also about this time viz. the six and twentieth of this instant August wee received Letters from the Western parts of the kingdome that his Majesties and his Excellencies head-quarters were very neer to one another and that foure hundred of his Majesties Horse had cast themselves into three divisions and advancing neer my Lord Generalls Quarters and with disdainfull words reproaching them and challenging them to fight the brave young Gentleman Major Archibald Stranghan quickly apprehending the same and not able to indure desired that hee might receive so much honour from his Excellency as but to have Commission to charge them with an hundred Horse with which force though farre lesse in number than the Enemies hee doubted not hee said but by Gods assistance to return victorious This gallant motion of the young Gentleman being much applauded and well entertained hee received the first impression of the Enemy without moving from the place at all untill the Enemy being come neerer and almost brest to brest hee fired upon them at once with so much fury and so good successe that about twenty of them were observed to fall together on which the rest began to flye whereupon finding his opportunity and pursuing it hee was charged on by the second division and received them with such undaunted Spirits and magnanimity with his pistols that they also following the example of the former presently began to flie away confusedly not being able to endure the heat of this hot charge and fierce tempest After this also his pistols being discharged hee most unweariedly fell in pell-mell upon the Enemies last Division with the Sword and soon also enforced them to an ignominious flight unto the body of their Army which seeing the disorder of the Horse began to disband and flye themselves His Majesty was then not farre off in the Field and was a sad spectator of the Tragedy of his men And it was verily beleeved that had this valiant Scot been suddenly seconded to pursue home his Victory hee had taken his Majesty in the Field and totally routed his Army so great and generall was the distraction that at that present they were in For this brave service his Excellency rewarded the victorious Major with many thanks and appellations of honour and with a Horse esteemed to bee worth an hundred pound And about the seven and twentieth of this instant August it was for certain informed by Letters from Sir William Brereton to the Parliament that there being a great strength of the Enemy at Malpasse with intention to march into Wales after that bold and bloody Prince Robber Sir William Brereton sent out a party of Horse and Foot consisting of about eight hundred under the command of Leivtenant Colonell Jones The Enemy having notice of the said Party drew out all their Horse and Dragoones in Battalia consisting of about two thousand and placed their Musketteers in hedges and places of advantage Notwithstanding Leivtenant Colonel Jones with his Troop did most gallantly charge through two Divisions of the Enemy did great execution on them and returned without the losse of a man himselfe onely shot into the thigh the rest of the Troopes there being but four Troopes in all came up and some of the Foot after them and plaid their parts most bravely and with Leivtenant Colonell Jones gave another fieâ—ce charge upon the Enemy quite routed them some of them flying into Wales others into Chester ours took about an hundred and forty Horse and many prisoners the chief wherof were these Major Maxie or Murrey Major to Sir Charles Lucas Major Cromwell Major to the Duke of Yorkes Regiment Majoâ— Crathorn a Papist Captain Clavering or other to the late Colonell Clavering And the Commanders slain in this brave conflict were Colonell Baines Colonell Conyers Major Heskith another Major buryed at Chester and another Major buried at Malpasse One Leivtenant Colonell slain but not then known who hee was Captain Harris and Sir Marmaduke Langdale the Commander in chief desperately wounded and carryed to Chester for cure There were also slain upon the place and in the flight about an hundred and those that fled to Chester were with much affront kept out of the gates and not suffered of a long time to get in as some that came out of Chester shortly after enformed us About the eight and twentieth of this instant August wee were credibly informed by Letters out of the West and in specially by the most noble Lord Generall his Excellencies own Letter to the Parliament from Lestithiell that the perfidions Enemy who dare not compasse their base aymes and designes in an open fair and honourable way by battail though double in number had about this time so managed their base and trecherous plot that into two close Waggons wherein was a Magazine of at least 60 barrells of Gunpowder they had privily conveyed two notable Engines of Warre which should have blown up all the powder and at the time when the enemy thought to have effected the design they had drawn up their whole body of their Army toward that part of his Excellencies Army expecting the blow upon which they intended to fall most fiercely on the Lord Generals Forces but it most graciously pleased the Lord that one of the said Engines to the end whereof a lighted match was fastned was burnt to the very neck of the Engine whereat it was to give fire to the wild-fire in the Engine but then the coal went out of it self the other match also in the other Engine was burnt within an inch of the wilde-fire of that Engine just at the time when by a Cooper it was seasonably and happily discovered before the dangerous blow was given whereupon the Engines being taken out by the said Cooper and brought to my Lord Generall which his Excellency together with his Letter presently sent up to the Parliament and was publikely shewed to the Houses of Parliament and as some that were there present said it was just after that fashioned Engine which his Majesty delivered with his own hands being covered with red leather as that was to the party that made his Majesty beleeve that hee would blow up the Magazine at Ailesbury but as that so this most base and treacherous Designe of theirs was by Gods great mercy and good providence happily prevented and their wicked hopes thereby frustrated and all they got thereby was shame and infamy And thus now I hope good Reader thou hast fully and clearly seen in the whole progresse of this Moneths contemplation of Gods wonderfull protection and preservation of his Church and Children the great and amazing wonder of the World in these our Mosean dayes even The Burning-Bush the Church or Cause of God not consumed though inclosed with flames of wrath and rage of the wicked and outragious intestine enemies thereof on every side both by Sea and by Land blowing the coales and adding combustible fuell
most valiant and vigilant Commander Major Generall Brown the substance of one of which Letters was to this effect viz. SIR I Presume you have already heard of the taking of 65 Wallingford Horses by our noble Major Generalls forces Likewise how at Farrington wee took 40 more many prisoners and some of note Since which the Enemy fell upon our New Garrison at Gaunt House with 500 horse and 300 foot and one peice of Ordnance they being forces drawn from Oxford Woodstock and Farrington Commanded by Legge then Governour of Oxford they fell upon our horse quarters and began to drive away our Horse but a small party of our foot forces out of Gaunt Garrison beat them out of the grounds whiles our men had time to recover some of our horses again with which they pursued the Enemy above 3 miles recovered all their horse which the Enemy had gotten save a matter of 3 or 4. killed 10 of them took 14 prisoners and 30 horse of theirs and this service they performed with lesse than 20 horse Since which our horse joyned with them of Gaunt House fell into the quarters of a Regiment of the Kings which came to recruite the Kings Garrison at Radcot-Bridge where ours took 70 of the Enemies Horse the Colonells own Colours himself escaping by wading over the water together with some prisoners And immediately upon this good successe they marched to Woodstock into the Enemies quarters there and took a Captain prisoner with 5 or 6 others and about 30 horse And thus it pleased the Lord to prosper our forces in all their attempts and to enable them to come off still with little or no losse And about the same time our most prudent and provident Parliamentary Statists having lately before deligated and chosen some of the Members of Both Houses to goe as their Commissioners to the Parliament then begun in Scotland with instructions given them by our Parliament for managing of affaires there in a reciprocall form for the firmer combining of mutuall love and the fairlyer carrying on of the affaires of Both Kingdomes with full content on both sides as our loving brethren the Scots have their Commissioners residing heer constantly with our Parliament in England the names of which Commissioners nominated and appointed to go thither were the Lord Wharton for the House of Peers Sir Henry Vane Senior Sir William Armyne Mr. Darley and Mr. Goodwin for the House of Commons And reverend Mr. Marshall and Mr. Strong Members of the Assembly of Divines were ordered to goe along with them So also there was a Committee of Lords and Commons ordered to bee resident with the Army of our Brethren the Scots then in Worcestershire to farther their advances for the benefit and safety of the Kingdome and if the Lords will bee so to shorten the lingering plague of the Sword among us The names of this Committee thus nominated to bee with the Scots Army were the Earle of and the Lord Mountague for the House of Peers and Sir John Cabell Mr. Purefoy Mr. Salway and Mr. Baynton for the House of Commons And now about the 14 of this instant wee had certain and comfortable intelligence that about the 9 of this instant July being Wednesday active honest and most valiant Major Generall Massie being sent forth by our most noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with a party of Horse and Dragoones about 5000. besides foot had the honour of giving the first blow of a most famous and victorious skirmish and brave defeat given to the Enemy at or about Lang-port which very blow made the Soule and Spirit of the advers Army to tremble and faint and flye away For hee instantly fell upon about 2000 of Gorings horse in Ilmore who as soon as our men came in sight of them ran away in great fear and confusion and Major Generall Massies forces followed and pursued them almost to their very Garrison of Lang-port wher their foot were all quartered and their horse at Abersoil and the parts adjacent In which first blow of this famous defeat this noble Major Generall took at least 5 or 600 horse about 300 prisoners whereof were 2 Majors 6 Captains 9 Colours and slew above 20 in the place The Enemy in this their hasty retreat or rather plain flight from our men still cut up the Bridges as they past which our men notwithstanding made up as fast as they brake them down for politick Major Generall Massie had 2 Regiments of Dragoones which rode with Spades and Pickaxes and a third also with pallisadoes for these very purposes On Thursday July the 10. our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax by 3 of the clock in the morning drew out that part of the Army which hee had with him into Sutton fields the rest continuing with Major Generall Massie on the other side of the River the Generall had with him 7 Regiments of Horse Viz. his own Leivtenant Generall Cromwells Colonell Whaleyes Colonell Vermudens Colon. Graves Colon. Riches Colon. Fleetwoods and Colonell Butlers which scarse made 2800 horse hee had all his foot with him save the Musketteers of 3 Regiments Our Signall word was God with us The Enemies word was Bristoll Early also the same morning the Enemy drew into the field and about 7 of the clock had made themselves Masters of a passe which lay in the midst between our body and theirs being the onely way for our men to make way to fall upon them where there could not march above 4 a brest and up to the belly in water and their horses ready to swim in no little danger as they past on and in which place the Enemy did both front and flank them on both sides and therfore you may easily judge what a hard task they were put unto and in this posture they stood till about 11 of the clock they having in the mean time sent away most of their Ammunition bagge and baggage led horses and other Lumber to Bridgewater fearing it seemed to stand to the Battle having been so much discouraged by the defeat given them by valiant Massie as aforesaid on the day before Now when as Generall Fairfaxes forlornes marched nigh the Enemy they having divided themselves on the hill on which they stood into severall divisions and squadrons of horse and foot our foot fired upon them in Vollies and our Ordnance played so quick and sure that the Enemy were soon routed and seemed as in a maze not knowing which way to fly to avoid the execution of our Cannon yet all this while they maintained the passage which was in hot dispute between them and us yet at last within an houre or thereabout wee though with difficulty gained it and sent horse to second our foot Major Bethel with his troop only went on in the first place being to go up a steep hill to charge by that time that hee came neer the Enemy drew on in a
vast body of Horse against him and had also Musketteirs in a hedge which did flank him and somewhat front him also yet this brave Major managed the charge with such gallantry that hee routed 2 of their divisions of about 400. received the charge of the third division both in front and flank but at last being over-powered by reason of their numbers increasing upon him hee bravely retyred to the Generalls Regiment which was not farre behinde him and Colonell Desborough with the Generalls Troops sheltered him by his flank and charged up himself with about 200 horse and dispersed and scattered the Enemy and gave freedome thereby for all our horse and foot to draw into bodies whereupon the enemy fell to plain running not being able to endure the charge The Generall Leivtenant Generall and some other Officers being on the hill at this charge commended it for as brave and resolute a peice of service as any they had seen performed since the beginning of these warres Our men having thus put the Enemy to flight pursued them within 4 miles of Bridgewater And in the flight the Enemy passing through their own Garrison of Langport most mischeivously and desperately fired the Town at the Bridge end to hinder our men in the pursuite but renowned Leivt Gen. Cromwell himself and his resolute Souldiers undauntedly resolved to passe through fire as renowned Massie had before through water as was fore-mentioned after them and so through the midst of Lang-port they passed although the fire was flaming very hot on both sides of them there being about 20 houses in all burnt down And heer mee thinks I cannot but take speciall notice of the faithfullnesse of our good God in all his holy and righteous promises which to his children as they are alwayes in Christ yea and Amen so at this time in a speciall and most peculiar manner that faithfull promise of his by the Prophet Isaiah was most exactly heer fulfilled to these his Saints and Christian Souldiers When thou possest through the waters I will bee with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee When thou also passest through the fire thou shalt not bee burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel and thy Saviour O the most particular and exact performance of this good word of God heer now I say to these his faithfull ones Even to wonder and admiration And thus it pleased the Lord to give us a glorious day of it by this so famous a defeat and apparent Victory Let the glory thereof bee ascribed primarily to our good God as to the Authour and giver of all Victories And in the next place to his pious prudent and valiant instruments our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax Leivtenant Generall Massie and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and the rest of those valiant Commanders and Souldiers who were deeply ingaged therein A true and perfect List of the slain prisoners and prizes taken from the Enemy in this famous defeat Slain Gorings Quartermaster Generall of Horse Gorings Quartermaster Generall of Foot 60 Officers that were buried about Weston whereof some very eminent men 200 that were left dead upon the place whereof many Officers 100. or very nigh drowned Wounded Goring himself had a cut with a Sword over the eare Sir Thomas Aston and 3 or 4 Knights more wounded Taken Prisoners Leivtenant General Blothridge alias Bertridge Leivtenant Generall of the Ordnance Colon. Slingsby of Horse Colon. Hunningham of Horse Leivten Col. Standish of Horse Leivten Col. Gamble of Horse 3 Majors of Horse 4 Captains of Horse 11 Leivtenants of Horse 20 Cornets of Horse Colonels Leivtenant Colonels Majors Captains and Officers of Foot have not yet sent in their Lists save onely 3 of the Captaines of Horse 60 Inferiour Officers at least 1900 Prisoners Taken besides 35 Colours of Horse 21 Colours of Foot 2 Field peices 4000 and odde Armes 3 Cart-load of Ammunition 3 Cart-load of other purchase 2000 Horse taken and above Diverse Armes both of Horse and Foot daily found in the ditches which the enemy threw away when they fled The Camp Whâ—res fled away thâ—row the hedges 700 of those that are taken petition to serve the Parliament The losse on our part 2 Reformado Captains slain Major Bethells thumbe and fore-fingers shattered Colon. Butlers Captain Leivtenant slain Colonell Cook shot on the mouth slightly on his upper lip 4 or 5 of Bethels Troop slain and about 16 of his Troop wounded and very few more killed on our side The House of Commons Ordered upon the happy intelligence of this famous Victory that 200 pound should bee given to valiant Major Bethell for his speciall service in this brave fight And two good horses to bee given to valiant and virtuous Major Harrison who brought the news thereof And especially as was most boundenly fit our most renowned Worthies in Parliament Ordered and appointed that a solemn day of Thanksgiving should bee celebrated for the Lords exceeding great mercy and goodnesse unto us the Copy of which their Order I have heer thought fit to insert as it was printed and published by their authority which was as followeth Die Lunae 14 Julii 1645. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled that Tuesday being the 22 of this instant July shall bee set apart for a publike day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God in all Churches and Chappels through the whole Kingdom under the power of the Parliament for the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliaments forces under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax on the Enemies forces in the West And that on the same day the Ministers doe likewise take notice of the great mercy of God in preserving the City of London during the sitting of this Parliament from the infection of the Plague and that this order bee printed and published Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament That the Committee of the severall Counties doe take care that the Order for a publick day of Thanksgiving on Tuesday sevennight bee dispersed to the severall Parishes in the respective Counties And that the Counties doe keep the same day And that the Members of this House that serve for the severall Counties doe send these Orders to the respective Committees accordingly And now all that I shall adde for the farther illustration of the just praise and glory of God touching this famous fight and glorious Victory shall bee onely these few serious and materiall Observations upon the same First that had not God made our Souldiers forget all their wearinesse and many other former and present difficulties and so hasted this famous work the Enemy had certainly been re-inforced with at least 5000 Welsh foot whereof 1500 were already come over Severn at that time Secondly Greenvile that vile Apostate and perfidious fugitive had undoubtedly brought down as many out of Cornwall with all
of the State in those parts the House ordered that 2000. l. should be charged in course upon the receipt of the Excize with consideration also for forbearance thereof for the speedy supply of the Forces under the command of the said Col. Generall And for the encouragement and at a gratuity to the said Noble 〈◊〉 and Faithfull Colonell Genrall Laughorne the House ordered That the Estate of John â—arlow of 〈◊〉 Gentleman who had been long in actuall Armes against the Parliament shall be setled by Ordinance of Parliament upon the said Col. Generall and his Heires The House also Ordered That the Ministers of the severall Churches and Chappels in London Westminster and 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 should the next Lords day give thanks to Almighty God for the happy successe of our Forces in clearing the whole County of Pembroke for the surrender of the 〈◊〉 and of Lacock-House also in Wiltshire and it was ordered That the Lord Major of the City of London should give timely notice thereof accordingly About the 28. instant came certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire to the Parliament of a very great and notable Victory which our good God was graciously pleased to give to their Forces under the Command of valiant active and loyall Major Generall Pointz against the Forces of the King within three or foure miles at the 〈…〉 of the City of Chester the manner whereof was in briefe thus The King resenting the great danger he was in of the utter losse of Westâ—hester which in all probability was like suddenly to come to passe if speedy reliefe came not unto them Our Forces which besieged them since the taking of the Suburbs thereof having by their batterâ—es made a breach in the Wall and purposing 〈…〉 The King I say having knowledge of this their danger resolved with what strength he possibly could make presently to advance thither and with between â— and 5000 Horse and Dragoones part whereof he had drayned out of many of his Garrisons made all the speed he could to come timely to their help In which interim Major Generall Poyntz who indeed hath deserved much honour for his constant activity in the whole Service and resolution as I told you before most diligently to attend the Kings Motions having intelligence hereof and renowned Colonell Rossiter with his Horse being come up to Generall Poyntz and the Scottish and Cheshire Horse being joyned with them they all thus conjoyned together marched away with extraordinary expedition for Westhester and went on without any possible intermission day and night to get before the King and withall in his way took in a strong House with a Draw-Bridge moated which stood in the way of his march in lesse than an houres space And after a very hard march as I said day and night on the 24 of Septemb. in the morning his van curriers discovered the Enemy upon a Moore or Heath within three or foure miles at most of Chester called Rowton-Moore Whereupon notwithstanding his former tedious and even overtyring marches of neere upon 300 miles not resting above a day in a place together with divers difficulties which he was forced to passe through and all this to prevent or at least overtake the King yet I say notwithstanding all these he immediately drew into order and advanced upon them though all his forces were not then come up together for he supposed and hoped to take the Enemy at unawares it being probable they could have no intelligence of his being so neare though it proved otherwise for his Letters written that night to the Commander within the out-Lines of Chester giving notice of his advance were intercepted and the Enemy being possessed of the advantage of ground and in order confronted our Van led by Colonell Hugh Bethell in the middest of a Lane betwixt two Moores covered with the armed men of both Baâ—taliaes where was given a very sharp and gallant charge by both parties for after Pistols were discharged at half Pikes distance they disputed the matter with their Swords a full quarter of an houre neither yeelding ground to other till at length the Enemy was forced to retreat whom our men pursuing were re-encountred by a fresh reserve at the Lanes mouth and they were likewise discomfited and a third but being over powred were in the end forced to retreat through the Laneâ— uncapable of receiving a Reserve to second them here we had some losse the Enemy pursuing to the Lanes end but were beaten back for there was space for our Reserves to advance Colonell Bethell and Colonell Graves were then sore wounded after this the Generall perceiving the Enemy lay upon his advantage onely skirâ—â—â—ed him with some flying parties while he held correspondency with his friends in Chester Suburbs whose signe was the discharge of two peeces of Ordnance when they would issue out with Horse and Foot to joinâ— with him upon whose appearing the Enemy quitted their station and the Generall with a party advanced to take the most convenient ground giving command in Colonell Parsons Quartermaster generall of the Army Colonell Sandies who performed the duty of Commissary Generall of the Horse during the aforesaid march being then imployed to the Committee of both Kingdoms to order up the rest which was opportunely done for they joyned with the Auxiliary forces of Horse and Foot in the enemies ground and were drawn into many small Divisions and Reserves being much overnumbred by the Enemy who accompted themselves 5000 Horse and Generall Poyntz not above 2500 Horse besides two small bodies of Foot who were disposed in the two outmost intervals of Horse upon the very instant of this juncture the Enemy advanced with their whole Body and the Generall leaving the charge of the reserves to Colonell Parsons tooke care of and led up the Van Divisions with which after a round volly of shot from the Foot he joyned battell charging the Enemy in Front and Flanck where his horse was deeply wounded on the head being continually seconded with reserves as often as there was occasion the rest being kept intire followed at a due distance The prevailing Generall put the Enemy to a totall rout and although the pursuit was as hot as could be expected from such wearied Horse thorow narrow durty lanes and over ditches the Enemy rallied in a great moore wide of Chester in two vast bodies a great distance assunder the first not without some dispute were again routed and the other likewise who retreated upon the Warwick Regiment with such violence as bore them away confusedly intermixed with the flying Enemy up to the out-Works of the Suburbs the Musketeers within were never the lesse liberall of their Gunshot but the Divine providence appeared much in the distribution of the impartiall Bullets few or none lighting upon our men though many of the Enemy were found there expiring A Body of horse all the while of these last
fortified and the Church also and in it 140. Prisoners among whom was Major Stukeley a Major of horse Major Salt Capt. â—rice Captaine Edmonds Capt. Lap Capt. Baker 3. Leivtenants 3. Ensignes 8. Serjeants 55. Horse 2. Barrels of Powder and 100. mens Armes besides the Armes taken in Canterbury-Foot with Match and Bullet proportionable there were 10. of the Enemies slaine and 7. of ours whereof Major Heynes was one and about 20. more of our men wounded And thus the Lord was graciously pleased to shew favour unto us that we might justly raise up our hearts with thankfulnesse unto him About the 6. of this instant Januarie we had again Letters from our noble Generalls Armie in the West certifying that his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell made a generall Rendevouz and afterward advanced into the Enemies quarters resolving either to enforce them to fight or at least to remove more remotely toward Corn-wall into the quarters from whence they came And thereupon a party was drawn up farther West which fell upon them in their quarters at Tracie and beat them out of them and out of the field also and in the pursuit of them we took 4. Colonels 3. Leiutenant Colonels 5. Majors 11. Capt. and other Officers 7. Colours whereof one having the Crown and C. R. upon it 400. horse at least 300 Arms 140 Prisoners 150. head of Cattell and store of other provisions designed for the releife of Exeter which thus now blessed be the Lord came short of it After this our renowned Generall pursuing his victory came to Ilminster which he also took with all the ammunition in it where some Commanders of the Enemie had much a doe to save themselves but by throwing good store of money out of windowes into the streets among our Souldiers which whiles they gathered up the said Commanders and Officers in a darke night as it was then escaped by a back way saved their lives whiles our men were tardy to pursue them After this also our forces advanced to Ashburton but the enemy having received a hot alarm by those that escaped as before mentioned they speedily quitted that place also being then their head quarter in great Confusion and amazement sending their foot one way and their horse another but our forlorne hope pursued them so fast through the Towne of Ashburton that we took above 20 horse and 9 or 10 prisoners there and tooke the Towne with all the Armes and Ammunition in it Then the Generall advanced to Totnes where the Enemy had a Foot Quarter as having been the Princes Head Quarter where his Life Guard lay and where indeed we thought the Enemy would have disputed our passe but our Forces following on close upon them soon frighted them thence also tooke that strong Garrison with all the Armes and Ammunition in it yea and immediately after this also our Army marching and advancing on still reduced Okehampton a strong Garrison of the Enemiâ—s to the obedience of the Parliament where we also tooke as was credibly related to me two Colonels five Captaines 20 Horse and many prisoners And it was credibly informed and assured that since that overthrow given to the Enemy at Bovie-Tracy aforementioned we have taken from them at least 1000 of the Enemies Prisoners many of whom were Commanders and Gentlemen of no small repute in the Princes Army And hath not the Lord here admirably appeared for the comfort and hopefull flourishing condition of this his Burning-Bush his just and upright Cause yes certainly even to the amazement of our Enemies and to the stopping of the black and foule mouths of Malignant envy it selfe for ever glorified and omnified be our wonder-working God for it But to proceed About the tenth of this instant two Letters were read in the House of Commons from the Commissioners for the Parliament residing in Ireland the one dated the 19 of Novemb. 1645. from Belfast the other the 22 of Decemb. last from the same place relating the great and singular good successe which it pleased God to give to our handfull of Forces under the conduct and command of Sir William Cole Sir Charles Coot and Sir Francisâ—Hamilton against the Rebels in Ireland in the Province of Cannaught and Vlster and particularly and especially of that most memorable and remarkable deliverance and great victory over them at Sligo And upon reading of the said Letters the House ordered that the next Lords Day the Ministers in their severall Churches within London and Westminster should returne humble and hearty thankes to Almighty God for this great Victory And that the Reader may the better see what cause we have in an extraordinary manner to congratulate and give thanks with our Brethren for the same and for the Readers better content and satisfaction as also because this Victory hath no small influence upon and reference unto the great and present affaires of our own Kingdome as in the sequell you will clearly see I have therefore here thought it very fit and pertinent to our present history to insert the particulars of that brave and famous Victory which was as followeth On Sunday the 17 of October last the Irish Rebels having surrounded Sligo with 1000 Foot and 300 Horse the Garrison seeing little hope of the advance of the Vlster Forces who were then neer them at Bandron though unknowne to them conceived it absolutely necessary to hazard the fighting with the Rebels with their owne strength and Sir William Coles Troops rather than to starve themselves and lose their out Garrisons which were blocked up the Enemy lying between them Captaine Richard Coot and Captaine Richard Cole commanded our Horse being two hundred who charged the Rebels Horse very resolutely and fell in to the sword pell mell and beat them among the divisions of their owne Foot and routed them which Lieutenant Colonell Saunderson seconded with the Foot and Sir Francis Hamilton came also with his Troops in the nick of time and had the execution of the Rebels for five miles their Foot taking flight upon giving ground of their Horse In the pursuit their Commander and President of that Province was slaine the titular Archbishop of Tuain Our men tooke one hundred and fifty of their Horse with Pistols all their Baggage Tents and Ammunition there were two Wagons with rich Spoile and many in them they tooke severall of their Standards and Colours 24 Drums and Officers of note in number 48 who are now prisoners in Sligo about two hundred of their men lay killed in the place and many more had been if plunder had not been preferred before execution by our Foot we had but one killed of Sir William Coles Troop and some Horsemen hurt and some Horse There were of the Irish Rebels taken Prisoners at Sligo as followeth Great Morogh ve Divo O Flabeety Lieutenant Colonell to Richard Bourk Cousen German to the Earle of Clanrickard and his next Haire John
I had appointed a Party both of Horse and Foot to March with mee to have met with the enemy who was within three or foure miles of our Garrison plundring and spoyling the Country Having therefore given order to Major Hammond my Major of Horse to draw out the Horse and Major Gray my Lord Stamfords Major to draw out the Foot both having been with me for orders therein they meeting in my lodging neer the door it so fell out that through some exceptions of Major Gray taken at Major Hammond at a Councell of Warre they entring into the street upon departure from mee upon a blow given by Major Gray to Major Hammâ—id they drew their swords upon each other where and at which time Major Gray received his deaths wound whereupon our Foot Souldiers fell into a high discontent and quarrell which notwithstanding it pleased the Lord so to appease that I presumed to goe forward with my Designe and to march on And the next day in the morning wee met with the enemy at Kidmarlâ—y entred fight with them when by Gods great hand of mercy to us wee slew their Generall Mynne with some other Officers and about an hundred Souldiers and took prisoners of them one Lieutenant Colonell Passey Major John Buller seven Captaines three Lieutenants five Ensignes and twelve Sergeants with other Officers and men of note and of common Souldiers about three hundred the rest of the enemy fled and escaped some to Lidbury whither our Horse pursued them But by reason of another body of strength come from Worcester of about two hundred Horse and five hundred Foot comming and advancing in our sight purposing to have joyned with Colonell Mynne wee thought it more safe to gather up our stragling pursuers and make our march back to Ridmarly with safety and to make good our obtained Victory and there to expect the advancing enemy rather than presumptuously to hazzard our selves and the rest in seeking the enemy with our tyred Horse and wearyed Foot and so they retreated to Lidbury and we to Glocester where we have much cause to magnifie the Almighties goodnesse to us and to sing incessant praises to him for the same Our losse was only that Colonell Harley was shot in his left arme but no danger to his life or health praised bee God and who like a most gallant and valiant Gentleman indeed behaved himself in this fight and the rest also did like very brave men Two or three of our Souldiers were slain but praised bee the Lord not one Officer and not passing foure or fire more wounded Thus much at present I thought it my duty to signifie from my self whose faithfulnesse shall ever bee manifest in the Parliaments Service and Cause being unto Your self Sir a most thankfull acknowledger of your many favours and Your most humble Servant Edward Massie ABout the eighth of this instant August also came credible information by Letters to London from Weâ— that that most valiant loyall and active Commander Colonell Mition Governour of Oswestre and valiant and faithfull Sir Thomas Middleton to lessen our danger of Prince Roberts going Westward against the Lord Generall joyning together with about three hundred Horse and foure hundred Foot marched from thence to Welch pool in Montgomery in Wales two long miles distant at which place that bold and bloody Prince of Plunderers his own Regiment of Horse were quartered and where they suddenly falling on his sleepy and secure Cavaliers early in the morning they killed Ruperts own Cornet who refused quarter which was proffered him took so many Horse that they mounted most of their Foot home again even above three hundred they also took about an hundred Prisoners besides three Captaines three Cornets three Quartermasters and divers other Officers with much Armes and Baggage But Sir Thomas Dallison brother to Popish Dallison the Lawyer who commanded those Horse had the unfortunate happinesse to scape away and for haste was faine to run away only in his shirt and left his breeches behinde him such a strait hee was put unto wherein was found a Letter to Prince Robber which hee intended that morning to have sent to his impious Highnesse Much also about the same time came certain information by Letters out of the West to London that Colonell Sydenham that valiant and loyall Commander in Armes assisted with that much honoured and worthy Gentleman Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Knight and Baronet having some time lyen before Wareham a strong Garrison Town of the Enemies about foure miles from Pool Now at length gave a fierce assault upon the Town had gained the outworks and that the Enemy sent a Drum for a Parly which being granted a respit for an answer was desired by the Town till next morning but this would not bee yeelded to nor for any longer time than one houre whereupon the Town of Wareham upon Articles of faire agreement was surrendred unto them and the one thousand two hundred Horse and Foot which lay before it was immediately designed to march further Westward to Colonell Middleton Now heer also I must farther inform the Reader that this strong Town was especially so soon surrendred by reason of a Letter sent from the Lord of Inchiquin out of Ireland to his brother Lievtenant Colonell O Brian then Governour of Wareham in his said brothers absence in which Letter the said Lord of Inchiquin had declared That his resolution waâ— to stand firm to the Parliament and to live and die in the defence of their Cause which â—ee now most clearly saw was in the right and that the Kings party bad meerly abused them all and sought the certain subversion of the true Brâ—testant Religion both in England and in Ireland and therefore desired him that hee would seriously consider of the same and speedily surrender the Town of Wareham to the use of the Parliament Which Letter being read to the Souldiers in the Town they were all for the most part willing to have the Town surrendred onely some few Irish Rebells were averse upon whose obstinate deniall they were presently dispatcht out of the way and cut off by the other Souldiers in part of requitall of the Protestant blood which they and their barbarous and bloody brethren had shed in Ireland And the said Lievtenant Colonell and the rest of his Souldiers presently declared themselves for the Parliament and hee also prevailed so far with his Souldiers that five hundred of them took the Covenant and were willing to bee shipt away for Munster in Ireland to assist his brother the foresaid Lord of Inchiquin and the other Parliament Forces in the said Province against the Irish Rebells And about the tenth of this instant Letters out of Staffordshire advertised that Bagot the Governour of Litchfield had caused twelve of his bravest Horses to bee breathed and rid abroad some few miles to take the fresh air forsooth which being so abroad they were all suddenly surprised
to the fire of their fury and endevouring to heat the furnace of their frantick rage and madnesse yet seven times hotter and hotter And yet Gods Three yea 30 times three most faithfull and zealous Shadrachs Meshachs and Abednego's still preserved and kept safe in the midst of the fiercest and most furious conflagrations and all this made most clear and manifest both in all the fore-mentioned famous Victories obtained and perfidious plots and dangerous designes detected and prevented And have wee not then great cause with holy Moses both to put off the shooes of sin and transgression and also to approach unto and fix the feet of our affections on the â—oly ground of most gratefull contemplation of this great wonder and in sacred admiration thereof to break out into holy adoration of our great and good God and with holy Moses to sing and say Who is like unto thee O Lord among the gods Who is like unto thee glorious in holinesse fearfull in praises and doing wonders BUT now to goe on in our next Moneths sacred and serious observation of this foresaid wonder still continuing all this next ensuing September And herein I shall desire in the first place brâ—ifly to shew or rather to remember the Reader how that about the beginning of this moneth of September it pleased the Lord again to set his blessed Bush in the midst of a most dangerous devouring flame to see to and yet the Bush not Consumed Even to suffer our prime Parliamentary-Army of the whole Kingdome then under the Command of that most noble renowned loyall and most courageous Lord Generall the Earle of Essex to bee brought into a strange strait and most unhappy noose in a corner of Cornwall in the West one of the remotest parts of the Kingdome but by what mischeivous meanes or improvidence I know not rendring that at first most formidable Army most obnoxious to much danger and distresse of the numerously augmented forces of the most malicious and outrageous enemies thereof who by the daily additionall and increasing powers of the perfidious and atheisticall Cornish and Devonshire men had strangely and strongly coopt and hedged in that our most famous Army for divers weeks together in a nook or angle of that County of Cornwall and no Reserve or considerable Releif in so long time comming to their aide and assistance insomuch that the extraordinarily increasing wants in the Army and the extraordinary and inevitably necessitated duty of his Excellencies Souldiers being so incessantly continued and as I toucht before the powers of the Enemy so daily increasing and growing bigge with rage and pride against them they could not possibly any longer subsist without releif Whereupon a Councell of Warre being called it was resolved an absolute necessity lying on it that the Horse of the Army should break through the enemy and the Foot alas alas should stand upon their own guard and Defence till more ayd if by any means it could bee procured should bee sent unto them and thereupon 3000 Horse under the command of that renowned Souldier and brave Commander Sir William Belfore the rest of the Horse remaining still with the foot violently brake through the Enemy and most fiercely made good their retreat notwithstanding all the power of the Enemie and brought off with them severall of the Enemies Colours and slew many And Probdolor under correction of better judgement why might not our whole Army together both Horse and Foot as safely and certainly have come off fully had that Councell of Warre played Fair play above board So got to Salâ—ash and Plimouth with very little or no considerable losse in so desperate a Service Now thus our Foot forces being left behinde under the Command in châ—if of that most noble and ever to bee renowned virtuous and valourous Souldier and brave Commander Major Generall Skippon his Excellency the Lord Generall and the Lord Roberts being also gone to Plimouth by Sea and the Enemy choosing rather to bend their greatest power against the Foot than in pursuit of the Horse and having also resolved at a bloody Councell of Warre thinking the day their own and the birds to bee all caughâ— in the net in a most cruell and mercilesse manner to put them all to the Sword and not to give Quarter to any and likewise in pursuance hereof they having taken about 30 of our Foot Souldiers and put them all to the Sword save only two that by Gods good providence â—scaping ran from them and acquainted the rest of the Foot forces with the sâ—quell thereof Hereupon brave Majoâ— Generall Skiâ—pon like a true Souldiers indeed made a gallant and couragious speech to his said Foot forces to this effect That it would bee more â—onour for thâ—â— to die valiantly in the field than to 〈◊〉 themselves bâ—fely or â—owardly to the tyranny of so bloody and 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 professing himself most cheerfully there ready to live or diâ— with them 〈◊〉 first to sell their lives by Gods help at 〈…〉 a rate 〈◊〉 ever Souldiers did Whereupon they all most unanimously and cheerfully resolving the same fell upon the Enemy with such undaunted courage and resolution being led up in person by so brave and Lyon-like a Commander who to use his Excellencies own expression in his Letter to the Parliament of him fought like a Lyon and disdained that their brave Ordnance and Artillery should bee gained from them at a lesser value than the hearts blood of many hundreds of their Enemies which was so indeed ere they parted for they discharged their great peices divers times upon the Enemy which did great execution and slew very many of them whom they might see fall fast before them and the King himself being in fight thereof in the field and still received the rest so gallantly that the Enemy instead of being absolute Victors was at last enforced though much against their former intentions not only to give them Quarter but farther also to condescend to very honourable conditions and Articles on our Souldiers part though in the issue the Enemy proved most perfidious as their constant practice was in violating of them all and bespoiling and stripping them ere they left them of all they had save only their lives even taking fâ—om them their very cloathes off their backs boots stockings and shooes from their legges and feet and enforcing some of them to march stark naked and bare footed with only a base convoy of their perfidious Enemies Horse whom being quite disarmed they durst not resist And though renowned Major Generall Skippon rode back and boldly and bravely complained to the King himself thereof yet hee could finde no redresse therein But howsoever let the judicious Reader here judge and say whether heer was not a wonder indeed even no lesse than Gods Burning-bush not consumed considering what a furious devouring flame was round about it and whereinto it had been so strangely yea
and treacherously too as many feared entrapped and cooped up but thus as you have heard most admirably delivered and preserved from utter ruine and destruction as was threatned and resolved which therefore is with extraordinary thankfulnesse to God to bee beheld and lookt upon and most justly to bee enrolled in the number of our singular great mercies and deliverances of the Lord wrought for us as whereby notwithstanding the unhappy losse of so brave an Artillery and Armes of our Souldiers yet a wide doore was thus left open unto us in good measure to râ—crute our Army again considering that there is no competition or comparison to bee made between the raising of men and getting of Armes the former being known by experience to bee very difficult the other very easie to performe And which is also herein very considerable the mercy was so much the greater and the losse the lesse in regard that his Excellency had taken farre more Ordnances and Armes from the Enemy but a little before in this his Western Expedition than were now lost in this last disaster Now as touching the matter and cause of this great miscarriage though I doe not I dare not take upon mee to discusse it it having been I hope throughly examined by others to whom it more properly appertained yet give mee leave good Reader to suspect still that it was a plain peice of treachery to the State Parliament honest honorable Major Gen Skippon perceived it at last as it was reported though too late most evidently and therefore as it was credibly enformed smiting himself upon his brest hee said Wee are betraied wee are betraied But who the persons were was not then so clear yet some were known and one of them ran to the King to secure himself and Colonell Butler was sent up to London by his Excellency and committed to the Tower of London till hee was examined about it And it is the more easily to bee beleeved to have been a meer peice of trechery against the noble Lord Generall as being a thing plotted and contrived before hee went into the West and that upon this ground namely That divers of the most knowing and active Royalists then among us at London were heard with much confidence to say before his Excellency went forth in this Expedition that the Lord Generall would receive a blow in the West In particular a Gentleman then a prisoner in Warwick-castle by name Mr. E. Andrewes the Son of Sir Eusebie Andrewes who being among divers Gentlemen at a Tavern in Warwick said before them all with imperious speeches that hee would bee hanged if the Earl of Essex came safe back again out of the West And told them withall that they should see the Kings Army flourish with other words to this effect as I had it by credible information And this was presently after the Lord Generall was gone into the West when hee had a most gallant and stout Army indeed and such an one as the Kings Army durst not look in the face nor was it probable durst come so neer it as to behold their back-parts For his Excellencies Army was then known to be a terrour to the Enemy for some of the cheif of the Kings Army at the end of Newberry-battail when they were carrying the body of the Earl of Caâ—narvan into the Town said Damn mee Essex will never bee beaten and with fearfull oaths were heard to swear All the devils in hell could not beat him But now to proceed About the 4 of this instant September came certain information by Letters from Osâ—estry to London that Sir Thomas Middletons Ammunition was safely arrived from Wem to Oswestry to the great sorrow of the Enemy who some few dayes before as was certified by Letters from Wem issued out of Salop to Whittington with at least 1200 foot and 400 horse to have intercepted it But renowned Sir Thomas Middleton having intelligence thereof sent out a party from Oswestâ—â—y to guard the Ammunition which party discovering the Enemy wheeled into the Rear all the Horse being with the Ammunition in the Van and so fell upon them killed five upon the place took five prisoners wounded many and made the Enemy fly but being to guard the Ammunition they durst not leave their charge to follow them so the Enemy wheeled back again from Franck ford-Hope neer Elsmore and so to Salop and out Ammunition of exceeding great concernment for the succeeding Welch affaires was as I said safely thus conveyed into Oswestry ready there for the following work in Wales where of more in its due place About the 8 of this instant also came certain intelligence by Letters out of Staffordshire of a brave exploit performed by that most valiant and brave Commander Colonell Rudgely in a most notable defeat which hee gave unto the Enemy the substance wherof wee received from Letters thence to this effâ—ct Wee marched out of Stafford to Lynsell and thence took from under the Walls at least an 104 Oxen and Cowes and about 300 Horse Then wee marched to Litchfield whence wee brought away above an 160 Oxen and Cowes and 60 Horse and presently after newes being brought us that the Enemy was plundering at Chartley his Excellencies the Lord Generals own Lands with an intent to drive away his Cattell whereupon our valiant Colonell Colâ— Rudgelâ—y drew forth all those horses hee had and about an 180 foot and marched thither but they having broke open the stable door and taken a choice Colt of my Lord Generals which Colt was shot and killed by one of his Servants out of the house as they led him away they were gone thence before wee could get thither and got into Penâ—h-Park to drive that whereupon wee marched to Vssiter and at Lacksley wee heard that the Enemy was marched toward Bromble so with those few horse which wee had wee marched in haste after them if possible to ingage them till our foot came up unto us and neer unto Bagots-Bromâ—ey after 10 miles hard march wee fell upon their Reare and upon the first charge took about 40 horse and as many men and Armes and pursued them to their main-body which consisted of at least 500 good horse but our horse not being above an 100. wee were forced to retreat a little way but presently rallyed again which whilst wee were doing the Enemy planted an ambuscado which upon our second charge fired upon us but wee bravely beat the ambuscado up and killed and took every man of those so planted and all their armes and Horses and kept the rest in play till our foot came up and then they fell off from us and wee kept the field On our part wee had only one man slain and they took six prisoners but from them wee took a Serjeant Major one Captain one Leivtenant two Quarter masterâ— three Corporals and the rest Common Souldiers in all 18. and killed about 30. took many Armes and
50 Horse and so returned safe with our said prize Much also about the same time wee had certain intelligence of some singular good service done immediately after the fore-mentioned furnishment of Oswestry with Ammunition by that most valiant and brave Commander Sir Tho. Middleton at or neer about Mountgomeâ—y-castle the substance of which intelligence by a Letter was this That by Gods gracious assistance that noble Commander was advanced and came into Mountgomery where he found the people all very willing and ready to receive him and that Sir Thomas had summoned the Castle and that his own Regiment fell in that interim upon New-Town and had there taken Sir Thomas Gardiner and his whole Troop of Horse 28 prisoners 36 barrels of powder some store of match two Horse Colours one Quarter master and since that even immediately after came certain information unto us that the said most noble and renowned Commander Sir Thomas Middleton having as was fore-mentioned summoned the Castle of 〈◊〉 where the black Lord Horbert was hee upon faire and honourable termes surrendred it without much contestation about it although it bee a Castle as strong as any Castle in the Kingdom whatsoever or in the Principality of Wâ—lâ—s and of very great concernment for the happy reduction of all North-wales to the Parliament of which more in its proper place About the 10 of this instant September wee had certain information by Letters from Wem that the vigilant and active Committee there resident having intelligence of the drawing out of the forces in Shrewsbury toward Ludlow as was then conceived but afterward they understood those forces marched toward Sir Thomas Middleton they sent out under the Command of Leivtenant Colonell Rinking a very good Souldier a party of foot and horse to surprise Morton-Corbet-Castle and sent unto the Lord Calven to meet them with a party from Stoke and upon a Saturday night about one or two of the clock they came before the Castle every man being assigâ—ed the place where hee should fall on Now they being come thither it being but about four miles from Wem and they finding the People in great security ordered the businesse thus First the Commander gave the Word which was Will and Tom with order that if any asked who they were to answer Will and if the other answered not Tom they should give fire this being done hee sent Drums at a fields distance from the house with order to beat a march as soon as ever the assault began which they did accordingly and therby made the Enemy think that there had been a great strength when as indeed it was no such matter Then presently the Leivtenant Colonell calling aloud to bring up such a Regiment to such a place and such a Regiment to another place this much daunted the hearts of the Enemy at the hearing thereof and then hee sent some to discover the Centery with an order to tell the Centery that they were friends and to hold him in discourse untill they had notice which service was so well performed on all parts that before the Centinell knew who wee were our Ladders were mounted and wee in possession of one of their works and then the Enemy took the alarum and our men plyed the work most stoutly The Leivtenant Colonell endevoured with but ten men to have forced a little door wherein not prevailing hee marched along over the tops of the works with but four men and with these fell upon them that were in another work and forced them with one volley to betake them to the House where out of the windows and holes they within shot fiercely at us till wee by throwing in among them some hand Granadoes they quitted those places which gave way to our men to break a stone pillar of a window where the Leivtenant Colonell entred and his four men entred and after them immediately after many more but before these were come in the Enemy being at least 80 foot and 30 horse and fearfully supposing by reason of the noise of the Drums afore-mentioned and the Leivtenant Colonels calling together of so many Regiments supposing therefore I say that a greater force of ours followed those five then entred into the Castle they all instantly cryed out for quarter which these five granted them and by that time the rest of our Forces were come up and had entred the Castle and so possessed themselves firmly of it and in it Major Bridgeman Captain Maurice one Leivtenant one Sergeant one Quartermaster one Ensigne two Horse Colours at least 80 Souldiers and 30 good Horses 6 barrells of powder with much other provisions The House was so strongly fortified that my Lord Calven and the Leivtenant Colonell who behaved themselves most bravely in this action said it might have been maintained against a great strength for had it been day-work they should not have attempted it In all this so resolute and even desperate service wee lost but one man and had only some few wounded Now much about this time there having come constant and most true intelligence of the sweet tranquillity and peaceable and free Trading of the people in all the Eastern and Southern Associated Counties of this Kingdom where the the Kings devouring Cormorants the bold and bloody Cavaliers had no power to pester them and pilfer from them which I may therefore heer most justly adde to the Catalogue of all the rest of our most rare and singular Parliamentary-mercies as namely in Cambridgeshire what a goodly and full Fair there was kept at Sturbridge neer the University with free Trade and comfortable commerce as was formerly accustomed in our former most peaceable times the like also at Berry in Suffolk at Lyn in Northfolk at Braintree in Essex at Maidstone in Kent at London both at Peters Fair in Westminster Jameses and Bartholomew Fair in Smiâ—â—field and divers other parts and places under the power of the Parliament and where I say the Cankerworms and Caterpillers of the kingdom the most accursed Cavaliers came not And again if wee look no farther than the most renowned and famous Cities of London and Westminster the intolerable terrours and tormentors under God of all the rotten Royalists where the Word of God is most powerfully and purely most freely and frequently Preached where peace and plenty are even to the highest admiration of Gods infinite and unexpressible praise and glory enjoyed and where they know not But by hear say ever magnified and omnified bee the free grace and great mercy of our good God the most wofull massacrings plundrings and pillagings spoylings and filthy deflouring of all sorts and sexes which in very many yea too too many parts and places of the kingdom are most sadly seen and suffered where the Atheisticall Royalists Romish and Malignant Atheists rule and tyrannize as in Worcestershire where the English Papists and Cavalierian Atheists have all the time of these most unhappy warres kept correspondency with
