mutually interfare that they must be twisted in the historie At the beginning of these Warres and many yeares before this piece was no more than the Skelliton or bare Anatomy of a Castle Sir William Brereton prizing it by the scituation caused the Breaches to be made up with mud-walls the Well of the outer Ward to be clensed and a few roomes erected the old Walls being the greatest part of the fabrick a Captaine or two being wearied out of the charge of such a Prison it was committed to Captaine Steele a rough-heawn man no Souldier whose care was more to see it repaired victualled and to live quietly there than the safe custody of it After it was well stored with provision the Army out of Ireland with the accession of other Forces under the command of Sir John Byron drew into Cheshire Steele had as sufficient notice of his danger as we of his negligence the enemie suddenly surprized the inner Ward where was nothing but stones and a good prospect he by his sloath having lost that part out of cowardise gave up the other without delay his reward was death upon the sentence of a Counsell of Warre ours the losse of the Countrie and the shaking of the whole County for the regaining of it which the enemy kept in possession about the space of two yeares In December 1644. Sir William Brereton with the Forces of Cheshire and Auxiliaries of the Counties of Lancaster Yorke Darby Stafford Warwicks and Mountgomerie a very considerable Armie designed the reducing of Chester and this Castle began to beleaguer the Castle by fortifying Beston house halfe a mile from it and by some guards of Horse and Foot in adjacent places The enemy from Holt Castle falling upon our Quarters caused us to quarter a strong party in Farne by which we restrained the incursions from that Castle Then the enemy from Chester fell upon our Quarters at Aldford which occasioned us to bring the greatest part of the Armie to straiten Chester in the moneth of February Christleton being the head quarter about a mile from Chester was secured from Horse by sleight mud-walls by this meanes the City was straitned on this side the River At this time holding correspondence with some in the towne we attempted a surprisall but for ought we can learne were drawne on by a subtill wile of the enemy yet brought off without losse by divine providence One memorable atcheivement fell out in thetime of this Leaguer the enemy from Chester with a body of fifteen hundred Horse and Foote endeavoured the surprisall of Christleton whiles they were at dinner after notice of their approach by the centry on the steeple in a quarter of an houres space Collonel Jones drew up the Horse and adjutant Louthiane seven hundred Foote the enemy layd a strong Ambuscado of above three hundred Foote in the hedges the Body of their Horse advanced towards their Foote in a faire broade Lane nere Boughton Collonel Iones with his owne Troop and Major Sankey with his charged through their Ambuscado which so terrified the Enemy that many of them cast downe their Armes then they routed their Horse against whom the City shut their Gates least by their retreat they should loose all their Foote Adjutant Louthian divided his foote and drew them into the feildes to fall on the Enemies foote on both sides the lane whom he utterly routed chasing them within Musket shot of their own Workes Our Horse being but few not seconded by the Reserve the Enemies Horse many and compelled by the Citizens to face about we were necessitated to drive away what prisoners we could with safety and whom we could not bring off we cut and slasht miserably which caused many to supplicate themselves prisoners that they might escape wounds many escaped from us down a steep Hill by the river others got into boggy places The successe was good we tooke Collonel Werden Livetenant Collonel Vaine sixe Captaines twenty more Officers by Commission one hundred and eighty other Officers and Souldiers slew but few wounded very many to the great amazement of the Citizens who vowed they would never come out againe we lost one on the ground three died of their wounds about twenty wounded Major Sankey sore wounded but not dangerously Collonel Jones slightly wounded and Captain Blackwall taken prisoner On Easter Eave we blockt up the City on the Welch side also for the space of sixe weckes adjutant Louthiane who quartered in Hawarden blockt up the Castle drewe his Trenches within a stones cast of it and so farre advance the worke by undermining and battery that in all probability a few dayes had set us in possession of it others quartered in all the Townes and Houses neerer Chester to the repressing of markets but not restraining of reliefe for both sides were in some measure open to intelligence and some provision specially the Cheshire side Our hopes of successe were great but the time of mercy for so high a favour was not yet come Our eyes were so fixt on the vast body of an army being the creame and gallantry of all the adjacent Counties that God would not eclypse his owne glory lest it should be said man had done it For upon the approach of Prince Maurice with a farre lesse force we quit that side of the river leaving the City open to Wales and upon Prince Ruperts advance towards him with accession of Force we quit both the Leaguers and having strengthned the Garrisons drew to the further side of Cheshire remotest from danger This proved fatall to the Country for the enemy at Holte burnt Faune Chester burnt Christleton haveing before upon our approach burnt great Boughton they of Beston Castle burnt Beston hall and Tilston house two goodly mansions and required seventeene weekes arrears of the Country which was payd according to the time we had blockt up the Castle in which time we lost much blood both in Wales and at Beston spent much Treasure and almost wasted the Country on both sides the river The enemy encouraged hereby issued out of Chester with three hundred Foote and one hundred and twenty horse the designe not yet knowne to us passed nere Tarvin so through Barrow and accidentally fell upon Captain Gleggs quarters at Helseby tooke him all his Troope and some Country men prisoners marcht towards Beston intending to passe home by Holte Upon intelligence Tarvin sent out under the Command of Livetenant Collonel Venables two hundred horse most of which by speciall providence hapned to be there at that time and one hundred and ninty Foote these hasted towards the enemy whom they encountred in Eaton towne rescued Captain Glegg all his men the Country men and some of his Horse slew seven many escaped by counterfeting themselves dead tooke three Captains many Officers two hundred and twenty Souldiers and all their plunder lost not a man on the ground but foure dyed of their wounds not long after After this Sir William Brereton by an
