hurt with durt beat up by Culverin shot At night we endeavour to fetch off the Gun but find it heavy they having doubled Guards we place 12 Musquetiers to wait the engaged peece This day and next spends 50 shot from their new platforme by battering downe a stack of Chimnies making a large breach in the new building toward night we see two Companies of Foot marching by Hackwood Westward followed next Evening by two Companies more two Waggons and twelve Troops of Horse Next day againe at noone ceasing their Battery permit us to see two Regiments of twenty Companies follow the Horse had passed two companies of White turne into Basingstoake and their Artillery ten of severall sorts conveyed by one Company more of Yellow This night we expect Alarmes and were well prepared having for foure nights since kept all our men upon duty But it passeth without disturbance more then that of tongues boasting their Army to be next day shewed us which Sir Williams hast into the West permitâ— not And well satisfied with Wednesdaies Sally the strife for plunder of the house maintained with so much pertinacy between his men and Nortons ceased and we againe with our old guests are left to try it out grown now so mute upon this parting as in 48 houres we heare but of two Culverin shot next day recovering heart they tell us 22 and resting some daies past now find their worke again Sept. 11. Silent till towards evening ten great shot at night our Messenger Edward Jeffery assures the certainty of our reliefes advance to Aldermarston and taking of some Scouts we then make fires upon the Gatehouse in signe of notice and of readinesse though through the Fogge it hardly could be seen to the next hill By seaven next morne the Noble Colonell Gage with Horse and Foot past through so many hazards had attained Chinham Downe where Colonell Norton with his strength having intelligence did stand in readinesse And now what here was done I shall referre to what hath been said by others from some one present there which may relate to each his due desert in all so much That notwithstanding all advantages of place and Men fresh and prepared against tyred Troops and wearied Foot a Fogge so thick as made the day still night helping the shrowding of his Ambuscades and clouding passes unto such who neither knew nor could discern a way more then their Valour and the Sword did cut and Maugre all with execution forced his retreat the Fogge befriending him serving as covert for his safer flight through Basingstoake the day then clearing and report of fight brought near the Garrison Lievtenant Colonell Johnson with some Musquetiers issuing by the Graunge beates them from off their Line pursues them to the Hill and thence unto the Delue cleering that Quarter with so small defence as is incredible The passe thus cleared meeting our welcome friends our joyes are ecchoed whilest the sad Prisoners are led in to see the House they lay so long about their number 64 Common Souldiers two Sergeants one Lievtenant whereof the wounded were next day sent forth unto the care of their owne Chirurgeons and two that ran from us had execution The Ammunition brought put in and the Lord Marquisse visited by his worthy friends they return to Cowdreys Downe whence the Horse under some hazard of the Enemies Guns retreat to Chinham thence 100 Musqueteers being sent unto the House they march through Basing-stoake facing the Rebells workes whilest 14. barrells of powder and 100. Armes found in the towne and what provision of all sortes could be got were sent into the Garrison where 100. Musqueteers under command of Major Cuffand seconded with like number of supplies led forth by Captaine Hull attacque the line on Basing side take in that quarter and the Church which they had fortified In it 2. Captaines Captaine Iohn Iephson and Captaine Iarvas 1. Leivtenant 2. Sergeants and about 30. Souldiers the rest by severall wayes escaping During the former fight their Guns being drawn from off that platform to their workes in the park Sir Richard Onslowes quarter towards Basing-stoake that fatall place againe is taken in the skonces sleighted and their peice brought in by Musqueteers led by Leivtenant-Colonell Peak their Tents and Huts fiered neere Holloway Mill the enemy so hastening from these workes as scarcely 3. could be made stay the killing Thus might we see at once three of their Quarters blaze onely one well fortified and their remaining strength drawne in is left them quiet Sept. 1 The next day is imployed in sending warrants forth fetching provision from the adjacent Townes and getting in a Culverin the enemies hast had left neere to the wood which they permitted us with so much tamenesse as called our men to fall upon their workes but most part of our foot then busied abroad these are commanded off having a Sergeant and 5. others shot whereof they after died care being taken for such Gentlemen of our releife as had been hurt night comming on intelligence of enemies appearing from the townes neere Silckester and drawing towards Kingscleare Colonell Gage ordering his horse and foot to be in readinesse having supplied the Garrison