improvement wee can make of this our voyage for the honour of our good God in briefly observing and admiring the menacing molestations and shrewd brushes and disturbances which the advers waves and boysterous billowes rocks and sands of most wicked and ungodly proud presumptuous enemies of this Ark labouring to overtop or overturn it yet now by the Lords almightie and irresistible power and sweet protection all those proud waves were broken the rocks removed and the devouring sands securely evaded Both in the good hand of God first Uniting and associating the Counties of Hampshire Sussex Surrey and Kent and ordaining renowned Sir William Waller Commander in chief over them Secondly In the Parliaments pious care and providence for the welfare of forein English Plantations Thirdly In causing a considerable number of English-Irish-Protestant Souldiers transported out of Ireland and landed at Bristoll to fight against the Parliament to revolt from the Kings designes by them and really and readily to turn to the Parliaments-side against the Parliaments enemies Fourthly In that brave defeat given by the Parliaments forces in Shropshire and Cheshire to that proud and unsuccessfull upstart Lord Capell Fifthly In the most successfull pious and renowned Earl of Manchesters spoyling and bereaving of that pernicious Town of Newark of their provision the taking of bullingbrook-Bullingbrook-Castle the declining and perishing condition of proud and Popish Newcastles armie and the notable defection of the Gentrie of â—orkshire and other Northern-Counties from the Kings partie Sixthly In the admirable contrary effects which the wisdome of the Lord our God caused the accursed Cessation of armes in Ireland to bring forth which mainly appeared in the Parliaments perfecting and producing their former long intended new Broad-Seal of England and the hopefully happie effects thereof Seventhly In renowned Sir William Wallers brave prize taken about Newbery The most excellent effects which the loss of Stamford-Mount at Plymouth produced And renowned Colonell Rigbies famous victorie at Thurland Eighthly The brave atchievements and victorious performances of the little Town yet greatly renowned Garrison at Pool in Dorsetshire Ninthly The happie re-establishment of the renowned Earl of Warwick in the place of Lord high Admirall of England for the singular securitie and safety of the Kingdome as well by sea as by land Tenthly The brave exploits of the valiant Governour and Garrison of Warwick Castle Eleventhly The most successfull proceedings and brave atchievements of those two renowned Colonells and Commanders Sir William Brereton and Sir Thomas Midleton Twelfthly and lastly the most prudent and provident Ordinance of Parliament granting out Letters of Mart by Sea for the better hindrance of the accursed designes of our Oxonian adversaries in the rebellious and most bloudy Kingdome of Ireland And now tell mee good Reader dost thou not see plainly by all these premised passages and apparent prints of Gods providence The Lord sitting as a most prudent and propitious Pilot at the Stern of his Ark and graciously and gloriously carrying it on safely and securely through the midst of all these molesting and raging waves of wicked men and all their most desperate and devillish designes against it whereby wee may and must most justly and ingenuously acknowledge with the sweet Psalmograph the holy Prophet David Thou O Lord art our safe and secure hiding-place Thou alone dost preserve us from troubles Thou dost encompasse us with songs of deliverance But to proceed The first thing wherewith I shall begin this Moneth of December shall be that happie and blessed business to this Kingdome of fully confirming and setting on foot the new Great Seal of England But before I come to the present relation of what was more fully setled and confirmed therein Give me leave good Reader to acquaint thee with what formerly past about it in Parliament namely That about the midst of October last when as the Commons debating on the speedie putting it in execution they considered a collection of certain Acts then read setting forth the power and use of the great Seal of England and reviewed their former votes touching the absence of the other great Seal at Oxford the substance of which former votes having relation to what was then farther agreed upon I have thought fit heer to insert Resolved on the Question 1. That the great Seal of England ought to attend the Parliament 2. That the absence of it hath been a cause of great mischiefes to the Common-wealth 3. That a remedie ought to be provided for those mischiefes 4. That the proper way is by making a New great Seal And they then proceeded to some farther votes touching the same which were to this effect Resolved on the Question That the great Seal at Oxford be disanull'd and what ever act or thing hath passed under it since it was carried away from the Parliament to be voyd and of none effect and that an Ordinance of Parliament be forthwith drawn up to that purpose By which Vote those late thundring Proclamations against the Parliament and well-affected Subjects of the Kingdome and the many new honours conferred on c. and many others at Oxford for their good service in withholding his Majestie from his Parliament and fostering this unnaturall rebellion against the Parliament Kingdome thereby occasioning the death of many thousands of his Majesties good and loyall subjects will fall flat to the ground Also resolved on the Question That Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament be forthwith appointed viz. Three of the House of Peeres and six of the House of Commons if the Lords so think fit to have the trust of the new great Seal which is to reside with the Parliament for the use of the Parliament and Kingdome And lastly resolved on the Question That the House of Peeres be forthwith desired to nominate such members of their House to joyn with a proportionable number of the Commons House as Commissioners for the said New great Seal and that all businesses proper to the Seal be dispatched by them or by order of both Houses All which was accordingly ratified not long after as was manifested in the Ordinance of Parliament for the great Seal forementioned After which long and serious agitation consultation and debates in both Houses of Parliament a Declaration from both Houses now fully resolved on and the Lord Ruthen Earl of Kent being with full approbation of both Houses chosen and made a Commissioner thereof in stead of the Earl of Rutland first chosen who upon some scruples of conscience objected by him was acquitted of that service and the Ordinance of Parliament accordingly altered The new great Seal was now I say delivered to the Commissioners of both Houses of Parliament for the putting thereof into due execution viz. To the Earl of Kent and the Earl of Bullingbrook for the House of Peers Mr Saint John Sollicitor Generall Mr Serjeant Wilde Mr Prideaux and Mr
regular fortification and might have proved great offence to us whereupon they contracted themselves retreating in great fear and confusion toward Newark and the other side of Trent where at a generall Rendevouz at or about Mansfield they met with all Newcastles horse who together with them made up about an 100 troopes who quartered on that side Trent to the almost undoing of that part of the Country Now his Lordship being much affected with the distresse of the Country and perceiving that the vagabond-like Enemie declined to fight with him and were onely inclined to plunder he advanced to Grantham and from thence to Lincoln resolving by the Almighties assistance to attempt and take that place whereby he might either really weaken those Enemies of God and this Kingdome or else necessitate them to fight with us We came to Lincoln on Fryday the third of this Moneth iâ— the afternoone on which day in the morning Colonell Sir Peregrin Bartie high sheriffe of this County the Earle of Lindseyes brother and sometime Governour of this City was brought prisoner unto us by a party of ours We drew up our whole army in the face of the City on the brow of the hill neer Lanwicke and perceiving the enemy had made the entrance into that part which is called the old Towne very strong my Lord sent a trumpet to them with a fair demand of the place for the King and Parliament whereunto a very uncivill answer was returned reproaching us with the defeat at Newarke hoping we should be served here as there The next day we sent out a party of our Horse towards Gainsbrough and tooke some Prisoners who told us of a great body of Horse to the number of 5 or 6000. that were comming against us under Colonell Gorings Command which made my Lord resolve to storme them that afternoone and to that intent the scaling Ladders were brought forth and the Foot made ready to set on but second and better thoughts stayed us till next morning we having intelligence that they were farre enough off from comming to their reliefe for that night My Lord in the meane time sent 2000 Horse under the Command of Lieutenant generall Cromwell to meet the Enemy and to stop them from comming to relieve the City and thereupon the Foot were by Order drawne off from about the Hill which the Enemy perceiving it caused them to insult hooping and hollowing against us thinking we were affraid to set upon them but the next morning they were forced to sing another note in another tune For that night Order was given for the Foot to lye on the severall quarters of the Hill round about their Workes and to bee all in a readinesse to fall on from every quarter when they heard the great Ordnance goe off which was betweene 2 and 3 in the morning there being accordingly 6 Pieces together let fly And my Lord had a little before commanded 2 Regiments of Foot viz. Colonell Russells and Colonell Montagues to draw down toward the Gate and Draw-bridge which they accordingly did with admirable alacrity and resolution being led on by those two most valiant and religious Colonels who through the might of God so undauntedly approached the Enemy that after a very short dispute even within lesse than a quarter of an houre terrour seized on the enemies spirits and our men seized on their workes and so with incredâ—ble courage possest themselves of the low Town the enemy flying to the upper Towne and castle Ours tooke divers of the enemy in this brave bickering without the losse of any on our side which we humbly acknowledge to Gods glory to be a great mercy Upon the enemies retreat they endeavoured to have fired the low Town but ours pursuing closely prevented their mischievous intention in a great part and helped most industriously to quench those houses which they had fired We pursued no farther at this present resolving by Gods helpe to have stoâ—med the other part of the Towne and castle the next morning by breake of day though the common souldiers seemed to be impatient even of that short and needfull delay but by reason of much rain which fell that night and all the next day and night we were necessitated to deferre this worke till Monday following in which interim the Lord gave us the Sabbath day wherein we might seeke him for his blessing in so great a businesse Now the Enemy having by their Horse whom Colonell Cromwell strongly waited on with our whole Body of Horse enforced us thereunto it was consulted on whether the former resolution of Storming the next morning should hold or not it was presently agreed againe that by the help of our God the Lieutenant Generâ—l should with our Horse attend the Enemies Horse as aforesaid our Foot storm the Towne which was done accordingly wherein we received merveilous mercie from God who gave much wisdome and valour to our men as was then manifested for that at most in one quarter of an houre as was fore-showne wee gained their Workes every Division beating backe the Enemy and entring the places allotted to them to the admiration of the wisest and ablest of our enemies who did confesse that though they knew our intentions to storme them that night and therefore had drawne out all their Forces being 21 Foot Companies and 2 Troops of Horse besides the helpe of many of the City to make good their Works against our assault yet they were not able to stand out against the fiercenesse of our men whom as they said they thought to bee starke mad to come on in so desperate a manner at which as then so now on this second on-set they were so amazed and terrified that they fled to hide themselves but their pursuers found them out though they were crept into their Cathedrall many of them For our men never left running and pursuing of them untill they came to the top of the hill which would have been enough to have tyred a very Horse where being under the Castle-workes ours set up the Scaling-ladders which they in the Castle seeing left their Firing and fell busily to throwing downe of great stones upon us from over their Works and Walls by which we received more hurt than by all their former shot yet all would not daunt our men but up to the top of the Ladders they got which proved 100 short many of them to reach to the top of their Wallâ—s and their Workes they being most of them as high as London walls but yet they made shift to get up which the Enemy perceiving they had no spirit now left in them but betooke themselves to their heeles from the walls and our men close following them having all got over the walls and works shouting and hollowing and following them as fast as they fled but they not knowing whither to runne cryed out for Quarter saying they were
that most famous defeat and glorious Victory given by the good hand of God to the Parliaments three most renowned and victorious Generalls the most religious and renowned Earl of Manchester his Excellency Generall Lesley and the ever to be honoured valiant and victorious Lord Fairfax against that barbarous and bloody hair-braind ignoble Rupert the disgrace of his progenitors and indelible stain of his Posterity In the notable and unexpected discovery of the Lord of Râ—chfords disloyalty to the Parliament in speciall and Kingdome in generall The taking of Greenland-house by Major Generall Browne And Taunton-castle by the most Noble Lord Generalls Forces In the taking of Cholmley-house by the most noble Earl of Denbigh Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln his valour and activity against the Common-Enemy Captain Sydenhamâ— and Captaine Carrs most brave exploit against the Lord Inchiquin and the religious resolution of the Parliament to establish a learned and godly Ministry In the taking of Wilne-Ferry and Fort by the noble Lord Grey and valiant and faithfull Sir John Gell the said Lord Greys valour and vigilancy for the good of his Country and the most solemn and memorable Celebration of the Day of Thankesgiving at London for the most famous victory which God gave us at the great and bloody fight nere the City of Yorke In the most happy surrendering up of the City of York it self unto the three most noble Lord Generalls forementioned and the pious and prudent Message and motion which the said noble Generalls made and sent to the Parliament in point of farther thankfullnesse to God and satisfaction even to the worst of men In the most noble renowned and truely religious Earl of Manchesters successefull and victorious advance and progresse with his brave Army in taking tickhill-Tickhill-castle and farther prosperous proceedings since the last great victory at Yorke And lastly In the brave defeates given to the Roysterly-regall Enemies both by Col. Laughorn and Capt. Moulton in Pembrookeshire by the noble Earl of Denbighs and Warwick Forces at Evesham the famous and ever to be renowned Garrison of Lyme at Colliton and Chard and finally in the most noble and renowned Lord Generalls brave and victorious and famous progresse into Devonshire and Cornwall and all those Western parts wherein hitherto by Gods power and providence he might worthily say as conquering Caesar said Veni vidi vici even all for the most part either voluntarily comming in unto him or violently enforced thereunto by his valiant and victorious forces All which most seriously and religiously considered have we not good Reader great cause justly and ingenuously to confesse and acknowledge to see and say with holy Samuel EBEN-EZER and to make this the glorious and gracious Motto of our Parliamentary Barke the Ark of our God most deeply ingraving it with indelible characters of golden-gratefull Remembrance HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED VS And therefore zelously and constantly to conclude and hold maugre all malicious contradiction whatsoever that our title is most truely and infallibly ratified from heaven by all those manifold and even miraculous premises and patternes thereof that GODS Arke hath most triumphantly over-topped and been born above all the Worlds boysterous Billows swelling surges And hitherto the Lords most faithfull and glorious Cause blessedly embarked in our most pious Parliament hath in all its just undertakings most impregnably prevailed and been preserved against all the Malignant Atheisticall and Papisticall Machinations Plots and Practizes that men or devills were ever able to invent and foment against Gods Truth and a glorious and pure Gospel-Reformation In so much that now upon all these serious considerations of the Enemies combinations and injurious conjurations on the one side and our Gods most omnipotent and omniprudent frustrations of them all thus from time to time wee may most worthily say as the holy Prophet once said especially on the gracious and most gratefull recordation of that most memorable and admirable victory at Marston-Heath neere Yorke and also all those late forementioned Westerne victories even of this last Moneth of July wee may say and that most worthily as the LORD God himselfe said by the holy Prophet Now also many nations are gathered together against thee O English ISRAEL that say let her be defiled and let our eyes looke on Zions defilement But they know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his Counsell For hee hath gathered them together as sheaves into the barn-floor And hath said to all our renowned Generalls and to their Armies Arise and thresh O daughter of Zion for I have made thy horne as iron and thy horses hoofes as brasse and thou shalt beat and bruise in pieces as with a strong flale many people and I will consecrate their gain to my selfe saith the Lord and their substance to the Lord of the whole Earth And hast not thou ô England as then Zion was promised seen all this come to passe for thy sake upon thine Enemies Even many nations brought together English Irish Dutch French Walloons who not that could be was not gathered against thee to defile and spoil thee yea to glut their accursed eyes and hearts with wicked joy at thy ruine and defilements But ah wicked fooles how ignorant and unacquainted were they with the Lords Counsels and how farre his thoughts were above and against their thoughts who brought them but together at York and else where like so many Sheaves on the barn-floar of Marston-Heath and there and then most graciously and gloriously said to our renouned Generalls Commanders and Souldiers Arise arise and thresh those Sheaves of shame and dishonour for I have made your Swords and instruments of war as Iron flales and your horses hoofs as brasse to trample on them and tear them in peices And then did the Lord also most triumphantly consecrate unto himselfe and we as we were able most worthily gave their gain and substance even all the honour and glory of these great and most famous victories to the Lord our God alone whose strong arme alone got us and gave us these glorious victories over all those our fierce and furious Enemies Yea he alone I say According to their deeds accordingly hath repayed fury to his Churches and Childrens adversaries recompense to his Enemies and to the Irish I stand he hath repayed and will yet still repay recompence And thus indeed it must needs be for Their strength and defence was departed from them and our God had made them as bread for us to eat and devour Yea our God hath for us wounded and broken in pieces the heads of these Leviathans and given them as meat to us his poore despised people And hath wounded the hairy scalps of all these that thâ—s went on in their insatiable wickednesse That thus therefore the great name of the Lord might be feared from the North to the West and his glorious splendour from the rising of the Sun
against Prince Rupert 163 Exploits of Col. Massye about Glocester 92 Exploits yet more of Colonell Massyes 227 Englands just objurgation 229 Englands great wonder to Gods great glory Anno 1644. 237 Enemy bravely beaten at Oswestree 266 The low Ebbe of the Parliaments Army 22 Estates of Malignants sequestred 153 Enemy bravely beaten at Lyme 241 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy at Evesham 295 F. The Fellowship a brave ship taken by the Parliaments Forces 27 Fuell provided for for the City of London 35 The Lord Fairfax his Victory at Hull 38 Sir Thomas Fairfax at horn-Horn-Castle 47 France sends into Scotland 54 A brave Fight at Stamford 75 Sir Tho. Fairfax 156 Lord Fairfax Victorious at Hull 163 The Lord Fairfaxes Forces conjoyned with Sir Tho. Fairfaxes 202 L. Fairfax and the Scots conjoyned 210 Fidelity of the Scots to England 211 Col. Fox Victorious at Budely 217 Forces of Northampton beate the Enemy 95 Sir Thomas Fairfax stormeth Gains-borough 102 Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Valour at Marston-Moor Fight 274 Sir Tho. Fairfax compared to Julius Caesar 284 Foy in the West taken 297 G. Gally-slaves of Sathan are Wicked Men. 2 Gods glory is our Alpha and Omega ibid. Gainsbrough won 6 Gainsbrough taken again 51 Lord Gorings Letter intercepted and read in Parliament 155 Lord Generalls just praise 167 Gallows set up at Oxford and the cause 174 Sir Richard Greenviles defection from the Parliament 174 Gloucesters good condition 182 Gloucester releived with necessaries 192 Sir John Gell Victorious at Muck-bridge 199 Gloucesters Ammunition how conveyed thither 200 The Lord Generals advance with his Army 228 Gainsbrough stormed by Sir Thomas Fairfax 102 Grafton house taken 103 The Lord Generalls Mercifull Proclamation 235 The Lord Grey of Grooby his brave carriage at Leicester 257 The Lord Generall successefull in the West 264 3 Garnsey Gentlemen mightily preserved 122 Greenvill beaten at Plymouth 265 Government of the Church 162 Greenland-house taken 285 Lord Grey of Grooby and Sir John Gells forces take Wellney Fort. 287 The Lord Generall victorious in the West 296 Greenvils house at Tavestocke taken 297 H. Sir Edward Hales taken prisoner 15 Houghton Castle in Cheshire taken 18 The Earl of Hollands trunk seized on 27 Hull besieged 30 Hull remarkably preserved 31 Horn-castles famous Victory 42 Hulls victory related by Sir John Meldrums Letter 39 Hampshire Surry and Sussex Associated 57 30 or 40 of our Horse beate 1000 of the Enemies Horse 65 Hilsey house taken 167 Lord Hastings vexes the honest inhabitants of Leicester 169 Hinckly house 170 Sauls house decreaseth Davids house increaseth 173 Haverford west in Wales strangely taken 180 The Lady Hopton and two hundred prisoners taken 194 House of Peers take the Covenant 90 Sir Ralph Hopton writes to Sir William Waller 99 Sir Ralph Hoptons low ebbe 253 Hollanders underhand Enemies to the Parliament 116 Sir Tho. Holts house taken 117 Hildsden house taken 131 Sir Robert Harlow puls down a mighty crucifix at Christs-Hospitall in London 290 I. Capt. Johnsons brave courage 45 Intelligencers and Spies voted against 49 Irish Massacree 69 About 1500 Irish Rogues cast away at Sea by a storm 172 A Land storm also on the Irish ibid A Welch jest 179 Captaine Jordans good successe at Sea 182 The Lord John brother to the Duke of Lenox slain 190 Irish Rebels accorded with by the King 248 Justice of God prosecutes the wicked 249 K. The Earl of Kingstone slaine 7 Kentish Malignants rise in Rebellion 11 The King sends Letters into Scotland 54 The 3 Kingdomes to have one Councill of State 147 King Milus taken 156 The Kings great ayme at Cheshires County 161 The Kings children cared for by the Parliament 175 Kentish-mens brave behaviour at Alsford 193 Kents memorable gratitude to God 232 The Kings party unsuccessefull ever since the Irish cessation 102 The Kings Forces frighted 234 The Kings ungodly agreement with Ireland 248 The King pursued by Sir William Waller 248 L. Sir Michael Levesey at Yawlden in Kent 14 Londoners Petition against a pretended peace 23 Londoners take an Oath 24 A Loan of an 100000. l. to be raised in London for the Scots 38 Lincoln taken 51 Letters sent by the King into Scotland 54 London must be starved up 55 A Letter sent from Oxford to the Parliaments Lord Generall 152 A Letter from the Lord Goring intercepted and read in Parliament 155 Leicestershire men victorious at Hinckly 170 Col. Lamberts brave victory at Bradford 168 Col. Lambert again Victorious 171 Col. Laughorn in Penbrookshire 77 London Regiments brave valour at Alsford 193 Col. Lambert beats Bellassys in Yorkshire 200 Captain Layes Valour at Wareham 81 Solemn League or Covenant farther pressed 88 London petitions the Parliament for the setling of the State Committee 225 Lyme stormed by the Enemy and bravely repulsed 228 Lymes condition related 231 Lymes brave carriage against Prince Maurice ibid. Lymes valour testified by the Enemy 240 Lymes seige wholly raised 243. 252 Lyme bravely beats the Enemy 241 The Kings Letter to the Lord Mayor of London 121 Generall Lesleyes carriage at Marstone Moore fight 273 Col. Lamberts valour 274 Laystolk Garrison quitted 132 Col. Laughorns brave performances in Pembrookshire 294 Lyme garrison gives the Enemy a brave defeat 296 M Malignants of London imprisoned 27 Sir John Meldrum at Hull 39 Captain Moodies brave courage 45 Earle of Manchester victorious at Horncastle 42 Colonel Massies good service at Tewksbury 48 Earl of Manchester takes in Lincolne 51 Earl of Manchester takes Gainesborough 51 Earl of Manchesters care for the associated Counties 55 Malignants estates sequestred 153 Kings-Milus taken by Darby Forces 156 Members of Parliament that tooke the Covenant their names and number 157 Milford-Haven taken 161 Colonell Mitton beates Prince Rupert 161 Colonell Massey still victorious 183 Malignants mouthes stopt 194 At Munk-bridge Sir John Gell victorious 199 Letters of Mart granted against the Parliaments Enemies 84 Earl of Manchester again victorious at Lincoln 217 Colonell Massies brave exploits about Gloucester 92 Colonell Massey at Wotton garrison 93 Colonel Massyes just praise 227 Sir Thomas Middletons brave performances 84 Montrosse beaten in Scotland 230 A Message sent from England to Scotland 236 Col. Massey victorious 236 Malmsbury taken by Colonell Massye ibid. Colonell Massey still Victorious 237 Colonell Massies good services rewarded by the Parliament 237 Morpeth-castle taken by the Scots 247 Colonell Mitton his great daunger and deliverance 251 Two Maids had three of their hands shot off together 254 Gods mercy to Manchester in the midst of her misery 258 Malignants in London their Flea-biting 260 Marstonâ—Moores most famous victory described 269 Sir John Meldrum stormes Gainesborough 103 Monuments of Superstition to be demolished 222 The Earl of Manchesters labour and vigilancy at York fight 273 A learned and godly Ministry to be ordained 287 Captain Moultons brave performances in Pembrookeshire 294 N The Earle of Newcastle beaten from Gainesborough 6 Mewcastle besiegeth Hull 30 Newcastle in great straites
39 The Kings forces frighted from New-port-pannell 55 Newcastles declining condition 67 Northern Counties leave the Earle of Newcastle 68 Newcastles forces beaten by Colonell Rudgeley 78 Namptwich bravely relieved with a glorious victory 142 Names of divers delinquents or malignants 153 Names and number of Parliament members that took the Covenant 157 Newcastle besieged by the Scots 158 Northampton garrisons good service 162 Nottingham preserved from a notable plot 163 Northampton forces tooke the Princes troope 168 Colonell Norton at Southampton 172 Names of reclaimed delinquents 174 The E. of Newcastles great losse 183 The Earl of Northampton beaten by Colonell Beare 18â— Newcastle flyes to Durham 208 Newcastle got into Yorke 209 Northamptons forces revenged on Banbury 211 Northampton forces victorious 95 A notable plot against Nottingham-castle 104 Newarke garrison beaten 240 Colonell Needhams valour 274 Another desperate plot against Nottingham 133 Newbridge in the West taken 297 O Ordinance of Parliament against the Kentish rebells 16 Oxfords proclamation to starve up the City of London 18 An Oath or Covenant taken by Londoners 24 Ordinance of Parliament to search 〈◊〉 and carriages 30 Ordinance for a collection for sick and 〈◊〉 souldiers 33 A charitable Order in Parliament for Christs-Hospitall 37 Ordinance against Spies 49 Oxfords Propositions for a pretended Peace 152 Ordinance for taking the Covenant 157 Oxford sets up gallowes and why 174 Ordinance for sanctifying the Sabbath 199 Ordinance for demolishing of Organs c. 222 Oxford Spiders sack poyson from hole some flowers 91 Oxford deserted by many 92 Oswestree taken 260 Ordinance of Parliament against rotten revolters from the Parliament 260 The Enemies bravely beaten at Oswestree 266 Ordinance for the well governing of the City of London 100 Serjeaâ—t Major Ogle a notable traitor and plotter 135 Observations on the fight at Marston-Moore 278 P Parliament compared to God Ark. 1 Proclamation from Oxford to starve London 18 Alderman Pennington made Lieutenant of the Tower of London 19 Four Proclamations sent to the Lord Mayor of London at one time 35 Captain Players brave resolution and courage 45 A great Plot against London 52 A plot to hinder the Scots advance 53 The Plot to starve the City of London frustrated 55 Plantations abroad cared for by the Parliament 58 Almost two hundred thousand English Protestants massacred in Ireland 69 A Plot against Southampton discovered 148 Propositions for a pretended peace 152 Pools exploits 155 A Plot against the Scots discovered 161 Preachers at London to be provided for 162 A Plot against Nottingham discovered 163 Pools exploits against Prince Rupert ibid. The Princes Troop taken 168 The Palsgrave takes the Covenant in Holland 172 The Parliaments care for the pious institution of the Kings Children 175 Capt. Tho. Pyne 175 Capt. Tho. Pyne his just praise 176 Pembrookshire hopefully reduced to the Parliament 176 Pembrookshires brave resolution 178 Captain Tho. Pyne victorious at Collyton 184 Preachers greatly wanted in Wales 202 Master Pâ—ynnes honour attested out of Holland 203 Plymouth gives the Enemy a brave Defeat 215 Pools brave performances 81 A Plot against Gloucester 94 A Plot to undo England and Scotland 229 A brave Prize taken at Sea 232 Master John Pym honourably mentioned as deserved 99 A Plot to convey the two young Princes from Saint Jamses to Oxford 99 A Plot against Nottingham Castle 124 The Earl of Pembrookes just praise 233 Plymouth garrison takes a brave prize 240 A Pack of Plots 109 Plymouths Seige deserted 111 An admirable providence by Pilchards at Plymouth 112 Parishaw bridge destroyed 60 Royalists 250 Prizes at Sea taken by our ships 256 Preparation by Sea to help the West affaires 257 Prizes taken by Sea and Land 259 A Plot against the Parliament 118 The Parliament invited to a feast by the Londoners 124 Pretended peace petitioned against 23 A Plot against Southampton discovered 1â—â— A Plot of Religion to divide the City and Parliament 134 Propositions for Peace to be tendred to the King 292 R. Reformation petitioned for by the Assembly of Divines 4 Rebellion in Kent 11 Rebellion at Canterbury appeased 15 Col. Rudgely bravely defeats the Enemy 78 Return of the Train'd Bands of London and Westminster to London 99 Russell-Hall in Staffordshire taken 239 About 60 Royalists drowned together 250 Revolters from the Parliament 262 Rats crawl up ships Masts when the ship is ready to sinke 262 Reformation in King Henry sevenths chappel at Westminster 113 Reformation in Canterbury-Minster 101 Prince Ruperts atheisticall speech 275 Royalists impudency in triumphing for what they never had 283 Colonell Rossiters activity 285 Lord Rochford impeached of High Teason 285 S. Stamford in Lincolnshire taken 7 A Ship of Denmarke taken 20 Spies and Intelligencers ordered against 49 Souldiers revolt from the King at Bristol 61 Surrey Sussex and Hampshire associated 57 The Lord Saulton a Scotish Popish Lord apprehended 75 The Scots march from Barwick fully related 137 Stamford mount neere Plymouth 75 The Scots successefull progresse in the North. 154 Capt. Swanley successefull at Milford Haven 161 Sir John Stowell slain at Southampton 170 The Sweds desire to associate with our Parliament 173 Capt. Swanley Victorious in Penbrookshire 176 Sir John Stepney a brave Welsh surveyour a pretty jest of him 179 The Scots passe over Tyne 183 Security the bane of safety 184 Sanctification of the Sabbath day ordered 199 Captain Swanley still victorious in Wales 202 Sweathland and England respond together 204 Selbies famous victory 205 Scotlands fidelity to England 211 A new great Seal of England 86 Captain Swanley still victorious 224 Sweet Sympathy twixt the Parliament and City of London 226 Secrecy is the Key of certainty 226 Colonell Sydenhams Valiant Exploits 101 Serjeant-Major Skippon takes Glaston house 103 Sunderland preserved from a treacherous Plot. 247 Capt. Swanley honoured with a chain of Gold by the Parliament 248 Capt. Swanley Commander in chiefe in Wales 247 Shâ—â—ly-Castle taken 250 Swedes vex the Danes who would have vexed us 117 A brave Ship taken 123 Sick and mained souldiers cared for by the Parliament 33 Col. Sydneys valour at Marestone-Moore fight 273 Col. Sydenhams brave valour 286 Scots advance into England 136 T. Trunkes to be searched and other carriage 32 Tewksbury lookt unto by Colonell Massey 48 Sir Henry Talbot surprised in his quarters 146 Tadcaster taken 173 Tinby Town and Castle taken 181 Triumphant return of the Trained Bands of London and Westmin 99 Capt. Temples brave Exploits at 〈◊〉 235 Tewksbury taken 249 Taunton-Dean taken 257 Pâ—pish trinkets burnt 128 Taunton Castle taken 285 Publike Thanksgiving famously celebrated at London for the glorious Victory at Marstone Moore 288 Tâ—ckhill taken 293 Tastcaster in the West taken 297 V. Aglorious Victory at Namptwich 142 Sir Henry Vaughan a Welch Commander his valour described 179 Victory at Selby 205 Col. Vavasor beaten 93 A Vniversall plot against the Protestant Religion over all Christendome 116 Victory at Marstone-Moore 269 Vse of all this History 302