in their calling of an Assembly of Divines to that purpose by their endevours since to remove all obstructions and misunderstandings among them that might hinder the work by their farther late proceedings for the setling of a godly and painfull Ministery in London and many other parts of the Kingdome within their power together with divers other wayes as might bee instanced which may bee as so many sufficient testimonies of their fervent and faithfull zeal therein And lastly to testifie their most earnest desire to remove all impediments that might hinder a speedy settlement in Religion the Commons taking into consideration the many stops and hinderances in the Assembly by reason of some differences among themselves they ordered that the Committee of Lords and Commons should treat with the Commissioners of Scotland and the Assembly about settling a union in point of Church-Government among those Divines which were of a contrary opinion and in case it could not bee then to finde out away how tender consciences might bee born withall so far forth as might stand with the peace and safety of the Kingdome and as was warranted by the Word of God that so the Service of the Assembly might not bee retarded And the Assembly of Divines having agreed on the names of such Ministers as they thought fit to bee entrusted with the matter of Ordination pro tempore within the City of London there being 23 of them whereof 13 of the City Ministers and the other 10 of the Assembly who presented the same to the Commons which they passed also with full approbation of them and the said Ordinance was by a message from the Commons sent up to the Lords desiring their concurrence therein to which also the Lords immediately assented and the Ordinance came forth in Print with the full and joynt authority of both Houses of Parliament and the thing it self divers times put into execution in divers Churches in London in such a holy reverend and religious manner as did exceedingly joy the hearts of all Gods people to see in the most pious and apostolicall performance of it About the 20 of this instant wee were most credibly informed by Letters out of Leicestershire of an excellent exploit performed by a party of Leicester Horse against that old and bold Rob-Carryer Hostrings forces which was thus certified viz. That a party of Horse about 80 in number going from Leicester as a convoy to certain Carriers of Nottingham the passage by reason of the Enemies Garrisons there about being full of danger so that no Carriers durst adventure to passe without a convoy Wherof Hastings having had intelligence and that there was a prize to bee preyed on hee presently sent out a party of about an 120 Horse at least against them but they comming too short of the Carriers who were before his comming safely lodged in Nottingham and the Convoy returning to Leicester Hastings Forces placed their ambuscadoes and lined the hedges on both sides of a Lane where Leicester Forces were to passe through neer unto a Town called Castâ—ck within 5 miles on this side Nottingham and accordingly gave the said Convoy an unexpected salute in their said return but they very gallantly forced their passage through the Lane which done they wheeled about again upon the Enemy beat them from the hedges miserably routed and disperst their whole party killed and took above 60 of them prisoners the rest that escaped leaving all their armes behinde them for haste and they took 90 good horses from them besides In which action Leicester forces lost not one man only Leivtenant Steevens who deserved much honour for his gallant undertaking in this Service was shot in the back but not mortally wounded After which exploit thus bravely performed by a party of but 86 against at least an 120. the Convoy returned saâ—e unto Leicester with all their prisoners and prizes and were entertained with much joy and triumph About September 23. wee received certain information by Letters both from the right noble and renowned Patriots and magnanimous Commanders Sir William Brereton Sir Thomas Middleton and as virtuous as valourous Sir John Meldrum to the Parliament bearing date the 18 19 of Septem 1644. of a most famous and renowned victory obtained by Gods great mercy and goodnesse by their forces against the Enemy at the raising of the sâ—ege before Mountgomery-Castle the substance of all which three noble Commanders Letters to the Parliament I have heer for the Readers better content and satisfaction faithfully extracted and Composed together in this relation following Immediately after renowned Sir Thomas Middleton had been possessed of the strong and advantageous Castle of Mountgomery it was suddenly and closely besieged again by a very strong power of the Enemies Forces before ours could bring in any competent provision for that Garrison and both the Lord Herbert of Cherbury Colonell Price and most of Sir Thomas Middletons brave Officers and neer 500 Souldiers were all thereby much distressed and in great danger which brave Sir Thomas Middleton perceiving and laying neer to heart himself also being necessitated to a retreat and hee having in his retreat safely recovered Oswestry hee presently hasted into Cheshire unto renowned Sir William Brereton his ever fast friend who indeed like a faithfull Achates never failed him and instantly also expedited messengers into Lâ—ncashire to valiant Sir John Mâ—ldrum and brave Sir William Fairfax in all whom hee found a great deal of forwardnesse and cheerfull readinesse both to help the said distressed Castle and to preserve what they had but lately before gotten from the Enemy viz. 37 barrels of powder 12 barrels of brimstone store of Match and other Ammunition which the Enemy exceedingly wanted all which ours I say had a little before taken as it was comming from Bristol and was intended for the releif of Shrewsbury Chester and Leverpool Now all these foresaid noble and renowned Commanders speedily assembled and marched together toward Mountgomery-castle with 30â—0 Horse and Foot and came thither on Septem 17. resolving to contribute their best endevours in this expedition in regard of the great importance of the Service They lay that night in a field most advantageous for them which the Enemy had possest themselves of before but deserted at our Forces comming thither placing themselves on the mountain above the Castle a place of great advantage for them our forces resolved not to goe to them but to endevour to victuall the Castle and sent out parties for the bringing in of provisions to the Castle even a third part of our Horse being thus employed abroad for victualls and forrage for the Castle which the Enemy perceiving they took the opportunity and thereupon marched down in a body toward us both Horse and Foot being in number full 5000 Horse and Foot whom that bloody Lord Byron commanded in Cheif and came up to our Forces to give them battail with great courage and resolution
as neer the Town as the Enemies Cannon would suffer This was upon Fryday the 25 of Octob. The King kept within the Town guarded by his Artillery but his body of Horse and Foot drew out into Speenfield the midway betwixt the Town and Castle both to make his Army more numerous and also to embattle them in a place of extraordinary advantage That day afforded nothing save an interview the interposing river hindring our desired fight on their side appeared rather a declining to bee ingaged either that their numbers were not equall or from an expectation of Ruperts advance with 3000 Horse or Dragoones and the return of the Earl of Northampton from Banbury with a 1000. The Enemies strength is reported to have been 8000 Foot and 5000 Horse which albeit a gallant Army yet upon our drawing into battalia they durst not take the field but to counterpoise our numbers with his Stratagems hee fell mainly to fortifie the Town especially the avenues and having raised his batteries and lined the hedges hee stood upon his guard and with some great pâ—ices where hee saw the biggest bodies and most advantage hee sent liberally some of his bullets among us which killed 2 or 3 Horse but hurt not their Riders For many houres some parties of Horse skirmisht betwixt both the Armies in which play wee had the best on our part but one of our men fell of their 's 4 or 5. of which one had been knighted It being impossible to ingage them without much hazzard that night the greater part of our Army marched unto Cheveley The horse commanded by Sir William Waller and Sir William Belfore the foot by Sergeant Major Generall Skippon whilst the other encamped before the East-end of the Town and was ordered by the Earl of Manchester at one same time they had all agreed to storm the Garrison on both sides That night and the next wee quartered in the open field but neither the coldnesse of the weather nor want of usuall provision any whit disanimated the Souldier the earnest expectation of fight swallowed up all other extremities Howbeit most of them had 3 dayes provision prepared by Command in his snapsack By day-break upon Sunday the horse and Foot commanded by Sir William Waller and Major Generall Skippon were upon their March and in 4 houres had surrounded Dennington-Castle and made their approach toward the West of Newberry By the way wee intercepted 2 or 3 Carts of the Enemies provision intended they said for his Majesty but in respect an unworthy race about him were to have shared therein and that our men more needed it wee disposed of it to our selves To recompence which they fell upon our Rear from the Castle and took 10 or 12 of ours prisoners Upon this March wee received the report that Newcastle was taken by storm and the Vlster Rebells in Ireland totally defeated happy news unto us and of a double use to our engagement It was one of the clock ere the Train and Rear came up and neer 3 ere wee could bee put into Battalia With extraordinary shouts and other testimonies of courage and joy the Western-body advanced and the forlorn Hopes of horse quickly began the fight which with as much eagernesse was seconded by the foot so as for 3 houres at least the fight was maintained with as much resolution and bravery on our side and desperatenesse on the other as hath been seen since the commencement of these Warres the Cannon and small shot on both sides firing with as quick a motion as was possible to bee done by Souldierâ— and amongst the foot to speak impartially his Excellencies Regiment did most eminently well of whom especially and of the rest wee can speak very justly we neither saw man nor party horse or foot either to desert his duty or dishearten his fellow About the midst of the fight the Earl of Cleveland and some other of the Enemies prime Commanders rode among our Souldiers asking them Wherefore they would fight against their own men but being demanded the word and not knowing it divers of them were knockt down from off their horses and the Earl of Cleveland himself and some other Officers were taken prisoners And after a long and hot dispute wee beat the Enemy first from their works and then from their Ordnance 9 in number Our forces were no sooner possest of the Ordnance which were a part of those which wee lost in Cornwall but our Western sparks with exceeding great joy hug'd and kist them and cryed out Now will wee shew them a Cornish hop and on the other side many of the Cavaliers most fearfully threw down their Armes and ran away crying out Devils Devils they fight like devils for ours gave no Quarter to any whom they knew to bee of the Cornish In which fierce fight and brave deportment of ours wee lost a few men and with or among them Captain Cawler a brave Gentleman of Glamâ—rganshire who by an honourable and triumphant hazzard bequeathed the thing adventured to us with his life also an expression sufficient fully to entitle himself True to his Charge notwithstanding his captivity in Cornwall The day was of so much discontent to the King that wrapping up his losses with the night an houre after mid-night hee marched or rather fled out of the Town with an attendant Troop only toward Winchester and sent up his Cannon Carriages and Baggage to the Castle where at day-break wee saw them placed Upon the first intelligence of their departure Colonell Cromwell followed the body of the Enemy a houres before day the issue of which as yet wee hear not of Our men are full of Spirit and extraordinarily heightned with this Victory The Enemy hath little to support them but their Rodomants In the mean time as an addition and signall of good successe wee have as I toucht before the Earl of Cleveland prisoner taken by a Leivtenant of Colonell Barkleys who wonders how Generall Goring escaped our hands but his Brother paid his account being shot dead as hee charged and most of his Troop were cut off and Major Trevillian and divers other whose bodies are seen but names as yet undiscovered Above 200 were slain on the ground and 300 taken prisoners wherof these in speciall by name The Earl of Cleveland Captain Philpot Leivtenant Harper Leivtenant Roan Cornet Whealand Quartermaster Ironmonger Quartermaster Campion Quarter master Nicholas Mr. John Percie all these of the Earl of Clevelands Brigade and 38 Troopers of the same Brigade Taken prisoners of Sir Ralph Hoptons Regiment Captaine Elmes a Captain of Horse Mr. Simon Court Quartermaster to Hoptons own Troop Edward Philips Henry Dimmoâ—k Hugh Pope Gent. of Armeâ— and divers other Troopers Colonell Philpot Captain Mildemâ—y Captain Nâ—vet Mr. Richard Niston Mr. John Curtis Mr. Edward Archer and divers other Gentl. of Armes and Reformadoes besides as I said before 300 Common Souldiers And
upon a party of the Enemies horse but then newly come from Oxford to doe some mischeif in those parts of whom divers were taken prisoners by the said valiant Captain Redman and the rest soundly beaten among those that were taken prisoners were Sir John Feunick Sir Thomas Strickland the Lord St. Paul a Frenchman and 15 more some were slain and many wounded the rest ran like brave Oxonians to save themselves but they left behinde them at least 30 horse and a rich Sumpter together with good quantity of Armes and Ammunition And at the same time wee were certainly informed that Knaresborough castle in Yorkeshire was surrendred to the thrice noble and renowned Lord Fairfax and in it good store of Armes powder and Ammunition with some Ordnance and other good booty viz. especially some hundred pounds in ready money and about 1500 pounds worth of Plate silver and guilt And about the 26 of this instant December wee were certainly informed by Letters from Radcastle that those 2 most loyall and renowned Commanders Sir Thomas Middleton and Colonell Mitton had taken a strong Garrison of the Enemies neer Mountgomery called Abby-cumhire This House had formerly been a Romish-Abby and was strongly built of stone upon their first comming before it they summoned it but upon the Enemies denyall to surrender Sir Thomas Middletons and Colonell Mittons old Souldiers assisted by Colonell Beal and Leivtenant Colonell Carters souldiers who were then lately come to them out of South-Wales and with brave resolution fell upon the Enemy and stormed and took the House in a short time where they took prisoners Colonell Barnard Governour of the Castle Hugh Floyd Esquire a Commissioner of Array in those parts and High-Sheriffe of that County and one of those that were excepted by the Proposition for Peace at Vxbridge to have no pardon 2 Captaines of Foot one Captain of Horse a Captain Leivtenant 3 Leivtenants a Foot Colours one Cornet of Horse 4 Sergeants 8 Corporalls 2 Trumpetters 4 Drums 60 common Souldiers 3 barrels of powder 60 firelocks 40 Horse 40 horse armes besides 200 Muskets and some other armes and ammunition By the taking of which said strong Garrison the Counties thereabouts are freed from much danger of their cruell Enemies who had before used many of the inhabitants with much severity About the 28 of this instant wee received credible information by Letters out of Staffordshire that Captain Stone the valiant Governour of Eccleshall castle having intelligence that some parties of the Enemies were abroad out of Tongue castle hee thereupon marched out of Eccleshall with a party of horse found them and fell upon them and in the fight slew divers of them took prisoners the Governour of Tongue castle divers Officers 200 common Souldiers and 50 horse with some other good booty And by Letters out of the West wee were farther informed about the same time that Major Dewet performed a brave exploit upon the Enemy at West Dean which was thus related Sir our brave-spirited Major but shortly after this a base apostate from us marched with his men from about Malmsbury toward our Garrison by West-Dean and by the way hee fell upon a quarter of the Enemies at Rushall neer Vphaven where there were quartered about 36 of Captain Paddons Troop who entituled themselves The Wiltshire Troope where after some hot and testy dispute he took prisoners Leivtenant Borrow Leivtenant of Horse commanding the Troop George Warner a Reformado Captain a Leivtenant of Foot 2 more Reformado Officers 6 Troopers 20 good horse and armes and other good prize for his Souldiers without the losse of any one man or horse on his side And about the same time wee had farther certain intelligence of another brave exploit performed against the Newarkers by valiant Colonell Thorney and the Nottingham Forces who took a considerable Garrison from the Enemies neer Newark viz. Sir Roger Coopers House and in it Sir Roger himself and his brother and 50 prisoners with their armes and ammunition And about the 30 of this instant December an Agent of the most illustrious Queen of Sweden was admitted with honourable reception into the Parliament the representative Body of the Kingdome of England with his Letters to the Parliament from the said most Royall Princesse which were then opened and after the translating of them out of the Latine-tongue in which they were writen they were read in Parliament The effect and substance of which was That the said thrice noble Queen of Swethland with her Nobles and whole State desired to associate themselves and to keep faire and loving correspondence with the Parliament and State of England and to enter into the Solemn League and Covenant with them for the mutuall defence of the true Reformed Protestant Religion A rare mercy indeed thus to see another Protestant Kingdome desire to joyn with us in this blessed work of setting the Lord Christ upon his Throne as our most loyall and loving brethren of Scotland have done to the high honour and glory of God and good of his Church And with this so sweet a mercy I shall heer most fitly close up this moneths most famous blessings on this Burning-Bush the Parliaments honest and upright Cause And heer now therefore good Reader let mee intreat thee to make a little stay and therein to stand amazed at this even senseastonishing Parliamentary-wonder to see and consider in this one Moneths contemplation thereof this Burning-Bush thus still Vnconsumed I mean the Parliaments just Cause and quarrell in the middest of so many devouring flames of bloody bickerings and perfidious plots and trecheries as have been fore-mentioned to stand upright still undestroyed yea contrariwise more and more flourishingly and fairly corroborated and fixed at the root the blessing of him that dwells in the Bush thus admirably still preserving and protecting it from constantly contrived and intended ruine and destruction Upon the serious sight and pious pondering whereof O what great cause have wee with holy David to break forth into a holy and hearty extasie of joy and admiration as wanting words to expresse sufficiently the many and mighty mercies of our God and to sing and say How excellent O Lord is thy loving kindenesse how powerfull is thy protection therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings They are abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of thy house and thou dost make them drink of the rivers of thy pleasure And thou O Lord art hee alone that dost encompasse us still with songs of deliverance But now to proceed and set forward to the farther sight and contemplation of the succeeding wonders in and upon this our thus Burning Bush in this ensuing Moneth of January 1644. ANd first I shall begin heer to remember my Reader that as God had lately before begun to cut off in a Judiciary way one most pestilent plotter and dangerous Malignant Incendâ—ary who had not Gods
Major Generall Skippon to bee Major Generall of the whole Army and then they proceeded to nominate the Colonells of each Regiment for the said Modell which were 21 in all whereof Colonell Holborn and Colonell Rossiter were 2 in the first place And the House then took into consideration the completing of an Ordinance for the raising of Monies to maintain the said Army which shortly after was perfectly completed in all particulars whereof more in their more proper places About January the 24 wee had most certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire which were read in Parliament in the House of Commons of a very great overthrow given to the Enemies forces neer Chester by ever to bee renowned Sir William Breretons forces the manner whereof was in breif thus related That the Enemy drew forth all the strength of Horse and Foot that they could get together in and about Chester and marched thence with an intention to releive Beeston castle then strongly besieged by Sir William Brereton whereof Leivtenant Colonell Jones and Sergeant Major Brookes having intelligence they fell upon them in their passage and so undauntedly dealt with them that in a short time they had totally routed the whole body of the Enemies Army both Horse and Foot slew 50 of them in the place and neer 200 wounded They took prisoners 2 Colonells one Leivtenant Colonell 2 Sergeant Majors 6 Captains 10 Leivtenants 4 Ensignes 3 Sergeants and one Corporall They took also 200 horse and 200 men prisoners with 400 Armes and much Ammunition whereby as it may bee easiled judged Chester Garrison was much weakned and disabled to hold out long the then present siege And about the 26 instant wee received also certain knowledge of a notable and brave peice of Service performed by Major Generall Craford then Governour of Ailsbury who going with but about 90 horse to seek quarter for his Souldiers and finding none one way hee wheeled about toward Thame and unexpectedly fell upon a 120 horse of the Enemies among whom was Colonell Bleyer Governour of Walling ford Castle who when they saw each other both these Champions did not take the advantage of each other but in a fair and open field drew into battalia and sent out their forlorn hopes of each side who presently charged one another and so both bodies met and both these Commanders bravely disputed the businesse a while in a fiery and steely language and with much interchangeable courage on both sides But at last our party most undauntedly routed the Enemy Colonell Craford having himself very sorely wounded Colonell Bleyer in this fight but his horse not being maimed his heeles did his Master more service than his own hands could and carryed him fiercely away half dead out of the field all the rest both horse and men being either taken or kild save only about 13 or 14 who escaped with the wounded Governour 20 were so sorely wounded that they could not bee brought prisoners into Ailsbury and not being capable of doing any further hurt they left them behinde to creep if they could to their own Chirurgeons and seek their own cure The 2 Governours as wee were credibly informed meeting together in person in this brave encounter assaulted each other in a single combate and for a while bravely on both sides maintained the duell till Bleyer received a most dangerous wound and as I said before by his horses swiftnesse escaped away Wee lost but 3 men of ours in this furious fight and so ours most victoriously returned to Ailsbury with their prisoners About the 28 of this instant the Committee of the County of Kent that brave unanimous County most happy by the noblenesse of an enobled Gentry presented a petition to the House of Commons wherein they expressed great thankfulnesse unto them for their indefatigable and constant care and paines for the good of the publike Affaires of the Kingdom unto which also they declared their singular good affection and faithfulnesse And humbly also prayed that the House would proceed in fully passing the Self-denying Ordinance for the disabling of the Members of either House to bear any Office in the Common-wealth during the time of these Warres which Ordinance though it had about this time clearly passed in the House of Commons yet received some long stop and contradiction in the House of Peeres which Petition of those Kentish Gentlemen was received with great acceptance and thanks returned to the Petitioners with promise of their best endevours to hasten it Some other particulars were also inserted in their Petition concerning some particular distempers and greivances in that County which were referred to a Committee and in speciall concerning the unnaturall Conspirators for the betraying of Dover Castle and Chattam in Kent who were then kept in durance to bee in due time called to a severe account for that most vile and trecherous design which was afterward effected with the death of divers of the cheif ring-leaders therein Finally about the 30 of this instant January wee received certain intelligence out of Warwickeshire of the singular good successe of Major Purefoy at Compton House against the Enemy as by his own Letter will more fully appear which for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have thought fit heer to insert The Copy of Serjeant Major Purefoyes Letter the brave Governour of Compton House in Warwickshire to his Colonell Colonell Purefoy SIR I Shall heer breifly relate for all passages would bee too tedious to trouble you withall how that first I desire with all my Soul that God may have all the praise and glory which is due to a God that hath now and ever shewed himself unto mee almost by miracles in delivering mee and all under my Command from very many and most eminent dangers This night about 2 of the clock a 1000 or 1200 horse and foot of the Enemies fell upon mee at Compton stormed my Outworks gained the Stables and cut down my great Drawbridge possest themselves of all my Troop of Horses and took about 30 of my foot Souldiers in their beds who lay over the Stables and all this was done almost before a man could think what to doe Wee received this fierce alarm as wee had good cause and presently made good the new Skonce before the Stonebridge and beat them out of the great Court there being about 200 entred and ready to storm the Skonce but by Gods mercy wee gave them so hot a sally that wee forced them to retreat back to the Stables Barnes and Brew-house where from the windowes they played very hot upon us I then commanded Leivtenant Purefoy and my Quarter-master having no other Officers of quality at home the rest being abroad with about 30 of my best Troopers to sally out upon the Enemy with a party of some 40. and to attempt the regaining of the Brew-house and the roomes above which instantly they did with most gallant resolution and courage Sergeant
Bird was one that came not short in bravery of any This party I say fought thus with the Enemy and came to push of Pike nay to the swords point and laid about them so bravely that they forced the Enemy to flie from chamber to chamber Whereupon I presently sent out my youngest brother the Ensign with my 3 Corporalls of horse and about 40 more men to releive the first party And I assure you Sir the young Boy fought well and led on his men most bravely and releived his brother by which means all the upper roomes were regained and now the Enemies kept onely the Stables and the Barnes which they held stoutly but my resolute Souldiers did then so thunder their horse and Reserves of foot that stood within Pistoll shot that Sir William and Sir Charles Compton who were there present began to give ground which my Souldiers easily perceiving some leapt out at the windowes and so into the Out-works by which meanes I recovered my Out-works again and made a sally-port by which the Enemy endevoured to retreat at but finding they were frustrated of their hopes and that my Musketteers did play so hot upon the great Draw-bridge that they could not bee releived and withall wee having beaten the Enemy out of that work which wee stormed when you took the House I had time therby to recover fully the great Draw-bridge and instantly got new Ropes and new Locks and drew it up again in-spight of them all Now by this means all those whose names are heer with inclosed to you were all in Cobs pound having no means in the world to retreat whereupon they fought desperately for the space of 3 houres and the valiant Comptons perceiving their extreme losse attempted 3 severall times to storme and regain my Out-works but all the 3 times were beaten off with as much resolution I praise the Lord and gallantry of my Souldiers as could bee expressed by men The Enemy within set firâ— on the hay straw and all combustible stuffe to smother my men out of the upper roomes which did indeed much annoy them and the Enemy without threw at least an 100 hand-granadoes upon the houses so as they set them on fire in 3 severall places Whereupon Sir Charles and Sir William thinking all their own sent a Trumpeter to parley but I commanded that none should parley nor would I permit the Trumpeter to speak at all unto mee and â—ain hee would have said something to the Souldiers but I commanded him upon his life to bee gone and not to return any more upon his perill and wee continued in fight still and the foresaid fire did so increase that I thought it fit to offer quarter to all those that were in the Stable for their lives only but they would not hear mee Upon which I drew all my men together and fell violently in upon them in which assault were slain and taken prisoners all whose names are in the ensuing List This did so dis-hearten the Comptons and all their forces that they presently drew off all their foot and onely faced mee with their horse and sent another Trumpeter to parley but I commanded to give fire upon him that hee returned with no other an answer but what a Musket could speak And thus by Gods providence and mercy wee were clearly rid of them Sir this is as true and short a narration as I could conveniently give you I am as wee are all Your obliged Servants and Kinsmen George William Purefoy Compton Jan. 30. 1644. Wee recovered all our own men again that the Enemy had taken A List of the Officers and Souldiers slain and taken Prisoners Captains 3. Leivtenants 2. one Ensigne one Quartermaster one Cornet â— Corporalls 3 Sergeants Troopers and foot Souldiers about 50. besides 6 Cartloades of wounded men carryed off and neer upon 40 Common Souldiers left dead behinde them in and about the House or Garrison Of mine own men both horse and foot onely one was desperately wounded and another slightly hurt but not one I say was slain a rare and even wonderfull providence indeed Wee took of the Enemies horse and foot arms an 100 Muskets 40 Pistolls and about 20 hand-granadoes This fight began about 2 of the clock in the morning and continued till about 9. in which time the Enemy stormed us 4 severall times and were still beaten off the number of them were both horse and foot between a 1000 and 1200 as their prisoners confessed With their hand-granadoes they desperately fired our stables barnes and brew-house in 3 severall places but did us no more considerable hurt and wee lost about 20 horse and some of our Muskets And was not heer good Reader a most remarkable evidence and undeniable testimony of Gods strong arm with us in putting such a resolute and courageous spirit into the heart of our Souldiers and so admirably delivering them from the rage of such a resolute and furious enemy And at the same time wee had also farther certain information that the very next night that this foresaid defeat was performed 6 Troopes of horse belonging to the Garrison of Northampton went forth thence to discover what parties of the Kings were haply to bee found about the Country not knowing at all of the foresaid brave defeat at Compton House and fell upon 3 Troopes of the same Enemies whch had been so beaten before at Compton House and were now quartered in their return that night in Kings-Sutton neer Banbury where Northampton forces took 57 horse and 6 prisoners the rest of their men getting into the Church there and into another great house close by it Northampton forces lost in this adventure but one man who was shot as hee went to fasten a Petarre unto the Church door and one more was wounded All the horse taken as aforesaid they sold at Northampton the next day of their return home And heer now again good Reader bee pleased to make a little stay and with a gracious and gratefull heart a little to muse and meditate on and that with wonder and amazement too the many and marvellous acts of Gods most precious providence in all the remarkable passages of this moneth also in preserving his blessed Bush still Burning but unconsumed still in the midst of so many fierce and furious devouring emflagrationâ— as namely In the death and downfall of those impious and Arch Traitors of their Country Carew and the Hothams The brave exploits of our forces about Winchester and Ailsbury Colonell Laughorns brave services in Wales related by renowned Captain Swanleyes Letter to the Parliament The brave defeat given to Prince Robber that Prince of Pilferers by renowned Major Generall Brown at Abbington together with the brave beating of the Enemies at Plymouth And Colonell Holborns good services in the West The New-Modell-Army constituted and the brave Victory of Sir William Brerâ—tons forces in Cheshire Together with Colonell Crafords
the command of Major Temple to beat up their quarters which party after a very hard march comming neer the Enemies quarters they understood that the said party were all drawn off But they had also farther intelligence of another party of the Enemies quartered at Ham 8 miles from Dennington Castle whither they instantly advanced and fell upon them in their quarters took there 40 good Horse and all their Armes together with about an 100 li. of Contribution money which the Enemy had gathered thereabout took prisoners Major William Maxwell Agitant Generall to Prince Maurice Captain Robert Paddon Captain of a Troop of Horse John Cox his Leivtenant and 24 common Souldiers and so returned safe with their prisoners and prizes unto Ockingbam And about the 24 of this instant wee were certainly informed by a Letter writen from Captain Peirce to Sir John Young a worthy member of the House of Commons of a brave defeat given to that base apostate Skellum Greenvill before Plimouth which said Letter containing a full relation thereof I have heer for the Readers better content and satisfaction inserted which was as followeth Sir The good successe which it hath pleased God to give our Forces lately makes mee set pen to paper thereby desiring to inform you that upon the 18 of February the Enemy having the night before made a work upon the old work at Mount Stamford with a very large line on both sides from the work The Seamen in the morning fell on them and took one half-moon which was made at the South-end of the line but the Enemies horse comming upon them forced them to retreat but with no losse on our side blessed bee God Upon which wee were all commanded to Armes Severall companies were drawn out to goe over and a Troops of Horse One being still quartered on that side to joyn with some Sea men taken on shore for that purpose all I think consisting of about 500. and all the rest of the Garrison were commanded to march out to face the Enemy on the North side and were drawn without our Line within Musket shot of their work under the hill the said hill much befreinding us so as they could not play much upon us All wee did was only sending out small parties to shoot as if wee intended to fall on that so they might draw off some of their forces from the other side of the water where our purpose was to fall on and accordingly they did draw off some of their Horse and so wee crossing their expectation fell on where wee were least looked for and about 2 of the clock in the afternoon our foot who were most of them Sea men marched up most resolutely to Mount Stamford the forlorn hope of our Horse going before and the Reserve with them in the bottome who had the advantage of some hedges which they well-lined with our Musketteers who fired upon the Enemy and they on us where and when were poured out as mighty Vollies of shot as I have ever seen or heard and whiles our foot were getting up the hill our horse and the Enemies met who most resolutely and bravely disputed the businesse not long even about half an houre and made the Enemy rather trust to their horse legs than to their own swords our horse following them amain and our foot seâ—ing what good successe the horse had went nay rather ran up to the Enemies work with their Colours in their hands and instantly made the Enemy flye for it and thus routing totally all their horse and foot bravely took possession of the whole work and pursued the Enemy in their flight above a mile hewing and cutting them amain as they basely fled Now the names of those wee took prisoners were Leivtenant Colonell Mohun a Leivtenant Colonell of Horse Major Richard Heal Baronet Heales brother Captain Maynard who had formerly taken up Armes on our side Captain Hill Captain Aston and Captain Hatchins Leivtenant Waring Leivtenant Inglet Leivtenant Ashford Leivtenant Manwaring Ensigne Halsie Ensign Battishill and of private men about an 108. Wee also took 300 Armes in the work of Mount Stamford some barrells of pouder good store of Mattocks Shovels and Faggots and some Horses on our part wee had but one man slain and that by an accident some few hurt and but one man taken by the Enemy After this brave bickering wee had a day set apart for a speciall Thanksgiving to God for this great Victory and very shortly after called a Councell of Warre to try such of them as had heretofore taken up arms on our side but were now revolted and proceeded against 3 of them viz. Captain Maynard Leivtenant Ashford and Ensign Battishill who were executed the next day and some others afterward followed And about the latter end of this Moneth of February wee received the most welcome news of the most memorable and suddain surprisall of the strong Town of Shrewsbury by Colonell Mitton that most active and loyall Commander and Colonell Bowyer assisted by Sir William Breretons and Colonell Mittons forces together with the eminent prisoners and prizes taken by those Parliament forces which was certified and ratified by severall Letters out of Shropshire sent to London with the exact and true relation of the manner of the taking of it it being a place of great concernment and one of the most considerable Vpland Garrisons which the King then held in the whole Kingdome I shall therefore give the Reader a most true though breif narration thereof extracted out of the Letters writen from the Committees of Shrewsbury to the Speaker of the House of Commons with the List of the prisoners and prizes taken therein which was as followeth Right honourable Sir IT hath pleased God miraculously to deliver the strong Town of Shrewsbury into our hands with all the Commanders Officers and Souldiers therein a List of the cheif of whom wee have sent inclosed to you The manner of taking of it was breifly thus Upon the 22 of this Moneth of February wee drew out of our Garrisons of Wem Moreton and Stoke 250 horse and the like number of foot Sir William Brereton having sent us 250 foot and 350 horse which party by our Order was commanded by Leivtenant Colonell Rincking who in the Marshalling and managing of this designe deserves much honour and Captain Willyâ—r together with Mr. Huson a Minister who also most valiantly and bravely led on the firelockes with 50 Troopers dismounted under the Command of Leivtenant Bendebne who led on their men with great courage and undaunted resolutions after whom also followed 350 foot more which by Severn side stormed the Town neer unto the Castle-wall and marched unto the Market-house and there surprized the Main-guard and then sent a party to secure the Castle-forehead-Gate which was effected without much difficulty and after a quarter of an houre the draw-bridge was let down and the gate opened where valiant Colonell Mitton Colonell Bowyer and all the
mercies of this Moneth let thy soule bee still and ever ravished and rapt up with wonder and admiration at the infinite and unfathomed depth of this Gods free love and blessed bounty to his poore despised Church and Children With which according to his faithfull promise hee still abides and so will continue even to the end of the world to sustain and support it maugre all the malicious machinations of Sathan and all his malignant Agents And therefore let us with Christian courage and boldnesse exult in the rock of our Salvation and with the undaunted Spirit and goldly resolution of renowned Luther sing and say as wee have most just cause The Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge But now to proceed AND heer wee shall again begin the comfortable contemplation of the next ensuing Moneth of Marches works of wonder to the high honour of our wonder-working God with that famous bâ—sinesse of the most admirable and rare recovery of the Town of Weymouth in the West which was thus related About the beginning of this Moneth of March 1644. wee first received intelligence by Letters from that faithfull and most valiant and vigilant Sea-Commander Captain Batten Vice-Admirall of the Parliaments Navy by Sea That hee had then lately releived Melcombe-Regis which after the trecherous losse of Weymouth the February before still held out against the Enemy by Gods speciall and mighty assistance and blessing on the famous faithfull and indefatigable endevours of renowned Colonell Sydenham notwithstanding I say that poore Weymouth had been trecherously betrayed by many of its own malignant Inhabitants into the Enemies hands That in this great straight I say and exigent of time and danger renowned Captain Batten being by divine providence come thither with his ships releived them with such provisions as at that time they most wanted and that therewith hee had landed there an 100 of his stout Sea-men and that the Enemy might make the lesse use of the Town of Weymouth Colonell Sydenham was necessitated to fire the ships which the Enemy had on Weymouth side which having the benefit of a faire winde fit for his designe hee afterward performed accordingly and not onely burnt divers ships but part of the Town of Weymouth also which in that exigent could not bee avoyded Now renowned Colonell Sydenham with his brave Souldiers and resolute Sea-men all this while maintained Melcombe with admirable gallantry and courage and at length they most undauntedly re-gained the Chappell-fort of Weymouth and therein 60 of the Enemies taken prisoners And in this furious skirmish of thus re-gaining Chappell-fort wee took besides those in the Fort one Leivtenant Colonell one Major 3 Captains 3 Leivtenants and a 100 common Souldiers with store of provisions which the Enemy had newly got together and all this with the losse of but one man of ours a remarkable mercy of the Lord unto us which did so inrage the Enemy that Goring would needs bee revenged and vowed to assault us all at once as after this hee fruitlesly endevoured wherof more anon in its due place This certain intelligence was at that time farther confirmed by 2 severall Letters of Sir Lewis Dives which had been intercepted by the Garrison of Lyme the one of them to Sir John Barkley Governour of Exeter the other to the Governor of Bristol In which Letters hee signified the taking of the said Chappell-fort by Colonell Sydenhams forces and therefore desired Sir Richard Greenvill that Skellum and base apostate to come away speedily with his promised 1500 horse and that the said Governours would hasten away the 500 foot they promised to Colonell Goring and himself for else sayes hee in his said Letters The Crown of England is in danger to bee lost if Weymouth should bee re-gained by the Parliaments Forces Now Goring in this interim being extremely vext at the losse of the Chappel-fort and considering that it was a very great prejudice to his other intended proceedings hee therefore resolved to fall again upon that Fort and that they might as they conceived the more effectually doe it it was concluded by a Councill of Warre to fall both upon that Fort and on the Town of Melcomb also at once and in severall places and this to bee done as most works of darknesse are in the midst of the night But it pleased the Lord so graciously to order it that the very same Evening that this storm was intended one of our Souldiers who had been taken prisoner by the Enemy made an escape and came into Melcombe and gave the Governour notice of the Enemies resolution and that they would fall upon them that night so that by this means our men prepared themselves to stand stoutly upon their guard and the Enemy came accordingly and assaulted the line about Melcomb in 5 or 6 severall places together and the Chappel for t also at the same time and did it with great violence and resolution but were most bravely resisted by our men till such time as the treacherous Townesmen within let in many of the Enemies forces through their back-doores and so the Enemy came on their backs and made them somewhat to retreat In which retreat the Enemy being much strengthened by the assistance of the Town-Malignants valiant Major Francis Sydenham was slain a great losse unto us But undaunted Colonell Sydenham observing this great strait and brave Captain Batten also who in this businesse deserved great honour and commendation together with his valiant Sea-men also who most willingly came on shore to hazzard their lives in this service and fought most undauntedly and for the samâ— merited much praise and reward too they both did mightily encourage their men both with their words and examples too not to shrink but to follow on close upon the Enemy and so led them up again into the very face of the Enemy and inforced the Enemy to a swift retreat back again into Weymouth with the losse of at least 250 of their men who were slain and drowned in the River Now the Enemy being thus retreated our brave-spirited Souldiers stood still upon their guard with expectation that the Enemy would have come on again but they did not for the next morning about 10 of the clock the Enemy as appeared stricken with some panick fear were all sneakt away out of Weymouth also and secretly and suddenly had marched away both horse and foot in great haste guarding their Rear with their Horse leaving their own Colours behinde them in their Fort with all the Ordnance they took from us and 2 peices more and some barrells of powder with a great overplus of Armes and Ammunition Victuall and other good booty which had been brought thither by the Enemy and indeed they took nothing away with them but only some plunder of the Town And thus after a very tedious siege and much hard service for 18 dayes and
nights together during all which time our valia Souldiers put off neither armes nor cloathes as I was credibly informed they by Gods infinite mercy obtained a most happy and comfortable enlargement and freedome from their cruell and murtherous-minded Enemies And thus Goring and Dives who were both present in this service marched away to Dorchester with their horse and foot which were above 4000. whereas ours that were invironed by them were not above 900. being also discouraged or at least wee justly might have been for want of releif and our little or no hope of relief besides the former successe of the Enemies and yet that ours should so gallantly quit themselves and so impregnably oppose and fall upon their Enemies when they were at their strongest and themselves in the lowest and most desperate condition and besides the Townesmen within being trecherous unto them of whom above 40 had conspired to seize on the Fort which Colonell Sydenham possessed and by procuring false keyes to the prison doores to let out all the prisoners and also as I toucht before to let in the enemies at their back-doores but the plot of the false keyes was timely discovered and prevented many of the Malignant Conspirators apprehended and imprisoned some in this fight were slain and some wounded and those imprisoned in a fit posture to bee hanged as afterward they were Wee lost but 10 men on our side in all this hot and furious service All which premises considered it must needs bee granted that the hand of God was indeed most visibly seen in the whole carriage of this admirable action and famous defeat wherein I say was an apparent vision of our present Parliamentary mighty wonder Viz. The Burning Bush in the midst of such furious flames not consumed To God alone therefore bee all the honour and glory of it And March the 8 wee had certain intelligence that a ship carrying 28 peices of Ordnance laden with store of armes and Ammunition was come into Weymouth from Rhoan in France supposing Weymouth had still been in the Enemies possession and so was seized on for the Parliaments use Yea and about the same time even 3 or 4 houres after the Enemy had quitted the Outworks of Weymouth whereof you have at large heard before a lusty serviceable ship of Weymouth called the Endevour carrying in her 12 peices of Ordnance and laden with Salt and other commodities belonging to some Malignants of those parts which ship then lay close under Portland Castle but having as it seemed many honest Sea-men in her suddenly they cut her Cables swiftly and of its own accord came off to Captain Batten then at Weymouth and Melcomb although the Castle of Portland had made at least 7 or 8 shots at her And thus wee see how God most graciously blessed the affaires of that Town at that time both by Sea and by Land to him alone bee all the praise and glory of it Shortly after to wit on Wednesday March the 12. Both Houses of Parliament most piously concurred for the keeping of a Solemn day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God at Christ-Church in London for all these so many and marveilous rich mercies of the Lord unto us Since the happy dissolution of that foresaid Treaty at Vxbridge as namely for the winning of Scarborough Town Haven Shrewsbury so unexpectedly and admirably put into the Parliaments hands The extraordinary recovering of Weymouth and even miraculous preservation of Melcomb Regis c. Where and at which foresaid time Reverend Learned and Religious Mr. â—rrowsmith and Mr. Vines Preached before the Lords and Commons of Parliament the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London accompanying them there at that holy service And both Houses of Parliament immediately after passed an Ordinance for the payment of 2000 pound to the brave Garrison of Weymouth for the encouragement and reward of the good service done there and for a supply of some necessaries in that Town And besides all these remarkable mâ—â—cies of our good God to the Parliament whereof you have most fully been informed since and even at the dissolution of that Mock-Treaty at Vxbridge We were yet farther credibly assured by Letters from Ailsbury about March the 16. That the King lost the Troop of Horse belonging to his own Life-guard the manner of the taking of which prize was thus related Ailsbury Garrison having intelligence of divers of the Kings horse quartered out of Oxford for want of necessaries about this time within the Town they that have spoiled a most fruitfull Kingdome will shortly I hope want bread and Pease for themselves Heerupon valiant Captain Abricomie a Scottish Commander in Ailsbury and Major Ennis of Newport-pagnell marched from their Garrisons toward Oxford with a party of horse to Killington where accordingly they met with the Kings own Troop as they had been informed Our party went over at Islip Mill and there they found the Enemy entrenched on the other side of the River but our party of horse had carryed Fagots and so filled-up the Trench with them and with earth and so handled it that they blew up the Bridge forced the Turn-pike and Chain surprized the Guard marched into the Town took 40 gallant horse worth some said 50 li. and Captain Cheyworth Commissary Generall to the King also the Kings Chirurgeons own mate with other prisoners and in their return home they took 4 more Cavalierian Troopers driving Cattle to the Kings quarters All which praised bee the Lord they brought home safely without any wound or losse of a man About March the 14. the House of Commons received Letters from Sir William Brereton that brave Commander and pious Patriot of his Country informing them of the singular good condition of Shrewshury and also of a notable defeat given to the Forces of Prince Maurice by a party of Sir William Breretons at Holt-Bridge in Cheshire under the Command of valiant Leivtenant Colonell Jones the manner whereof was thus Prince Maurice being still greatly vext in his minde at the sad losse of Shrewsbury and as vigilantly as possibly hee could watching to catch and lay hold on all opportunities to bee revenged on the Parliaments party at last resolved upon one and therefore sent a party of foot over the River of Dee which parts Cheshire and Wales and about 13 Companies got over the said River by laying over it a Bridge of Canvas dipt in Pitch over which 3 men might march abrest These all being thus past over intended in a dark night to have surprized Sir Williams said Garrison at Holt-bridge and to have forced their passage that way to some other farther design which Garrison the Prince understood was maintained by only 2 Companies of Firelocks under the Command of Leivtenant Colonell Jones who being thus now suddenly assaulted by the said numerous enemy yet had his men in order and readinesse to receive them and entertained them with such a