what God had done for us desiring their assistance to the perfecting of this worke who neglecting all other engagements hasted towards us as if the worke had been their owne The enemies first worke was to fire the Suburbs by their instruments lurking amongst us some of which we slew they burnt Cow-lane and St. Iohns lane after that they burnt up all the street without the North gate to deprive us of all quarter though many hundred Families of their partie and much provision were destroyed thereby The next day after the storme we brought in the Artillerie prepared a batterie that night fell upon the worke the next day made a wide breach by the New gate intending to storme the City at night before which Master Major was writ to by way of advise to prepare the City to a summons which was peremptorie for the surrender of it the Summons they would not reade because the forme in the direction pleased them not the answer returned by the Major was to his wife in the Suburbs that she might comfort her heart for the King was within foure miles for their reliefe About seven a clocke that night we stormed the towne in three or foure places some fought valiantly upon the tops of their Ladders many of which proved too short Captaine Finch with his Fire-locks entred the breach beat off the enemie but he his Lievtenant and some others being wounded and carried off they who were to second them were discouraged so the worke was suspended for that time The City apprehensive of their owne danger in that we followed the worke so close sent to the King who gave them assurance of reliefe drawing towards them with all speed which caused us to send out some to seeke out Generall Pointz and to hasten him to our reliefe which was seasonably effected for he quartering at Whitchurch on Tuesday night marched thence before midnight about six a clocke next morning advanc'd wirhin three miles of Chester neere the Kings Armie before they knew of one another Poyntz was upon Hatton Heath divided from the Enemy by a short Lane whom he charged with a Forlorne hope was very active in his owne person and many gallant Gentlemen with him but being overpowred by the body of the Enemy who were in a good posture upon the open field they put him to a retreat though their losse was judged neere as great as his but the wounding of Collonel Greaves Collonel Bethel and Captaine Cotton gallant men wrought no small distraction amongst them both Armies continuing facing one another after the skirmish a lane betwixt them till about foure a clocke by which time Collonel Jones was sent from the Suburbs of Chester with five hundred Horse and as many Foot commanded by Collonel John Boothe to the reliefe of Poyntz the enemie in Chester perceiving that sent about one thousand horse and foot upon the reere of Collonell Iones yet by two hundred Horse and as many Foot sent out of the Suburbs by Adjut Louthaine those were repelled and driven another way so Collonel Iones arrived safe to the field The Enemie in Chester perceiving so many gone out of the Suburbs tooke the opportunitie to assault the Workes endevouring to cast out such unwelcome neighbours this they attempted in divers places but were valiantly repulsed by Adjutant Louthaine this was the second worke of that day wherein God appeared for us making these the first fruits of a glorious ensuing victory When the Enemie perceived Generall Poyntz and the Cheshire Forces about to joyne they quit their ground drew into a body and set themselves in Batalia upon Rowton Moore we mattialled our selves likewise and joyned Battell betweene foure and five a clocke the greatest burden lay upon the Cheshire Horse because they were fresh for service the rest much wearied with an incessant march and long fasting Collonel Jones encouraged his souldiers with such language that he drew teares from their eyes and vowes from their mouths that they would sticke fast to him whether in life or death which they faithfully performed the rest also buckled themselves to the service in hand and to give both sides their due they performed the worke with as much valour and resolution as could be expected from men But God owning his owne cause made the Parliament partie victorious who slew them with a great slaughter on the ground and chased them over all the Countrie Some of their scattred party united themselves neere Chester and made head againe these were composed of those who following Collonel Iones in the reere were driven toward bridge Trafford and the escaped in the field who were partly twisted in the Parliaments Armie whiles they pursued the victory and part of them driven before us opportunity serving they separated themselves drew into a body fell upon our pursuing Army who suspected no danger got ground of us and put us to retreate but more force comming up we drave them under the Walls of the Suburbs where the guards from the Walls made execution on them The reversion of these and the rest were gleaned up over all the Countie and in divers other Countries where they were scattered so that God made it the most cleare and full victory of any Battell yet fought in the Kingdome for we slew about three hundred men on the ground many were drowned attempting to swim the river we tooke above 1000. prisoners besides what daily were gleaned up by countrie men and women yea by knowne Cavaliers We tooke most of the Horse to the great replenishing of the County and our Troopes amongst other considerable men the Earle of Litchfield was slaine Wee lost not 30. men on the ground the chiefest of those Captaine Culme and Capt. Crant and some few died of their wounds afterwards the chiefe of them were Collonel Prince and Captain Cotton men much lamented After this necessitie required some refreshing for Generall Poynts his Army he intended his quarters neere to the City that night and the next day to compasse it on the other side the river not only to distresse the City but to encompasse the King in it or pursue his leane reversion if escaped thence But two men of seeming quality yet not discovered told him as messengers from the Cheshire Gentlemen that he was to take up his quarters at Northwich by which plot they tyred his Armie and tooke him off his intended enterprize The next Sabbath in the morning Sept. 27. Generall Poyntz with his own Army and the accession of 1000. Lancashire and Cheshire foote and 500. Cheshire horse passed over the river to the Welch side the King was then at Denbigh to whom Prince Maurice with Sir Iacob Ashley joyned themselves to reinforce the broken Army or bring the King off But having a signall by fire from a steeple in Chester of our passing over the River the King Prince Maurice and that small force they had fled by night to Chirke Castle We quartered that night neere Chester on