the Danish-Ship Aug. 4. 1643. Another brave prize taken at the same time The seasonableness of that Danish prize wherein Gods providence is the more to be observed The low ebbe of our armies briefly touched Divers of the Danish armes sent to Hull to the noble Lord Fairfax Clubs called Round-heads sent to Hull A plot for a pretended Peace in the house of Peers in Parliament The Citizens of London Petition the ParliameÌ„t against the pretended Peace The Parliaments present answer to the Petition The effects of the said Petition An Oath or Covenant to be taken by all Citizens of London Citie-Malignants imprisoned in Saint Faiths Church under Pauls in Ships on the Thames The Earl of Hollands Tâ—unks seized on by water The Fellowship a brave Ship of Bristoll taken by Capt. Smith in the Swallow a Parliament-Ship Sir Wiâ—â—allers CommissioÌ„ to advance with his intended designes is granted by his Excellencie A brief recapitulation of all these last recited Parliamentarie-Mercies by way of obliged thankfulness 1. 2. 3. 4. GODS Ark fairly carried on with fair blasts of good success against its boysterous billowes and swelling waves Psal 136. 4. September 1643. Sir Alexander Carews plot against Plimouth timely discovered and the danger prevented Hull besieged by the Earl of Newcastle Gods mightie preservation of the Town Beverly pitifully plundred by the enemies The Earl of Newcastle despairs of getting Hull A sodain and most remarkable preservation of Hull Hulls very great danger at this time by Powder sodainly blown up The admirable hand of God in Hulls mightie danger The occasion of Huâ—ls so great danger The Parliaments care for the encouragement of London Apprentices in their Service of the Kingdome Sir Jo. Wollaston most happily chosen Lord Major of the Citie of London The Authors just and experimentall attestation and commendation of Sir John Wollaston Lord Major of London The mercies of this Lord Majors choice also was a sweet return of prayer A notable triall by Gods most wise disposall put upon the Lord Major of London and most loyally managed by him Foure Proclamations sent at one time to the Lo Major of London to be published in the Kings name in the Citie Provision of firing ordered by the Parliament for preventioÌ„ of dangerous muâ—â—nâ—es by the poorer sort Woods to be cut down to furnish the Citie and parts adjacent with fuell What woods were to be cut down A summary gratefull review of this Moneths Parliamentarie-Mercies GODS Ark carried on with fair and prosperous gales Psal 68. 19. October 1643. The Parliaments charitable act and order for the good of the poor children of Christs Hospitall in London The Authors own gratefull acknowledgement of Gods goodness to him in the said Hospitall An 100000 li to be raised in the Citie of London for the advance of an army of 21000 Scots to come into England 2 Sam. 24. A famous victorie obtained by the Lord Fairfax against Newcastles Popish forces whereby the Siege of Hull was raised The Marquess of Newcastle put to great straits by this Defeat A Copie of Sir John Meldrums Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament touching the brave victory he obtained at Hull A brief touch of Sir Jo. Mâ—â—drums worth and valour attested by the renowned Lord Fairfax himself The most famous and renowned victory obtained by the right honourable Earl of Manchester at Horncastle in Lincolnshire bolenbrook-Bolenbrook-Castle summoned The enemie prepares to meet and fight with the Earl of Manchester Our forces are drawn all neer each other about Bolenbrook The enemie gives ours the allarm about Horncastle Ours bravely bicker with the enemies forlorn-hopes Three or four of our troopes in great dangâ—r but came off most bravely Cap. Iohnsons Cap. Moodies and Captain Players brave courage and resolution The commanders notable discretion and courage The great strait they were still put unto Bolenbrockhill designed to be the place to fight The enemies strength and ours The word on both sides Both armies in sight of each other The pietie of our armie Both armies met at a Town called Ixbie Gen. Cromwells great danger The sight in the very heat of it The enemie â—â—ins to 〈◊〉 The enemies flie Sir Tho. Fairfax his undaunted courage The issue of the fight The Commission of Aray cryed out on by the dying Souldiers The spoyl and prizes taken The armie with the most noble Lord of Manchester possess themselves of Horncastle Letters of the enemies intercepted confirming the truth of this great victorie This famous victory and that also at Hull were obtained both in one and the same day Col. Massies good service at Tewksbery Another brave defeat given to the Kings forces by the Parliaments forces in warwick-Warwick-Castle An OrdinaÌ„ce of Parliament against Spies and intelligencers The Citie of Lincoln taken by the noble Earl of Manchester The prize taken in the Citie of Lincoln Gainesborough also taken by the said noble Earl of Manchester The great design against the Citie of London The great plot and designe was how to contrive to starve up the Citie of Londoâ— The manner and wayes of the enemies contriving their plot against London The manner of the enemies acting their coÌ„trivements 2 Chro. 16. 9. How God all along crost and disappointed all the enemies deep designes Another great ploâ— of the enemies to hinder our Brethren of Scotlands coming in to our ayd and assistance An Embassadour sent from the Queen-Regent of France into Scotland to divert those our brethren from coming to ayd us Two Letters sent by our King into Scotland to cross the Scots resolution to ayd England The substance of both the said Letters The Royallists hopes heerin also frustrated The grand plot of starving up the Citie of London now prosecuted by the Royallists but blessedly frustrated The Earl of Manchester resolves to ayd his associated Counties out of Lincolnshire by Colonell Cromwell Col Cromwell sent out of Lincolnshire into Huntingtoâ—shire with considerable forces Col. Cromwell ordered by the Lo. Generall to return again into Lincolnshire The Kings Cormorants flie out of Newport-Pannell The great plot mightily dasht damped alreadie A summarie recapitulation of all this Moneths Parliamentarie-mercies and therein the sweet preservation of his Ark his great Cause GODS Ark still born-up above the tops of all its advers swelling waves of opposition Psal 57. 7. Psal 60. 12. November 1643. An association of Hampshire Surrey Sussex and Kent Sir 〈◊〉 Waller Commander in chief of this association The Parliâ—ments providence for the welfare of forein English Plantations A considerable number of English-Irish Protestant Souldiers landed at Bristoll out of Ireland revolted from the King to the Parliament The English-Irish Souldiers fall foul on their Commanders and Officers They march away to Gloucester to serve under Colonell Massiâ— A remarkable hand of Gods providence in this business A most brave defeat given to the Lord Capell by Cheshire Shropshire forces The manner of the performance of the defeat The Lord Capell marches toward
Namptwich Sir Wil. Brereton followes Capell and makes him retreat to Wem The Lord Capell soundly beaten at Wem All this Relation was written and attested by a very pious Souldier of this action Divers rare passages of Gods providence preservation of our forces in this defeat Thirty or forty of our horse and Dragoons chase and beat a thousand of their horse Psal 62. 9 10. The renowned Earl of Manchester spoiles Newark of provision Bullingbrook-Castle taken by the Lord Willoughbie of Parrhaâ— The declining condition of the Earl of Newcastles armie The defection also of the Gentrie of Yorkshire from him A yet farther defection of other Northern Counties from the Kings partie The Cessation of armes in Ireland a main cause of this foresaid defection The Kings Declaration from Oxford justifying that abominable Irish Cessation Mark this well ô English-MalignaÌ„ts touching this Irish Cessation Mark this also and admire it Almost twâ— hundred thousand Englâ—sh Protestants butchered in that most barbarous Irish-Massacre Mark this also And this too and tremble at it Isaiah 5. 20 The contrary effects of the Irish Cessation A New-Broad Sâ—â—l of England Sir Wil. Waller apprehends the Lord Saulton a Popish Scotish Lord at Newbery and 4000 li in money with him The brave fight at Stamford Mount neer Plimouth and the excellent effect it produced A proper note and fitly applyed Pools brave performances Captain Layes undaunted resolution at the Town of Warham Warham prepares to encounter the Poolians The Poolians politick carriage in approaching the Town Pool-men enter the Town of Warham The enemies flie Prisoners taken Prizes taken The Poolians victorious and safe return The Earl of Warwick made Lord high Admirall of England The brave exloits of the most valiant and faithfull Governour and garrison of Warwick Castle The valiant brave performances of Sir Wil. Brereton Sir Thomas Midleton An OrdinaÌ„ce of Parliament granting Letters of Mart to Merchants and Seamen against the enemies of the Parliament The Arks safe arrivall at the end of this Monethly voyage The holy-Merchant-like improvement of this Moneths voyage to Gods glorie A Summarie recitall of all the rare and rich mercies of this Moneths voyage 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Gods little flock preserved thus in his Ark gives all the honour to God alone December 1643. A New Great Seal of England The New Great Seal of England confirmed The names of the Commissioners The manner of the Solemnity of the delivery of the New great Seal of Eâ—gland to the Commissioners The Solemn-League or Covenant to be farther pressed where not yet taken The House of Peers take the solemn League and Covenant The Earles Lords that took the Covenant at westminster Commanders in Armes Knights and Gentlemen also take this Covenant The Covenant sealed in the City of London with the Loan of an 100000â—â— The main end of this holy League and Covenant Oxford Spiders suck poyson out of the herb Grace GODS Ark carried on prosperously notwithstanding all advers blustring blasts against it Many deserted Oxford took the Covenant The brave exploits of renowned Colonell Massie at Gloucester Colonell Vavasor beaten from Tewksbery Sir John Winter frighted from Newnham Wotton garrison also dissolved discomfited by Col. Massey A plot against the Citie of Gloucester prevented The manner of discovering the plot Sir John Winters plot defeated A brave defeat given to the Lord Digbie at Plyâ—â—uth The Town forced to a retreat The enemie put to a retreat The enmie soundly beaten The slain and prisoners taken A brave defeat given to the enemie at Dunscot neer Tociter by the Northampton forces The most famous defeat given to the L. Craford at Alton is Surrey The manner of their ordering the business They marched at night The secret carriage of their march The Lord Craford and 300 horse got out of the Town The slain and prisoners taken in the pursuite The Town begirton all sides with our horse and foot The enemie is beaten out of their trenches Our men enter the Town A very fierce fight for the space of neer two houres The enemie fought valiantly Lievt Colonell Boles slain in the fight The Town is totally taken Major Shambrock shoe with a pistoll in the church after quarter given The prisoners and prizes taken The slain on the enemies side The slain on our side Above 500 of the prisoners take the Covenant and served under Sir William Waller Sir Wil. Waller sends the Lord Craford a hogs head of Sacâ— The Lo Crafords Letter to Sir 〈…〉 Sir Ral Hoptons Letter to Sir Wil Waller A remarkable passage of Gods providence Mr John Piâ—s departure out of this life A plot to convey away the young Duke of Gloucester and the Ladie Princess Elizabeth to Oxford discovered and prevented The triumphant return of the trained Bands of London and Westminster with their prisoners The prisoners they brought The brave company that went out of the Citie to meet them An excellent Ordinance of Parliament for the conservation of the good government of the Citie of London The brave exploits of valiant Colonell Sydenham of Pool The notable reformation at Canterbury in the Cathedrall in Kent Austine first Bishop of Canterbury Christ and the 12 Apostles Twelve more Popish Saints Picture of God the Father and the Holy-Ghost Pretty sport with a Prebendaries wife of Canterbury As good sport also with her husband the Prebendary himself Seven figures of the Virgine Mary A Cathedrall Petty-Canon shoots his fools bolt at this work Thomas Becket a Romish Saint an English traytor Gainesborough stormed by Sir Tho. Fairfax and Sir John Meldrum and a brave prize taken The Kings partie most unsuccessfull ever since the Irish Cessation Pious Serjeant Major 〈◊〉 Skippon and his brave Londoners at Grafton-House Grafton-house stormed by the Londoners and brave Northampton forces Grafton-house taken and the rich prizes and spoiles therein An OrdinaÌ„ce of Parliament enabling the Militia for the City of London to send forth two regiments unto Sir Wil. Waller A notable plot against Nortingham Castle Colonell Hutchinso Governour of Nottingham Castle his constancy and fidelity to God and his Cause * The offers to Captain White was 10000li. and 100 to his Officers to procure it A Pack of Cavalerian plots A brave defeat given to the Belvoir Cormorants by Colo. Waight Governour of Burleigh-house Colo. Waight sends the enemie a challenge Capt. Plunket a most wicked and bloudie Irish-Rebell slain Colo. Waights brave resolution at a second charge The enemy is put to flight The prisoners and prizes taken A most worthy act in Colonell Waight after the fight The siege of Plymouth deserted The enemie resolves to storme Plymouth A very fierce encounter on both sides At least one hundred of the enemies slain and not above 16 of ours The Siege quite deserted and 660 of the sick enemies left behind Major Generall Basset his ingenuous coÌ„fession touching this siege The horrible malice mischiefe of the Kings
and review of all the most memorable Parliamentary mercies of this Moneths Voyage 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. Gods Arke over-topping the Worlds waves swelling Psal 29. 1 2 3 10. February 1643. Col. Massey surpriseth Sir Henry Talbot in his quarters And performeth other brave exploits Sir Iohn Meldrum takes the Isle of Axholm The Island prisoners and prizes taken A Councel of State for all the 3 Kingdomes established The names of the Councel of State An ordinance of Parliament for the setling of the Councel of State The maine matter of this Councel of State and their place of meeting A pâ—ot against Southampton discovered and prevented The impious Oxonians being brought to a desperate condition pretend propositions for Peace A Letter sent to our Parliament or rather to his Excelcelency the L. General from Oxford A Complemental Letter returned from his Excellency the L. Gen. with a Declaration and the Covenant inclosed in it Malignants estates and goods sequestred and sold away for the publike use The Earle of Berks The Earle of Carbery Lord Aborthorum Wa. Mountague Lo. Cottington Sir Io Banks B. of Winchester B. of Armagh A brief bad memoriall of the Archbish of Armagh D. Vsher A most wicked imprecation of this Arch-Prelate of Armagh Burlington in Yorkeshire taken by sir Wil. constable Another brave exploit performed by sir Will. Constable at Driffle in Yorkeshire The progresse and successe of our Brethren of Scotland in the North. The Lord Gorings Letter intercepted and read in Parliament Divers noteble exploits of the Parliaments Forces briefely remembred Pools exploits Warwick-Castle Sir Tho. Fairfax his brave exploits Derby-Forces take Kings-Milus The Lo Fairfax Sir VVilliam Constable take VVhitby a Haven-Town in Yorkshire The prizes taken An Ordinance of Parliament for taking the Solemn Covenant over the whole Kingdome and Dominion of Wales An Emphaticall Exhortation Printed therewith The order or manner of taking the solemne League or Covenant as was prescribed by the Parliament A Catalogue of the names of the Members of the House of Commons that took the Covenant at least 228. at one time The proceedings of our brethren of Scotland about Newcastle A Summons sent to Newcastle and the answer thereunto The Scots proceedings after the foresaid answer Sir VVilliam Constables most successefull proceedings in the North. A brave victory obtained by Sir VVilliam Constable at Yorke A plot or designe against our brethren of Scotland most happily frustrated Milford-haven won by brave Capt. Swanley Prince Robber helpes on the designe Col. Mitton most bravely beates him Prisoners taken The County Palatine of Chester much aim'd at by the King Care taken in Parliament for setling of Church government Care taken about Preachers in London Northampton garrisons good successe Captaine Farmer taken prisoner A brief but good and gratefull note The noble Lord Fairfax his brave victory about Hull Pool Garrison took 3000. l. of Prince Robbers going to Waymouth A most dangerous plot against Nottingham Town and Castle discovered Cavaliers in Womens apparrell Sacks of Corn turn'd into powder pistols and match The cavalerian treacherous Metamorphosis discovered The Governour of Nottingham threats the cavalerian cormorants the racke to confesse the plot The confession discovery of the plot by the enemies themselves Preparation to encounter the enemy by night A brave victory obtained against the enemie beside the discovery and defeat of their plot A summary recitall and gratefull review of al this Moneths Parliamentary mercies Gods Arke over-topping the worlds waves swelling Exod. 19. 4. Esay 28. 29. March 1643. A returne of Prayer Biddle-house taken by Sir Tho. Fairfax and valiant Col. Ridgley The Prisoners prizes taken His Excellencie the Lord Generals just praises Grave Maurice Prince of Orange this wise Martial Maxime Hilsey-house in Buckingham shire taken The Princes Troope surprised about Banbury by Northampton Forces Another return of Prayer Colonel Lamberts brave victory obtained at Bradford The unequality of their Forces Mr. Ienkins Pastor of Christ-Church in London his excellent saying The great straights Colonell Lamberts Forces were put unto A very furious fight The admirable courage of our horse and foot The enemies flie The prisoners taken and the slaine The Covenant taken in Leicester Col. Hastings molests their proceedings therein His outrages in the Country Leicester Town heares therof and sets out against Hastings They marched that night suddenly to Hinkley against the enemy God gives ours a brave victory and booty at the Towne of Hinkley Our word and the Enemies word Sir Iohn Stowell slain neer Southampton Another brave prize taken by Col. Lambert Colonel Lambert his politick stratagem to ensnare the Enemie Sir Wil. Constable takes Chester bridge and Stamford bridge Col. Waight at Burley House The prize taken About a 1500. Irish rogues cast away in a storme at sea A land storme also destroyed them from Pool and Wareham garrisons Col. Norton at Southampton Sir Wil. Belfore in Hampshire CHARLES Prince Elector Palatine tooke the Covenant in Holland The Swedes also desire to associate with England against Rome The House of Saul decreases and the House of David increases Sir William Constable still victorious Tadcaster taken The good effects of the Parliaments Declaration to summon in delinquents from Oxford The names of reclaimed Delinquents Gallowâ— set up at Oxford to deter men from falling off from the Kings partee Sir Rich. Greenvile his base defection from us a great mercy to us Sir Faithlesse Fortescue fitly remembred here 2 Gibbets erected to Sir R. Greenviles eternall infamie A Coppy of the Proclamation fixed on the gibbets aforesaid The Parliaments most godly care taken for the pious institution of the Kings children at Saint Iameses Bredport and much good prize taken by brave Capt. Thomas Pyne Pynes of Lime in Dorsetshire Captain Tho. Pyne of Lime in Dorsetshire his most worthy praise Burleigh-house neere Lime in Dorsetshire taken An extract out of the relation of the brave reducing and securing Pembrookeshire to the Parliament by that renowned Sea Commander Cap. Swanley written more at large elsewhere by Cap. VVill Smith Vice-Admiral in the same Voyage Colonel Laughorne and the Mayor of Pembrook come aboard the Leopard The Earle of Carberies pride and menacing insolencies A remarkable passage full of serious note and compassion The inhumane carriage of the Earle of Carbery toward a grave Gentlewoman What strength the wel-affected Party in Pem were able to raise to defend themselves The brave resolution of the wel-affected in Pembrookeshire The victorious beginnings progresse of the noble Captaine Swanley and his Company A brave trick of a Welsh commander in chiefe A strong Fort at the Pyll taken The prize taken in the fort Sir Henry Vaughan and the rest of his râ—ut their brave deportment on the knowledge of our victory Sir John Stepney an exquisit welsh-Survey our A herde of blacke Bullocks mistaken for an army of men The marvellous pretty effects of the Welsh-mens feares Levit. 26. 17. Prov. 28.
Col. Fox Sir Tho. Littleton surprized by Col. Fox Mr. Goads relation of the most happy and prosperous progresse of the thrice noble and renowned Earl of Manchestâ—r in Lincolnshire The manner of the Earle of Manchesters march An 100 troops of Newcastles horse plunder the Country on the other side of Trent The Earle of Manchester advanâ—â—â— to Lincolne Sir Pâ—regâ—in Barty taken prisoner and brought to my Lord of Manchester Lincoln summoned by my Lord of Manchester Resolution to storme the Town Colonel Cromwell sent out with 2000. horse to oppose Col. Goring from relieving Lincoln Preparation to storm the City of Lincons Colonell Russels and Col. Moâ—ntague lead on most bravely to the on-set The lower town taken The Enemie in their retreat endeavoured to fire the Lower Town A second full resolution to storm the Town and Castle as was formerly intended The furious assaults on the Enemy in the upper town Castle The indefatigable paines and courage of our men about the Castle The scaling Ladders set up against the Castle wals The Town Castle obtained The slain the prisoners taken The losse on our side very inconsiderable Two Officers slain but 10 Common Souldiers The singular piety of the most noble renouned Generall A brief List of the Commanders Officers in Armes taken prisoners All the Common souldiers taken were willing to fight for the Parliament An Ordinance of Parliament for the demolishing of all Organs and superstitious monuments c. Capt. Swanley takes Carnarvan Town Castle other good prize Col. Massyes constant activity Col. Mynne beaten in his Quarters A Plot to betray Gloucester discovered 5000. l. profered for a reward to betray Gloucester 200. l. paid in hand of the 5000. to Capt. Backhouse The â—â—â—successe of their plot from themselves The Citizens of London petition the House of Peeres for the re-establishment of the State-Committee The result issue of the Cities petitioning the House of Peeres The Citizens of London also petition the House of Commons The result issue of the Cities â—â—â—tion to the House of Commons Singular sympathy 'twixt the House of Commons and the City of London The happy event of the City Petition in the principall expectation from both Houses of Parliament Secrecy is the Key of certainty The State-Committee for both Kingdomes established Col. Masseyes brave defeats given to the Enemies at Newnam Westbury and Little Dean Newnam defeat The prisoners and prizes taken Wesbury defeat The prisoners and prizes taken The defeat at Little Dean the prisoners and prizes taken Col. Massyes just Encomium The just commendation of divers other garrisons Lyme stormed the enemy bravely repulsed A day of Humiliation set a part to seeke the Lord upon the advance of the L. Gen. Army Devonshire Cornwall disaffected to the Irish Amost just objurgation of England from Devon Cornwalls great folly in deserting the Parliament A most wicked devillish plot to undoe Scotland also with England by the Popish Royallists there by way of diversion to recall our brethren of Scotand from assisting us The Noble Earl of Argyle stirs against the Popish insurrection begun in Scotland The Earl of Argyle breaks the neck of this Plot and puts the Marquesse Huntly to flight The Earl of Calender also riseth with about 8000. horse and foot to suppresse this intestine insurrection Montrosse forced to flye into the Castle of Carlile The present state of Lyme related to the Parliament by Cap. Iones Cap. Player The brave most resolute carriage of the Governour of Lyme to Pr. Maurice A brave prize taken at Sea by the noble Earle of Warwicks Ships An excellent patterne of gratitude in the County of Kent A just most deserved testimony of the right noble Earle of Pembrookes love loyalty to the Parliament Cawood Castle and all in it surrendred to the Parliam The Isle and Fort of Ayremouth taken also by Sir Iohn Meldrum The Kings Forces durst not bid battell to the Parl. L. Generall at Wantage Abington taken by the noble Lord Roberts Valiant Cap. Temples brave exploit on the enemies at Islip The most noble L. Generals mercifull Proclamation A Parallel of that Proclamation with the Oxonian Edict lately published from Oxford A most prudent pertinent Message sent by our Parliament in England to the Parliament in Scotland Beverton Castle in Gloustersh taken by Col. Massey Malmesbury taken by Col. Massey Chippenham Garrison in Wilts taken by Col. Massey Col. Massey advanceth into wilts with 2000. men toward the Devizes A most Noble and Renowned act of the Parliament in rewarding the good Service of Col. Massey Englands great wonder to Gods great glory May 30. 1644. Above 6 brave Armies at one time in the Kingdome on the Parliaments side The true muster of the City forces of Westminster at this 〈◊〉 Hosea 14. 3. Psal 136. 23. Russel-hall in Staffordshire taken good prize therein by the Earle of Denbigh This garrison was a most notorious thievish place A brave prize taken by Plymouth garrison The Garrison of Notingham gave Newarke Garrison a brave defeat Limes undaunted Valout testified by its adversaries themselves The Enemy bravely beaat Lime A gratefull summary recitall of all the foresaid Parliamentary mercies of the moneth past Gods Arke borne up above the worlds swelling waves Psal 119. 68. Psal 44. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 2 3. Iob 9. 4. Iune 1644. Lime most notably releived and the Seige wholly happily raised The most noble Lord Admirall arived at Lime Lymes distressed condition at his Lordships comming The most virtuous Lord Admiralls piety charity to Lyme Yea of my Lords honest Seamen too An assault upon the Towne to the enemies great losse The Enemies pride high hopes The most noble Lord Admiralls Stratagem The Enemy was mistaken frustrated of his hopes A very furious Assault upon the Towne bravely received The number of the slain in this Assault The enemies be fooled in reckoning without their hoast The enemies stomacke now come downe The enemies rage in firing the Towne Gods power providence was Lymes wals bulwarks The admirable courage of the women of Lyme The most pious reply of a maide in Lyme whole hand was shot off The continuance of Limes troubles took away the sense of fear terrour of them Prince Maurice leaves Lime raises his Siege The Earle of Calender possessed of Morpeth-Castle in Northubmerland Sunderland delivered from a treacherous Plot. A reward of 200 l. bestowed on the honest Seamen for their loyalty good service Valiant Capt. Swanley made commander in chief in Wales A Chaine of Gold worth 200 l. bestowed on Captain Swanley by the Parliament The Kings most ungodly agreement with the Irish Rebels Expelled him from his former secure abode at Oxford Valiant active Sir Will. Waller follows the King Gods justice prosecutes the wicked with terrour disgrace Major Gen. Brown made Commander in chiefe of 3 Counties by the
of Newcastle touching the Lord Râ—chford The Lord Vicount Rochford impeached of high Treason Greenland house taken by Major Gen. Brown Taunton Castle taken by the Lord Generals Forces Cholmley house in Cheshire taken by the Lord Denbigh Col. Rossiter Governour of Lincoln his valour and activity Capt. Sydenham and Capt. Carrs brave exploit against the Lord Inchiquin A learned and godly Ministery to be Ordained Wâ—lne Ferry and Fort taken by the Noble L. Grey and sir Iohn Gell. Wilne Ferry stormed and taken And a brave prize with it The noble L. Grey's Martiall Vigilancy for the good of the Country The famous Celebration of the publike Thanksgiving for the late great Victory at or 〈…〉 The Enemy laboured to dim the cleer Sunshine of our Day of thanksgiving Yorkes not being taken emboldned our Malignants to buz abroad their lyes A remarkable print of providence to dash our Malignants out of countenance The glorious rayes of that Sun-shine day shines forth over the kingdome A narration of celebrating the Thankesgiving-day at London And of Christs-Church parish in particular How the great Hall was swept of some foul Romish-rubbish the day before this meeting Sir Halowâ—night â—night of the Bath pulls down and utterly demolisheth a monstrous great Crucifix in Christs Hospitall A great Bonfire made of the said Crucifix just at the Supper-time of the said Parishioners The manner of the surrendring up of the City of Yorke to the Parliaments Forces Yorke closely besieged again after the victory Preparation to storm York A Treaty desired by the City Commissioners authorized to parley and determine of Articles of agreement The Articles of Agreement being 14 in number subscribed unto by the 3 Generalls Considerations concerning the Articles A singular wise and satisfactory Message of the 3. Generalls to the Parliament Propositions of Peace Businesse of Religion to be expedited Malignants mouths stopt The Lord of Manchester advances Southward Tickhill taken by the Earl of Manchesters forces The ill neighbour-hood of Tickhill The Castle summoned Articles of Agreement concluded on and sealed to My Lord of Manchester takes possession of the Castle Col. 〈◊〉 T horns Cap. Moultons brave performances in Penbâ—ookshire The forwardnesse of the inhabitants of the County to help against the Enemy Both Armies meet and the Enemies are discomfited The slain prisoners and prizes taken A most brave defeat given to the Enemy at Evesham by the Earl of Denâ—ighs and Warwick Forces Another brave defeat given by Lyme garrison to the Enemies at Collyton Prisoners and prizes taken Another defeat at Chard in Sommersetshire by Lime Garrison Our most noble Lord Generalls brave and victorious advance and progresse in the West Divers brave Garrisons and much Ordnance taken by ours in the West Greenvils house at Tavestoke taken Rich prizes and pillage taken in the House Newbridge taken by our Forces A hot skirmish at Newbridge Greenvils Forces routed with much losse to him Our Forces come to Bodmin in Cornwall Tadcaster and Foy taken many ships therein The hopefull condition of the Western parts to be reduced to the Parliament A gratefull summary recitall of all the rich Parliamentary-mercys of this Month. 1 Sam. 7. 12. EBEN-EZER GODS ARK overtops the Worlds waves Micah 4. 11 12 13. This Scripture most properly appropriated to England Esay 59. 18. Num. 14. 9. Psal 74 14. Psal 68. 21. Esay 59. 19. Eze. 32. 2 3 4. Our Enemies as a whale are caught in Gods not to their ruine Exod. 15. 11. Psal 77. 11 12. 14 15. Psal 118. 8 9. Jer. 10. 7. The close of all What use wee are to make of all the forementioned Parliamentary-mercies Christians must Wait Beleeve Beggars must be no carvers Habbuc 2. 3. In what posture Gods people are to wait on God for deliverance
sent you the originall I preserve by me as a testimony of their unworthy proffers To Colonell Dacre SIR Your propositions sent to me on Wednesday last by Captain Poulton for which you shewed him my Lord Newcastles Commission were so unworthy of a Gentleman so wicked and base that once I thought in contempt and scorne to have forgotten them yet lest my silence may receive too favourable an interpretation from you know and tell your Generall that set you on this brave imployment that I abhorre the thought of treason to my Country though I might thereby grow as great for wickednesse as he tell him I le weare no title but what my faith and vertue purchaseth and I le leave my children an honest though a small inheritance to whom my spotless name not tainted with the foule blot of treason shall be an ornament when the remembrance of all treacherous Apostates shall rot with infamie and I doubt not but my gracious Prince once cured of his mistake will reward my loyall constant faithfulnesse to his Regall Power and Parliament with a larger recompence than he propounds for my corruption if he doe not vertue is its own reward Tell your most Excellent Generall his threats and promises are both alike contemptible to me I feare not those and I hate these I fight not to repaire a broken fortune but to maintain a just quarrell in which may that man perish and fall low as the depth of hell that can be hired to prove unfaithfull tell him if you dare that it had been an imployment more beseeming you or any Gentleman had he sent you with ten thousand armed men to assault our well defended wals than with so many pieces of contemned gold to lay your siege against an honest heare I could honour an enemie for performing brave and gallant things but such attempts as these will render your persons as odious to all honest men as your rebellion and I am sorie you should undertake so base a service as to deserve the just neglect and scorne of John Hutchinson Nottingham Castle Decem. 16. 1643. Postscript Pray Sir send me word what you should have had for the procuring this that I may know at what rate the enemie valueth this Castle To Colonell Dacre SIR You have now convinced me of an errour I once thought it possible that some rash misâ—led young men might still among the Cavaliers have retained a sense of Gallantry and Honour though no Religion and have been enriched with those morall vertue which made the Heathen famous such a one I beleeved you to be but since you can attempt to buy mee to so great a villany as you did in your late propositions by Captain Poulton I must needs be perswaded you would never offer me what you your self would not have done 'T is I confesse strange to me you could imagine that a Christian a Gentleman or a Commonwealths-man would ever prove such a villain as for a little gaudie dirt to sell his soule his honour and his Countrey perish that most contemned gain with all that can accept or offer it Dacre 't was base in you to think so of me I am sure you cannot so mis-interpret any act of mine as to receive from it the least ground of encouragement to such an opinion and had you known my Brother you would have thought it easier for you your self alone to have conquered all the men now fighting in the Kingdome than to corrupt that guard of vertues which protect his constant soule from treacherous thoughts Did you think men of sense will part with reall honour for a Title you are not capable of a religious consideration or I could tell you that our â—ouls redeemed with an unvaluable price are by you most unequally valued at a poore inconsiderable summe of money but your thought cannot reach heaven look upon earth and give me an example where ever any Traytor preserved his foul name from an horrid blot of infamy on him and on his house for ever How can you think He that by you will be corrupted to betray anothers trust will not by another be again corrupted to betray yours Keep your despised coyn to tempt some fraile waiting-woman it may work with her to procure such honest things as you affect but desist these base attempts on men of noble spirits with whom they will but render you as contemptible as your offers Consider the unworthy message you sent and blush at the remembrance of your guilt in it and if yet you have so much worth left in you repent the injury you did to him that was your Friend Farewell that name for evermore between us George Hutchinson Trent Bridges Decemb 16. 1643. To his truly noble friend Captain Poulton Noble Sir I Was in hopes to have waited on you this day but indeed I received an Expresse last night from my Lord Generall wherein I am commanded to wait on his Excellency neer Chesterfield this day Sir I hope you remember the businesse I sole to you of when you were at my quarter I will engage my selfe upon my life that what I promised shall be really performed if you please but to consider and truly value the business I make no question but I may obtain my desires which I will assure you is not for any particular ends but in the first place to serve my gracious King and then my friends which I will assure you I shall ever esteeme your Lievtenant Colonell and your selfe to be desiring very much to heare from you by this bearer wishing us all to agree for upon my word it troubles me to think that all honest men should not be of one side Which the Lord grant that we may all be I remaining alwayes Sir Your most humble servant Richard Dacre Watnell Friday morning the 15. of December My humble service to my truly noble friend your Lievtenant Colonell and tell him I wish him as my owne soule To Colonell Dacre SIR Had the Cavaliers since found out away to performe their promises better than they did at Bristoll Gainsborough c. you might have had some hopes of a young man whose best fortune is his sword but so unworthy have their dealings ever been so little faith and honour doe you give testimony of in tempting me to act such things as gallant men would not accept if offered that I must tell you these unworthy wayes you take to advance your cause are but so many confirmations to me in this I do maintain against you He that fights for honour not for plunder to which the Dutch Prince hath well trained all your armies would scorne to receive his enemies Fort on any conditions but such as were purchased by his prevailing valour not undermining treachery to which Sir I am as unflexible as you to worth and goodnesse The Governour I beleeve and his brother have returned you their answers and you may in this receive the negative resolution of Thomas Poulton Nottingham Castle