Cromwell fell upon them neer Islip where proved to bee a Brigade of above a 1000. under the command of the Earl of Northampton and were part of the Queens Regiment part of the Lord Wilmots and part of the Earles own Regiments and bravely beat them at their own game fighting with them most valiantly though the best horse the King had and at the second charge entred their whole body or squadron of the Enemy and greatly disordered them following this advantage with so much courage and gallantry that in a short time they totally routed them following them in hot pursuit above 3 miles killed and took above 200. enforcing at the least 60 of them to drown themselves by making too much speed to get over a water In which fight wee also took 400 horse 3 Colours whereof one was the Queens richly embroydered with a Crown in the midst and 18 Flower de Luces wrought in gold with a golden crosse on the top wee took also about 20 Officers and divers arms wounded many who fled into Oxford and some into Blechington-House Whereupon renowned Leivtenant Generall Cromwell sent away his prisoners and marched against the said Blechington beset it and summoned Colonell Windebank to surrender that Garrison unto him which after some dispute about it it being a strong Garrison and now as strongly surrounded was surrendred to Leivtenant Generall Cromwell upon condition for the Souldiers to march away with their lives The Leivtenant Generall took there 250 Muskets 70 Horse a 100 Pikes and other Armes 3 barrels of powder with Match and other Ammunition And upon the 26 of this instant Aprill Major Generall Brown having notice that Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Horse were so neer him hee drew a party out of Abbington to march that way to bee in a readinesse if occasion were who marching toward Longworth had notice of a party of the Enemy to bee about Buckland so they marched that way but the Enemy was gone toward Farringdon But Major Generall Brownes forces followed them so close that they overtook them and fell upon them took a Captain 3 other Officers and 10 prisoners with which they intended presently to have returned toward Abbington but having intelligence of another party of the Enemies that were comming from the Devizes intended as was supposed for Oxford Scouts were sent to finde them out and having discovered them Major Generall Brownes forces fell upon them and presently put them to the rout took a Colonell a Sergeant Major 3 Captains 3 Leivtenants and divers other prisoners besides horse and armes and carryed them all safe to Abbington And the very same day toward Evening Colonell Feines with his Regiment having intelligence of a party of the Enemies that were come neer Witney hee drew toward them and with much gallantry fell upon them and in the fight and flight of the Enemy took from them a 120 horse 3 Colours 40 prisoners and 50 Armes About the 28 instant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell had intelligence that a party of the Enemies Foot under the Command of Sir Henry Vaughan formerly a Member of the House of Commons but since one of the Oxford Juncto were also about Witney toward Farringdon wherefore hee drew that way intending to fall upon them the next morning if hee could reach them and sending forth Scouts to discover the motions of Colonell Vaughan and receiving advertisement that hee quartered neer Bampton-Bush hee marched on that way parting his Body into severall Squadrons and with valiant courage marched up close unto them the Enemy having little courage to fight so terrible was the very name of Cromwell to them instantly begged quarter for their lives which was granted them and so Leivtenant Generall Cromwell took their Colonell Sir Henry Vaughan who was their Commander in Cheif 2 Leivtenant Colonells 1 Sergeant Major 5 Captains 8 Leivtenants 8 Ensignes 1 Doctor who was Chaplain to them whose name was Dunse 20 Sergeants and other inferiour Officers 230 prisoners and about 200 Armes some powder match and Ammunition with such provisions as they had with them And the rest of the day was spent in publike worship of God and giving thanks to the Lord through-out those our Armies which were within the hearing and knowledge of these great Victories for the same Finally about the latter end of this Moneth of Aprill wee had certain intelligence of the singular good agreement and sweet harmony of affections in renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army and that the Souldiers expressed very much love affection and cheerfull obedience to their said noble Generall Sir Thomas and to one another in all their severall relations in the Army and that many of those that were thought to bee discontented men and had been Officers under the most noble Earl of Essex had now cheerfully listed themselves under Sir Thomas Fairfax as common Souldiers both Horse and foot And that the last muster of the Horse and Foot of his whole Army at that time was 4000 Horse and 13000 Foot and that some Regiments of horse and foot were then advanced toward distressed yet courageous Tauntons releif wherof more in its proper place And about this time our most prudent and provident State-Promethei of Both Houses of Parliament having so well Ordered their Land-affaires now also took into their serious consideration the businesse of the Admiralty and Sea-affaires how they might bee best ordered and managed for the best good and most considerable advantage and improvement every way of the welfare of our republick The most noble and renowned Earl of Warwick then before Lord Admirall being called from that publick imployment by the late Selfe-denying-Ordinance and they looking upon this businesse as a matter of no lesse weighty concernment than the safety under God of 3 Kingdomes Wherefore at last they came to this resolution that the businesse of the Admiralty should bee managed by Commissioners of Both Houses to continue for 6 moneths and so proceeded to nominate them who were to bee imployed in this great trust Viz. The Earl of Warwick for the House of Peeres and Mr. Bence and Mr. Peregrinâ— Pelham of the House of Commons the prosperous managing of which so weighty trust and employment by which foresaid Parliamentary Worthies wee shall have occasion to make farther mention in its proper place And now good Reader let mee heer again desire thee with godly and gratefull patience to make a little stay and to take a short survey and sweete review of all the rich and rare mercies of this Moneth also And therein to see and admire how graciously and gloriously the Lord hath dwelt in his Parliamentary Burning-Bush and hitherto kept it Vnconsumed both In the most sweet and singular harmony and good agreement between Both Houses of Parliament revived by the House of Peeres for the faster binding of the mutuall affections of Both Houses together And the good services of Major Generall Browns forces about Abbington
brought in for the setling 1000 pound per annuâ—â— on Colonell Massie during his life And likewise Ordered that hee should have 200 pound bestowed upon him for his extraordinary valour and gallantry in this fight and because these monies might bee speedily issued to him it was Ordered that the Committee for the Kings Revenue should make payment forthwith of this summe And a Letter of thanks was ordered likewise to bee sent to Colonell Massie desiring him to goe on in such honourable designes and that hee should never want the encouragement of the Houses of Parliament About the 8 of this instant May wee also received certain intelligence by Letters out of Warwickeshire of the good successe of the Parliaments forces in those parts under the Command of valiant Major Purefoy testified also by his own Letter to the Committee of Parliament at Coventry and by them to London the substance of which Letter was as followeth Noble Gentlemen I Cannot but give you notice of some skirmishes lately performed by my Troop As first that my said Troop scouting abroad to discover the Enemies actions wee encountred a party of them skirmished with them and in the fight took Colonell Francis Wortley Son and hâ—ire to Sir Francis Wortley that prime and pernicious Royalist Since that I marched out again with my Troop and faced Banbury within twice Musket shot for above an houres space and drew out a forlorn hope and sent then into Nelthrop where they met with a party of the Enemies foot pursued them to the very Turn-pike killed one of them and brought off 6 prisoners without any losse to our selves Immediately after I sent out a party of 30 good Horse who bravely fell into the Reare of the Kings Army within a mile of Stow and after a stout assault upon them ours took prisoners Prince Ruperts Gun-Smith 4 Reformadoes of his Life-guard Prince Mourice his Chirurgeon his cheif Cook his Farrier with some other common Troopers 12 good horses 7 case of pistolâ— 12 swords and all this taken without any losse at all on our part praised bee the Lord for it and and 100 peices of gold was taken â—one of their pockets Since this also I sent out another party to â—udgell them up in their Rear and my said party marched straight to Cambden and found the Garrison set on fire but the party entred the Town and found 200 foot in the streets and about an 100 horse in the stables there which unexpected sight increased my mens courage and resolution and they seeing themselves ingaged charged quite through them all and through the whole Town where they discovering the Kings forces within half a â—â—ile of the Town at their rendevour charged therefore through â—hem again killed 14 upon the ground besides many more wounded put them all to run and quit the Town and my men came off without any losse and brought 3 good horses with them And about the 12 of this instant wee received certain â—ntelligence by Letters out of the West of the long expected and much longed for assurance of the releif of the distressed and much straitned Town of Taunton by Colonell Welden and Colonell Graves and their valiant forces designed by renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax for that purpose In which Town there were very many precious soules and most faithfull Servants of the Lord who were all with admirable Christian courage resolved â—â—gether with their brave and most undaunted Governour Colonell Blake to hold out to the uttermost of their dearest hearts blood rather than to trust to the present perfidious Articles and thereby the future intollerable tyranny and basenesse of a most disloyall bloody and barbarous Enemy The manner of the releif whereof being succinctly certified by valiant Colonell Weldens own Letter to Sir Thomas Fairfax I have heer thought fit for my Readers better content and satisfaction to insert onely heer and there I have made bold to interlace a word or two very materiall and pertinent to the present businesse which was as followeth To the Right honourable Sir Thomas Fairfax Commander in cheif of the Army raised for the defence of the King and Parliament Right Honourable ACcording to your Command I shall now give an account of the good successe wherewith God hath graciously blessed this party hitherto After a long and weary march wherein wee lost no time and wherein was such wise and Christian-like Discipline exercised all along as was admired by the Country people Proclamation having been made That it should bee death for any man to plunder any thing from any person wee thus at length came upon the Lords day May 11 before Taunton and at our neer approach to it wee shot off 3 or 4 peices of Ordnance to give notice to the Town that wee were come to their releif at the hearing and hope whereof valiant and vigilant Colonell Blake from a high place by a prospective-glasse discovered our Brigade and thereby greatly encouraged his Souldiers and the honest Townesmen who had had fierce assaults the Friday and Saturday before And Hopton had sent a sharp Summons to the Town Threatning them if they would not surrender it hee would take it by force and put them all to the sword except 7 persons onely that were in the Town To which the Governour stoutly returned a negative answer as brave as Hoptons was cruell saying Hee would not deliver the Town but would keep it to the last man As for those 7 mâ—n whom hee promised to spare hee desired that Hopton would send their names and hee would send him their bodies presently But to come more fully to the work it self Being now before the Town I sent out 10 of my men who fell upon an 100 of theirs and killed and took some of them who could not beleive or bee perswaded but that wee were the Lord Gorings forces and wee were within 4 miles of the Town before they would beleive wee were come against them and then about 4 of the clock in the afternoon they being fully convinced who wee were they raised the siege and confusedly ran away by night in great disorder some toward Bridgewater and some toward Exeter blocking up the way with trees and other combersome matter whereby our forces could not pursue them And truely Gods goodnesse and speciall providence appeared mighâ—â—ly to this poore Town at this time in that wee should come to their releif in the very nick of time only and pinch of their utmost straights comming on them all their Ammunition being now quite spent very much of the Town being burnt even at least 200 houses by the rage of the Enemy and yet the Town extraordinarily defended all this while witly impregnable courage yea notwithstanding that the Enemy many times entred by storme at breaches they had made but were still most magnanimously beaten out again with the losse of at least a 1000 slain before the Town in this siege and about
sleeping and not watching and standing on his guard as hee ought saying I leave thee now but as I found thee but they made them all prisoners to themselves not to the grave and so manacling their hands and fettering their feet with cords they carryed them out of the House man by man and laid them on the ground leaving them there a while to take another nappe if they could on the other side of the Moate in which mean time they ranged about the House for plunder and began to nestle themselves in their new-got Garrison But Colonell Rossiter having received the alarm by some farther private intelligence did immediately draw forth with all his Horse and Colonell Gray advanced with him with 3 Companies of Foot and comming before the House they found our men in a sad obligation fast bound both hand and foot and lying on the ground without the Moate under the command of the Enemies shot These men they first heartily laughed at and then instantly unbound them and about 12 of the clock at noon Colonell Rossiter drew out 10 men of every Troop who were commanded by Captain Norwood his own Captain Leivtenant and the foot being led on by Colonell Gray himself above the middle in water who all with admirable courage stormed the House on all sides and after a sharp assault they forcibly took it Wee had many horse shot in this service 6 men killed and about 20 wounded Wee killed divers of the Enemies and took prisoners every man that survived in the House Viz. Major Broughton Major to Colonell Willis Governour of Newark Commander in chief of these our Enemies and at this present Governour of this House Captain William Thorold a very active man for the King in those parts Captain John Johnson Captain Strickland the cheif Standard bearer 55 other Officers Gentlemen of Armes Reformadoes and Troopers 60 horses above an 100 Armes good store of Match powder ball and other provision And thus by Gods good providence wee suddenly recovered this strong Garrison again which had been so suddenly and sleepily lost About the 14 of this instant June wee received the most happy and most welcome news by Letters out of the West of that most famous and glorious Victory which it pleased the Lord of Hosts our ever good and gracious God the mighty and mercifull keeper of his English Israel to give unto us at the Town of Naseby in Northamptonshire which was certified and ascertained unto us from thence both by Letters from his Excellency the most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax himself from renowned Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and also from Colonell Leighton and Colonell Herbâ—rt 2 of the most worthy Committee for the said Army and 2 most valiant and victorious Commanders and actours in this most famous fight and most precious Victory the substance of all which famous fight I have heer endevoured with all fidelity and clearnesse of truth and with what convenient brevity I possibly could to set forth and describe for the Readers full content and satisfaction which was as followeth About the 12 of June our noble Generall being come with his forces neer the Kings Army which then were principally in and about Daventry wee had some feares grounded upon the advantage of ground with strong intrenchments on his Majesties part as also because valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell was not yet come unto us wee not being willing to engage without him and yet our neer approaching giving the Enemy opportunity of fighting us had they pleased to their great advantage but by Gods providence they did not for what reason wee knew not and so were delivered of those feares partly by the royall Armies leaving their advantages and marching toward Southam and partly also by the arrivall of Cromwell though but with 700 horse the same morning Now wee being thus re-inforced by the comming of Cromwell and the party hee brought wee resolved to follow the Enemy who left the way to Warwick which was woodland for what reason likewise wee knew not and wheeled to Harborough whereof wee having full knowledge advanced after them and that night had our quarters in and about Gilsborough and immediately after they and wee moved to Nazeby in which field the fight was fought Wee saw the Enemy about 6 of the clock in the morning for there was Champian land enough advanced toward us in a full body which I assure you was as much joy to ours who sought this above all as it was to hear they had left Daventry which was not little As touching the ordering of our Army for the battall The Generall appointed Leivtenant Generall Cromwell to the right wing of Horse and Colonell Ireton at that time made Commissary Generall of the Horse to the lest wing Himself and valiant and virtuous Major Generall Skippon to the Infantry and body of the Army and in this posture wee marched to meet our resolute Enemy who I confesse seemed unto us to come on with undaunted courage as who would not having a King with them that was able to honour them at present and to promise large revenues afterward to all those that fought valiantly Being come within Cannon-shot the Ordnance began to play but that being found at Marstone Moore and other places but a losse of time wee resolved not to want and lose day-light as is too usuall but to charge with the first Whereupon about 10 or 11 of the clock the Trumpets began to sound the Drums to beat the Horses to neigh and praunce about as smelling the battail and now thought both sides now an afternoon for a whole Kingdome nay for 3 whole Kingdomes now Caesar or Nothing was wee may suppose the voyce of their Army And The Liberties of England may well bee said to bee the voyce of our Army to whom mee thinks their most noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax said to his Souldiers as in such a case religious King Hezekiah said to his Army Bee strong and courageous my brave Commanders and Souldiers bee not afraid nor dismayed for the Kings Army nor for all the multitude of his Horse and Riders that are come together for according to our Signall-word there are moe with us wee having God our Friend than are with them With them is but an arm of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battails As so indeed hee did as now you shall immediately hear The Enemies word was Queen Mary Our word was God is our strength And so hee was indeed as you shall see in the sequell The Enemy had bean stalks in their hats wee generally nothing And now each wing of both sides charged one another with great eagernesse and violence our Dragoones began the battaile flanking the right wing of the Enemies Horse as they charged our left wing of Horse the Foot charged not each other till they were within 12 paces one
of another and could not charge above twice but were at push of pike The Enemies foot gave a little back and so did some few of ours and in the beginning of the fight the day was very doubtfull but then the right wing of our Horse wherein the Generall was in person charged in the flanck of the blew Regiment of the Enemies foot who indeed stood to it to the last man abundance of them being slain and all the rest surrounded wounded and taken prisoners These who were the very hope of their Infantry being lost horse and foot gave back But heer also the fight continuing with equall might and courage for the space of lesse than half an houre they had somewhat shattered our left wing and made them give back and were almost masters of our Artillery And heer as wee have it from credible relation a party of the enemies brake through our left wing of Horse came quite behinde our Rear of our Train the Leader of them being a person somewhat in habite like our Generall in a red Montero as our Generall had Hee came as a friend and our Commander of the guard of the Train went with his hat in his hand and asked him how the day went thinking verily hee had been our Generall The Cavalier who wee since heard for certain was Rupert asked him and the rest if they would have quarter whereupon they cryed no gave fire instantly and most bravely beat him off making him flie for his life and his companions But as I toucht before our right wing had done more upon them and besides our left wing bravely recovered their strength and ground and within half an houre or a very little more wee had quite driven them out of the field and so broken all their foot that wee verily beleeve there went not off a hundred in any one party or body After this first hot shock so received they rallyed again and put their horse into a posture to charge us which party wee were assured the King himself led up and charged with but What will hee doe when hee shall goe about to charge against God and his Countries best friends For this body was also as the rest of them possest with such a fear that though the King in that foresaid rallying of this body cryed out unto them Face about once more and give one charge more and recover the day But heer also it most mercifully pleased the Lord that the fresh forces of valiant and active Colonell Rossiter most fortunately came in unto us before the battail was quite ended who being all I say fresh men and unexpectedly falling on did admirably help to complete the Victory and to pursue the Enemy with their fresh horse with great slaughter even within the sight of Leicester So they by Gods great mercy together with our horse and foot came on I say with such impregnable and invincible courage that wee made them all fly again and wee after the breech of them killing as fast as wee could all wee found in armes and heer happy was hee that was best mounted to flye fastest for the renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax and valiant Major Generall Skippon fell sorely upon them and magnanimous Leivtenant General Cromwell pursued their horse with a full carreir about 12 or 13 miles at least even within 2 or 3 miles of Leicester the longest pursuite that ever was since this unhappy Warrebegan Thus by Gods infinite mercy wee had a great and wonderfull victory yea as great as ever since the warre began if not greater Which Victory as it is in the first and prime place to bee most justly attributed to our good God alone as the chief Cause and giver of it unto us So also in the next place to his valiant instruments and whom God only made so valiant and victorious over their Cavalierian Enemies and of these in the first place renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax hath merited exceedingly shewing such courage and resolution as hath rarely been seen in any which truely did so animate the Souldiers by his undaunted example as is hardly to bee exprest for certainly had you seen him and how his spirit was raised it would have made an impression in you never to bee obliterated God knows it is not heer hyperbolized but a reall Truth And as for Major Generall Skippon hee also did as magnanimously and valiantly as man could doe and was a great terrour to the Enemy receiving a wound in his side by a Musket bullet in this fight but blessed bee God not mortall onely an indelible badge of Honour unto him Valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell also did admirable bravely in this fight hee and his right wing of horse having expressed incomparable gallantry in this fight even to the amazement of their adversaries Yea and to speak the truth all our Officers and Souldiers did as bravely and courageously as could bee Commissary Generall Ireton did valiantly also behave himself in this fight and was sorely wounded but not mortally and so was Colonell Butler both of undaunted courage and did singularly well in this great service But I would not willingly attribute more to one Commander than to another for indeed as I toucht before they did all as gallantly as ever men on earth could doe and so did the Enemies foot which before the battail wee least valued Rupert and Maurice having at least 2000 horse more than wee had that charged fiercely on us at first but were so well received by ours though at first our left wing gave back a little that their hearts were broken at the very first especially by the thicknesse of our reserves and their orderly and timely comming on And thus wee having taken 8 peices of Ordnance in the field whereof 2 were Demi-Cannons one whole Culverin wee also possest all the rest of their Ordnance and their Carriages bagge and baggage abundance of Coaches and rich plunder whereof more anon more particularly Carts and Boates and great store of Bisket and Cheese a seasonable refreshment for our honest Souldiers that had marched so hard the day and night before and had not had a bit of bread to a Regiment for their refreshment thus the Foot and all the Train marched that night to Harborough about 4 miles from Naseby where then the head-quarter lay It was credibly conceived by the testimony of those that saw it and purposely viewed Immediately after the fight that from the battle to Harborough there were not slain above about 700. together with those slain in the field running away but in the pursuite between Harborough and Leicester at least 3 or 400 more were slain abundance of them sorely wounded and divers persons of note or quality fell among them one with a Starre and a red-Crosse on his Coat conceived to have been the Duke of Lenox but it was not hee 4 Lords came mortally wounded as was credibly reported to
Sheffield that hee came from Ashby de la zonch thither with about 2000 horse or more the day before viz. Sunday night and marched that morning viz. Munday morning to a Randevouz neer unto Dudley Castle wherewith the Litchfield and Dudley horse and others that came in to their Rendevouzes the King had then about 3000 horse as it was conjectured by the Country people which saw them But to leave him in this his most unhappy flying progresse occasioned by his own unholy miscarriages and unnaturall waged warre against God and his best Subjects and to come to our present businesse All the rest of that foresaid Munday June the 16. our Commissioners were in capitulation with the Enemy in Leicester and the Army went on preparing for a storm having received no answer all that night and looking for the return of our Commissioners the next morning and so very early resolving to fall on if they had not agreed with the Enemy But upon Wednesday June 18 about 2 of the clock the Commissioners viz. Colonell Rainsborough and Colonell Pickering returned with a full conclusion that the Town of Leicester was to be surrendred and delivered up to the King and Parliaments use upon fair and fitting Articles of agreement on both sides namely that Loughborough or Hastings that pestilent Rob-carryer should have quarter for his life and liberty to depart both hee and his Officers and Souldiers that would with a safe convoy for their persons c. But to leave all Armes Ammunition Ordnance great and small bagge and baggage behinde them in the Town save only what was agreed on for the Officers in the Articles With those Articles at large expressed our Commissioners being returned unto Sir Thomas Fairfax certifying farther how marveilous joyfull the poore Town of Leicester was at the hearing of the said agreement and that they should bee rid of the Cavalierian Roysters which accordingly was performed and on Wednesday morning about 10 of the clock Sir Thomas was permitted with all his forces to enter into Leicester and take possession thereof for the use of the King and Parliament Wherein was left 14 peices of Ordnance 30 Colours 2000 Armes 500 Horse 50 barrels of Gunpowder And all other their Armes and Ammunition and provisions in great plenty with all their bagge and baggage And thus you see the Lord doth wonderfully for us still yea above the reach of mans wisdom and truely wee cannot but much admire the goodnesse of Almighty God unto us in doing so great things for us we cannot ascribe it to any but to the hand of God alone who indeed is the Lord of Hosts the God of battails and the onely giver of all Victories to whom alone therefore bee all the honour and glory and praise Amen and Amen About the 20 of this instant June the prisoners which were taken by most renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax and famous and faithfull Major Generall Skippon at Naseby fight fore-mentioned being neer upon 5000 in number were conveyed from Northampton to London and being brought into London they all marched clean through the City with all the Colours Standards and Ensignes yea even the Kings and Queenes Royall Standards about 55 in number which were all carryed in triumph in the faces of the prisoners who were thus led along to Martins-Lane end in the Strand the cheif Officers and Commanders being separated from the Common Souldiers were conducted by severall guards to Peter-House in Aldersgatestreet the Common Souldiers were disposed of in the New Military Garden guarded by the Green and Yellow Regiments of the Trained Bands of the City of London where they had liberty to discourse and talk with their Malignant friends and where and when some of them most audaciously entered many dangerous speeches other some confest and complained they were prest men and enforced to take up Armes for the King The next day of their being there which was the Lords day for they came into London on the Saturday they had 2 eminently learned and pious Divines appointed to preach unto them and such was the piety and charity of our renowned Parliamentary Worthies that 200 pound was presently allotted to provide bread and beer for them which was distributed among them the same night of their comming to Town I appeal then to the very est and most malicious malignant that is whether the usage were not farre more Christian-like than that most base barbarous and inhumanely cruell usage of our forces in Atheisticall Cornwall though Articles and conditions to the contrary were consented to by the King himself who was there present where they poore soules were very many of them stript naked and enforced to march through water and mudde thick and thin yea and some to go in that naked condition without or bread or drink some 30. some 40. some almost 50 miles Besides this how many of ours have been imprisoned at Oxford Marleborough and other places who have been tyed and manacled their necks and heeles together and many of them starved to death yea even wilfully murthered in prison as I may justly say in not being allowed sustenance or Chirurgeons to heal their greivous wounds where is you see heer our Parliament piously and mercifully provided both sustenance and Chirurgeons for their prisoners bodies and soules too blessed bee the Lord for it Much also about the foresaid time wee had certain information that our loyall and loving brethren of Scotland were now advanced and arrived at Nottingham with 7000 foot and 4000 horse expecting command for their removall and promoving of some great design for the good of the Kingdome and for the carrying on of the hopefull re-establishment of a happy and holy peace among us and that in this their advance their horse in their march on the way met with some of the Kings stragling scattered and broken Troops fled from Naseby and took at least 60 horse and their Riders neer Skipton And much about the same time wee had certain intelligence by Letters out of Dorsetshire that Captain Butler having assured information that the Kings Garrison at Corff-Castle had store of Cattle and that they turned them out to grazing every day but fearing our forces they brought them into the Castle every night hee therefore drew forth out of Wareham a party of horse and foot in the night being assisted by Captain Jordon and Captain Lawrence and lay undiscovered all the night till morning and at break of day the Enemy in the Castle having turned out the Cattle and horse to grasse Captain Butler who commanded the horse drew neer the Castle and faced the Enemy whiles Captain Jordan and Captain Laurence drew up the foot entred the Town beat the Enemy to the Castle and bravely kept them play whiles the horse drove away their Cattle from under their very walls to the number of at least 140. and took about 20 good horse and brought them all off safely
in continuing in these parts for the securing these Garrisons Sir Mich. Woodhouse Governour of Ludlow one that came out of Ireland procures all the Kings Garrisons for above 20 miles compasse to draw out for his releif Colon. Lunsford from Monmouth Colonell Sands from Worcester Colonell Skudamore from Hereford Sir Mich. Woodhouse from Ludlow forces from Hartlebury and other Garrisons all which made a body of about 2000 horse and foot which marched up neer Braincroft Castle wee being too weak to encounter with them marched to Wistenstow within a mile of Stook the better to inforce our selves from Shrewsbury and Montgomery whither wee sent for forces but came not in time enough the Enemies contrary to our expectation judging Stook of more consequence made haste thither to besiege it of whose approach the Colonells having intelligence with advice of the field-Officers drew our resolving to fight our horse made what haste they could to come in Captain Fouks troop to which were joyned some Reformadoes fell upon a body of the Enemies horse being 200. and routed them the foot marched on with gallant resolution beat up all their ambuscadoes in the hedges for a mile together untill they came to the main body which after an houres fight wee routed and dispersed In this businesse Leivtenant Colonell Rinking deserves much honour in which he shewed as much valour as a man could do and also the other Colonels did very gallantly we slew neer 100 on the place took above 300 common Souldiers about 60 Officers and Gentleman all their Ordnance bag and baggage 4 barrels of powder a good quantity of match and bullets 100 horse some Gentlemen of quality were slain there being most of the Gallantry of Herefordshire In the action Sir William Crofts the best head-peice and activest man in that County was slain on the place the Governour of Ludlow and Monmouth hardly escaped Sir Mich. Woodhouse his horse being taken The glory of this great action belongs onely to God who was pleased to make weak means instrumentall all to doe so great a work Major Fenwick who behaved himself gallantly is wounded but wee hope not mortally There were taken in this fight Colonell James Boughton Capt. Walter Neale Capt. George Wright Capt. Tho. Stait Capt. Leivten Joseph Singe 2 Cornets 3 Ensignes 2 Leivtenants 3 Sergeants 9 Quartermasters 7 Corporalls 5 Waggoners 3 Montrosses Gerrard Steel Physician Richard Richardson Chirurgeon And many Gentlemen After this fight wee returned to Salop and marched out on the 14 of June early with 13 Colours of foot and 5 Troopes of Horse towards Bridgenorth On the 16 day there was sent hither 26 prisoners most of them Officers taken as I understand comming towards Bridgenorth amongst these prisoners there were foure Parsons Viz. Parson Avacham and Parson Ambler these two have been wicked Incendiaries the other two I knew not this feat being done our forces faced about and before any of us knew of it were set down before Caâ—s-Castle within 7 miles of this town which is a strong Garrison of the Enemies wee are close up to the walls already if wee bee not disturbed by a greater strength I hope wee shall carry it all the Gentlemen of the Committee but one are in this service and very active By Letters from Shropshire of the 23 of June wee were certified that the strong Castle of Cause after 7 dayes siege was taken by the forces of Shropshire the Officers and Souldiers marched out with their single armes without any baggage all the Horse are delivered up to the Committees for the service of the publick It is a place of great concernment and stands upon a Rock not Mineable by this the Country is cleared on that side Severne to Ludlow and quite up to Montgomery the County is in a good condition and will bee very speedily put into a brave posture The Forces as one of credit reports that came thence since the taking of Cause are now before Shrawdon Castle Much also about the foresaid time wee received certain information by Letters out of Cheshire that valiant Colonell Venables Governour of Tarvin having intelligence that a party of Chester forces were going forth to the releif of Caus-Castle in the tiâ—e when it was besieged as aforesaid this vigilant Colonell I say in the night time drew forth a party out of his Garrison went over the River of Dee on the Welsh-side where hee met with that party of the Kings fell bravely upon them who being thus suddenly and unexpectedly assaulted were soon put to the Rout wher hee took Sir John Powell a Commissioner for the Kings Array and who had formerly been High Sheriffe of the County of Chester together with 40 more prisoners whereof some were Officers and about an 100 horse and good store of Armes and thus also prevented that designe of the Enemies And about the latter end of this instant Juâ—e wee had certain intelligence out of the West of the taking of Heyworth in Wiltshire by the forces of our most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax in his way more Westward which was thus performed When the Enemy heard that our forces drew neer-unto them a party of them fled into the Church but afterward their Commander in cheif drew them out of the Church to guard the Bridge at one end of the Town which for a while they pretty valiantly maintained but were soon-forced to forsake it with the losse of Colonell Sir Thomas Nott and divers others who were slain in the place on the Enemies part where also wee took an 100 Armes and other Ammunition together with 60 prisoners And heer good Reader let mee again desire thee to stay a while and that moâ—â— justly in great and gratefull admiration and contemplation of the most remarkable and precious providence of our good God and his most mighty and mercifull protection and preservation of his maiveilously maligned Church the Parliaments Cause which most like Moses his Burning-Bush hath this Moneth also in a most high measure been preserved with no lesse than Coelestiall assistance in the midst of so many fierce and furious â—lames of regall Malignity not onely from being even quite extinct and consumed but even miracâ—lously made to prosper and flourish in flames maugre all the might and machinations of its proudest and most politick pressing and oppressing Enemies as is most eminently and evidently to bee seen and acknowledged First in that affectionate and feeling Petition of the Citizens of London to the Parliament touching the then present sad and low condition of the whole Kingdom Together with that brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Chester by valiant Leivtenant Colonell Venables And that of renowned Rossiter at Hâ—ughâ—m-House Especially in that most famous glorious and ever to bee recorded Victory most worthy to bee deeply ingraven in never to bee obliterated Characters of most gratefull and gracious hearts far more precious and pleasing to God than richest and
to draw them from their place of refuge and to gaine more miles to follow the pursuite which by Gods mercy they resolutely intended Now the Enemy thinking all their own came on as farre as Wolverhampton after him where the brave Colonell facing about and giving them a violent charge brake quite through them and charging them again hee absolutely routed them and took many prisoners among whom were 2 Captains 3 Leivtenants and other Officers about 60 horse and much Armes all which hee brought safely into Stafford And much about the foresaid time wee had certain intelligence by Letters from that much honoured Patriot Sir William Armyne and Mr. Henry Darley and the rest of the Commissioners of the North that the Town of Carlile which had divers weeks been besieged by a party of the Scottish Army under the Command of the noble Earl of Callender was now surrendred to our said Brethren of Scotland upon Articles of agreement viz. in breif that Sir Thomas Glemham then Governour thereof and his Souldiers should march with their Armes to Newark c. But that they left behinde them in the Town great store of Armes and Ammunition 20 peices of Ordnance and much other good provision About the 8 instant wee were certainly informed that shortly after the good successe of our Shrewsbury forces in the taking of Caus-Castle forementioned valiant Colonell Mackworth marched to Shrawarden-Castle where after summons and some shot sent forth a parley was offered and accepted and the said Castle on conditions surrendred to him wherein they found some competent store of Armes one Drake and much other good provision and the Enemy therein being about 300 in number were sent away to Ludlow as they desired and our forces presently after this with valiant Colonell Mackworth marched to Higharchall Castle And about the 10 of this instant July wee had certain information by Letters out of the West that the Right honourable and most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax and ever to bee honoured Major Generall Massey being happily conjoyned with their forces into one body at Branford they now marched forward to Taunton and understanding by their Scouts in what posture the Enemy was now a third time sate down about that notable eye-sore of theirs terribly maligned Taunton they advanced toward them But Goring hearing of Sir Thomas his approach drew off to Chard and not daring to fight drew off all his Army from before Taunton and marched quite away from them whereby that brave Town and the thousands of most precious Soules therein were now a third time blessed bee the Lord clearly set at Liberty from farther fear and danger of those their base and barbarous blood-thirsty Enemies who like devouring Locusts had lyen long lurking about their parts and quarters in greedy gaping hope every day to have eaten them up But who being thus happily driven away the Country round about came in unto them most joyfully with all kinde of provisions in abundance whereby they had presently a most plentifull Market kept among them The preservation of this Town was indeed of very great concernment and most worthily to bee accounted no lesse than a marveilous mercy from heaven and therefore to give the Lord our God all due honour and praise for the same And withall wee may not neglect his instruments therein but in the next place highly praise and prize their love and labours especially heer also to make particular mention of the ever to bee honoured Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax who after so much hardship in Marches Siege and Battail in so short a time trod so much ground as to come so seasonably to the releif of so many brave spirited and undaunted resolved Souldiers and honest-hearted inhabitants who with so much difficulty and in much want of necessaries had maintained themselves and defended the Town against a very potent and most pestilent and blood-thirsty Atheisticall adversary About the same time also came certain intelligence unto us by Letters out of Gloucestershire that a party of the Parliaments forces being before Barkley Castle at a distance to keep in the Enemy from ranging abroad there being about 15 or 16 horse that were as Sentinels attending the Castle the Enemy prepared a party from within of about 300 horse and foot and came forth thinking to surprize the said Sentinells but those few horse discovering the Enemies approach unto them took the best advantage they possibly could and bravely defended themselves till the alarm came to the rest of their horse who thereupon came in speedily to their rescue and fell upon the Enemy with much courage and routed them killed 16 in the place whereof 2 were forward Captains many were wounded and about 40 taken prisoners Sir Charles Lucas the Governour of the Castle was there in person in the fight and escaped with a wound as wee were informed wee took also at the same time 30 horse and upward and a 100 Armes and pursued the Enemy to the very Castle-gates and in this brave service wee lost not above 3 men And thus wee see the Lord does great things for us every day ever magnified bee his name therein And about the 12 instant divers Gentlemen and others of the City of Westminster came to the Parliament and presented a petition to the House of Commons in the name of the whole City of Westminster setting forth the great happinesse and priviledge they now enjoy by the care of the Parliament and unwearied paines of the Divines of the Assembly that preach the morning Lecture weekly at the Abbey in Westminster whereby many that lived in Darknesse and Ignorance for many yeares together doe now see the light of the Gospel more clearly and plainly than ever their humble suite to the House was that the said Ministers so preaching weekly viz. Dr. Stanton Mr. Marshall Mr. Nye Mr. Palmer Mr. Hill and Mr. Whittaker may have a competent maintenance allowed them out of the Revenues of the late Dean and Chapter of the said Abbey that so they may in some measure bee enabled to subsist and encouraged to goe on in this great work of converting and bringing Soules daily nearer to God After reading of this Petition and debate thereupon an Ordinance was read and Committed to a Committee for regulating the Colledge of Westminster after which the House gave Order the Petitioners should bee called in before the House where Mr. Speaker in the Name and by command of the whole House informed the Petitioners that the House had read and debated their Petition and had likewise read an Ordinance for regulating the Colledge of Westminster and had put them both in a way to their satisfaction and returned them the thanks of that House for their care and zeale for the publike Much also about the foresaid time wee received certain information by Letters from Abbington of the prosperous successe and brave exploits of our forces under the command of that
whom wee must of necessity have buckled joyntly together and so have undergone farre greater difficulty Thirdly that now wee having thus happily dissipated and scattered this great Army of his Majesties then in beeing not an Army is left unto him in any parts of the Kingdom but such as may bee with an ordinary active power still scattered and discomfitted and soon by Gods blessing bee brought to nothing Fourthly that if the Clubmen then risen up in Armes in those Counties and whereof I shall speak more particularly anon joyn with us now after this admirable successe they also may all suddenly bee at quiet and quickly see good dayes and the West all ours Fifthly I heer also desire Gods people with mee to take speciall notice of our most renowned Generalls wisdome valour and unparallelled expedition in this whole service ever since hee first began it and that according to the rules of Warre the honour of all next under our most great and glorious Lord God is cheifly due to him and that it is most clear that his rare Discipline and sweet Harmony with his forces with Gods blessing thereon hath been his Crown Sixthly consider the place where this defeat was given viz. a poore opprest Country and that in the remote parts of the Kingdome that so from the one end of the Land to the other wee and all they may see and know that God is for us and with us and it was also neer the place where the remaining part of the Enemy lay and it is a mercy to bee neer the Enemy and that in a conquering way too and not to bee forced to goe and seek him up and down Seventhly consider the persons by whom God gave this victory namely as I touched before in our famous Naseby fight that despised Army which was the scorn and by-word of many both seeming friends and open foes of whom O said some They 'le never fight being fearfull young Souldiers O sayes another You will quickly see an end of this poore New-Modelled Army I warrant you Alas alas sayes a third There is no worth in any of them all onely they pretend Religion forsooth but there is not a good Souldier among them and therfore they shall never bee able to stand against the Kings brave Army of old able experienced Souldiers Thus they proudly presumptuously yea most foolishly despised the day of small things And forgate that of wise Solomon That the race was not to the swift nor the battle to the rider Eightly and lastly take notice to what persons God had given the benefit of this blessed Victory namely that though indeed it must needs bee granted and with comfort recorded it was and is the most religious and praying Army that ever this Kingdome beheld yet mixed with very many wicked concomitants and rude and irreligious coadjutors as instruments therein yet I say in generall for us in this Kingdome who are a people most unfit for most unworthy of such and so rare mercies who have not yet repented us of our former abominations Yea who as much as in us is refuse our own mercies had not God thus freely loved us And therefore O what infinite and ineffable praise and thanksgivings are due to our God who thus continually heales our backslidings and loves us thus freely But now to proceed And now to perform my promise concerning the Western Club-men a disorderly rable and rude company of Mongrell Malignants and rotten-hearted nauseous Newtrals now about this time and lately before risen up in the West Of whom I confesse I have hitherto made no mention nor of their basenesse obstinacy and insolency both those of Wilts Dorsetshire and Sommersetshire because I looked on them as on a rude and undigested body of tergiversatious Batts and impious Atheisticall heathens worshipping the Sunrising and frighted at the Setting of it Who now seeing the rising of this Sun of Victory in the Parliaments Horizon especially the Sommersetshire Clubmen who indeed at the very first seemed to bee somewhat active Clubbers against Hopton Stowell and the rest of those Royalists and Roysterly incendiaries of the Western parts They now all began to appear for victorious Fairfax and besides about 80 of Gorings forces whom they had seized upon and disarmed before this fight they brought along with them who willingly also offered their service to the Parliament And after this they brought in many others of Gorings men prisoners to our forces and did other good service and stiffe execution against the Enemy where-ever they fastned on them Upon the 22 of this instant the publike day of Thanksgiving for the good successe of the Parliaments Army at Lang-port was according to Order of Parliament fore-mentioned solemnly celebrated in all the Churches and Chappels in London and Westminster and within the Lines of Communication And the Collections and contributions gathered that day in all Churches and Chappels aforesaid were for the releif of our distressed brethren in the West to refresh in some present measure their afflicted loynes And in the evening of that day after the performance of the publike and private holy duties thereof to the Lord our God other externall expressions of joy and thankfulnesse were performed also all over the City ringing of Bells and making of Bonfires especially in Cheapside whither a great many of Popish pictures Crucifixes Images Popish Books and such like paultry Romish trumpery which not long before I told you were taken in Long-Acre were now brought and just in the place where the guilded gaudy Crosse formerly stood were in a mighty Bonfire built up with firpoles and faggots burnt to ashes in the presence of multitudes of people triumphing at the sight of it Upon the 26 of this instant July came another most happy and plentifull increase of our comfort by Letters out of the West to London of the certain taking of one part of the strong Town of Bridgewater by our most renowned and heroick-hearted Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes forces and immediately after of the totall taking thereof by storm The exact manner whereof I have heer thought fit for the Readers fuller content and satisfaction to insert and set down in a Letter sent by a worthy Gentleman of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army who was a speciall actor in the Service to the Speaker of the House of Commons which was as followeth To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker to the House of Commons SIR I Writ to you formerly of the late Battaile with Goring and of the taking of Lang-port and Burrough two Garrisons of the Enemy since which time the Army hath blocked up Bridgewater in nature of a siege and yet have refreshed themselves being necessitated to lie still if no Enemy had been neer till our money came up which arrived here on Wednesday and the Army Horse and Foot being Mustered were paid on Friday and Saturday the rest this day But Action being most proper for this