as much as shortnesse of his stay gave leave about 11. at night takes Conge of the place marching the way of Reading leaving the enemy next morne amused with a letter for exchange of Captaine Love for Jephson which by noone was done and they by it assured the certainty of his retreat to Oxford Sept. 14 The towne of Basing not yet repossest a hundred Musqueteers are sent under command of Captaine Fletcher to guard our Carts fetching provision thence on whom the enemy with horse and foot falls out towards evening Norton himselfe there present ours taken in disorder are beat back but soone restored by the comming forth of the field Officers and they forced back into their workes sixteen of them being slaine in the retreat and 11 taken of ours an Ensigne and two common Souldiers killed six hurt whereof 4. dyed and 8 made prisoners Leivtenant Colonel Iohnson Doctor of Physique was here shot in the shoulder whereby contracting a Feaver he dyed a fâ—rtâ—â—ght after his worth challenging Funerall teares being no lesse eminent in the Garrison for his valour and conduct as a Souldieâ— then famous through the Kingdom for his excellency as an Hâ—â—barist and Physician The following week keeping the towne with guards we fetch provision sleight their platforme and throw down their workes without the least Alarm Sept. 23. The Rebels againe falling upon our guard in towne ours are commanded in having replenished our store for some weeke time and wanting men to spare The Church by them thus repossest they now enlarge themselves and keep us to our workes of late too loosly growne familiar in the towne This day two Gentlemen of our releife was exchanged from Reading for three of theirs with us Next day a party of our Horse are sent forth by
A DESCRIPTION of the SEIGE of BASING CASTLE Kept by the LORD MARQVISSE OF WINCHESTER for the Service of HIS MAIESTY AGAINST The Forces of the Rebells under Command of Colonell NORTON Anno Dom. 1644. OXFORD Printed by LEONARD LICHFIELD Printer to the Vniversity 1644. A DESCRIPTION OF THE SIEGE OF BASING CASTLE BAsing Castle the Seat and Mansion of the Marquisse of Winchester stands on a rising ground having its forme circular encompassed with a Brick Rampart lyned with earth and a very deep trench but dry The loftie Gate-house with foure Turrets looking Northwards on the right whereof without the compasse of the Ditch a goodly building containing two faire Courts before them is the Graunge severed by a Wall and common roade againe divided from the foot of Cowdreys Downe by Meades Rivilets and a River running from Basingstoake a mile distant upon the West though Basing Towne joyning upon the East the South side of the Castle hath a Parke and toward Basing Towne a little Wood the place seated and built as if for Royaltie having a proper Motto Aymez Loyalte Hither the Rebellion having made houses or pleasure more unsafe the Marquisse first retired hoping integrity and privacy might have here preserved his quiet But the source of the times villany bearing downe all before it neither allowing newtrality or permitting Peace to any that desired to be lesse sinfull then themselves enforceth him to stand upon his guard which with his Gentlemen Armed with six Musquets the whole remainder of a well furnished Armory he did so well that twice the enemies attempts proved vaine But finding their numbers in those parts after the Losse of Reading grown more formidable their forces quartering round about him he solicited His MAJESTY for one hundred Musquetiers which being sent under command of Lieutenant Colonell Peake marching with speed and Secrecy the 31. of Iuly 1643. were thrust into the place which from that time became a Garrison it 's former fortune still continuing Colonell Harvey and Colonell Norton within a few houres after attempting to surprize it being not only beaten off but the same night forced retreat to Farnham The place is then begunne according to the quantity of men now added to be fortified and some time after upon report of a puissant Army under command of Sir William Waller to be appointed for the taking of it in Colonell Rawdon with the rest of his Regiment being about one hundred and fifty more is commanded thither The Lord Marquisse taking forth Commissions as Colonell and Governour for the raising of more forces for defence of the same Novemb. 6. shewes Waller with the expected Army consisting of seaven thousand Horse and Foot before the House where having lyen nine daies and three times storming it he againe retires to Farnham having dishonoured and bruised his Army whereof abundance were lost without the death of more then two in the Garrison and some little injury to the House by Battery He thus drawne off and His MAJESTIES Army under command of the Lord Hopton advancing two daies after affords the Liberty of farther fortifying which thus as time and number would permit made up is rather strong then Regular The ensuing Spring the Rebells as well consulting the importance of the place as the injuries suffered by it both in their Trade and Force resolve having before assayed it by Surprize and Storme to try by starving it to which their Armies six weeks Quartering at Farnham Odiam Grewell and Basingstoake was a preparative harrowing the Country about untill their March to Oxford June 4. 