Iohn Byron of whom we made mention before The generall report and relation whereof came unto us to London on the 3. of this instant Ianuary 643 being the Monthly Fast-day at night just about the time of the conclusion of the holy exercises of that day and which was by Letters confirmed more certainly particularly the next day being Thursday and Friday following The substance and manner whereof was this The English and Irish Forces which but a little before came out of Ireland under the command of sir Michael Earnly and severall other Commanders having laid siege to that brave and faithfull Town of Namptwich resolving it is probable to doe some brave piece of service at their first arrivall into England had therefore made three severall onsets and assaults upon it and were most bravely repulsed every time by Captaine Booth Governour of the Towne with great losse to the Enemie Lieutenant Colonell Boughton and foure Captaines more besides many common Souldiers being there slain before the towne At last they hearing the advance of Sir Tho and Sir William toward them to relieve the besieged they raised their siege from thence and drew out their Forces upon a plaine neere the Town to give them bâ—ttell Both Armies bâ—ing met there continued a fierce encounter betweene them which was very bravely performed on both sides for the space of two houres at least At last the enemy Gods providence so ordering it began to give ground which our as vigilant as valiant Commanders soone perceiving were greatly encouraged thereat to animate and draw on their souldiers with the braver resolution Sir Thomas Fairfax most magnanimiously charged their Horse whereof bloody Byron was Commander who not daring to stand to so fierce a shock began first to fly mangre all his former lying vaunts over brave Sir William Brereton our Horse valiantly pursuing the opportunity thereof gave not over till they had â—â—terly routed their enemies and dispersed and scattered all their Forces The names of the Prisoners of eminency taken all of them either Commanders of the English Forces in Ireland or native Irish-rebells were Major Generall Gibson Sir Richard Fleetwood Major Sir Michael Earnley Sir Francis Butler an Irish Rebell Colonell Monck Colonell Warren Lieutenant Colonell Gibs Sir Ralph Dames Major Hamon 14. Captaines 20. Lieutenants 27. Ensignes 3. Cornets 4. Quarter-masters 40. Drummes 4. Serjeants 63. Corporals 1700. Common-Souldiers and above an 100. wicked Women and Irish Queanes with long and sharpe Skeanes or Knives to play the barbarous Cut-throats of such as they should have taken Prisoners or were wounded had they got the Victory 6. Pieces of Ordnance 4. Canoneers 27. Wagons laden with very rich spoiles taken by the Irish-Forces from the Inhabitants of those parts Very many of them were slaine on the Ground and in the pursuit of them among which were Colonell Wane a Lieutenant Colonell 4. Captaines yea and Sir Wil Brereton in his own Letter to the Parliament testifies that there were about 2400. of the Enemies slaine and taken Prisoners in this Battaile and at the siege of Namptwich there were above 500. slaine before the Towne and yet that in all that siege the Towne lost but 2. men in all Boasting bloody Byron himselfe fled like a cowardly beaten and bitten Dog with his taile between his leggs to Oxford there to bragg how he had made noble Sir William Brereton flye as his custome was and to vapour of his happy victory and good success he hath had since his former late inhumane butcherie of Lancashire Forces Herein still the Lord most wisely and justly suiting his Divine dispensations to mens actions and worthyly repaying to the wicked a suitable and proportionable measure of Iustice and revenge Of this and all the rest of his rich and rare mercies and wonderfull Victories and Deliverances let our Wonder-working God alone have all the most meritorious praise and glory And accordingly on the Fryday following which was the 2. of February the pious and prudent House of Commons in Parliament passed an Order to this effect That on the next Lords day publike thanks should be rendred unto Almighty God both for the seasonable comming in of our faithfull and loving brethren of Scotland to our assistance against the mighty Enemies of the Lord for the good successe of the Garrison of Nottingham against Newcastles treacherous fraud and forces together with the happy discovery and defeat of the severall late plotts of the Enemy against us as was forementioned and especially for this last foresaid famous Victory of Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton against the English-Irish Forces in Cheshire and it was Ordered therein also that the said Order should be read by the Ministers of the severall Congregations in and about the Cities of London and Westminster and that the names of all such Ministers as should refuse to publish the said Order should be returned to the Parliament And here now I shall desire to cast Anchor againe and make a little stay of Contemplation and gratefull rumination on the precious Traffick and rich Commodities of this Moneths Voyage wherein the godly Reader may see at a sight and seeing admire the great mercies of our good God thus still carrying on his Arke and causing it to over-top all the troublesome waves and windes of Malignity that have thus still bruisht and rusht against it and bringing it home in safety to the Haven of this Moneths end fairely fraught with all these mercies As first in raising up the spirits of the Swedes to interrupt the Auxiliary designe of Denmarke against England In the taking of those two Houses Holts-House and Bewley-House two pernicious Kennels or Cages for the Kings Cormorants those birds of Prey to roust and nestle in for the fitter falling upon the spoile and plunder of the people and places neer about them In the happy and timely discovery of that pernitious plot of dividing the Parliament and City under the modest mask forsooth of pretended Peace by Sir Basil Brook Riley and the rest and the happy deliverance of those three honest and loyall Patriots of their Countrey in Gernsey from the present Imprisonment and intended future danger which they were in In the happy taking into the Parliaments possession of Arundel-Castle by Sir William Waller and his valiant Forces besides a brave Ship full fraught with Armes Ammunition and other good Merchandizes The most happy Harmony and union of Spirits Love and Loyalty between the Parliament and City of London most sweetly manifested in that famous invitation at Marchant-Taylors-Hall In that most noble Defeat given to Sir Nicholas Byron by valiant Colonell Mitton Sir Iohn Gells valiant surprisall of Burton on Trent and the taking of Hilsden-House by the Parliaments Forces In the happy discovery and disappointment of the base Plots and trecherous designes of mischievous Major Ogle both in endeavouring to sow the seeds
Designes and winning divers Ships and valuable Prizes from them Together with Gloucesters good posture and condition And Colonell Beares and Colonell Masseyes victorious achivements over the Enemies In our loyall Brethren of Scotlands safe passage over the River Tyne without resistance and the feare and terror of the Lord put into the Enemies hearts that they durst not set upon our brethren but being enforced to wait on the Scottish Forces day and night in the Fields lost many hundreds of their Army to the great weakning thereof and enforcing of them to a hasty retreat to Durham In the brave defeat given to the Enemy at Collyton neere Lyme by valiant Captaine Pyne and the excellent reformation of the Cathedrall at VVestminster And lastly in this last fore-mentioned most famous defeat and glorious Victory which God in his great mercy gave Sir VVilliam VValler and Sir VVilliam Belfore at Alsford in Hampshire against Hopton and his formidable Forces who had even already swallowed us up in their deepe hopes and greedy expectations but wherein God admirably frustrated their high-built-hopes and dasht in pieces their deepest designes In just and serious Contemplation and Consideration then of all those precious premises who can deny but that he hath most evidently and undenyably seene in this Monethes most prosperous and successefull Voyage Gods Arke Over-topping the worlds waves swelling and although the outragious waves of wicked men Atheists Papists and perverse Malignants gave the Arke especially in this Alsfords bickering many sore brushes against its sacred sides to overturne it So that we might say with holy David The floods were lifted up O Lord the floods did lift up their voice as in those Oxoniensia Sesquipedalia verba the floods did lift up ther waves But the Lord was mightier than the noise of their many waters yea than all the mighty waves of the Sea And therefore let us all with most cheerfull hearts and voyces with that sacred sugered Singer of Israel aforesaid in holy exultation and gracious gratification Say and Sing Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered and let all those that hate him flee before him As smoake is driven away so drive thou them away O God as wax melteth before the fire so let the wicked perish at the presence of the Lord. But let thy righteous ones still be glad and rejoyce yea let them exceedingly râ—jâ—yce in thy Salvation And now to proceed ANd here now to hoyse up our sailes again and begin the next Moneths Voyage see what singular and soveraign good fruit we are all ready fraught with in the very first setting forth to the farther praise and glory of God a work most pleasing to heaven and all true holv and heavenly minded Saints namely how it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most pious Patriots and precious Parliamentary Worthies the care of the more holy strict sanctification of the Lords Day about the beginning of this moneth of April to passe and publish a most excellent Ordinance of Parliament wherein were many sweet holy and holesome Orders and Penalties agreed on and confirmed to be put in exact excution and inflicted upon all manner of Offenders against the same And among them this one clause was also added That the Ordinance formerly made for the burning of all books of giving Liberty for prophane pastimes and Lawful recreations forsooth as our impious Pontificians wickedly termed their wickedly termed their Bacchanalian sports set out by the Arch-Prelate of Canterburies license and allowance should all be put in execution throughout the whole Kingdome under the Parliaments power and Authority And was not here a blessed blast and faire gaile of wind breathed out from heaven it selfe upon this Arke of God to carry it on successefully in this Moneths troublesome Voyage through the swelling Seas of this so sorely distracted and distressed Kingdome And about the 2 of this instant April came certain Intelligence by Letters out of Derbyshire to London That that brave active and faithfull Commander in Armes Sir Iohn Gell after the raising of the Siege at Newarke had such a Vigilant eye upon the Enemie that he sent forth a partee which fell upon one of their quarters at a place called Munk-bridge upon Dove-river not many miles from Derby where they killed 22 on the place routed the rest and drave divers men and horse into the said River where they were drowned took an 140 horse and 80 prisoners Much also about the same time came credible information by Letters out of Yorkeshire to London that Colonell Bellasis Governour of Yorke marched out thence toward Bradford where his Victorious Antagonist brave Colonell Lambert lay with his Regiment which Bellasis intended and hoped to have an oportunity to set upon and surprise But the Vigilant Colonell having timely intelligence of his comming sallyed out of the Town to meet the Enemy after a little facing one another Colonell Lambert warily perceiving that the Enemy were too numerous a partee for him to encounter with thought it not safe to advance beyond his Works whereunto he discreetly retreated and there maintained the fight very valiantly and beat off the assailants with their losse having kil'd and wounded so many that the Enemy was forced to a hasty retreat which the Valiant Colonel soon perceiving pursued them therein at least 6 miles in which Action Colonell Lambert took 200 horse and furniture and a 100 Foot and took Colonell Bagshaw a notorious Lancashire Papist 8 Captains and other Officers and Commanders About the 8th of this instant we had certain Information by Letters from Gloucester to London that the supply of powder and other Military Ammunition and Provision which had long lyen about Warwick expecting an oportunity to be conveyed to Gloucester to Colonell Massey was now at last come safely thither and it is worthy the observation in what manner it was effected which in briefe was thus It was sent by parcells at 3 severall times the first time severall barrels of Powder Match Flax Brimstone and some quantity of Money were sent by honest Carriers with their pack-horses about 14 in number which were conveyed with a guard of 60 Horse In the night time the Forlorn Hope as they past along espied a fire in severall places in a small compasse as they conceited which out of sodaine fear they took to be the Enemy The Enemy also espied the same fire and conceived that the Parliaments Forces were there The Parliaments Forces upon their fear wheeled about quite out of the way the Enemy by reason of their fear hastily retreated from them but the honest Carriers not knowing or once dreaming but that the convoy of the Parliaments Forces was before them drove on their Horses till they came to one of Colonell Masseys outmost Garrisons where the Ammnition was joyfully received and presently convoyed into Gloucester but the convoy turned to VVarwick with onely hopes which
the same time came certaine intelligence by letters from Colonell Massey of more singular good successe which God had then given unto him against his neighbour enemies especially against that great Papist Sir John Winter the Queenes Secretary whom together with the most barbarous and bloody Irish-Rebells his so pious Mistresse imployed to settle the Protestant Religion I shall forbeare for brevities-sake to give an exact and particular relation how this most renowned Colonell by a brave martiall stratagem laid a train of powder and a granado at the end of it which did good execution to the purpose on the enemies the succinct number of the prisoners and the place where they were taken were as followeth Prisoners taken at Newnam which was Sir Iohn Winters head-quarter 3 Captaines 3 Lieutenants 4 Ensignes 12 Serjeants 4 Corporalls 4 Drums one Cannoneer one Engineer one provost Marshall 1 Chaplaine of the army 4 double barrells of powder 60 skaines of Match one Fawknet 3 Hambrough guns 4 Pieces of Ordnance 130 Common-souldiers besides good store of Armes Taken also at Westbury the same day which in the relation was about May the 7. the whole garrison with officers and souldiers one Capt. one Lieut. one Ensigne besides other officers 60 souldiers besides 9 slain 2 barrells of powder and 12 skaines of match At Litle-Deane also the day before slaine Lieut. Colonell Congrave the Governour thereof Captaine Wigmoore 70 others also slain there and at that time and 15 prisoners taken And thus have you briefely seene how that ever most worthily to be ever honoured and valiant Commander Col. Massey made notable advantages of that provision which was so lately before sent unto him And how to give this brave Commander his due praise or how to crown his browes with sufficiently flourishing green Laurells I confesse I am not able my expressions being indeed too low to set forth so high deserts and the present generation is so envious that if I could and should give him but so much right as I conceive him most worthy of and should not say as much of the rest they would I fear storme against me though I desire to exclude or extenuate no mans worth nor would disparage any in commending active Massey I will onely therefore say thus much in briefe and that most truely Many garrisons have done bravely but Massey at Gloucester hath exceeded them all And truly that brave Commander Colon Mitton of Wem garrison may challenge a second place in our highest and lowdest praises and expressions and why not renowned Lime garrison the third place which hath also done bravely to deep admiration as hath beene already and shall be yet more fully set forth in it's proper place All all the rest I say have done singularly well to Gods glory and their honour be it spoken As Captain Ludlow at Warder-castle Col. Norton Colon. Sydenham and the rest at Pool who have done as much as no man could expect more yea Warwicke garrison Alesbury and Northampton and the rest who have all done most heroickly and honourably and if they have come short of any others I hope they have meant as well as the best but peradventure had not the like opportunities thereto But to proceed About the 12. of this instant came credible information out of the Westerne parts from the garrison of Lyme that revived Prince Maurice not this ghost though he be ghost-like in reguard of his infirmity stormed the Town of Lyme a third time and was now also beaten off with great losse above 80 of his men being slain in one ditch and 60 in another and the rest of his army pursued even to their own workes and that Lyme garrison brought off 2 Pieces of the enemies ordnance within the command of their works though the enemy slew many of the poore Country-men to compell them to fight to have saved the 2 pieces of ordnance but all in vain And now upon Monday the 13. of this instant his Excellency the Parliaments Lord Generall of all their Forces advanced toward Oxford his Carriages went the day before and he in person followed the next day early in the morning which was Tuesday the 14th upon which day at Black-Fryers in London was a day of humiliation kept in the behalfe of the Western affaires at Saint Brides a Day of Thankesgiving for the Victory at Lincoln together with prayers and Solemn Supplications for the good successe of the Noble Earl of Manchesters Army and ere his Excellency left London he earnestly desired that a day might be set a part to seek the Lord for him and his brave Army which was accordingly performed in a most high and solemn manner by the Lord Mayor Aldermen Shriffes and Common-Councill of the City of London at Christs Church on Fryday the 17th of May A thing which had not been done before in all the time of these unhappy wars since they first began and therefore we have the greater ground of hope of a happy issue and good successe and that God will in mercy be found of those that seeke him first and which desire to go forth in his name and in his strength alone And about the 16th of this instant May we were certainly enformed at London that the Counties of Devon and Cornwall began to be sensible of and displeased at the concourse of the Irish comming into those parts declaring that rather than they would beare with it any longer they would with an unanimous consent as one man rise against them and expell them out of their Countries and thus we may hope that the kingdome will at length be beaten into a condition of having their eyes of understanding opened to see and believe those truths of their hastning danger which they before so long withstood to their late and long just misery and that now at length they will come back although it be by weeping-crosse which they might have avoyded had they not either through envy or ignorance fought against those who with the hazard of their lives have thus long preserved the Kingdome and untill this unhappy difference and inhumane discord and bloody war was plotted and managed by Romish-Iesuits and most ambitious and proud-Prelates no story can make report of so much basenesse of the English Nation especially after so much illumination as to take up armes against their owne Parliament chosen by themselves and which hath been in all ages the preservation of the subject But to proceed Whereas the Malignant-Spirits and most malicious adversaries of our Kingdome are continually working and contriving how to ruine themselves and the whole Church and State and had for this end by their active agents in Scotland the Marquesse Huntley the Lord Montrosse Craford Musgrave and others attempted an intestine insurrection in the Kingdome of Scotland about Aberdene the most malignant Towne in all that Kingdome hoping thereby by way of a divertive warre to bring off
Lieutenants 2 Cornets 2 Ensignes Commissary Richard Edwards 9 Serjeants 9 Corporalls and one Drum-Major besides 305 Common Souldiers 8 Townesmen in Armes 200 Muskets a 100 Pikes and other warlike weapons and 40 Barrels of Powder And of what great advantage this Town was to those parts especially for the reducing of North Wales those that know that Country do very well know But this Noble Earl rested not here this successe made him not forget the directions of the Committee of both Kingdomes nor to loose any time but that he hastned to expedite what was directed and by him before resolved And so the very next day he Ordered his March accordingly leaving that ever to be honoured Gentleman and brave commander Col. Mitton Governour of that brave Town and Castle a man most fit for such a trust as Wem can witnesse And about the 28. of this instant we were credibly advertised by Letters from Dorchester that the Country at least 20 miles about from the said Town being summoned to appeare there came in most freely and it being offered unto them That any one that desired a Passe to go to Exeter Bristoll or any other parts of the Kings quarters should go together on the left hand and should have their free Passes and all those that were convinced in their consciences of the justnesse of the cause on the Parliaments side should go to the right or hold up their hands and accordingly every one there assembled did so not one desiring a passe to go to the Enemie holding up all their hands most cheerfully this being upon the ending of a Sermon preached then by Master Peters who hath done great Service for the State both by Sea and by Land both in England Ireland and Holland And much about the last of this instant Iune 1644. for the conclusion of this Moneth An Ordinance of Parliament was happily past That no Lords nor Commons who have deserted the Parliament and complyed with Oxford shall be re-admitted into the Lords House nor Members of the House of Commons be any more admitted into the House of Commons without the consent of both Houses A good bar and like to be a strong prop to the firmer stablishing of the State of the Kingdome Who if they had come when their pretended House at Oxford stood on its flashy glosse and false glory we might have thought they had come out of conscience and affection to the Parliament at Westminster but now to leave their own ship when it is upon sincking and to crawl up the main top then is but like Vermine Rats to leave the ship for fear of drowning And truely in this case One constant Royalist though bad 's the best is more worth than 2 of these rotten-hearted Turn-coats But now let these ignoble spirited Deserters revolters sit as they deserve as Britannicus said well 't is pitty either House should again be stained with the Apostacy of such tergiversatious Bats For to be sure those that have once known that way to Oxford would every Spring and Fall every ebbing and flowing of the tide of affaires have been troubled with a fit of shifting sides and parties and be willing to take the ayre 44 miles from London And now having thus by Gods good providence and assistance finished this Moneths Voyage also I shall here desire as is most fit to cast anchor again and to put to shoar a little to refresh our Vessell and to bring forth all the Merchandize and rich Commodities of this Moneths Adventure to a summary sight and revise thereby to set an edge upon our affections to stir up our most gratefull hearts the more to praise the Lord our great and good God the Father and fountain of them As first The happy and most seasonable reliefe of the long and straitly besieged Town of Lime in Dorsetshire by the most noble and renouned Lord Admirall the Right honourable Earl of Warwick together with the serious consideration of the Admirable and almost incredible courage of the Inhabitants and Souldiers thereof in so undauntedly defending it by Gods most impregnable power and assistance The most Loyall and Valiant ayde and help afforded to us by the Noble Earl of Callender in the Northern parts of the Kingdome and the Parliaments most wise and gratefull respect to Captain Swanlyes good service in Wales The kings most unworthy signing and assenting to the most wicked demands and Articles of the Irish Rebels after which he was forced to flye up and down with as much just fright of a wounded conscience as needlesse fear of his most friendly pursuers The Parliaments most prudent and provident making that brave and most gallant Citizen Colonell Brown Serjeant Major Generall of 3 Counties viz. Oxford Berks and Buckinghamshire Renouned Colonell Masseys taking of Tewksbury And Gods just judgement on some of the Kings Forces at Parrishâ—â— in their flight from Sir William Waller their victorious and most valiant pursuer and his brave taking of Shudley Castle as he past along in pursuite of the King Valiant and active Captain Purefreys taking of Compton House in Warwickshire neer Banbury and a most brave defeat given to the Enemy by the most noble and renowned Earl of Denbigh at dudley-Dudley-castle to his indelible high renowne and the Enemies extreame great losse and dishonour The totall and most remarkable raising of the long and tedious Siege of Lyme to Gods great glory our unexpressible comfort and Prince Maurices eternall shame and infamy Together with the Parliaments most wise and worthy brave carryage in and about that businesse both in their ordering of thankes to God the Lord Admirall and Lyme it selfe as also in bestowing a brave and bountifull reward on the Town of Lyme for their valour and loyalty to the Cause of God Sir William Belfores taking of Weymouth and Taunton-Deane the noble Lord Grey of Groobies brave carryage at Leicester and the Lord Generalls and Lord Admiralls preparations both by Sea and by Land to reduce the West to obedience to the King and Parliament and their hopefull progresse therein Gods admirable goodnesse to Manchester in Lancastershire together with that excellent Ordinance of Parliament for constant reliefe to Wives and Children of Wounded and Slain Souldiers in the Parliaments service The most noble and right valiant Lord Denbighs winning of that strong and important Towne of Oswelstree with the prisoners and prizes taken therein And lastly The singular good affection which wrought in the hearts of the West-Country people toward the Parliament and their upright Cause together with an excellent Ordinance of Parliament against rotten-hearted Revolters and Deserters of the Parliament All these so rich and rare Merchandizes and comfortable Commodities brought in unto and by our precious Parliament for the happy advance of Gods Cause thus agitated in the Kingdome seriously considered and rightly aestimated who can deny but that our God hath most admirably this Moneth also carryed on his blessed Arke
I therefore earnestly beseech thee good Reader in the pages fore-cited to correct and amend with thy pen also this so materiall mistake therein The Authors promise of part of Requitall for the foresaid favour ANd in part of requitall of thy fore-desired friendly favour I shall good Reader both promise as I hope I have now in this third Part performed more care for the future And also hasten out for thy full content the fourth Part of this Parliamentary-Chronicle which I intend if the Lord permit to compleat and bring up to the very present time of its immediate publication with all the most famous admirable and almost incredible Victories and Successes of this last Sommer and Autumn-Season I having even now almost quite finished and fitted the said promised fourth Part for the Printers Presse if at least I find as I hope I shall this my present third Part so courteously accepted as to make the speedier way for the comming forth thereof and so consequently for the compleating of this so fair and famous a History Thyne J. V. FINIS An Exact Table of all the most materiall Passages of this third Part of the Parliamentary-Chronicle A THe Arke and Parliament compared together Page 1. The Assembly of Divines petition the Parliament 2. The Assemblies petition for Reformation 4 Apprentices provided for 31 The Authors gratefull remembrance of Gods goodnesse to him 37 The Associated Counties cared for 55 The Isle of Axholm taken 147 The Bishop of Armagh his memoriall 153 The famous Victory at Alsford 185 Axholm Island taken 202 The famous defeat at Aulton 95 The Earl of Argyle in Scotland 230 The Isle and Fort of Ayremouth taken 234 Abington taken by the Lord Roberts ibid. Arundell Castle besieged and taken 122 Association of Hampshire Surry and Sussex 57 Army of the Earl of Newcastle declining 67 Ammunition conveyed to Gloucester and how 200 Aâ—lesbury to be betrayed 135 Advance of the Scots into England 136 B. Burleigh-house taken 7 Colonell Brown beats the Kentish Rebels 13 Sir William Brereton wins Houghton Castle 18 Beverly pittifully plundred 30 Bullenbrook Castle taken 67 A new Broad Seal 71 The Scots march from Barwick into England 137 Burlington taken 154 Biddle-house taken 167 Bradfords Victory obtained by Colonell Lambert 168 Burleigh house garrison active 171 Sir William Belfore in Hampshire 172 Bredport taken 175 Burleigh-house in Dorsetshire 176 Colonell Beares brave defeat given to the Enemy 182 Colonell Bellasis beaten 200 Basing-house defeated 209 Banbury Forces beaten 211 Sir William Breretons brave performances 84 The enemy â—â—ated at Budely 217 Col. Boles slain 97 Belvoir forces beaten 110 Major Gen. Brown made Commander in chiefe of 3 Counties 249 Major Gen. Brown much honoured 251 Sir William Belfore at Lime 257 Bewley-house taken 17 Sir Bazill Brooks plot discovered 118 A Bristoll ship taken 124 Banstable shakes off the Cavalerian yoake 265 Beverton Castle taken 236 A brave Bonefire of Popish trinkets 128 Bloody Sir John Byron 129 Burton upon Trent taken 131 Bodmin in Cornwall taken 297 Beggars must be no carvers 303 C. Colonell Cromwell beates the Earle of Newcastle 6 Col. Cromwell takes Stamford in Line 7 Clubmen in Lincoln beaten 8 Col. Cromwels Letter shewing his Victory at Gainsbrough 8 Generall Cavendish slain at Gainsbrough 9 Canterbury Malignants rise 15 City Malignants Imprisoned 27 A Covenant or Oath to be taken in London 24 A Commission to Sir Wil. Waller 28 Sir Alexander Carews plot at Plymouth 29 Care taken for Apprentices 31 Christs-Hospitall relieved by the Parliament 37 Cambden Cormorants beaten 49 The Kings Cormorants beaten at Newport Pannell 55 The Lord Capell beaten at Wem 62 Cessation in Ireland justified by the King 68 Contrary effects to the Irish Cessâ—tion 71 A Councill of State for the 3 Kingdomes 147 Sir William Constables good service in the North. 154 The Covenant taken the manner how 157 Sir William Constables good service at Yorke 160 Cheshire much aimed at by the King 161 Church-government 162 Covenant taken in Leicester 169 Chester-bridge in Yorkshire taken by Sir William Constable 171 The Earl of Carberies pride and cruelty 177 The E. of Carbery quite vanquisht 181 Cathedral at Westminst reformed 184 Cawood-castle taken 202 Crowland regained 203 Correspondence with the Swedes 204 Commissioners for the New Broad scale 88 Carnarvan Town and Castle taken 224 Covenant taken by the House of Peers 90 Commanders in Arms take the Covenant 90 Covenant sealed with loan of 100000 l at London 90 The Earl of Callender stirs in Scotland 230 The L. Crawford saluted by Sir Wil. Waller 98 Canterbury Minister reformed 101 Cawood Castle in Yorksh taken 233 Chippingham Garrison taken 237 A Chain of gold bestowed by the Parliament on Capt. Swanley 248 The Kings Commanders catcht at Cards and Dice 112 Compton-house taken 251 3 Children in one bed miraculously preserved 254 Coventry Forces take Holt-house 117 Coventry forces take Bewley-house ibid. Citizens of London invite the Parliament to a Feast 124 Covenant to be taken over the whole Kingdome 157 A Collection for sick and wounded souldiers by an Ordnance 33 Leiut Gen. Cromwells due praise 273 Major Gen. Crafords valour 273 Croyland subdued 132 Cholmmy-house taken 285 A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Chard 296 D. A rich Danish ship taken 20. Delinquents woods to be cut down 36 A brave defeat given to the Enemies of Cambden 49 A great design against London 52 The Kings Declaration justifying the Irish cessation 68 Defection of the Northern Counties from the King 68 A Declaration touching the great Seal 72 A Declaration touching the cessation in Ireland 70 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Rudgeley 78 A Declaration consented to by England and Scotland 142 The Parliaments Declaration sent to Oxford 152 Divers Delinquent Lords c. names 153 Daâ—by Forces take Kings Milus 156 The Parliaments Declaration tooke good effect at Oxford 175 Delinquents reclaimed 174 Durham fled unto by Newcastle 228 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Fox 216 The Kings Declaration against the Covenant 91 Deserters of Oxford 92 Lord Digby beaten at Plymouth 94 The Enemy beaten at Dunscot 95 The Famous Defeat at Aulton 95 The Devizes molested by Col. Massye 237 The Lord Denbigh takes Russell-Hall 239 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy at Nottingham 240 The Lord Denbigh against Dudley Forces 251 The great Danger and Deliverance of Col. Mitton ibid. The Lord Denbigh wins Oswestree 260 The Danes our underhand Enemies 116 The Danes vexed by the Sweeds 117 The great Design of the Royalists 121 Darbies brave activity 265 A desperate Designe against Nottingham 133 E. England likned to the Sea 1 Embassadors sent from France into Scotland 54 English-plantations taken care of 58 English-Irish Souldiers revolt from the King 61 England and Scotland consent in a Declaration 142 Exploits of the Parliaments Forces 155 Explaits of Pool ibid. Exploits of Warwick Castle 156 Exploits of Sir Thomas Fairfax ibid. Exploits of Pool