Horse to attempt the Line and Works by Clifton and Washingtons breach The manner of the storm being thus agreed on Tuesday at night all the Army Horse and Foot round the City were set in a posture to fall on the signes to give notice when the storm should begin were by kindling a fire of straw and shooting of foure great Gunnes Our Word during the Storm was David and after the Line was entred the Word was The Lord of Hosts About two of the Clock in the morning the storm began the Souldiers shouted for joy the service was very hot for a time especially with Colonell Rainsboroughs Brigade who with a party of his Forces spent 3 houres in the storming of Pryers-Fort a place of great advantage which piece of Service was as bravely performed as ever thing was done by man in regard they were put to the utmost by scaling-Ladders to win the Fort. They cut in pieces most of the Forces within this Fort and made the rest unserviceable and gave no Quarter to Major Price in the Fort. This Brigade took foure great Pieces in this Fort and two more in a Redoubt and Colonell Mountagues Brigade took sixteen Pieces in the severall Works and Half-Moons which they gained by storming The other Brigade under Colonell Welden fell on Somersetshire side with a great deal of resolution but when the Ladders were set to the Works they were too short the moat being very deep so that they only alarm'd the Enemy The Clubmen who fell on at Bedminster much terrified the Enemy Our losse of men was inconsiderable yea almost not credible considering their fierce brunts And truly in Colonell Rainsborough and Colonell Mountagues Brigade not forty men were lost and our Horse entred with our Foot the Pioneers having thrown down the Line and beaten off the Enemies Horse and took Colonell Taylor formerly a Member of Parliament being mortally wounded We had on our part Captaine Ireton sore wounded who was a Captain of Horse an honest and stout man Major Bethel was slightly wounded Major Saintleger and two Majors more of the Enemies part and divers others were taken Prisoners Now ours by this time being thus made masters of the most part of the Town and all their Works but onely the Main Fort Rupert fled into the Castle and ours being about to plant Ordnance against it on Wednesday morning about eight of the clock Rupert sent to desire a Parley but the Souldiers were generally unwilling to hearken to any tearms of Treaty since now they were in so faire a way of taking all by force but the thrice noble Generall out of his generous and noble disposition and resolution to mercy rather than to see so brave a Towne burnt to ashes and destroyed Rupert having already fired it in three places and vowed to burne all ere he would yeeld without Articles of agreement satisfied his Souldiers and condiscended to a Treaty which by six of the clock on that Wednesday night produced too honourable termes for such a mischievous and bloody Prince Colonell Murrey and another Knight being sent to the Generall as Hostages for the performance of those Articles which were about ten in number which here for brevities sake I omit particularly to mention and Sir Robert Pye and Sir Hardresse Waller were sent as Hostages to the Prince And things on both sides yeelded to and promised being exactly performed accordingly the Prince and his traine issued out of Bristoll accompanied some part of his way by our renowned Generall and ours immediately possessed of the City and Castle with all therein save what Rupert was permitted on the Agreement to have with him all which premises were confirmed by the testimony and intelligence of three severall Messengers sent to London immediately to the Parliament with Letters from Bristoll to the House of Commons which Messengers had by Order of the House 60 l. to be divided among them for their reward in bringing this most welcome newes to the Parliament And it was ordered That on the next ensuing Lords Day deserved and bounden thanks should be given to Almighty God in all Parish Churches and Chappels within the Line of Communication and Bills of Mortality in London and Westminster for the great and good successe which God had given to our Forces under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax in taking the City of Bristoll with the Castle and Forts thereof And on the Lords Day fortnight following Octob. 5. like bounden thanks to be given also in all the Parish Churches within the power of the Parliament thorow all England and Wales Our most renowned Generall upon his return from Rupert viewed the Royall Fort in Bristol which he esteemed one of the bravest citadels in all England in it were 24 Peeces mounted upon five bastions powder in quantity answerable victuall in abundance of all sorts 80 or 100 tunne of Beer Bread sufficient to serve almost 100000 men a day Upon the Line Castle and Forts might be in all about 200 Peeces of Ordnance then mounted and 300 Barrels of Powder Match and Powder proportionable a great Magazine of Arms some reported and that by the last and best intelligence 7000. ten small Ships in the Harbour ten Commanders slaine one Colonell mortally wounded sixty Officers and Souldiers slaine in the storme 37 desperately wounded In the said storm we also tooke prisoners 20 Officers in Arms 200 Common Souldiers and about 1000 after the taking of the City of Bristoll forsook the Enemy and chose rather to fight with Sir Thomas Fairfax than to side any longer with the Kings Cormorants we also took in speciall Basalisk the Warning-Peece which was lost in Cornwall the yeare before with some other Peeces of ours then also lost so that at Naseby Bridgewater and here in Bristoll we have re-taken all the brave Peeces of Ordnance we had lost before in the West All this rare and admirable successe was the Lords doing and is and ought to be most marvellous in our eyes to him alone therefore be all the praise and glory most worthily ascribed for ever and ever Divers Gentlemen of the West did petition to the House of Commons that renowned and religious Major Generall Skippon that famous Commander in Arms should be made Governour of the City of Bristoll which was accordingly and that most worthily condescended unto by the Parliament And now to proceed About the 12 instant we received certaine intelligence by Letters from Shrewsbury that the valiant and victorious forces of that brave and most active Garrison having intelligence in what posture the Enemy lay at Bridge-North they suddenly and silently marched thither and undiscovered fell upon the Centinels soone surprized them entred the Town it self and there fell upon the Enemy drove them into the Castle slew some of them and tooke some prisoners that the Enemy had of theirs tooke about 180. Horse and some good pillage all which they safely
brought away and returned triumphantly to Shrewsbury againe And about the 14 instant we were for certaine informed by â—â—tters from Coventry that Lieutenant Colonell Phips a brave and â—ut Gentleman of that famous City being requested as a Phisiâ—â—an to visit the Lady Lucie at Churlcot about three miles from â—arwick it being within the Parliaments Garrisons and therefore he might have thought himself secure enough but it seemed the Enemy had some private intelligence hereof and from Banbury a party of their Horse secretly attended his coming back and about two miles from Warwick or little more at their best advantage they discovered themselves upon him and ere discovered had surrounded him and riding up close unto him to have laid hold on him he stoutly with his Sword kept them off his man assisting him whereupon they shot severall Pistols at him killed his man in the place but the brave Lieutenant Colonell himselfe with his Sword only valiantly defended himselfe and violently brake through six or seven of the Enemy who stood to stop him in a strait passage and thus outriding them got to Warwick without any hurt at all This was that valiant and faithfull Phips who was the chiefe instrument under God of preserving Coventry when the King was at the first beginning of this War before it And this though a particular passage yet having so much of Gods providence and preservation in it and that to one of the Parliaments first and so fast friends I thought it worthy to be here inserted for Gods glory and the honour of his cause and the faithfull upholders of it And whereas it had pleased the Lord in his most wise disposall and righteous ordering of all things as about this time and somtime not long before to permit Montrosse that most desperate and Atheisticall Rebell in Scotland sorely and very suddenly to over-runne and spoile that Kingdome of Scotland by the cursed help of some additionall Irish Rebels then come unto him and thereby to worke such a mighty and sudden overture of things there as made us all and that most justly stand amazed to see that Kingdome so soone and so universally reduced into such a deep deluge of danger and distraction and whereby Montrosse was lifted up to such a height of pride and insolent arrogancy as to go about to summon a Parliament as Lord Paramount and already King of Scotland and to force divers rebellious and trayterous Lords of that Kingdome then in durance in Edenborough out of prison and to be set at liberty and sent to him as his beloved brethren in iniquity with him as upon his command they were And yet notwithstanding all this how admirably and graciously againe it pleased the Lord on a sudden to revive this seeming dying Kingdome and in the midst of all Montrosses ruffe and puffe of pride to disappoint and dissipate his high-built hopes and vapourous villanies of insufferable pride and oppression exercised by him on the poore helplesse Inhabitants where he came The manner whereof I shall desire the Reader to receive in this ensuing relation extracted for brevities sake out of an authentick narration thereof sent from Barwick immediately after the great and glorious victory which God gave those our loving Brethren in Scotland which was as followeth About the 12 of this instant September 1645. being Friday a day of fasting and humiliation in Scotland and valiant and victorious Lieutenant Generall David Lesley being then come into Scotland advanced with his Forces within three miles of the place where Montrosses Army lay quartered in Philip-Haugh not far from Selkirk and the morrow being Saturday Sept. 13. he marched close up within view of the Enemy who about 10 of the clock that morning according to his usuall manner had made choise of a most advantagious ground wherein they had intrenched themselves having upon the one hand an unpassable ditch and on the other dikes and hedges and where these were not strong enough they had fortified them by casting up ditches and lyning their hedges strongly with Musketeers After viewing one another and some slight skirmishes parties in this kinde growing greater on both sides at last our Van advanced close upon the Enemy and for almost an houre being between 11 and 12 of the clock it was hotly disputed our Horse endeavouring to break thorow and the Enemy with great resolution maintaining their ground but at length Lieutenant Generall Lesley charging very desperately upon the head of his own Regiment broke the body of the Enemies Foot after which they went all in a confusion and disorder and the Horse wanting their Foot were not able to make great opposition the Foot were hereupon cut off and taken whereof 100 were Irish who were all since shot to death at a post many of the Horse were killed on the place and many taken but more in the pursuit for they rallied againe which by Gods providence occasioned their greater overthrow and gave opportunity to our Horse to encounter them Here the Earle of Crawford the Generall of their Horse was slaine the Lord Ogleby and Nathaniel Gordon one of their most active Commanders were taken of the Foot and Horse it was then conceived there were between 2000 and 3000 killed And this is remarkable in this great businesse that God should be pleased to cast into our hands againe those prisoners that had been delivered up basely by the Malignants in Edenborough to Montrosse We lost on our side Captaine Barclay and Captaine Dundasse and a very few of our other Souldiers but had divâ—rs wounded yet killed and wounded there were not in all above 100. The Lord of Hosts put a spirit of courage into our Officers and Souldiers for all of them behaved themselves most resolutely and bravely and after the battell we understood for certaine that divers of the Enemies were killed and taken by the Country people Montrosse himself escaped with a few Horse leaving behind him all his baggage among which we found his own Commission from the King and divers other Commissions for Lieutenants in the severall Counties together with a Roll of all such as had received protections from him which did serve us as a good Vidimus for the payment of our Souldiers And that the greatnesse of Gods goodnesse may shine forth in this Victory the more illustriously I shall here give the Reader a List of the Prisoners and slaine in this remarkable Fight and famous Victory Prisoners of note taken besides those were killed at the Battell fought at Philip-Haugh within three miles of Selkirk in Tividale upon the 13. Septemb. 1645. and since in the pursuit Prisoners of note taken THe Earl of Traquaire Lord Seaton Lord Drummond Lord Ogleby Lord Gray Lord Linton The Lord Napers eldest Son The Baron of Drum younger The Baron of Reasyth The Lord of Derceys eldest Sonne Granchild to the late pretended Archbishop of S. Andrews The Laird of Pury Ogleby
the younger Sir Robert Spotswood pretended Secretary of State and Son to the late pretended Archbishop S. Andrews Sir John Hay sometimes Clarke Register Sir James Dowglas Sonne to the Earl of Morton Sir David Murray Sir John Byres Sir Nathaniel Gordon Sir Alexander Lesly Serjeant Major Generall Sir William Rollock William Murray Brother to the Earle of Tullibrand Col. William Stewart adjutant-Generall Col. James Hay O Cain Lieutenant-Colonell to the Irish The Serjeant Major to the Earl of Antrim and diâ—â—rs Gentlemen Prisoners of note killed LOdwick Lindsay Earl of Crawford Generall of the Horse The Baron of Innerleigh The Baron of Tough The Baron of Cambusnethen younger And Common Souldiers as was toucht before between 2 and 3000. In all which Fight our friends of the Scots lost not one Noble man or any Officer of note save onely Lieutenant Generall Middletons Father whom Montrosse before the Fight too murthered in his bed a grave old Gentleman that never tooke up Armes at all against him All Montrosses Carriages and Ammunition were taken all his Bagge and Baggage and above 4000 Armes And that Gods due glory may yet more illustriously appeare in this famous Fight and rare Victory I shall desire the Reader to take notice of these remarkable Observations on this Fight and Victory As First Montrosse having had so long a time after this last great Victory before Lesly came yet he had not gotten many thousands together Secondly That all this time not one Minister of Scotland complyed with the Enemy either to preach to them or to pray for them Thirdly That the Lord gave us this Victory in the space of an houre Fourthly That it was by an inconsiderable party not above five Regiments of Horse Fifthly That it was onely with the losse of fifteen Common Souldiers and two Captains on our side Sixthly That it was the very next day after our Fast or day of humiliation as a precious returne of our poore Prayers Seventhly and lastly that in the conclusion of the fight a paper-book was taken among our prizes in which were the names of all that either were come in or intended to come in unto Montrosse So as all the rotten members in the Kingdome of Scotland were thereby discovered in an houre and many of them cut off in a short time in this their overthrow Our Souldiers all cried out after the victorie Give all the glory to God and none to us This relation of this famous victorie though acted in and chiefly interested on the kingdome of Scotland yet having so much of God in it and no small influence on us of England also our Scottish-Brethrens wel-fare and ours being so mutually imbarked as it were in one and the same vessell I could not therefore pretermit it insilence but most justly make this honourable mention of it in this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle But now to proceed About the 18. of this instant September it pleaseth the Lord to shew himselfe wonderfully for us at the City or Towne of Chester in giving there unto renowned Sir William Breretons forces left under the Command of that valiant active and faithfull Colonell Iones and Adjutant Generall Louthane a most admirable victorie and such singular prosperous successe upon that City as gave us extraordinary hopes and probability of the timely totall reduction thereof to the obedience of the Praliament which having beene most exactly and faithfully certified and set forth by letters from thence I have here thought fit to give the Reader for his full content and satisfaction therein the Copie of one most authentick from a speciall Commander and actor therein which was as foloweth SIr It hath pleased the good hand of Gods providence and assistance to leade us on so prosperously and successefully in these parts of Cheshire that our Leaguer at Beeston-Castle hath continually kept the said Castle in great awe so kept in the enemie also at the City of Chester on Chester-side as that they could not at any time offend us but if they durst be so bold as to sally forth it hath still turned to their owne prejudice And now lately we heard for certaine that Byron their Governour went out of Chester on the welch side and we having much longed for noble Sir William Breretons comming down to command in chiefe among us which would no doubt ere this time have been an occasion of at least doubling our forces for the better and strong managing of our affaires heere But however we being unwilling to loose any advantage which we could possibly gaine or might be happily administred to us have at this time attempted a great designe yea such an one as you will iustly wonder at especially knowing the smallnes of our strength yet to God alone be all the praise and glory we are now both able to give a very good account of it for the present and we doubt not by Gods assistance we shall be able so to do for the future But noble Sir not to trouble you any farther with a tedious preamble time being precious with us at this time especially The busines was thus On Fryday last September 19 1645. We called a Councell of Warre in the Leaguer before Beeston Castle to consult about the marching to Chester to storme that Garrison and concluded that it should be done forthwith So we stole away from the Leaguer that night the Enemie within the Castle knowing nothing at all of the businesse and drew off about 1300. horse and foot from the Siege Collonel Iones commanded the horse and Adjutant Generall Louthany the foot and the next morning before the Enemie were awake we came upon them having marched all that night through the Moores passing over the River at Hupley and so on by the way of Wareton not so much as staying at Christleton to refresh our selves lest by our stay we should loose the opportunitie or be discovered We marched that night about eight miles and passed before breake of day between Christleton and Hunnington and so on to Boughton all which we carried on so privately that the Enemy had not so much as an alarme in the City We came before the City on the North east side thereof where we made no stop but presently fell to storming and by breake of day were got upon their Works and many of us got over in severall places before they heard any thing of us we tooke their workes betweene Cowland and Boughton quite to the walles of the City the enemy still flying before us we pursued them to the inner-worke which they shut up against us but we forced open the gates at the barres and still followed them driving them into the East gate which we had prevented them of had we not been stopped by the fastning of the gate which they did to gain opportunity to flye into the city we lost in all this not above 2. men killed many wounded the enemy carried away their dead all but one body many of
disputes appeared fixed on the top of a hill a little distant on that side Chester wherein the King was very confidently reputed to be for confronting whereof a party of Foot winged with Colonell Lidcot and Colonell Bethels Regiments were drawn into a convenient Close in the bottom as a grand Reserve but the night by this time falling the body on the hill appeared not and those in the bottome returned to their comrades sasiated with slaughter prisoners and booty of the vanquished Enemy While these things were thus agitated in the field the remainder of Foot left with Colonell Lowthian in the Suburbs were not idle for the Enemy made a strong sally upon them out of the City and were more strenuously repulsed the number of the slaine of the prisoners and horse taken is not yet knowne but is generally conjectured 800 slain 1500 men and 2000. horses taken there was brought in that night the underwritten list of the considerablest men taken and slaine in the fight which was as followeth Sir Thomas Dâ—bridgecourt Sir Thomas Gore Colonell Thomas Weston sonne to the Earle of Portland and 6 more Colonells 7. Leivtenant Colonells 5. Majors 19. Captaines to one whereof the Queene had given a Scarffe to weare for her sake 14. Leivtenants 7. Cornets 19. Gent. of his Majesties Life-guard 20. other Gent. 5. Trumpeters 4. Quartermasters There were slaine in this fight as we were credibly informed 2. Lords whereof the one for certaine was the Lord Bernhard Stuart the Kings kinsman Earle of Litchfieild Sir Bryan Stapleton a new made Knight the Kings Agent for the bringing over of 10000. men out of Ireland one Colonell one Leivtenant Colonell with about 400. more Officers and Common Souldiers Between 800 and 1000. others taken prisoners Great store of armes much good pillage and many more horse and men taken in the pursuit whose exact number and conditions could not so suddenly be certified After the reading of Colonell Parsons Letter in Parliament whose relation as aforesaid I have principally followed the House of Commons entred into serious Debate of the prosecutions of this great victorie And ordered that certaine Members of that House should be forthwith sent down to Sir Tho. Fairefax then at 〈◊〉 to informe him and the Armie of this good successe which it had pleased the Lord to give our forces under the command of Major Gen. Poyntz and of the condition of the North and to desire a supply of forces to be sent thither upon a designe not then fit to be revealed in publike They also ordered that the Thursday then next ensuing should be appointed a day of Thanksgiven for this great victorie in the City of London Westminster and Lines of 〈◊〉 and the Thursday 7 night following for all the Counties within the power of the Parliament And 〈◊〉 an encouragement to that worthy and Gallant Souldier 〈◊〉 Gen. Poynez they ordered that 500. l should be bestowed 〈◊〉 him as a testimonie of the affection of the Houses toward 〈◊〉 And that which made this excellent victorie the more sweet and remarkable to us was that it was given us Even as a return of prayers or as a blessed prevention of prayer to set an edge of Spirituall zeale on our hearts in prayer it being obtained and given in unto us by the wise and gracious power and providence of our good God and bountifull and ever blessed Father upon the 24. of this instant Septem which was that Moneths publike solemne fast-day Otheâ— who would not faithfully wait rest and rely on such and so liberall a God who is readier to give than we to aske And this September the 29. according to the Ancient annuâ—ll custome of the renowned City of London there was an election of their New Lord Major of the said City for the yeare ensuing at the Guild-Hall in London where and at which time the Citizens whom it concerned advisedly and most unanimously chose Alderman Adams a pious prudent Gentleman and grave Citizen to be their Lord Major In whose most happie choice this renowned City is most like by the mercy of God to be as happie and honourable every way after this yeare of his Major 〈◊〉 as ever it was by any of his former famous and faithfull Prâ—decessours And about this foresaid time the Commons assembled in Parliament received an Ordinance from the House of 〈◊〉 for making of a new Baron of the Exchequer which was read and past there and returned backe immediately to the Lords and fully past there also in the blanck whereof the House of Commons nominated and inserted for that place Richard Tomlins Esquir a Councellour of the Inner-Temple a faithfull worthy and pious Patriot as in a speciall manner his fidelity was formerly manifested to injurious persecuted pious Master Priâ—â—e for whom in those dangerous dayes he was of Counsell and stood close unto 〈◊〉 did most aboundantly declare And about this time also 〈◊〉 Parliamentary States prudently and providently tooke into their serious Consideration not only the choice of some new and truly well deserving Serjants of Law to be now necessarily made Judges viz. Serjeant Rolles to be a Judge in the Kings-Bench Serjeant 〈◊〉 a Judge in the Common-Plea's and Serjeant 〈◊〉 another of the Barons of the Exchequer But also for the future avoyding and prevention of those ungodly corruptions which have been formerly in those places it was most piously and prudently ordered that 1000. l. Per annum should be allowed to each Judge out of the Reveâ—â—â— to be paid 〈…〉 of Fees Livâ—ries and such like former allowances A happie and holy Common-wealth 〈…〉 most like to be established when both worthie learned pious and prudent Governours Judges and Magistrates fearing God and hating Covetousnesse are thus chosen to fit at the Helme of Authority and Judicature and also such courses taken as may in all likelihood and equity by Gods Grace especially restraine wonted corruption and briberie and fairly induce them to doe Iustice to all without partiality and avarice which the Lord in mercy grant unto us that Iustice now at length may run about like Rivers in our streets as the Prophet speakes Amen and Amen About the end of this September we received certaine intelligence that Barclay Castle in Gloucestershire was surrendred to valiant and active Colonell Morgan and Colonell Rainsborough the taking whereof being a place of such strength and the manner of taking of it worthy an exact relation I have therefore thought 〈◊〉 for the Readers better content and satisfaction therein to insert the Letter of a speciall actor and Commander in that service and siege which was as followeth SIR Vnderstanding that you desire to be acquainted with the true manner of our taking in of Barclay Castle which it seems you have not yet had a full Relation of I have therefore here satisfied your desire and given you a full and faithfull account thereof which was thus The 〈◊〉 was
them well-nigh three houres together and at last by Gods assistance put them to the rout and pursued them even to the Gates of Oxford In which brave bickering and pursuit they tooke prisoners Master Sackvile the Earle of Dorsets second sonne Leivetenant Colonell Simth one of the Kings Pages and Prince Ruperts Chaplain 2 Gunners one Trumpeter and about â—0 Common Souldiers And that upon the same day our quicksighted souldiers tooke 2 Barges laden with Coales Cheese slate and other commodities as they were going up the River to Oxford And about the same time also we received certaine intelligence out of the West that Farleigh-Castle in Somersetshire whereof Colonell Hungerford brother to Sir Edward Hungerford was Governour was then for certaine surrendered up to the Parliaments forces the Commanders wherein being allowed to have onely horse and armes to march forth withall and the Common-souldeirs to depart without either About the second of this instant we received Letters out of the Northern parts of the kingdome from Colonell Overton which were read in the House of Commons dated from Sandall-Castle in Yorkshire by which it was for certaine signified that the said Sandall-Castle after the space of 3. weekes Seige was surrendred to Colonell Overton upon Articles agreed on between him and Colonell Bonâ—vant then Governour of this Castle viz. That 12. of the prime Officers in the Castle should have liberty to march forth with their Horses and Swords and to carry with them a spare suite of Cloaths and the rest of the Souldiers to depart only with the cloaths on their backes and Staves in their hands The Governour and Gentlemen being allowed each of them a Horse to carry them away to Welbeck-house as they desired but their Horses to be returned by their Convoy and all the Ammunition and provisions of warre in the Castle to be left to Colonell Overton which was accordingly performed About the 4. instant we were also certainly informed that valiant and victorions Leivten Generall Cromwell being without much difficultie or disturbance entred into and fully possessed of the Towne of Winchester and having new round begiâ—â— the Castle and planted his Ordinance against it was resolved to storme it which the Governour thereof Colonell Ogle perceiving he was at first content to have a parley about the surrender of it But in the meane time some troopes ariving thither with noble and ever to be renowned Sir William Waller whose this Castle was and who was now come to the Leivtenant Generall to asist him as occasion might require the Enemie within falsly supposing that this was releife sent to them they presently tooke downe their White Flaggs and refused to proceed in the proffered parley hoping now their said supposed reliefe would breake in unto them but indeed none appeared as they hoped in which interim which was all that instant Lords-day the noble Leivtenant Generall having forborn them but now finding them thus to baffle with him on the Munday morning following he played violently upon the Castle with his great Ordinance and made a breach so wide in the Castle-wall that many men might enter in a brest heereupon the Leivtenant Generall resolved to proceed to storm the Castle and to make the Enemie repent his foresaid dallying with him and yet loath to pursue a course of vengeance and unwilling to make an effusion of blood if it might be avoyded he therfore thought fit once more to send them in Articles fit for him to require and for them fairely to yeild unto before he proceeded to the extremest rigour which in breife were gladly condescended unto by the Governour the Castle with all the Armes Ordnance and Ammunition and other provisions therin surredred into the possession of the noble Leivtenant Generall The were taken in the Castle 7. Peeces of Ordnance 17. Barrells of powder 2000. waight of Musket bullets 800. waight of Match 700. Muskets besides Pikes Halberts and other such like weapons and at least 100. Horse 38. Hogsheads of Beefe and Pork powdred 1500. waight of Cheese 800. pots of Butter 140 quarters of Wheat and Meale 7000 waight of Bisket 112. Hogsheads of strong Beare 3. Hogsheads of French-Wines 10. quarters of salt 20. bushells of Oatemeal 70. dozen of Candles 30. loade of Wood 40. quarters of Charcoale 30. bushels of Sea-coales and 4. quarters of Fresh-beefe ready killed and 14. sheep All this fore said mighty store of provisions of all sorts thus left in the Castle unabused and unembezelled by the Enemy Visrount Ogle the laâ—e Governour a resolute and desperate Souldiers with 200 gentlemen Officers and their Servants 680. horse and foot marched away to Wood-stock and so for Oxford The unexpected so soon surrender of this place was so much the more remarkable to the great praise and glory of our wonderworking God not only in regard of all that store of provisions but also in that the Castle it selfe was exceeding strongly fortified completely manned and plentifully furnished as you have heard with all kindes of provisions for the fortifications were of the strongest militarie Architects in the Kingdome for when our men had made thaâ— foresaid breach in the wall which produced the parley they had 3. workes more to have stormed each-higher than the other before they could have entred the Castle beside such a desperate resolute Souldier as the Governour was held and knowne to be All these serious circumstances considered it makes I say this Gods mercie to us the more glorious and gives no little perswasion that certainly now the hearts of the stoutest Royalists begin by the power of our God to faint and faile them blessed for ever blessed be the Lord for it And thus now renowned Sir William Waller is fully repossessed of his new House But to proceede About the 8. of this instant October our most prudent Parliamentary Senators tooke into their circumspect consideration the coming in of Malignants or Delinquents to their party and that though of necessity the Sword must be still and stiffly held-up yet out of a pious and zealous desire to hasten a period to these unhappie Civill broyles and to mixe clemencie with all their actions they thought good to propound an other day of grace or favour unto them to wit till the 1. of December then next ensuing by which time all that were or should be capable of this mercy might come in and compound for their Delinquencie for which purpose a Committee at Gold-Smiths-Hall in London was appointed and a Vote in Parliament passed to that effect And withall that all such persons of what ranke or quality soever that did thus come in and compound for their Delinquencie should also after this their composition sue-out and passe their Pardon under the Great-Seale of England or else their former Composition to be voyd and of none effect unto them but they to be apprehended and proceeded against as Spies This indeed being a most wise and excellent way both a
hands and handle not And that word of God was made good in the enemy who upon the Storme had not strength to handle their weapons to defend themselves but were delivered to the mercy of our souldiers A great part of the Pillage was sold to the Country people who likewise had a good part of the prey and carried many Cartloades away The House burnt downe and demolished After the reading the Letters of Bazing the House began to debate of some further timely service of the gallant valiant and religious Souldiers which might be done in those parts for the better cleering the passage into the West and the result of all was that Letters should be written to severall Committees to joyne forces with those that stormed Bazing for the taking of the Castle of Dennington c. The House likewise ordered that the Ministers in the severall Churches and Chappell 's in London and Lines of Communication should on the next Lords day in their severall Churches and Chappels give thankes to God for his great mercy in delivering up Winchester and Bazing House into our hands And about the 12. of this instant October we had certaine intelligence by letters from Gloucester that the valiant Active and faithfull Governour therof Colonell Morgan the most worthy Successour therein of even to be honoured Major Generall Mâ—ssiâ— with about 300. horse and 400. foot part whereof was sent unto him by the then deputie Governour of Bristol Colonell Fleet-wood assisted also by the Monmouthshire men having taken the towne of Chepstow besieged and summoned the Castle but the Governour thereof Colonell Fitz-Morris returned a peremptorie negative answer whereupon valiant Colonell Morgan planted 2 great peeces of Ordnance and a morter-peece for batterie and made a breach into the Castle whereupon the Governour sent presently to desire a parley but Colonell Morgan as presently returned answer That now it was too late whereupon all the Souldiers issuing forth fell downe upon their knees crying Quarter quarter for Gods sake and wholly referred themselves to the Generalls mercy and the Castle was instantly surrendred to him There were in the Castle Colonell Fitz-Morris the Governour Major Bridgeman and an 106. Common Souldiers who were all carryed prisoners to Gloucester They took besides in the castle 30 horse and their furniture 18. peeces of Ordnance great and small 16. barrells of Gunpouder 2 Harque bushes 6. tun of lead great store of fire-workes 30. beefs in powder 30. barrells of salt 4000. waight of bisket a butt of Sack 3. Hogsheads of Methegline 4. Hogsheads of beere and Ale 70. bushels of Oat-meale 10. bushells of Pease and Beanes and 30. bushels of Wheat many firkins of butter 400. waight of cheese with store of other provisions and ammunition And we were about the same time for certaine informed that Sir Trevor Williams and very many Gentlemen of Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire had freely and faithfully declared themselves for the Parliament and as a testimonie thereof had raised 1500. Souldiers out of both those Counties for the Parliaments service and resolved suddenly to besiege Monâ—â—th the effects whereof you shall see fully related in its proper place And thus we see how triumphantly the Lord now rides on in glorie for the blessed advancement of his Great Cause ever magnified and praised be his great and most glorious name therein The Messenger that brought this welcome Newes to the Parliament was rewarded by them with the gift of 10 l. for his paines in the journey And the House also most piously and gratefully ordered that thankes should be given to Almightie God on the Lords-day then next ensuing for the happy surrender of Chepstow Towne and Castle as also of Winchester and 〈◊〉 And they farther ordered that thankes and a reward should be sent to that faithfull and valiant Commander Colonell Morgan A right way indeed to thrive and proceed victoriously and successfully where God is in his mercies exalted and vertue and valour is not left without honour and reward About the 14. of this instant October the Vote in Parliament for sending forth writâ— for the election of new Members of the House of Commons for filling up the vacancie of those that were Deceased or had perfidiously deserted the House was put in execution and a Letter being read in the House of Commons sent from the Major of Sandwitch by a Member of the House of Peeres to procure the election of a Member to sit and serve in Parliament of his nominating according to the writ sent downe thither for that purpose Whereupon the Commons on serious debate on this businesse referred the same to the Committee of Priviledges the result wherof was That it was ordered that for the future a Copie of the Order of the House of Commons made in Anno 1641. should be sent downe with all writs for new elections A Copie of which Order for the Readers better satisfaction and for the clearing of our most renowned Parliaments integrity in this as in all other their faithfull managing of the States-affaires I have here inserted which was as followeth WHereas the House of Commons hath received Information that Letters from Peers are directed to Boroughs that now are to 〈◊〉 Elections of Members to serve in this Parliament They conceived that all Letters of that nature from any Peeres of this 〈◊〉 doe necessarily tend to the violation of the Priviledges of Parliament and the freedome of Elections of the Members that ought to serve in the House of Commons and doe declare That notwithstanding such Letters all Persons to whom Elections of Knights and Burgesses do belong ought to proceed to their Elections with that freedome which by the Lawes of the Realme and of Right they ought to doe and do expect that if any such Letters from any Peeres of the Realme shall hereafter be sent unto them That the parties receiving the same shall certifie the contents thereof or bring the Letters themselves to the Speaker of the House of Commons Octob. 10. There came a Letter from Abington to renowned Major Generall Brown the most worthy Governour thereof being then in London of a gallant peece of Service performed by that brave Garrison against the Enemy at Farringdon the particular whereof take in the said Letter sent from valiant and active Colonell Paine the said Major Generals Deputy Governour which was as followeth SIR The last night viz. Tuesday 14 instant I marched forth with a party of Foot and all our Horse to Farringdon where we came so neere the taking of that Garrison that I my self heard the Enemy earnestly call to draw up the Bridge our Foot being then within a stones cast of them before they could draw it up yet we lost not our labour for we bickering and skirmishing with them there tooke about 100 Horse of theirs foure Captaines one Lieutenant foure Quartermasters one Serjeant 17 Troopers eight Foot Souldiers and one Drum in all about 37 Prisoners and slew two upon
the next morning and thence to Sherburne where they met with a Countryman who told them that our men were prepared for their coming as so indeed a party of ours were of about 800 Foot and some Horse upon whom the Enemy fiercely falling being but a handfull to them they soone routed the Horse beat Colonell Wrens Regiment at the North side of Sherburne and tooke all the Foot Prisoners disarmed them all presently and laid their Armes in a great heap in Sherburme street till they could get Carriages to take or send them away for their further use But we having certain intelligence hereof marched thither with all speed and being now come to Sherburne we drew up our Horse and ordered them into bodies for Charges and Reserves But here first we fell into a great strait for we durst not march thorow Milford fearing the Enemies with their Dragoones for we heard they had such but they had none might have put us into disorder but above the Towne through the hedges which also was some inconvenience we were forced whom we came neare Sherburne and the Enemy drawing out against us to draw over a narrow way through an impossable Brooke which we knew not of having much adoe thereby to bring our bodies againe into order which truly might have occasioned the losse of the day unto us had not the Enemy been somwhat too late being busie with their Armes and Prisoners taken in the Towne as God had wisely disposed of it for us in drawing out of the Towne So thus then by Gods assistance I brought up against every of the Enemies bodies as neer as I could a body of ours and resolutely faced them in the Field both parties striving who should be soonest in Battalia But here let me give thee good Reader a sight of Sir Marmaduke Langdales Speech made to his Souldiers in the Field before the Fight began which came to my hand and was unquestionably a true Copy of the substance thereof and this it was Gentlemen YOu are all gallant men and have done bravely but there are some that seeke to scandalize your gallantry for the losse of Naseby Field but I hope you will redeem your reputation and still maintaine that gallant report which you ever had I am sure you have done such businesses as never have been done in any war with such a number your march from Oxford first beating of Rossiter and the reliefe of Pomfret the like I believe was never done And I hope you are Gentlemen and that you will still maintaine it and redeeme that which you have lost For mine owne part I will not have you upon any designe but where I will lead you my self And thus now I say he led them on into the Field Now the Enemy being also much flusht and incouraged with their late good successe against us charged valiantly upon us and ours answered them with as brave gallantry as could be at first the left wings on both sides were routed but in the conclusion our Reserves coming on so seasonably and couragiously the Enemy was forced to flie and we by Gods blessing got the day though I must confesse divers of our Horse as I toucht before were routed at first and the mischiefe fell most upon my Regiment who charged the onely gallant men the Reformadoes that the Enemy had One of their chiefe Commanders the Lord Digby by name was wounded as we were credibly informed and Sir Marmaduke Langdale himself also had foure Pistols fired upon him but whether he was wounded or not was then uncertaine unto us But the Victory was clearly ours ever magnified and praised be our great and gracious God and we solely kept the Field and pursued the Enemy at least three miles together Many prisoners were taken we believe 400 at least Sir Richard Hutton was slaine upon the place whose Corps his kinred having protection thereunto buried in the place he formerly had desired to be laid in I have here sent the List of their slaine and prime prisoners taken by us which you shall receive by Colonell Lilburne Many of our men were wounded but hardly ten slaine This was certainly a great businesse and a rare mercy unto us for the Enemy made themselves absolutely sure to have been in the City of Yorke that night or the next day at farthest but now they are scattered blessed be the Lord for it And that which was not the least part of our Victory we recovered againe all our men and Arms which they had before taken from us in Sherburne as also the prevention of the Enemies intended march to Montrose in Scotland which with the taking of Yorke in the way was the maine designe which the Enemy eagerly aimed at in this their thus undertaken march Not unto us Lord not unto us but to thy name alone we give as most due all the honour and glory hereof Honourable Gentlemen your desire of a full relation hath made me thus tedious for which I crave your pardon I shall present your Order to the Officers and Souldiers in the expression of your good acceptance of this our Service and your farther intended care for us And for the present I rest Your most humble Servant Chr. Copley Octob. 16. 1645. A List of the prime Prisoners and of the Prizes taken at this Battell at Sherburne on Wednesday Octob. 15. 1645. about foure of the Clock in the afternoone COl Sir Francis Anderson Col. Bulmer Col. Chayton Col. Carnaby Lieut. Col Matthew Wentworth Lieut. Col. Gordon Major Graythorn Captaine Leneon Master of the Ordnance Capt. James Cholmley wounded Capt. Marshall wounded Capt. Pudsey wounded And foure Captains more Capt. Lieut. Salter Lieut John Turner and divers other Reformadoes Master Duke Tunstall a great Papist Mr. Clavering Mr. Lowither Col. Sir Francis Carnaby slaine Col. Sir Richard Hutton slaine and 40 more Mr. Slingsby sore wounded Col. Clavering and Carnabyes Colours taken with divers other Colours Lord Digbyes Coach and the Kings Surgeon in it but eespecially his Cabinet wherin were divers Letters some wherof of great cōsequence written in a new Character the Character also found which could open all Much gallant Pillage We lost not ten men but many wounded The Enemie were about 1600 intended for Montrosse ours about 2250. About sixe hundred of the Enemy gone towards Skipton 300 or 400 Troopers taken about six hundred Horses 40 slaine and many wounded The Countesse of Nidsdale taken and some other Ladies About October 24 we received certaine intelligence by Letters from the most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax his Excellency to the Parliament as also by other unquestionable informations out of the West of the taking of the Towne Church and Castle of Tiverton by his Excellencies Forces in those parts the manner whereof in briefe was thus faithfully related Upon Thursday Octob. 16. Major Generall Massie was ordered by the Generall to advance to Tiverton
above 130 within the Castle We tooke in it seven Peeces of Ordnance 400 Muskets and Pikes ten or twelve barrels of Powder 25 Barrels of Brimstone and Salt-Peter together with good store of other Ammunition and Provision The truth of all this was consumed by Colonell Morgans owne Letter to the Parliament after the reading whereof the Commons ordered that thankes should be returned to Almighty God for all these great mercies in those parts the next Lords Day in all Churches and Chappels in and about London and Westminster And further Ordered That a Letter of thankes should be returned to the said valiant Colonell Morgan for this and all his other gallant and faithfull services for the State since his having command of Gloucester and that the said Colonell Morgan should have the command of all the Forces of the County of Gloucester And as for the Government of Monmouth it was conferred upon Sir Trevor Williams a worthy religious and gallant Gentleman A fit and faire-way indeed by gratifying the well-deserving to ingage their hearts and affections more and more to the State and Kingdome And much about the foresaid time the Letters taken in the Lord Digbies Coach at Sherburne conflict as hath been toucht before were read at a Conference of both Houses of Parliament In divers whereof to the Marquesse of Ormond in Ireland his Majesty much bewailes his low and decaying condition since Naseby Battell and advises him if he can to make a Peace with his Irish Catholique Subjects or at least a Cessation But however though he hazard the losse of that Kingdome that he should come away in person unto him withall the forces Armes and Ammunition that he could get and command from thence leaving the rest namely the Protestants on the Parliament-side and the Rebells to dispute the businesse together And to incourage the Marquesse therein he promised him that if he did prosper he should be preferred to all the dignity that possibly could be conferred upon a subject but if his Majesties undertakings succeeded ill as t was most like they would being altogether against God and his Truth hee and the rest of his followers would have the honour to die nobly in a good cause In another Letter upon occasion of Prince Ruperts advising him to a treaty with the Parliament his Majestie checks the said Prince for it wonders he was so much misled tels him that to condescend lower than his termes at Vxbridge would be as bad as a submission which he would never doe so long as he lived And in another Letter dated at Newarke October to the King declares the grounds of his comming to Newarke rather than any other Garrison it being most unlikely to be besieged Colonell Generall Poyntz being as the Letter said much broken with pursuing him That he had the greatest strength thence to break out upon occasion and to get to Montrosse who by an expresse gave him to understand that his Condition and late â—ent was not so bad and so great as was reported but that he was in a good condition and by an addition of forces from Kalcan who were coming to him he should be able to assist the King c. In all which premises we may all see with what poore and vaine hopes meere Egyptian-Reeds the King rests on and feeds himselfe and thereby thus more and more hardens his heart from hearing or yeilding any fit and faire accommodations with his people and Parliament About the 30. of this instant October we had certaine intelligence by a Letter under the hands of famous and faithfull Colonell Mitton Colonell Iones and Adjutant Louthian that the enemie being industrious to releive that Garrison of West-Chester and knowing that the losse of that would be the surrender of all the other They had therefore drawn a party out of their Garrisons of Worcester Ludlow Bridgenorth and other Garrisons thereabout 2400 viz. 1700. Horse and 700. foot and Commanded by Sir William Vaughan being all in one body neer Denbigh-Castle which was about 22. miles from Chester Whereupon our forces calling a Councell of War what was best to be done whether to suffer the Enemie to come neerer or to go out and right with them they concluded to goe out and so drew forth about 1400. horse and 100 foot leaving the Workes sufficiently man'd before Chester and on Saturday they came to the enemie neere Denbigh Castle sent a forelorne hope under the command of Captaine Otter the Body being commanded by gallant Colonell Generall Mitton the Horse led up by Colonell Jones the Foot by Adjeant Louthian who fell on the enemy with as much gallantrie as could be expected there being under their command some Lancashire horse some of Warwickeshire and Shropshire c. each Officer and Souldier deserving honour for their resolution and action among which Major Hanksworth of Warwick 〈◊〉 Major Sanders of Derby did very gallant service in short we wholly routed the enemie tooke betweene five and six hundred horse and above foure hundred foot slew above an hundred on the place and pursued them six miles doing great execution all the way so as in the evening there was not above one hundred left together of the enemie The particulars could not then be related this Messenger came on Tuesday night and had fiftie pounds given him for the intelligence And the Parliament also ordered that letters of thankes should be sent from that House to Colonell Mitton and the rest for this and all their other faithfull Service to the state And not long after the foresaid time we had yet farther information by Letters from those parts that renowned religious and victorious Sir William Brereton was now safely arived as had beene long and earnestly desired by the Countrie there at the Leaguer before West Chester and that valiant and vigilant Colonell Iones having certaine notice that Sir William 〈◊〉 the bloody Lord Byrons brother knowing well the wants and shalts of his said brother Governour of Chester had therefore got together what provisions hee possibly could make and scrape up together and all the forces he could raise to the number of about 400. neer Holt with an intent thus to releive the City of Chester on the Welch-side thereof But I say brave and active Colonell Jones knowing hereof chose rather to march out unto him by the way than to be more dangeously molested neere the City walls where he lay and so leaving a sufficient guard about the Towne in the Leaguer went forth and met him on the way bravely encountred him wherein the fight having soon routed him he tooke Sir William 〈◊〉 himselfe their Commander in Cheife Prisoner with about 50. other prisoners and horse slew divers on the place took divers hors-loades of their provision wherewith they intended to have relieved the City and thus by Gods goodnes hindred this designe also thus by Gods mercie hastning our hopes of the sooner surrender of the said Towne
Arms and the other inferiour Officers and Souldiers onely with their Swords There were taken in this Castle about 100 Muskets 50 Pikes two Barrels of Powder and good store of other Provisions And much about the same time we had certaine information by Letters from Gloucester that that valiant and most active Governour of Gloucester had intelligence of a designe against Canon-Froom by the Enemy in Hereford for the storming and surprizing of it with a strange Engine which they had provided for that purpose and brought along with them marching thus forth out of Hereford with about 400 men with their Governour they only faced the House and after that whâ—â—led about toward Malvern Hils to meet with additionall Forces from Worcester fâ—lly to besiege it whereof the Governour of Canon-Froom having knowledge and considering his present dis-furnishment of things necessary to defend the Garison against a siege or assault he sent to valiant Colonell Morgan to Gloucester praying his assistance who presently came forth to help him with 500 Horse and 200 Foot and marched to Ridley where he joyned with 300 of Corstane men but the Enemy having notice thereof lying then about Ledbury posted thence quite away but had left behinde them the strange Engine which sorely frighted our men at Froom guarded with two or three Troops of Horse from Hereford till they returned In the intrim those that had faced Canon-Froom as was toucht before falling in at Ledbury in their way to Malvern to refresh themselves there a Quartermaster of Canon-Froom with about twelve onely of their Horse accidentally being forth to view the Coasts and coming through the Towne not knowing of the Roysters being there fell upon them all and seeing themselves suddenly engaged cryed out Fall one Fall ane slew two on the place and brought away five prisoners past by the Engine without much ado the Enemy It seems being amazed at the sudden onset and unprovided some drinking and others carelesse of any such attempt cried Horse Horse and went away in a distracted manner where they surprized the Engine within a mile and half of the place drove away the Troops that were with it seized on it with the two Captains and many prisoners and brought all with their Ladders and other Instruments provided for the storme to the Garrison of Canon-Froom upon the coming in whereof such a shout was made that all the Country rang of it The Engine was such a one as the like hath not been known since these wars The Roysters called it a Sow It was carried upon great wheeles and to be drawne with Oxen it was made with rooms or lofts one over another musquet proof and very strong out of which were holes to play and shoot out It was so high that it was above all the Works at Canon-Froom so that they could discharge over the Works besides which a doore opened to bring them into the Works out of which went a Bridge for their entrance The Garison was then in such a condition that had they not been thus disappointed in all probability this Engine had effected their intended designe but God be praised it was prevented On the Lords day following Novemb 9. Master Jackson a Minister in Gloucester having information thereof in the morning before Sermon gave publique thanks in the Pulpit for so great a deliverance and unexpected and unlikely preservation About the twelfth of this instant a Messenger from the Right Reverend Assembly of Divines at Westminster was tendred to both 〈◊〉 of Parliament therein acquainting them that according to an Order sent unto them from the Parliament Novemb. 20. 164â— they had now fully perused the Psalmes translated into English out of the Originall Hebrew Tongue by learned and much honoured Master Rouse conceiving them very fit to be publikely made use of thorow the Kingdome and that they had likewise perused the Psalmes translated by Master Barton a reverend and learned Minister of the City of London who they acknowledged deserved much commendation for his great paines and abilities therein also but conceived the other most fit for publike use which were accordingly authorized by the Parliament whereof more in its due place And about the 14 of this instant Novemb. we were certainly informed that Colonell Sir Thomas Aston lately before made Lord Ashton forsooth who in the beginning of this Parliament was a mighty stickler for the Prelates and a chiefe Agent to get hands to Petitions for supporting of the Bishops Hierarchie and was one of their grand Champions of a Laick as they term'd them to write in defence of them That this Ashton I say came with a party to seeke some additionall reliefe for the King his Master about Dudley Castle and those parts of whose designe valiant active and loyall Colonell Stone Governour of Stafford having intelligence sent out a party and encountred him in the way who soone routed all his party which was in number about 100 Horse or more tooke at least 80 of them slew some on the ground sorely wounded the said Lord Ashton who within a seven night after as was for certaine informed dyed of his wounds yet he lived to see his darling Episcopacy and many base apostatizing Bishops to die and fall before him a just increment and addition to his other wretchednesse the remainder of his Horse which was about twelve or sixteene at most fled for their lives to Worcester to carry newes of their Leaders good successe and faire recruit in that designe And much about the same time we were also credibly informed that Major Blundell of Reading with a party of Horse met with a party of the Kings the most of them being Gentlemen of his Life Guard neer unto their Garrison at Wallingford where they were most jovially revelling in their Nectar-Cups all whom he there suddenly surprized being about 40 of them and carried away with him prisoners to Reading without any resistance Upon the 17 of this instant November the anniversary commemeration of the happy and blessed inauguration or coronation of that most peerlesse and precious Princesse of ever blessed memory eternally to be renowned pious magnanimous and Heroick Queen Elizabeth was still even to this day most solemnly celebrated in the famous and faithfull City of London and in some places Sermons preached on her most happie memoriall and thus incessantly hath continued notwithstanding her so long decease above 40 yeares In which regard this me thinks is a most remarkable note and worthy most Christian serious observation with all true English Protestants and sincere Christians and which I desire the godly Reader to take speciall notice of as most pertinent to these times that notwithstanding I say her so long decease she should still so constantly and cheerfully be so highly honoured and so zealously remembred being as it were most deeply ingraven with indelible Characters of gratitude and joy in the hearts of the heartiest surviving Subjects of