the service of this Leaguer which tender was as opportune as curteous for this peice being so considerable the enemy commanded by Sir William Vaughan drew into a posture nere Bridgenorth for the releife of it they advanc't into Shropshire with about 2000. Horse and Foote fell upon Rockadine Church where the Parliament had a small Garrison which beate them off with losse this caused Sir William Brereton to prepare seasonably to breake that designe to the carryng on of which Lancashire supplyed us with 13. Troopes and 300. Foote Upon the Sabbath day December 21. we drew off all we could spare from the Leaguer and marcht that day to Whitchurch the army joyn'd was about 1500. Horse and 1500. Foote there we stayd till Friday which was a little respiration to this wasted County and so farre wrought upon the enemy that we heard no more of them then a retreat towards Kiddermuster In that time the enemy issued out of Chester and made an escape with 18. Horse and the Lord Saint Paul the way was open for their passage because no Trenches were cut on the Welch-side to interrupt them in their march yet the Guard tooke Livetenant Collonel Needeham and 3. more Upon Friday Dec. 26. the violence of the Spring tide was such that carrying up a great waight of Ice it brake the new Bridge made of Boats the beleagured were much incouraged hereby made use of the present opportunity for some relief before we could repair that broken piece On Saturday night the Enemy in Wales with about 150 horse of the L. Byrons and others joyned with his marcht beside our guards into the City with some small relief of Wheat Oatmeal Pyes and Moneys for the Welch Souldiers which was collected for them towards Conway The next morning with the assistance of Chester horse and about 600 foot they forced their passage through the guards to Hawarden castle with the losse of a Cornet a Corporal and one common Souldier taken by the guard Col Iones perceiving the danger might ensue to the Leaguer on the Welch side by this unhappy accident of the Bridge broken hasted that day over the Foard with 600 horse 100 Dragoons and appointed 100 foot to march after him to dissipate that party which was preparing relief for the City and to ease these oppressed parts of the burthen of free quarter that night we quartered at Mould then coasted about the countrey neer Ridley Denbigh and Ruthén and returned to the Leaguer upon Saturday In all the march we found the country well-affected to us not wanting in courteous entertainment rejoycing in our successe contributing freely to the relief of the Leaguer tendring their assistance as opportunity might serve for reducing of the country A people rather to be pitied for their ignorance whose Leaders have taught them to erre then spoiled for their malignity Col Iones with the Cheshire and Darbyshire horse upon their return took up their Leaguer quarters close by Hawarden castle and Col Massey with about 400 foot in Hawarden town which though the service was dangerous and requiring much duty proved very advantagious for the Intercepting of all relief that might come from those parts of Wales to the City The Enemy perceiving our posture utterly despaired of sending relief by land and applyed themselves to attempt that design by water for the effecting whereof they fraught a Vessel with a good quantity of Wheat Bacon Beefe and such like provision not doubting but the Wind Tide and their Oars might secure them to passe our Boats when the swelling River made the course passable besides the Channel To the preventing of which nothing was left unattempted that might conduce to the guarding of the River The beleaguered seeing their desperate condition some from within the City assured us that they were mindefull to parlye and that upon Summons they would undoubtedly deliver it up such care there was to preserve the City from plunder and to save the lives of many in a starving condition that not standing upon a Punctillio of honour where there was a probability of reducing a peice of such consequence it was agreed by a Councell of Warre that the City once more should be summoned The Summons was this Gent. Experience tells you upon what foundation your hopes of releife were grounded but that you may see the tender care of the preservation of the City the lives and estates of the Inhabitants Once more J Summon you to deliver the City Castle and Fort into my hands for the use of King and Parliament Your servant William Brereton Chester Suburbes 7. Jan. 1645. For the Major of Chester and the Lord Byron This summons was dated the seventh and sent away the eighth by a Trumpet whom they admitted to the Bridge and no further received the summons and returned this answer I have received your summons to which in convenient time J shall returne an answer by a Messenger of mine owne Your servant Iohn Byron Chester 8. Jan 1645. They defered the answer till Munday Ianuary 12. which caused Sir William Brereton to send to them againe requiring an answer of the summons Whiles our Trumpet went with that Message their Drumme brought in this answer so much expected We are not convinced by experience of the groundlesse foundation of our hopes of releife neither God be thanked is our conditionsuch as to precipitate us to a prejudiciall treaty however if within twelve dayes we be not assured of releife by a Gentleman Citizen whom we shall send for the purpose with a Trumpet of ours and a passe from you we shall then be content to enter into a Treaty upon honourable and Souldier like conditions remaining Iohn Biron Charles Walley Major for himselfe and Bretheren Chester Ian 12. 1645. To which answer Sir William Brereton thus reolyed The paper sent by your drumme was no satisfactory answer neither will I assent to your desires in it If you returne not a more positive answer by tomorrow at ten a clocke expect no further parlie Your servant William Brereton Chester Suburbs Jan. 12. 1645. To this no answer was returned the next day which rendred the Treaty as broken off and occasioned us to endeavour the further blocking up of all passages for releife of the City Upon Wednesday Ianuary 14. a party of Horse and Foote were sent to quarter in Holte thereby that Castle was blockt up which was accustomed to range abroad dayly into Cheshire to the great prejudice of that wasted County which also proved a posterne by which some small releife many nights was sent into the City The charge of this worke was undertaken by Generall Mytton who came so unexpected upon the Towne that he tooke 32. Horses and 3. persons Prisoners but the next day being oversecure in their quarters about 14. were surprised by the enemy out of the Castle This blocking up of the two neighbour Castles rendred to the enemy their condition desperate of any considerable releife unlesse by a potent