W. Wicked men compared to the Waves of the Sea 1 Lord Willough by of Parham wins Gainsbrough 6 Sir Thomas Walsingham taken prisoner by Kentish Rebells 12 Sir William Waller hath his Commission to advance 28 Sir John Wollaston chosen Lord Mayor of London 34 Sir John Wollastons fidelity cleared by a great tryall 35 Woods of Delinquents cut down 36 Wem Forces beat the Lord Capell 60 Lord Willougâ—by of Pâ—rtham takes Bâ—llingbrook Castle 67 Sir William Waller apprehends the Lord Saulton 75 Warwick Castles Exploits 156 Whiâ—by in Yorkeshire taken 156 Col. Waights good service 171 Westminster Cathedrall bravely reformed 184 Sir William Waller at Winchester 192 Whitechurch in Dorcetshire taken 195 Isle of Wights love to Sir William Waller ibid. Waltham house taken by Colonell White-head 201 Sir William Waller heats the Enemy at Basing 299 The Earl of Warwick made Lord high Admirall of England 83 Warwick Castles brave Service ibid. Sir John Winter beaten from Newnham 93 Wotton Garrison spoiled by Colonell Massey ibid. Sir William Waller sends a present to the Lord Craford a 〈◊〉 of Sacke 98 At Wantage the Kings Forces are frighted 234 The Women of Lymes admirable courage at that siege 246 Sir Will. Waller pursues the King 248 10000. l. Proffered to Capt. White to be a taitor to his Country 106 Col. Waight beats the Kings Cormorants of Belvoir 110 Sir William Waller takes Shudley Castle 250 Weymouth taken by Sir William â—elfore 257. Western affaires going on successefully 258 Wives and children of souldiers slain or maimed provided for 259 windsor-Windsor-castles brave exploits about Redding 113 Sir William Waller takes Arundell Castle 122 Winsby fight 133 Windsor Castle to be betrayed 135 Weln Ferry and Fort taken 287 Western parts hopefully reduced to the Parliament 298 Our enemies as Whales caught in Gods net 301 Wait and believe is a Christians duty 303 Y Goods service done at York by Sir William Constable 160 York is Newcastles last shelter 209 The Yoke of Cavalerian slavery Shaken off by Barnstable â—65 〈…〉 Marston-Moor Victory 291. FINIS Imprimatur Jan. 31. 1644. Ja. Cranford Psal 107. 23 24. England fitly likned to the Sea The wicked and ungodly rable to the raging waves of the Sea The Parliament and Assembly of Divines compared to the Ark of God God the Pilot The Ark over-topping the waves The wicked are Satans Gally-slaves The Authors two former Voyages in this English-Ocean Gods glory is ought to be the Alpha and Omega of all mercies The Authors third Voyage An Apologie for the pretermissioÌ„ of some preceding Parliamentarie-Mercies in the third Part of the Parliamentary-Chronicle and which come now to be heer related July 1643. A recitall of some former Parliamentarie-Mercies omitted in their proper place in the former Narration The Assembly of Divines petitioÌ„ the Lords and Commons in Parliament for speedy reformation of some speciall evills among us A copie of the Petition of the Assembly of Divines delivered to both houses of Parliament July 19 1643. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. The Parliaments Answer to the Divines Petition A fan gale to carry on the Ark of God Gainesborough in Lincolnshire won by the noble Lord Willoughby of Parrham The pâ—izes taken Colo. Cromwell raises the Newcastelian forces from besieging Gainesborough The Earl of Kingstone slain in a pinnace by Newcastles Cavaliers The Town of Stamford taken by Colonell Cromwell Return of our Monethly fast dayes prayers Burleigh-house in Lincolnshire taken by Colonell Cromwell A parly sounded by Colonell Cromwell Burleigh house stormed A parly sounded from within the House The House taken and the priz The great providence of God in the preservation of our Souldiers in this victorie 400 Clubmen come to ayd the Cavaliers discomfited and fiftie of them slain by ours Col. Cromwels own relation of his brave victory over the enemie at Gainesborough Siege A hot skirmisâ— at a hill The hill gained by the Lincolners The fight most fiercely begun Ours rout the enemies horse Ours have them in chase five or six miles Generall Cavendiâ—sh charges the Lincolneers most fiercely Colo. Cromwell charges him as bravely Generall Cavendsh slain Gainesborough relieved Another skirmish with the Newcastelians on the other â—ide of Gainesborough Newcastles whole Armie appeares Ours retreat and safely recover the Town The rising of the Kentish Malignants The new oath or Covenant is pretended to be the cause of this insurrection The main end of imposing this Oath The main plot of the Keâ—tish Malignants Seven-Oakes is their Rendevouz Their chief Ringleaders Sir The. â—â—lsingham and Captain Rolf taken prisoners by these Rebells And in great danger of their lives Sir Hen. Vâ—â—e sent into Kent by the Parliament with a Declaration of pardon to appeale them Col. Brown sent also into Kent with forces both horse and foot from London This Kentish insurrection was a part of Tompkins and Challenors conspiracie The Cities great care and providence The Rebells flie from Senock to Tunbridge The Rebells Petition the Parliament Their Petition rejected whiles they were armed Colo. Brown charges the rebells A hot skirmish for at least three houres space Col. Browns most valiant and resolute courage The Rebells are put to fâ—â—ght Prisoners taken The slain on both sides Their Priests were the principali fomenters to this rebellion About 5000 of them were assembled at Tunbridge The Inhabitants of Tunbridge desperate Malignants Sir Michael Levesey also at Yawlding his good service against those rebells Sir Michael plants his Ordnance against the Town yet endeavours by treatie to appease them The Town very much sleights Sir Michael A remarkable passage of Gods providence against the rebells in Yawlding Master Godfrey in Sir Michael his name fairly appeaseth the rebells The prize found in the Town Yawlding set in good order and quiet Canterbury Fevershâ—m malignants began then to rise also The well-affected partie of Canterburie appease this insurrection The Major of Fevershams carriage in the business Sir Geo. Sands taken prisoner The Major of Canterburie marcheth on to Sittingborn Sir Ed. Hales his Grandson a Captain of these rebells taken prisoner The heads of the Rebells brought to London and imprisoned Houghton Castle in Cheshire taken by Sir Will Breretons forces A Proclamation from Oxford to starve the Citie of London The Cities care and providence to prevent this plot of the impious Oxonians The L. Major and two Sheriffs of London take the Lievtenantship of the Tower by authoritie of Parliament A just brief touch of the due praise of Ald. Penningtons happie Majoraltie Alderm Pennington only made Lievtenant of the Tower of London A succinct most gratefull review of all the Parliamentarie-Mercies of this moneth 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Gods Ark above the worlds waves Jeâ— 5. 22. Psal 46. 1 2. August 1643. A ship of about 300 tun bound from Denmark to Newcastle laden with arms and ammunition taken at Sea A true Copie of the Inventorie and particular prize and goods taken out of
1. Haverford-west strangly taken without looking for as yet or fighting for Our forces marched toward Tynby summon it Admirable resolution in the assaulting of Tynby on both sides Commissary Guyne a stout souldier but a desperate enemy to Gods Cause The enemies Mr Gunner slaine The rare providence of God over ouâ— men Harm watch harme catch Tynby taken though of almost impregnable strengh The prize taken Carew Castle taken A sum of the totall Victory over the Earl of Carbury Capt. Jordanes good successe at sea chasing the Earle of Marlbrough the kings admiral Two ships taken at sea with their prizes Two ships more their prizes taken Glocesters good condition Col. Beares brave defeat given to the Earle of Northampton at Cambden Col. Massey stil victorious Our Brethren of Scotland passe over the River Tyne without resistance Newcastles great losse of Souldiers lying in the field Captain Tho. Pynes most brave defeat given to the Cormorants at Colliton neer unto Lyme Security is the bane of safety The prisoners and prize taken Excellent Reformation of the Cathedral at Westminster Quantum mutatur ab illo Popish trumpery expelld pious preaching establisht An introduction to the subsequent famous victory at Alsford Asshur is but Gods Rod to scourge his sinning children Psal 125. 3. Hoptons preparation Sir VVilliam VVallers preparation Hoptons head-quarter was at Winchester Sir William Wallers head-quarter A necessary preamble before the Fight Oxfords blustring Bravadoes about the raising of the Siege at Newarke Mercurius Aulicus the Kings Lyer in chiefe 〈…〉 Notorious boasts lyes to cousen the poore seduced Souldiers A message sent to Sir VVill. VValler not to engage himselfe in fight A true exact relation of the famous fight most memorable victory obtained at Alsford by renouned sir VV. VValler against sir R. Hopton The Enemies plot to surprise us at Church prevented A brave skirmish between us and the Enemy A Councill of War called on both sides The fight fiercely begun The day at this time very doubtfull Major Gen. Browne bravely charges the Enemies horse The Enemies put to the rout retreat The Enemy put totally to flight Prisoners taken The Lo. Iohn brother to the Duke of Lenox slaine in this â—ight Zach. 8 19. This moneths Fast day repayed within 2 or 3 dayes after with a blessed Feast day A returne of Prayers Exod. 15. 11. The pursuite of the Victory The Enemies flye to Basting-house and Andover c. How the Enemies Ordnance escaped from being all taken Sir William Waller is come to Winchester Gloucester fully relieved with necessaries The Kentish mens brave behaviour in this fight The admirable valour also of the City Regiment Observations upon the Victory Malignants lying mouthes stopt with the undeniable truths concerning this Victory The Lady Hopton and a traine of 200. taken by Sir Will. Belfore together with mony plate Whitchurch in Dâ—rsetshire taken with Sir John Mills a 100 Gentlemen more The Isle of Wights memorable and commendable Act of love to sir VVilliam VVallers army A day of publike thankesgiving ordered to be kept in all Churches for Gods great mercy in this so famous victory A most gratefull Summary recapitulation of all the Parliamentary Mercies of this Moneth Gods Arke over-topping the Worlds Waves swelling Psal 93. 3 4. Psal 68. 1 2 3 April 1644. A most excellent Ordinance of Parliament for the better sanctifying of the Lords day A fair gale of winde to carry on our floating Arke in the voyage Sir Iohn Gell that famous commander gives the enemy a brave defeat at Munkbridg Abrave defeat given again to Colonell Bellasâ—s by Victorious Colonell Lambert How the Ammunition for Gloucester was conveyed thither from VVarwick A strange mistake by night both by the Enemy and our Forces yet the Ammunition got safe to Gloucester Gloucester greatly enabled to oppose the adversaries by the safe coveyance of the Ammunition to it Waltham house taken by Col. Whitehead with the assistance of the London Brigade Propositions to surrender the House yeilded unto God honoured the London Brigade with Victory both going forth and comming home The Forces of Sir Tho. Fairfax and the Lord Fairfax his Father conjoyned together Cawood Castle and Axholm Island taken More of Captain Swanleys good Service in South VVales Want of pious preachers in Wales a great hindrance of their reducing to the Parliament Crowland regained by the Earle of Manchesters Forces under the command of Valiant Col. King Articles of agreement for delivering up the Town Hollands honourable attestation of famous Mr. William Prynne his learned Labours in the Parliaments Vindication This passage of Hollands honourable Attestation of Mr. Prynnes Book a Parliamentary mercy Fair correspondency between the Swedes and our Kingdome and Parliament The like also with the united Provinces The most famous and admirable victory obtained by the Right Honourable Lord Fairfax at Selby in Yorkeshire Gods Arke here mightily carryed up above all these swelling and blustring billows This brave victory thus obtaned the Lord Fairfax was now master of the Field A Day of Solemn Thanksgiving appointed 8000. pound ordered presently sent to the most Noble Lord Fairfax The most hopefull consequent advantages of this great Victory Two dayes of Solemn Thanksgiving in one the â—ame Moneth Newcastles Army sorely put to it Our brethren of Scotland draw up close to Durham The Marquess of Newcastle deserts and flyes from Durham General Lesly pursues him Newcastles great losse without any fighting Newcastle is got into the City of Yorke Prince Plunderer at Bever-castle The noble Earle of Manchester follows him close Sir Wil. Waller gives the enemy a brave defeat about Basing house The most noble Lord Fairfax our brethren of Scotland conjoyned into a body 30. Northampton souldiers surprized and taken prisoners by Banbury garrison All our Northampton souldiers imprisoned in a barne at Banbury Northampton forces are most bravely revenged on Banbury garrison The christian amity fidelity of our brethren of Scotland toward us of England The substance of a letter sent by the Iuncto at Oxford to the Lords of the Councell of Scotland Foul and false imputations laid on the Parliament at Westminster by the Oxford juncto O the wretched Rhetorick of the Oxfordians to argue themselves their posterity into perpetuall slavery Notorious and Devillish hypocrisie in this Oxford Juncto's jugling Our brethren of Scotlands wise and provident answer to the Oxonian Letter A Summary most gratefull recitall of all the excellent Parliamentary Mercies of this Moneth God Arke over-topping the worlds Waves swelling Psal 73. 1. Psal 46. 1 â— 3. May. 1644. A brave defeat repulse given to the Enemies at Plymouth A great providence at our Souldiers first adventure The Enemies beaten into the Church Ours obtain a brave victory The enemies horse face Plymouth againe Ours make a very fair and safe retreat A brave defeat given to the enemy by valiant active Colonell Fox Budely in Worcestershire surprized by valiant
Parliament Tewktsbery taken by Col. Massey About 60 of the kings souldiers drowned at Parrishaw at a bridge Sir William VValler also pursues catches some of them in the chase Shudley-castle taken by renowned Sir VVill. VValler The prisoners prizes Compton House in VVarwickshire taken by Col. Purfrey Great deserved honour put upon Serjeant Major Gen. Brown by an Ordinance of Parliament The noble Earl of Denbighes brave exploit against the kings forces at dudley-Dudley-castle The great danger of Col. Mitton and his forlorn hope The Earl of Denbighes brave resolution The enemy put to flight and pursued by the Lord Denbigh The slain and prisoners taken The famous Seige of Lime in Dorsetshire wholely raised The unsuccesfull assaults of the enemies against Lime Sir Ralph Hoptons low ebbe The enemies notable losses at Lime Siege The Seige quite raised Heaven was Lymes munition of Rocks The Enemies strength the Towns weaknesse The outragious fury and malice of the Enemie against Lyme The almost incredible courage of the Souldiers in Lime The noble E. of Warwicks testimony of Lime Divers of the enemies party come to the L Admirall profering their service to the Parliament 3. Children in one bed miraculously preserved 2. Maides lost three of their hands at once All the praise of this mighty preservation is due to the great God of Lime Limes deliverance a certaine returne of Prayer Thankes sent by the Parlia to the most noble L. Admirall for relieving Lime 1 Sam. Lime also rewarded with 10000 l. a yeare of the L. Paulets Estate Prizes taken at Sea by the Lo. Admiralls Ships Orders of Parliament touching Lime Sir Wil. Belfore sent to free Lime of its Siege finding it raised taks Weymonth Tanton-Dean The noble L. Grey of Groobies brave carriage at Leicester Preparation by Sea to help forward the reduction of the West to the obedience of the Parliament The hopefull progresse of things in the Wect. Gods great mercy to Manchester in the midst of Lancashires miseries Victualls very cheap at Manchester A very lâ—beral bountifull Collection also there for Boulton Weymouth taken by the L. Generall Brave prizes also taken both by Sea by Land An Excellent Ordinance of Parliament for constant reliefe to the wives children of Souldiers slain in the Parliaments service Our London Malignants Flea-bitings whereof I wish them many The Malignants Flea bitings Oswestree won by the most noble Earle of Denbigh The Towne is assaulted entred The Enemies fly to the Castle The Castle also surrendered on quarter for their lives Prisoners prizes taken The singular good affection of the West-Country to the Parliament Mr. Peters his good service to the kingdome An Ordinance of Parliament against rotten-hearted Revolters or deâ—erters of the Parliament Rats crawl out of ships to the main tops when the ship is ready to sink Revolters fitly compared to Rats and Bats A summary gratefull review and brief recitall of all the rare Parliamentary Mercies of this moneth Gods Arke above the Worlds waves Psal 77. 16. Exod. 14. 22. Iuly 1644. The Parlia L. Gen. successefull in the West Country Skellum Greenvill is beaten by Plymouth Forces Darbyes brave activity Barnstable shakes off the Cavilerian yoke and returnes to the Parliament The Enemy bravely beaten at Oswestree by the Earle of Denâ—â—es forces Oswestree besieged bâ— Col. Marow on the Kings side Sir Tho. Midleton comes to Oswestree to aid his brother Col. Mitton The Enemy beaten put to flight Our losse hurt The Enemies lesse The highways and passages strewed with store of the Enemies good provision The most famous and glorious victory neer Yorke The Word Signall The Enemy was assaulted by ours before they expected us Some of ours forced to a disorderly retreat The Enemy put to the worst Valiant Lieu. Gen. Cromwel charges Ruperts Horse through through Our right wing put to the worst Our left wings unwearied valour in charging the enemy How Prince Rupert escaped The Earle of Manchesters labour vigilancy Gen. Lesseys cariage in the fight The Scots good Service Lieut. Gen. Cromwell his due praise Col. Sydney his valour Renowned sir Tho. Fairfax his undaunted valour Col. Lamberts also And L. Col. Needhams Major Gener. Crawford others A just reproof to many prejudicate misreporters of this fight the souldiers therein The souldiers gave God the glory of this victory The Enemies did the like Prince Ruperts atheisticall speech touching this fight A sad confession of one on the Enemies side Deut. 32. 31. The Run-awayes rob'd our carryages Keynton battell justly remembred Gods wisdome in managing this victory to his due praise The noble E. of Manbesters carriage among his souldiers The souldiers religious replies to their Generall A sad spectacle to behold The number of the slain on the enemies side P. Ruperts Dog kill'd among the dead corps The names of divers persons of note slain in this fight Prisoners taken and the names of some of note Prizes taken The losse on our side Our souldiers got good prize God is a great man of War Esay 59 17 18 Nehim 4. 14. Certain observations collected out of all the premises for the farther illustrating of Gods glory Observation from our Armie marching to the Associated Counties when the Enemies were fighting A mighty storm of hail rain thunder at the beginning of the fight Two or 3 Regiments of the pursuing Enemies slain taken prisoners The victory got by a small number That Rupert having relieved Yorke must needs fight with us not go into the associated Counties Achitophels Hushaies Counsell The great hopes of the enemy to cut off our right-wing frustrated Ecclesi 9. 11. A foul falling out between P. Rupert the Marquesse of Newcastle And Newcastle flying beyond sea is proclaimed traitor at York The great tyrednesse and extream hunger and thirst which the Army indured and yet their admirable courage in fighting The Parliament Souldiers known to the Kings accursed cursing Cormorants by their singing of Psalmes The Royalists imprecating a curse on themselves were accordingly answered therein by the Lord. Josh 22. 22. 〈◊〉 This glorious Victory was a most evident and cleer return of Prayer The 3 Generalls and all their Armies Celebrate the next Lords day a day of Thanksgiving Order taken for supplying the Northern Armies with necessaries and thankes sent to the 3 Generalls from the Parliament The Royalists intollerable impudence in insulting and triumphing for what they never had Bells rung bonfires made in York for joy of Ruperts Victory Monstrous lyes Newcastle Newark and Oxford also triumph in Ruperts ridiculous Victory London malignants had a hand and a heart too in this lye Mr. Vines in his Sermon of thanksgiving for this great Victory p. 14. Sir Tho. Fairfax compared to Julius Caesar A note more touching Prince Robber and his brave Chivalry Prince Robber lost his Dog and his Bever and hid himself in a Bean-field A Letter of the Kings to the Marquesse
knowledge of the enemies coming they were very full of joy and resolution thinking it a great mercie that they should now fight with him Our men went on in severall bodies singing Psalmes Quarter-master Generall Vermeyden with five troopes had the forlorn-hope and Colonell Cromwell the Van assisted with other of my Lords troopes and seconded by Sir Thomas Fairfax Both armies met about Ixbie if I mistake not the Townes name both they and wee had drawn up our Dragooneers and gave the first charge and then the horse fell in Colonell Cromwell fell with brave resolution upon the enemie immediately after their Dragooneers had given him the first volley yet they were so nimble as that within half pistoll-shot they gave him another his horse was killed under him at the first charge and fell down upon him and as he rose up he was knockt down again by the Gentleman that charged him who 't was conceived was Sir Ingram Hopton but afterward he recovered a poor horse in a Souldiers hand and bravely mounted himself again Truly this first charge was so home-given and performed with so much admirable courage resolution by our troops that the enemie stood not another but were driven back upon their own body which was to have seconded them and at last put them into a plain disorder and thus in less than half an houres fight they were all quite routed and forced to run for their lives though they were two for one and as soon as our men perceived them to shrinke they fiercely charged within them all and then I say they ran for it leaving all their Dragooneers which were now on foot behind them Thus our men pursued them and did execution upon them about five or six miles all the way being strewed with broken armes dead men and horses And heer I may not omit to make mention of the rare courage and valour of that most noble Commander Sir Thomas Fairfax who when they first viewed the enemie and saw great odds in their number was so much the more inflamed with godly courage and resolution saying Come let us fall on I never prospered better than when I fought against the enemie three or four to one One hundred of their men to avoid the furie of our men were drowned many were wounded and in one gravell pit above an 100 were hid some there breathing their last breath others less wounded my Lord of Manchester most mercifully gave order that care should be taken of them all And heer it must not be forgotten that some with mortall wounds upon them cryed out The Commission of Aray the Commission of Aray brought us hither full sore against our wills wee were as true servants to the Parliament and our Religion and liberties as any in England and woe to those that were the cause that Lincoln and Yorkshire became a prey to the enemie wee die as true friends to the Parliament as any Two hundred horse were found left in the Castle their riders being all fled many hundreds fled into the waters up to the arme-holes they that lay slain in the high wayes were very many and divers of qualitie for there were brave bodies stript naked Sir George Bowles was slain and Sir Ingram Hopton Colonell Shelley was taken prisoner among those taken out of the water and Colonell Ayres the number of horse taken in all were about 2000 of prisoners about 1000 and as many slain of armes 1500 and not 100 of the enemies 't was verily believed to be found in a body of 94 Standards 35 were taken Wee lost very few of our men none of note wee hardly found above one officer hurt and that was Colonell Cromwells Captain-Lievtenant Our foot were not drawn up to the place where the fight was untill after the fight and chase was over Horse and foot though very weary marched on toward Horncastle where my Lord lay that night with all the foot his horse being sent to their old quarters in the Townes adjoyning And truly both Officers and Souldiers did their dutie that day singularly well and bravely my Lord himself also took wonderfull paines in bringing the business to this foresaid pass in drawing up all the foot to have relieved the horse in case they had been put to straits and had needed it But God himself did all taking away the enemies hearts and giving resolution and courage to our men to him therefore be all the honour and glory of this famous victorie Now whiles these things were thus in agitation the noble Lord Fairfax had a Letter brought unto him which was intercepted written by that ignoble Popish Lord Widrington the then present Governour of Lincoln in which Letter writing to his great Lord the Marquess of Newcastle he confirmes by his own confession the truth of this great victorie Another Letter was also intercepted written by Generall Hinderson also to the Governour of Newark The former Letter enforming Newcastle that the loss of all Lincolnshire and Yorkshire too was in a great hazard especially if he were forced to quit Hulls siege too and in his said Letter also certifying the loss of divers of their prime Commanders for certain slain in the foresaid battail Hindersons Letter also importing a pitifull complaint of his loss in the said fight and assuring the Governour of Newark that since the fight he was not able to rally or get together hardly 400 men of all his former great and numerous forces And that which addes extraordinarie lustre to the honour of our wonder-working God and which I may not heer by any meanes omit It pleased the Lord by his admirable providence so to order it that both this great victorie at Horncastle and that brave victorie also obtained by the most renowned Lord Fairfax at Hull under the command of that most worthy and expert Commander Sir John Meldrum were bestowed by the Lord our God upon his people and Parliament upon one and the same day namely Wednesday October 11 1643. And now to goe on About the 16th of October 1643. came Letters from Gloucester to London with most credible intelligence that the truly valiant and magnanimous Commander Colonell Massie that ever to be honoured and renowned Governour and by Gods wonderfull assistance maintainer of Gloucester having true intelligence that about a regiment of the Kings Welch forces were come to Tewksbery intending to fortifie and quarter themselves there and to make that Town winter-Garrison This noble and most vigilant Colonell being very desirous to be rid of such unfriendly and unruly neighbours speedily and privately drew forth a considerable partie of horse and foot from Gloucester and marched with them to Tewksbery where he sodainly and resolutely fell upon the enemie slew above 30 of them took many prisoners and forced the rest to flie for their lives some of whom were in that their hastie flight drowned in the river Severn He also took
coming upon them also who accordingly hearing of his coming upon them indeed drew themselves into a body upon a hill to face our brave Colonell but on his neerer approach they retreated hastily to their Garrison at night where somewhat late Col. Massey valiantly coming on setting on them found the enemy all mounted yet gave the word so fell on them and put them all to flight toward Bristoll with great terrour of whom he took onely 11 or 12 prisoners â—lew some 5 or 6 but all the Officers being well mounted and by reason of the extraordinary darkness it being also a very rainy night made their escape and left that government also for Col. Massey to quarter in that night After all this the gallant Colonell marched back to Gloucester contrary to the hopes of Sir John Winter aforesaid and the rest of that â—action in the Citie of Gloucester who had secretly and treacherously sent to all quarters of the Forrest Monmouth and Herefordshire to march presently to Gloucester on hope by the assistance of a fly partie aforesaid in the Town now in the Governours absence to have surprized the City as by the sequell may easily appeare For that very night the Governour had intelligence that the enemy in the Forrest was advanced three miles toward Gloucester and upon their march thither he then not thinking on or hearing of any such purposed plot by the enemy who thereupon who thereupon commanded a Captain at one of the clock at night to draw 50 or 60 Musketteers from off the guards and to advance that way some three miles off to make good a House upon the passage to the Citie but ere the said Captain came to Mr Cooks House at Heighham he encountred the enemy both foot and horse drawn up in a broad lane upon whom he commanded fire to be given and sodainly slew one of the enemies Captains and 3 or 4 Souldiers more at the very first charge But the enemy so sodainly and unexpectedly meeting with this partie sent out as aforesaid by this prudent provident Governour sodainly retreated to Huntley where Sir John Winter in person much amazed at that change with all speed also marched away in such a confused manner at the approach of about 14 or 15 of the Governours horse that they fell in among them also slew 7 or 8 of them carried 9 or 10 of them prisoners to Gloucester and so that plot was by Gods mercy thus happily prevented and the enemie discomfited About the 10th of this instant December came credible information by Letters and other intelligence from Plymouth to London that upon that Lords-day was a seven-night before about 2 or 3 of the clock in the morning the enemie under the command of the Devill and Lord Digbie then chief Commander there gave an assault on the Town and set upon the weakest Forts thereof and at last took by force the Fort called the Lorde-fort and forced the Town and Souldiers to a retreat But upon this alarm the whole Town was readie standing on their guard and by break of day made a â—ally out with very great courage against the enemy being 2000 foot and 800 horse with undaunted spirits and resolution either to recover their â—oâ—s or lose their lives and so fell most furiously upon them but the enemie unwilling to endure such a fierce sodain shock quickly retreated and our men soon regained their work and Ordnance and upon the enemies disorderly retreat our horse came on very valiantly seconded and maintained by the Musketteers and so most bravely routed the enemie so that some fled into the water and mud and myre and whatsoever way seemed best to make an escape and save their lives of whom 25 were found dead on the place 40 prisoners taken 80 horse besides many armes and severall barrells of powder and other prizes God undoubtedly fought for them for the enemie was at least six for one of ours the most brave and valiant Governours horse was twice shot under him yet he most undauntedly came safely off by Gods good providence and returned home most victoriously for this time secure from the danger of the enemie praised be the Lord for it Much also about the same time came certain intelligence by Letters from Northampton that a partie of horse issued out of the garrison at Northampton in the night time to fall upon the enemies quarters at a place called Dunscot a mile and half from Tociter whither being come they valiantly fell upon their grand-quarter killed 15 or 16 on the place took 17 prisoners and wounded divers took 35 horse gave them alarms in most of their quarters round about and so retreated without the â—oâ—s of one man And this defeat so affâ—ighted the enemie that when ours â—ent out a partie of but 10 or 12 horse they would make them all quit a Town where they quartered yea though fire were but given on the Sentimells in so much that they were constrained to remove their quarters more toward Banburie Such a spirit of fear and terrour possest them upon this onely defeat About the 14th of this instant came also most certain information to London by Letters and other infallible testimony of the great and famous victory through Gods good providence obtained by the Parliaments forces under the command of renowned Sir Wil Waller against the Kings 〈◊〉 under the command of the Lord Graford at Alton in Surrey which being in speciall related by a Messenger sent by Sir Will. Waâ—â—er himself to the Parliaments Committee for the safety of both Kingdomes and to divers of the House of Commons and by them ordered to be printed published I have been thought fit to give the Reader the relation thereof from the said Copie together with some small additions of another authentick relation thereof which came to my hands which was as followeth An exact Narration of the great victory through Gods providence and famous Defeat obtained by the Parliaments forces under the command of Sir William Waller at Alton in Surrey Decem. 13. 1643. against the Royalists ON Tewsday the 12th of this instant Decemb. Sir Will. Waller in the afternoon drew forth his forces into a battalia in Fernham-Park being about the number of 5000 horse and foot among which were the regiment of Westminster whose behaviour and valour in this service is never to be forgotten The manner of the business was exceeding well carryed both by Sir William and all the rest for strictness of appearance and likewise for secrecie in so much that neither the enemie nor any malignant partie could have the opportunitie to understand the least part of their intentions heerin They were upon their march by seven of the clock in the night and in an houres march obtained a heath between Brundon Fernham and there after an houres stay for the foot whose march could not be so quick as the