who had suffered much and beene brought into great poverty and miserie by the enemies there And our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland kept the like solemn-day of Thanksgiving in their armie to blesse God with us for this great mercie unto us And see and admire as a farther ground of Thankefulnes and to raise up our Spirits to a higher pitch of bounden gratitude Even the very same morning that we were praising the Lord for that great mercy so graciously received there came yet more joyfull newes to the Parliament of a great overthrow given by his Excellency renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces to the Enemy at Torrington in the West the particulars of which so memorable a victory cannot I conceive but be of most singular satisfaction to the Kingdome and people of God especially I shall therefore give the Reader a full and faithfull intimation thereof as it was sent in a Letter from a Gentleman of piety credit and eminency in his Excellencies Army and was read in the House of Commons Febr. the 20. which was as followeth SIR SAturday Febr. 14. our Army marched from Crediton and the quarters thereabout to Chimleigh Sunday they marched very early to a Rendezvouze some two miles in the way to Torrington with intention to have gone on but our Parties of horse bringing in some prisoners by whose examination we could not certainly learn which way the Enemy bent whereupon another party was sent out of Colonell Butlers Troope the forlorn of which party being twelve took twelve of the Lord Gorings Life-guard and 24 Horse and brought them to the Generall upon their examination it appeares the Enemy was ignorant of our motion The Lord Hopton was in Torrington And further that a party of the Enemies Horse was at Burrington the Generall sent a partie of Horse to meet with them under command of Captaine Barry who accordingly charged the Enemy put them to a rout shot Lieutenant Colonell Dundash a Renegado and of the Lord Cleevelands Brigade and tooke severall prisoners and brought Dundash three miles on the way but being mortally wounded was inforced to leave him at Ringdash a foot quarter of ours Also another party of Horse toward the East met with the Enemy taking some Prisoners and Horse and shot Major Bret by this time a Bridge was made up some two miles off Chimleigh so that our Army might with convenience march over but the day being so far spent it was not held fit to march with the whole Army so three Regiments of Horse and three of Foot marched some foure miles towards the Enemy that night the rest returned to Chimleigh with Orders to march Munday Feb. 16. the Generall with that part of the Army that was at Chimleigh marched up to the rest of the Army and within five miles of Torrington had a generall Rendezvouze both of Horse and Foot drew them up in Batalia and so marched up towards the Enemy When we came within two miles of Torringron our forlorne hope of Horse charged theirs put them to retreat whereupon they came on again with a very strong party and put ours to a stand the reserves of our forlorn being come up and some foot forced them to their Body againe our forlorn of horse pursued and alarmed them at Squire Rolls his house within a mile of Torrington where they began to fortifie but the Enemy perceiving our Foot came up quit the House and drew their Forces to Torrington and our forlorne of Horse advanced after them The Enemy drew their Foot out of the Town into the closes about a quarter of a mile our forlorn hope of Foot lined the hedges and so faced each other about two houres within halfe Musket shot eâ—changed many shot and there was then continuall skirmishing by the Forlornes and Reserves on both sides and some Prisoners taken by this time it began to be darke and a Councell of War was called whether to engage before day or not whereupon the Generall Lieutenant Generall with the rest of the Colonels deferred a Resolution a little time and rid to the forlorn hope to see in what posture they were while they were there the Tattoo was heard to beat in the Towne which assured us the Enemy continued in the Town not flying away as was reported but to be certaine six Dragoones were commanded to creep under a hedge neer the Barracadoes and to give fire to see whether they would answer by which we might know whether they stood to defend the Towne The Enemy received the charge and answered it with a very sharp volley of shot Our forlorn hope seeing the Dragoons engaged gave fire whereupon the Enemy gave fire all along the hedges and Works thereupon the Reserve to the forlorn came on to relieve them and so being engaged the whole Army advanced and about eight at night the battell began some six fields from the Town and we fought from hedge to hedge untill we beat them into their Barracadoes which they maintained for an houre after very resolutely our men being often repulsed yet at last got over the Barracadoes and forced the Enemy into the Town whereupon the Horse were let in who scouring the streets were received by the Enemy and a hot charge given by both parties yet it pleased God at the last we do 〈◊〉 them out of the Barracadoes at the furthest end of the Towne and by this time many prisoners were taken and put into the Church but farre more escaped being darke over the hedges and by-wayes which was not possible for us to prevent throwing downe their Arms and every man flying severall waies Our Forces were no sooner possest of the Towne but the Enemies Magazine which they left in the Church was fired whether on purpose by the Enemy or by accident we cannot yet learne but it proved a terrible blow not only blazing up the Church with all the wood and lead that was upon it deforming many houses in the Town but killed some of the Prisoners in the Church and some of our men that were in the Church-Yard two great Webs of Lead fell within twice a Horse length of the Generall but it pleased God he escaped though in eminent danger many others being hurt both with the Timber Stones and Lead most of the Towne was shaken by this blow being the terriblest that hath been seen in the memory of man there being about 80 Barrels of powder blown up together and one barell which was blowne out of the Church into the streete which took not fire The Enemy perceiving their Magazine to be 〈◊〉 fired gave one charge more with their horse up to our Barracadoes commanded by Sir Iohn Digby but our Musketeers gave fire whereupon they tooke their farewell our first instantly advanced through the Towne after them and began the pursue about 11 of the clock at night Thus it hath pleased God in an instant to scatter those Forces of the Lord Hoptons his infantry being
taken slaine and totally routed his horse many taken and dispersed and the rest gone in great disorder toward Cornwall where shortly I hope we shall meet with the remnant left of that crew and put an end to the Field Enemy in the West of England They confest they had 8 Regiments of Horse consisting of 2500 men some other of their Officers that are prisoners say 3000. Indeed they are very resolute men sought valiantly and after they were chased from hedge to hedge defended their Barracadoes and Works at push of Pike and with the butt end of their Muskets till our Foot got over a hedge and flankd them so that they were forced to quit it They were old Cornish Foot and all Greenâ—iles and Gorings old Souldiers both English and Irish who were ingaged in this service but now are scattered We have abundance of men wounded both Officers and Souldiers more than have been at any storme since the Army came forth for indeed every hedge was as it were a Bulwark to the Enemy so strong are their hedges in those parts but few of ours killed many of the Enemies both Horse and Foot Let the glory of the victory be all given to God Our first Word in this fight was Emanuell God with us and a Farre Push in our hats Their Word was We are with you and a handkercheif tyed about their right Armes but by taking some of ours prisoners the Enemy had gained the Word and Signâ—â— and therefore we changed our Word which was Truth and a handkercheif or white marke in our hats A true List of the Prisoners and of the number slaine and wounded on both sides in this fierce fight and brave victory at Torrington PRisoners taken of the Enemies 600. among whom were many of quality even 80 of the Princes Life-Guard 30 of Hoptons Life-Guard one Lieutenant Colonell 9 or 10 Captaines 6 Lieutenants one Cornet 3 Ensignes together with other Officers 200 Horse 3000 Armes Hopton himself shot in the thigh neer the belly one Letter said shot dangerously in the belly Sir John Digby wounded in the head and some others of note sorely wounded and Major Threave and Captaine Frie and other Officers slaine Of the Enemies slaine in the City by firing the Magazine 200. full 80 barrels of powder blown up in the Church which as was most credibly and for certaine informed was done on purpose by Hoptons instigation who gave 20 l. to one of their owne party to fire the same a most cruell act 20 of ours slaine in the fight and by blowing up the Magazine and no more and about 100 wounded The Lord Hoptons Commission to be Generall under the Prince Sir John Digbies Commission to be Governour of the Forces before Plymouth and other Papers of consequence taken Of the Lord Hoptons about 400 or 500 li. in money left behind at his Quarters with much plunder left in Portmantles and in other places behind them All the Enemies bagge and baggage taken and great store of provisions taken in the Town the Enemy totally routed and fled in great disorder into Cornwall and ours still in the pursuit of them The two Messengers that brought the Letters intimating this great victory were called into the House of Commons and had 40 l. given them as a gratuity for their pains in the journey And the Messenger that brought this foresaid List and other Letters in confirmation of this great victory had 20 l. given to him also And upon the 23 of this instant Febr. the House of Commons ordered that Thursday come fortnight being the 11 of March a day of solemne Thanksgiving should be kept in London and Westminster and within ten miles about for this great mercy and brave victorie at Torrington And for the Countrie it was ordered that in respect Thursday 7. night was by a former order appointed a day of Thankesgiving for the surrender of Chester in the severall Counties under the Parliaments power that on the same day hearty thankes should likewise be rendred by the Ministers of the severall Counties for this other great mercy at Torrington Upon the 24. instant the House of Parliament taking occasion by an ordinance for the discharging of the Ward-ship of the Heyres-male of Sir Christopher Wray late a most worthie Member of the House of Commons They fell upon a serious debate touching the Legality or Illegality of Wardships in generall and after some time spent therein they ordered that the Court of Wardships it selfe and all Wardships Austres les Mains Primer Seisins and all other charges incident to the said Office should be from that present day taken away And all Tenures of homage and all fines licences pardons of Alienation c. should be likewise taken away This Vote being presently sent up to the Lords House for their Concurrence their Lordships concurred accordingly therein And for the better satisfaction of the Reader I have thought fit to set downe the Copy of the order or Vote it selfe verbatim which was as followeth IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament that the Court of Wards and Liveries and all Wardship Lilerie Primer Seisins and Austres les Maines and all other charges insident or rising for or by reason of Wardship Livery Primer Seisin or Austres les Maines be from this day taken away and that all Tenures by Homage and all Fynes Lycences Seisures and Pardons for alienation and all other charges insident thereunto he likewise taken away and that all Tenures by Knights service either of his Majesty or others or by Knights service or Soccage in Capite of his Majesty be turned into free and Common Soccage This act of grace and happines to the Kingdome I conceive not to be inferiour to any of the former Acts or Votes passed by the Parliament and must needs be extraordinary acceptable especially to the Gentrie of England who by meanes of that Court were kept under in a mighty deale of homage and vassalrie in their Children and estates and they therefore now so much the more bound to doe God the more good spirituall service by how much he hath thus set them and theirs at such an enlarged libertie and freedome from this temporall service About the 26. of this instant Februarie we had certaine and full confirmation by Letters both from active and courageous Colonell Birch of the famous victorie obtained over the Enemie at Cardiffe by the Parliaments forces under the Command of valiant and faithfull Major Generall Laughorn Sir Trevor Williams and Colonell Morgan the substance whereof was as followeth Ragland-Castle in Wales having long time beene fortified by the Earle of Worcester a Papist did of late much increase in strength and committed many cruelties upon the Countie of Monmouth plundring firing and destroying Townes and Houses having the whole Countrie under their power except some few Garrisons of the Parliaments no way able to resist them Now at
to shew themselves and the enemy bestowed some shot on them but without doing any harme At last the Garrison seeing themselves betrayed and that it was bootlesse for them to stand it out any longer demanded a parley which was granted and agreement made that all their lives should be spared and those that were of the Town should returne quietly to their houses whereupon two by a ladder came over the walls The rest seeing it began againe to shoot and so brake quarter so as in conclusion they all became prisoners at discretion their lives excepted being sevenscore in number or thereabout The Souldiers got store of plunder besides which there were found 17. barrels of powder with match c. good store of victuall besides 30. prisoners or thereabout set at liberty In this Action there was but one man lost on the Parliaments side though the Enemy shot often and threw downe great stones from the wall And thus the Lord every way mightily shewed himselfe for us to the glory of his own great name the good of us his unworthy servants and the great dread and amazement of all our implacable and incorrigible enemies to him therefore alone be all the honour and glorie of all these our most memorable mercies and mighty deliverances And here I shall againe desire the godly Reader to make a short stay and to take a briefe and gratefull review of all the rare and rich mercies of this Moneth also in the Lords admirable preservation and advancement of the prosperity of this his Burning-Bush thus still not Consumed nay contrariwise still freshly flourishing and preserved both in the reducing of Belvoir castle the faire City of Chester Town and Castle to the obedience of the Parliament In the brave defeat given to the Enemie at Ashbie de la Zouch and the prosperous proceedings of our forces in the West In the establishment of the judges to ride their Circuites againe and keeping quarterly Assizes in all Countries 〈◊〉 the power of the Parliament In the famous defeat given to the Enemy at Torrington in the West and totally routing Hoptons Army there In putting down the Court of Wards the famous preservation of Cardiffe Towne and Castle and mighty victory obtained therein And the stratagemicall possession of the strong Garrison of Corff-Castle All which remarkable mercies seriously considered and gratefully preponderated O how great cause have we all with holy David frequently and frevently to enter into that his sweet Soul-Soliloquie and pious expostulation with our owne hearts What shall we re-pay and render to the Lord for all his benefits thus heaped and multiplyed upon us But take the Cup of salvation and pay our Vowes unto the Lord which we have made in the depth of our dâ—lorous daies unto him But now proceed And now we shall againe begin the most amiable and delectable progresse in the comfortable contemplation of the Parliamentary Mercies of this Moneth of March 1646. with the farther most famous successefull proceedings of our victorious Army in the West since the coming thereof into Cornwall and therein particularly their taking of Launceston a strong Garrison of the Enemies in that Countrie which being fully and truly related in a Letter by that worthy Gentlemen Master Rushworth our most noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Secretary sent to the Speaker to the honourable House of Commons I have here given the Reader an exact and true Copy thereof which was as followeth SIR UPon Tuesday the 24 of Febr. the Generall began his march with the Army from Bedford and part from Torrington and quartered that night at Holsworth being 12 miles from one place and 15 miles from the other an extraordinary rainy day and wayes extraordinary deep Wednesday the 25 we advanced from Holsworth to Launceston being ten long miles that the Enemy might be the more amazed at the Armies entring of Cornwall Colonell Butler was sent from Holsworth with a party of 1000 Horse and 400 Dragoons on Tuesday night as farre as Stratton in Cornwall to beat up the Enemies Quarters and accordingly that night he passed the River where the Enemy had raised up a Brest-Worke at Tamarton Bridge and broke down the Bridge to hinder our passage over but presently quit the passage whereupon he forced the Horse as well as Foot that kept Guard to retreat to their other Guards and 〈…〉 to the place appointed for their drawing together upon an 〈◊〉 when he charged their Horse severall times at last it pleased God to put the Enemy to the flight He tooke about 300 Horse and 80 prisoners he had more prisoners and some of quality but the Souldiers minding their â—â—ry and booty in Horses many of the prisoners escaped this party of Horse of the Enemies being about 800 that lay to keepe Guard upon the River Tamar was commanded by Major Generall Webbe who with the rest of the Commanders were put to a disorderly Retreat with the rest of their Horses which gave them such an alarm towards the North parts of Cornwall that it forced them to draw their Horse back the rest of the Army marching to Launceston which amazed them likewise on the left hand that if their intentions were for breaking through we could not tell what resolution to take When we came within two miles of Launceston we met with their Scouts having taken severall of them we understood that Colonell Basset with Horse and Foot was resolved to keep Launceston and not to permit our entrance into the same whereupon the forlorn hope of Horse and Foot were sent to force entrance into the Towne the Enemy shut the Gates made some opposition but at last quit the Town and that disorderly we took some prisoners and killed some 〈◊〉 of them night being come on the rest escaped in the darke the Arms and Magazine in the Towne we seized upon we find the Country and particularly the place to expresse much joy at our coming though they were made believe by the Enemy that the Army would give no quarter to any Cornish man or woman which they did for the most part believe and was the cause of a great terrour upon them but our Souldiers notwithstanding the opposition they had at their entring of Launceston did not so much as plunder any one house nor did any other prejudice to the Town that we can heare of but I hope will so demean themselves in pursuance of the Generals Proclamation as we shall conquer the Cornish sooner by our civility than by the Sword Thus far into Cornwall it pleased God to prosper things with us and I hope when we come more into the heart of the County we shall not finde so many Enemies as friends Very speedily you shall receive a fuller account from Your humble Servant J. R. Launceston 26. of Febr. 1645. about nine a clock in the morning And upon the 2 of this instant March the honourable Houses of Parliament took the
you with the Armies coming to Launceston and of the taking 300. horse neere Stratton By reason of the long marches the Foot had taken and many straglers behind the Generall and the Army rested at Launceston two dayes and on Saturday last the Army advanced five or six miles towards Bodman And this day the Horse and Foot had a Generall Rendezouz upon the Downes within eight Miles of Bodman the Forlorn Hope being sent out they 〈◊〉 with the Eenmies Scouts there being eight of them together which our men tooke not one escaping they all confesse they had no intelligence of our coming that they belonged to a Guard of 300. Horse that was kept on a Passe within three miles of Bodman and within two miles where they were taken the Army advancing neere to that place we discovered a Body of the Enemies Horse at about two miles distance who made a stand and faced us for a while but before ever we came were them retreated to Bodman As we were upon the Moore intelligence came That the two Companies of Dragoons that were sent towards Camelford the other day and had possest an House the better to gaine intelligence if the Enemy intended to breake through Eastward were in some hazard by a great Body of the Enemies Horse that were 〈◊〉 betweene them and the Randezvouz and forced them into a Close for their security whereupon a thousand Horse were sent to relieve them but before they came the Dragoons themselves had beaten off the Enemy and made good their retreat to a Church without the losse of a man Sir James Smith with his Brigade was the man that had a Designe to have surprized them but now we are in a manner gotten betweene him and Bodman for the Army quarters in the field and all the Villages hereabouts that he can hardly make his retreat unlesse he tooke the opportunity before our Horse came up At our coming into Cornwall especially at Launceston we found the people possest with an opinion That there would be no mercy shewn unto the Cornish but after a day being at Launceston the Towne seeing the carriage of the Souldiers so faire and not one House plundered not so much as the Governours own house and the Country being possest with the like opinion of the civill carriage of this Army came into the Market and brought in provisions for supply of our Forces but in regard Gorings Forces had plundered the Countrie of all their Horse people were glad to bring it in on their backs And Friday being the day for the Posse of the whole Countey to appeare at Bodman all the North part of Cornwall refused to appeare they positively affirming They found us Friends and not Enemies and those that were on the Westside of Bodman likewise refused to come in saying They had not greater Enemies than Gorings Horse that were among them A Gentleman whom I spake withall this day who was at their meeting said The Horse onely appeared the Posse Foot wholly refused to come in and indeed there cannot be a greater advantage to us than to drive Gorings Horse before us for their carriages are so barbarous that they made every mans hand against them where they came The Army had beene this night at Bodman but in regard the Enemy is numerous in Horse and that we marched much upon the Downs and was like to be late before we could get in it was held fit to quarter in the Fields and Villages thereabouts and the next day to march in a close Body Horse and Foot though it be the slower way yet it is the more secure The Prisoners that were taken this day told me they were glad with all their hearts they were taken upon so faire quarter for they knew they should bee all taken at last they said and that they give themselves already for lost And indeed God hath stroken their hearts with a terrour Some Gentlemen of quality have sent privatly for protections whose not appearing against us though not for us keeps all that part of the Countrey in where they are And just now we have intelligence that the Lord Mohun is unwilling to obey the Lord Hoptons Commands and rather stands upon his Guard against his Forces than to assist him with any as far as I can conceive in my poore judgement we shall drive the Enemy to a corner and it may please God to bring their Horse to accept of conditions as well as formerly they did bring our Foot for unlesse this very night they doe breake through which they can hardly do considering how our Forces are laid we have them then before us to the Lands end Your most humble Servant J.R. St. Blessenden March 1. 1645. THe Messenger staying till the morning I thought fit to give you this further account of the Enemies motion and our proceedings This morning by breake of the day the Army was drawn to a Rendezvouz upon the Heath within two miles of Bodman a party being sent out to discover if the Enemy were in the Town brought Intelligence they quit the Towne last night about ten of the clocke Horse and Foot the Lord Hopton bringing up the Rear himselfe The most of the Foot they had were Welchmen having Leeks in their Hats and drunke and went out disorderly They march'd toward Truro with a good part of their horse the rest of their Horse we this morning received Intelligence marched towords Warre-Bridge as if they intended to goe Eastward whereupon Lieutenant Generall Cromwell who went the night before to relieve our Dragoons was sent unto by the Generell to desire him to secure the passage at Ware-Bridge by placing some Dragoons there who being there with one thousand Horse and foure hundred Dragoons will give a seasonable interruption to the Enemies advance that way We finde the Towns-people in Bodman no wayes fearefull of our coming rather desiring it They say they have had no Market these two Market dayes by reason that Gorings Horse rob'd the Market people and take away their Horses There were two Regiments of Foote and two of Horse sent this morning from their Rendezvouz about nine of the clock to assist those forces at Ware-Bridge thereby we might the better drive the Enemy before us into a narrow compasse of Land At this place where we are we may see the Sea on both hands if the Enemy had had any gallantry left in them they would have shew'd it upon our approach to Bodman their only strength consisting in Horse where they had roome enough upon the Downes to play their Game but they never appeared but once and that at two miles distance and retreated I have spoken with some of the Inhabitants of this Town who were at the grand Posse at Bodman on Friday last and they affirme That of the whole County of Cornwall there did not appeare Eighty men but Gorings Horse and the Horse of the County all appeared in a great body Those Foot that were in Bodman
were some of the Runawayes from Torrington and some Welchmen that were left at Launceston and fled hither and some others of the Countrey in all to the number of four hundred at the most which is the onely body of Infantry they have left that we can yet heare of the same Intelligencer confirmed That the Lord Mahone is either restrained or wounded by the Lord Hopton yet the certainty thereof more than the publique report of the Countrey we cannot yet heare I doubt it falls out ill we have not a Squadron of Ships towards Fulmouth where no doubt they may have rich booty and intercept persons of great quality Severall Letters have beene sent unto Plymouth to the Commander in chiefe upon these Coasts we hope that they will yet come seasonable The Prince is at Pendennis and I believe within two dayes will be in France if the wind hold The head Quarter was this night at Bodman three Regiments marched to Listithiel to secure the passage that way the Forlorn hope of Horse that went thither made the Enemy quit their Guard at Listithiel and receiving Information that foure Wain-load of Ammunition was in the way to goe from Listithiel to Foy six of the Troopers rode after it and made the Convoy defert their charge and brought backe the foure load of Ammunition this night to Bodman there being 〈…〉 to every draught Likewise a party being sent out another way overtooke forty two Musketiers who had their Matches lighted and Muskets loaden foure Troopers 〈◊〉 up unto them and made them all lay downe their Arme and brought them backe Prisoners to the head Quarters Another party was sent towards Truro to discover whether the Enemies Horse remained in a body and at Castle-Denâ— is discovered a body of about a thousand horse an houre before night which we conceive only â—â—aid till the darknesse of the night to draw off after the rest further West they are so Alarm'd by our parties that they are forced to keepe in bodies and can hardly goeâ— to Quarter which will quickly make them weary and over-watchâ— and altogether unfit to breake through if they had any such intention which I believe now they have not That we keepe strong Guards at Listithiel Ware-Bridge and the Fords upon both Rivers Sir John Greenville Lieutenant Colonell and divers others are taken Prisoners Bodman March 2. ten at night About the 8 of this instant March we received most certaine information That the valiant and most faithfull Commander Colonell Moore Governour of Mountgoâ—â—ie Castle marched forth in much privaciâ— with a party of about 26. horse and 70. foot having got intelligence that Sir Iohn Watts late Governour of Chirk-Castle scituated within 4. miles of Osmestrie quartered that night within 3. miles of 〈◊〉 Castle which with security he conceived he might the beaten doâ— in regard the Governours troop of horse was at the siege before High-Archall and the forces of Red-castle were with Colonell Mitton before 〈◊〉 But this brave and as valiant aâ— vigilant Commander Colonell Moore with his foresaid small parâ—ie fell suddenly and Courageously in to Sir Iohn Watts his quâ—â—ters but the Enemiâ— much good the Church about 2 houres untill the doores were 〈◊〉 upon them Whereupon ourâ— entred and Sir Iohn himselfe was there taken prisoner together with 5. Captaines 2. Lieutenants 6. Gentlemen of worth and quality one Priest 100. foot 50. gallant horse besides troâ—pe horses and all his baggage These forces were appointed to have met Sir Jacob Ashley at his Rendezvous but were thus happily 〈◊〉 by the gallantry of this noble Colonell Moore whereby that designe was thus much lessened blessed be the Lord for it And the 12 of this instant March we received yet more excellent newes of our most noble and victorious Generals still prosperous advances into Cornwall by Letters from the foresaid worthy Gentleman Master Rushworth the Generals Secretary to the Honourable Speaker of the House of Commons which for the Readers better content and full satisfaction I have here inserted verbatim as they were printed and published by authority which were as followeth To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons SIR IN my last I gave you an account of the Armies being at Bodman Listithiel and parts thereabouts since that time we have not advanced it being held fit to spend two or three daies in securing as far as we are gone and leaving all safe behind us the businesse of Mount-Edgecomb hath somwhat taken up our time I hope to good purpose for this day came Master Coriton Master Lower Master Glanvile all formerly Members of the House of Commons and Master Trevisa to the Generall from Master Edgecomb concerning the surrender of his Fort and disbanding of his Regiment and the Forces thereabouts which is agreed unto I hope upon such Conditions as will not be unacceptable to the Parliament What influence this and the coming in of other Gentlemen of this County may have upon the rest of the Country you may easily perceive especially if you consider the quality of the persons of those that are already come in and desire to live under the protection of the Parliament viz. The Lord Malâ—â—â—â— Sir John Trelawny Colonell Trelawney Sir Nicholas 〈◊〉 Thomas Lomax Esq Pierce Edgeworth Esq William Seâ—â—â—â—â— Esq Mr. Corriton William Bond Esq Richard Edgeworth Esq Mr. Glanvile Esq Major Nicholas Saul Capt. William Bond of Earth Capt. Bourn Capt William Saul Alexander Lower Esq Mr. Francis Saul Nathaniel Trevanion of Tregerthen Esq Major William Trevisa of Crokedon Esq John Battersby Esq Richard Spurre Esq Jo. Roe of Trewarnan Esq John Horndon Col. Champernoon Mr. Rashly Mr. John Trevery Governour of Foy. Mr. Bageley Mr. Walter Hele. Lieut. Col. Fortescue Major Warren Sir Richard Prideaux High Sheriffe of the County and divers others Also Mr. Arrundel the Papist a man of power desires to be under the Protection of the Parliament And as a further Testimony of the reality of some others of the Inhabitants of this County neer Saint Columb and yet in a manner now in the power of the Enemy this ensuing Petition delivered by the hands of Master Vivian with the consent of the Inhabitants of those parts where he lives will in some measure shew their affection to the Parliament To the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Fairfax Knight Captain Generall of the Forces raised by the High Court of Parliament under his Command and other the renowned Worthies of that Army Right Honourable WE though not an acceptable number of a more unacceptable County having by Gods blessing so faire an advantage of giving our due respects to your Honour do with them present our persons also which we most unfainedly protest have been hitherto by us most unvoluntarily separated as our former readinesse and frequent indeavours to advance this service besides Imprisonments Fines and other most miserable sufferings can evidently testifie And therefore we first blâ—sse the great Lord of
common with others you may be assured of such mediation to the Parliament in your behalfe both from my selfe and others as for one whom for personall worth and many vertues but especially for your care of and moderation towards the Country we honour and esteeme above any other of your party whose Errour supposing you more swayed with Principles of Honour and Conscience than other we most pity and whose happinesse so far as consistent with the publike welfare we should delight in more than in your least suffering These things not from any need or other ends than Humane and Christian having offered I leave to your consideration and theirs whom they concerne desiring your and their speedy resolving which I pray may be such as shall be most for the honour of God the peace and welfare of this poore Kingdome and for your and their good so far as may stand therewith And having herein discharged as I conceive the duty of an honest man a Souldier and a Christian if God shall see it good to let your hearts be hardned against your own peace I shall though with some regret for that ill which shall insue to any yet with cheerfullnesse and rejoycing at the righteous Judgements of God pursue my charge and trust for the publique in another way not doubting of the same presence and blessing which God hath hitherto vouchafed in the same Cause to the weake endeavours of Thomas Fairefax March 5. 1645. About the 16. of this instant we received more certaine intelligence by Letters out of the West of the still continued good hand of God unto us in Cornwall and in perticular of a brave defeat given to the Enemie by our forces there at or about Saint Cullumbe and the taking of that Garrison from the Enemies which being fully and faithfully set forth to the Parliament by master Rushworths Letter I have here thought fit to give the Reader a sight of the Copy thereof which was as followeth TO The Honorable William Lenthal Esq Sheaker of the Honorable House of COMMONS SIR BY the last Messenger the Packet from Ireland taken in the vessel at Padstow was sent unto you which I hope came safe to your hands by which original letters under the hand of the Earle of Glamorgan you will perceive how as yet he is imployed for the bringing over of an Army and what private correspondency there is between him the Prince the Lord Hopton and other persons of Note notwithstanding he is under the cloud of being accused of High Treason his being at liberty acting the Kings Commands in bringing over an Army of naturall Irish Rebels and his correspondency with the Prince Hopton c. is enough to satisfie the World by whose Command he manages that Affaire I also acquainted you with a Summons sent to the Lord Hopton or rather honorable conditions if he would instantly lay downe Armes and disband the Forces in the West which being sent unto him upon Thursday last and no Answer returned on Friday On Saturday the Army advanced towards Saint Collumb and being drawn to a Rendezuouz foure miles from Bodman the Weather proved so extreame wet that it was not held fit to advance on any further that day and so the Foot were appointed to Quarters in Villages thereabouts and a mile or two forwards The Horse being likewise at the Rendezvouz returned to their Quarters but some went to Quarter neerer the Enemy and to the Guards except a very good party of about eight hundred Horse and Dragoons commanded by Colonell Rich who was sent away with the same with Orders to fall upon the Enemie Guards or Quarters as he should see it most fit for the service and accordingly within two houres of Evening he fell upon their Out-guards neere St. Cullumb beat them to their Main-guard Being then drawn up in a Body ours likewise drew into three Divisions one commanded by Colonell Rich another by Major Fincher and the third by Major Scroop The Enemy seeing no way but to fight the Van of them gave a very good charge Major Generall Pâ—rt breaking through one Division himselfe But they were instantly put to the Rout and we had the pursuit of them for three or foure Miles killing many tooke about an hundred prisoners whereof Major Generall Pert was one and betwixt two hundred and three hundred Horse This so Alarm'd the Enemy that it made them desert the Head-quarter for a mile and caused them to draw all their Horse to a Rendezvouz at eleven of the Clock at night on Michel-Downe and so continued in the Wet in a great Raine till the next morning thinking the whole Army had been advanced Our party returned to St. Collumb and this morning brought the Prisoners to Towne This party of the Enemies were of the Princes own Regiment most of them Reformadoes Officers they confesse their Souldiers are very weary and that if it were published among them they might have Passes to go home it was not in the Officers power to keepe them together They likewise say that most of their Officers if they knew they might be accepted into the protection of the Parliament they would desert the Service Being askt if they had heard any Propositions were sent unto them from the Generall offering honorable conditions both to Officers and Souldiers they answered they never heard of any so by that we perceive the Lord Hopton with some few of his Councel keepes the propositions from being published There are some others come from thence who say that the French are mighty inquisitive to know whether they might be so far received into favour as to have leave to goe beyond seas Laying all these together we are of opinion that it will not be in Hoptons power to hinder a good effect to the propositions sent him so soon as the same is published amongst them which before this we hope by some means that hath beene used is effectually done This day the Generals Trumpeter that went with the sommons is returned with a briefe answer from the Lord Hopton to this purpose That he had taken the letter from the Generall into consideration but the suddaine advance of our forces gave an interruption to mention at this time any particulars but by a Trumpeter of his own he would send a particular answer The Trumpeter was curteously used and much respected This evening the Lord Hoptons Trumpeter is come with a letter in answer to the Generals propositions which indeed implies a willingnesse to end the businesse of the West without more blood shed but yet desires to be satisfied whether the King and Parliament be not neare a conclusion of a Peace for being intrusted by the King it concerns him to support his honour as long he can and yet withall inclines to have some Countrey Gentleman come unto him to satisfie him of the state of affaiers Taking altogether it argnes a coming to us though it seems yet a distance or else a way to get
their Castle Wall than to suffer those former inconveniences which was done thus I marched out of Hereford munday night last with 500 Horse and Foot undiscovered untill I came within Pistoll shot of Goodrich a little before day then fell on with 100 firelocks for the Forlorn and entred over the Wall neare the end of their stable the wall was very high yet got over before they had a full alarm and found in the stable about fourescore Horse and five men which Horse I took all digging thorow the wall and turning them out the men were slaine and taken the stable with hay and other provision burnt In the mean time I fell on their out-Guard in a place called the Boat-House which was within Pistoll shot of the Castle which held out two houres untill it was digged thorow then they desired quarter for their lives wherein was Major Pateson Commander of the Horse and Major Benskin and 15 Gentlemen more and Troopers whom I brought to Hereford This successe it pleased the Lord to give me with little losse which is very advantagious and especially enabling me to perform those commands laid upon me by the right honourable the Committee for both Kingdoms And this day in the way as I was comming to Gloucester to that purpose some Horse belonging to Goodrich Castle way laid me which were out on a party when I tooke the rest munday night there being with me Colonell Kirle and about 12 more but not so many ready The Enemy stood in the way which we perceiving gave them a charge their number being 14. tooke and slew 12. and the other two escaping through the River to the Castle For the Forces under the command of Sir Jacob Ashley they are now neer Worcester I question not but a speedy course will be taken with them which shall be the constant endeavour of your most thankfull Servant John Birch About the 23 of this instant March we received certaine intelligence of the famous and most happy victory obtained by the Forces of ever to be honoured Sir William Brereton valiant Colonell Morgan and Colonell Birch over the Forces of Sir Jacob Ashley which was a very hot and furious fight our Forces being twice worsted but at last by Gods mighty power and assistance the victory was given to ours at least 200 being slaine on the place 3000 totally routed and at least 2000 Arms taken The particular description of which most famous fight and glorious victory being delivered in a Letter to some Honourable Members of the Parliament by a Gentleman of quality and credit under Sir William Brereton and by their order and authority printed and published I have thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction here to insert which was as followeth Honourable Sir ACcording to my engagements I shall give you an account of the proceedings of our Forces in reference to our great Victory at Stow Sir William Brereton having intelligence of Sir Jacob Ashleyes march and being invited by valiant and active Colonell Morgan to follow and set upon him he forthwith marched from Litchfield with about 1000 Horse to Colshell and from thence thorow Warwick Town toward Stratford upon Avon where Sir William had intelligence that Colonell Morgan was returned back as far as Cambden by reason of his intelligence of the crossings and Counter-marches of Sir Jacob Ashley insomuch that Sir William Brereton was forced out of his earnest desire to meet and joyn with Colonell Morgan as was mainly intended to march up and down backward and forward at least 30 miles to overtake him and at last did so and then being joyned we all marched about a mile by which time the Scouts had brought us word that the Enemy was drawne up into a body neer Stow in the Old at which all our Souldiers greatly rejoyced being very desirous to engage Then we marched the whole Army in Battalia and after we had discovered them also standing in Battalia we faced them an houre before we fought both sides waiting and longing for day light Then Sir Will. Brereton and Colonell Morgan agreed without any difference in the drawing up of the Army which was ordered as followes Sir William Brereton led the right Wing of Horse which were those that came with him from Litchfield and the Gloucestershire men were placed in the left Wing Colonell Morgan himself most gallantly led the Van our Word was God be our Guide the Enemies Word was Patrick and George Upon the first charge the Enemy forced our left Wing to a disorderly retreat by over powring them so that the victory at first seemed somwhat doubtfull but Sir William Brereton most bravely going on with his right Wing of Horse and at least 200 Firelocks fiercely charged their left both of Horse and Foot and totally routed them In which brave peece of service undauâ—ted and valiant Major Hauksworth had a principall hand and was a main help utterly torout and put to flight all the left Wing of the Enemy and Colonell Morgan by this time performed his charge so bravely also and with so much courage and good successe that having rallied his men up gallantly againe against the Enemy he put them also to an absolute rout and so they pursued them into Stow killing and wounding many in the Towne both Gentlemen and Officers of quality and in this pursute Major Hawksworth his man as I was credibly enformed took the Lord Ashly prisoner and all his foot Officers were then also taken prisoners and Sir Charles Lucas as was credibly reported was then also taken in the fight but immediatly after rescued by a party of Firelocks of the Enemie and on his rescue fled into the Wood hard by for hoped safety but after the fight our forces searching the wood for straglers found there the said Sir Charles Lucas even he who formerly had done the King great service in the North and was Governour of Berkley Castle but now I say was taken prisoner againe and put into safe custody This most remarkable piece of service being thus successefully performed and Sir Jacob Ashley being taken Captive and wearyed in this fight and being ancient for old-ages silver haires had quite covered over his head and beard the Souldiers brought him a drum to sit and rest himselfe upon who being sate he said as was most credibly enformed unto our Souldiers Gentlemen yee may now sit downe and play for you have done all your worke if you â—all not our among your selves Meaning indeed that now he being thus beaten the King had never another armie in the field in the whole kingdome There were taken in this famous fight and glorious Victorie Sir Jacob Ashley alias Lord Ashley the Generall Sir Charles Lucas Col. Corbet Col. Gerrard Col. Mouldsworth Leivtenant-Colonell Broughton 3. Majors 17. Captaines 16. Leiutenants their Marshall Generall 5. Cornets 11. Ensignes 3. Quartermasters the Chirurgeon and Sir William Vaughans
Plymouth the particulars whereof were in substance as followeth That about March 21. 1645. the said Colonell Welden having summoned Inch-House where the Enemy kept a strong Garrison they returned a scornfull Answer Whereupon the Colonell sent 60 Muketeers to keep them from coming out and appointed 60 more to follow with a Demy-Culverin But upon the landing of the first they within begged Quarter for their lives and so surrendred all unto the Colonell There was taken in that Garrison 90 Muskets 4 Minions and 6 Barrels of Powder And by the same Letter we were likewise certified of the surrender of Pouldram strong Fort with 18 Peeces of Ordnance in it and much Ammunition with other Provisions good store which was thus yeelded up to valiant Sir Hardâ—esse Waller those in the Garrison having had in both of them fair Conditions to depart to their owne homes upon engagement not to take up Armes any more against the Parliament And about the 30 of this instant March we received intelligence by Letters from that brave and active Committee of Shrewsbury of their great and good successe in the taking of that very strong and considerable Garrison of High-Archall after a short siege and having by Granadoes and other great shot battered them for the space of nine houres together without intermission it being I say a place of great strength and well fortified and having a large deep moat about it and in regard of the scituation of it not thought feazable to be carried by storm but by the blessing of God and our continuall plying of our great shot and Granadoes which had done great execution among them in short space we caused them to come to a Parley whereat it was concluded that the Horse all but 40 should march away without Arms that the Foot should all leave their Arms behind them and that they should leave all their Ammunition and Provision of which there was great plenty behind them and they were to have a Convoy to Worcester the place they had made choice of to go unto There marched out 212 Souldiers and Officers out of this Garrison And thus Shropshire by Gods great mercy and the indefatigable industrie care and valour of their Committee is now well cleared from all their open Enemies And much about the foresaid time we were certainly informed that this most gallant and active Committee of Shrewsbury not yet resting immediately after they had thus taken in High Archall as aforesaid sent out a party of Horse and Foot upon a designe against Bridge-North but the length of the march and the wearinesse of the Souldier hindred them so as the Town took the alarm before they could refresh themselves a little and go on in the designe as was intended yet notwithstanding the next day they summoned it Colonell Billingsley who commanded in chief in the Town would give no Answer to the Summons and Colonell Howard who commanded the Castle gave a flat denyall whereupon in the afternoon having set out three Posts the brave Salopians resolved to storm One Post was assigned to Colonell Goulden another to Major Braine and the third to Captain Hickson who at the warning given fell all three on with such a courage and undaunted resolution that they stormed the Towne killed Colonell Billingsley in the heat of the storm together with some others and took divers prisoners the rest of the Gentry fled into the Castle the North Gate Fort also stood some hot dispute but was likewise gained and so the Town taken wholly into their possession and in its proper place we shall certifie the taking in of the Castle also which yet a while stood out very obstinately against them And much about the foresaid time we heard for certaine out of the West that Portland Castle was surrendred the Enemy within it having had liberty granted them to go to their own homes leaving all their Armes and the Castles Ammunition behinde them And upon the 31 of this instant March we were certainly informed by a Letter out of the West of the taking of Exmouth Fort the particulars whereof were as followeth in this ensuing Letter to Colonell Ceeley Noble Colonell I Beseech you to excuse my not giving you an account of the businesse of Exmouth Fort till now which hath been occasioned by reason of the sudden commands of Sir Hardresse Waller laid upon me to advance neer the City of Exeter And although I know you are well acquainted with our proceedings yet I conceive it my duty to advertise you of our condition The 14 instant I summoned the Fort and took possession of it the next day I have sent you inclosed what provision was left in it The Governour thereof Lieutenant Colonell Arundell desires to serve you for Ireland Sir we are now within Musket shot of Mount-Hadford and exchanging shot every minute and God hath pleased to honour yours with the Frontier Quarters As yet nothing hath happened that will not speak us Colonell Ceeleys The forementioned note of what was left in Exmouth Fort was 13 great iron Peeces 2 small Drakes 1 of brasse 3 Murtherers unmounted 72 Muskets 29 Collers of Bandaleers 10 Pikes 10 Halberts and Partizans 12 Barrels of Powder 2 bundles of Match 1 barrell of Pease 5 Hogsheads of Bread 1 Hogshead of Beef 5 Hogsheads of Salt 1 Butt of Beer c. About the beginning of the Moneth of Aprill 1646. we received certaine and most welcome intelligence of the surrender of Dennington Castle about which valiant Colonell Dalbeir having continued playing with his Granadoes into the Castle with much furie it at last procured this good successe That Sir John Boys the Governour thereof finding no hope of help or reliefe and perceiving what great danger the Castle was in at last he agreed to surrender it up to the said noble Colonell for the use of the King and Parliament And so the Enemy immediately came forth of the Castle having liberty according to their Articles to depart to Oxford and our Forces took present possession of it And thus this pernicious nest and den of Royall Robbers and abusers of those parts of the Country was now at last happily emptied and cleared and the Castle restored to its right owner againe that most worthy and truly religious Gentleman Master John Packer whose formerly it had been And Aprill 2. the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled prudently taking notice of the great confluence and resort of Papists Malignant Officers and Souldiers of fortune and such as have borne Arms against the Parliament of England from the Enemies Garrisons and Quarters unto the Cities of London and Westminster and other parts within the Lines of Communication Do for the prevention of such inconveniences as may therby arise think fit to order and it is hereby ordered by the said Lords and Commons That all Papists whatsoever and all Officers and Souldiers of fortune and other persons that have borne Arms
