupted age Besides the Country-man had of his owne and did not live by the breath of his great Land lord neither were the poore and needy at the will of the Gentry but observed those men by whom those Manufactures were maintained that kept them alive By which meanes it came to passe that neither they of the middle ranke nor the needy were de voted to the examples of the Gentlemen who turned back betrayed their trust and are alwaies more apt to be corrupted or mistaken in judging of the common interest but had learned to reverence their Liberties and to acknowledge their native happinesse But some higher cause had a greater influence on the endeavours of many for a well-bounded Freedome and regular Priviledges a knowledge of things pertaining to Divine Worship according to the maine Principles of the Christian profession Which Religion is not according to the will of man but grounded upon an unchangeable and eternall Truth and doth indispensably binde every soule to one Law perpetuall and constant This therefore doth strongly implead the necessity of externall priviledges in her Professors and though it doth not destroy the Kingdomes of the World nor usurpe a greater liberty then humane Lawes will easily grant yet it will not give away its native right and it hath moreover in its nature an irreconcileable emnity against Arbitrary Government and will worke its selfe out of bondage when the felicity of the times shall give power and a lawfull call And in this kinde of knowledge this City and County was more happy then many other parts of the Kingdome by meanes of a practicall Ministry which hath not onely its powerfull working in Divine things but doth also inable vulgar capacities more fitly to apply themselves to such things as cenverne the life of a morall man and although each Person thus informed reacheth not the depth of the reason yet he can comprehend the truth thereof and jealousie makes him the more quick-sighted Thus have we found that the common people addicted to the Kings service have come out of blinde Wales and other dark corners of the Land but the more knowing are apt to contradict and question and will not easily be brought to the bent For this cause the ambition of the times hath endeavoured the undermining of true Religion to promote a blind and irrationall worship that might bring forth an ignorant and slavish generation of men which kinde of bondage the meanest person that performes a reasonable service cannot but resent and feare Yet something there was that might debase and infeeble their spirits the plague and mischiefe of the whole Realme a grosse ignorance and supine neglect of Military Discipline there being no ground for the study and exercise of Armes that might keepe the body of the State in health and vigour Nor is it unlikely that extreame vassalage was the end of that long sluggish Peace when the Nation could not have been more happy then in some just and honourable warre with forraigne parts though now none more miserable by reason of these civill broyles that teare the bowels and eate up the strength of the Kingdome 'T is no shame in the progresse of time to looke backe upon the beginnings of action The Trained Bands accounted the maine support of the Realme and Bulworks against unexpected invasions were effeminate in courage and uncapable of Discipline because their whole course of life was alienated from warlike imployment in so much that young and active spirits were more perfect by the experience of two daies service Wherefore these men might easily repine at oppression and have a will to preserve themselves yet a small body of desperate Cavalliers might over runne and ruine them at their pleasure Some professed Souldiers were sent downe from the Parliament to settle these and the Militia bands who had this onely according to the Rules of warre to be gathered under severall Captaines and many of them into the forme of a Regiment which disposition might fit them for a suddaine service and the very posture conferre something of a warlike spirit Within the City of Gloucester one Company of Volunteers was added to the Trayned Band and some Peeces of Ordinance obtained from London and Bristoll which were then received with universall amazement by an Inland people though not long after they grew familiar with their terrible executions meane while the City was open on three parts at least and had no considerable defence onely capable thereof by advantage of scituation The Citizens did mainely shew their care and affection in fortifying the Towne a worke both expensive and tedious being of great compasse and raised from the ground During these things the Enemy came not neere our dwellings we heard of them a farre off but little thought that the cloud of blood should be blowne from the North and settle over us upon whom it afterwards brake into so many showres that this place should become the seate of Warre and the Stage of action that then lying open to a free commerce with the World it should be shut up sometimes in strict custody but still under a larger confinement and beleagured at a distance in the midst of the Kings head Garrisons At that time the rumours of Warre and first acts of Hostility quickly filled the eares and tongues of people Alarms were then taken at a greater distance and the first was given from the neighbour City of Worcester by five hundred of the Kings Horse which entred the Towne and at that season were not the least part of his Majesties forces His whole strength could not amount to the number of a just Army according to the slender proportion of those times neither could they march like a set and perfect body but flasht through the Land as the Lightning that strikes from one quarter of the Heaven to the other The noyse of a nearer Enemy raised the Volunteers of the Country who marched under the conduct of some Gentlemen towards Worcester expecting to meete Colonell Nathaniel Fiennes with a strength of Horse but Colonell Fiennes had faced the Towne and drawne off before the advance of our Foote and they also retreated having done nothing but so meanely prepared for the service that they were much bound to the Enemy that they fell not out of the City and cut them in peeces The same Volunteers came on the second time and were to joyne once more with Colonell Fiennes who returned with a greater strength of Horse and Dragoones under the Command of Colonell Sands and now also prevented our Foot they attempted the onset and approached the Towne with much speed and confidence on the Welch side of