horse they all marched willingly and cheerfully together till neer one of the clock that night in the way toward Basing but on a sodain were appointed to face toward the South and so toward Alton passing exactly between the hills till they obtained within half a mile of the said Town most privately undiscovered at all by the enemie our Scouts being so diligent that not a person stirring in all those passages was left at liberty to have any opportunity to enforme the enemie of our proceedings and being now in sight of the Town about nine of the clock in the morning wee understood by the Scouts we took that the Lord Craford was in the Town who had there about 500 horse the taking of which Scouts and some of them escaping gave opportunity for the said Lord to shift for himself who conceived himself and all the rest of his forces lost yet unhappily found a private hole by which he made an escape with a partie of his horse about 300 and rode Eastward toward Winchester roade where unexpectedly he met with some of our horse and so was enforced for feare to retreat back again into the Town and fled Southward which our horse perceiving pursued them hard whiles our valiant foote made the woods ring again with the eccho of their loud shoutings for joy There were three or foure of them slain in their flight but being in narrow lanes after half a miles pursuite our men retreated to us having taken about 30 horse and some prisoners In which interim out foot were not idle nor Sir William himself whose rare and politick exploits in this service deserve to be registred with the rest and best of his former brave atchievements and honourable actions The horse were immediately appointed to make good all passages so that the enemie could have no benefit of their accustomed trick of running away but were still taken by our horse when they attempted it Our foot also in the mean time behaving themselves bravely like men with great expedition and resolution beat the enemie out of their workes on the North-west East parts of the Town and possest themselves thereof where they cheerfully displayed their Colours in the face of their enemies and then our men advanced valiantly into the Market-place and the enemie being all Musketteers drew themselves into the works neer the Church where they had double trenches a half Moon and made the Church and a Barn thereby their chiefest refuge and heer grew a very hot fight which was continued neer two houres together by reason of a malignant in the Town who wilfully fired his own barn and other houses thereby to offend our men with the smoak by reason of which smoak indeed wee lost about three men but at last the said fire and smoak abating our men fell closs to their work again and enforced the enemie to retreat into the foresaid Church and barn where they were all taken prisoners The enemies to give them their due made good the Town with much courage and resolution and would not yeeld when they had lost many men so long as their Lievtenant Colonell Boles lived stood to it very stoutly but he being slain in the fight aforesaid and a chief commander besides of theirs much wounded they then began to shrink and then ours came in upon them and became Masters of the Town on all sides and the Town being now thus taken the enemie desired and obtained quarter yet being infected with Irish-rebells and their wonted treacherie one of them after quarter given fired off a pistoll in the said Church against Major Shambrook but by Gods providence he was not killed therewith but hurt in the thigh and hopefull to recover upon which act there was much adoe to keep our men from cutting them in pieces which it was believed they would have done could they have known the Irish from the other In this fight were taken prisoners 700 in the Church neer an 100 in the Barn above an 100 in the field with diverse Irish men and 〈◊〉 men also neer 200 horse a 1000 armes one Colonell one Major one Lievtenant Colonell 13 Captains 3 Coronets one of which with the Princes armes another the Earl of Straffords with divers other Colours hid in the Church There were slain of the enemies neer fortie among whom was Colonell Richard Bolles as aforesaid The enemies word was Charles ours was Truth and Peace The mighty providence of God was marveilously seen in this as in many other mercies toward us for in this fight for a certain truth there were not above five of our men slain and about six wounded and about six scorched with gunpowder by their own negligence And now all this being done as aforesaid our most worthy and renowned Major Generall caused the people of the Town to slight all the workes took the prisoners and tyed them two by two with match and sent most of them to Farnham Castle where they were kept in safe custody till they were otherwise disposed of After this we were credibly enformed that above 500 of these prisoners which Sir William took at Alton took the Covenant and served under Sir William Waller and about 500 more refused it and those prisoners being most of them Irish were afterward sent up to London with the Citie forces who safely and triumphantly conducted them thither One passage heerin I may not omit viz. That a little before this designe and fight the Lord Craford had begged the favour of our most worthy Major Generall to let him have a Hogshead of Sack which noble Sir William with a loving complement sent accordingly unto him which the Lord Craford caused to be carefully kept for his own drinking but by reason of this sodain and unexpected company coming thus to visit him he was struck with such a panick fear that he left the wine behinde him without any complement to be again at Sir Williams disposall but after the fight and his flight to Winchester their head quarter he sent a Letter to Sir William Waller to this effect SIR I Hope your gaining of Alton cost you dear It was your lot to drink off your own Sach which I never intended to have left for you I pray you favour me so much as send mee mine own Chiruâ—geon and upon my honour I will send you a person suitable to his exchange Sir your servant Craford Winton Decemb. 16. 1643. And soon after the said fight Sir Ralph Hopton also writ a Letter to Sir William Waller from his Quarters at Winchester which was to this purpose SIR THis is the first evident ill success I have had I must acknowledge that I have lost many brave and gallant men I desire you if Colonell Boles be living to propound a fit exchange if dead that you will send mee his corps I pray you send me a list of such prisoners
faithfull religious and honourable Pillars of the Truth and maintainers of their rights and priviledges and Patrons of the true Religion appeare with so united a concurrence of hearts and spirits The same morning there was set up in Cheapside in the place where the Crosse formerly stood a standing frame of slight Firre-poles on which were hung up divers Pictures and Trinkets as Crosses Crucifixes Images and Saints Agnus Dei's Beads Whippes and other superstitious Reliques and frivolous inventions of Papists all which with a chest of Popish Books were set on fire at the coming by of the said honourable Persons as a testification of their detestation and hatred of all such Romish and Babylonish superstitions and to declare their intentions to reforme take away those things which may justly incense the wrath of God against us one thing is also very remarkable that after they had been honourably entertained at Merchant-Taylors-Hall and dinner ended in stead of idle Maskings and other such uncomely actions heertofore used at such publike meetings to declare their union of spirit as in the presence of God all both Lords Commons at the godly motion of the reverend Assembly of Divines publikely and unanimously heavenly harmony indeed sung together the 67 Psalme to testifie their thankfulnesse to God A religious president worthy to be imitated by all godly Christians in their both publike and private feastings and meetings And which addes much to the admirable radiant lustre of this so precious a day of rejoycing in the Lord and to make this our joy yet more complete on this very same day of this so rare and fair an Assembly namely the 18th of this instant January our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland came with their whole armie into England to help the Lord and us his greatly abused servants against our mightie and most malicious enemies All which I mean both this most memorable and unparalleld Love-feast and the seasonable entrance of our brethrens brave armie and all in one day how much they must needs vex the impious Oxonians and all the rest of our motley-Malignants and how great and unexpressible cause they gave of cordiall comfort and enlarged thankes to the Lord to all his Saints and servants I leave to every rationall and honest Reader religiously to judge and consider And for the yet greater and most just glory of God within a day or two after namely about the 20th of this instant both Houses of Parliament to shew their deeply obliged thankfulness to the Lord for that late foresaid great deliverance agreed most piously upon an Order for a publick day of thankesgiving in all Churches in and about London for Gods great mercy in preserving the Parliament and Citie of London from the secret practises and most malicious designes of their foresaid enemies Sir Basill Brook Read Violet and Riley which was immediately printed and published and accordingly performed on the appointed day Much about this foresaid time also came certain intelligence by letters from about the parts of Staffordshire and Namptwich to London of an unhappie defeat given to the Parliaments forces of Lancashire part whereof were enforced to flie to a Church for their farther hoped safety but were there also environed and at last broken in upon and by that base and bloudy pretended Lord Sir John Byron most barbarously put all to the sword at his accursed Turkish command and which was worse to triumph in this his inhumane barbarity he immediately upon this villanous victory of his wrote a Letter to his as base and treacherous brother the mischievous Marquess of Newcastle which was by Gods providence intercepted by noble Sir William Brereton and by him sent to the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament a true Copie whereof in aeternam rei infamiam being afterward printed and published I have thought fit heer to insert for the Readers fuller content and satisfaction A Copie of Sir John Byrons I had almost said Sir John Butchers Letter to the Marquess of Newcastle dated December 26. 1643. My Lord I Have already dispatched two Messengers to your Excellency to give you an account of my proceedings in these parts I am now at Sambich and have thought fit to acquaint your Excellency that Brereton for the relief of Namptwich had so prevailed with the Lancashire-men as to draw thence 1500 foot which I having notice of immediately marched toward him but as soon as I came within sight of him he instantly according to his custome ran away a most intolerable egregious Popish lyer as all men know that know that noble and renowned Commander in great confusion so that now those 〈◊〉 are so dispersed that they are not like to meet together again And I doubt not but by Gods assistance in a short time to clear this Country if your Excellencies forces advance toward Stopford to be able to set footing in Lancashire The rebells had possessed themselves of a Church at Bartumley but wee presently beat them forth of it and I put them all to the Sword Which I finde to be the best way to proceed with these kinde of people for mercy to them is crueltie so indeed sayes Salomon of such wicked ones as Byron I am my Lord your Excellencies most humble servant J. B. But now to come to my intended purpose this forementioned relation being onely an introduction to what followes that this inhumane monster bloudy Byron and all his accursed malicious adherents might clearly see and take notice of a divine providence notwithstanding this his insulting blasphemous Letter which over-powers the greatest potency of the proudest Bragadochiâ—es yea mightiest Monarches in the world which oppose his all-sacred soveraign power and authoritie There came therefore most certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire to London of divers brave repulses given to buteherly Byrons forces at the siege of Namptwich by the most valiant besieged Souldiers and Inhabitants of the said Town And shortly after by a Letter under Col. Mittons own hand which was brought to London about Jan. 20th 1643. By which it was for certain advertised That Sir Nic. Byron Governour of Westchester uncle to this foresaid bloudy Byron having heard of the sore repulses and defeats given to their forces at Namptwich which redounded to the great loss of his proud insulting kinsman bloudy Byron as aforesaid at his said kinsmans intreatie Sir Nicholas advanced with a partie of horse and foot from Westchester to fetch in armes and ammunition both to supply his kinsmans wants therein and his own too their Ship being carried to Lerpool as was forementioned which should have supplied those their wants and coming unto a Town called Elsmere neer Colonell Mittons quarters this most valiant and loyall Commander Colonell Mittan drew forth his regiment fell upon the enemies forces aforesaid who were then in the Town he killed above 60 of them in the place took the said Sir Nicholas Byron Commander in
chief Serjeant Major Generall Willis a very considerable Commander even that perfidious run-away Willis taken prisoner formerly at Winchester belonging to the Cavalerian garrison at Shrewsbery and his brother Major Willis Capt. Offley Capt. Hatton Capt. Rixam and another Capt. with an 100 inferiour Officers 250 horse and armes 30 of them being the prime horse of all those parts eight double barrells of powder 700 waight of Match 3 pieces of Ordnance all which he brought safe to Stafford together with all the provision that Sir Nicholas had brought at this time from Shrewsbery for supply of his own and his Cousens wants which indeed renders this exploit more famous and of the greater consequence the enemie in those parts being then in such want of warlike provision as they were About the 23th also of this instant came certain intelligence out of Darbishire by Letters to London that that valiant and most loyall and active Knight and brave Commander Sir John Gell took Burton upon Trent and therein divers Commissioners of the Array being Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of great qualitie in that Countie with about nine-score common-Souldiers their guard much armes ammunition and treasure Colonell Hastings himself hardly escaping by flight This defeat was also so much the more advantageous in that it was very probable to be a meanes to recover three troops of horse of ours then lately surprized at Melton in Leicestershire by exchange and some prisoners to boot Much about the same time came true information to London that Sir Alexander Deyntont house in Oxfordshire called by the name of Hilsden-House was taken by some of the Parliaments forces it being about 14 or 15 miles from Oxford and some 7 or 8 miles from Aylesbury It was taken by a partie that went from Newport-Pannell and some from about Banbury they being in all not above an 100 yet there were in the House an 140 many whereof were then taken prisoners and about an 100 armes but Sir Alexander himself escaped And heer also having happily had the opportunitie of a pretty piece printed and published by Order from this noble and renowned Earl of Manchester I have thought fit to adde and insert some very memorable notes and observations collected and divulged by the said noble and pious Patriot upon the many remarkable mercies of the Lord conferred upon the seven associated Counties Cambridge Essex Hartford Huntingdon Norfolk Suffolk and Lincoln since their first association most worthy our most serious sight and consideration both for the just honour and glory of God and the singular encouragement of those and all other the Counties of this whole distressed and distracted Kingdome First then I shall desire the Reader to remember the great mercie and good providence of God in quenching that fire which began to be kindled at Laystolk by some eminent malignants there which would undoubtedly have hazarded all the Eastern parts of this Kingdome if God had not I say by a seasonable providence timely prevented the same by some of the noble Earl of Manchesters vigilant Commanders of the association this disturbance beginning to break out in that very conjuncture of time in which there had been a confederacie of the disaffected of those parts togather to a head Secondly the reducing of Croyland which is a place strong by scituation and which had a professed Papist for its Governour which how dangerous it was to some parts of this association and to the neighbouring parts of Lincolnshire Northamptonshire and Hantingdonshire is well known to those that were subject to their daily plunderings and pillagings Thirdly The defeat given to the enemies at Grantham where 11 of the Parliaments troops facing 21 or 22 troops of the enemies five of the associated troops charging the right wing of the enemies body utterly routed them and had the execution and chase of them almost two miles and got five or six of their Colours Fourthly The taking of Burleigh-House where was also taken the Lord Cambdens regiment of horse with their Colours three or foure Companies of foot and Dragooneers with all their ammunition and with about foure hundred prisoners Fifthly The defeat given to the enemies horse at Gainesborough to the breaking of neer 30 troops of the enemies horse where was slain the Lievtenant Generall Charles Cavendish Colonell Heron the high Sheriff of Lincolnshire forced into Trent with many other Officers and Souldiers who were there drowned and whereby Gainesborough was at that time relieved with ammunition which then it exceedingly wanted and this battle fought and victory gotten as without any considerable loss to us so within a mile of the Marquess of Newcastles armie Sixthly The saving neer 20 troops of horse belonging to the Lord Fairfax and under that renowned Gentleman Sir Thomas Fairfax his Son with which horse he hath since performed such notable good service in Cheshire and other parts which said horse were almost starved by the strait siege of Hull and could not in probabilitie have been thence delivered but by the horse of this association which was done by 14 troops of horse and 3 of Dragooneers belonging to this association there being nothing in assistance of them but six troops belonging to the Lord Willoughby and neer 40 troops of the enemies under the Command of Sir John Hinderson who had opportunitie to have fought with our horse before wee could come to joyn with Sir Thomas Fairfax his troops if he had pleased but did not take it Seventhly The taking of Lyn-Regis a strong Town and of great importance by raw undisciplin'd new raised Souldiers which was a place as likely to have undone this whole association as any which rebelled at such a time as the Marquess of Newcastle was at the strongest and so absolute in Lincolnshire that if he would have engaged his armie to have come to the rescue thereof the forces of this association then raised had not been considerable to have made resistance Eighthly The fight at Winsby where ours being about 60 colours of horse and Dragoons did encounter neer 90 colours of the enemie both parties being by estimate between 8 or 9000 horse Dragoons the enemie being in all probabilitie about 5000 of that number where ours gave them such a defeat that they took and killed about 1100 of them and took neer thirty of their Colours Ninthly The taking of Lincoln where the force of the defendants were in computation many more than of the assailants which the enemy surrendred to us on hard termes to themselves where we got about 3000 armes the enemies colours with good proportion of ammunition and five or six pieces of Ordnance Tenthly The taking of Gainesborough by storm the greatest part of the foot being our association-men who repulsed the enemie got over their works without any loss and possessed the Town whereby Lincolnshire formerly almost totally under the command of the enemies became wholly cleared of them
undertaken and cleare my unfeigned reputation Thus much I thought good to say unto you that you may give a satisfactory testimony of that designe in my behalfe if you heare it falsely reported And I shall be ready to requite you in vindicating of truth and acknowledge my selfe Southampton Feb. 5. 1643. Your reall friend PET. MURFORD About the 6. of this instant came to the publike knowledge of the City of London and so to others in the Kingdome a notable designe from Oxford namely That in the latter end of Ianuary last the pretended Parliament or rather mischievous meeting of Popish Atheisticall and Malignant fugitive Lords and rotten Members of the most blessed Parliament at Westminster being brought into a desperate condition by the happy and good successe of our said Parliamentâ— Forces against them assembled themselves into a most illegall jugling Iunto or accursed Conventicle at Oxford and would needs there forsooth make a poor shew of Propositions for Peace And by their Lord Generall Ruthen the Popish Earl of Forth they contrived a Letter which was signed by the Prince the Duke of York 44 of the foresaid condition'd Lords and about an 100 rotten Commons and was sent as from Ruthen to his Excellencie the Parliaments most noble and renowned Lord Generall the magnanimous and heroick Eul of Essex and in that Letter manifested their scornfull esteem of our most renowned Parliament at Westminster not allowing it so much as the name of a Parliament which must needs argue a proper piece of intention really to advance a true Peace betwixt the King and his Parliament Now hereupon the said Letter being by his Excellencie communicated with the Parliament they thought it not fit to take notice of the said Message only it was consulted and resolved on by both Houses that my Lord Generall should be intreated to send a Complement to the Earle of Forth and to inclose the Covenant and Declaration agreed upon by both Kingdomes in this Letter which accordingly his Excellencie performed as followeth His Excellencies Letter to the Earl of Forth in answer to a Letter from Oxford subscribed by the Prince Duke of Yorke and divers Lords and Gentlemen at Oxford My Lord I Received this day a Letter of the 29. of this instant from your Lordship and therein a Parchment subscribed by the Prince Duke of York and divers Lords and Gentlemen but it neither having addresse to the two houses of Parliament nor therein there being any acknowledgment of them I could not communicate it unto them My Lord the maintenance of the Parliament of England and of the priviledges thereof is that for which we are all resolved to spend our blood as being the foundation whereon all our Lawes and Liberties are built I send your Lordship herewith a Nationall Covenant solemnly entred into by both Kingdomes of England and Scotland and a Declaration passed by them both together with another Declaration of the Kingdome of Scotland I rest Your Lordships humble Servant ESSEX Essex-house Ian. 30. 1643. About the 9. of this instant February our most noble and renowned Patriots in Parliament resolved on the sequestring of the Estates of many grand Malignants and Incendiaries and to order and dispose of their Estates for the publike use And they appointed a Committee accordingly to take order for the sequestrating of the Lands and Estates of the Earle of Berk-shire prisoner in the Tower and that the same should be disposed of for the use of the publike good And the like for the estate of the Earle of Carbery a great stickler for the adverse party in Wales The Lord Aborthorum Mr. Walter Mountague prisoner in the Tower The Lord Cottington that Spanish Don and grand Incendiary of the Kingdome And that all the goods and Chattels already sequestred and to be sequestred belonging to the aforesaid Lords and Gentlemen should be forthwith sold and the monies made use of for the publike service and more especially for supplies for the Noble Lord Fairfax in Yorkshire The like also for all the goods and chattels belonging to Sir John Banks Lord Chiefe Justice at Oxford The like for the Bishop of Winchester and the like for all the goods of all other Malignants sequestred and being in Cambden-house in London or elsewhere As also the goods and whole estate in and about London belonging to that unhappy and unholy Neuter or Ambo-dexter Dr. Vsher Arch-Prelate of Armagh resident at Oxford a man once I confesse of good yea of great esteem like his apostate brother Dr. White Bishop of Ely in City and Country both in England and Ireland but at length whose last dayes hitherto have proved his worst dayes Of whom one thing I may not here omit to his eternall shame and ignominie That upon debating of the businesse in Parliament concerning him there was evidence given in to the Parliament against him That upon the first framing of that pernicious Oath at Oxford to enjoyn all men to take up Armes against the Parliament this slye Archbishop was a chiefe Agent by his Episcopall rhetorick to perswade all men to take the said Oath yea and that he wished they might all dye in prison that refused to take it that divers who by his perswasions had taken it were afterward much troubled in conscience and some of them dyed in that condition much perplexed and unsatisfied A most sad and bad burthen to lie on the Conscience of such an unholy and unhappy Instigator thereunto whose perishing blood will I feare be one day severely required at his hands without repentance Also about the 10. of this instant certain intelligence came out of York-shire by Letters to London from the most Noble Lord Fairfax of the taking of Burlington in the said County the place where the Queene formerly landed when she unhappily returned out of Holland by a party of Horse and Foot commanded by that valiant and vertuous Colonel Sir William Constable who entred the Town in a full Carriere took 250 Common-souldiers besides Major New nam the Governour of the Town and divers other Officers with 2 Drakes and 500 Arms besides other Ammunition In this exploit Major Briery and Captain Bethel the one in the Van the other in the Reare did singular good service and put the Enemy into a great disorder This place being within 6 miles of Scarborough will make Sir Hugh Cholmley that perfidious Apostate to look about him And very shortly after came farther intelligence of another notable Exploit performed by the said brave and valiant Commander Sir William Constable who surprised a party of the Enemy at a place called Driffle between Malton and Scarborough where he took 300 of Newcastles Horse Colonel Washington one Serjeant-Major three Captaines divers Officers and about an hundred and sixty common Foot-souldiers and routed another Regiment besides Much about the same time came certain information by Letters from the Scotch Commissioners out of the North That since
our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland's advance into this Kingdome from Barwick toward Newcastle and their taking of Alnwick and Morpeth the two only Towns of defence and strength twixt Barwick and Newcastle That they also took the strong Island of Cocquet with about 200 men and their Arms 7 peeces of Ordnance and other necessary martiall provisions Also that Colonel Gray brother to the Lord Gray of Wark with a Regiment of Horse came in unto the Army of our said brethren of Scotland and most cheerfully took the Covenant That they had rescued a head of cattle which were driven away by the enemy toward Newcastle and that they most honestly restored them to the persons from whom they were taken A notable act of justice and that the Counties of Northumberland and Westmerland most cordially came in and adhered to them About the tenth of this instant certaine letters being intercepted were read in Parliament which came from the Lord Goring to the Lord Digby dated at Paris Feb. 7. 1643. The summe whereof in briefe was this That he hoped this Letter would have better successe to come to the hands of his most blessed sacred Mistresse than his former Letters had That he was in nothing more happy than to be accounted a Trator at London considering his sacred Mistresse had the same badge of honour stamped upon her before him in whose service he professed hee would be ever faithfull to the quicke and was not here think'st thou good Reader a pure and sure slave to Sathan That the same morning he wrote this Letter he was called to sweare to be true to the two Crownes of England and France and afterward was to dine with the King And further specifying what forreine forces armes and ammunition were in preparation to be sent into this Kingdome And said he in this very expression let my Mr. hang me if I do not furnish him with armes ammunition c. And concludes thus that what he writes they may believe to bee as true as Gospell This flashey letter of this old doting shamelesse Traytor full as yee see of blasphemy and Treason and so adjudged by the Parliament they have ordered to be recorded with an other former intercepted Letter of his which will be sufficient evidences to make good their impeachment of high Treason against him See heere then good Reader the good hand of Gods wise and just providence thus to discover the secret and slavish enemies of his Church and people But to goe on Besides those former brave exploits of that pious and prudent Commander Colonell Sir William Constable aforesaid There came certaine intelligence to London much about the middst of this instant February of divers other most valiant performances and victorious atchivements of the Parliaments Forces in severall other places worthy our most thankefull remembrance both to Gods glory and the Instruments deserved praise The first was performed by the brave and active well-deserving Garrison of Pool in Dorsetshire who sallied out and by an Ambuscado their enemies owne late Stratagem against Pool with some little losse not long before they entrapped Colonell Windham and about 7. or 8. score of his Horse and slew his Lieutenant Colonel Barker but the Colonell himselfe with the rest of his men taken as aforesaid they carried Prisoners into Pool A Partie also of Warwick Garrison issuing out toward Stow on the Wold in Gloucestershire tooke a Cavalier Colonell Prisoner and about 30 good Horse with him And heere also I may most justly commemorate diverse brave atchievements of Sir Thomas Fairfax that as famous as pious Commander in Cheshire since his last great Victory at Namptwich who most prosperously pursued his late Victory in those parts took a strong hould called Keel-House Another called Adlinton-House Duddington also belonging to sir Thomas Delves And Crew-House where he tooke an 150. Royalists Prisoners and great store of Armes and Ammunition together with Dorison-House another strong Garrison of the Enemies where he tooke 200. Prisoners with good store of armes and ammunition Darby Forces also having been two dayes before Kings-Mylus a very strong House of the Earle of Huntingtons neere Wildon-Ferrey upon the River of Trent whereinto Colonell Hastings alias Rob-Carryer had put a Garrison of Souldiers who much annoyed that part of the Countrey but the House being very strong their Ordnance did no great execution upon it Whereupon that brave and most couragious and faithfull Patriott Sir Iohn Gell chose 5. men out of each of his Troopes to storme it who made such a desperate assault upon it that they tooke this House with the losse onely of three of his men whence they brought 46. Prisoners with their armes to Darbey but Captaine Daniel and his Lieutenant they sent Prisoners to Nottingham-Castle Lastly that most noble and renouned successefull Patriott of the Northern parts the good Lord Fairfax with his valiant Commander sir William Constable marched toward Whitby a Haven-Town in the farthest part of Yorkeshire with a very considerable Army intending if the Enemy would not deliver up the Town to Storm it For this Whitby was a very strong Garison of the Earle of New-Castles But the Enemie considering in what a condition they were surrendered up the Town to the Lord Fairfax wherein were above 500. Captaines Lieutenants Commanders Officers and Common-souldiers besides at least 20. of the Commission of Array and almost a 1000 Saylers and Inhabitants of the Town all which delivered up the Towne and with it themselves to the said most noble Lords Service together with 40. Vessels greater and lesser in the Haven So this most Honourable Lord with valiant sir William Constable seized on all their Workes Ships Ammunition 500. Armes many Barrels of Powder Match and other traine of Artillery and it was verily beleeved about an hundred pieces of Ordnance in the ships and on the Workes for the use of the Parliament About the 16th of this instant February 1643. an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament and instructions agreed upon by them for the taking of the Solemne League and Covenant throughout the whole Kingdome which we have formerly mentioned to have been solemnly taken by both Houses of Parliament and in and about the whole Cities of London and Westminster and the Dominion of Wales was new Printed and published together with a most emphaticall and patheticall â—xhortation made by the Assembly of Divines at the motion and desire of our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies for the more willing and cheerfull taking thereof and for the better and more full satisfaction of all such scruples as might arise thereupon which was ordered to be taken after this manner The minister was first to read the whole Covenant distinctly and audibly in the Pulpit and during the reading thereof the whole congregation to be uncovered and at the end of his reading thereof all to take it standing