Ordinance was called up to the Parliament the transaction of the Civill affaires of the County were committed to seaven Trustees and the Deputy Lievtenants the Military to Collonel Jones and adjut Louthiane men of such knowne worth that they need no Character of honour from this penne These two Souldiers layd the foundation to the worke according to their owne principles First they endeavoured to appease the Souldiers who were desperately mutinous and the Horse on their march to leave the County for want of pay and because of their deep arreares this the Gentlemen performed by faire language a months pay in hand borrowed and out of their owne purses and by deep engagements for a constant monthly pay then they put in execution the new Moddle by which the souldiers were reduced to such order that they past muster every night upon the Parade and all that came not dayly upon duty lost their pay The Country were as sensible of their owne happinesse that they payd to none but those that served and that all free quarter to the Foote was taken off Their first service was for Leicestershire Collonel Jones went out with five hundred Horse and Dragoones adjutant Louthiane with a considerable body of Foote as farre as Bakewell the Horse were Commanded to Darby to joyne with Sir John Gell who so retarded the Forces under his Command that they came short of the Battle at Nasby to which service they were designed yet advancing afterwards to Lecester were very serviceable for the reducing of that Towne till the worke was perfected The first designe upon their returne was the siege of Beston Castle by their owne Forces onely to make the worke sure which formerly proved abortive they erected a strong Fort within musket shot of the Castle before the Gate finisht it in seaven dayes built a convenient house in it which they stoard with provision and ammunition afterwards made a Counterskerfe hereby all hope of releise to the Castle was utterly cut off and they enabled to draw off the greatest part of their Force when called thereto by an invading enemy which fell out twice or for the carrying on of any designe by which meanes unexpectedly they surprised the Suburbes of Chester God so farre smyl'd upon this enterprise that in all the dangerous worke of the Fort we lost not a man nor a drop of Blood though perpetually a faire marke to a violent enemy This worke so farre advancr their thoughts were upon Chester though it seem'd a designe almost impossible in the judgement of man for all visible meanes was gone the Commander in cheif to the Parliament all the Auxiliaries disperst to their owne Countries and we a small despised in considerable Force not onely engaged in the Leaguer of Beston but hard put to it by the incursions of Holte Castle a bad neighbour besides other Forces out of Wales and Chester daily infesting some part of the County but laying to heart the reproach cast on us by some of our pretended friends as if all our worke were to lye idle in the Leaguer and considering it was all one with God to worke with many or few we resolved to storme the Citie But whiles we were intent upon this two rubbs fell in the way the King with some force drew towards Namptwich intending for the North which caused us to draw off the Foot to secure the Garrisons from surprizall and Collonell Iones with the Horse and a small party of Foot undertooke the charge of Beston The King drawing off from those parts inclined his course doubtfully whether for Darby or the lower parts of Cheshire intending to fall into the North and so to joyne with Mountresse which counterchanged our course for Adjutant Louthiane with the Foot and a small partie of Horse undertooke the Leaguer of Beston Collonel Iones with foure hundred Horse and Dragoones went into the field to save the Countrie in the lower parts of Cheshire from spoile to fall upon the reare of the enemy and to fight if occasion should require having an accession of foot in the skirts of the Countie In this expedition he was drawne by authoritie to a longer march than was intended expecting to be engaged towards Doncaster or Newarke where the Scots and the adjacent Countries made up a very puissant Army Upon his returne preparation was againe made for the intended enterprize upon the City but was retarded a few weekes by want of pay for the Armie and by the intelligence of the King drawing this way being taken off his expedition for the North which made us stand on our guard that we might not lose the ground we had gained at Beston That cloude dispelled they fixt upon a day for this so great a worke and that it might be done without noise they made use only of their owne strength being about five hundred Horse two hundred Dragoones and seaven hundred Foot and they that were privie to the designe tooke an oath of secresie On Friday September 19. we drew off the Leaguer at Beston towards Chester but out of the common rode that we might make no noise in the Countrey nor the beleaguer'd Castle give any signall of forces abroad after a tedious march all night wee storm'd the Suburbs of the Citie by breake of day were not discovered till we attempted the Work the Sentinell shot at our men askt if we had brought our deare brethren meaning the Scots with us to take the Citie Wee multiplyed not words but fell to the worke Captaine Gymbert was the first that entred his Ladder being to short he lift up his man to the mount neere the river side from the top of it his man drew him up by the hand and then they cryde a towne a towne immediately they cleared that Mount slew Lievtenant Aldersey the Captain e of the Watch and put the rest about six men to flight then others set too their Ladders possest themselves of all the Mounts on that side the Citie and with the instruments wee brought with us brake open the gates then all the Horse entred with the remainder of the Foot with loude shouts which utterly daunted the enemie The next worke was to take the Barrs being the Fortification for the Forrest street which was effected speedily by entring at the back of some houses not farre from the gate so we fell upon that guard in the reere who fled in all hast into the City that while our men opened the gate into the Forrest street which we entred with a full body of Horse and Foot and some so close persu'd the Guard that they were neere entring the City with them Master Major very difficultly got into the City but made such haste that he left the Sword and Mace at his house in the Suburbs Thus possest of the out-workes we set guards in all places where the enemie might fall in upon us posted Letters to the Gent. over all the County also to Lancashire Salop and Staffordshire signifying