the conditions were that all might have liberty of person and passe to their owne houses leaving their Armes behind and taking an Oath never to serve against the Parliament they compounded also for the goods in the house for which they were to pay five hundred pounds within sixe daies or to leave them a free prize to the Souldiers Within two daies after Prince Rupert faced Sudely with about foure thousand Horse and Foot pretending an attempt to regaine it but in the meane time marched his Artilery towards Cirencester Lieutenant Colonell Massie made provision to maintaine the Castle by taking in water and store of Hay and Corne and having left there Lieutenant Colonell Forbes with a sufficient Guard himselfe retreated to Gloucester the Prince with his Forces kept the Hills and after three daies fell before Cirencester a stragling and open Towne neither well fortified nor capable of defence The champaine Country round about was most advantagious to the Horse in which the Enemies strength did chiefly consist and which was then wholly wanting to that Garrison for their Horse and Dragoones were sent to the taking of Sudely most of their Officers were drawne out upon that service except the Captaines of the Volunteers and Lieutenant Colonell Karre was the onely experienced Souldier left there their Canoneers were wanting the common Souldiers quite off the hinges either cowardly or mutinous The storme rose when least feared by the miserable people who had not ended the joy of their late deliverance from as great a power but strangely diverted and though they were still in the same danger upon the reverse of the Army yet were they not capable of the least distrust till the storme hovered againe either supposing themselves invincible or by defiance to have bafled a wary Enemy that falls backe and waites his time to returne with greater fury On the second of February the Towne was assaulted and taken the first and maine assault was made on a house a flight shot from the Town which was defended by a hundred Musketeers for an houres space against two Regiments of Foot and a Regiment of Horse which were led on by the Prince till at length having drawne up their Musketeers and by Granadoes fired the Barnes and Ricks and smoothered the Guard the Enemies Horse drove their Foote before them entred the streetes by maine force and possest themselves of the Garrison within two houres yet it cost them the lives of many amongst whom the Welch-men were reported to suffer the greatest slaughter who in that Army were a continuall sacrifice to the Sword Each Guard made resistance according to the Officers valour and experience the Souldiers of the Earle of Stamfords Regiment had acted the best part but that they were most put to the sword when the Towne was entred except those that by flight had their lives given them for a prey Some few besides defended their Guards a while but the passages were many and open and the enemy soone came upon their backes as for the Country-men their houre was not yet come neither had they quitted such imployment as did infeeble their spirits nor entred the Schoole of War to study indignation revenge and bloud that alone can overcome the terrour of an Army It so fell out that in the midst of the service they were at their wits end and stood like men amazed feare bereft them of understanding and memory begat confusion in the minde within and the thronging throughts did oppresse and stop the course of action that they were busied in everything but could bring forth nothing few of ours were slaine in the fight but many murthered after the taking of the Towne eleaven hundred taken prisoners and at least two thousand Armes lost which the Country had there laid up as in a secure Magazine the miserable Captives were entertained with all despight and contumely according to the Enemies accustomed cruelty in the beginning of the warre Commanders and Gentlemen had no better quarter then the common Souldiers but were all thrust into the Church to be reserved for a triumph and trampled upon in a base and impotent revenge whether the first fury of a civill warre and the jarres of Brethren prove most outragious or the cause of Religion had blouded their minds Not a man could be released though the price of his redemption were paid till he had first attended the triumph at Oxford that an unfortunate King might view the aspect of such innocent Subjects that should presume to claime those rights wherein they were borne when reason might easily evince that no slight matter could engage such a people in a open warre as were ever willing to deceive themselves into a Supererrogation of Loyalty The whole Country was quickly full of this disaster and in vaine did thinke to recover what was lost by weakenesse of spirit or errour in the chiefe manage of the businesse thousands of men armed and unarmed flocked together and resolved to undertake the Enemy under the conduct of a grave and well-minded Patriot but the desired Leader was conscious of the peoples madnesse and knew well that they made a loude cry a farre off but if once brought up to the face of the Army they would never abide the fury of the first onset Wherefore he refused to engage himselfe and them upon a certaine destruction neverthelesse the people bitterly railed against him and curst him as a