precious particulars aboundantly declaring and cleering the truth of all herein intended namely How our God hath most graciously and gloriously caused this his deare Darling his holy Arke his precious Cause thus maintained by our ever blessed Parliamentarie Worthies to over-top and safely rise and ride above all the worlds boysterous and swelling Waves still struggling and striving to overturne it And therefore plentifull enough to cause us all to confesse with holy Moses That we have all seene what the Lord hath done to our Egyptian Malignants and how he hath born us up with Eagles wings and brought us so neere unto himselfe And therefore with the pious Prophet most gratefully and graciously to acknowledge That all these Mercies come forth from the Lord of Host who is wonderfull in Counsell and most excellent in working wonders And now to proceed Thus having a little heere made a stay and refreshed our Weather beaten Barke and in some measure fitted it for this next succeeding Moneths Voyage I shall now cheerfully put forth againe and lanch into the Maine And first of all acquaint the Reader that about the beginning of this instant March as a happy return of Prayer on the last Moneth day of Humiliation came certaine intelligence that Bidle-house upon the edge of Staffordshire and neere Cheshire was taken or rather with discretion surrendred to that most famous and faithfull Commander Sir Thomas Fairefax and that most valiant and loyall Patriot Col. Ridgeley which house was of so great consequence that by this meanes all the Moore-Landers are freed from the great annoyance of a vexatious Enemy and in a condition to assist their neighbour Cheshire In which foresaid House were also taken the Lord Brereton who was supposed to be taken before but it was a meere mistake and with him 4 Colonels 200 Common-Souldiers 500 Armes and great store of riches Plate Gold and Silver Also that the Forces of our most renowned Lord General whom we may very fitly Paralel with that famous old Roman Commander Fabius Hanibals sore Antagonist Of whom for his prudence and providence it was said by Cicero that famous Romane Oratour Vnus homo nobis cunctando restituit â—om Or to that most renowned old Prince of Orange Grave Maurice who was never rash in any attempt or waighty enterprise he undertooke yet ever for the greatest part most victorious but like a grave and discreet Generall still pondered how he might win and not lose I meane any of his Souldiers For he never accounted that Commander valourous who had not more care of his Souldiers than of his Towns Forts or Castles which either he tooke or kept but would as neere as might be make both sure So I say this our most noble Lord Generall hath all along most prudently carried on all his great designes with like wisdome and Martiall moderation and discretion and about this time his Forces about Alesbury and Newport-pannell performed a most excellent piece of Service under the command of renowned and active Colonell Cromwell and Colonell Craford without the losse of any one man slaine on ouâ— side at Hilsey-house when they tooke Sir Arthur Denton Colonell Smith and divers other Gentlemen of quallity together with an 100 Horse and about 300 Souldiers whereof there were about 150 Walloones and Frenchmen such a pack of bloody Villaines that the world hardly had the like they having committed many great Robberies in those parts all which Walloones therefore and Frenchmen had no quarter given them but were put to the Sword as they most worthyly deserved And since the taking of this Hilsey-house we were credibly informed that the brave Garrison of Northampton went out with a Party and faced Banbury and thereabout surprised all or the greatest part of the Princes Troope and brought them safe to Northampton About the second also of this instant as another rich returne of Prayer even within two dayes after the last Monethly Fast-day came certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Yorkeshire to London of a brave Victory obtained through the mercy of our good God by that valiant Commander Colonel Lambert under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax in the West-Riding of Yorkeshire not farre from Bradford where the Bradford Garrison understanding that Colonell Lambert advanced that way to reduce that Towne to the Service of the Parliament they presently sent intelligence of this his resolution to Yorke as also of the weakenesse of this Colonels condition wherupon a commanded power of Horse and Foot led by Colonell Iohn Bellasis Governour of York farre exceeding Colonell Lamberts Forces at least three to one in number was forthwith dispatched to releeve them In briefe both parties faced each other not farre from Bradford and Colonell Lamberts Forces though lesse in number did exceede in valour for indeed as reverend Master Ienkins Pastour of Christ-Church in London sweetly said Wee have oftentimes known that God hath had too many to fight his battailes but never too few and the encounter grew exceeding hot and for 7 howres space the thundring disputation was fiercely continued at length by Gods great mercy Colonel Lambert perceived he had the better of his enemies but yet his necessity was such that for want of Powder he knew not what to doe for none of his Souldiers had at the most above two charges left Hereupon a Councill of Warre was sodainly called and as suddenly it was agreed that before they would offer any paâ—ley to the enemy the Horse should charge once more which in that desperat exigence was performed with such undaunted courage and resolution of spirit that the Enemies Horse not able to withstand the shock began a little to give ground which our Cavalry soone observing they followed the advantage with so much impregnable courage that they forced them to a very disorderly retreat and our Foot taking notice of the brave action and advantage their Horse had gotten as valiantly charged the body of the enemies Infantry who perceiving their owne Horse to abandon them began to leave the Field and swiftly to retire toward Yorke even with what confused speed they possibly could The brave successefull Colonell Lambert could not follow them in pursuâ— by reason of the great want of Powder in which at that present he was But he tooke Prisoners in the fight Colonell Sir Iohn Girlington and divers other Officers in Armes and persons of quality and about an 100 common Souldiers Colonell Bellasies himselfe being shrewdly put to the switch and Spurre to escape there were above an hundred slaine in the place And thus this valiant Colonell Lambert after this defeat and brave Victory so fortunately atchieved presently entred into Bradford and re-garrison'd it for the use of the Parliament About the 5 or 6 of this instant March 1643. came certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Leicestshire to London that Colonel Hastings that noble or rather notable
Thiefe having intelligence that according to the direction of the Parliament the Nationall Covenant was taking throughout that County and to that purpose that there were Summons of all the Clergy-men Church-wardens and other Officers to come in to Leicester to take the Covenant whither accordingly they came for two or three dayes together with much freenesse and cheerefulnesse whereof I say Hastings having notice hee with 4 Troops from Bever-Worton-house coursed about the Countrey as farre as Dunton and Litherworth and tooke neere upon an 100 of the Clergâ—emen and others and carried them Prisoners to a Town called Hinckley intending to have carryed them to Ashby-de-la-Zouch c. using them very coursely and threatning to hang all them that should take the Parliaments Covenant nor were they content with this but roaving up and downe the Countrey they tooke away about 80 Kine Oxen and Horse from the poore Countrey people and one Master Warner a godly Minister whom they much abused threatning to hang him But the intelligence of these things comming to Leicestor and they most justly very ill resenting these outrages and cruelties lost no time but though all their horse were gone to Newark yet they resolved every private man to spare his owne horse and so sent away presently an 120 of the Foot Souldiers and some 30 Troopers that lay at Bagworth-house to keep it from the enemy under the command of Colonell Gray whom the Lord Gray had made Governour of Leicester These their Forces being upon their March toward Hinkley so well ordered the matter that about eight of the clock that night they fell most valiantly on them in their quarters undiscovered tooke the Enemies Scouts and without much resistance tooke the outworks and a piece of Ordnance and there performed their worke also with so good successe that they presently entred the Towne killed one of the Enemies Captains named Man-waring and foure or five more of their Souldiers wounded 9 or 10 of them very sorely presently routed them all tooke two of their Lieutenants one Quarter-master one Ensigne 45 Prisoners and 140 Horse with their Armes released all the Country men rescued all the Cattle and restored them to the right owners and so returned home safe with this victory and booty the next day being Shroâ—e-Teusday as then they called it None of Leicester men were slaine in this defeat onely 4 wounded whereof one was casually hurt by Colonell Gray because he forgot their Word in the fight which was God prosper us the Enemies Word being For the King But that which makes this exploitâ—the more remarkable was that the Enemy was between 4 and 500 strong as was credibly informed and ours not above 200 at the most Our men went on most couragiously in all the Service and had they not been too greedy of the prey we had meere taken them all And therefore desire to ascribe all the honour to God alone And about the same time also came certain intelligence to London that valiant and vigilant Colonell Norton had takes severall prisoners in his parts about Southampton and slaine divers of the seulking enemies among whom Sir Iohn Stowell was slaine in the place About the 18th of this instant came yet farther intelligence by letters out of Yorkeshire to London that that brave and valiant commander Col Lambert since his late famous victory at Bradford hearing that a party were gathering against him to oppose him in the West-riding of Yorkeshire be drew out his forces to meet them and discovering the enemy neere Kirkelesse consisting of about 11. troopes of horse of the Earle of Newcastles as good as they could make up for the designe Col. Lambert presently drew out a small partie which he sent upon the forlorne hope to draw the enemy into a noose who discovering onely a small party of our men they marched toward them Hereupon our men began to retreat the enemy followed In which interim brave Colonell Lambert having wisely carryed the businesse had placâ—d a party on each side of the enemy so as they were surrounded ere they were aware Whereupon with very litle harme the valiant Colonell surprized and cooped them up on three sides and there being a river on the fourth side they all became his prisoners irresistibly save only two or three who adventured to swim over the river who whether they were drowned or not was uncertaine for the river was deepe and dangerous The noble Colonell tooke prisoners at this time 4. Lieut. Colonels and Serjeant Maiors 7. Captaines 11. Cornets 300. souldiers and other officers with other purchase and prizes which the enemy had pillaged in the Country a sore pull from them and a faire strengthening of us blessed be the Lord for it And about the very same time we had certaine knowledge that Sir William Constable that most pious and prudent commander and one Captaine Carter had with a very small and unconsiderable losse taken two bridges in the East-Riding of Yorkeshire both of them very considerable places for their designes the one called Chester-bridge and the other was Stamford-bridge with them they tooke also divers prisoners and three pieces of ordnance there Much also about the same time came credible information to London that a party of Colonell Waights horse from Burley-House in Rutlandshire went out suddenly toward Beaver-castle intelligence having beene given them of a troope of horse quartered a mile off from the castle Whereupon they with the best preparation they could make of sadle-horses and others for dragoones the most part of their garrison troupers being then out in the service at Newarke siege with Sir Iohn Meldrum they fell on them in their quarters tooke divers of them prisoners and then went neerer the castle tooke thence 20. fatt oxen and at least 200. fat sheep and brought them all away safely with them to Burley-House And much about the foresaid time we were for certain enformed at London that divers ships at sea full fraught with Irish-bloody-rebells bound for Westchester met with a great storme by Gods justice and good providence which so violently tost and shattered them that at least a full regiment consisting of 1500. were cast away and drencht and drown'd in the salt streames of the sea as they had destroy'd others in the gory streames of their blood at land And about the same time it was enformed most infallibly that the noble garrisons of Pool and Warham beat upon the then ignoble Weather-cocke the Lord Inchiquins regiment of Irish bloody Rascalls in Dorsetshire with a fierce land-storme where they tooke divers prisoners 2. pieces of ordnance killed very many of them fired their magazine and returned victoriously and safely home againe About the 10th of this Instant March came information from Southampton that a party of Sir Ralph Hoptons horse came and faced that Town Whereupon the brave and valiant Governor thereof Colonell Norton sent out some
Greenvile contrary to his promise ingagement and honour of a Souldier hath basely unworthily and faithlesly deserted the said service and felloniously carryed away the money paid unto him in regard of the said Service These are to proclaime the said Richard Greenvile Traitor Rogue Villaine and Schellum not onely uncapable of military imployment but of all acquaintance and conversation with men of honesty and honour And this Proclamation in the mean time to be nailed on the gallows whilst it shall please God to deliver the said Greenvile into the hands of justice that he himself may supply the room of this Proclamation Done this 15. of March 1643. Much also about the same time by an Ordinance of Parliament there was again farther Order taken besides what I have already mentioned herein before for the more holy and happy institution and education of his Majesties two children at St. Jameses where severall new Officers and Attendants were appointed to waite on the Duke of Gloucester and the Princesse Elizabeth as namely reverend religious and learned Mr. Torshell to be Houshold Chaplain and that truely pious and gracious Gentleman Mr Humphries to be Mr. Comptroler c. and that those which were Malignant corrupt and Popishly affected should be quite displaced and removed thence and the former Prelaticall Priests to be also utterly casheired and in their stead reverend and truely pious and Orthodoxly learned Mr. Stephen Marshall Mr. Ieremiah Whitaker Mr. Caryll Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick and Mr. William Spurstow were assigned to preach constantly by turnes before them thus by Gods gracious assistance and speciall blessing to instill holy and holesome principles into their Princely hearts About the 16. of this instant came certain Intelligence by Letters from Lime to London that besides that former gallant exploit of the Garrison of Lime in Dorsetshire in taking of the Town of Bredport and between an 120 and 140 horse and good store of Armes Ammunition pillage and many prisoners which exploit was performed by that much to be renowned and most valiant and wise Commander Captain Thomas Pyne whom fame hath not in any thing so much injured as that his name and honour hath been till now retarded and kept under a cloud of silence both in his accompanying the severall precedent atchieuments of that brave and famous Garrison wherein he under God hath had a speciall interest This most Loyall and active Commander I say since the taking of Bredport issued out of Lyme with a party of horse and dragoones against the enemy in their garrison at Burley-House within seven miles of Lyme belonging to Count Arundell a rand Papist which House is very strongly scituated with a fair moat about it and 2. pieces of ordnance in it Yet notwithstanding by assault these valiant assailants entred the same tooke above 50 â—risoners whom they carryed to Lyme the rest escaped the said two pieces of ordnance also and presently put a garrison of their owne men into it of about 200 men to defend and maintane the same by meanes whereof they compelled contribution from at least 11 adjacent parishes which before payd the Kings Army besides Bredport within a mile thereof Much also about the same time namely the middest of this instant March 1643. came certaine information by Letters out of Wales and especially about the County of Pembroke that that most loyall couragious and successefull Captaine and Commander by Sea pious Captaine Swanley with certaine good Ships arrived by Gods good providence in Milford-haven on the coasts of Wales where at their arrivall they found at Anchor in the Haven the Globe of Bristol and a small Ship which arrived there in Milford about 8 daies before they came in and had brought from Bristoll Ammunition to fortifie the Harbour both great Gunnes Powder Bullet and other provisions and had landed them where after some opposition by the Enemy against them and many shot exchanged on both sides the Admirall with the joynt consent of the rest of the Commanders built a Fort on the Southside of the said Harbour over against the Pyll where the Enemy was fortified on the North side of the Harbour and placed therein a Demy-Cannon wherewith they played into the Enemies Workes which proved a great encouragement un to many in the County when they heard of it to adhere unto the well-affected party who at that time were very weake and inconsiderable This Fleet being thus safely setled in the Harbour Colonell Laughorne a pious and singularly well-affected Gentleman of that Countie together with the Mayor of Pembrooke a very religious Gentleman also came aboard the Leopard and informed the Admirall with the feeble condition the well-affected partie was in in those parts as also of the strength power and insolency of the adverse partie For after the enemy had Fortified the Northside of the Harbour they intended also to have fortified the Southside within a day or two after had not this their arrivall thus happily frustrated that designe of the Enemies and then how difficult if not impossible the entrance into that Haven had been any one may judge The Earle of Carbery had voted they mightily presuming on their strength and fearelesse of all opposition the Haven being once so fortified hee would plunder the Town of Pembrooke and the houses of the Gentlemen who had in any measure adhered to the Parliaments Party and that their persons should be put to death by cruell tortures and the Mayor of Pembrooke they gave out should be put into a barrell of nailes and brought to Prikspill and from the top of a hill should bee rowled downe into the Sea Which report so terrified the Gentlemen of the County that they fled from their houses and hid themselves in obscure places in disguises and sent their wives and children to Tynby where this Atheisticall Lord lay humbly to supplicate his Mercy and protection Among whom there was a reverend aged Gentlewoman the wife of one Master Griffith White who had in her house 8 Sonnes and 8 Daughters who were Virgines and foure small Grand-children in all twenty in number with divers Servants both Male and Female This Gentlewoman pressing his Lordship to commiserate her sad estate in case her house should bee plundered desiring his protection His Lordship replyed hee would grant her none The Gentlewoman with teares in her eyes desired his Lordship to looke on her Children who in point of honour he stood engaged to protect as also the Chastity of Matrons and Virgines the which without his Lordships protection she said would undoubtedly be violated and her Family perish To which his Atheisticall Lordship replyed with divers reproaches and some jests among That it were better her Children and Familie should perish than that the the King should want meanes to perfect his designes To which she said his Majesty could not want if he would be graciously pleased to be content with what God and the Laws have provided
At which his Lordship flung out of the roome leaving the Gentlewoman with teares in her eyes and so shee was faine to depart to her house full of griefe and pensive thoughts A passage of so barbarous a deportment of a Lord to a grave Gentlewoman that I beleeve History can scarse Parallel to have proceeded from any Heathen The lamentable condition of the well-affected being by the Admirall and Commanders discussed and disputed It was demanded of Colonell Laughorne and the Mayor of Pembrooke what Force the well-affected party was able to raise to oppose his Lordship It was by them replied that they could not raise above 40 Horse and about 60 Foot Then it was demanded in case there should bee 200. Seamen landed well armed whether they would joyne with them and be active and resolute in their owne defence against this insolent Lord otherwise they must prepare to goe away with the Fleet. The Colonell and Mayor with the well-affected Gentry like gallant men who had rather dye than out-live the honour and happinesse of their Countrey resolved cheerefully and faithfully to put themselves under the providence of the Almighty and with the help of the Seamen to affront the Enemy which was without delay put in execution and speedily and undauntedly fell upon the Garrison of the Enemies in a strong hold called Stockpoole the Mannor-house of one Master Roger Lort on which our great Guns having made a breach after 8 houres assault they took with the losse of two of their men and many wounded on both sides Then they fell on another Garrison of the Enemies called Treffloyne within a mile of Tynby out of which Towne the Earle of Carbery issued with about 200 Horse and Foot intending to have relieved the said Garrison with whom he faced our Forces but at whom they let fly a Piece of Ordnance whereat his Lordship wheeled about with all his Forces and swiftly ran into the Towne Our Forces prosecuting their former assault upon the Garrison tooke it and therein 45 Horse and 150 Armes with the losse of two men more on our side six on the Enemies God having given them this good successe they retired to Pembrooke to refresh their men and enable themselves for a more potent designe on the Enemy intending to oppose the whole body of them which consisted of about at least 1200. horse and foot but the Earle hearing of this designe and though he had fortified Haverford-West which was their rendevouz and where most of his strength was placed his Lordship like a valiant Commander with 20 horse some foot and 4 field pieces ran away telling the rest of the commanders that he rode unto the adjacent Counties to raise more forces and that he would suddenly returne Now when our men had refreshed themselves they marched forth with six field pieces mounted on their carriages with waggons to convey their ammunition and victuals and now resolved first to fall on the Fort at the Pyll which they bravely assaulting both by land by water with their ordnance they at last entred the Fort by force which the enemy perceiving cryed quarter which was granted though they litle deserved it as who had formerly vowed that if they proved conquerours they would kill the doggs and ravish the bitches and drowne the whelps meaning us and the inhabitants their adversaries most inhumane language onely fit for the barbarous and blasphemous Imps of the Beast of Rome In this Fort we tooke 200. armes 18. pieces of ordnance 240. souldiers 26. commanders and two good ships the Globe of Bristol forementioned wherein were twelve pieces of ordnance and another ship called the Providence This brave victory was onely the gift of God unto us and the purchase of his owne strong arme to him alone therefore be all the praise and glory for in this fight and victory wee lost not a man of our side either by sword or shot When the enemy was routed some of their souldiers fled to Haverford-West and enformed the commanders there of the losse of the Fort and that al their commanders and souldiers therein were taken prisoners At which news it was credibly reported Sir Henry Vaughan with the rest of the commanders began to rage ravâ— and sweare like mad men and as bears robb'd of their whelps ran up and downe the streetes crying out beat up the drums gather our horse and foot together for we will out this night and be revenged on these Round headed Parliament doggs and having with this bravado drawne their forces into a body being about 450. Sir Iohn Stepney the governour of the Towne like a prudent Surveyer and provident over-seer went into the Churchyard to see if he could discerne our forces to approach toward Haverford-West and instantly about halfe a mile from the Towne he discovered a heerd of blacke bullockes comming toward him in the field Those horned beasts all in a cluster so amazed this wise knight and brave souldier that being affraid of his owne shaddow his worship in his valour ran to the head of their forces and swore by Gods-wounds the Round-headed dogs were comming at which report they all marched out of the Towne and calling to mind the late valiant example of their brave L. General Carberry they wheeled about and ran away The boyes of the Towne perceiving them to run fell on the reare and took from them 60 muskets this disorder in the reare made those in the front believe that the Round-heads indeed were close at their heeles and the pittifull and pannick feare thereof metamorphosed all our Cozen-Taffees into nimble Mercuries with winged speed enforcing every man to fly for his life some threw away their armes for hâ—st and those that had the charge of the powder flung it into the river that so the Round-heads might make no use of it against them and in this manner and by this meanes was the Town of Haverford-West surrendred unto us That saying of wise King Solomon or rather of God himselfe Solomons teacher being here most truely verified The wicked flyeth when no man pursueth him whereas the righteous is as bold as a Lyon When the enemy fled out of this Towne they left behind them at least an 100. red coats which had never beene worne a good quantity of victualls and ten pieces of ordnance all which argued they wanted nothing but a good conscience and a good cause to maintaine Thence our forces marched being plentifully replenished and furnished with all necessaries toward Tynby whither they being come they presently summoned the Towne to be surrendred to them but the governour returned a negative answer hereupon we advised and required them to send out of the Towne all the women and children assuring them that unlesse they did comply and that speedily they would in discharge of their dutie use their utmost endeavour to force them thereunto In all which wee receiving no satisfaction
from the Governour or Mayor of the Towne our men fell to playing on the Towne with their ordnance both by sea and by land both our seamen and landmen performing admirable good service and the Towne also maintaining the assaults with brave resolution as ours more bravely assaulted them even to the face of death and danger Commissary Guine the Governour of the Towne shewed himselfe indeed to be a man of an undanted spirit issuing out of the Town and bringing up his small shot and making good their owne ambuscadoes but his hot valour exposed the Towne to unavoydable misery by his furious vowing he would neither give nor take quarter whereby he forced himselfe into much danger for leading on his men to face our small shot who plyed their muskets so thick and nimbly that his men forsooke him and himselfe received a shot under his right pap which enforced him to retreat who was no sooner entred the Towne but the master Gunner thereof was also slaine In all which brave and resolute fight we must not omit to manifest the high praise of Gods providence toward us for our small shot having forced the enemy out of their ambuscadoes pursued them close to the Town-gate their gunner having laden a piece of ordnance with case-shot and watching for such an opportunity having also travised the gun said to those that stood by Now you shal see me make a slaughter of these Roundheads at which word a small shot from our forces hit him on the head after which he never spake word more but dyed instantly which fall of his so daunted the enemy both commanders and souldiers that forthwith they cryed out for quarter and so we by Gods mighty mercy and goodnesse obtained the Towne of Tynby which was held by the judgement of the most judicious almost impregnable it being not to be entred but by single file In this Towne wee tooke 3 or 400 prisoners as many armes 7 pieces of ordnance all which were taken on Saturday March the 9. 1643 and on the Lords day March the 10. Carew-castle was also surrendred unto ours and therein also was happily consummated the totall subduing of all the malignant and insulting party in the whole County of Pembrooke Wee tooke from the Earle of Carbery and his complices in this action 4 castles 53 pieces of ordnance about 6 or 700 souldiers as many armes and the whole County I say of Pembrooke subdued who thereupon most unanimously took the Covenant to stand to Gods cause for the King and Parliament In all which the Lord of hostes gave his servants the victory over his and their enemies and gives us all therein just cause to put our confidence in him and in that comfortable ejaculation of holy David to exult and say By this we know that thou Lord favourest us in that thou hast not suffered our enemies to triumph over us And now to proceed About the foresaid 16 or 17 of March also came true information of more very good successe with our ships at Sea about the Isle of Garnsey performed and obtained by Captain Iordan who went out with a squadron of ships well man'd a part of brave Captain Swanlyes fleet before famously mentioned to beat the Earl of Malborough the Admirall of the Kings fleet at Sea who was gone to those parts of Garnsey and Iersie to get souldiers for the Kings Service which yet he could not effect as he hoped and at last Captain Jordan understood that the Earl was got to St. Mallows whither he thereupon set sail and came to Cape Tryhull whence he chased two Vessels the bigger of them fleeting towards Saint Mallows he took by the way which had been a ship belonging to Lyme and was bound for Topsham laden with Canvase cloth wine c. of burthen an 110 tuns and bearing 13 peeces of Ordnance The other ship was chased by Captain Thomas who forced her on shoare and the next day got her off being also laden with Canvas and belonging unto and bound for Topsham of 36 tuns and she being shot between wind and water they unladed her goods into their own Ships The next day plying the Cape aforesaid they took two Barks more of Topsham laden with Wollen cloath Iron Train Oyle c. bound for Saint Mallows of 30 tun a peece and of value able to defray the whole charg of the ships then in company But the Earl having got into Saint Mallows they could not reach him nor durst he stir forth all the time of their waiting for him there and so they missed of that hoped oportunity to have bickered with him About the 18th of this instant came certain information by Letters from Gloucester that although the ammunition intended for Gloucester could not wholely be conveyed thither with safty by reason of the great partee of the Enemies thereabout yet that Colonel Massey that most famous Commander having sent an expresse to the Earle of Denby Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonel Bear That he was able by Gods assistance to keep the Town 6. moneths longer yea though he were closely besieged and that therefore if any designe or opportunity were offered them he prayed they would pursue it Since which time neither of those brave Commanders had beene without action and for confirmation thereof besides their former services it was particularly advertised by severall Letters That the valiant Commander Colonell Beare having intelligence of a Regiment of the Earle of Northamptons quartered at Cambden in Gloucestershire he drew forth a Party of his Horse who fell upon the Enemy there routed the whole Regiment tooke 80 Horse about 10 Officers whereof one was a Major and 2 Captaines 2 Horse Colours and 5 Foot Ensignes an 100 Prisoners much Armes and Ammunition and pursued them as farre as Burford in Oxfordshire and afterward brought the Prisoners and Prize to Warwick-castle About the 20 th of this instant also wee had certaine intelligence by more Letters from Gloucester that that valiant faithful and renowned Gentlemen Colonell Massey whose actions render him truly Honourable for Virtue is the badge of Honour as Vice is of Shame had taken from the Enemy about 8 Miles from Gloucester 35 Horse and some prisoners and returned back safely and seasonably to Gloucester having intelligence that sir Iohn Winter his Popish neighbour was at some places in the Forrest of Deane to raise men by virtue of the Commission of Array whereupon he forthwith marched toward him and most bravely defeated his designe tooke about 60 Horse of his prisoners and victoriously returned home againe Thus most gallantly and vigilantly awing his Enemies on every side And about the 22d. of this instant March came Letters from the Army of our loyall Brethren of Scotland which were read in the Parliament certifying that they had then passed over the River Tyne at three severall places without any opposition and shortly after were possessed of