his enemies about him Winck field Mannour taken by Sir Joh. Gell An Ordinance of Parliament for the Association of the Western Counties A brave most Heroick exploit of Serjeant Major Stranghan against the Enemy in the West A most brave defeat given to the Enemy at Malpasse by Sir William Breretons Forces The Enemy was about 2000 strong we but 800. The Enemy is routed The prize and prisoners taken Commanders slain Common souldiers slain A most perâ—idious plot and dangerous Design to have blown up our Magazine and destroyed our Army at Lestithiell in Cornwall Two wilde-fire Engines conveyed into our close waggons where were 60 barrels of powder The manner of the preservation described The two Engines sent up to the Parliamenâ— wher they were publikely shewn seen The Burning-Bush noâ— consumed Dan. 3. Exod. 15. 11. September 1644. Our formidable Parliamentary Army coopt up in Cornwall in the West and in great danger but most mightily preserved and delivered Heer was indeed the Bâ—â—ning Bush not Consumed The Kings cruell Councell of Warre resolved to give no quarter but to put all to the Sword Major Generall Skippons 〈◊〉 but brave speech â—esolution to live â—â— die with his Souldiers The fight begun Not only quarter but also fair conditions granted to our Souldiers The most perfidious disloyalty of the Enemy in violating al the conditions agreed on Heer again the Burning-Bush not Consumed This deliverance of our Souldiers was a singular merâ—y of the Lord. That this miscarriage of our Army was a plain plot of trechery Renowned Major Generall Skippon perceived this plot but too late A notable and most pregnant proof or ground of the knowledge of this disaster in the West to be a plot Sir Thomas Middletons ammunition safely conveyed unto Oswestâ—y from Wem for the Welsh Affaires A brave defeat given to the Enemy by valiant Colonell Rudgeley A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Sir Tho. Middleton Mountgomery Castle taken by Sir Thomas Middleton The manner of taking Morton-Corbet-Castle by Wem Garrison Morton-Corbet-Castle taken by five men only who first entered the Castle Some Collyrâ—nâ— or eye-salve to heal if it were possible Malignants sore eyes Faires freetrading in all the Associated Counties The admirable mercy of God to London and Westminster in the pure and powerfull preaching of the Word The sad bad condition of the Counties places under the Royalists power and tyranny Contraria juxta se posita magis illucescunt Colonell Foxes constant activity and good Services The worthy Leivtenant of the Towre of London Alderman Pennington apprehended the two Irish-Rebels Macquire Mac-mahoon who had made an escape The manner of taking the Rebels The City Ministers petition to the Parliam against novel upstart Schismes for a settlement of Church Government Clear demonstrations of the Parliaments pious integrity to expedite and compleat the work of Reformation Tender consciences taken into consideration by the Parliament Ordination of Ministers taken also into consideration established A brave exploit performed by Leicestershire forces against Rob-Carryer Hastings A most famous and renowned Victory obtained by Sir William Breretâ—n Sir Tho. Middleton Sir John Meldrum at the raising of the sâ—ege before Mountgomery-Castle Mountgomery-Castle besieged by the Enemy as soon as wee had taken it Sir Tho. Middleton speedily inviâ—es Sir Wil. Brereton Sir John Meldrum to his assistance A brave prize lately before taken from the Enemy Our Army consisting of 3000 horse and foot come neer the Enemy to the Castle The Enemies Army consisting of 5000 horse and foot commanded by the Lord Byron Sir Iohn Meldrum had the ordering and managing of this whole action The fight was very desperate dubious on both sides The admirable courage of our brave Commanders and Leaders Sir Wil. Fairfax mortally wounded in this fight Our extremity was Gods opportunity The Enemies whole Army routed and put to flight The slain and prisoners taken in this notable fight Sir Will. Brereton his Cheshire forces did most remarkably in this fight Our losse and slain Our benefits by this famous Victory The Burning-Bush not consumed again A most memorable worthy act of renowned Sir Joh. Meldrum toward slain Sir Will. Fairfax his surviving sorrowfull Lady The most pious and precious speech of the virtuous Lady Fairfax A brave exploit of renowned Colonell Massies in the taking of the Town Castle of Monmouth The Town and Castle of Monmouth taken by Col. Massie by a stratagem A brave 〈◊〉 given to the Enemy by Col. 〈◊〉 Massie at Betsley Sconce in the Forrest of Dean The Burning-Bush 〈…〉 Deut. 33. 16. Psal 89. 6. 8. October 1644. A Committee of both Houses of Parliament appointed to be joyned with the Army for joynt consultation in the actions motions thereof A more clear demonstration of the plot against our Army in the West Dangerous Instructions to tempt our Army to revolt from the Parl. to the King One of the Instructions The Lord Generals noble â—delity to the State The false â—alâ—â—cious and malicious pâ—ottings of the Royalists to couzen the Kingdom The cheif reason why our Brethren of Scotland are so sâ—andered and maligned by Cavaliers and Malignants The admirable courage of the Commanders Souldiers of the Plimouth horse The Plimouth horse put the King himself into a terrible and frighâ—ing fear A most ignoble disloyall act of King Charles in Cornwall The blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush was on our Army in the West Most successful proceedings of affaires in Scotland and in the Northern parts of our kingdom Many Array-men in the Northern parts surprised by the Country people The taking of Rad-castle in North-wales by Sir Thomas Middleton The prisoners prizes taken in the Castle The Ordinance for Ordination of Ministers in about London The names of the Presbyters appointed for Ordination of Ministers The manner of examining those that are to bee Ordained Ministers Care taken for an augmentation of Ministers small Livings and for future competent maintainance for them A most brave famous exploit performed by that most renowned CoÌ„mander Colâ—n Massie upon the Kings Forces at Beechley The extraordinary danger of death that noble Col. Massie was in at this 〈◊〉 Sir John Winter that grand Papist being in a great danger of death tumbled himself down a hill to save his life The prisoners prizes taken The loss which wee sustained in this exploit A breif Encomium to renowned Col. Massie An Irish ship taken at White-Haven in Cumberland A brave prize taken by the Governour of Pool And Another by Colonell Lambert Much to bee honoured Dr. John Bastwick reâ—â—ived in prison and released out of prison by the Parliament Dr. Bastwick exchanged for Col. Hudlestone returned from Knaresborâ—ugh Castle to LondoÌ„ Dr. Bastwick like an impregnable Rock â—â—turned true to his pious principles More excellent performances by noble renowned Sir Too Middleton in North Waleâ— The relation of the taking of Newcastle
by storming it by our brethren of Scotland The Scots pious prudent carriage before the storming of Newcastle Marley the Major of Newcastle his proud dissembling carriage toward the Scâ—ts What great most just cause England hath for ever to love most entirely their faithfull brethren of Scotland Malignants most slanderous mouths justly stopped A brave exploit performed by renowned Col. Seelâ—y Governour in Lyme The most just reasons of an Ordinance of Parliament against Irish Rebels taken prisoners by Sea or Land who are to have no quarter granted them Certain intelligence brought to London that ours and the Kings forces were within 2 or 3 miles of Newberry and like to be engaged The Copy of a Letter sent to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons relating the whole fight at Newberry 28 Octob. 1644. The King in Newberry The Enemies strength at Newberry was 8000 foot and 5000 horse God heer took more care for his servants than the King did of his best Subjects Our Army was necessitated to quarter al night in the open field Ours took 2 or 3 cart loads of the Kings provision and 100 horse and foot of the enemies The fight begun The fight maintained for at least 3 houres space with admitable courage fiercenes on both sides The Earl of Cleveland others taken prisoners 9 of our brave peices of Ordnance which had been lost in Cornwall heer now recovered our men fought like devils as the Cornish Souldiers cryed our running away The King â—â—ed out of Newberry with only one Troop of horse General Gorings brother shot dead in the fight Prisoners tâ—ken at Newberry fight The King flying out of Newberry reviles the Major Prizes-taken at about Newb. An Order of Parliament for a day of publik Thankâ—giving to God 〈◊〉 brave defâ—at happy Victory A just check to our improvidence in not improving this braveadvantage as we might have done The Castle in the Town of Newcastle taken by our brethren of Scotland The names of the prisoners taken in the Castle A most famous defeat given to the Enemies at Bever Vale by Sir Jo. Gells Sir Tho. Fairfax his forces 800 horse and 400 prisoners taken at Bever-Vale Colonell Sydenâ—ams good service in the West Leverpool in Lancashire surrendred up to Sir Jo. Meldrum The manner how Leverpool was taken Prisoners taken the goods of the Town recovered by Sea Tinmouth-castle surrendred unto Generall Leven with 38 peices of Ordnance in it and great store of oâ—her Armes Ammunition The most wise providentiall degrees of Gods completing his mercies to us This Moneths day of humiliation was also most justly turned as much into a day of exultation Reverend Mr. Cases baptizing of the surrender of Newcastle with the name of Gâ—d a Multitude The Burning-Bush not consumed 1. A brief most grateful â—ecapâ—tulation of all the memorable mercies of this moneth of October 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The Burning-Bush not consumed Isa 54. 16 17. Ibid. ver 15. Psal 18. 31. 46 Novemb. 1644. A brave exploit performed by Captain Stones one of valiant Col. Ridgele yes Officers in armes against the Enemy about Eccleshall This 5 of November a day of publik thanksgiving for divers great and famous victories The great triumph in the City of London on this solemn day of thanksgiving The Enemies Garrison at Sir Jo. Strangeways House in Dorsetstire stormed taken by Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper The storming of this Garrison continued 6 hours together Between 30 40 of our men blown up with powder in the taking of this house A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Helmsley castle Free Trading with Newcastle re-established by the Parlia Helmsley castle in Yorkeshire taken by the thrice noble Lord Fairfax A brave defeat given to the Enemy in Lincolnshire by Major Harrison A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Axminster by Lime forces A rich ship driven into Lime Haven by a storm Another brave defeat given to the Enemy by Lime Garrison Laughorn castle in South-wales taken by Colonell Beal A brave exploit performed by Col. Sydenham against the Enemy at Dorchester The admirable courage valour of Colon. Sydenham and his Souldiers A grateful summary review of the various ways of the Burning Bush not consumed Psal 46. 11. Decemb. 1644. A brave defeat given to the Enemies at Salisbury by Sergeant Major Dewet Colonell Cooke Leivtenant-Col Hook with others taken prisoners The self-denying Ordinance for calling home al the Members of both Houses of Parliament The substance of the Ordinance or Vote it self A day of Humiliation ordered to bee set apart for both Houses in private to seek the Lord touching this great Vote Isaiah 65. 1. Crowland taken by Col. Rainesborough A brave defeat given to the Enemy at â—edâ—ury by renowned Col. Massie Good service done by Sir Tho. Middletons forces about Mountgomery-shire A brave defeat given to the Enemy in the West by Col. Holborn Plots conspiracies of the Enemies discovered and prevented Stafford Town and Castle in danger Doverâ—castle Abbington Ailâ—bury Reading Plymouth Lyn-Regis in great danger to have been betrayed An exact relation of the crafty contrivement dâ—scovery of the plot to betray Lyn-Regis The Kings esteem of Lyn-Regis Captain Lemon seems to consent to the plot The Governour of Lyn made acquainted with the businesse The brave carriage of the businesse Leivtenant Sâ—ubbin 5 or 6 more with him sent from Lyn by the Governour came in a disguise to perfect the work Mr. Strange findes himself betrayed Mr. Strange his CommissioÌ„ taken and sent up to the Parliament The Copy of the Commission Iounton-Dean in the West releived Colon Holborns activity brave service in the West Care taken by the Parliament for the choosing of good Officers in the City of London Captain Redmans brave service neer Northampton Knaresborough-castle in Yorkshire taken Cumhire Abbey a strong Garrison of the enemies in Mountgomery shire taken by Sir Tho. Middleton Captain Stones brave defeat given to the Enemy at Tongue-castle Another by Major Dewet And another by Col. Thorney The most noble Queen of Sweden desires Association with the Parliament of England The Burning-Bush not consumed Psal 367 8. 32. 7. January 1644. Sir Alexander Carew beheaded for treason Sir John Hotham beheaded for treason Captain Hotham also Son of Sir John Hotham beheaded on Towre-Hill A remarkable passage of Divine providence The Directory for pure worship Voted in Parliament the Common-Prayer Book abolished The Arch Prelate of Canterb. to be now effectually brought to his Condemnation A remarkable note Divers brave exploits performed by the Parliaments forces against the Enemies Cardigan Town Castle taken by Col. Laughorn in Wales and a brave prize at Sea The Arch Prelate of Canterbury executed for treason on Towre-Hill Isaiah 6. 10. Prov. 11. 10. A brave defeat given to the Kings forces at Abbington by renowned Major Generall Brown A Copy of Col. Harsnets Letter to Capt. Jones touching
the brave defeat at Abbington The Enemies gave Abbington an alarm and possest themselves of Cullum Bridge Rupert Maurice were present Their strength 3000 horse foot The charge on the Enemy begun Cullum Bridge recovered by ours Maâ—or Bradberry slain The Enemy put to a shamefull retreat Major Hatton Farmer slain 5 Irish men hanged A rare clear victory Sir Henry Gage Governour of Oxford slain in this fight A great mercy and preservation to us Prince Ruperts proud brag to be Master of Abbington 1 King 20. 1. 1. Rupert notably jeered for his brave Victory Another passage of divine providence The enemy most bravely beaten at Plymouth The Enemy had gotten the 4 outworks of Plymouth yet were beaten out of them all again Colon. Holborn his good service in the West The New Modell of an Army of 21000 horse and foot voted in Parliament An Ordinance for raising Many to maintain the new Army A brave victory obtained by ever to bee renowned Sir William Breretons forces neer unto Chester A brave peice of service performed by valiant Colo. Craford against Colon. Bleyer and his party The County of Kent petition the Parliament for their setting forward of the Self-denying Ordinance A suddain and most dangerous assault of about 1200 of the Enemy upon Compton House Ours bravely sally out upon the Enemy and beat them back 40 of ours most bravely beat the Enemy Sir William and Sir Charles CoÌ„pton beaten back and the Outworks recovered The great drawbridg recovered the Enemy coopt up A fierce fight on both sides Sir Charles and Sir Will Compton proffer to parley but rejected A fierce assault made on the enemy in the stable The Enemy enforced to retreat be gone The slain and the prizes and prisoners taken A most remarkable Victory Deliverance Another brave defeat given to a part of the foresaid Enemies horse in their hoped return home by Northampton Horse The Burning-Bush not consumed A breif gratefull recitall of all this last Moneths Parliamentary mercies Psal 76. 4 5. February 1644. A brave passage of Gods providence at Sir Erasmus de la Fountains house neer unto Melton Mowberry Ashby Cavaleiâ—s beaten soundly at Cole-Orton in Leicestershire A brave defeat given to Colo. Gerard before Cardigan in Wales Col. Laughorn bravely releives Colonell Jones at Cardigan The prisoners and prizes The Treaty for a pretended Peace at Vxbridge Buckingham Malignanâ—s petition the Parliament Commissioners in the midst of the Treaty A notorious plot by the Buckingham petition against the Parliament A Declaration prepared and printed at Oxford to be spread over the 3 Kingdoms into forain parts touching the cause of the breach of the Treaty The true cause of the dissolution of the Treaty at Vxbridge The wicked Cessation of arms in Ireland justified by the Kings Commission at Vxbridge Malum consilium consulioribus pessiâ—â—â— A brave peice of service performed by Major Bridges Governour of Warwick at Stok-New-house in Worcestershire The House taken by storm and all in it Partshall Garrison taken by brave Major Stones Governour of Eccleshall Castle Major Generall Brown active about Oxford A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Colo. Lamberts forces at Heightley in Yorkeshire Ever to be honoured Sir Tho. Fairfax come to London and sent for to the house of Commons in Parliament to receive from them the honour of Generall of all the Kingdomes forces Scarborough Town Church Haven taken by valiant Sir John Meldrum Cholmley fled into the Castle endevours an escape by Sea Cholmley had 5 Dunkirk Vessels with him at Scarborough A Letter of Sir Hugh Cholmleys intercepted A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Major Temple neer Dennington Another brave defeat given to that apostate Skellum Greenvil at Plymouth The brave resolution of Plimouth men in winning Mount Stamford and beating away the Enemy The brave and strong Town of Shrewsbury surprized and taken The Town of Shrewsbury entred by ours The Castle taken The prisoners and prizes The Parl. gratitude for this good news A remarkable nore singular passage of divine providence in this famous victory Apsley-House in Shropshire taken by Sir William Brereton Colo. Crafords good service at Roesham neer Oxford A most brave Victory obtained by Colon. Massies forces in the For rest of Dean The Burning-Bush not consumed 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Mat. 28. 20. Psal 46. 11. March 1644. Melcomb-Regis bravely maintained Weymouth most admirably regained by Colon Sydenham Colo. Sydenham necessitated to fire the ships in Weymouth Haven The Chappel-fort in Weymouth regained And a brave booty therein obtained 2 Letters from Sir Lewis Dives intercepted Goring is extremly vext at the losse of the Chappell for t Gorings resolution to fall upon Chappel for t the Town of Melcomb at once discovered and prepared for The treachery of the Townesmen of Melcomb The Enemy tho trecherously let in to Melcomb yet bravely beaten our again with a great losse The Enemy also basely fly out of Weymouth And leave much good prize behinde them Goring Dives marched away from Weymouth to Dorchester The visible most apparent hand of God in all this service Two ships came in unto the Parliaments possession at Weymouth A day of Solemn Thanksgiving at Christ Church in London 2000 li. ordered to be paid to Weymouth The Kings own Life guard Troop of horse taken by us neer unto Oxford A brave defeat given to Prince Maurice his forces at Holt-bridge by valiant Leivtenant Colonell Jones The slain A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Sir William Wallerâ— forces The slain A great victory obtained by Sir William Waller Leivtenant-Gen Cromwell against Colon. Long at the Devizes The activity of the brave Garrison of Abbington under valiant Major General Brown The Parliaments justly high respect to Abbington Garrison The happy concurrence of the House of Peeres with the Commons about the List of Sir Tho. Fairfaxes Commanders of his New Modell Army A malicious slander of the Malignants happily thwatted to their shame Order taken by the Parliament as well for the spirituall as the Martiall Discipline of the Army The Parliaments care for the godly education of the 2 young Princes at White-Hall by the Earl of Nortâ—umberland Colonell Massie gives the Enemy a defeat neeâ— unto Bristol Fidelity and good service rewarded encouraged by the Parliament The Burning-Bush not câ—nsumed Psal 92 4 5. Aprill 1645. A most singular sign of Gods love and good will to this poore Kingdome even the most happy harmony of Both Houses Divers brave exploits performed by renowned Generall Browns forcâ—s at Abbington Capt. English choakt in a Vault at Abbington Renowned Major Generall Skippon singular good service in reducing his Souldiers to the New-Mâ—delled-Army A brave victory obtained by Major Generall Vrrey against the Lord Montrosse in Scotland A Solemn day of Thanksgiving appointed kept in London c. for this great victory Cambridge is by the Parliament highly priviledged Learning like
to bee highly honored and advanced Malignant slanderers mouthes against the Parliament stopped A second rebellion in Keâ—t but soon suppressed by valiant Colonell Blunt A brave â—ef at given to the Enemy at Rumsey by valiant Colon. No tens forces Divers of the Lords at Oxford come in unto the Parliament The Earles Lords names that are returned from Oxford to the Parliament A brave defeat given to Prince Maurice his forces in Worcestershire Major Pilkinton slain Divers brave victories defeats given to the Enemy about Oxford Sir Tho Fairfax advanced into the field set down before Oxford An extract out of Letters of Leivtenant Gen. Cromwels victory at Oxford A brave victory obtained by Leivten Gen. Cromwell neer Islip by Oxford The Enemy is totally routed Blechington-house summoned surrendred Major Generall Browns brave defeat given to the Enemy about Oxford Colonell Feins gives the Enemy a brave defeat Another brave victory obtained by Leivtenant Generall Cromwell at Bampton-Bush over Sir Henry Vaughan and his forces A brave prize taken The singular good estate of our Army at Oxford under the noble Generall Sir Tho. Fairfax Our Army at this time was 4000 horse 13000 foot The businesse of the Admiralty Sea-affairs is taken into consideration Commissioners for the Admiralty nominated The Burning-Bush not consumed Psal 30 11 12. May. 1645. The Copy of Colon. Massies own Letter setting forth his great danger as great deliverance The good successe valiant services of the the Parliaments forces at Warwick under Major Purefoy A brave prize taken The happy releif of the precious Town of Taunton by renowned Sir Tho Fairfaxes forces under the command of Col. Welden Col. Graves The brave Discipline of our Army in the West our releif come to Taunton Hopton 〈◊〉 to Tauntâ— to surrender Colonel Blakes reply The siege raised the Enemies fled The seasonablenesse of Taunton â—â—leif at this time The Enemies losse before Taunton Excellent Orders appointed by the Parliament for the well-regulating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes new Army The hopefull effects of a well regulated army Major General Cromwell and Major Generall Brown compared to David Jonathan The Parliaments most singular gratitude for the good services done to the kingdom by the Right honourable the Earl of Essex others The Souldiers that releived Taunton gratefully remembred by the Parliament Renowned Sir John Meldâ—uâ—s gallant service required Mr. Owen Occoâ—elly taken into farther consideration for his loyall discovery of the Irish plot The brave services of valiant Captain Stone Governour of Staâ—â—â—d castle against the Enemy A blessed return of Prayer Evesham taken by renowned Colon. Massie The prisoners prizes taken A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Norton at Langford house in Hampshire The Burning-Bush not consumed Isai 25. 1. June 1645. The most famous City of Londons most excellent Petition to the Parliament touching the then present sad condition of the Kingdom A Copy of the Petition of the Citizens of London to the Parliament A brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Chester by valiant Leivâ—en Col Venables A most brave defeat given to the Newarkers at Houghâ—â— house by valiant and active Colon. Rossitâ—r A iust reward of a sleeping souldier according to the rules of Martiall Discipline â—olon Rossiter bravely recovers Hougâ—m house The prisoners prizes taken at Nougham houses recovery The most famous fight and glorious victory obtained at Naseby in Northampton-shire over the Kings forces exactly described The Kings Army at Daventry The Kings Army not willing to fight marcheth toward Southaâ—â— The Royall army advanced to Harborough And froÌ„ thence to Nâ—sâ—by The manner of Marshalling our Army for the battail The Kings Army advanceth toward us The fight begins 2 Châ—â—oâ— 32. 7 8 Heer the fight was very hot furious on both sides The Kings blue Regiment of Foot â—uinated and destroyed Our left Wing is some what shatter'd The Enemy is beaten by our right Wing The King himself rallyed his Horse again The Kings words to his Souldiers The Enemy is beaten again The Enemy is pursued 12 or 13 miles within 3 miles of Leicester The high and prime praise of this victory given to God in the first place The Renowned Generall next as most worthy praise Courageous Major General Skippon Valiant Leivtenant General Cormwell Commissary Generall Ireton and Colonell Butler The Enemies Foot fought also very stoutly Good store of Bisket and Cheese takes to refresh our Souldiers at the end of the Fight Our Souldiers marched to Harborough that night The slaine in the Field of the Enemies The Ensignes of the Enemies taken in the field One great encouragement to our Souldiers to fight bravely was the rich plunder of the Enemies Very many Irish Queanes in the field how they were used The slaine on out side in the Fight A most slanderous and abominable lie of Secretary Nicholas put upon the Parliament The Victory pursued by our Horse toward Leicester A List of what losse the King did sustaine in this famous fight The slain and wounded Prisoners Prizes 〈…〉 〈◊〉 on the Victory â—1 The 〈◊〉 and condition of the Kingdome 1. The Kingdome fourfold sad condition at this time 2. 3. 4. 2. Considering the Army it self The new Model'd Army despised and scorned 1 Cor. 1. 27 28. An Excellent note touching the Generall himself about this fight and Victory Two rare postures in a victorious Generall or Commander Reverend Mr. Marshall in his Thanksgiving Sermon at Christ-Church in London The good Service of valiant Colonell Mittâ—â—â— Forces in Shropshire A day of solemn Thanksgiving set apart to praise the Lord for the late great Victory at Naseby which was especially celebrated at Christ-Church in London The thanks of the Parliament sent to the noble Generall his field officers A jewel of 500 li. to be sent as a present to Sir Tho Fairfax from the Parliament The messengers of this victory rewarded Leicester regained the news therof brought to London on the Thanksgiving day in the morning the more to sweeteÌ„ that dayes joy The manner of the regaining of Leicester The Kings flying from Leicester Preparation to storm Leicester Leicester surrendred to Sir Thomas Fairfax upon composition The prize taken in Leicester The Prisoners taken at Naseby fight being neer 5000 with 55 Colours c. brought up to London The prisoners disposed of into several holds The usage of the Cavalierian prisoners by our Parliament The usage of our Parliaments prisoners by the King his Cavaliers Our Brethren of Scotlands advance to Nottingham A brave exploit performed by the Garrison of Wareham in the West A brave defeat given to the Enemy by valiant Colo. Jones in Cheshire The Kings Cabinet of Letters taken at Naseby sent to the Parliament the Letters opened and read 4 Main heads of the Letters 1. 2. 3. 4. The Cabinet of Letters publikely read in Guild Hall in London afterward printed published with Annotations Stckesey Castle
Parliamentary Chronicle The SuburB of the City of Chester woâ— by valiant active Coloâ—â—â— Iones The manner entring in the Subuâ—â—â— of Chester 〈◊〉 our forces A brave defeat given to a party of the Kings horse about Kidderminster by renowned Major Generall Poyntz Cardiff Town and Castle surrendred to the Parliaments forces The Devires Towne and Castle taken by valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell 〈◊〉 House in Wiltshire surrendred to the Parliament All Pembrokeshire reduced to the Parliaments obedience The Parliaments gratitude to Colonell Generall Laughorne Thanksgiving to God for these so great mercies The famous Victory obtained by Major Gen. Poyntz at Routon Heath neer Chester The King prepares to relieve Westchester Major Generall Poyntz his admirable activity to follow prevent the King Major Generall Poyntz his remarkable march to prevent or overtake the King The fight begun fiercely The Enemy put to a retreat Oâ—rs sorely put to it Col. Bethell and Col. Graves sorely wounded Ours much 〈◊〉 by the Enemy Major Generall Poyntz his Horse wounded on the head The admirable courage of Major Generall Poyntz The Enemy routed mixed with troubled ours The Enemy appeared again in a body on a hill The Enemy sallyed out of the City are repulsed Prisoners and prizes taken The slaine The Lord Bernhard Earl of Litchfield A day of deserved thanksgiving appointed by order of Parliament 500. â— Sent as a token to renowned Major General Poynz Alderman Adams chosen Lord Major of the City of London Religious Mr. Tomlins made a Baron of the Exchequer Other well deserving Gentlemen of the Law made Judges by the Parliament Barkley Castle surrendree to valiant Colonell Morgan and Colonell Rainsborough The Burning-Bush unconsumed Not a month a week nay hardly a day void of one mercy or other unto us Psal 68. 19. Psalm 32. 7. October 1645. A brave defeat given to the Enemie by Colonel Moore Governour of Gaunt-house Farleigh-Castle in Somersetsh taken Sandal-Castle in Yorkeshire taken Winchester Towne and Castle taken by victorious Leivten Generall Cromwell The list of what was taken from the edemie in Winchester Castle The strength of Winchester-Castle The Parliaments intended mercy even to Malignants and Delinquents The Excellent wisedome and justice of the Parliament mixed with their foresaid mercie Bazing-House taken A list of the prizes and prisoners taken at Bazing-House The slain and wounded Chepstow Town and Castle in Monmouthshire besieged and taken by valiant Colonell Morgan The Parliaments piety and gratitude The Parliaments integrity about the election of new Members for the House of Commons The writ for the right chusing of Members of the House of Commons A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Farringdon by Abington Forces A brave defeat given by Col Rossiter to the Banbury Forces which conducted the two Princes to Newarke Valiant Captain Allen Governour of Burleigh Garrison unhappily slaine Langford House neare Salisbury taken A note most worthy to be taken notice of Sir William Vaughanâ— Regiment bravely beaten The famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne in Yorkshire Col. Copleyes Letter touching the most famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne The Enemy surprizeth our Forces in Sherburne both Horse and Foote The difficulties our Forces met about Sherburne Both parties meet together in the Field The substance of Sir Marmaduke Langdalet Speech to his Souldiers before this fight The fight begun The Enemy routed and put to flight The Lord Digby wounded in the Fight and foure Pistols fired on Sir Marmaduke Langdale The Enemy pursued three miles Scarcely ten of our men slaine The importance of this businesse All our men and Arms recovered that were taken before The admirable and almost miraculous taking in of Tiverton Towne and Castle Major Generall Massie enters Tiverton The Generall fits downe before the Castle Church The admirable providence of God here that one of our Canoneers shootes a shot at adventure and breakes down the Draw-bridge of the Castle The Castle Church entred by 〈◊〉 Souldiers The Generals clemency The Prisoners and prizes taken in the Church and Castle The good condition of Wales for the Parliament Carmarthen Towne and Castle taken The Declaration of the County of Carmarthen Monmouth Towne and Castle taken by Colonell Morgan The manner of taking the Castle The prizes taken in the Castle The Parliaments gratitude to God for these great mercies and thanks to Col. Morgan The Letters taken in the Lord Digbyes Coach at Sherburne in Yorkshire read in the Parliament The substance of 3. or 4. of those Letters A brave defeat given to the enemy neer Denbigh Castle who intended to relieve Chester Another brave defeat given to the Enemy at Holt-bridge where Sir William Byren was taken prisoner Another most famous defeat and brave victorie over the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale in their march into Scotland to joyne with Montrosse The Lord Digby crost in his way and forced to goe another way The Burning-Bush unconsumed Isa 25. 9 10 11. Isa 28. 29. Psal 9. 19 20. November 1645. Two excellent Ordinances of Parliament Shelford-house stormed and taken by valiant Major Gen. Poyntz Shelford-house summoned The House taken A sore slaughter made in the House by the Enemies obstinancie Digbyes late scattered forces being rallyed again are againe met with and miserably mangled and brought to nothing Abarashwait a strong Garrison of the enemies in Cardiganshire taken Thanks returned to the Lord on this 5. of November for the happy preservation and Continuation of this present Parliament Thankes and praises also returned to the Lord by order of Parliament for the City of Londons preservation from the plague of Pestilence Worton Garrison surrendred Wiverton Garrison taken Welbeck-house surrendred Bolton Castle in the North surrendred A brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Canon-Froom and a notable Engine taken from them Col. Morgan frights away the Enemy The Engine is left behinde The Engine was called a Sow The description of it Master Rouses Psalmes approved of by the Assembâ—y of Divines A brave defeat given to the Lord Ashton and himself slain therin About forty of the Kings Life Guard surprized by Major Blundell of Reading The just and glorious commemoration of rare and renowned Queen Elizabeth on the 17 of November 1 Sam. 2. 30. Psal 112. 6. A briefe but bad and sad mention of King James his life and death 1 Sam. 2. 30. Prov. 10. 7. King James quite forgotten in the hearts of his people King James and King Charles not true to their Principles King James King Charles and Queene Elizabeth paraleld together in point of Reformation Queen Elizabeths rule King James and King Charles rule Parliaments made the Kings Stauking Horses to get Subsidies Arbitrary Tyranny The Power of godlinesse to be beaten downe Popery or prophanesse to be set up in Germanies blood Rocâ—els and the Isle of Rees blood Irelands blood England and Scotlands blood Other blood not yet revealed The Authors of all this The crafty colour of all
taken nor likely to bee without more assistance which also upon the advance of our Forces God delivered into our hands as in its due and proper place wee shall make more particular mention thereof and thereby most of the Northern parts were cleared as far as Newark save only Pomfret-castle and some few other strong Houses or Holds beyond York In all which the Lord our God made this most Noble and renowned Earl of Manchester a most victorious and glorious instrument About the eighteenth of this instant came certain intelligence out of the West that in the time of the Lord Generals unhappy enclosure in heathenish I had almost said hellish Cornwall by the Kings Forces who also at that time were in no little straits for want of provision for his Army also and was therefore forced to send into Sommersetshire for supplies therein wherof Leivtenant Generall Middleton watchfully having gotten intelligence and that there were divers Carriages and Waggons laden with necessaries for the King gotten together Hee very seasonably marched thither and met with them valiantly encountred their convoy slew and took about an hundred and forty Horse and many or most of the Carriages After which he marched farther toward Sherbor◠and sending our parties for intelligence was certainly informed that Sir Francis Dorrington Sir William Courtney and others in all about a thousand Horse and Dragoones were at Lamport Whereupon hee advanced with a party of five hundred Horse and Dragoones to Pederton where the enemy was in readinesse to receive him at his comming And being now in sight of each other Major Ennis and Major Car charged them most gallantly being seconded by Colonell Middleton who at the very first encounter Routed the Enemies Horse and Dragoones though their Dragoones had lined the Hedges and pursued them within half a mile of Bridgewater In which conflict hee took prisoners one Major three Captaines one Leivtenant two Cornets two Quarter-masters forty common Souldiers and fourescore Horses and killed fifty upon the place on our side Major Car was taken prisoner and only scure common Souldiers more and heer also ours took the Enemies Carriages And about the twentieth of this instant August wee received farther intelligence out of the West of some more good service done by this foresaid Leivtenant Generall Middleton since his so routing of Sir Francis Dorrington as aforesaid namely that hee fell upon the Enemies with a party of three hundred Horse and a hundred Dragoones at Farringdon neer Bristol where hee also most bravely dispersed the Enemy and took these prisoners following viz. Colonell Edward Bisse foure Captaines five Leivtenants one Cornet one Quarter-master a Chaplain of their Army and a Chirurgeon eight and thirty Troopers two Gentlemen Troopers twelve Foot Souldiers three barrels of powder with a good quantity of Match and Ball together with an hundred Horse Much also about the same time wee were for certain advertised out of Lancashire that a party of Prince Robbers forces being about three hundred of them whom hee left in that County and were going to fortifie Wiggen whereof Sir John Meldrum Commander in cheif in that County having certain intelligence hee sent a considerable party to them who surprised them all with all their Armes and Ammunition and so also utterly frustrated their intended designe August the two and twentieth 〈◊〉 credible information by Letters out of Lancas to London that the Lord Ogleby a Scotch incendiary fell upon Colonell Doddington neer Preston in Loncashire as hee was marching out of Yorkeshire to Sir John Meldrum then in Lancashire Colonell Doddington at the first had the worst but young Colonell Shuttleworth who indeed deserved to bee an elder brother for his activity and very gallant performances in this Service came in timely to the releif of that valiant Gentleman Colonell Doddington and put the Enemy consisting of foure hundred Horse to a totall Route slew many on the place and took many prisoners among whom were the Lord Ogleby himself Colonell Mynne and Leivtenant Colonell Huddlestone a man of power and much repute in Cumberland and divers other persons of quality Scottish Commanders and Gentlemen were taken prisoners they also took threescore Horse with their Riders and a party of these also endevouring to get to Latham-House as a place of retreat was surprised by our Forces which lay before Latham-House and every man of them taken prisoners Much also about the same time came certain and unquestionable intelligence that the Cavaliers were soundly cudgelled in Cheshire for Colonell Marrow a second Nimrod of those parts and indeed a stout Souldier and brave Commander issuing out of the City of Chester with about fourescors or an hundred Horse was received by a party of that most renowned and Religious Commander and loyall Patriot Sir William Breretons neer Crowton-House where wee kept a Garrison who most bravely routed the Colonell and in the conflict wounded him mortally of which wounds hee dyed the very next day in Chester at which time Sir William took many prisoners And Prince Robber to revenge the death of Colonell Marrow advanced next day with two of his best Regiments of Horse to beat back Sir William Breretons Forces but the Robber was routed and about foure hundred of his men slain on the place and taken prisoners In which conflict valiant and undaunted Captain Zanchie who commanded Sir Williams own Troop most gallantly pursued the enemy within pistoll-shot of the walls of Chester and valiant Lievtenant Colonell Jones performed his part in this conflict with no lesse valour and gallantry and a Corporall of Sir William Breretons Troop by name John Cooper seeing a most brave Horse which the Enemy could not get into the Church in Tarvin Town where the fight was very hot and furious but was fain to bee held by the bridle by one of the Enemies under the Church wall this brave spirited Corporall adventured to fetch the Horse away but they fired so fast out of the Church upon him that hee was forced twice to retreat but hee adventured the third time pistolled the enemy and so brought away the Horse which was valued to bee worth at least fourescore pound And about the same time the renowned Major Generall of Lancas Sir John Meldrum having notice of the Enemies marching toward Ormskirk made haste after them overtook them on Tuesday the twentieth of August in the Evening upon a Moore neer unto Ormskirk where they stood in Battalia and upon the first charge of our Musketteers which were under the command of Colonell Booth they all fled whereupon our Horse bravely fell upon them and totally routed them in the pursuite of whom they took about eight hundred Horse some Letters report a thousand and three hundred prisoners but by reason of the night comming so fast upon them they could not improve the Victory as otherwise they might have done but the Lord Byron and the Lord Mollenaux were
those most barbarous and bloody Canibals the Rebels of Ireland O the sad tragedies perpetrated and acted there in those parts by the Russels Brunts Canningâ— and other inhumain Cavaliers of that County by the Giffords in Stoffordshire the Tayâ—ors and Barnses in Warâ—â—ickshire the filthy French Walloones and all other sorts of blood-thirsâ—y Villaines in all parts I say where the ravenous and all-ruining Royalists get and keep pernicious power and preheminence witnesse their horrid and hideous crueltiâ—s and more than Turkish barbarities acted in Oxfordprisâ—ms in Marlborough Newbury Redding when t was in their helliâ—h hold Marâ— field Glocâ—sâ—eâ— shire Bathe the Vizes Sommersetshirâ— Devon and Cornwall in none of all which places is permitted any free Trading no powerfull Preaching no comfortable or quiet living but as I said the clean contrary And now sâ—riously and sadly put both these two conditions together as white to black and light to darknesse yea even as representative heaven to hell and then tell mee O thou most obdurate-hearted and Mole-eyed Malignant if thou bee but Comâ—os mentis if I say thou art not stark maâ— whether this one and only consideration were there no more bee not enough in meer common sense and reason to open thy blinde eyes and cause thee to see thy grosse errour most pestiâ—ent prejudice and unreasonable rage and rancour against the wayes of God and work of Reformation the great Cause and businesse of this present most pious Parliament so injuriously and so unjustly maligned and abused by thee God in mercy at length open thine eyes to see thy folly and madnesse and to bee truly humbled for it But to proceed Now much about the 14 of this instant came certain intelligence from that valiant and vigilant Commander Colonell Fox how that a party of his being drawn out by Captain Tudman marâ—hed toward Hartlebury-Castle and there salling upon a party of the enemies took prisoners Sergeant Whitlework and 4 others That another Captain of his namely Captain Johnson marched with a party of Horse to joyn with the Coventry forces for the securing of Asherton Fair heer 's another particular confirmation of the truth of what was forementioned from the Lord Loughboroughs or rather Rob-carryer Hastings and Litchfield Forces Which Fair though with much adoe was secured wherein Colonell Foxes Souldiers commanded by Captain Johnson aforesaid unhorsed Colonell Lane a Litchfield Commander brought away his Horse Pistols Cloak and Bever the Colonell himself being sorely wounded if not slain was with no small strugling at length rescued by a strong party and so carryed off to Litchfield but his chin was cut off in the fight his arm shot and his head sorely wounded and hee therefore deemed unlikely to live Much also about the 16 of this instant that ever to bee honored and approved Patriot of his Country Alderman Pennington then Leivtenant of the Towre of London having been brought into no small perplexity and trouble by the sudden and silent escape out of the said Towre of those two bloody Rebells the Lord Macquire and Machmahoon by the assistance of that most worthy Knight Sir John Clâ—tworthy a Gentleman also of a most publick Spirit and known integrity and a member of the House of Commons in Parliament who having private intelligence of the said Lord Macquire and Macmahoons place of residence where they had been securely hâ—â—boured ever since they got out of the Towre both these worthy Gentlemen and eminent Patriots suddenly and secretly got together the Trained Bands of Ludgate-Ward in London and with them expeditiously beset one Mr. Clouds house a Painter or Picture drawer in Drurie-Lane on all sides Clowde himself being out of Town reported to bee beyond Sea but beleeved to bee with the King hee being a known Papist and one of a great estate Now the house being round beset as aforesaid Alderman Pennington and Sir John Clotworthy with some others went into the said house and instantly found the two bloody Rebels eating Oysters on whose persons they instantly and joyfully seized especially the Leivtenant of the Towre whom their apprehension most neerly concerned and with the foresaid Trained Band guarding them along the streets to the Towre again where again they safely lodged and lockt them up till their farther triall for their lives which shortly after followed There were also found at the same time in the said Clowds house that Popish cloud that had hidden those two grand bloody Rebels in his house so long the pictures of filthy Father Corbet forsooth and devillish Ducket his copesmate two Irish-priests that had been hanged drawn and quartered at Tiburn but the Sessions before this apprehension of the said Irish-Rebels both those Villaines pictures being very fairly set forth in Oyle-colours so madly doe the Romish sots and slaves of the Pope dignifie if not Deifie such abominable base and bloody Trentine-Traitors Romes cursedly Canonized lying-martyrs which Pictures I my self saw in my ever most honoured friends house Sir John Wollastone then the most honourable Lord Major of London About the 18 of this instant September divers of the reverend and truely religious Ministers of the City of London to a very considerable number presented a petition to the House of Commons in Parliament for a full and speedy reformation and uniformity in Doctrine Discipline Worship and Government of the Church of England wherein among many other things they religiously remonstrated that by reason of many most dangerously erronious opinions ruinating Schismes and damnable heresies as Anabaptisme Brownisme Antinonianisme Socinianisme Libertinisme and Independency most unhappily revived and crept in among us and much fomented both in City and Country the Orthodox Ministery and truely pious and painfull Pastours were much neglected and contemned the people seduced congregations torn asunder families distracted rights and duties of Relations both nationall civill and spirituall very scandalously violated the practicall power of godlinesse greatly decayed Parliamentary authority was much undermined fearfull confusion introduced imminent destruction threatned and in part inflicted on us lately in the West as a sign of Heavens high displeasure at us for our most unthankfull and wanton quarrelling among our selves and thereby retarding of so great and glorious a work so much conducing to Gods high honour and the Kingdomes best security And therfore they desired as a soveraign remedy for the removall of these present distempers and growing evills and the prevention of their farther progresse the serious expediting of a Directory for publick-worship and to accelerate the establishment of a pure and Apostolicall Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the best Reformed Churches and to endevour to take away all obstructions that might impede and retard the same Which petition was read in the House and the Petitioners called in and had thanks returned them with assurance how earnest the Parliament hath been to establish Church-Government as was desired which was most notably evident both
thinking at the first to have broke through our Forces and to have made themselves Masters of the Bridge which ours had gained the night before which indeed would have cut off the passage of our retreat But valiant Sir John Meldrum who had the command and ordering of our Forces performed the charge with admirable judgement dexterity and resolution and therefore as noble Sir William Brereton testified of him deserved a large share in the honour of that dayes successe but indeed the whole honour and glory of it all was to be given and ascribed to God only the giver of all Victories Ours by the foresaid fierce assault of Byrons Forces so desperately on us were so hardly tasked by their multitude that the Commanders and Souldiers were constrained deeply and most undauntedly to engage their utmost valour and courage and behaved themselves as indeed by Gods providence it was manifested most extraordinary gallantly for it was a while very dubious and uncertain which way the Lord would incline the Victory yea and at last it came to push of Pike wherein they were much too hard for ours they having many more Pikes than wee insomuch that our Horse was worsted at the beginning of the battail and forced a while to retreat but it so pleased the Lord at last to put such an unanimous Spirit and undaunted courage and resolution both in our Horse and Foot animated on by the admirable examples of their so renowned Leaders and Commanders Sir John Meldrum Sir William Brereton Sir Thomas Middleton Sir William Fairfax who had the Command of the Horse who did most valiantly set upon the Enemies Horse and engaged himself so farre that hee was taken prisoner but was presently fetched off by the valour of his own men but yet mortally wounded but as I said before God had put such a spirit of undaunted resolution and courage into the hearts both of Sir William Fairfax his men and indeed of all the rest that they resolved to fight it out to the last man insomuch that when the battail was now in a most anxious and uncertain condition our extremity was Gods opportunity to magnifie his power and on a suddain with one fresh and valiant charge our Souldiers routed the Enemy and put their whole Army to a most shamefull retreat or rather indeed a plain flight pursuing them divers miles together even in the Mountaines and performed great execution on them And as I should have told you our men when the battail was in the hottest issued out of the Castle and fell upon the enemies that were in their trenches and took divers of their Officers and Souldiers whom they had left to keep their workes In which foresaid fight and flight of the Enemies wee slew at least 500 of their common Souldiers besides many Officers and men of quality wounded many more and took neer upon 1500 prisoners among whom were these Officers and Commanders viz. Colonell Sir Thomas Tilsley their Major Generall Colonell Broughton Leivtenant Colonell Bladwell Major Williams 9 Captains 17 Leivtenants 1 Quartermaster 3 Cornets 22 Ensignes 52 Sergeants 57 Corporalls and 11 Drums Our Souldiers also took at this time neer 2000 armes most for foot all their Carriages and neer 20 barrels of powder wherewith they had been furnished the night before Sir William Brereton with his brave Cheshire foot and among them Major Lowtham especially who Commanded as Major Generall did most admirably in this fight and fought more like Lions than men as noble Sir John Meldrum himself testified of them and did beat the best Foot in England as the very Enemies themselves confest being all Prince Robbers foot and indeed the choycest foot out of all their Garrisons But noble and renowned Sir William Fairfax as I toucht before was mortally wounded by at least 15 wounds upon his body as also Major Fitz-Simons a brave Souldier who both behaved themselves most admirably and with invincible courage in this terrible battail and with great and most just lamentation for their losse dyed of their wounds immediately after the fight together with some few others of our Captaines and Officers of horse but it was verily beleeved wee lost not 40 men slain in this fight nor had above 60 of our Souldiers wounded Thus by Gods blessing the Castle was every way most valiantly releived brave Sir Thomas Middletons Souldiers who before were as prisoners were now set free from danger together with the Lord Herbert of Cherbury and all of them put into a comfortable posture and by this so terrible a blow the best of the Enemies foot ruinated and taken from them as also Shrewsbury Chester and Leverpool unfurnished of their hoped Ammunition and our selves plentifully furnished and heerby Northwales which formerly had been the nursery for the Kings Armies most probable in good time to shake off that yoke of Servitude which formerly lay so heavily upon their necks by the example of Mountgomery-castles safety which is indeed one of the goodliest and strongest places that is in the Kingdom And now say good Reader did not heer the Lord our God let us conspicuously see that great wonder of the Bush his Church or Children in the midst of a furious flame indeed and yet not consumed therewith but rather contrariwise flourishing in the flames and destroying the destroyers and quenching the crackling thorns of the ungodly under the boyling pot of their implacable wrath and fiercest fury Not unto us therefore Lord not unto us but unto thy name alone Wee give all the honour and glory But heer give me leave good Reader to acquaint thee I holding it very pertinent to this present businesse with one more most noble and renowned action which much honoured that brave Commander Sir John Meldrum who immediately after this famous Victory was yet so sensible of the losse of that noble Gentleman and most brave Commander Sir William Fairfax that apprehending and that most rightly and religiously the affliction would bee great to his deer surviving virtuous Lady as indeed it was sad to her and to the whole kingdom hee procured from among the Souldiers or Chirurgeons not without some difficulty the Diamond-Ring that was on Sir Williams finger and the bracelet of gold that was about his arm when hee was slain in the fight and sent them up to his Lady together with a Letter so full of noble and most pious expressions as it hath justly added much to his other actions of honour And when these things were denyed him by some Chirurgeons and by some others also claiming them to bee their due hee drew up some of his horse and said hee would deal with them as with enemies if they did not deliver the same to bee sent to his Lady Sir Thomas Middleton likewise wrote a Letter of much respect and consolation to the Lady Fairfax Who like a most heroick and pious Lady told her friends about her That shee greived not that
fell valiantly upon their works and forced the Enemy into the pallisadoes and got over the first and second pallisadoes notwithstanding the great and small shot both from the works and the ships and pinnace in both the rivers of Wye and Severn and being himself thrown down to the ground by a leap which his horse made over the ditch hee himself first entring a Musketteir of the enemies gave fire at him but by Gods good providence missed his mark and being somewhat neer him as soon as hee had discharched hee turned the Buttâ—end of his musket and strook at the Colonell and with the force of the blow strook off his head-peice all which was so suddainly done that the brave Colonell had no time to consider the danger hee was in but being of an undaunted spirit hee now had recovered himself and instantly charged the Musketteir and kild him on the place and by this time was valiant Colonell Harley also entred into the second pallisado with his horse and so fully releived and remounted Colonell Massie and presently after him came also Colonell Kerle and so they all together made a most furious onset upon the Enemy and fell to it pell-mell with their Swords Muskets and Pistols now the Enemy seeing himself so hard beset and that there were little or no hope to doe any good they began to run away apace and Sir John Winter himself that grand Papist who had alwayes shewed himself exceeding active in the Papist cause being now amongst them and who to give him his due stood stoutly upon his guard with a fire-pike a while till Colonell Kerle discovering who hee was cryed out that 's Winter that 's Winter pistoll him pistoll him whereupon hee flung down his pike and tumbled himself down the steep banck or hill where the pallisado stood where his neck contrary to all likelihood incurred not the act of breaking and so hee escaped but his horse was taken but yet 230 men that might have escaped the same way durst not follow his example therein and so were all taken prisoners among whom was Leivtenant Colonell Powell Sir Ralph Hoptons own Major together with divers other Commanders and Officers and neer 10 slain upon the place wee took there also 8 barrels of powder 4 Drakes and 4 Iron-peices 200 Armes with many horse and furniture And that which was further observable was this that Prince Robber was to have been there the next night after it was thus taken by us and his bed was set up and fairly furnished for him and hee was to have joyned with Colonell Gerard but now was by Gods great mercy and good providence prevented therein All which service was thus most bravely performed by this victorious Colonell through Gods gracious assistance with the losse of only 10 of his own men and some few wounded This exploit was of great concernment to us in regard that it hinders all manner of provisions from the Enemy at Bristoll and stops the passage from Wales so that they can have no supply of men from thence which consideration indeed made the enemy so eager to have possessed themselves of that advantageous passage Many Colonells I justly and ingenuously acknowledge have done bravely but brave and ever to bee renowned Massie hath excelled them all and that which challengeth eternall fame and datelesse splendour to his illustrious name and indelible honour is his constant persevering in all his most noble actions free from self-aymes and ends not ambitious nor proud of his many incomparable Victories not covetous but truely gallant and noble Hold on then renowned Massie and certainly the illustrious name and fame of Massie more precious than Massie-gold shall never dye but ever fairly flourish whiles England stands But to goe on About the 16 of this instant wee had also indubitable information out of the North that the base and bloody Irish-Rebels having sent a ship with 8 great peices of Ordnance 20 double-barrels of powder and good store of other Ammunition into White-Haven in Cumberland intended for the releif of Carlile being then distressed for want of powder and such other Ammunition Sir Wilfrid Lawson who had raised a Regiment in Cumberland for the service of the Parliament happily surprized her in the said Haven by manning out some men in boats and so seized upon the said Ship Ordnance and Ammunition Much also about the same time came certain news from Pool of the taking of an 100 brave horse of the Queens own Regiment 2 Colours a Masse-book and other Popish trumpery 40 prisoners then taken and 16 killed on the place by the brave Governour of Pool who victoriously returned thither again with all the said Horse and prisoners with the losse of but one man of his This brave exploit was performed between Pool and Blanford And about the same time wee had certain intelligence out of the North that valiant Colonell Lambert since his and Colonell Sandys taking a Troop of Horse in Craven hath taken a 120 horse more from the Enemy at Plumpton in Yorkeshire together with an Irish-Rebell their Commander whom they took prisoner with the rest And much about this time also a petition was presented to the Parliament by that virtuous and religious Gentlewoman Mistris Bastwick wife to that heroick-hearted Gentleman and famously suffering servant of the Lord Jesus Christ Dr. John Bastwick for some allowance for herself and children and toward the present maintainance of her said Husband then a prisoner in the Castle of Knarsborough in Yorkeshire for the Parliaments Cause as hee had formerly lyen prisoner a long time in the Island of Silly in Cornw. for pieties and religions Cause which her petition was very freely and favourably entertained by the House of Lords and by them sent to the House of Commons to desire their concurrence therein who accordingly most willingly agreed thereunto and the sum of an 100 pound was presently ordered to bee paid unto her out of Haberdashers-Hall in London and which shee immediately received thence as was ordered And shortly after this it pleased the good hand of Gods providence so to order it that by the indefatigable pains and care of Mistris Bastwick and of Colonell Hudlestones wife hee being then a prisoner in the Towre of London the said noble Dr. was upon exchange for the said Hudlestone released out of prison from Knaresborough Castle as aforesaid where and also in the Castle in York hee had indured much wrong and great affliction but now was I say returned home to London with abundance of honour and most welcome entertainment to the City of London and to all the honest-hearted-Christians therein yea most welcome I say to his dear Wife and Children And O thrice happy Gentleman indeed say I heerin especially namely that having most magnanimously and with invincible Christian courage and wisdome passed as the Poet sang Per varios casus per tot discrimina rerum and now