Traitor to his Country neither could the experience of these times dispossesse them of that absurd conceite The very next day after the losse of Cirencester the City of Gloucester was demanded by Prince Rupert the Summons found the people extreamely dashed at the strange turning of things and so much amazed that they could not credit the report of this blow though confirmed by sundry eye-witnesses the hearts of many sunke very low and began to lye flat Zeale and Religion upheld some all had a kinde of will but the strong sidelity and resolution of the Souldier at that time and in all extreame hazards upheld the Garrison The Prince therefore received a short answer from Lieuten ant Colonell Massie and the principall Officers that they were resolved with their lives and fortunes to defend the City for the use of the King and Parliament and in no wise would surrender at the demand of a forraigne Prince Another answer was returned from the Mayor of the City for the Martiall Command was not fully setled that he was resolved according to his Oath and Allegiance to keepe the City in his Majesties behoose and would not deliver the same according to this summons Whereupon a second summons was sent from the Prince which could not alter the case in their judgement who held the Towne and seeming withall to perswade and solicite them out of their Hold did easily beget an opinion of the Enemies weakenesse and their owne considerable strength since neither Religion nor modesty could with-hold from bloud that enraged Party but onely the
inferiour Officers with about forty private Souldiers taken Prisoners All the strength of these parts are now driven into the Walls of Gloucester onely Barkly Castle is held still for an entercourse between us and Bristoll This City was accounted one of the chiefe Holds of the Kingdome and far from the well-spring of succour yet was there no care of a competent Brigade or Magazine a common defect by which the State hath received much detriment that through the penury of men Armes and Ammunition remote Garrisons are left in dispaire or the intention of the maine Army must be diverted for their relief Our succours were yet to be raised or selected out of severall commands and come on slowly the people were held up by false reports and to stave off the Enemy the Governour was to put the best face on a bad matter Meane while a great power of the Welch Army advance towards Gloucester and setled at Hignham house within two miles of the City and began to intrench The Governour placed a Guard at the Bishops house to keepe them at a distance Sir Jerome Brett their Major Generall had the confidence to demand the Towne but the summons was received with scorne from a Welch Brigade and became ridiculous when Prince Rupert had beene twice refused besides an inveterate hatred derived by fabulous tradition had passed betweene the Welch-men and the Citizens of Gloucester Such slight and irrationall passages prevaile much with the common people in whom opinion beares rule Those Forces were said to expect Prince Ruperts approach on the other side else it cannot be imagined to what end they lay five weekes in a stinking nest They were basely basled never attempted our out-Guard never undertooke the least Party that issued forth Meanewhile the Prince was conceived to waite upon other designes The Bristoll Plot offered it selfe upon which his person did attend before the Gates of that City Thence he was drawne off to stop Sir William Wallers advance for our reliefe who deceived the Prince by strong reports and night marches and happily drilled along his small Army to the place of action The Governour could attempt nothing but onely make good the Guard at the Bishops house and flourish with some slender Sallyes he had not an hundred Horse and the Enemies foot were double the number of those in the Garrison at length an addition of two hundred Horse and Dragoones from Bristoll under the command of Captain John Fiennes gave some life to the businesse hereupon severall Parties at sundry times were drawn out which never failed to beat the Enemy into their works kill and take prisoners although treble the number of our strongest Party So that the name of our Blew Regiment became a terrour to those miserable Welch-men who were partly constrained to take up Armes partly allured with the hope of plunder Certainely they were deceived out of their owne Country not to fight but to take Gloucester by which meanes they could act an impotent villany and cruelty but nothing of a Souldiers gallantry Immediately after the taking of Malmesbury Sir William Waller bent his course towards Gloucester and laid his designe for the surprize of the Welch Army he gave notice of his advance unto Lieutenant Colonell Massie with directions instantly to draw forth both Horse and Foot before Hignham and to keepe them in continuall action that they might not understand his approach He gave order likewise that those Flat-bottomes which were brought from London upon Carriages for service upon the River Seaverne should be sent downe to Frampton passage sixe miles below Gloucester where both Horse and Foot were arrived by noone passed over the River before night and unawares of the Enemy got between them and home tooke them in a snare and intercepted their flight The Governour performed according to the intention of the Plot drew forth all the Horse and a Party of five hundred Foot brought up the Ordnance neere the house and kept them in the heate of play till the Evening at night he set Guards round the house with that straitenesse and confidence that the Enemy durst not stirre nor a Spy steale out although they lay fifteene hundred strong At Sunne rising they had a fresh Alarme by our Ordnance and were held to it by our Musket shot This morning their Horse issued out attempting to force their way through the Horse Guard which they did and put some of our Horse rashly charging and upon