1644. At what time Colonell Norton drawing some forces from the adjacent Garrisons by Order of their pretended Parliament is to block up the House and by the treachery of a Souldier giving intelligence two daies before defeating a party of the Garrison drawn out to Odiam and taking diverse Prisoners upon the fourth of Iune faced the House with a Regiment of Horse and Dragoones and after some houres stand Quartered in Basingstoake each day his Foot not yet come up keeping his guards of Horse upon our Aveneues to stop the fetching in Provision Jun. 11. Colonell Morleyes Regiment of sixe Colours of Blew from Sussex and Sir Richard Onslowes Regiment of five of Red from Surrey with two of White from Farnham and three fresh Troops of Horse fetched in by Nortons Regiment are all drawne up before the House upon the South of Basingstoake The Companies of White at Evening with one Troop of Horse marching to Sherfield Sir Richard Onslowe with his Troop of Horse to Anwell house and Morleyes Foot with Colonell Nortons Horse quarter in Basingstoake During the time of lying at this distance visiting us with horse with whom entertaining skirmishes at their returne were usually made worse with little losse to us Jun. 15. To see the countenance of the Enemy fifty Foot are sent toward Basingstoake under the covert of a Mill and hedge whilest our Horse forced theirs into the Towne they reenforced ours orderly retreat drawing them on in danger of our Foot who galling them they stand the comming of their owne 'twixt whom some Vollyes being spent ours are Commanded in Jun. 17. The Enemies horse seize on two Teemes of ours fetching Provision towards Sherfield and three horse grazing in the Parke At night the Companies of white quarter in Basing Towne and fortifying the Church next day from the adjoyning houses shot two of our men And being now come here our numbers few we divide our men into three parts keeping two thirds on duty whilest the other rest appointing to each Captaine and his Company a particular Guard dividing the Quarters of the Garrison to the Field Officers viz. to Major Cuffand the workes adjoyning to the Parke to Major Langley those in the gardens to Lievtenant-Colonell Johnson the care of the Graunge to Colonell Rawdon the workes next the Towne and dispose of the Guns to Lievtenant Colonell Peake the Troopers fitted with Muskets and part of his Foot Company as a Reserve for supply of all places as any need required The Lievtenant Colonells and Majors by course being Captaines of the watch Colonell Rawdon onely in this excused by reason of his yeares Jun. 18. The Regiment of Blew from Basingstoake releeve the White on whom at midnight sallying forth we Fired one of the houses which annoyed us but the next night sallying againe we Fired all betweene us and the Church themselves at same time Firing some beyond by which their workes growne hot some flye into the hedges others further off But at the ringing of the Bells their custome upon all Alarmes reliefe comming on all sides ours retreat they that night Quartering round the Parke under the favour of the hedge and pale where they continue till next Evening and with continuall Firing kill us one Sentinell and hurt another Jun. 20. The following day the Parke being cleared and they returned to quarter and their guard at Church our Horse are put into it and
their great shot but at night give us a false Alarme Aug. 14. Towards evening Lievtenant Cuffand and Cornet Bryan each with twenty Horse and forty Musquetiers Sally upon the Downe againe beating the Foot from Wallers worke and the Horse guard from their Post pursuing them to Basingstoake whence strengthened with fresh Horse they force ours to retreat take Cornet Bryan and one Trooper wound three others and kill Ensigne Amery ours having done abroad good execution bring in Lievtenant Cooper a Corporall of Horse and seven more of theirs from whom we learne Morley foure dayes before was shot in the shoulder viewing his workes in the Parke The two next dayes were spent in Parlee for release of Prisoners They sending us one wounded we returne them three offering Lievtenant Cooper and the Corporall both stout men wounded and taken fighting for our Coronet but would not be accepted so much they valued him the Parlee ended they play as formerly at night sending three Granades whereof one failed them Aug. 17. They bring Baskets to Wallers worke and the Delue where they had wrought the former dayes to raise a Battery and to secure themselves learning our Sally intended the beating up that Quarter and had been done had not our Horse pursuing them too farre engaged our Foot to secure their retreat for at the first they ran carrying their Colours with them from the Delue though 300 men were said to Quarter in it but animated with comming in of more and drawing to the hedges in the Meade some-Musquetiers from Hollowayes Mill they againe make good the place streightening our Horse retreat at Evening planting