Munday night at Wrexham endeavouring to informe our selves of the Kings motion and to follow him as opportunitie might serve Upon Wednesday Octob. 1. the intelligence was that the King marched towards Hereford thereupon Generall Poyntz that day marcht after him from Wrexham to Elesmere and Collonel Iones towards Chester to make good the Leaguer there To hasten the worke of reducing the City we sent a Convoy for the great Guns at Stafford and Salop by them to force a speedy entrie before the King could reinforce himselfe to returne Powder and Ball was altogether wanting for so great a service but the Gentlemen of the County were so forward for the worke that they engaged themselves for foure hundred pounds by which we were furnished with Ammunition from Warrington but such jugling there was to prevent the ball and retard the Guns and by subtill agents that cannot endure the work should prosper in the hands of these instruments who affect the cause as they fancie the Leader that we lost above a weeke for the effecting of this great Designe Upon Munday Octob. 5. the City was so strictly begirt on both sides the River that none could passe in or out for the guards of which Sir Iohn Byron the Governour complained in his Letters to the archbish. of Yorke and his brother sent to them at Conway but intercepted by us that day the Powder and Ball being come we fixt a batterie on Tuesday night on the Northside towards the River and made a breast-worke for Muskettiers on the Welch side which clear'd a good part of the wall on the inside On Wednesday we battered the Bulwarke next the North gate even with the Wall On Thursday the wall it selfe close by the Goblen Tower which proved so thicke and the Ball so brittle that not much more than the battlements was beaten downe whiles the besieged endeavoured to make up the breach by packs feather-beds c. and to lyne the Wall all along Our Cannon on the Welch side made great execution swords armes leggs whole bodies were seene to flye in the ayte cart loads of bodies drawne off and the Horse in the reare driving up men and women to make up the breach That night a little before Sun-sett we storm'd the City upon the new breach the old breach neere the new gate and by scaling betwixt the East gate and the Fenix tower the storme was very hot for neere two houres together some of ours carried it very stoutly fighting in the breach and on the tops of the ladders had they been sutably seconded the Town in all probability had been ours that night In conclusion we made good our retreate in the darke we lost 27 men on the ground of those no Officers but a Serjeant and a Corporall about 60. wounded amongst them Lievtenant-Collonell Venables and Captaine Massy brother to the renowned Massie of Glocester but neither of them dangerously the report from within the City is that their losse was more than ours amongst others Sir William Manwaring was slaine an unlucky Knight to fall the first time he came into the field and a wall betwixt him and danger Upon Saturday Octob. 18 the bridge of Boats a very vsefull piece uniting the Forces on both sides the River was finished the one end fixt within the Workes the other guarded with a Fort whence the line was intended to intrench the Citie on the Welch side to prevent all reliefe The Munday after we had a designe upon Holt in regard of the Enemie drawne thither reported to be 700. which indangered the reliefe of Beston and the beating up of our quarters Thereupon Collonel Iones fellsuddenly upon Holt with above 1000. horse and foot who fell so unexpected on the Enemie that had the Forlorne hope observed the command to keep within Musket shot of the Body in all probabilitie wee had entred the Castle before they had drawne up the Bridges There we had a sharpe skirmish with about 140 horse and the Castle foot for that was all the strength that Fame had made 700. upon whom we fell with such violence that we beat them into the Castle ditch made great execution on them in the fall slew one Major and many other souldiers wounded very many took Lievtenant Coll. Byron the Lord Byrons Brother five more and some good horses our losse was two men slain three wounded not mortally others sleightly wounded fourteene of our Forlorne hope taken whose neglect of commands rendred them prisoners By this atchievement we quite brake that Body secured the Leaguer at Beston and our own quarters Neere about that time Major Sankey with a party of horse fell upon Hawarden towne which would not contribute to the Leaguer layd an Ambuscado within pistoll shot of the Castle drew the rest about to the other end of the Towne at the alarme given the listed Souldiers in the Towne and some others besides hasted to the Castle the ambuscado slew some tooke 12. prisoners fetcht off 42. head of Cattle 50. sheepe of the Governours 14. Horse and a Beare which roared upon the man that layd hold on him for a calfe none of ours either lost or wounded thenceforth the Town contributed and we restored the Cattle this became a good president to the Welch who above 20. miles off follow their example Upon Friday and some dayes after our Cannon played on the enemies mills spoyled 3. of them and battered the water Tower by which water was conveighed into the whole City At this time we had sure intelligence of the enemies advance towards us whereupon the Commanders speeded Letters to all the adjacent parts to hasten all the releife possible that we might be enabled to make good the Leaguer and give Battle to the enemy in the field that so we might loose no ground Hitherto the military affaires of this County were under the charge of Col. Iones adju. Louthiane who discharged that trust in al their undertakings with as much prudence resolution and gallantry as could be expressed from men whose endevours God still crowned with happy successe and the worke in their hands so farre advanc'â— that Chester unlesse relieved with an army must necessarily yeeld up themselves and Beston Castle gasping for every thing necessary but aire and water Upon Saturday October the twenty five Sir William Brereton came to Namptwich appointed by the Parliament to Command in cheife to whom the Commanders from the Leaguer signifyed the enemies designe and the preparation already made to entertaine them Sir William approving of that course seconded their Letters to draw in the Auxiliaries who were very forward of themselves to promote this great designe in which they were all so much concerned By this time the enemy in Wales were reported to be potent to the great encouragement of the beleaguerd City and Castle Sir William Brereton however summon'd the Castle hopeing their low condition might incline them to a Parlie but they being confident of help at hand by signalls from
the City and adjacent Castles sent backe the Drumme in a most scornfull and reproachfull manner Then Sir William sent away Collonel Jones with fourteene hundred Horse and Dragoones and adjutant Louthiane with one thousand Foote to seeke and dissipute the enemy reported to be about three thousand at Denbigh October the twenty nine we marc't to Moulde the next day to Ruthen and November the first to Denbigh where the enemy being about one and twenty hundred Pedees making up the number stayd for us not knowing we were so many we intended for Denbigh greene a faire peice of ground for a Battle they intercepted our course at a place called Whitechurch a mile from Denbigh where our Forlorne hope was engaged and fought couragiously till the Body came up after which though we got ground yet could not the Horse passe through that strait lane before which the enemy was marshald in a body therefore a competent part being left to keepe that ground the rest marcht in a compasse nere foure miles to forme the Batalia upon Denbigh greene or if the enemy would not there fight to compasse them on both sides which they perceiving fell upon the party left to keepe that passe ours