disadvantage to a disorderly retreate but comming up to a Foot Guard received a repulse and to the reliefe of that Guard which was thought too weake a Party was drawne from the Artillery and that againe by this meanes much neglected in so much that the same instant the enemy fell out upon our Ordnance then like to be deserted but were beaten backe by the gallantry of some few that kept their ground In this point of action Sir William Waller came up and shot his warning-peece on the other side which dasht the Enemy and so revived our men that they ran up with fury stormed a redoubt and tooke in it two Captaines and above thirty private Souldiers which service had a maine influence upon the surrender of the house Sir William placed his Army to the best advantage for shew and displaid the Colours of two Foot Regiments reduced to a hundred and fifty men drew neere the house and made some few shot with his Canon After his approach not a man of the Enemy was slaine or hurt yet the common Souldier would doe any thing but fight when they were well fortified and had a sufficient Magazine they sounded a Parley and sent forth some Officers to treat which had this result that they should render the house and themselves as prisoners and the Officers should receive respect and quarter according to their quality Upon the returne of these termes some advised to break through which the common Souldiers utterly refused and neglected the advantage of a dark and rainy night The persons that treated dealt the second time in a kind of begging way but at last accepted the former conditions and gave up the Welch Army into the hands of men quite spent with continuall marches and watching Divers persons of quality were here taken the most powerfull Gentry of Herefordshire some of those that in scorne were stiled the Nine Worthies who in the first opening of the great breach affronted the Parliament with a scandalous remonstrance the next day being the twenty fift of March neere fifteene hundred were led Captive into Gloucester as great a number as Sir William Wallers Army with the Garrison Forces could rise unto Thus the first fruites of Wales were blasted the strength of the nearer parts almost vanquished and the effects of this Victory had been more lasting had it been used to the best advantage The Kings Party had a notable faculty in the improvement of Victories by strict imprisonment and inhauncing the rate of their Captives
houres extreamely affected with contrary reports for the jocund newes of the vanquishing of Sir Wil. Waller arrived early in the morning but before noone an expresse came of the losse of Tewksbury which was cast upon the heat of the first report like cold water into a boyling pot The same day a Party of Prince Maurice his Horse appeared from the top of a Hill neere Tweksbury and intimated the approach of his whole Army whereupon Sir William VValler marched thither that Evening and resolved to breake downe or make good the bridge at Upton upon Seaverne besides which there was no passe nearer then VVorcester but the Scouts gave notice that the Prince had recovered the bridge and set a guard upon it The next morning Sir VVilliam advanced towards the Prince and found him in Ripple Field with his Army drawn up and divided into three bodies besides the hedges lined with Musketeers Here our Forces faced the Enemy in a large field and could hardly reach the third part of the Princes strength brought up their Gunnes having neither shot prepared nor Cannoneers that understood the businesse nor the assistance of Foot save only a part of the Governours owne company besides the wind and Sun were against them and no retreat if need were but through a narrow Lane of two miles long and whereas they might stand upon the top of a rising ground to deceive the Enemy with the semblance of a greater power behind they descended a little on the side of the Hill and discovered their weaknesse to a full view In this posture some perswaded to fight and began to make some shot with the Ordnance which gave no shew of the least execution But some other Officers examined the Cannoneere and finding neither fit Bullet nor any convenient shot but all things at randome earnestly disswaded either to make the onset or expect the enemy in that place and advising likewise the tryall discovered their Ambuscadoes within the hedges Hereupon Sir VVilliam VValler fell back and entred the narrow Lane commanding a Party of Dragoones to face the Princes Army and the Musketeeres to stand at the corner of the lane within the hedges to make good the retreat The enemy fell on not a man of those Dragoons would stand to receive the charge but hurried away broke over the hedge fell among and disordered our owne Musketeers the Enemy clapt in after them cut down foure or five of the Foot and tooke as many Prisoners Lieutenant Colonell Massie kept close to his Foot and instantly dispatcht to Tewksbury for a supply and Sir Arthur Hazelrigg prevailed with his owne Troope to charge and in his owne person performed gallantly the Foot with those Horse put the Enemy to a stand and in part tooke off the foulenesse of the retreat through that straite passage When they came to the next open place our men had the advantage of a ditch to stay the persuit and in the heat of the chase one Foot Souldier at the command of the Governour turned upon the Enemy a gate then cast of the hinges which barred their entrance enabled our men to draw up for a charge here for a while they stood in a maze but on a suddain faced about ran flock-meale the Enemy upon their backs and the close of this action was like to be miserable but at the entrance a strait passage neere the Myth Hill a supply of Foot from the Town opportunely met them gauled the Enemy and put them to a stand once more whilst the Governour charged the leader of the forlorne hope hand to hand and was rescued by the gallantry of some Officers when of ours onely