at last arrived safely in his desired Haven hee found most happy and heart-cheering welcome in his own conscience having like an impregnable Rock held fast his pious principles and withstood and out-stood all the assaults and snares of Papists disloyall Royalists Separatists Anabaptists Antinomians and novell Independents who all strugled and strove to have seduced and ensnared him into their unhappy and unholy Lâ—byrinths of heresie errour and schisme to his Soules ruine but whom I say God did most graciously support and preserve from the danger of them all and returned unto us a most loyall and faithfull friend to Gods glorious Cause and a most constant and courageous professour and propugnatour of untainted Truth which two indeed deck and adorn the flourishing garland of his afflictions and make the Crown of his sufferings most illustrious and glorious But to proceed About the 18 of this instant came certain intelligence by â—eters out of North-wales that since the taking of Radcastle by â—nowned Sir Thomas Middleton whereof wee made mention a little before hee hath also performed much gallant service in those parts and in particular that â—ee sent forth a party of horse and foot into Leigh about a mile from Bishops-castle where the Enemy had left a Garrison which fled away thence before his forces came neer them after this a party of about 20 horse was sent from Mountagâ—mâ—ry into Râ—dnorshire where they took prisoner the Lord Leigh Baron of Duâ—smore who was then carryed prisoner to Radcastle Sinâ—e that also the Enemy forsook another Garrison called Leighâ—â—ll the house of Sir Pelham Corbet in Shropshire And Sir John Price a Gentleman alwayes well-affected to the Parliament though over-powred by his Enemies round about him was forced to conceal it was made Governour of Mountgomery-castle The Country came in very cheerfully to Sir Thomas Middleton upon his summons but were very unwilling to fight so little valouâ— is there in thoâ—e who pretend to descend from the ancient Brittaines Upon the 23 of this instant October came the full and certain relation and most joyfull newes to London especially of the taking of Newcastle by ouâ— honest active loving and loyall brethren of Scotland who as they have all along ever â—ince their first appearing in this great Cause in a war-like manâ—er and posture shewed themselves most zealous to God and true Religion and therein also most brotherly to us and free from base self-seekings and ignoble by-ends though our most degenerous and rotten-hearted Malignants in City Court and Country have most ignominiously slandered them and most basely and abusively strugled but in vain blessed bee the Lord for it to blemish their untainted honour and honesty heerin so now also in a most eminent manner they have again made it appear to the whole world if men would not bee wilfully or maliciously blinde that they sought not their own ends or to enrich themselves but mainly and only Gods glory and therein ours with their own best good as iâ— this relation of this glorious and victorious conquest of the Town of Newcastle now by Gods mighty and mercifull assistance and their impregnable valour and fidelity happily subdued to the just obedience of the King and Parliament as now I shall make manifest in this breif and faithfull Narration of the taking of this strong Town by storm which is with all convenient bâ—evity extracted out of our brethren the Scots own Relation thereof sent to the Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners then resident at or about Westminster which was as followeth Our valiant and most unwearied brethren the Scots having in the time of their lying before this Town of Newcastle out of their Christian and tender pious pity toward the inhabitants therof in generall and great and gracious unwillingnesse to shed blood if possibly it might by any fit and fair means bee avoyded sent divers Letters and mercifull messages to the Town in generall and to and from some speciall cordiall persons in particular before their summons which afterwards was also sent unto them but found all their Christian love and pitty partly with stubbornnesse rejected and partly with scoffes and jeeres derided but especially by the Atheisticall and most desperately Malignant Major of Newcastle Sir John Marley all which their interchangeable Letters and Messages containing Marleys and the Newcastelians answers and our Scotch brethrens patient and pious replies having been fully set forth in that particular and exact relation of all those proceedings by our loyall brethren of Scotland I heer therefore purposely for brevities sake pretermit and shall only acquaint the Reader heer with thus much in particular That after many interchangeable messages and motions on both sides and some seeming agrâ—ements seeming only I say on Marleys side and hostages mutually given Articles of accord were demanded to bee sent to the Town by noble Generall Lesley which was accordingly done and which said Articles together with the rest of the succeeding passages or Letters sent to each other for the further clearing of our Brethrens integrity and fairnesse therein after the tendring of the Articles of agreement I have thought fit heer to insert which were as followeth Conditions wherupon the Surrender of the Town of Newcastle and Foâ—â—es thereof with all the Ordnance Ammunition and other Warlike furniture thereto belonging were demanded by his Excellency the Earl of Leven Lord Generall of the Scottish Army to bee kept by him for the use of his Majesty and the Parliament of England 1. THat the Officers and Souldiers who desire to goe out of Town shall have liberty to passe with their Arms Horses bagge and baggage to what place they please the same not being already beleaguered and shall have a safe convoy thither it being within forty miles distance and shall bee accommodate with draughts in their march 2. That all Strangers Residents Sojourners or Inhabitants who desire to goe out of the Town with the aforesaid Officers or Souldiers shall have the like liberty convoy and accommodation 3. That sick and hurt Souldiers shall have all necessary accommodation untill their recovery and shall have a safe conduct as aforesaid 4. That the Citizens Burgesses and Inhabitants shall have their persons houses families and goods kept from violence and shall have the same free liberty of trade and commerce as any other Town reduced to the obedience of King and Parliament 5. That their priviledges liberties and jurisdiction shall bee preserved inviolate conform to their ancient charters in manner above writen 6. If any of the said Citizens Inhabitants or others presently within the Town shall desire to goe and live in their Countrey Houses they shall have protection and safeguard for their persons and estates 7. That no Billet shall bee granted upon any of the Inhabitants without their consent 8. The whole Army shall not enter the Town but onely a competent Garrison Signed LEVEN Provided alwayes that in case these Conditions above writen bee
it was credibly reported by good testimony that at the instant of his Majesties flight from Newberry hee complained of the Major Townesmen and Inhabitants of Newberry saying that they were most pestilent Roundheads and that they were not so loyall as his subjects of Cornwall who used to give him intelligence upon all occasions There were also taken at least 2000 Armes at this fight and the Kings and Generall Forths Coaches and divers sumpture-horses laden with rich prize and upon the consideration of this great and good successe of this our Army at Newberry and the other of our brethren of Scotland at Newcastle An Order was agreed on by both the Houses of Parliament that publick Thanks should bee given to God in all Churches in London and Westminster on Tuesday then ensuing which was the 5 of November being the day of solemn annuall thanksgiving for Englands deliverance from the most horrid and exorbitant Popish Gun-powder-Treason which sacrifice of Thanksgiving for these 2 foresaid Victories was on the said day accordingly performed But Oh our unhappinesse that ever it should bee justly said of us as it was of Hanniball that great Carthaginian Conquerour and scourge of the Romans Vincerescis Hannibal Vtivictoriâ nescis O that wee should not onely not prosper in this Victory according to the admirable advantage which God had put into our hands but that wee should suffer the Enemy to rally and recrute their Forceâ— and as it most unhappily fell out Quo fato aut qâ—â fraude nescio at Dunnington-castle shortly after where they greatly and most grossely recovered much of their losses and our then famous and formidable Army was to our shame and sorrow bee it spoken most strangely baffled and abused even to their faces wee standing still and looking on But enough and too much of this and now to proceed About the 28 of this instant also came certain intelligence by Letters from Newcastle to the Committee of both Kingdomes that the Castle within the Town of Newcastle was for certain taken by our noble brethren of Scotland and that all within the Castle who had flâ—d in thither at the taking of the Town surrendred both the Castle and themselves to the mercy of those our very mercifull brethren of Scotland wherein were taken severall prisoners of quality and who they intended should all have legall tryall both English and Scottish but their own Native Scots they speedily sent away into Scotland and the English to bee adjudged by the known Laws of England they sent to London The names of the most eminent men taken then in the Castle were these Sir John Marley the atheisticall Major and Governour of the Town a most pestilent and desperate malignant and enemy to all goodnesse the Lord â—raford the Lord Maxwell the Lord Ree 3 Lords of Scotland and all 3 most desperate incendiaries together with divers others prime Commanders and Officers in armes Much also about the same time wee were most certainly informed by severall Letters out of Lincolnshire that his Majesty had sent directions to all the Commanders of his Garrisons at Newark Belviâ—-castle and others thereabout with speciall command speedily to joyn into a considerable body and to march for the releif of Crowland and then to fall into the Associated Counties which accordingly and instantly they put in practise and for which purpose they met together in a great body and came into the Vale of Bever from whence they intended to march speedily toward Crowland But loyall active and valiant Sir John Gells and Sir Thomas Fairfaxes forces being timely informed thereof appointed also speedily to meet together and to fall upon the Enemy in the said Vâ—le of Bever which accordingly they performed with singular good speed and good successe and bravely surprized the greatest part of them took Major Pudsey and 2 Colonells about 800 horse and 400 prisoners and by this means most happily frustrated both the certain releiving of Crowland and especially prevented that most desperate and dangerous designe as it might unquestionably have proved of breaking in like a furious overflowing flood into the Associated Counties a mercy most worthy our extraordinary thankfulnesse to the Lord our God the most gracious and vigilant Watchman of the English Israel And about the 30 of this instant October wee were credibly assured by Letters from Wareham in the West that that most valiant and faithfull Commander Colonell Sydenham had fallen upon Sir Lewes Dives Forces at Crew in Dorsetshire and had a brave bickering with them where hee wounded his Leivtenant Colonell took an 100 horse 40 prisoners above a 100 Armes and routed and put to flight 400 horse and foot And the same Letters also farther certified that Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper with 1500 horse and foot from severall Garrisons thereabout in Dorsetshire had then taken the field to encounter with Sir Lewis Dives who was endevouring to fortifie some places in those parts whereof more in its due and proper place The good news from our Armies rested not heer for about the 30 also of this instant came certain intelligence to the Parliament signifying under the hand of that pious prudent and victorious Commander Sir William Brereton that Leverpool in Lancashire was delivered up to brave and ever to bee honoured Sir John Meldrum The English Souldiers therein some 2 or 3 dayes before having combined together came away out of the Town and drove away with them the Cattle that was thereabout and the Irish seeing themselves left only with some few English Commanders they also being in great straits and knowing no quarter would bee given them if they stood it out they therefore also voluntarily came forth of the Town and cast themselves at Sir John Mâ—â—drums feet and had their lives granted them thereupon before the Ordinance of Parliament against the Irish came to his hands or knowledge And heerupon the Commanders also were enforced instantly to surrender the Town wherein were taken prisoners Sir Robert Byron Governour Colonell Cuthert Clifton Robert Bambridge Major Hugh Anderson Leivtenant Colonell 14 Captains â—nd many other Officers in Armes Most of the choice Goods which were in the Town they had shipped in small Barks and Boats thinking to have stoln away in the night time by our Ships to Beu-Morrice but some of the well-affected in the Town having given timely notice thereof our ships manned out long boats and took all their said Goods from them to a very considerable valew Nay yet Gods goodnesse to the Parliament and his extraordinary blessing on their forces rested not heer for much about the foresaid time wee were certainly informed by Letters from Newcastle to the Committee of both Kingdomes that noble and renowned Generall Leven carryed on businesses so prudently in the capitulation between his Excellency and the Governour of Tinmouth-castle that the said Castle was Octob. 27. 1644. surrendred to his Excellency and that therein hee found
and brave Commander Colonell Ridgeley a principall and prudent Commander in the Earle of Denbighs Army about Staffordshire who about the beginning of this Moneth of November understanding that the Enemy in those parts began to stirre apace and to molest the peace and people of the Country thereabout and especially that the Enemy from Tongue-castle and Linshall Garrison were got about Eccleshall and had there gotten and taken away all the Cattle and horse that they could light upon in those parts to the number of about 200 at least Hee therefore I say sent out Captain Stones a brave Officer in Armes of his Regiment who with a considerable party being upon their March by his Scouts discovering which way the said Enemy moved hasted after them and having overtaken them hee most valiantly advanced up unto them and with his men fell most courageously upon them and presently put them to the rout took 27 of them prisoners slew 2 or 3 of them on the place and wounded many among which prisoners hee took Sergeant Major Fleetwood Sir Richard Fleetwoods Son and one Almand a most desperate and active Cavalier who had done much mischeif in those parts who also was sorely wounded and rescued all the 200 horse and Cattle from them and restored them to their right Owners at their return home And about the same time Captain Wagstaffe and Captain Wakefield with part of Colonell Chadwicks and Colonell Leighs Troops went forth together in their assignations about Hampton and in their March hearing that some of the Enemies were quartered thereabout they marched up unto them fell upon them in their quarters took about 13 or 14 of them prisoners and brought away above 20 good horse to Stafford with them And although I breifly mentioned a mixture of Thanksgiving together with our last day of the monethly Humiliation in the conclusion of the moneth of October last for the late many and great Victories given by our good God to the Parliaments forces yet now give mee leave good Reader heer to acquaint thee that our ever to bee honoured and most pious Worthies in Parliament Ordered by speciall appointment that the 5 of this instant November which was the former anniversary-day of publick Thanksgiving for our most happy deliverance from the Popish Gunpowder-plot should also bee a particular day of solemn Thanksgiving to the Lord and was accordingly performed for our most memorable Victory at Newberry for the taking in of the Town of Newcastle and the Castle therein also together with the taking of Tinmouth castle the yeelding up of Leverpool to Sir John Meldrum and the brave defeat given to our Cavalierian adversaries in Lincolnshire Which said day of Thanksgiving for all these rare and famous Victories was very solemnly kept thorow-out the Cities of London and Westminster with Sermons in all Churches both forenoon and afternoon with ringing of Bells shooting off Ordnance at all the Forts round about the City and making many and mighty bonfires at night And to adde to all this dayes triumph as the Lord Major accompanyed with the Aldermen and Sheriffes his Brethren together with the severall Companies of the said City of London then attending him came back from the Sermon at Pauls Church through Cheapside there was just in the place where once that abominable monument of Idolatry the Crosse stood a frame of firre-wood set up and upon it divers Popish pictures and Romish Reliques Bookes Beads and Crucifixes were set on fire and bravely burnt to ashes making a most beautifull bonfire as they all past along Cheapside by it Praised bee the Lord who caused us thus justly to rejoyce About the 8 of this instant November wee received credible information out of the West by a Letter from a Commander of note and quality of the storming and taking of a strong Garrison of the Enemies which was Sir John Strangewaies House in Dorsetshire and had been a very ill neighbour to our renowned Garrison of Lime which service was most bravely performed by that valiant and loyall Patriot Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper Commander in cheif for the Parliament in that County a Copy of which Letter relating the gallant service performed therein for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have heer inserted Sir c. Wee marched from Dorchester to Abotâ—bury where Colonell James Strangewayes and all his Regiment were in Garrison they held both the House and the Church which joyned to the House It was night before wee summoned it and they in a scorn refused the summons of Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper a very active and noble Gentleman our Commander in cheif whereupon hee sent his Major Generall with a considerable party against the Church who presently assaulting it took it and all the men in it prisoners without the losse of one man of ours After this wee summoned them in writing the second time to yeild on fair quarter or else to expect no mercy if they forced us to storm them To this also they disdained to return an Answer upon which denyaâ—â— wee fell on and after as hot a storm as ever I heard of for six houres together it pleased God at length to give us the place when by no other means wee could get it wee found a way by desperately flinging in fired turf-fagots into the windowes and the fight thus grew so hot that our said Commander in chief who to his perpetuall renown behaved himself most gallanly in this service was forced to bring up his men within Pistoll shot of the House and could hardly then get them to stay and stand the brunt yet in all this time God bee praised wee lost but 3 men and some few wounded Now when as by the foresaid hot assault half of the house was on a light fiâ—e and not to bee quenched then at length Colonell James Strangewayes called out for quarter which our Commander in cheif was resolved no man in the House should have in regard they had so desperately and disdainfully scorned his summons and also in regard that the Cavaliers custome was observed to bee to keep such paltry houses and pilfring Garrisons against any of our Armies that they might therby bee sure to doe us mischeif and by reason of our observed clemency to have their lives at last granted to them But some of our Commanders upon one side of the House contrary to the minde of our said Commander in cheif and against the opinion of all the Officers in his absence had given them quarter which being granted them wee instantly rushed into the House which being of a light fire and their Magazine in it I beleive rather accidentally than as some reported purposely and trecherously it set on fire 4 or 5 barrels of Gunpowder and blew up between 30 and 40 of our men yet the Lord bee blessed my self and the rest were even miraculously preserved Wee took prisoners Colonell James Strangewayes Sir John Strangewayes his Son Governour of
this Garrison his Major and 3 Captains and not 3 of his whole Regiment but were either killed or taken and the House was wholly burnt down to the ground and wee thereby freed of a pestilent and pernicious neighbour Colonell Bruen and Mr. Crompton behaved themselves very worthily in this action and Captain Starre incomparably bravely Yours C. A. November the 12 wee were for certain informed by Letters out of the North that a party of the Enemies horse advanced from Skipton and Knaresborough in Yorkeshire and fell upon the Parliaments guard before Helmesley Castle intending to have raised that siege Whereupon 240 of the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfaxes Horse under the Command of Major Sanderson were sent to releive them but our valiant Forces before Helmesley had quite routed the Enemy before their said help came unto them and pursued the Enemy over Black-Hambleton and took prisoners 1 Captain 5 or 6 Leivtenants one Cornet one Ensigne a Quartermaster and 44 Troopers there were about or 6 slain on the place and very many sore wounded ours also took 80 Horse together with a great quantity of Meal Salt and other provisions designed for the releif of Helmesley All which was performed without the losse of any save only Captain Leivtenant Frampton Leivtenant Shepperson and 3 common Souldiers About the 16 of this instant both the Houses of Parliament passed an Ordinance for the re-establishing of free Trade again at Newcastle which now lately had beer most happily reduced by Gods blessing on the valour and magnanimity of our loyall Brethren of Scotland to the obedience of the Parliament which said Ordinance for the Readers fuller satisfaction and content I have heer thought fit to insert verbatim as it was Printed and published by Authority of Parliament Die Jovis Novemb. 14. 1644. VVHere as the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament by an Ordinance of the 14 of January 1642. did for severall reasons in the said Ordinance mentioned prohibit all ships and other vessels to carry provision of victuals armes or money unto Newcastle Sunderland and Blyth or make return of any Coales or Salt from either the said places under pain of seizure of the said ships vessels and their lâ—ding And whereas by the good providence and blessing of Almighty God and the endevours of our brethren of Scotland the Town and Port of Newcastle upon Tyne and Castle of Tinmouth are lately rescued out of the hands of the Enemy and reduced to the obedience of the King and Parliament The Inhabitants of which places by reason of the rapine and spoile of the Enemy have been brought to extremity of want It is this day Ordered by the said Lords and Commons that the said Ordinance bee repealed and annulled And the said Lords and Commons doe hereby repeal and annull the same Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum About the 20 of this instant came certain intelligence by Letters out of Yorkeshire to London that the Castle of Helmesley in that County which had been then besieged as was forementioned by the right honourable and thrice noble Lord Fairfaxes forces was now at length surrendred to his Lordship upon Articles of agreement Whereupon the said Castle with all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition therein except what armes the Commanders and Officers marched out withall according to the agreement In this Castle were about 200 men 9 peices of Ordnance 300 Muskets and Pikes 6 barrells of powder and much money Plate and other good plunder and many of the common Souldiers turned to the Lord Fairfax whereof at least 40 went presently to assist at the siege of Scarborough And about the 24 of this instant November wee were informed by Letters out of Lincolnshire of the good successe against the Enemy there of that brave and most valiant active Commander Colonell Rossiters Regiment of horse and Colonell Fleetwoods Regiment of horse Commanded by valiant and virtuous Major Harrison who resolved to face the Town of Newark to try what strength of horse they had left since the last losse of neer about 800 horse upon a rout But in their way they also resolved to attempt the beating up of one of their quarters within a mile of Newark which accordingly they did and took there an 160 horse and 80 prisoners Major Heren Captain Cressey 3 Cornets 3 Leivtenants and divers Gentlemen and afterward faced the Town of Newark the enemy not daring to adventure out wherupon they victoriously returned and brought their prisoners and prize safely with them to Lincoln And about the 28 instant wee received certain intelligence by Letters out of the West that the valiant Souldiers of Lime marched out of that Garrison to meet the Enemy at Axminster who came thither to fortifie that Town thereby to have straitned the quarters of Lime But they being as vigilant as valiant and discovering the Enemies drift and unwilling to bee nosed by so bad a neighbour fell upon the said Enemy as they stood upon a posture of defence fitted and resolved as it seemed to entertain the charge of our forces but in the end were bravely routed by the Lime Souldiers who in the encounter killed Major Walker a desperate and wicked Cavalier 2 Captains and 2 Leivtenants and mortally wounded Sir Richard Cholmley Son in Law to the Lord Pawleâ— and brother to Sir Hugh Cholmley of Scarborough that disloyall apostate Run negado who commanded in Cheif this party and some Letters since have certified that the said Sir Richard is dead of his wounds In which incounter also the brave Lime forces took 4 peices of Ordnance great store of Armes many prisoners and drove the rest into a Church which was not then taken when this Letter came to our hands This most valiant Governour of Lyme deserves to bee had in high honour and remembrance for his former famous services also especially for his so manfully defending that poore Town against Prince Maurice and the Lord Pawlet and other mighty menacing powers as hath at large been forementioned And shortly after this brave defeat it pleased the Lord that a suddain storm arising at Sea a ship of Apsome was driven into the Haven at Lime and there seized on which was estimated to bee worth many thousand pounds a part whereof was ordered by the Parliament to bee imployed for the use and service of Lyme and the rest for the other Western parts the goods in the said ship being found to belong to divers rich Malignants of Exeter and Apsome and most of them consisting of speciall good Linnen cloath And besides that foresaid Victory at Axminster and rich prize so put into their hands in their haven wee had certain information that this most valiant and active garrison of Lime within 2 or 3 dayes after fell upon another party of the Enemies and did good execution on them and took prisoners 3 Leivtenants more with 50 other Officers and Souldiers took an 160 Muskets 10 Halberts 3 barrels of
powder one Cornet Colours 2 foot Colours and 5 Drums and that Colonell Bret Knight and Baronet was heer also dangerously wounded and as was reported since dyed of the wounds hee then received and that Major Hinkley was for certain dead of his wounds in this skirmish received About the 30 of this instant November wee were certified by Letters from Sir Thomas Middletons quarters that Colonell Beal who went with Foot forces out of London by Sea intended for Anglesey and so for Sir Thomas Middleton in North Wales landed his forces in Milford-Haven in Pembrookeshire in South-Wales where joyning with the Pembrook-men hee marched into Carmarthenshire where the Enemies had a strong Garrison called Laughorn castle which this brave Colonell won from them the exact particulars of which Service being brought to London in a Letter dated at Pembrook I have heer thought fit to extract and set down the substance thereof to the honour of that gallant Colonell and the other Commanders assistant to him therein which was as followeth Wee made our approach to Laughorn castle and having soon gained the Town in the Town gate wee planted our Ordnance and first gave the Enemies a fair summons to surrender the said Garrison for the King and Parliament which they utterly refusing wee presently made our batteries against the Castle gate-house and that not without the happy advantage of a great breach and so with an unanimous consent of our forces fell to hot storm and undermining of the walls both which were performed with such fervour courage and expedition and that only with the losse of not above 5 of our men but at the least 33 of theirs within as was afterward confessed by some of their own Commanders as that the Enemy seeing us in such good earnest and wisely fore-seeing the eminent danger they werein if they now delayed any longer they presently sounded a parley which notwithstanding our advantages being granted them though at first they began with us on high termes yet were forced speedily to surrender only upon quarter for their lives and the Castle thus surrendred into the Generalls possession wherein were 4 peices of Ordnance 160 armes 4 barrels of powder and great store of other provision they having lost in this assault ere it was ended 33 of their men and many wounded whereof 4 were Captains Much also about the foresaid time came certain intelligence by Letters from Pool in the West that Sir Lewis Dives being at Dorchester with 200 horse and Dragoones sent a party to face Pool who made a daring shew and bravado upon sight of whom brave Colonell Sydenham prepared valiantly to oppose them but after only a daring shew and bravado they vanished like a vapourous cloud and marcht away instantly to Dorchester But renowned Colonell Sydenham impatient of the empty flourishes of a vapouring Enemy that night drew out a party of between 50 and 60 horse double pistolled and with them marched like a gallant Gentleman indeed himself in person desirous to shew Sir Lewis Dives some action and in the night hee came to Dorchester and fell upon the Enemy in their quarters first charged the out-guards calling to his men to fall on couragiously which they did most gallantly beat his whole Regiment quite through the Town and then gave them a second charge and beat them back again most stoutly charging upon the Dragoones and crying out to his Souldiers Give the Dragoones no quarter With which his so violent a charge some fell and the rest fled and at a third charge this noble Colonell facing about in the Town found and knew Major Williams in the head of the Enemies Troopes comming to charge him This Williams had formerly basely and cruelly killed Colonell Sydenhams Mother whom so soon as Colonell Sydenham saw hee spake to his men that were next to him to stick close to him for said hee I will now avenge my Mothers innocent blood or die in this place and so hee most valiantly made his way to Major Williams and flew him in the place who fell down dead under his horses feet the rest of the horse and Dragoones fled out of the Town and so escaped Sir Lewis Dives himself and some others of note being sorely wounded and valiant Colonell Sydenham returned back victoriously into Pool with the prisoners hee had taken And thus now having by Gods good guide and assistance finished with a short and succinct Survey the comfortable contemplation of this Moneths wonder of the Burning-Bush thus still Vnconsumed in the midst of all these premised fierce and furious conflagrations as namely Captain Stones his brave exploit at Eccleshall the various happy occasions of a Solemn day of Thanksgiving on the 5 of this November by Order of Parliament Brave Sir Anthony Ashley-Coopers storming and taking of Sir John Strangewayes House a strong Garrison in Dorsetshire The brave defeat given to the Enemy at Helmsley castle and the taking thereof Free Trade re-establisht in Newcastle by authority of Parliament A brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Newark in Lincolnshire Two other also given unto them the one at Axminster in the West together with a rich ship of the Enemies driven into Lime the other within 2 or 3 dayes after the former against a party of the Enemies in those parts The taking of Laughorn-castle in South-Wales And this last brave exploit performed at Dorchester by renowned Colonell Sydenham All these I say performed to the eternall praise and high honour of our Israels ever most gracious and glorious Wonder-working God whereby wee have great cause to sing and say with holy David with exulting joy and thankfulnesse of heart The Lord of Hoasts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge And thus wee will now breifly passe on without any farther digression or interruption to the farther view and observation of Gods most powerfull and propitious preservation of this still Burning-Bush the Parliamentary Cause FIrst therefore I shall begin the serious Survey of this most rare and admirable Wonder of the Burning-Bush not consumed in this next succeeding Moneth of December 1644. with that brave defeat given to the Enemy about the time when Taunton was much straitned by a siege then about it that valiant and faithfull Colonell Norton with others being then designed for the releif thereof wherein also Sergeant Major Dewet who since hath provâ—d a most perfidious apostate and Major Wansey with the rest of Colonell Ludlows Regiment of horse designed also as a reserve to our Forces then sent to releive Taunton as aforesaid who all I say marched to Salisbury where the Enemy was quartered who upon the suddain approach of these our friends were forced to flye into a place called the Closse a cheif and eminent place of that City where the Bishops and Cathedrall Choristers and Singing-men used to live like so many lazie Abbey-Lubbers commonly called the Prebends-Closse and thither our Forces marched after them even up
to the gates and first brake open the Sand-gate the Enemy having made fast and baricadoed all the gates and then our horse also forced open the Closse-gate whereupon the Enemy dispersed themselves many of them betook themselves to the Angell at the Closse-gate others to another house at the Sand-gate but our men seeing them thus housed fired both of them and in the mean season most bravely skirmished with the Enemy without but the fire taking on the foresaid houses they within them were forced to surrender themselves prisoners to us Whereupon our men helped to quench the fire and so obtained a very considerable Victory for they there took prisoners Colonell Francis Cook Leivtenant Colonell Francis Hook 2 Captains Leivtenant Relsoll 2 Cornets 3 Quartermasters one Mr. Alexander a Gentleman of quality and 40 common Souldiers besides an 163 good horses 200 armes some Match and powder and other good purchase one Captain and divers others were slain on the ground one Sergeant Major sorely wounded and divers other Officers and Souldiers who by the opportunity of the night escaped our hands This service was most gallantly performed on our part for wee had but 2 of ours slain on the place some few wounded and Captain Feiler hurt and this was all the losse on our part blessed bee the Lord for it About the 6 of this instant December there was a great dispute in the House of Commons about the calling home of all the Members of Both Houses of Parliaments from their Offices and imployments both in the war otherwise that so the Houses being completed with their Members here might be a more suddain surer dispatch and transaction of businesses and for clearing the publicke prejudice concerning personall respects to themselves And heerin also they seriously took into consideration the slow proceedings of our Armies abroad and the not prosecuting of advantages when God in mercy gave them into our hands tending much to the prolongation of this most unhappy Warre and withall resenting that those differences which were then among our Commanders were commonly most where the command was greatest For these and such like weighty considerations I say the House of Commons put this great and most weighty businesse to the Vote in their House and the very same motion was also made by an honourable personage in the House of Peeres and many Votes and suffrages passed about it pro and con But at last it was agreed on and a Vote passed clearly with a most unanimous consent and as I take it Nemine contradicente by the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled to this effect That no Member of either House of Parliament shall during this warre enjoy or execute any Office or Command Military or Civill which hath been granted to or conferred on any Member of either House or by any authority derived from either House and that an Ordinance bee brought in accordingly This Ordinance or Vote was afterward accordingly Printed and published by authority and was very fitly called The Self-denying Ordinance whereof more hereafter in a more proper place And for the more serious and religious managing and establishing of this great Vote and the other weighty affaires of the Kingdome depending hereon and hence issuing our most renowned Worthies of the House of Commons Ordered that Wednesday the 10 of December then next ensuing should bee set apart for the keeping of a private Fast by both Houses of Parliament so to seek the Lord and implore a blessing from Almighty God upon their farther proceedings in the grand affaires of State to bee agitated and negotiated on this vote And reverend and religious Mr. Marshall Mr. Sedgewick and Mr. Hill were intreated to Preach and carry on the work of that day with them And was not heer a work hopefull indeed to end well which was so well begun A Jove owne principium Certainly if God hath made it known unto us That hee is found of those that seek him not much more unquestionably will hee bee found of those that seek and seriously enquire after him And so truely wee have blessedly found it as I shall make most clear to the godly Reader by many most remarkable and memorable testimonies and demonstrations thereof in their succeeding proper places But to goe on About the 10 of this instant wee were credibly assured by Letters out of Lincolnshire that a brave Party of the Parliaments forces in those parts led by valiant and virtuous Colonell Rainsborough under the Command of the Earl of Manchester having much battered Crowland with the Ordnance which they brought by Water in long Boats against it the Enemy at last was forced to a parley which was assented to upon the conclusion whereof it was agreed by both parties that the Enemies forces should march out of the Town the Commanders and Officers with their Swords and Pistols but the common Souldiers to leave all their Armes behinde them as also all the Ordnance and Ammunition therein to bee left for the Parliaments use which accordingly was performed And thus this place of so great concernment that at this time many hundred by Land and by Water were fain to bee imployed against only a few men within it and yet receiving many checks and affronts many times by sallies out of the Town was now thus at last surrendred again into the Parliaments possession This Town had been twice lost and recovered by us which had it not now might have proved a kinde of scurvey Dunkirk to the Parliament both by land and water too had the Enemy continued in it and thereby better manned and fortified it as they might and would have done had they not so soon been thus beaten out of it December the 12 wee were certainly informed out of the West of a singular good peice of service performed by that most valiant active and faithfull Commander Colonell Massie who heaâ—ing that a party of the Enemies Horse from Bristol had some designe about Chippingham in Wilts hee sent out his Scouts who discovered them to bee that night quartered at Sedbury in Gloucestershire some 9 miles from Bristol and the just middle way from Bristol to Chippingham Whereupon hee presently advanced with a considerable party from Malmesbury some 10 miles from Sedbury and with accustomed undaunted courage falling on the Enemies quarters hee there surprised and took an 160 of their horse 100 armes 50 prisoners together with 12 Captains Leivtenants and other Officers the rest of the Enemies leaving their design for lost fled back again with haste into Bristol And about the 14 instant came certain intelligence by Letters from Oswestre from Sir Thomas Middleton of some considerable action and good service performed by our forces thereabout the substance whereof was to this effect That now at length the long looked for Colonell Beal was blessed bee God come safely to Sir Thomas Middleton into Mountgomery-shire and that Colonell Carter with our Horse and
Dragoones to the number of 450 were sent under the Command of Captain Farrar into Cardiganshire to meet them who in their return had upon the borders of Mountgomery shire a skirmish with about a 1000 of the Enemies where the Country was summoned in by Sir Richard Price and Mr. Pughe of Mathavern they met in the night in a very narrow passage where the Musketteirs played for an houre together upon them but no good could bee done Whereupon Captain Farrar led up the Horse in a full Carreir upon them which put them all to a present and confused flight our forces pursued them 3 miles together and slew at least 20 of them in the pursuite whereupon the Enemy cryed quarter quarter and had quarter given them wee there took 60 prisoners among whom were 12 Officers and an 100 armes wounded divers of them and put all the rest to flight The next morning Captain Farrar sent a Troop of Horse and a company of Dragoones under the Command of Captain Luke Floyd to summon Mathavern-house where the Enemy kept a Garrison where Mr. Pughe having had notice of our comming toward this house presently upon our appearing hee flew away and left the House whereupon wee instantly entred the Garrison took what was in it and then burnt it down to the ground to keep them from returning again to it to doe us any farther mischeif About the 16 instant wee had credible information by Letters out of the West that Colonell Holborn Major Generall of the forces sent to releive Taunton at this time much straitned by the Enemies being upon his March in Dorsetshire and upon the designe the Enemy had intelligence thereof and drew themselves into a body to meet him in battalia and Major Generall Holborn having also intelligence that they were come as farre as Chard hee marched thither with an intent to give them battaile But the Enemy discovering our forces drawing nigh them and seriously bent to encounter them fled out of the Town in great haste and left above an 100 armes behinde them dispersing themselves in a disorderly retreat but our forces pursued them and took a whole Troop of their Horse the Captain Leivtenant Cornet and all both Officers and Souldiers Horse and Armes besides 20 other prisoners whereof 5 were Officers together with all their Hay Oates and other provisions which they brought with them for their releif there And about the 18 of this instant wee received certain knowledge of divers plots and treacherous designes of the Enemies for the betraying of severall Townes and strong Holds their old trade of trechery into the Enemies hands but how our good God the most vigilant Watchman over his English-Israel most graciously discovered and disappointed them in their devillish designes and perfidious practises therein as namely the great danger of losing the Town and Castle of Stafford by the either unfaithfulnesse or negligence or both of Colonell Chadwick Governour of the said Town and Castle but by Gods goodnesse and by valiant virtuous and faithfull Sir William Breretons vigilancy timely prevented Another plot and most dangerous and desperate designe for the betraying of Dover-castle That of Abbington also wherin renowned valiant and faithfull Major Generall Brown most bravely befooled that spurious spark and glistring Glow-worm of Oxonian wit and base treachery apostate Digâ—iâ— Another plot against Reading and Ailesbury And another plot against Plymouth also to have betrayed the Island there into the Enemies hands All these much about one and the same time but all of them as seasonably discovered and prevented as they were secretly and deceitfully plotted But especially that most notable and craftily contrived Stâ—â—tagem which I may not heer by any means omit acted by Mr. Roger le Strange a strangely audacious and desperate Cavalier for the betraying of Lyn-Regis in Norfolk into the Enemies hands which being a place of great concernment and in regard of most neat and cleanly carriage of the businesse in the discovery and prevention of the plot a very remarkable peice and worthy of serious notice I have therefore heer for the Readers better content and fuller satisfaction thought good exactly to impart it as it was truely related and attested under the hand of that worthy and most loyall Gentleman Captain Lemon the faithfull discover under God and preventer of the plot which was as followeth Mr. Roger le Strange third Son to Sir Hamond le Strange sent to Captain Thomas Lemon of Lin to Appleton-Hall to the house of one Mr. Paston a Papist and at his comming to him with a design intended by him against Lyn for which hee said hee had a Commission from his Majesty to surprize the Town of Lyn which Commission hee presently shewed him and told him that if hee would undertake to bee assistant to him and raise a party within the Town to effect the designe that hee should have a 1000. li. for his pains and whatsoever preferment hee would desire either in the Town or in his Majesties Navy And farther hee told him that the King did value the surprising of this Town as half his Crown and that within 10 dayes after certain notice that the Town was reduced his Majesty would send a sufficient power to their releif and that those forces should bee under the command of the Lord Goring To which plot the said Captain Lemon for his own security having taken the Covenant and well weighing on a suddain the peace and good of the Common-wealth for the present hee seemingly gave consent the night then comming on hee departed from him with promise to come to him again the next day to advise farther of the designe but presently hasting to Lyn hee went to the Governour Colonell Valentine Walton and acquainted him with it who after long debate resolved the next day that at the time appointed hee should goe to the said Appleton-Hall and take with him a Corporall of his clad in a Sea-mans habit who seemingly should bee a partaker with him to effect their designe and comming thither the said Mr. Strange demanded of Captain Lemon what hee was that came with him who answered that hee was a man for their turne and immediately upon it the said Corporall himself answered very discreetly that hee was a pooreman living in Fishers-end in Lyn and kept an Ale-house and that hee was 40 pound the worse for the Round-heads whereunto Mr. Strange replyed It is no matter for when the designe is accomplished thou shalt have a 100 li. for it and a Cannoneers place which the Corporall seemingly was exceeding well pleased with But the better to know where the Commission was Captain Lemon said Mr. Strange this my friend by the way as wee came demanded of mee what security you had if in case the plot should bee discovered to save them from the gallows if it might bee Captain Lemon therefore said hee told him you had the Kings Commission which
gracious providence prevented intended to have sorely and mischeivously increast the fâ—ames and utterly to have burnt down this onely-God-protected Parliament Bush I mean Sir Alexander Carew who was executed on Tower-Hill in the preceding moneth of December for his intended treasonable plot against Plymouth So now also on the second of this instant January being Thursday Sir John Hotham though much means was used to save his life yet such was the admirable and commendable integrity and inflexible impartiality of the House of Commons in Parliament to doe justice where sentence was once past that even hee was that foresaid day brought by the then Leivtenant of the Towre Alderman Pennington to the place of execution where hee justly suffered deserved death for his most trecherous intentions and endevours against the Parliament to have betrayed Hull into the hands of the Enemy Where also his Son Captain Hotham another complotter with his foresaid Father in the same design was also beheaded as a just reward to such pernicious Parracides and conspiring Catilines who thus would have rejoyced in the ruthlesse ripping up of the bowels of their dearest Mother their native Country And heer also I may most fitly hint and suggest to the Reader another remarkable passage of like divine providence to the effect aforesaid namely that on the 4 of this instant it pleased our most wise God to put it into the hearts of our most noble Peeres in Parliament that they should not only most sweetly concurre with the Honourable House of Commons in the amendments of the Directory for Gods pure Worship and passe the same and therewith to subjoyn an Ordinance of Parliament for utterly taking away and quite abolishing of the Book of Common-Prayers But that also the said most noble and pious Peeres unwilling to part the Refiner from his Mettle I mean the Arch-Prelate of Canterbury from his purged Common-Prayer-Book that therefore I say the Lords in Parliament should presently send 2 of the reverend Judges to the House of Commons with the message of their concurrence and resolution to proceed now effectually to the sentencing and condemnation of the Arch-Prelate of Canterbury one of the prime and Metropolitane heads and complotters against Church and State which indeed after this was followed to the full untill they had brought that base and bloody Bishop yea that most abominable and unparallelled hypocrite to his just execution in the cutting off of his most traiterous head also at the Towre-Hill whereof more anon in its more proper place But heer by the way I shall desire the Reader religiously to take notice of one remarkable note and observation heerin namely of the day on which it pleased the most wise providence of our God to order and appoint this seasonable concurrence of Both the Houses of Parliament together for confirmation of those 2 great works of Piety and Justice viz. That it was just on the 4 of January That very day 3 yeares on which unhappy King Charles came in person into the Parliament with a multitude of armed Ruffians to effect such a bloody and desperate design as had it taken effect had made as bloody a peice of work as ever this Kingdom beheld and as had thereby established that pestilent Prelate with his Common-Prayer-Book and therewith especially the Popish faction only masked under those poore Vizards to a long and lustfull tyrannizing over the bodies and soules too of Gods dear Servants the Lord knows how long and lewdly And now say â—ood Reader dost thou not already see in this remarkable passage 〈◊〉 providence a most beautifull and bountifull blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush upon this his Vnconsumed Burning Bush the Parliament But to proceed About the 6 of this instant January wee were certainly informed that the Garrison of Winchester being much straitned of provisions by the Parliaments forces quartered neer them the Enemy there went out to drain the Country of Cattle and to plunder the people and had got much plunder and Cattle from them but before they could get into Winchester with their prey Colonell Morleyes Troop met with them gave them a martiall salute routed them and rescued all the Cattle and plunder which they had got and took divers of the Enemies prisoners Wee had also intelligence from Ailsbury about the same time that they in that brave Garrison having notice of a party of the Kings Horse that were in the Country taking up plunder they made out to finde them and at last discovering them fell valiantly upon the Enemy surprized 30 or 40 of them stript them of their plunder and brought the prisoners to Ailsbury And that shortly after this Colonell Martin the valiant and vigilant Governour of Ailsbury went forth and happily lit upon a whole Troop of Horse which was said to bee the Princes and singular good Horse they were indeed and well armed All which I say hee totally surprized and brought safely into Ailsbury Also that courageous Colonell Holborn had had some brave skirmishes in the Western parts with Gorings Horse and notwithstanding that the addition of strength came not unto him as was promised and which hee expected yet hee most valiantly attempted to fall upon the Enemy in their quarters bravely beat them and took divers of the Enemies prisoners and about 200 Horse and had not a crosse accident falne out and prevented him hee had certainly taken the Town of Bridgewater And about the 8 of this instant January wee had unquestionable information and assurance of a brave prize of Bristol ships taken at Sea by Captain Coachman a valiant and faithfull Sea-Captain testified in renowned Captain Swanleys Letter to the Earle of Warwick as a post-script of the said Letter wherein especially Captain Swanley certifies the foresaid renowned Earl of Warwick of a brave Victory obtained by Major Generall Laughorn viz. his taking of the Town and Castle of Cardigan in Wales with above an 100 Commanders and common Souldiers in it and all the armes and ammunition therein and of the surprizing of â—ivers eminent persons the Kings Irish-Commissioners together with the Kings broad-Seal to treat with the barbarous and bloody Rebells of Ireland King Charles his best Popish Subjects about concluding a peace with them of all which for the Readers better satisfaction I have heer inserted the foresaid Letter it self under Captain Swanleyes own hand The Copy of a Letter sent to the Right Honourable the Earl of Warwick from Captain Richard Swanley Right Honourable SInce my last of the 20 of November by Captain Green in the Dogger Beat Major Generall Laughorn keeping the field with such Forces as the indigency of the County gave a possibility of subsistence pretending for Carmarthen and lying still working by double policy to draw the hearts of the Inhabitants of Cardiganshire to the State and the force of Carmarthen with their adherents into the said Town for their dâ—fence and the indempnity of their