that that sad accident fell out by Gods most wise ordering and disposing of things of the raising of the Siege at Newarke a businesse of mighty importance and great expectation on both sides especially on ours in great hope and as great fear on theirs But I say it pleasing the Lord thus to crosse our hope of comforts and to free them of their feares for the present and therein to give them a seeming Victory therein and thereby to raise up their instant and insolent swelling thoughts to an extream pitch of Pride and Arrogancy insomuch that their Mercurius Aulicus the Kings Lyer in Chiefe at Oxford-Mint must publish abroad to the World a huge blustring Declaration of the great and glorious Victory obtained by Prince Robber at Newarke not onely in raising the Siege but in an utter dissipation and discomfiture of our whole Army with many other Chymerian-additions The like credit also must be given to a farther fiction namely That the Scots were also totally defeated by the Earle of Newcastle whereas in very truth the Lord had at that very time given our loving Brethren of Scotland a brave Victorie against Newcastle whereof more in its due time And a Letter or Declaration was accordingly poasted from Oxford in all hast to Sir Ralph Hopton which was according to command openly read in the head of his Army and for their better encouragement it was seriously affirmed that now they had no considerable Enemy to encounter but onely a small despicable handfull of Round-heads under the Command of Sir William Waller which they said were so inconsiderable that halfe Sir Ralph Hoptons Army would bee easily able to give them an utter defeat which being done there would remaine nothing of difficulty for the making up of a compleat Conquest of the whole Kingdome save onely to march victoriously to London obtaine their Forts levell their workes and take the whole Plunder of that rich and rebellious Citie as a reward of their service Thus by this meanes they having deluded the Common Souldiers throughout their Army and animated them to fight it being also at that time when Sir William Waller had received a message which no doubt was as soone made known to his Adversaries not to engage his Forces in a fight for the present except he were assaulted by the Enemy or found an apparent advantage and accordingly Hopton speedily prepared himselfe to the onset with extraordinary celerity and resolved violence and vehemence Which Fight comming now to be handled and mentioned in the next place I shall herein give the best and fullest relation thereof that I could possibly fix upon which was penn'd by an actor and eye-witnesse thereof as it was presented to the most worthy and right Honourable Lord Mayor of London and the rest of the right Worshipfull Comittee for the City Militia which was as followeth May it please your Honour VPon Thursday the 21 th of this instant March 1643. our Brigade being quartered at Midhurst our Major Generall Browne received Orders from Sir William Waller to advance toward Winchester to a Towne called Trafford which accordingly he did with incredible speed almost at an houres warning and that night arrived there which we found to be a small Village not above seven or eight houses to quarter all our men there we met with much hardship staying for Orders till the Lords day following Upon Monday the 25. we marcht forwards to joyne with Sir William Wallers maine Body which accordingly we did and that night were appointed to Quarter at Westmean three miles distant from the maine Body where wee found a Partee of the Enemies Horse when our Quarter-masters entred the Towne which occasioned some action though not much considerable we onely tooke a Quarter-master prisoner The next day which was Tuesday we lay still onely our Scouts brought in some Prisoners 6 Troopes incountring with 16 of the Enemies put them to flight and brought away 3 of them prisoners The day following we discovered the Enemy who tooke some few of our men that were stragling from their Colours and soone after appeared in a great Body upon the hill on the left hand of the Towne intending as some Prisoners confessed to take us at Church it being the Fast day but it pleased God who foresaw the Plot to prevent the danger directing us to keepe the Fast the Wednesday before when we lay still at Midhurst so that we were provided to entertaine them and drew our men into a Body neere the Town which done Orders came to march away which accordingly we did in the Forlorne-Hope expecting the enemy every houre to fall upon us so that wee were forced to make a stand a mile or more from the Towne in extreame danger till Sir William Wallers Forces came up from Eastmean to joyne with us then we marcht along till we came neere to Cheeriton to a place called by some Lamborough-field where we quartered all night the Enemy lying upon Sutton-Common and some part of them neerer to us so neere that the Sentinels could heare one another talke Upon Thursday morning a commanded Partee was sent to view the Enemie which they did and encountered with a Forlorne-hope of the Enemies and behaved themselves very bravely so that day was spent in skirmishes where much gallantry and true valour was shewed by our Horse especially two men whose names I do not well remember to the perpetuall honour of the Actors and great admiration of the Spectators by whose meanes a considerable Partee was once engaged and the Enemy came on with a great Body which appearing we discharged one Gun which did such execution in our sight that they all fled This day a Councill of Warre was called by both parties both by us and the Enemy as since we are informed and the ingagement was such that of necessity they must give battaile or retreat with much dishonour the next morning we prepared for the Worke and having sought to God for assistance we did addresse our selves to the Service in the first place a Forlorne-hope was drawn out of our Brigade foure Files out of a Company led on by Captaine Tomson a stout man who were sent to take possession of a wood which lay on the right hand betweene us and the enemy which they obtained with ease in the Enemies sight but such was their policy that they fore-seeing the necessity of our gaining the wood if ever we gave battell to them in that place planted their Drakes on the farther side of the Wood which they discharged upon our men so thicke that the place was not tenible though the greatest part of Musketeers and some others were drawn up to them so that they were forced to retreat in one houres space which gave great encouragement to the Enemy who presently came on with their maine body of horse very powerfully and were met as couragiously yet being of the greater number for our whole
Plymouths Commander in Chiefe Lieutenant Colonell Martine having timely intelligence upon the 18th of April last past between 4 and 5 of the Clock in the morning issued out with 17 Colours of Foot and 3 Troops of Horse the Forlorne Hope being Commaâ—ded by Captain Owen who not knowing the way came upon the Enemies Scouts unawares who would have fired upon them but by a speciall providence of God their Carbines would not off whereupon Captaine Owen safely advanced with his Souldiers to the Quarters of his Enemies-Foot-Souldiers fell upon them all pell-mell and at last forced them to retreat and to make what haste they could to sanctuary in the Church in the said Towne from the Steeple whereof the Enemy fired very violently upon our men and many of them shot from divers places round about the Church and others from the Houses but their surie was soone abated for our men fell in upon them most courageously and tooke two whole companyes of them compleat with their colours and drums 2 barrels of powder besides store of match with 40 horse there were also about 20 of the enemies souldiers drowned in their flight endeavouring to swim over Salt-Ash in Cornwall Our men heard since this defeat that Greenvile himselfe was in the Towne whereof had they had true and timely notice in all probabillity they had then surprized him On the Fryday following which was about April the 20. or 21. in the morning the enemies horse againe faced our workes upon which â—odain attempt our men could not be kept in but out they would upon them at which time about 60 of ours sallying forth pursued them as far as Plympton-bridge neere which place their maine strength lay but ours were so provident and circumspect as not to adventure too fare but had given them such a brave alarum as put them to a nonplus what to doe But ours I say not intending to hazard themselves so unequally unlesse a very faire advantage had been offered made a very faire and safe retreat our forlorne hope in this sally being led by valiant Captain Holme who fell upon one of their workes killed two in it and one brave Cavalier of quallity besides who with his horse was slaine by a shot from a piece of ordnance and many other also were slaine about that time by severall shots from Mount-Goâ—ld And thus was Plymouth bravely cleared for the most part some three miles about whereby they had a fit opportunity to cut downe two woods neere the Towne and supplyed themselves well with fuell which had beene one of their former greatest wants Much also about the same time we were credibly advertised by an expresse from Gloucester that that ever most renowned Governour Colonell Massey sent forth a party thence which joyned with the forces under the command of Colonell Fox and some other small parties from the garrisons of Warwicke and Coventry and entred Eusum where they tooke 80 of the kings Cormorants prisoners with much provision and many armes and at the same time they obtained a very good booty at Wych and other garrisons of the enemy in Worcestershire from whence they brought away diverse prisoners and performed all this with the losse only of 4 men of theirs who were taken straying from their companies and carryed prisoners into Worcester And about the third of this instant May 1644. this active and resolute Commander Colonell Fox went forth from Tamworth accompanyed with not above 64 men and that night came to Budeley a very considerable garrison Towne of the enemies At his comming to the first Court of guard in the Town he boldly commanded them it being in the night to make way for some of the Princes Regiment who desired to quarter in the Town that night which was immediately granted unto him both by that and the second guard at the chaines and so being thus come to the entrance into the Towne his men slew 5 or 6 of the Sentinells and thereby possessed themselves of the Town and set a guard at divers of the doores where the commanders officers and men of quallity lay all which he tooke with most of their common-souldiers there being about an 120 in all From thence he went to a great Mannour-house not farre from the Towne where he surprized Sir Thomas Litleton a Parliament-man and some other gentlemen tooke thence 4 brave Flaundersmares and great store of provision all which with 40 most gallant horse of the Kings Cormorants and as many prisoners together with Sir Thomas hee brought into Coventry the very next morning about which time all the neighbouring Cormorants and garrison-souldiers thereabout were raised up in armes with an intent to have rescued their friends thus taken captives and carryed away from them but blessed be God they came a day after the fair and according to that old proverbe When the steed was stoln then they would have shut the stable doore for all the prisoners and prizes were safely housed in Coventry About the 6. of this instant May came a most full and exact relation testified under the hand of that learned and truly religious minister of God Mr Goad Chaplain to the right honourable and most renowned Earl of Manchester concerning the prosperous proceedings and victorious atchievments of this most viâ—tuous and valiant Generall especially of the famous winning of Lincolne and so consequently the regaining of all that whole County and of the frighting and forcing of those most odious and enormous devouring Cormorants from all their Augean-stalls aud holds therein which relation for the Readers better content and fuller satisfaction therin I have thought fit here to insert together with some small addition out of another very authenticke and unquestionable author which came to my hands which were as followeth After the most renowned and successefull Earle of Mancesters army had marched toward Huntington and from thence to Oundell and the Townes adjacent the Lord Generall himselfe met it at a place called WaterinHeath where the Rendevouz was appointed to be from whence we marched to Stamford and quartered there till we were in some measure furnisht with ammunition fit for a neerer advance toward the enemy During our abode at Stamford intelligence was carryed to the enemies being then at Grimsthorp and Sleeford with a purpose to fortifie those two places being chief inlets into Holland and those parts but my Lord speedily sending out a party though but small whereof the enemy hearing before ours did approach them they quitted Grimsthorpe not having made any workes at all about it My Lord being farther advertised that the enemy lay almost all over the County of Lincolne raising money and levying men by the Commission of Array and miserably plundring the Country his Lordship forthwith sent out another party under the command of the Lieutenant Generall Cromwell consisting of about 2000 horse and dragoones upon whose advance they quitted Sleeford where they had begun a
it may remaine on record as a Monument of their Gratitude to the God of heaven to all Posterity A true Copy of a Warrant sent from the Committee of Kent to all the Ministers in that County for the Celebration of the 21th day of May a day of Thankesgiving for their deliverance from the late Rebellion and for other mercies to that County WHereas the goodnes of God hath been wonderfully manifested toward this County in the speedy suppression of the late rebellion and the severall defeats and disappointments of the Enemy approaching this County with great Armies all threatning the ruine and destruction of the whole County The Committee therefore hold themselves obliged to invite the County while there is opportunity to a general acknowledgement of these unexpected and undeserved mercies and have therefore Ordered and appointed Tuesday the 21th of May 1644 to be observed by all the Inhabitants of this County as a day of thankesgiving to Almighty God for so great deliverance and lengthning our tranquillity in the middest of a deluge of warre And all the Ministers in this County are heereby required in their respective Churches to observe the said day of thankesgiving and to exhort and excite the people to acknowlege and improove the said multiplied deliverances in a spirituall way that God may have the sole honour and glory of them all in all our praises To the Minister of c. You are to publish this Order in the Church on the next Lords day And heere I cannot omit one thing but must crave leave of the Reader to mention it namely the renowned worth and high valuation we all ought to have of that ever to be honoured and most honest hearted Patriot of his Countrey the Earle of Pembrooke who not long since most nobly and heroically engaged his person purse and credit in the raising of monies for the service of that famous Garrison Towne of Lyme and other parts in the West and how he offered most freely to morgage his whole Estate to raise monies for the preservation of those Townes in the West that stand so firme and faithfull to the Parliament And that on the 17. of this instant he did publikely declare himselfe to be so farre and so fully satisfied in the most couragious and wise proceedings of the House of Commons that he for his particular was faithfully resolved to live and dye with them and hath all along most clearely evidenced his constant loyalty to the Parliament and cause of God without the least ignoble thought of base desertion or tergiversation from it from the first to this very present A rare example and true trophie of Nobility in him About the 22th of this instant May we had certaine intelligence by Letters out of Yorkeshire that Cawood Castle in that County was surrendred up to that most valiant and virtuous Commander Sir Iohn Meldrum for the use of the King and Parliament about 4 of the clocke in the afternoone wherein were 25 Armes 4 Pieces of Ordnance 4 barrels of Powder all the bagge and baggage therein also was delivered up Lunsdale the Governour thereof and all the Commanders surrendred themselves into our hands upon onely Quarter for their lives The Common Souldiers to goe home taking the Covenant which was performed accordingly Sir George Duncombe who contributed much to the surrender of this place tooke the Covenant and came in to the most noble Lord Fairfax This was the same Duncombe that was the most active man in raising the King Forces in Yorkeshire to set on foot this not Brittish but brutish warre for which good act his Majestie knighted him and the reason why he now became out of love with the Kings service as himselfe said was because his Majesty contrary to his promise and faith imployed Papists in Command whom at the beginning to the delusion of the people he seemingly banisht from the Court at Yorke And by Letters of the 24th of this instant wee were certified that the foresaid most couragious and valiant Commander Sir Iohn Meldrum had the Isle and Fort of Ayremouth delivered up unto him with all the Armes Ordnance and Ammunition therein So that by this meanes a cleare and free passage was opened even from Hull to Owz-Bridge which till now the Fort at Ayremouth and Cawood-castle did interrupt It was also further certified in the same Letters that Shovels Pickaxes Spades and other materials were brought in aboundance to the Leaguer at Yorke and above 10000 Countrey-men came in some voluntarily others by compulsion to helpe to make their approaches neere the City to batter it Much also about the same time we were certainly enformed by Letters from Abington that the King with his two great Armies Commanded by Forth and Hopton durst not bid battell to the Parliaments most noble Lord Generall the Earle of Essex on Wantage Downes where his Excellencie drew in Battalia to salute them but that they fled backe not daring neither to goe Westward to Abington whereupon my Lord Generall sent out a Partie of 3000 Horse and Foot Commanded by that thrice noble and worthyly honoured Commander the Lord Roberts Field-Marshall and the Horse by Sir Philip Stapleton Lieutenant Generall of the Horse who came in with such courage and brave resolution that 5000 of the Enemies fled in disorder and left the Towne to the Lord Roberts who on the Lords Day May 26 entred Abington in the morning the most noble Lord Gen being to quarter there that night The Enemy tooke such a flight on this pursuit that they hastily marched from Abington with most of their Artillery and Magazine to Oxford but yet 80 Wagons and 5000 Foot and Horse passed by Oxford toward Islip the way to Worcester Commanded by Sir Ralph Hopton This Partie also was soone dis-heartned by 18 Troopes under Command of that valiant active and undaunted Gentleman Captaine Temple who was sent from Newport Pannell with those Horse to discover the Enemy but not to engage himselfe But this brave not spirited Gallant would be in action and fell upon 3 Troopes of the Enemies quartered at Islip whereof Astons owne Troop was one and tooke there 50 Horse Sir Fortescue not that faithlesse wretch which you may imagine 17 more Prisoners 8 packs of Kersey from Exeter and 150. l. in ready money and gave such an alarme to the enemy that those Horse fled from Islip to Oxford gave Hopton the alarme in his March to Islip that all of them cryed out Essex is come Essex is come whereupon the gates of Oxford were shut up and they would not suffer even Astons owne Troop for a while to enter Such a terrour and amazement strooke the hearts of these gracelesse guilty and Conscience-wounded Enemies of God and goodnesse About the same time also his Excellencie being in those parts about Oxford and finding the Countrey extreamly pillaged and impoverished by the Kings Cormorants he most wisely and mercifully
joy of Gods people and the extreame terrour of the malignant Papisticall and Atheisticall adversaries of the great and glorious Cause of God there was a generall muster of all the City forces yet remaining within the line of Communication besides 6 Regiments of the City forces then abroad upon the publique service which were found to be no lesse than 12 regiments of foot of the London Train'd bands containing 40 companies Also Sir Iames Harringtons regiment being the Train'd bands of Westminster and that liberty containing 8 companies Colonell Hudsons regiment being that of Southwarke containing also 8 companies Also 4 regiments of Auxiliaries containing 20 companies within the City Colonell Willoughbies regiment being the Auxillaries of the Hamlets containing also 8 companies In all 48. All the companies of each severall regiment being more than 6 Companies in a Regiment were taken for a guard for the City and Parliament The rest being 12 Regiments 6 Companies in a Regiment marched about Noon on Thursday May 30. 1644. to Hyde-Parke where Tents were pitcht and Ordnance planted and whither the Right Honourable Sir John Wollaston then Lord Mayer of London together with the Right honourable the Lady Majoresse and other Ladies and Gentlewomen in about 30 Coaches went to see this famous Muster performed and where met them divers of the Lords and 〈◊〉 of Parliament who were there entertained in great State together with all the brave Colonels and Commanders The other 12 were thus disposed of 7 Companies to Guard the Works and Forts upon the Northside of the River 2 Companies to Guard the Southern side 1 Company for Westminsterh The other 2 Guarded the City one Company thereof at the Exchange the other Company halfe at the Tower-hill and the other at Pauls The names of the Colonels whose Regiments went forth were these The Right Honourable the Lord Mayors of the City of London Col. Atkins Col. Penningtons Col. Adams Col. Warners Col. Towers Col. Haringtons Col. Hâ—â—sons Col. Towes Col. Willoughbies Col. Shepheards and Colonell Harsnets This good Reader is here mentioned not to cause our hearts to be lifted up with pride by the Reedish-props of the arme of flesh No God forbid it God the searcher of all hearts knowes I am for from it and should much grieve if any should make such a sinister use of it but unfeinedly desiring in the words and with the spirit of the prophet Hosea to â—â—y out and confesse that Ashut shall not save 〈◊〉 we will noâ— ride 〈◊〉 horses nor will wee say to the workes of our hands ye are our gods for in thee the fatherlesse findeth mercy No I say I only doe it to shew forth the admirable power and great pitty of the Lord toward us who thus graciously raised us up and Remembred us in our â—owestate for his mercy endureth for ever But now to go on About the 3â— of this 〈◊〉 May we had certain intelligence that Russell-Hall in Staffordshire was surrendred to the noble Earle of Denbigh who managed the worke there with singular martiall prudence and prowesse There was taken in it Colonell Lane and divers other commanders at least 〈◊〉 other prisoners and all the 〈◊〉 in the House They tooke there also above 10000 l. worth of goods and wares that had beene plundered and pillaged from the carriers comming from London and other parts going toward Lancashire this being observed to have beene one of the most thee â—ing garrisons of the royall Cormorants in all that County in that they had sometimes taken 7 â—â—ore packs at a time from the Country so that 〈◊〉 piece of service hath much advantaged the security of the Country there about both in reguard they may have more free and fearlesse passage for the time to come to Coventry and London and also in reguard that a greater part of the goods thus taken will be restored to the proper owners And much about the same time we were for certain enformed by letters from Plymouth that the garrison therein sallying forth with a considerable party fell upon the enemies quarters at a place called Milbrooke 2 miles from thence where they tooke 9 pieces of ordnance a 150 prisoners a 100 cowes and 300 sheepe In which encounter 10 of the enemies were slain and 6 of ours And Colonell Martyn the brave Governour thereof did then also certifie that hee was in a good posture of defence onely that he desired some farther supply of provision to be sent unto him for which purpose 3 barks were speedily laden with victuals and all other necessaries for reliefe of the said brave Towne and faithfull inhabitants thereof Much also about the same time came certaine information by letters from Nottingham to London that that valiant and faithfull Governour of Nottingham castle Colonell Hutchinson whom neither the power nor the promises of the atheisticall Marquesse of Newcastle could ever make to startle from his loyalty and sincere obedience to the Parliament had lately sent forth a party of horse toward Newarke where they encountred with a party of the enemies horse under the command of Captain Thimbleby and Captain Cartwright and after a hot skrimish and brave bickering forcing them to fly they tooke in the pursute between 50 and 60 horse and about 20 officers and gentlemen prisoners among whom was Captain Cartwright and a Captain Lieutenant whom the acute Rhetorick of their swords perswaded to keepe them company to Nottingham-castle the foresaid Captain Thimbleby being slain in the fight And finally about the end of this Moneth of May came certain Newes of divers letters intercepted dated at Lyme May 24. under the hands of Portescue formerly a Parliamenterian Ashburnham her Majesties bed-chamber friend and some others of that stamp who informed their great masters Bristol and Heath by those letters that that villanous Town of Lyme had destroyed more brave gentlemen of the West and men of honour than had been lost in all the West since these wattes began But that they were resolved once more to storme it for a farewell and would dispute it line by line and worke by work yet feared they should be forced to leave the siege else the Country people they said would cut their throats they were so bent for the Parliament at Westminster And shortly after according to the tenour of the foresaid Letter they assaulted this brave Towne whereupon the Towne-Souldiers suffered them to make a breach in their Workes and then ran away from the defence of the Worke as if indeed they had fled away from the Enemy but by that time that 3 or 4 hundred of the Enemies were entred the breach they instantly made use of the advantage and cut off and tooke every man of them Prisoners with their Armes and Ammunition and had the slaughter of the Enemy from other of their Works and thus by Gods great mercy beat off their Enemy and rested safe and secure for this time also And here
now having thus happily finished this Months Voyage I shall desire to cast Anchour and put to shore and make a little stay desiring the Christian Reader with me to make a briefe review and succinct recitall of all the rich Merchandize of this Moneths Voyage the better to raise up our soules to a just and gratfull valuation and admiration of them As First the brave defeat and repulse of the Enemies at Plymouth And Colonell Foxes valiant and active performances and taking of Budely-house in Worcestershire The most successefull progresse of the most renowned Earle of Manchesters Forces in Lincolnshire and taking of the Towne and Castle of Lincolne The Pious Ordinance of Parliament for the demolishing of all Organs and Superstitious Monuments of Popery in Churches and Chappels or else where together with valiant Captaine Swanleys yet farther brave exploits in Wales And Colonell Massies at or about Gloucester The brave Citizens of Londons Petition for the re-establishment of the State-Committee and the happy result thereof Together with more of renowned Colonell Massies brave performances about the adverse Garrisons neere Gloucester Lyme Stormed and its Enemies bravely repulsed The renowned Lord Generalls advance of his Army Westward and a day of Humiliation set a part in London to seeke the Lord for a blessing on it And Devon and Corwalls defection from the bloody and barbarous Irish A most devillish designe and pestilent plot to have undone Scotland and England too by a divertive Warre but most blessedly crost and prevented with the discomfiture and disgrace of those that plotted and acted it A brave and briefe description of the state of that famous Garrison at Lime Together with a brave prize taken at Sea by the most noble Earle of Warwicks Ships And Kents pious pattern of gratitude to God for its great deliverance The truely Noble Earle of Pembrookes love and loyalty to the Parliament attested Cawood-castle And Ayremouth Isle and Fort taken by valiant and virtuous Sir Iohn Meldrum in the Northerne parts of the Kingdome The most renowned Lord Generals prosperous progresse and advance with his Army into the West Valiant Captain Temples brave exploit at Islip The gratulatory Message sent by the Parliament in England to the Parliament in Scotland More of renowned Colonel Masseys admirable activity and the Parliaments most worthy gratifying of his good Service And lastly Englands great wonder to Gods great glory in the famous Muster of so many thousand Souldiers in and about the City of London all compleatly Armed notwithstanding so many Armies abroad in the Field before it The taking of Russell-house that notoriously theevish Garrison Together with the brave defeate given to Newarke by Nottingham Garrison And the brave condition of that famous Towne of Lime notwithstanding the long and tedious Siege against it All which being rightly regarded and seriously laid to heart have we not still great and just cause to see and say that God hath most triumphantly carried and borne up his holy Arke the Parliaments blessed Cause above all the raging and roaring billowes and swelling surges of the turbulent Ocean of this our greatly distracted and disturbed Nation carrying it on I say most smoothly with pleasant gales of good things bestowed and preserving it most happily from malice and mischiefe threatned And therefore how great cause hath England in almost infinitely bounden gratitude to confesse with holy David and sincerely to say Lord thou art good and thou doest good And therefore also to exult and rejoyce in the Lord our God yea and as good David saith To make our boast of God all the day long and to praise his name for ever and ever With a Selah Especially since as the holy Spirit of God himselfe declareth in Hannahs sweet Song There is none holy as the Lord for indeed there is none beside him neither is there any Rocke like our God Talke no more therefore so exceeding proudly ô yee Atheisticall Malignants and Popish Irish-Rebels let not such arrogancie come out of your mouth for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed Yea and as holy Iob saies He is most wise in heart and mighty in strength Who hath hardned himselfe against him and hath prospered ANd now I shall againe put out our blessed Barke to Sea hoise up our Sailes and launch forth into the Deepe and prosecute this our next ensuing Moneths Voyage wherein we shall see how the Lord still carries on his glorious Arke the Parliaments Cause above all the furious Floods and raging Waves of its outragious and impious Adversaries And in the first place I shall desire to remember the Reader how it most graciously pleased the Lord to bring off his blessed Arke from a very dangerous and death-threatning Shelfe of devouring Quick-sands and most safely and securely to set it afloat againe carrying it on with most pleasant and prosperous gales I meane the happy and honourable releiving and raising of the Seige of that long beseiged and greatly straightned famous Towne of Lime in Dorsetshire a most full exact and true relation wherof sent in a Letter to a friend at London and comming to my hands I have thought fit here to insert for the Readers better content and satisfaction which was as followeth An exact and true relation of the relieving of the most resolute Garrison of Lime in Dorsetshire Sir I Have written one Letter to you since I came into this Bay where also I have received yours I blesse God for present health onely much sadnesse of spirit is contracted from the sad spectacles which besieged Lime continually offers to our view a Towne which deserves aboundance of pitty and love they being so constantly under the violence of a cruell Enemy But God hath brought our most noble Lord Admirall to this Towne to a singular purpose it tending directly to the preserving of that distressed Towne it not having in it at his Lordships comming above a dayes bread and a small quantity of ammunition There were then in the Town 4000 Soules whereof a 1000 in garrison who though they wanted shoes stockings cloathes and pay and had not departed from Lyme since the beginning of the siege yet were all of them resolved to stand out to the last man and when they could doe no more to breake through the Enemy with their swords At my Lords first comming he sent on shoar neere 40 barrels of powder and some match which came along with his Lordship purposely for their reliefe The ships under his Lordships Command did before his comming spare what provisions they could none comming from any other parts and the passages by sea being neer blockt up his Lordship contracted for 350. l. worth of corn and other provisions being then bound for Plymouth to be sold there and tooke order to send it into the Towne himsefe undertaking the price The condition and courage of the besieged did so prevail with our seamen
that out of their poore overplus they sent them above 30 pair of boots a 100 pair of shoes a 160 pair of stockings some linnen and old cloathes and some quantity of fish and bread which they had formerly saved out of their sea-allowance They did also unanimously give one 4th part of their bread for the next 4 Moneths amounting to 9000 waight which their hard labour and constant duty might advise them to have reserved rather for their owne beâ—lies My Lord and the ships with him determined to spare them 2000 weight of bread more and some quantities of beefe porke shot fish and other necessaries Some of our Seamen also being desired by the Town to looke to the line while 600 of the garrison sallyed out on the Enemy hereupon 300 men were resolved to be sent But the same day the Towne received a terrible storme from the Enemy yet with litle advantage to the besiegers they loosing about 60 and the Town but 8 men only some of their Commanders were then hurt viz. Colonell Ware was shot in the belly but not dangerously and Lieutenant Col. Blake was slightly hurt in the foot The Townsmen of the 3 Captaines that led up the forlorne hope killed one Captain Southern who had on the L. Pawlets own armour and tooke prisoner another viz. Captain Aston who was the next day brought aboard our ship This Captain Aston is brother to a servant of Mr. Ketchmar in Fish-street in London the Enemy refused to take off their dead resolving in the pride of their heart to bury them and take the Town altogether But God afterward corrected their daring and presumptuous cruelty The garrison being much encouraged by this good successe resolved to prosecute their former purpose of sallying out and in pursuance thereof the 300 men were sent safely on shore though to make good their landing 3 or 4 of the Townsmen were slain The same day his Lordship determined to send 2 of his ships and all the ship-boats fitted with men toward Charmouth Bird-port and other places about 6 miles from Lyme that the Enemies opinion of our landing men in those parts might draw off the horse whereby the sally might be more secure and advantageous And so accordingly immediately after the ships and boates were sent out at a time signified from the Towne by shooting off a gun from Daves-Fort and giving an alarum on the East-shoar they obtained what was in designe For all the day long 4 or 5 troopes of horse and some hundreds of Foot attended the moving of the ships and boates from whence divers great shot and small shot played on them which forced the Enemy to cast up a brest-worke by the Sea-side for their defence Now the Enemy mistooke our intention supposing that these boats had in the night taken men out of the Towne with purpose to set them on shore to get provisions into the Town or to fall on the reare and thereby thinking the Town to be weakned and therefore on the same day appointed by the Town for they sally aforesaid they assaulted the Town with great fury from about 6 at night to about 8 of the clocke in all which time there was such a continuall peal of small and great shot that the Town seemed to be all on a flame Twice the Enemy made an orderly retreat appearing each time in a body of about a 1000 men The third assault was most violent the Enemy advancing with brave resolution and being as gallantly received by the Townsmen A litle after 8 of the clocke there was a remitting of the former fury and about 9 almost a generall silence There were slain of the Enemies in this assault as some of the Town clearly computed at least 400 and of the garrison not above 6 or 7 at the most killed and wounded whereof Major Townsend was one who was shot in the head but was alive at the first relation hereof Among the slain of the Enemies there was found one Gentleman that came that morning from Exeter with letters for Oxford whither he would fain have carryed the newes of the taking of Lyme but God prevented him both in his journey and newes and the letters were found in his pocket and sent to London the principall thing imparted in them being That they found the wayes to Oxford began to be obstructed that the Queene was better I hardly believe it than formerly and much comforted in Doctor Miroons comming unto her But to proceed At last there was a parley sent to the Towne the Enemy now desiring leave to bury their dead which before they had scorned And about this time came some more reliefe to the Towne by Sea in the afternoone of which day the Enemy had fired the Towne yet but houses burnt and afterward againe another part of the Towne was fired which flame and combustion increased so as to burn down twenty new houses there And now you may easily judge the state of poor Lyme but if you had seene it as it was continually before us your eyes certainly would have beene much affected considering that such brave and gallant spirits very worth a whole nation indeed should bee the subjects on which the rage and madnesse of a base and cruell Enemy was from day to day exercised and implacably imprinted Who ever had then but rightly known their merit and condition I am confident they would not onely compassionate them but relieve them But what was wanting in men was mightily supplyed by the power and providence of Heaven Whose salvation had been all along as their Wals and Bulwarks And to manifest this the more cleerly I may not here omit that at the late storming of this Town one woman shot off 16 muskets upon the Enemy and the women of the Town generally did fill the Souldiers bandileers while they fought And it was credibly enformed by honest inhabitants of Lyme that a maid that had had one of her hands cut off in the fight being asked what course shee would take to live now shee had lost of her hands Truly said Christ for whose Cause I am as willing and ready to loose not onely my other hand but my life also A sweet and most Saint-like speach indeed Such admirable courage it pleased the Lord to infuse into the hearts of all the inhabitants in all the time of this long and sharpe Siege the continuance of their dangers having it seemed much blunted the sense and feare of their dayly dangers retaining in their spiris a constant cheerefulnesse as being strongly perswaded yea and certainely knowing they should have deliverance either from the affliction or by it as was then immediatly after that last and fore assault before mentioned most happily visible to their eyes and sight For Maurice and his mischievous Mates being tyred with the siege and their intollerable losses and terrified with the fear of the Lord Generalls hourly expected approach