a small Party of Horse remained in the field the rest being got off in great confusion Yet the escape might equall a Victory and the saving of the Forces passe for cleare gaine Prince Maurice did not attempt the regaining of Tweksbury the Government whereof was intrusted to Sir Robert Cooke who had newly raised a Regiment of Foot by Commission from sir VVilliam VValler At that season the main strength of the Kings Army was drawn from these parts when Redding was beleaguerd by the Earle of Essex by which meanes the Parliament forces had a large and free game in this Countrey went on with a full stream of successe driven with a gentle gale of providence and a kinde of unimitable happinesse in unbloody victories The fortune of the former did over-rule the event of the succeeding action and the name and presence of Sir William Waller did include more then a thousand men Neither was he wanting to himselfe but made the best use of his present fame and kept it up by constant active endeavours lest a little intermission might permit the enemy to recollect himselfe or the reall weaknesse of this Army be discerned It was therefore suddenly resolved for Hereford whither he advanced with a thousand Horse and Dragoons assisted by the Governour with the greatest part of the Lord Stamfords Regiment there were also the beginnings of Colonell Thomas Stephens his Regiment The maine body of Horse and Foot were drawn up before Bisters gate on the North side of the Town stood aloof off and shot at random till the Lievtenant Colonell commanded Captain Grey with a party of musketiers over the River towards Wie Bridge whose march was secured by a rising bank under the walls These were ordered to make shew of an assault and if need were to fall back unto the water side where seconds were placed for their reliefe The enemies horse sallied out upon them whom that party having gallantly kept off and forced back into the City with-drew thence and gained a Church within Pistoll shot of St Owens gate whence our Musketiers plaied on the walls and exceedingly terrified those within But the main rest of the businesse was the name of a conquering army which Sir William Waller improved to the best advantage by all expedition and industry And to help forward Massie drew up two Sakers in a strait line against Wigmarsh gate not without extream hazard by shot from the walls himselfe gave fire and the first Canon shot entred the gate took an Officers head from his shoulders and slew some few besides More shots were made each of which scoured the streets and so daunted the enemy that they presently sounded a parley which was entertained by Sir William Waller and hostages given on both sides the Parley lasted almost the whole day whilst most of the common souldiers ranne over Wie bridge into Wales only the Commanders and Gentlemen remained and were reported to be held in by the Townsmen to sweeten the surrender and obtaine better quarter Next morning they rendred the chiefe prisoners here taken were the Lord Scudamore Colonell Coningsby Sir William Crofts c. few horse and private souldiers but store of Armes and Ammunition The Town compounded was secured from plunder and after fourteen dayes deserted Sir William Waller obtained many faire victories but had
the many good services of Colonell Massie made an Order for the recrute of his Regiment of horse and foot in the first place and to make up a competent Brigade Colonell Tho. Stephens had commission for a Regiment of horse and Colonell Edward Harley for a Regiment of foot In which businesse the Governour advised not to raise men and horse at Londm whither the refuse of the Army runnegadoes and such as disliked the conditions of their former entertainment were wont to repaire but only to procure monies to be sent into the Country where horses might be raysed at a cheaper rate and able men were easy to be found and chiefly where we might robbe the Enemy of their maine strength from whom great multitudes were ready to flow in upon the hopes of entertainment And before this time since the late siege at least a thousand of the Enemy that here tendred themselves to the service went from us for lack of pay This was a speedy course and effectuall which might carry on the worke whilst we were in a thriving way At that time the affaires of the garrison were a little enterwoven with some passages of the greater Army Sir William Waller was led into the Northerne parts in the pursuit of His Majestie straining to reach or get beyond him But the King doubled in the chace hasted back by Worcester towards Oxford and left Sir William a few dayes march in the Rear who neverthelesse made after with all speed but was constrained to rest at Gloucester to refresh his weary Souldiers And purposing to fall upon the Kings Army importuned the Governor to lend his assistance which was extracted out of the extreme penury of these parts onely for a quick dispatch Two hundred and seventy Muskettiers with a Company of Dragoons were sent from Gloucester and a hundred Muskettiers from Malmsbury which did not a little necessitate the place and stop the actions of this command which had so many Garrisons to make good and defend the Countrey from the neighbouring Enemy that began to threaten from every quarter At this time there happened a dispute between the Kings Army and Sir William Waller at a Bridge neer Banbury where some few were slain and taken on both sides but on ours the chief miscarriage was the losse of some Ordnance After this brush the King marched off into the borders of Worcestershire and Sir William Waller towards Buckingham to joyn with Collonel Browne Our Countrey is in danger of ruine by the falling down of the Kings Army whose main body lay for a while about Breedon three miles from Tewkesbury where his Majestie being informed of the weaknesse of the place drew neer with a purpose to storme it advanced the Ordnance within a mile and sent out parties