beate them off and got into open ground which caus'd them to flye to the Castle hill for shelter there they rallied and came downe againe our Foote with the Warwicke and Darby Horse disperst them againe drave them from under the Walls of the Castle and put them to a totall rout whom the Horse pursued 8. miles till the night forct them home it is conjectured that we slew about 100. on the ground tooke above 300. many of which we lost in haste to get seasonably to the campe and because we saw they were not worth the keeping Sir William Vaughan their Commander escapt by a timely flight advertising the Townesmen to provide for themselves who thereupon tooke Sanctuary in the Castle burnt a great part of the Towne and attempted the fireing of the whole we tooke above 800. Horse lost not a man on the field or but one and not 20 wounded The Munday after this blessed atcheivement we returned to the Leaguer at Chester about 30. advancing before the army came up in sight of the City and wandring upon a vexatious marish ground gave occasion to the enemy to thinke we were routed whereupon after a great shout given in the City all the Horse and some Foote sallied out upon our quarters next the Bridge which caused a very sharpe Skirmige of long continuance in conclusion we drave them in with some losse on our side which warnd us not to be secure upon a victory nor to neglect our guards The maine businesse of the Leaguer thenceforth was to finish the Trenches on the Welchside the City that went slowly on for want of mony which occasioned the enemy out of the Towne to take their advantages to fall upon our Guards which put us to almost daily Skirmishing and some losse Upon Friday November 14. after 18. weekes Seige the beleagured Castle of Beston was brought to such extremities for want of provision that their stout hearts came downe to beate a Parly Sir William Brereton appointed Collonel Croxton the Governour of Namptwich to Treate with them who tooke to his assistance Livetenant Collonel Coote they delivered up the Castle the next Lords day upon these conditions To march out every man armed Colors flying Drummes beating Matches light a proportion of powder and ball all their proper goods to be carryed with them which laded two waines a Convoy to guard them to Flint Castle as many as pleased to live quietly at their owne homes and so farre trusted that no hostage was left to secure the returne of the Convoy they were brought so low that they had eaten their catts and had not provision for that night High conditions for a most bloody insolent Country-wasteing enemy and them brought to such a starved condition Their march being on the Sabbath occasioned the breach of that holy rest to many in the Country who attended their first opportunity to enquire after their plundered goods stoard up in that Cage of violence and denne of theives The next Wednesday after Sir William Brereton summoned the City in hope that their wants within and losse of Beston might incline them to a Parly after full deliberation on the summons they returned an high scornefull and contempteous answer playing upon and jeering at the most perswasive a rguments used for the surrender of the City that taking no better effect he sent to them once more by their owne Trumpet that since they despised such favour tendred their blood must rest on their owne heads On Tuesday night November 9. about midnight the enemy in the City had a great designe to fire our bridge of boates and to cut off the Leaguer guards on the Welch-side to the effecting thereof they sent 2. Boats carryed downe with the Tyde laden with Tallow Pitch and other combustible mater with a frame of wood on the top of them on which were fixt double charged Carbines and other shorter peeces to make execution on them that sought to quench the fire the one of these fired hard by the Bridge they intended to burne made no execution on it or on any person but was seased on by our men and the fire quencht the other fired in the mid way betwixt their Bridge and ours consumed it self without hurt to any To put us to the greater distraction they sallyed out Horse and Foote at the same time upon the Guards nere the Bridge and they of Holt Castle alarum'd our quarters at Pulford thinking thereby to worke such distraction that one Guard might not relieve an other if their designe should take but this attempt proved destructive to themselves for after an hot dispute we beate them in wounded many slew 12. by the confession of their owne party which put them to great distractions within the City when that which promised releife proved their losse In all that service we lost not a man nor a drop of blood that we know of December 4. a great packet of Letters was intercepted by our guards sent out of the City by a fit agent signifying to their owne party their low condition with desire of releife The maine businesse was lockt up in Characters and they had the key the report of their condition was referred to the Messenger who chose rather to runne all hazards than confesse and discover his Message Being sent prisoner for Tarvin behind one of our men he tooke the opportunity to dismount himselfe on the new bridge leapt into the water in hope to escape into the City by swyming but sunke in the mid way and was drowned whom though he escaped Martiall justice vengeance would not suffer to live Now came in the happy tydings of the surrender of Latham upon very honourable conditions to Collonel Iohn Booth who thereupon tendred the further assistance of Lancashire for
army The enemy perceiving their pretences slighted and pincht with their owne necessities applyed themselves to seeke for a parle by this Letter sent to Sir William Brereton Sir at the entreaty of us the Major Noblemen Gent. Alderman and Citizens of Chester the Lord Byron our Governour in whom the sole power of Treaty rests is pleased to give way to a Treaty upon honourable conditions to which if you assent Commissioners to that purpose may be agreed upon by both sides expecting your answer I rest Your servants Charles Walley Major Robers Tatton vic. Comes Chester 15. Jan 1645. To which Sir William Brereton returned this answer When I have so long considered of an answer to your Letter as you the Major and the Lord Byron tooke time to answer my summons you shall heare from me by a Messenger of myne owne in the meane time I rest Your servant William Brereton Chester Suburbes 15. Ian. 1645 To the Major of Chester and Robert Tatton Esquire The day after notwithstanding this Letter was sent into the City Gent. We have prevailed with Sir William Brereton to give us leave to returne this answer to your last Letter that notwithstanding your former rejection of faire honourable conditions and the expence of time and blood which hath bin occasioned by your obstinacy might justly provoake him to refuse any further treaty yet that it may appeare he reteines his wonted desires of the preservation of the City and the lives and estates of the inhabitants if