the full and cleare raising of that famous Siege to the perpetuall shame and disgrace of Maurice Pawlet Stoell Ashburnham Strangewayes and others which was confirmed by a Letter sent by the most renouned Earl of Warwick Lord Admirall to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Peers in Parliament and by Master Iesops Letter also and others the substance of all which in effect was this That since the most Noble and ever to be honoured Earl of Warwicke performed that brave Service in so timely relieving Lyme in the deepest of its distresse and continued there observing the occurrences and carriage of affaires as well without as within the Town and that the Enemyes had in the space of 4 or 5 dayes shot many Volleys of great and small shot into the Town but most unsuccessefully the besieged answering them still as courageously as ever at the first Hopton also comming to the Leaguer and hoping to have made some recruite of his broken fragments but was refused and at Dartmouth also whither he came with but 7 Horse giving out there that he was to raise an Army of 15000 men if hee could have got them and Maurice also now tyred with so â—oylesome a worke and terrified also with fear of the Parliaments Lord Generalls approach into those parts and especially to this Town to free it of its fear of his forces and unneighbourly neighbourhood that thus I say after the Enemies losse of at least an 105 Officers besides some more superiour Officers and commanders 25 Gunners and above 2000 common souldiers more than they lost at Bristol and Exeter as some of themselves confest Prince Maurice on sad and serious consideration of all these disasters and many more about June the 14th by two of the clock in the morning quite raised this his siege and went clear away to Exeter After whose departure the noble Lord Admirall Master Iesop and many others going into Lime to view the Townes line and the Enemies workes and truely comparing the very great slendernesse of the Towns line with the extraordinary strength and solidity of all the Enemies Works they could not but greatly admire what had been done by them and were forced most freely to confesse and grant that the defence of Heaven was meerly and cleerly their munition of rocks and that it was little lesse than a miracle that they should hold out so long and violent a Siege especially the Towne standing at the bottome of two hills and their Workes so low and thinne that in many places one might have runne over them and a strong hand might have thrust them downe they being in effect as it were paper or pasteboord walles and in the latter end of the siege the Enemies outragiously shooting into the Towne barres of Iron pieces of Anchors and great Shot blowne up to as great a measure of heat as was possible they having a Forge on purpose which falling on Houses fired many yet were sodainely quenched with onely hurt not death of but three men insomuch that all that saw and considered these things could not choose but with admiration ingenuously confesse that certainely there was never more valour and undantednesse of spirit shewn in the world against a potent and pestilent Enemy than was in thus defending this place and that every man deserved as the most noble Earle of Warwicke himselfe there publikely professed some eminent badge of honour to remaine to their posterity in memoriall of this most famous Siege About the time of the end of the Siege some 26 of the Enemies side came in unto the Lord Admirall freely and faithfully proffering their service to the Parliament among whom was Lievtenant Fair an Officer of the Lord Brogall brother to the Lord Inchiquin and 10 also of Inchiquins Regiment came in unto them One Irish woman left behinde was slaine and almost pull'd in pieces by the women of Lime In the Siege many houses were burnt and yet a Granado falling into a roome in one house and breaking upon a bed wherein lay 3 children not one of them had any harme there was scarce a house in the whole Towne that was not battered and scarce a roome into which shot had not beene made At one last great fire in the Towne two maides carying betweene them a vessell of water had three of their hands shot off One of these t is probable was that honest maid that spake so christianly as was forementioned in the reliefe of Lime touching the losse of one of her hands In all this the most noble and renowned Lord Admiralls pious and singular charitable affection to the Towne gained a most just acknowledgement from them That they all did owe their lives under God to his most honourable Lordship But above all all honour and praise is most due to the great God of Lime in this his mighty and even miraculous deliverance of it it being also a businesse of so great consequence as by Gods mercy to bring in the whole West Countrey who resolved long before to obey no command on the other side till Lime was taken O had Prince Maurice but obtained one Commander of the Parliaments that is God and their good Cause what a Victor might he have proved with but halfe the strength which by relation hee brought of the Country people thereabout The Enemies cursed the unlucky houre as they called it of their comming thither having lost as I said before from the first to the last at least 2 or 3000 Souldiers and the Town but six score men with the most Ever praised be the great God of battailes for it And thus the Lord at last to the glory of his great name and joy of his servants set Lime at liberty from all their former feares and dangers To all which mercies let me adde this as a prime result of them all that I make no doubt but that the prayers put up at that instant on their behalfe both aboard our Ships and in other parts of the Kingdome were a speciall and speedy meanes to shorten their dangers shelter their persons and hasten this their happy deliverance The thus happy relieving of this brave Garrison of Lime by the ever renowned and most highly to be honoured Earle of Warwick was and that most deservedly taken by the Parliament as a most singular and acceptable service done to the Kingdome who thereupon Ordered That a Letter of thankes should be sent unto him from both the Houses of Parliament for his great care love and loyalty therein And that not onely this brave Garrison of which we may say as the Damesels sang before the Arke That Saul had slain his thousand but David his ten thousand So other Garrisons have slaine their thousand done very bravely but this of Lime it s ten thousands far out-stript them all to encourage I say not onely this Garrison but that the whole Kingdome might as well
the Parliaments Cause above all the boisterous Billowes and swelling Surges which have tost and tumbled it too and fro purposing thereby to have over-topt or over-turned it but our God I say who is Soveraigne Lord of Sea and Land hath borne up the beautifull Sailâ—s of his blessed Arke and carryed it on most comfortably and brought it home safely to its home and harbour And therefore who can be so stupid and stony-hearted as not to acknowledge but that this is the Lords owne Worke and it is marvellous in our eyes and therefore in spirituall exultation to sing out with holy David and say The waters saw thee O God the proud waves and waters of the world even wicked and bloody men and were afraid before thee and the great depths were troubled at thee So that as Moses also sang The Children of Israel went into the the middest of them upon dry ground and the mighty waters were so farre from drowning or destroying them that they were a wall of safe-guard on their right and on their left hand to defend them And therefore as the foresaid sweet Singer of Israel Not unto us Lord not unto us but to thy great name be all the praise and glory of all these rare and rich mercies of all these many and mighty Deliverances But now to proceed ANd now we shall by Gods safe assistance put forth to Sea again with our blessed Barke the Arke of our God even our most righteous Cause and make this our next Moneths Voyage and begin first wiâ—h a present touch upon the Parliaments most renowned Lord Generalls successefull proceedings in the Westerne parts of the Kingdome From whence wee were certified by Letters from Chard that about the latter end of the last moneth and beginning of this there came in unto his Excellency within the circuit of twelve miles at lâ—st 4000 men who were all drawn into Rankes and Files in a Meadow whither his Excellency came to welcome them together with the noble Lord Roberts Lord Marshall of the Field who made an excellent speech unto them which they most cheerefully accepted with great and frequent acclamations they all offering themselves to live and dye in the Parliaments Cause and this in part confirmes what I mentioned before touching these West Countreymen at Dorchester Plymouths brave Garison also offered to take the Field with the most noble Lord Roberts who was Ordered aud resolved to goe into Cornwall and a part of that Garrison went out at that time about seven miles from Plymouth beat up a quarter of the Enemies tooke 44 Horse with their Riders Prisoners were pursued by that Skellum Greenvill but he also was beaten backe in great disorder with the losse of divers of his men Colonell Arundell a Member of the Oxford Junto and Major Wiseheart were slaine Colonell Digby brother to the traiterous Lord Digby wounded in the face and Greenvile himselfe closely put to it for his life but escaped the Gallowes as yet Much about the same time we were also informed by Letters out of Darbysh that that most worthy and active Patriot S. Ioh. Gel having sent 3 troops of horse 2 troops of dragoons to the E. of Denbigh then in Lancashire had also a small party of Horse abroad towards Nottingham seeking adventures who were met by some of the Kings Forces from Winkefield and divers of ours by them taken Prisoners but the alarme comming to Darby a fresh Party was sent out who in Winkefield set upon the Enemy as they were carousing and rejoycing at dinner for their good successe where they recovered all their owne men tooke 80 of the Enemies Horse and Riders and brought them all safe to Darbie without the losse of one man of their owne About the 4th of this instant Iuly we had also certaine newes out of the West that the greatest part of the Garrison at Barnstable being called off by Prince Maurice who it was then said was to goe to Pendennis Castle to be a Life-guard to the Queene yet the Garrison would needs leave a stinking savour behind them of their old trade of Plundering Whereupon the Inhabitants knowing the Lord Generall was at hand tooke courage and stoutly resisted them and in the issue bravely overcame their late tyrannicall Masters Which the most noble Lord Generall understanding of presently sent them a strong Party of Horse under the Command of the noble Lord Roberts and Sir Phillip Stapleton to helpe them to beat them quite away and keep them out from returning againe And thus they most happyly shooke off that servile Yâ—akâ— of those cruell Cavees and twice repulsed young Digby and others whom Prince 〈◊〉 â—ent to have reduced them again under that banefull bondage and killed divers of them and tooke many others prisoners And now we hope they begin to taste how sweet religion and Liberty is And ô how vâ—liant they grow being now sensible I say of what it was that made their brave Brethren of Lyme with so much unheard of 〈◊〉 to fight and stand it out against such spoylers of their peace and conscience comforts Much also about the foresaid time we had certain intelligence at London by a letter sent by that brave Commander Sir Thomas Midleton to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons concerning the brave and victorious raising of the siege of Oswestree lately taken by the noble Earle of Denbigh as was forementioned who left that brave Commander Colonell Mitton Governour of the said Town and Castle and which presently after my Lords departure for Lancashire was besieged by the Kings forces of those parts under the Command of Colonell Marrow which Letter containing a full relation of the carryagâ— of the whole worke I have thought fit here to insert as it was printed and published by authority of Parliament which was as followeth To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons HONOURED SIR NOt to trouble you with vain relations whereby to hinder the other serious imployment for the Kingdomes good May it please you to be advertised That the Town of Oswestree late taken by the Forces of the Parliament under my Brother Colonell Mittons Command was upon Saturday last begun to be begirt and since strictly besieged by the Kings forces consisting of about Fifteen hundred Horse and Three thousand five hundred Foot under the command of Colonell Marrow And that thereupon in pursuance of a Councell of War's determination occasioned by â—â—â—â—arnest and importunate Letter from my Brother Colonell Mitton directed to wee for speedy reliefe and raising of the siege of the said Towne I did upon the Lords-day last past with such Forces of Horse and Foot as I then had with me and the Foot Forces of Cheshire all of us then at Knotsford upon a determinate resolution to have marched for Manchester and then for the service in the North According to enjoyment of the Committee of both
Body would passe that way But Prince Rupert understanding our preparations for him did passe on the other side the River and while a Party of his Horse did face us on the Moore which was neere a Bridge for their secure retreat at pleasure the Prince himselfe with 2000 of his Horse went into Yorke for the reliefe of that distressed people Upon this so sad and unexpected a disappointment our hearts generally were filled with sorrow but yet in the middest of our sadnesse many of us did encourage each other unto an hopefull expectation of a comfortable issue from the good hand of our God whose Name we had uncessantly supplicated for the happy speedying of this great concernment The night drawing on we marched unto Long-Marston a Town at hand where very few had either the comfort of convenient lodging or food our Souldiers did drinke the Wells drie and then were necessitated to make use of puddle water most of our Horse quartered in the Moore that night Upon Tuesday morning a Partie of the Enemies Horse having faced us a while wheeled backe out of sight which gave us cause to suspect that the maine Body was marched towards Tadcaster having relieved Yorke where he might cut off the River and so both scant us of Provisions and get downe suddenly into the South Hereupon our Foot with Artillery were commanded to advance towards Tadcaster The Scots marching in the Van that day being got almost to Tadcaster and the Earle of Manchesters Foot being two or three miles from Marston wee had a very hot alarme that the Enemy with all his strength was returned to the Moore While our Horse â—â—ced the Enemy the whole Body of Foot were called back with all theâ—speed which they possibly could make and 〈◊〉 hope of a Hattaile moved our Souldiers to returne meerily which also administred matter of Comfort unto all who belonged to the Army Before our Foot could get backe which was about two or three a clock the Enemy was possessed of the Moore a ground very advantagious and had in many small Bodies bespread themselves that their Armie did extend two miles as it s judged in length yea by the improving of this opportunity they had by divers Regiments of Muskettiers so lined the bedges ditches betwixt themselves and us that our Souldiers could not assault them without very great apparent prejudice We were compelled to draw up our Army and to place it in Battalia in a large Field of Rie where the height of the Corne together with the shoures of raine which then fell proved no small inconvenience unto our Souldiers yet being on an hill we had the double advantage of the ground and the wind Here the noble Commander Generall Lessey exercised his Martiall abilities with unwearied activity and industry He hasted from place to place to put all his Forces in Battell array which hee did to the satisfaction and admiration of all that beheld it the other two Generals acting also in their owne Armies How goodly a sight was this to behold when three mighty Armies each of which consisted of above 20000 Horse and Foot did with flying Colours prepare for the Battell and looke each other in the face The Posture of our Army when drawne up was this Most of Generall Lesley his Horse together with the Horse of the Lord Fairfax made the right wing The Earle of Manchesters Horse with some of the Scotch Horse were the left wing Generall Lesleyes Foot were on the right hand the Earle of Mancesters Foot were on the left hand of the Lord Fairfax his Foot who were the Body There were three or foure Brigads placed for a Reserve Our Army being thus marshalled toward sixe or seven of the clock we advanced about 200 paces toward the Enemy Our Cannon which had played one or two houres before from the top of the hill was drawne forward for our best advantage Our Signall was a white Paper or Handcherchiffs in our Hats Our Word was God with us The Enemies Signall was to bee without Bands and Skarffâ—s Their Word was God and the King Our Army in its severall parts moving downe the Hill was like unto so many thicke clouds having divided themselves into Brigades consisting of 800 1000 1200 1500 men in a Brigade And our Brigades of Horse consisting of 3 and some of 4 Troopes The Enemy as some Prisoners reported was amazed and daunted at our approach not expecting any assault till the next morning Upon the advancing of the Earle of Manchesters Foot after short sitings on both sides we caused the Enemy to quit the hedge in a disorderly manner where they left behind them four Drakes The Lord Fairfax his Brigade on our right hand did also beat off the Enemy from the hedges before them driving them from their Cannon also being two Drakes and one Demiculvering but being afterwards received by Marquesse Newcastles Regiment of Foot and by them furiously assaulted they made a retreat in some disorder This advantage being espyed by a body of the Enemies Horse they charged through them unto the top of the hill but one Regiment of the Earle of Manchesters Foot seeing the Enemy both Horse and Foot pursuing an advantage did speedily wheele on the right hand upon their flancke and gave them so hot a charge that they were forced to fly backe disbanded into the Moore And these Enemies were also so opportunely met in the Moore by a body of our Horse that very many of them were killed in the place and about 200 by the Scots Horse taken prisoners Before this time also Lieutenant Generall Cromwell had with much gallantry charged through and through and quite routed two of the bravest Brigades of Horse in the Enemies right wing where were the stoutest men and best horse which Prince Rupert had And our Horse and Foot with undaunted courage did put the Enemies right wing to flight forcing them both from their Cannon and Ammunition but when they came up to the Enemies left wing hoping that our right wing had done as good service as themselves they were disappointed for our Horse here was beaten back And although the Scots musketteers had fired there most bravely and to good purpose to the dissipating of the Enemies Foot yet their Horse there stood still in full body But our left wing was neither wearyed by their former hot service nor discouraged by the sight of that strength which they saw in the Enemy yet unshaken and in order but continuing ô the strength of our God in them and renuing their valour they charged every party remaining in the Field till all were fully routed and put to flight and our men most admirably beating and pursuing the Enemies about three miles at least till they came neer unto Yorke in so much that Prince Rupert himselfe and Marquesse Newcastle escaped with much difficulty being extraordinarily well Horst and had not Rupert played the creep-hedge and
Gods glory and our great comfort as witty and worthy Britanicus well noted his Majestie made Bonefires in the morning and our three foresaid noble Generalls quenched them and put them all out again before night And though now I have done with this brave Battell and famous Victory yet give me leave Good Reader to add this one note for a conclusion which I had from very credible and good information viz. That our Malignants choice Champion and stout Souldier Prince Robber as valiant and courageous as they would have the world hould him to be yet I say this great Kill-â—owe besides the losse of his dainty Dog found dead among the rest of the slain lost also his brave Beaver in the field or flight for found it was and himselfe as divers affirmed lay hid in a Bean-field as was toucht before after a litle service done in the field untill it was dark and then got away into Yorke And in the same place where the Marq. of Newcastles Commission was found there was also found a Letter signed with Charls Rex to it saluting the Marquesse of Newcastle by the name of Right Trusty and most entirely beloved Couzen and Councellor by which we may observe that he was most entirely beloved that put Armies into Papists hands to cut the troats of Protestâ—nts signifying by that Letter That his Lordship should take care that the Lord Viscount Rochford should have all his Rents paid unto him for that he was reconciled to his Majesty If then his Majesty spake truth the Lord of Rochford deserved much blame who was thereupon accused by the House of Commons for adhering to the Enemies and upon Thursday Iuly the 11. the said Lord comming to the House of Peers was saluted with an impeachment of high Treason and committed prisoner to the Black Rod. About the 12 of this instant it was for certain informed that although they at Oxford boasted much of the relieving of Greenland-House yet now by Gods mercy it was yeilded upon fair termes and moderate Articles unto Major Generall Brown and that for the present his Souldiers maintained a Garrison in it But that it was resolved on not to continue it so but to have it demolished to the ground The taking of this House was of great concernment to the City of London for by that means great quantities of provisions may be securely convayed by water to London out of Oxfordshire and Barkshire and aboundance of Wood out of the Oxford Malignants estates in those parts to serve London for fuell all the succeeding winter Much also about the same time came certain intelligence by Letters out of the Western parts of the Kingdome that the Forces of his Excellency the Parliaments most Noble Lord Generall under the Command of Sir Robert Pye and Colonell Blake had taken Taunton Castle a peice of great strength and concernment also in those parts and that in it they had taken 4 Iron peeces of Ordnance 6 Murtherers 4 Hogsheads of Beef a load of Iron great store of powder one Demi culverin 2 tun of Match one powder-Mill a great quantity of bullets 2 Loads of Cheese 2 Hogsheads of Oatmeal with great store of Salt Wheat Meal and other sorts of provision with store of Housholdstuffe and rich moveables and Colonell Reve who commanded the Castle for the King and the rest of his souldiers had quarter to March away to Bridgewater the Kings next Garrison Town About the 14th of this instant came also certain information by letters from the truely noble Lord Denbigh that whereas he had made a shew as if he would have drawn his Forces toward Shrewsbery as intending to besiege it yet indeed his private resolution 〈…〉 upon the House of the Lord Cholmley and tooke it which was a singular good 〈◊〉 of service to the State in 〈◊〉 that this House had been a very great and long mischiefe to the Country in those neer adjacent 〈◊〉 into it Much also about this foresaid time we were certified by letters out of Lincolnshire of the brave activity and valour of Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln who weekly used to fall upon the Enemy neer Newark and that at one time he took a Major a Captaine and 30 Troopers and their horses Shortly after also that issuing out again he took another Major 3 Captains and 50 horse more with their Riders within three miles of Newark The Commanders especially were good prize these not being so easily 〈◊〉 as Horses those Newarke plunderers making a shift frequently to take an 100 horse in a hight out of the Villages about them Thus that poor County of Lincoln was continually wronged and turned by that pestilent den of plunderers About the 16th of this instant came certain intelligence of some late performances and good Service done by Captain Sydenbam and Captaine Carr neer Dorchester which was informed to be thus The Lord Inchiquin drew out of Warchaâ—â— about 240 horse and Dragoons and came against Dorchester intending to plunder burn and destroy all before them but making some pause before they fell upon the Town it gave Valiant Captain Sydenham and Captain Carr the opportunity of comming to their reliefe before they had attempted the intended mischiefe and so they fell upon the said Enemies about a mie from the Town beat them soundly back again took 160 prisoners with 60 horse and good store of their late gotten plunder elsewhere loaden in a Waggon and that some of the Enemies so taken being Irish Rogues euen 8. of them thus taken had such quarter given them as they gave the Protestants 〈◊〉 Ireland viz. That they hanged them up presently they having pursued their Enemies about 12 miles killing many of them by the way About this foresaid 〈◊〉 the honourable House of Commons in Parliament took into confideration having also before it passed the bill and great businesse of Ordination of Ministers the pious and religious 〈◊〉 of a godly and learned ministery of which there was and iâ— great complaint of the 〈◊〉 of and not without cause thankes to our former wicked Bishops almost all over the whol Kingdome And thereupon they agreed that all such as shall have Ordination shall be sound men well skil'd in Philosophy Logick and in the Tongues If all these and piety especially must precede it is to be feared that an age will not furnish all the Parishes in England and Wales in such a manner How ever we have just cause to blesse the Lord most heartily for so blessed and long desired a godly resolution in them and to wait on God for the good issue thereof Much also about the 18th of this instant July came certain intimation by Letters to London from out of Leistershire that Generall Hastings that wicked Râ—b-Carrier of all those parts was at Colchetâ—â— with about 2000 horse and Foot they being all he could possibly draw out of all the Garrisons under his Command with
parts of the Kingdome that the King about this time marching with his Forces into Devonshire and passing by Chard in Sommersetshire towards Honyton in Devonshire the way to Exetor A Regiment of the Kings horse commanded in chiefe by that upstart Lord and rotten Runagado Henry Piercy who desirous as it appeared to visite Lyme took up his quarters about Collyton a Town within 3 miles of Lyme and gave them an alarme which notwithstanding the Garrison at first slighting yet after a little pawse considering and perceiving the Enemies designe was onely in a bravado to give them a visit and so a vale to return back again to Collyton and renowned Lyme doubting whether it might not be taken a little unkindly if no regreet were given on so friendly a visit Lyme therefore to acquit themselves of that suspected guilt sodainly sent out young Captain Hercules Pine Capt. Herl Capt. Bragg and some others with a partee of about an 120 horse who ere the Enemies had well digested their Supper at Collyton sodainly fell in among them took as many horse of the Enemy as they carried out with them viz. between an 100 and sixscore besides 55 prisoners whereof one was a Major of that Regiment 2 or 3 Captains and some other Officers above an 100 Armes very good pillage found about those they took and brought them all safe into Lyme that whole Regiment by this notable exploit being totally routed and dispersed But yet this brave and most active Garrison rested not here but made another gallant adventure with the like partee of horse and came to Chard in Sommersetshire 12 miles from Lyme where the King being scarce got out of the Town with his main body they surprised 11 gallant Horses all with rich saddles and furniture conceived to be the Kings own Stable horses which they brought to Lyme with some prisoners of the Enemies partee And about the 30th and 31th of this instant Iuly we were certainly informed by yet more frequent letters out of the West that upon his Excellencies the most Noble Lord Generalls advance toward Plymouth the Forces which were then under that Apostate Greenvile being about 3000 were stricken with such a panick fear that they quitted their quarters there and raised themselves from their severall trenches and holds so as his Excellencies Forces immediately after possessed themselves of severall considerable Garrisons as namely Mount-Stamford where they tooke foâ—re pieces of Ordnance Plympton where they tooke 8 pieces of Ordnance Salt Ash and in it a great Fort with some pieces of Ordnance and many Armes Lanson also and divers other small Garrisons thereabout which all instantly yeilded to my Lord Generall That presently after my Lord Generall sent a party against Greenviles-house at Tavestock Plymouth men having also about this time taken the field and being in all between 2 and three thousand Horse and Foot whither they being come those within the House hung out a white flag and desired a parley but our brave Souldiers had no patience to stand upon termes and treaties but sodainly and resolutely stormed the House got over the walls and soone entred the House they within crying out for quarter which was granted to all except bloody Irish-Rogues There was taken in the House two pieces of Cannon an 150 prisoners very neer 1000 Armes a â—oomefull of excellent good Muskets many pair of pistols excellent pillage for the Souldiers even at least 3000 pound in money and plate and other provisions in great quantity From thence his Excellency advanced toward Lanceston and tooke it and in it 40 barrells of powder And that Skellum Greenvile being gotten to Newbridge which is a passage into Cornwall his Excellency sending a considerable party thither set upon Greenviles Forces where they found some hot opposition for a while but at last ours got the bridge and Town too with the losse of some 40 of our men but there were slaine on the Enemies side neere upon 200 and many prisoners on their side taken and that a party of the noble and right valiant Lord Roberts Brigade being sent to pursue Greenvile and his Army which was reported to be neer 3000 strong horse and foot over-took him and forced their passage over Horsbridge fell fiercely on him and routed most of his forces about a place called Listithell in Cornwall where many of his men were slain and a 150 taken prisoners and that now they had no considerable Enemy left them in Cornwall so as they might proceed according to their owne designes leaving the most noble Lord Roberts with a reasonable party in Cornwall totally to keepe it downe and to reduce that whole County by presenting a full body to the East Intimating likewise that now that had advanced toward Bodmin and that in their passage from Newbridge as aforesaid they had taken Tadcaster and Foy and that in all they had taken from the Enemy 17 or 18 pieces of Ordnance and many ships of good value in Foy which the Enemy quitted and yet it was a place of great consequence and a Haven-Towne in Cornwall And thus the West also as ye have heard is in a very faire way and hopefull condition as well as the North to be timely reduced to the obedience of the Parliament especially if the Kings forces now gathered into a body in those parts be well back't with a party of the Parliaments to come as a reserve upon his Rear which was about this time seriously recommended to the farther consideration and speedy dispatch of the Committee of both Kingdomes and also of the Westerne Committee and money and other necessary supplies to be sent speedily to his Excellency the most noble and renowned Lord Generall of the Parliaments Forces And thus now have we by Gods good providence and gracious guide and assistance brought our Bark back again most prosperously into the Haven or Harbour of this Moneths rest and repose also full fraught and richly laden with rare Commodities most worthy the serious reveiw rumination and recogitation of every pious and prudent Christian Reader Wherefore I shall here now cast Anchour and make a stay to rest and refresh this our weary and weather-beaten Bark to rig and trim it and fit it for another Voyage whensoever God gives a fair occasion thereunto In which interim let me here now unlade and lay open in a summary and short occular sight and review all the most rare rich and indeed unvaluable Parliamentary-prizes and Kingdome-commodities which God hath purchased for us in this last Moneths happy Voyage and honourable adventure As first in our most noble Lord Generalls first very successefull advance toward the Western parts of the Kingdome from Oxford to raise the Siege at Lyme Darbyshires activity Barnstables revolt from the King to the Parliament And the second brave defeat given to the Enemy at Oswestree by the most noble and renowned Lord Denbighs Forces In