to skirmish Collonel Massie upon the first intelligence clapt into the Town two hundred Muskettiers for an additionall strength and to incourage those within Himself in the mean while with a hundred and fifty Muskettiers in Cosâ—â—awne waited to encounter with an other party of the Worcester forces whom he staved off with the losse of five or six men neer Vpton bridge and passed over Seavern to Tewksbury Upon notice hereof the Enemy drew thence and retreated towards Parshowe and Evesham There the King pretended to passe over the River into Herefordshire and Wales and gave command that all the Bridges should be made up but his designe lay Westward Wherefore he made up the hils marched the first day in the view of Shudely Castle over the Downes and came that night to Cubberly seven miles from Gloucester and from thence marched the next day by Beverstone Castle to Sodbury They went on like a flying Army surprised the Countrey but they onely touched and away And our weak troops drove in the stragling plunderers For the Governor commanded a party of horse to follow the Reare of the Enemy whilest the rest were imployed in a necessary defence in sundry places These did seem to give them a gentle convoy over the hill Countrey towards Bristoll and though the Van of their horse were too nimble for us and drove great store of the garrison cattell that lay in their way yet the Countrey-men were saved from any great matter of losse and the parties of horse brought into our garison between 50 and 60 prisoners officers and souldiers and though they could not retard the march yet made them passe forward with much watines and fear In the mean while Coll Min together with Sir John Winters forces take the advantage of our weaknes to spoil and destroy our friends on the Forrest side Sir William Russell and the Governor of Worcester make incursions on that side And the garison oppressed with many out-guards and multitudes of prisoners within had much ado to preserve the neighbours from ruine Collonel Min advanced from Rosse where he quartered his regiment within half a mile of the City drove away the Countrey cattell and took the persons of many And the forces of Berkely Castle act a sufficient part in the generall mischief The Governor looks round about him and though he cannot hope to lay them flat and subdue their spirits yet he can check their insolence make them stand on their guard He commanded a party of horse and Dragoons towards Berkley who fell upon the guard of the Town beat them into the Castle slew eight or ten took prisoners Captain Sandys with a Lieutenant Ensigne Sargeant and seven common Souldiers whence likewise they brought away fourty or fifty arms and took from out of the Park under the Castle wall about fiftie horses with other cattell An other party was commanded within foure miles of Worcester and surprised in their quarters Sir Humphrey Tracy Lieu Coll Hely and Captain Savage and brought them prisoners to Gloucester By this time an increase is added to the garrison forces by the arrival of Col Stephens with three troops of horse and two troops of Coll Harlyes Regiment which did inable the Governour once more to appear in the field and draw out against Collonel Min a serious and active Enemy and a perpetuall terror to the Countrey whose ruine was again contrived and resolved upon And for this designe strong preparations were made by the Enemy round about The Governor had some discovery out of their own quarters and upon advertisement that some forces out of Hereford and Wales went over the River at Aust passage advanced with his horse towards Berkly Castle and thence to the passage where they missed not half an houre of the surprisall of the Lord Herbert The notice of the march of our horse into the remote parts of the County hastned Mins expedition for Gloucestershire And our intelligence abroad gave a timely advertisement of the work in hand which a little after was fully confirm'd by letters taken out of Collonel Mins pocket to wit that Hereford and Worcestershire were to joyn their forces about Cosselawne and with an over-powering Army to march
by seeking out a fresh and doubtfull Enemy with our few and weary Souldiers Onely three or foure slain five or six wounded amongst whom Collonel Harley received a shot in the arme The successe of this designe cut off the maine strength of the Kings forces in South-wales and secured the Countrey from our plundering neighbours on the Welch side The body of Collonel Min was brought to Gloucester and vouchsafed an honorable buriall His death was by his own party much lamented together with the losse of a brave Regiment that were commanded from Ireland to fight here a gainst the justice of that cause upon which the Irish war was held up and owned by the whole Kingdom And it hath been observed that as the Irish Pacification was unlucky and reproachfull to the outside of the Kings actions amongst his Protestant party so the Commanders that came thence were unfortunate in all their designes and in the end miserable When the Governor had setled his affaires at home in reasonable security his desires and aime was to put in for the advantage of a more generall service and pitched upon these two proposals the one to make a diversion from the Lord Generals Army then blocked up in the West the other to keep back Prince Ruperts stragling forces which then lay between Shrewsbury and Worcester a little after the great Northern defeat And these the Prince earnestly desired that upon this rubbish he might frame an Army for the close of the Summer action Wherefore if possible to endeavour a diversion from the West-parts the Governor drew towards Bath with one hundred horse and foot the Forces lent to Sir William Waller being in part returned with a purpose to disturbe the Kings quarters and withdraw a part of the maine Army to inable Bristoll and Bath On the hils likewise he might expect to encounter Prince Rupert