a Culverin there they play from thence and from the peece at Church this night three run to them and one the night before Aug. 19. This day getting their Demy Canon to the worke by the wood they batter us with 48 shot and the two following dayes with eight score more the least whole Culverin with which and with Granades they killed two men and mischieved two more break our best Iron Gun and make a breach in one of our square Towers The injury of the worke before it the Officers and Souldiers putting hand to Spade repaire making it Canon proof before scarce Drake Aug. 22. This day they are more sparing and permit the night enjoy its proper silence disturbed onely by such whose basenesse prompted them with hope to gaine by craft what by their force they could not shooting Notes fixed to arrowes with proffers of preferment to the Souldier perswading Mutinies and labouring divisions 'twixt the Regiments leaving no stone unturned but all in vaine except the gaining some faint hearted Knaves The following dayes sending of Crosse barre shot Loggs bound with Iron hoops Stones and Granades whereof two missed firing Two more run to them Aug. 25. Their Battery neare the Wood having much torne the Tower they now begin on that side next the Towne within Pistoll shot to make a worke to batter it from thence In the meane time continuing shooting from their other Guns they kill two men and maime a third And in the Parke they shew a Sowe made for their Musquetiers thrusting before them for to play behind this night two run to them and next night foure inforcing us to seasonable justice in executing one who had attempted to have gone with them by which our Souldiers were so fastned that for a long time not one man that stirred though our necessities grew fast on us now drinking water and for some weeks past making our bread with Pease and Oates our stock of Wheat being spent Aug. 28. The Lines from Onslowes Quarter are brought on with a redoubt upon it opposite to Basingstoake Bulwarke and having broke their Culverin at the Delue supplying it they play againe from thence and in the night steal off five Horses grazing in the Meades next night two Troopers cutting grasse our River by the Mill being drawne downe enforce us make a Damme raising the water to secure the Graunge Sept. 2. At noone with Letters for Exchange of Prisoners we receive this Summons My Lord THese are in the name and by the authority of the Parliament of England the highest Court of Justice in this Kingdome to demand the House and Garrison of Basing to be deliveeed to me to be disposed of according to Order of Parliament And hereof I expect your Answer by this Drum within one hower after the receipt hereof in the meane time I rest From the Quarters before Basing the 2. of Sept. in the afternoone Yours to serve you RICH NORTON To which the Lord Marquisse instantly dispatcht this Answer Sir WHereas you demand the House and Garrison of Basing by a pretended authority of Parliament I make this Answer That without the King thore can be no Parliament by His Majesties Commission I keep the place and without His absolute Command shall not deliver it to any pretenders whatsoever I am Basing 2. Sept. Yours to serve you WINCHESTER Sept. 4. This Answer sent From their new Battery by the Towne in sixe houres time they thunder sixscore shot Cannon and Culverin with which they Founder one of our great Brick Towers from whence we had annoyed that Quarter their small shot playing thick this day they kil'd us three and hurta woman The rubbish of the Tower filling the end of a Curtain under it we cut off the other by a traverse lyning the Bulwarke where their shot had run next day their great shot is reduced to 20 their Cannon by the former heat being made at fault is this day drawne to Farnham The night brings on their Line at Graunge blocks up our way to the Downe and slights the worke we had made by us some dayes before deserted now growne too hot and wanting men to keep it Aug. 4. The day of promised reliefe our men in readinesse Noon come and no appearance of them unwilling to be idle we resolve a Sallie Lievtenant Snow Lievtenant Byfeild and Ensigne Outram each with 12 Troopers with Browne Bills and 18 Musquetiers are sent at once to fall on Onslowes Quarters in three parts which is so well performed that gaining their redoubts they draw their Demy-Culverin neare our workes bring but three Prisoners in our Gaole being full and having lost three men by the Enemies Case shot and one hurt retreat the great Guns being plyed on both sides some of ours luckily fell upon them at the Delue Sir William Waller with two Troopes of Horse two houres before arrived at Basingstoake came forth to see the sport and with his Horse facing the House too neare on Cowdreys Downe they had their Captaine killed with round shot from our workes In this dayes service by confession of our Enemies they had 60 common Souldiers killed and 12 dangerously wounded besides two Gunners and two Lievtenants one whereof belonged to Sir William and brought by curiosity to see the Leaguer was there slain of ours besides the former we had three sleightly