your Governour in whom you say lyes the full power to treat send out reasonable Propositions betwixt this and Munday morning he will take them into consideration and returne such answer as may stand with honor and justice and may prevent the destruction of this ancient City which is desired by Your servants Robert Duckenfield James Louthiane Chester Suburbs 16. Jan. 1645. For the Major of Chester and Robert Tatton Esquire To which Letter this answer was returned Gent. We have acquainted the Lord Byron with your Letter to us directed who is pleased to promise that within the time therein limited a full answer shall be thereto returned we remaine Your servants Charles Walley Robert Tatton Vic. Com. Chester 17. Jan. 1645. For Collonel Duckenfield and adjutant Generall Louthiane Upon Munday about noone they sent a long Letter without the propositions expected the contents whereof was to excuse their not sending in of propositions for want of time fully to deliberate upon things of so great importance Also they nominated 12. men for Commissioners consisting of the Gentry Souldiery Citizens and Clergy because all these had their share in the treaty desiring Sir William also to nominate persons of that number and quality on his part and to designe a place where they might treat Sir William tooke it not well that they sent not the propositions as was expected and approved not of so great a number of Commissioners therefore he required their propositions speedily or to expect no further treaty the next day they sent againe signifying their propositions were ready but they would not send them by Drumme or Trumpet but by Commissioners which they desired might be agreed upon the place designed and their persons protected Answer was made to the Lord Byron that if they sent propositions into the Suburbes by two persons of their choice they should have safe conduct Accordingly they sent 36. propositions upon Thursday Ianuary 22. by Sir Edmund Verney and Major Thropp which were so extreame high that they were ridiculous not fit to burden the Presse or to reade otherwise than to make sport Sir William then tendred to them his owne propositions which they utterly refused to take because they had no such Commission Hereupon Sir William caused divers papers to be dispersed upon the walls that night which the Centries tooke in from our Souldiers in which he signified their unreasonable Demands in their propositions and that they refused to take with them his propositions in which he sought their good and preservation of the City not doubting but this would worke a mutiny and force them to a parlye in a more humble way Their extremities caused them to pretend a desire to continue the parlie whiles new hopes of releife by late intelligence quickned their droopeing spirits to more than ordinary acclamations For upon Friday January 23. they reported to our Guards their great confidence of releife by an army out of Ireland already landed and others to be assistant to them in Wales for joy whereof they shot off their Guns and gave a great shout upon the Walls and within the City which they doubted not would prove effectuall to animate the gasping Citizens and to worke on us to allow them better conditions But to cleare all on our part Gen. Mytton with 800. Horse and 200. Foote and Dragoones Ianuary 25. marched into VVales quartered that night in Ruthen endeavouring to finde out and disipate that body of the enemy what ever it might prove under the command of the Lord Saint Paul Collonel Iones the day after sent a party towards Ruthland Castle hoping thereby to inclose the enemy or interrupt them in the way if they attempted the releife of Chester whiles so great a party of ours was abroad in the Country The enemy not appearing the party sent out by Collonel Iones made a speedy returne with a booty of Horse taken from the enemy who had secured them in Ruthland and good stoare of Catle for restitution of which the Country there payd their arreares of contribution for the Leaguer But Gen. Mytton continued in Ruthen having great hopes of the Castle destitute of the Governour Ammunition and fuell This while the Citizens were more sensible of their desperate condition then the Commanders resolved to feede no longer upon lyes which had brought them a long time to feede upon horesslesh so they forced the Commissioners to treate with us and to make the best conclusion they could but however to conclude Upon Friday January 30. their 12. Commissioners were admitted into the forrest streete which sent the same number of able men to joyne with them they continued late that night in debating the propositions but the worke drew not towards a period Our Commissioners agreed that unlesse they came the next day by 12. a clocke and ended by 6. the treaty should cease they desired to deferre it till Munday which would not be admitted so they all met upon Saturday continued the treaty all night and all the next day Our Commissioners held them so close to it that they yeelded to very hard conditions which because they will be publique and larger then will sute to this short narration shall not burden this paper Betwixt ten and eleven at night they possest us of the royall Fort wee having first sent Col. Bowyer and Col. Massie hostages to Hawarden Castle to secure them of our fidelitie in making good the Conditions on our part upon Tuesday we were possest
of the Citie and Castle by which the Almighty who ever-own'd our undertakings finisht the great worke of reducing this afflicted County almost spent under the incessant travell of a three yeares warre Our hopes are that this respiration to us will be the first fruites of mercy to Northwales carrying with it a strong influence for the reducing of the many Castles such bad neighbours to us and destructive to that Country which now seeme as rype figgs that fall into the mouth of the eater The present posture of Cheshire and Northwales THe reducing of Chester hath better lessoned the Commissioners of Array then all the Kings Papers they begin to enquire after the Covenant and suspect their former oathes unwarrantable the Cannonicall prophesie will be made good the rest were affrighttd and gave glory to the God of heaven Apoc. 11. Holt Hawarden and Ruthen Castle are blockt up and straightly begirt by Generall Mytton with the assistance of the Cheshire forces Hawarden being batterable will be necessitate to make a timely surrender The Bishops and great men are quiting Conway not trusting to a strong Towne destitute of releise this must needs put Denbigh to a stand as destitute to be a prison in a reduced Country Cheshire who can as well cease to live as to be out of action will not be wanting to Generall Mytton and the Salopians for the reducing of Chirke Castle and high Archall or to march to Bridgenorth A full harvest will fall out in the spring if our sins blast not these designes we want no reapers with sharpe siccles to cut downe the harvest and vintage so fully dryed if the stronger forces