from Bristoll who fled thither with about three hundred horse presently after the discomsit in the North. But within a few dayes upon advertisement of the miscarriage and disaster of the Lord Generals Army he drew back and the rather having intelligence that the Prince had commanded Collonel Charles Gerrard out of Wales and the reliques of his own Army to break their way through our countrey into the Western parts These were reported to lie neer Worcester waiting there for a clear passe and by all means to escape Collonel Massie They were to take their course over Coltswold Hils or by the borders of Herefordshire to make into the Forrest of Deaue and thence over the River at Aust. Wherfore the Governors maine businesse was to prevent this this Conjunction and block up either passage In his retreat towards Gloucester he fell down before Berkely and lodged his men two dayes in the Town summoned the Castle and made shew of an assault but this was taken up in the way besides the intention of the designe and though the losse of six or eight men by their own folly gave Collonel Veale occasion of boasting yet for all the pretended great service in maintaining the place that was never attempted he was immediately after cashered that Government by the Princes order But before Collonel Massie drew thence he caused the boats to be fired at Aust passage and intending to passe over Seaverne at Frampton to meet Prince Ruperts Forces received an alarme that they were already in Gosse Lawne whereupon our marching Brigade hasted to Gloucester where they found that many of those troops under the command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale were newly come into Herefordshire and that a party of them joyning with Collonel Lingens horse had advanced within six miles of the City of spoil and plunder those Parishes that were joyned in one Association to a mutuall defence and the aid of this Government The Governor persued his designe drew forth towards the Lawne and stopped their course on that side Seaverne Where upon they took their course through Worcester where they obtained an additionall strength from Collonel Sandys his horse and Sir William Russels horse and foot with all the foot that Dudly Castle and those parts could afford them And now conceiving themselves able both in power and advantage of the march having as they supposed left Collonel Massie beyond Seaverne and too farre in the Reare to reach them resolved to break forth hoping both to passe clear and relieve Banbury in the way But the Governor being certified of their march forthwith conveyed his men over Seaverne at Tewkesbury and recovered the hils as farre as Stanway and got before them in the meane while gave notice to the Major of the Earle of Denbighs horse that lay neer Tewkesbury in Worcestershire who the Jame day brought up two hundred horse to joyn with our party on the hils Neverthelesse the Governor understanding nothing but that the Enemy was marched to Stratford upon Avon and so beyond his reach sent back the Foot almost tyred with tedious and continuall marches and with his horse resolved to joyn with Collonel Fines at Banbury But he found at the return of the Scouts that about five hundred horse neer at that instant got over the River on this fide Evesham and made their approach neer his quarters and that a party of Foot were left at the Bridge to make good the repasse one half of the Forces in the mean while lying at Evesham and the other neer Parshowe Our men appearing on the hils the Enemy took the alarme retreated suddenly and for a while lodged themselves beyond Worcester Their number was computed by such as beheld them to be about five and twenty hundred horse ill armed and the surviving part of the ruines of the Northern Army Again to prevent their incursions into the remote parts of the County beyond Seaverne a competent strength of horse and foot were commanded over and withall to attend the Enemies motion In the midst of this and other designes of consequence at that time depending the Governor with all the Officers of horse and foot were much distressed for lack of that support which the necessity of the service did require and the extreme want of the common Troopers drove them daily away Every performance in the whole course of this Government was filled with much distempers and though the exigence of the Souldier hath been great in many places yet the gleanings of other Brigades have been better then our vintage No Officer had any portion in the Contribution money no pay for the troops for many moneths together no allowance for Scout Spie or Intelligencer who observe onely the liberall and open handed nor the hopes of reward to incourage the Souldiers gallantry That the indeavours of the Governor in keeping together and increasing the Forces were nigh lost Neither was any means allotted to the supply of the necessary attendants and Officers of a marching Brigade And in the heat of service the nature and terms of the Governors command were disputed and t was very questionable whether
endeavour after a smoother path a greater harmony and more exact symmetry of parts whereas the face of things is conscious of more disproportion sometimes a confusion of businesse and the severall scenes may easily swerve from the originall plot but the divided parts drawne in severall are not so constrained and rackt but come naked and more simple and shew that the reason of the same Counsells is one in the Senate or Conclave another in the field discovers the failing or the crosse-working of contrivances how in the midst of action the maine Land-markes are waved and many grand projects never reach their period Out of all which the comparing faculty of a judicious observer may collect the mis-guidance or defects of Policy and see how the pearcing subtilties of wit are broken and shattered by the course of things more knotty rude and and violent and this is the life of History that ought to declare the delinquency of State as well as its accomplishment and perfection If the materialls of the Worke be questioned whether fit to be drawne up into one regular and compacted whole and to make a standing monument we also know that nothing in this kinde is to be thrust upon the world since History doth intend to gratifie the future times with the remembrance of those things onely which prudent men desire and claime from such as pretend an interest and portion in the treasures of knowledge it beares therefore before it nothing more then the thing it selfe gives forth and which may finde acceptance with severer wits for not onely the remarkable changes of the Universe the grand periods of Kingdomes and Common-wealths the chiefe and turning points of State-affaires but particular Plat-formes lives examples and emergent occasions also are to be observed and laid up for posterity More yet those particularities and minute passages are they that come home to mens businesse approach their experience and guide their course but things more grand and lofty seeme to be turned upon the wheeles of Providence too high for the imitation of men The worke of a politick or martiall man is to fixe his designe and then to expect the accomplishment not by one sudden or great atchievement but by a series of many particles and through an infinite variety of emergent occasions and at last the maine turning point falls in by the over-ruling power of the Universall cause such are properly the workes of men into which they ought to enquire and search Besides the chiefe skill is not the generall knowledge of the maine undertaking but a certaine dexterity in meeting every point in working through many mazes and windings since sundry passages of small purport intervene to disturbe or promove it Experience tells that many Universall Schollars are the most uncouth persons to Civill imployment which so happens because they study Bookes more then the course of businesse in which they gaze upon high objects and binde themselves to the riged observance of received Canons that if they venture amongst men upon a slight accident unexpected they sticke in the mire or runne a wrong course We dislike not the taking up of well tryed Principles onely by examples of all sorts must we learne to except and distinguish and by consequence to use or abate the rigour of Politicall Maximes neither doth it seldome come to passe that inferiour things over-rule and a circumstance may be predominant From such a low bottome and meane beginning are great things raised and as their verticle point come in an instant so may they be turned upon a weake and slender hinge yet we meane not those circumstances that are the inseparable attendants of every naturall action but onely such as are worthy and have a morall influence all which shun their understandings who respect onely great and excelse objects which peradventure may flourish with ostentation and pompe but if applyed unto the life of man bring forth an effect like the birth of the Mountaines And here we tender a naked Comentary and true rehearsall of those things as deserve not wholly to be forgotten if it be not full of rare changes which may grace the composure and affect the Reader yet doth it give the full draught of a Martiall command and a true Copy of the things it intends to expresse it hath this advantage it common with others of the like nature that it can come forth to the censure of the present Age without the guilt and shame of mistakes or flatteries Authors more Universall could never gaine to be stiled the Writers of unquestionable verities for they see at a greater distance and by a more obscure and duskey light certainly a nearer approach and some kind of interest is required of him that desires to shew not onely some tarcke and foot-steps but the expresse image of things for whatsoever passes from hand to hand though upon the most undubitable Authority proves at the best but the image of a Picture for the best wit that takes things though upon the surest trust must needs fall short of the Copy by which he writes if not in beauty yet in the truth and life thereof The onely danger in such as are intressed is least they be partiall to their own side or make the Discourse more lofty then the Stage can reach which mischiefe the deliberate thoughts of a serious man can prevent and tell him that the unvayling of the defects and misfortunes of his owne party doth evince the sincerity of the Relation and graceth it with more variety then what the continuall streame of the hight of gallantry and successe can yeeld and which is most of all doth demonstrate that at some times the designe was laid upon the principles of reason and prosecuted with industry whereas continuall victory is attributed to a certaine hidden felicity and the bounty of providence Affection therefore receives a check from that man who is more true to his owne faction and ends then to transgresse against the honour of that worke he takes in hand As for this Military Government the power hereof hath rested in one Command and therefore doth more easily close into a single frame yet not in a smooth and equall straine but distinguished by many rises and falls 't is a branch almost divided from the maine stocke and hath been put to live and act of it selfe neverthelesse a branch still and enlivened by the Authority of the Kingdomes soveraigne power from which it receives an influence both of support and guidance but its distance from the fountaine of power had derived upon the Trustee a more free command and made way for the perfect worke of a souldier both counsell and action which is the surest way to make such commands both active and prosperous The seate hereof lyes in the heart of the enemies Country like a forlorn hope and is maintained not so much for its owne sake or that so much ground might lye under a Parliament Power but to divide the Kings