above watch the Mideanites who were accustomed to put the siccles into our labours or to devoure them when prepared to our mouthes Cheshire who hath indefatigably stuck to the worke desires the unsupportable burden of the many uselesse Garrisons may be removed from their shouldiers els whiles secured of their lives they are spoyld of their livelyhood and disabled to contribute to the worke abroad Many great benefices now vacant are undisposed good Ministers want meanes and like Noahs Dove find no rest for the soales of their feete but in worse case for they have no arke to returne too but where the provission is spent and was never competent it makes well for them who are very busy in collecting Churches and the Idol shepheards are not without hopes of returne to their owne Cures before they be disposed of But there is one who sitts at stearne whose zeale will mannage the worke that Christ may reigne That worthlesse man may derogate nothing from the all working God we may render this account of heavens influence upon our designes which gave them life Remarkeable providences concerning the Battle at Rowton Moore 1. THat Generall Poynts came so seasonably for the Battle whereas two dayes before we could not learne by any intelligence where that army was As birds flying God saves Jerusalem and to those that feare his name the sunne of righteousnesse artseth with healing in his wings 2 A great part of Generall Poynts army and those the best Regiments were not come up to the service in regard of his speedy march It s all one with God to save with many or few The lesse of man the more of God 3. No part of the army but was first brought through the fire before God would crowne them with victory Generall Poynts had a stormy morning and a Cloudy day first beaten off whiles attempting the worke then all the day kept under a sad apprehension of further evill Collonel Jonâ—s marcht on the body of the enemy and a strong party in his reere the instruments to carry on the worke were chosen in the furnace of afflction 4. Our army was interlynd with the enemy who brake through the weaker part of the left hand of our body so that whiles we pursued the victory they were mixed and twisted amongst us both parties knew it yet they strooke not at any of ours though we chased and beate downe those that were before us It was in their power to hurt us but God gave Laban a charge concerning his servant Jacob 5. Whiles they sought a place to secure themselves they fell under our Walls where divers perished So God strooke the Syrians with blindenesse who went into Samaria whiles they sought Dothan Others fled into the river in hopes to escape where very many perished God hath more instruments than the sword to over power his enemies The river Kishan swept them away Providences concerning the Battle at Denbigh 1. THe Foundation to their ruine was their owne lyes they reporting themselves to be many drew us out to seeke them speedily the Country voting us few caused them to stay for us Their publishing of lyes prepared them to destruction and their trusting in a lye slew them He shall sweepe away the refuge of lyes 2. While our body was entyre we could not breake in upon them but trifled out the time when reduct to a small part that did the worke When Gideons many thousands are sent away 300. beat the Mideanites God seldome fights with many 3. We slew about 100. of theirs they not a man of ours on the ground An hundred slaine for none it is as good as the promise one shall chase an hundred 4. The summer was lengthned beyond natures ordinary course for the effecting of these atcheivements the like this age hath not knowne but so soone as the serene heavens had smyld us successe the chyding winds with blustering stormes threatned the laden souldiers into their winter quarters He that lengthned the day to Josua for the conquest of Canaan extended this summer for the spoyling of Babylon Though we looke not for miracles we have a God that workes wonders Providences concerning the Storming and Beleaguring of Chester 1. WHiles with many thousands and vast expences the worke was attempted the endeavours were unsuccessefull but when reduc't to a small number and that under a double engagement the worke was done beyond expectation not by might nor by power 2. God prepared a way to the worke by giveing first into our hands the cheife actors of our ruine , Collonel Marrow Collonel Werden Major Philips and Captain Munday when their Charret wheeles were taken off they drave slowly 3. The Gentlemen of the County were so active on their part and so semented with the Commanders in the bond of deare affection that it seemed to us the first fruits of an harvest of peace for the whole County 4. Though the darkenesse and the way unknowne rendred the surprisall of the worke difficult and the height of the walls made it seeme desperate yet we found the Churches old friend the same to us as to his Champion David in whom we glory upon the like service thou wilt lighten my candle by my God I have leaped over a wall 5. Though the thrice storming of that strong piece seemed desperate and the enemy gloried in the slaughter of many hundreds yet that we know of we lost not above 30. on the ground in those three assaults their losse as they confesse was more their rocke is not as our rocke our enemies themselves being judges 6. God so cleared the skie and crusted the myrie ground with a continued frost that the ayre and soile became healthfull to the great guards that had the earth for their beds and the heavens for their Canopie and most accommodious for the carrying in of provision to the Leaguer Heaven and earth contribute to their service who are in service to their Maker 7. What was wanting to the souldiers in accommodation was supplyed by a spiritfull resolution for though divers lived on bread and water 〈◊〉 their arreares of pay deepe they resolved to stick to their worke what ever were their wages When God hath a worke to doe nothing shall disappoint it Providences concerning Beston Castle 1. A Friend of ours a Gun-smith betooke himselfe purposely to the enemy there to doe good offices for us so rested their armes in firing of them that none could take such aime as to come neere the marke Hushai pretends for Absalom when he doth the best offices for David 2. In erecting of the Fort and house within Musket shot of the Castle we lost not a man though much blood was spilt in the former Leaguer God makes the blinde when he engageth men on his owne service 3. A woman bringing Letters and intelligence out of the North encompassed by two or three hundred of our souldiers whiles examined about it and kneeling betwixt a souldiers leggs at further distance from the Castle than the Fort the enemy discharged a Musket at so faire a marke the bullet shott her mortally through the backe kneeling in that posture but toucht not any of ours An aâ—râ—w shot at a venture strikes Ahab through a joynt of his armour man shootes the bullet God gives the ticket FINIS