provisions and following the Enemy beat them all out of the Town and so wee are now Masters both of the Town and Castle Of the enemy were slain in the place 85 besides those that were slain before the Castle 100 prisoners were taken and their whole Forces routed and I beleive in their flight they never looked behinde them untill they came to Castle Emlyne which is six miles from Cardigan In the Town wee also took 250 Armes I have not heard since these unhappy differences began in this Kingdom that the hand of the Almighty hath more visibly appeared in giving so great victories to so small a handfull than hath been manifested in these parts and therfore to his own power wee attribute all the praise and glory But to proceed About the 10 of this instant January the proud and most pestilently pernicious Arch-Prelate of Canterbury William Laud that Arch Traytor to the Church and State to God and all good men yea that Arch Incendiary together with his brother Strafford of 3 Kingdomes after a long and most full and fair tryall as ever to bee honoured Mr. William Prynn hath in his famous History of this Arch Prelates Life and â—â—eath and Tryall most abundantly cleared to all the world being most justly and worthily condemned by the most honourable House of Peeres to bee hanged drawn and quartered as a Traytor indeed yet upon his Petition that kinde of death was altered and hee beheaded as the rest of his Trayterous companions upon the Towre-Hill Of whom all I will say at this time having said so much already of him and the rest of his wretched rabble of Traytors in my Second Part of The Looking-Glasse for Malignants shall bee onely this That his constant pride and impudence considered wherwith hee swelled in his whole life and wherewith hee jetted even to the Scaffold to his deaths Block manifested in his pert yea and malepert gesture spruce and neat apparell unparallelled bold countenance and confidence in his whole carriage even to his very minute of Death his most audacious and hypocriticall Preaching or most properly prating for almost an houre together before his death in most egregiously jugling and justifying his whole life and all his most accursed and abominable works of darknesse and that to the very death O nefanda inaudita audacia execrabilis durities all which I say most seriously and sadly considered O how justly and most properly applyable to this wretohed Arch Prelate is that most terrible and frightfull judgement of the Lord mentioned by the Prophet Make the heart of this man fat and make his eares heavy and shut his eyes lest hee see with his eyes and bear with his eares and understand with his heart and should convert and bee healed This unquestionably was this most miserable mans condition for a most proud and hypocriticall crafty Tyrant and persecutor of Gods Saints hee lived and a most obdurate and marble-hearted Atheist hee also impudently impenitently dyed Giving us all over the whole Kingdom yea all over the 3 whole Kingdoms great just cause heartily to blesse the Lord for his righteousnesse and justice heerin happily fulfilling that of wise King Solomon or rather of the Lord by him When the wicked perish there is shouting and joy among the people And truely so it justly was with us at this wicked mans death For truely as Queen Elizabeth once said when shee was freed from distresse by Queen Maries death and the persecuting Popish Bishops clapt up in prison O said shee it is merry with Lambs when Wolves are shut up so say I it was happy for us poore Lambs when this Wolf was thus taken from us For truely ever since this his just execution what ever the Court-Cabinet Prognosticators falsly affirmed God hath admirably blessed our Armies and the whole work of intended Reformation But now to goe on About the 14 of this instant wee were credibly assured by Letters to the Committee of both Kingdoms as also Major Generall Browns own Letter to his Excellency Robert Earl of Essex then Lord Generall of a most brave victory and famous defeat obtained over and given to our Enemies the Kings forces at Abbington by the said renowned and most active and loyall Major Generall the particulars whereof I have thought fit to give the Reader for his fuller satisfaction and content in a Letter writen by religious Colonell Harsnet to his worthy Friend Captain Jones in London which was as followeth Sir I have had a longing desire to requite your love in giving mee a relation of that famous fight at Alford but never till now could meet with an opportunity But something the Lord hath now I say vouchsafed worthy the relation to our worthy Friends at London I came on Friday night from Henly with our Company that came with us from London Some others of our Garrison whom wee found at Reading after midnight past with us very quietly by Walling ford and so about 3 of the clock came safe to Abbington seeing none in our way to trouble us but having been not above 3 houres there wee had an allarm from the same way wee came which was about half a mile from us in Oxfordshire called Cullumbridge which the Enemy possest themselves of before wee had time to draw forth any party to charge them There were parties from Oxon and from Wallingford Prince Rupert Commanding in cheif with whom was his brother Prince Maurice Sir Henry Gage Governour of Oxford and many other great Commanders Their forces were supposed to bee in all about 3000 Horse and foot with 2 peices of Ordnance Behinde the foresaid Bridge was a great hill with many hedges which they had lined with Musketteers to the great annoyance of our men But our noble Major Generall upon hearing of the allarm Commanded our men to Armes which was cheerfully obeyed and by parties were drawn along the Cawsie that led from the Town to the Bridge Medows overflowed with water being on both sides and comming to charge them at the Bridge the Enemy stoutly opposed us but to their losse whereupon wee had 2 Drakes commanded thither and our men cheerfully wading into the water on both sides did so pelt them while the Drakes plaid upon the Bridge that after 4 houres fight wee drove them from the Bridge and the Hedges and forced them to a retreat and wee having got the Bridge which being of Stone the Enemy had partly broken down yet our men got over Commanded by Major Bradberry Major to Colonell Sparrows Regiment of Essex at the entring over which Bridge hee was slain but in this hot bickering wee lost not above 8 or 10 men at the most and so the Enemy was forced to a shamefull retreat The fight began betimes in the morning at which instant there was a party of 70 or 80 horse from Farrington to set upon our horse quartered at a Village called
Brayton in Barkeshire on the other side of the Town about 2 miles off The Enemy was there commanded by Major Hatton Farmer Major of the Princes Regiment our Horse carryed themselves very courageously beat the Enemy out of their quarter and pursued them within a mile of Farrington and killed the Major with divers others and mortally wounded the Captain Leivtenant of the Princes Regiment took many of the men and horse among whom were 5 Irish men whom wee hanged the same day in the Market-place and not above 12 of these horse got into Farringdon the rest were all slain or taken without the losse of any one of our men or horse Their intent was as wee were informed by prisoners and a Trumpeter who that evening came from Oxford to desire the Majors body that the horse should give us an allarm on the one side whiles the foot stormed us on the other And another that then came from Oxford gave our Major Generall information and both of them affirmed that wee slew in this fight Sir Henry Gage Governour of Oxford and many other Gentlemen of great quality and in particular that Leivtenant Colonell Lower Deputy Governour of Wallingford was also slain I am confident the Enemy had a great advantage of us by the bridge and hills yet the Lord fought for us and hath graciously delivered us out of their hands for which wee desire Thanks may bee generally given to the Lord of Hoasts and God of Battles and in particular for preserving us also in our safe passage to Abbington the Enemy being upon their march so neer us and had they taken us it would have occasioned great triumph in the Enemy there being of us 4 Colonells besides other Captains and Commanders Our Major Generall Dr. Wilson and Quarter Master Generall Burrowes remember their loves to you and would have given you a touch heerof but that I undertook to save them that labour I pray you acquaint our Friends heerwith as having exprest nothing but what I know to bee truth One of the Messengers from Oxford informed us that Prince Rupert engaged himself to the King and Lords with many vowes and protestations yea and execrations too That hee would dine the next Sunday in Abbington and that hee would bee Master of it by 12 a clock that morning forgetting that of Aâ—ab to Benhadad Let not him that girdeth on his harnesse boast himself as hee that putteth it off But missing his hopes and the Governour of Oxford being also slain hee was ashamed to march triumphantly into Oxford with the forces that returned but came sneaking in privately another way where the Lords mocking him askt him where was Abbington which hee boasted hee would so suddainly have But wee I say gave them such a breakfast as that it was beleeved hee would have little stomach thereafter to come and visit our noble Major Generall Wee could not for want of horse pursue the victory Colonell Fynes having left us and I think God would not vouchsafe to do him so much honour as to bee present at so noble an exploit For the number of ours slain I have already given you an account The number of the slain of the Enemy was not certainly known when I wrote this the Country reported 3 or 4 Cart-loads of dead and wounded corps to bee taken with them besides many that were drowned and others that were thrown in after they were slain and some found dead upon the place Sam. Harsnet Abbington this 12. of Jan. 1644. And heer also I shall desire the Reader to take notice that this brave Victory was thus happily obtained the very next day after that judgement was given upon that egregious and abominable hypocrite and atheist and most pestilent Incendiary the Arch Prelate of Canterbury And that on the very same day also wee had the certain information of those brave Victories and rich prizes forementioned by renowned Captain Swanley specified in his Letter to the noble Earl of Warwick as aforesaid About the 16 instant wee were certainly informed by Letters out of the West especially by an Expresse from the Lord Roberts Governour of Plymouth to the Speaker of the House of Commons that that most impious and impudent rotten-hearted Apostate Skellum Greenvill having gathered all the forces hee could raise in Cornwall and other parts of the West did about the 10 of January 1644. about eleven of the clock at night alarm the works of the Town of Plymouth in 4 severall places at once with neer 6000 men whereby after a very hot dispute the Enemy became Masters of the 4 great works of the Town out of two of which they were quickly beaten but held the third called Little Penny-quick and began to scale or rather digge down another fort called Great Penny-quick But at last by the admirable courage of the Commanders and Garrison-Souldiers they were quite beaten out of that too with great losse unto the Enemy leaving 75 of their men dead on the place and at last 4 times as many more slain in this Service besides many hundreds wounded For as soon as they were beaten off from the 3 works the Plymouth men who behaved themselves with extraordinary gallantry invironed the fourth work whereinto our men had got partly by digging and undermining and partly by scaling and the Enemy within it who seeing themselves so suddainly beset and ensnared as it were in their so late and so sure seeming gotten prize instantly surrendered it upon quarter for their lives In this brave bickering there were also many prisoners taken and much armes the victory was very great and the Enemy by it much discouraged Let our God alone therefore have the greater praise and glory for it About the 18 instant wee received certain information again by Letters out of the West of valiant Colonell Holborns taking in of Sydenbam-House in which hee had neer an 100 prisoners among whom was one Captain one Leivtenant and other Officers in armes together with some other persons of quality And hee surprized also the High-Sheriffe of Somersetshire and ten Commissioners of Array with him And also that hee shortly after took 300 prisoners with many Horse and Armes as they were forraging abroad in those parts for plunder and spoyl And about the 21 instant the House of Commons in Parliament had a debate concerning the New Modell for the setling of the Armies And proceeded to the nomination of divers Officers for the new Army by which means tho for the time the Self-denying Ordinance seemed at this time to bee laid aside they might recall any of the Members of either House to the publike Service at home as well as if the said Ordinance had then been past Upon the conclusion of the debate it was now therefore Ordered and Voted that Sir Thomas Fairfax should bee Commander in cheif of the 21000 Horse and Foot to bee now raised according to the New Modell and
specious pretences having pre-occupated the hearts and beleif of the people that they could not easily bee undeceived at the second hand But see now the admirable wisdome and justice of our God against them and his great mercy toward us who so ordered the issue and the upshot of that Treaty that by the refusall of 3 Articles mainly and primarily to bee insisted on and by the Kings Commissioners to bee condescended unto to the Parliaments Commissioners namely 1. The Settlement of the true Reformed Religion 2. The Establishment of the Militia for a season in the power of the Parliament 3. The prosecution of the Warre against the Rebels of Ireland and disclaiming that accursed Cessation of Armes with them that by their most unjust refusall I say of these 3 Articles whereof not one would bee fairly granted and especially by those Oxford Commissioners so irreligious and even Atheisticall justifying and that in the Kings name that most horrid and hideous Rebellion in Ireland sealed with the most inhumane massacre and bloody slaughter and murthering of almost 200000 innocent English Protestants the Kings said Commissioners most irreligiously and audaciously daring openly to professe that his Majesty their Master could not in point of Honour Justice and Conscience yeeld to the Parliaments desire therein whereby I say even this unreasonable and irreligious refusall of the Parliaments most just and righteous demands notwithstanding the foresaid Declaration framed and forged on the impious anvill of Don Digbies vicious invention at Oxford whereby they thought to have gained much credit reputation and advantage to their party yet I say by this refusall they became great losers in the affections of the people over the whole Kingdom who also saw that in the space of full 20 dayes sitting they would not as I toucht before agree to any one Proposition of the Parliaments which so grosse miscarriage of things especially in that abominable justification of the Irish Rebellion must needs lye upon them as a most odiously black indelible stain of intolerable ignominy and disgrace to all succeeding pâ—sterity And indeed to speak the truth plainly what good could bee expected from a Treaty which was to bee held with a seduced and misled King a degenerated and ignoble Nobility a proud and superstitious Clergie an ambitious and atheisticall Gentry and an irreligious and most malignant Common people But now to proceed About the 8 of this instant February there came Letters to the Committee of both Kingdomes of an excellent peice of service performed by Major Bridges Governour of Warwick Castle the particulars whereof for the Readers better satisfaction I will set downe in the words of the Majors own Letter which was as followeth Sir I doubt not but you will bee glad to hear of the good successe which God hath given unto mee in delivering into my hands a Garrison of the Enemies called Stoke House in Glocestershire but borders on Warwickeshire where together with the House I also took a Troop of Horse And it will bee the more remarkable in respect of the goodnesse of God when wee consider the small power I had to doe it and the place it stood in being between 2 of the Enemies Garrisons the one was Cambden but 2 miles distant the other Evisham 7 miles distant But I being affected with the sad complaints of the Country and considering the danger of delayes and having notice that the Enemy wrought hard to perfect the Fortifications resolved to take the present opportunity and that my design might bee carryed on with the more privacy wherein much of my safety consisted the Regiment of our County being absent or not in readinesse I sent 2 of the 3 Companies of mine own Garrison by small parties into the Country as to gather Contribution but commanded the Officers not to return till I gave them orders to these 2 Companies I got an addition of 60 Foot commanded by one of my Captains of the Town-Company with some part of mine own Troop and about 70 Horse belonging to the Committee of Worcestershire and thus I marched all that night and being come to the House I began to storm it and the next day fell upon the House and stables by break of day both at once The House was of stone very strong they within it had made up the windowes and doores with brick and stone and defended the House very stoutly for about an houre and a half but at length wee entred by force and took the House and all therein without the losse of one man blessed bee the Lord notwithstanding that in all that time wee were without shelter and the bullets and stones flew thick about our eares Since this I heard that the Enemy drew out of Evisham and Cambden to releive their Friends but could not come up time enough by which means God so appointing I returned with my prisoners and spoile unmolested a List wherof you have herewith immediately following And to conclude the said House being a Papists and the whole Garrison of that Religion to prevent the building of any more such Rookes nests I fired the House and desire you would with us praise God for this Victory Sir Your Servant John Bridges Warwick Castle Feb. 8. 1644. A List of the Prisoners taken by Major Bridges Governour of Warwick Castle at Stoke House in Gloucestershire Captain Edward Brent Captain George Brent Captain Richard Canning Captain Smith Captain Thomas Canning together with about 30 more Officers and Gentlemen of quality all Papists and many other common Souldiers About the 10 of this instant wee were also credibly informed by Letters out of Cheshire that Captain Stones a brave active and loyall Commander under Sir William Brereton and now Governour of Eccleshall Castle in the County of Stafford with a small party marched against Partshall House another Popish Garison of the Enemies which was strongly fortified and Moated about Hee taking the opportunity of the Draw-bridge being let down suddenly forced his passage surprized the Centinells and so fell in among the whole Garrison fought bravely with them for a good season killed many of them in the fight and took prisoners Colonell Ashbey the Governour with divers Gentlemen of quality a Jesuite which was their Priest and Son and Heire to a Popish Knight and about 60 Souldiers and thus wee were possessed of the whole House with all the Armes and Ammunition and other good prize which was within it Wee also were credibly assured by Letters from Abbington about the 14 of this instant February that Major Generall Brown that most renowned valiant and active Commander sent forth a party of Horse toward Harrington who having intelligence where the Enemy kept a Court of Guard about half a mile from Harrington our said Forces got between them and the Town by which means they surprized the whole Guard being 19 men and brought them all prisoners into Abbington And that the said Noble Major Generall
hearing of some provisions which were going from some Malignants in those parts to Oxford hee sent out a party to intercept them who took 27 Horse load of Corn Cheese and other provisions of which they had then no little want at Oxford About the 16 instant wee were informed by Letters out of the North that about 150 of the Enemies Horse from Skipton fell upon the Parliaments quarters at Heightley where they suddenly surprizing our Guards they came into the Town and took neer an 100 prisoners and 60 Horse with their booty But as they were about to retreat Colonell Lamberts men being quartered neer hand took the alarum and came to releive Colonell 〈◊〉 men whose quarters had been thus beaten up the Colonell himself being then absent and performed their parts so â—allantly that they rescued all our own prisoners and most of the booty which the Enemy had taken killed 15 of them on the place took about 20 of them prisoners wounded and took the Commander in Cheif of the Enemies party Captain Hugher killed his Leivetenant also and pursued the rest to the very gates of Skiptâ—n On our side was lost in this service Captain Samon one of Colonell Lamberts Commanders and about 8 Souldiers About the 18 of this instant February noble and renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax being nominated and chosen to bee the Cheif Generall of all the Kingdomes forces and Armies came to London out of Yorkeshire in a private manner desiring to avoide all ostentation there were in company with him Colonell Sir William Constable Colonell Rigbey Colonell Sandiâ—s and Colonell Alured with some other Officers and for the more expeditious setting forth of this most noble Generall according to an Ordinance passed by both Houses of Parliament the Commons appointed a Committee to consider how monies cloathes and other necessary recruite for his Army might bee speedily and most conveniently procured and to enable him completely to march into the field with a fit train of Artillery c. to bee repaired and every way made fit for him as soon as money came in upon the Assessement by the Ordinance for the said Army And Sir Thomas being now come to Town within a day or 2 after the House of Commons sent for him by 4 of the Members of that House which was the respect given him and when hee came into the House as a farther addition of honour a Chaire was set for him to sit down upon but most modestly hee refused it Then Mr. Speaker told him what hee had in Command from the House to deliver unto him which was The great trust which the Kingdom reposed in him in the Command of this Army and the good opinion they had of him for his valour and fidelity giving him thanks in the name of the whole House for the many and great services hee had done for the publike in defence of Religion Laws and Liberties and encouraging him to goe on in the same as hee had begun wherin hee should much honour God and endeer his Country and Kingdom unto him which hee assured him would not bee unmindfull of him and his labour love and loyalty to it in due time But of this more hereafter About the 20 of this instant wee had certain information by Letters out of the Northern parts of the most welcome newes of the taking of the Town and Church of Scarborough which was strongly fortified together with the Haven and at least an 120 ships 32 peices of Ordnance and much other rich prize by that most active valiant and successefull Souldier and brave Commander Sir John Meldrum the manner of it being said to bee thus This noble Colonell Sir John Meldrum stormed the Town in 4 severall places with English and Scottish Souldiers who went on with such gallantry that they gained the Town and Church with the losse only of 11 of their men In the Church they took 80 prisoners and with them hee that had been Governour of Hemsley Castle But the most base and cowardly apostate Cholmley when hee perceived the Town like to bee lost sled into the Castle and was bravely pursued and one of the works thereof entred but the white Towre in the Castle commanding that work they beat our men out of it again with stones The Liver-hearted Cholmlâ—y now despairing together with the conscientiousnesse of his former guilt in his most trecherous defection from the Parliament endevoured to escape by Sea in his Pinnace or rather his running Horse as hee called it which then rode at Anchor at a little distance to help him at a strait or dead lift but such was the activity of Sir John Meldrum that with boats hee got between the Pinnace and the Land and so his cowardship was forced to confine himself into the Castle again This apostate Sir Hugh Cholmley had 5 Dunkirk Vessels with him at Scarborough who for a while gave interruption to our men in storming the Town but our Cannoneers sunck 2 of them with their Ordnance and the other 3 fled for it Before the storm Sir Hugh was summoned to yeeld the Town but like himself hee gave a base and scornfull answer and when the Townsmen would have yeelded the Town hee brought Souldiers out of the Castle and compelled them to fight in the defence of it as long as they were able But heerof more in its own proper place Only in the interim take this own Letter of Sir Hugh Cholmleyes which hee wrote to some Commander in the Kings Army but was intercepted by the way and which was as followeth SIR VVEE are now blockt up close in the Castle and divers of our Souldiers run away to the Enemy and it is to bee feared that the ill accommodation will daily decrease our number You know the consequâ—nce and beleeve mee it requires speedy supply for reasons which I may not expresse I pray you signifie where or from whence I may expect and hope for releif and whether any expectance from the Queen or Ireland or probability of a good issue from the Treaty of which particulars I desire to bee satisfied that I may not bee totally ignorant Not that the failing of any or of all these shall make mee quit this trust otherwise than becomes a Gentleman and good subject Your Colonell Wharton salutes you And I am Your humble Servant Hugh Cholmley Scar. Castle Feb. 24. Heer are 10 Colours of Scots as I imagine though not above 800 men of them but Meldrum who commands in Cheif and is the most active man here hath 6 or 700 more of the Lord Fairfaxes Foot About February the 22. wee had certain intelligence of a brave peice of service done by a party of Colonell John Heynes his Regiment which was certified to bee thus That the said Colonell receiving intelligence of a French Regiment of Horse and some other Troopes of Gorings Brigade quartered neer Newberry hee sent out a party of his Regiment from Okingham under
Gentlemen of this Committee with the horse entred and immediately became Masters of the Town and within 4 houres after the Castle was surrendred upon quarter for all but the Irish to march to Ludlow and then the Enemy delivered up a strong Out-work in Frankwell upon bare quarter for their lives By 12 of the clock at noon wee became absolute Masters of the Castle and Town wherein were taken many considerable prisoners good store of Ammunition and great store of Ordnance The Committee of Wem took as great care as possibly could bee that the well-affected in the Town might not in any measure suffer or bee plundered and therefore the Officers kept off the Souldiers from plundering the Town that so the Committee might see right down and none but Malignants only to suffer The Committee gave present notice hereof to Sir William Brereton certifying him what they had done who thereupon took care for forces to lye neer them to releive Colonell Mitton if occasion should bee The whole Country I mean especially the well-affected party were exceeding glad of this and desired that Colonell Mitton might bee Governour thereof being well known unto them all to bee a most honest cordiall and well-affected Gentleman and of singular and true integrity to the Parliaments Cause whereof by many reall experiments they had strong and indubitable ground and knowledge Our horse the day before had a long and weary march they having been sent to surprize Sir William and Sir Thomas Whitmore a Parliament man whereof more immediately Sir we shall not trouble you any further but to subscribe our selves Your most humble Servants A. Lloyd Sam. Moore Tho. Hunt Ro. Clives Rob. Cariton Leigh Owen Salop Feb. 24. 1644. A List of the prisoners taken in Salop as aforesaid Sir Michael Ernley Knight and his Brother Sir Rich. Lee Baronet Sir Thomas Harris Baronet Sir Henry Frederick-Thyn Baronet Sir William Owen Knight Sir John Wilde senior Knight Sir John Wilde junior Knight Sir Thomas Lister Knight Together with 11 Esquires 2 Leivtenant Colonels one Major 2 Doctors 8 Captains 15 Gentlemen 3 Ancients 4 Sargeants 9 or 10 other Officers and about 50 other prisoners wherof some were Irish One Captain and 5 others were slain Wee also took 15 peices of Ordnance many hundreds of Armes divers barrels of powder All Prince Maurice his Magazine The Town the Castle and all the Works divers Carriages bagge and baggage of the Princes Besides many other prisoners and purchases not discovered when this List was gathered Wee lost only 2 men And was not this a most rare and remarkable mercy and famous Victory indeed and never to bee obliterated out of the Tables of eternall memory and gratitude As accordingly and most worthily it was shortly after Ordered by the Parliament that a Solemn day of publike Thanksgiving to God should bee kept And 20 li. was given to the first messenger that brought this most welcome newes and 10 li. to the second And heer I must desire the Reader to take notice of the most wise and righteous disposall of this great mercy unto us by the great and glorious Moderatour of all things in Heaven and Earth Viz. That this so rare and famous defeat given to the impious Enemies of Gods Cause and Truth was upon the very same day that the Mock-Treaty or rather Plot-Treaty at Vxbridge was happily dissolved namely Saturday Feb. 22. 1645. A passage of singular divine providence and not slightly to be pretermitted of us But now to goe on Much also about the foresaid time it was most certainly informed that a party of Sir William Breretons forces as was forementioned under the command of Sir John Price a worthy Member of the House of Commons had taken Apsley House in Shropshire and therein Sir William Whitmore and Sir Thomas his Son Sir Fra. Oately Mr. Owen Mr. Fowler Mr. Griffith and divers other Gentlemen of quality and about 60 Common Souldiers as they were sitting upon a Commission of Array to raise forces for Prince Maurice and they pursued the said Prince also who still avoided Sir William and at last got over Severn toward Chester on the Welsh side And from Ailsbury wee had also about the same time certain intelligence that that brave Commander Colonell Craford had performed a brave peice of service about Roesham 3 or 4 miles from Oxford where hee fell upon a party of the Enemy and took 40 Horse with their Riders and Armes among whom was a Serjeant Major a Cornet and some other Officers And upon the 28 of this instant February Letters came to the Parliament from ever renowned Colonell Massey of a great Victory obtained by some of his forces under his brothers Command Who in the Forrest of Dean fell upon Sir John Winter routed him and made himself swim the River of Wye in which passage 60 of his men were drowned 70 slain on the place besides Colonell Gam and Leivtenant Colonell Winter and 120 taken prisoners and a 140 horse taken 2 Leivtenant Colonells one Major 4 Captains and other Commanders and Officers together with 300 Armes And upon this Relation a Letter of Thanks from the House of Commons was Ordered to bee sent to Colonell Massey for his good service and an Order also passed presently for providing money for so deserving a Commander And now good Reader let mee desire thee heer to stay a little and to take a summary and short survey of the rare and rich mercies of this Moneth also even of the Burning Bush still Vnconsumed nay rather in the midst of furious flames gallantly grown and much improved as hath been this moneth most evidently expressed both In that notable passage of Providence at Sir Erasmus de la Fountains House In the sound beating of Ashby Cavaliers at Cole-Orton and the brave defeat given to Welsh Gerrard at Cardigan Castle In that Mock-Treaty at Vxbridge and that brave peice of service performed by Major Bridges at Stoke-New-House in Gloucestershire Together with Major Jones his valiant taking of Partshall Garrison and Major Generall Brownes activity about Oxford In the brave defeat at Heightley in Yorkeshire And the happy arrivall at London of Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Parliament to receive his Commission to bee Generalissimo of all the Armies of the Kingdome In the most valiant taking of Scarborough Town Church and Haven The brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Dennington by valiant Major Temple Together with that renowned repulse given to Greenvill at Plymouth In the most happy and famous surprizall of the strong Town and Castle of Shrewsbury and all the rich prizes therein And finally In the taking of Apsley House in Shropshire The brave service of Colonell Craford at Roesham neer Oxford and the famous defeat given to the Enemies by renowned Colonell Massie in the Forrest of Dean In due and deep consideration and most gratefull contemplation of all which so rare and rich
successefull volley of shot and with such valour and gallantry that at the very first encounter and giving of fire hee put them to the rout and swift retreat killed in the pursuite Colonell Owen a Knight and about an 100 Officers and Common Souldiers took divers prisoners and Armes and 5 Colours forced the Enemy back again in great confusion over the River in which passage many were drowned and in which service wee lost onely 6 men that were slain and among them Major Jackson a valiant man and brave Commander About the 16 instant came Letters from ever to bee honoured Sir William Waller giving an account of a notable defeat given by his forces to the Winchesterian Cavaliers the manner thus Colonell Ogle Governour of Winchester for the King sent out a party to beat up Sir Williams quarters thinking to take them at unawares But contrary to their expectation they were most gallantly received by our men and Colonell Philips the Commander in chief of the Enemies party was slain in the skirmish togewith Leivtenant Colonell Gardiner and divers others taken prisoners and the rest sent back again by weeping-crosse with a flea in their eares And about the 18 of this instant March wee received farther intelligence by other Letters from Colonell Cook and renowned Sir William Waller of a very great and famous Victory obtained by the said Sir William and valiant and virtuous Leivtenant Generall Cromwell at the Devizes in Wilts against Colonell Sir James Long high Sheriffe of Wiles and his whole Regiment being the same horse which conveyed or conducted the Prince from Oxford to Bristol which said Letter making a full and exact relation thereof I have here for the Readers better content and satisfaction thought fit to insert verbatim as it was Printed and published by authority which was as followeth Noble Sir SInce Colonell Long was returned from conveying the Prince with the Bishop of Armagh and divers of the Oxford Nobility to Bristol wee had intelligence that hee was comming towards the Devizes having a gallant Regiment of Horse consisting of about 400 men hereupon Sir William Waller endevoured to get betwixt him and the Town but having a long march hee got to the Devizes before Sir William approached and was quartered there with Colonell Sir Charles Lloyd the Governour thereof for about two dayes by which time Sir William Waller made his approach On Munday the 10 of this present March hee quartered with his whole Army at Almesbury Normanton Lake Dearne and Derrington and a very strong party was commanded forth out of which were drawn divers Scouts which were sent towards the Devizes Stepstone and other parts to discover the Enemy and what strength they were of some whereof returned in the evening with intelligence that Colonell Long was in the Devizes with a Posse Comitatus or the County Forces for this Long is the Kings high Sheriffe of the County of Wilts son to Sir Walter Long who lately deceased who being in drink fell from his horse neer Chichâ—ster and broke his neck and his son hath been a very active man against the Parliament ever since hee hath begged his Wardship which put him to much travell and paines for which hee almost spurred the horse to death that had broke his Fathers neck for hee had vowed before hee came off his back to get his Wardship This intelligence caused Sir William to advance towards the Devizes that night having also advertisement that the Enemies works about the Town were very slight and when his Army were on their march about a mile from Almsbury hee drew them up into a Body and foure out of every Troop to goe on the Forlorn Hope On Tuesday morning very early our Forlorn Hope gave the Enemy an Alarm the whole Army marching all night upon which all Colonell Longs Regiment which were quartered in and neer the Devizes drew into a Body and newes being brought thereof to Sir William hee made some stay and at the first seemed rather to prepare for defence then to give an assault and divides his Horse into three Brigades the first commanded by himself quartered near Poâ—â—rn Woodington and the Devizes the next Brigade was commanded by Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and the third by Sir Hadzer Waller a kinsman of Sir Williams which Brigade joyned together and wheeled about and fetcht a large compasse that they might not bee discovered by the Enemy and fell in between them and the Bath On Wednesday morning Sir William Waller drew up his Forces to fall upon the Enemy and they having discovered that Sir William had a purpose to give them a visit Colonell Long with the Horse left the Devizes and retreated towards Bath not having notice of Generall Cromwels readinesse on that side to receive them and Sir Charles Lloyd the Governour of the Devizes with most of the Foot slighted their Works and retreated into the Castle thinking that they were not able to defend the Town Sir William hearing that Colonell Long was marching away hee pursued him very close in the Rear and when the Enemy were a little past Milchin thinking by the swiftnesse of their March to make their escape away Colonel Cromwell appeared in the Van betwixt him and Bradford which hee having notice of Colonell Long would have returned back again but could make no way of escape the passes being narrow and the Countrey so fortified with quick-set hedges that hee was as it were in a pound We took from the Enemy the 400 Horse and 300 Prisoners we took Colonell Long himself the Kings high Sheriffe their Commander in cheif Captain Web and 7 Captains more the Under-Sheriffe 7 Cornets with many other Officers Wee took also 340 Armes and of this whole Regiment which was the best as wee understand the King hath there escaped but 30. wee lost but two men on our side and but 4 of the Enemy were killed Colonell Ludlow is now thanks bee to God sole high Sheriffe of this County his competitor being now taken prisoner is in custodia Mariscallorum with the greatest part of his Commanders and Officers and his whole Regiment utterly extirpated Colonell Ludlowes approach hither is now most earnestly desired to joyn with us in regard this County in which wee hope there will bee found but little opposition though wee have been lately heavy laden with infinite numbers of barbarous villains To God bee the praise who hath so graciously looked upon our sufferings The Garrison of Long ford hearing oâ— so many losses to the Kings Army in severall places one upon the neck of another are in great distraction and almost hopelesse of subsisting having not above sixteen Horse and they are very poore judes to fetch in provisions of which it is conceived they begin to bee straitned and for their men they are most of them forced of which wee hope there will shortly bee given a very good account Wee hear Colonell Goring doth still retreat before us it is
virtuously and piously that they may prove 2 glorious and illustrious Starres not only in the firmameut of these 3 Kingdomes but even of all Christendome And about the 26 instant wee received Letters out of Gloucestershire which certified that a party of Colonell Massies horse had routed a party of the Cavaliers which were sent from Bristol by Sir Ralph Hopton toward Prince Maurice and in the skirmish had taken Colonell Roberts a great Malignant of Herefordshire besides 7 Officers and 40 common Souldiers prisoners And much about the latter end of this Moneth of March the House of Commons in Parliament took into their consideration some of their well-deserving Souldiers and their great arrears and among these cheifly that brave unspotted and ever to bee honored Commander in Armes Major Generall Skippon and thereupon ordered that his Arreares should by audit bee given in and in the mean time because hee had been long without pay they ordered that 500 pound should bee presently paid unto him in part of his Arreares And about the same time an Order past the House worthy to bee recorded to their praise and honour it being full of piety and Christian charity Viz. That out of the Monies given for Composition by some able Delinquents there should bee a 1000 pound paid to poore men that had lost their horses Waggons and Carts the Summer before in the service of the Parliament and that 500 pound more should bee paid to poore Widdows whose husbands had been slain in the service of the State And now good Reader stay heer a little and take a short revise and serious advice on this Moneths mercies and marveilous passages of divine providence and preservation of this his Parliamentary Burning Bush not Consumed although environed with most violent and vehement furious flames of Malignant wrath and rage against it as hath been most evident in all the particulars forementioned both In that most famous defeat given to the proud insulting Enemies Goring and Dives at Weymouth and Melcomb-Regis Together with the seasonable seizing on the 2 ships which by providence were put into the possession of the Parliaments friends there In the seizing upon a whole Troope of Horse being the Kings Life-guard And the brave defeat given to Prince Maurices forces at Holt-Bridge Together with a fine defeat given to Colonell Ogles forces at Winchester In that brave Victory obtained by Sir William Waller and Generall Cromwell over Colonell Long and his forces at the Devizes Together with the brave activity of our Abbington Garrison about Oxford In the most happy harmony and sweet concurrence of the House of Peers in Parliament with the House of Commons about the List of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Colonels and Commanders and their pious care for the well-ordering of his New-Modelled Army as well with Spirituall as Martiall Discipline And finally In the Parliaments godly care for the royall and religious education of the Kings 2 young children at White-Hall Colonell Massies defeat given to the Enemy at or neer Bristol And the Parliaments most worthy respect and regard to the fidelity and good service of such as had been active and serviceable to the Common-wealth to comfort and incourage them therein Upon gracious and gratefull sight and serious consideration of all which precious premises who mee thinks can forbeare justly and ingenuously to confesse and acknowledge with holy David Thou O Lord hast made us rejoyce through thy works and wee will triumph in the operations of thy hands O Lord how great and gracious are all thy doings towards us and thy thoughts of Love and goodnesse exceeding deep But now to goe on ANd heer I shall begin this Moneth of Aprill with a most holy and happy Aprill-shewre likely by Gods blessing and gracious breathing on it to prove most frugiferous in the happy production of many fragrant flowers the ensuing Spring and succeeding Summer and to make way for a copious crop of blessings and happy Harvest to the glory of our ever-living and all-good-giving God and to the unspeakable comfort of his poore despised Church and Children and this it was About the 4 of this present Aprill a conference was held by the Lords with the House of Commons which was managed by the Lord Say at which was offered by the House of Peers to the House of Commons 1. That the Commissioners of the Great Seal might bee continued 2. They desired that a proportionable number of Lords being appointed to joyne with the Members of Both Houses of Parliament might bee equally employed in the great affairs of the Kingdome And as a farther demonstration of the earnest desire their Lordships had of the continuance of a happy union and correspondency of spirits and affections between Both Houses a Declaration of the Lords in Parliament was read wherein they declared That they would ever bee carefull to maintain the priviledges of the Commons as their own and should bee ready to concurre with them in all things for the good and safety of the Kingdom whatsoever some malicious and ill-affected persons endevouring thereby to divide between them might report to the contrary which 〈◊〉 they left with the House of Commons to remain upon Record 〈◊〉 testimony of their reall intentions to Posterity This passage together with a former of this kinde on the part of the House of Commons declaring their sincere resolutions to maintain the priviledges of the House of Peers and which their said Declaration being first read was also left with the Lords to bee Recorded by them also to all Posterity I thought fit to relate thus exactly because I considered and took notice of them both as soveraign healings of former jealousies betweene Both Houses and these their happy concurrencies as a speciall blessing from Heaven and as one of the greatest tokens of Gods love and favour to this Kingdome and most conducing to the peace thereof and to the salving and curing of the bloody oppressive distractions wherewith all things therein have been infested and almost broken in peices especially also considering that it has been all along the great and main plot of the Enemies of the Peace and Parliament of this Kingdome to breed and feed jealousies in the Houses Whereas now such happy correspondencies will bee their greatest discouragements and by this harmonious concord the expedition of our Southern Army now bravely set on foot and gone forth under renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax was most happily hastened on the sweet and blessed effects wherof you will now every day heare of more and more to the glory of God and comfort of the Kingdom as in their proper places I shall now by Gods assistance have occasion to make clear unto you About the 6 of this instant Aprill the House of Commons in Parliament received Letters from renowned active and loyall Generall Brown from Abbington concerning some late exploits performed by the forces under his Command the substance whereof was as followeth Viz. That
hee having had intelligence that some provisions were at Chalgrove a Townsome 7 miles distant from Abbington going to Oxford sent a party of Horse thither where they took one Beard a Wine-Cooper who had then brought 6 peices or Pipes of Sack from London to convey them to Oxford but both Wine and Cooper were thus prevented from going thither in haâ—â—e These forces also being then advertised that some other Carriages were going to Oxford they pursued them and within a mile of Oxford overtaking them took a Waggon laden with Sugar and other good provisions for that Garrison and so brought both Sack and Sugar safe to Abbington They also took severall packs of 〈◊〉 loath going thither which with the horses they sent safe to Abbington And presently upon this notice being given of a party of the Enemies quartering at Thorp about 3 miles from Farrington a Major was sent out from Abbington with a party of Horse but the greatest part of the Enemy had escaped before this Majors approach onely an Irish Major being lockt up in his Chamber refusing quarter was thereupon slain 5 or 6 others were taken prisoners and 19 good Horse seized on The same Letters also certified farther that one Captain English a notorious Villain on the Kings side then a prisoner taken by the forces of Abbington and there imprisoned endevouring to make an escape through a hole neer unto a Vault hee fell into the said Vault and was therein choaked so that instead of getting loose hee stook faster than ever before Also upon some intelligence that the forementioned party of Horse was neerly ingaged with the Enemy the Major Generall sent about 600 Foot out of Abbington who marched 8 miles that morning and conducted the prizes gotten in unto Abbington and at their return the most generous and noble Major Generall gave 12 pence a piece to each of the Foot to encourage them and the Canaâ—y Sack and other provisions taken were disposed of and distributed to the rest About the 8 instant wee were credibly informed by Letters from the Committee at Redding of the brave service performed by that famous and faithfull Souldier that brave Commander and pious Patriot of his Country Major Generall Skippon in the quiet and peaceable reduction of his Souldiers there to serve under the Command of renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax now the most prous piudent and valiant Generalissimo of the Parliaments New-Mâ—delled Army who being at Redding made a most excellent pious and pithy hortatory Speech to all his Souldiers and delivered it with such grave Emphasis Martiall courage and prudent sweetnesse as gave generall satisfaction and full content unto them all insomuch that 5 Regiments of the Renowned End of Essex late Lord Generall his Forces and 5 Companies of the Lord Ruberts were most ready and willing to serve under Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Command and not a dissenting Souldier or Commander or discontented Country man was discovered among them all but they all expressed their clear and chearfull approbation and good liking of this the Parliaments thus reducing of the Army being all reduced into 3 Regiments and were all drawn inâ—o 3 severall Churches and there enrolled and divers who had formerly been Officers in the former Army were now very willing to bee Listed as Common Souldiers in this New-Modell which was now in great forwardnesse to goe forth into the field Yea and the late Lord Generals Troop of his Life-guard freely offered themselves of Sir Thomas his service and Command most happy presages of much good to follow when Souldiers so joyfully and freely undertake to undergoe the yoke of necessary Martiall Command and Service The truth of all which premises is farther and fully confirmed by the foresaid renowned Major Generalls own Letter to the Honourable Speaker of the House of Commons which for the Readers better satisfaction and content I have heer thought fit as most worthy to bee inserted which was as followeth To the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons Assembled in Parliament at Westminster These present Deservedly honoured Sir YEsterday and this day by Gods continued help and blessing all His Excellencies Horse are reduced and setled into Colonell Graves Sir Robert Pyes and Colonell Sheffields Regiments except Colonell Dalbeirs and Beurs Regiments which are commanded to Gloucester All the Officers that are laid aside did with all readinesse and submissive obedience observe the commands of the inferior Officers having listed themselves again as private Troopers So that hitherto blessed bee God this great and I hope usefull work for the publick hath been carryed beyond our expectation that have been employed about it To morrow if the Lord will I shall reduce and settle Colonell Weldens and Colonell Holborns Regiments of Foot which were with Sir William Waller and nâ—w quarter at Ockingham And I shall further endevour with all diligence and faithfulnesse whatsoever shall advance the publick service Those Regiments of horse which were his Excellencies and Sir William Belfores doe most humbly â—rave as I doe on their behalf that they may have that which Colonell Graves sayes was promised to them I have not else to trouble you with now but begging pardon for my being so often troublesome to you the conjunction of things now forcing the same and humbly crave to bee esteemed Your most faithfull Servant Ph. Skippon Beconfield the 14 of Aprill 1645. 9 at night Also about the 10 of this instant wee had certain intelligence out of Scotland for I intend to take in the Martiall performances of our loyall and loving brethren the Scots so farre forth as they have neer interest and dependence on those of our own Kingdom and State wee had I say certain intelligence out of Scotland that after a former surprizall of neer upon 800 horse load of provisions which were going to that desperate rebell Montrosse the said Montrosse and his Popish or rather Atheisticall co-partner in blood and villany Mac O Donnel an Irish Caniball with their whole body came to Duncall whether Major Generall Vrrey with the forces under his command pursued him but upon his March Montrosse was fled as if hee intended for Saint Johnstons but afterwards turned toward Aberdene Major Vrrey still pursuing him whereupon Montrosse wheeled about now indeed toward St. Johnstons so that Generall Vrrey fearing hee would enter Dundee sent to the Town to stand upon their guard against the Enemy assuring them they should not â—ail of his speedy help which accordingly they found About the Evening Montrosse fell upon the Town and burnt the Suburbs but was bravely entertained by the honest-hearted Townesmen who valiantly kept the Market place where they had some hot bickering with Montrosses forces where the Townesmen lost not above 10 men but slew many of the Enemie in the place during which encounter Generall Vrrey came up with his forces as hee promised and fell upon the Enemy in the Town slew 400 upon the
place and took neer as many prisoners 4 great barrells of powder being all they had there took all their field peices their bagge and baggage and dispersed the Enemy and had at this time utterly spoyled and ruinated them had not the darknesse of the night hindered his pursuite of them The Honourable House of Commons taking into consideration this prosperous successe which it pleased the Lord to give our brethren in Scotland which was of much concernment not only for the hoped peace of that Kingdome but of this also they therfore Ordered that publick Thanksgiving should bee made for the same the then next ensuing Lords Day in the severall Parish Churches in London and Westminster and within the Line of Communication and a Committee of the Lords and Commons addressed themselves to the Scottish Commissioners to congratulate them in that happy and seasonable Victory About the 14 instant among divers other usefull Ordinances of Parliament there was one passed by the House of Commons for exempting the University of Cambridge from all Military Taxes and other Contributions to the publike Service That nothing contained in any Ordinance or Ordinances of Parliament for or concerning the imposing levying or paying of any assessements taxes or charges whatsoever as well already made and charged as hereafter to bee made and charged by any former Ordinances shall not bee extended to charge the said University or any the Colledges or Halls therein or any the Rents or Revenues belonging thereunto nor to charge any Master Fellow or Schollar of any the said Colledges or any Reader Officer or Minister of the said University or Colledges for or in regard of any Wages Stipend or Profit due to them or any of them in respect of their places and employments in the said University any thing in the said Ordinances to the contrary notwithstanding Provided that the Tenents who enjoy Leases from the said University and Colledges doe claime no freedome or exemption or advantage by this said Ordinance Heer therefore that old Prelaticall slander of the Malignant Enemies is already clearly confuted who maliciously and falsly give out as if the Parliament were or would bee haters and discountenancers of Learning and parts whereas they ever aâ—med at the advancement thereof by a most necessary Reformation and cleansing of the University from its old stale and stinking lees and corrupted and corrupting dregs of Popery Arminianism superstition profanenesse and even open atheisme as was too evident in so many Prelaticall Popish and Arminian creatures therin such superstitious idle-addle-headed Governours so many formalists and politicians in Divinity meer Atheists in conversation who constantly infected the better wits and ingenous Spirits inducing and drawing them by their most prevalent pernicious examples to their own wayes and wicked practises But now the Fountain being purifyed and cleansed the streams must needs run abroad more clear into Church and Common-wealth by Gods blessing on the means About the 16 of this instant Aprill wee had suddain and certain intelligence out of Kent that about 3 or 400 mad-headed and discontented Malignants part of the rascality of that County were gotten into a body and had put themselves into a second open Rebellion and had taken Sir Percivall Harts house neer Farningham and had got divers horse and Armes which might threaten some danger to that flourishing County but by the speedy provision and care of the Committee and Gentry of that County the Serpent was crusht in the Egge for they had instantly ordered and authorized noble Colonell Blunt who indeed merited much honour in this Service to raise forces in the County for the suppressing of them who used such industry wisdome courage and fidelity therein that hee had soon raised a body of about 2000 horse and foot in one afternoon and part of the next morning and with quick expedition marched after them with 4 field peices toward Lunnington House and having found them out resolutely set upon them and had soon utterly routed and dispersed them took 50 of their principall Ring-leaders who were clapt up in safe custody till they might bee proceeded against by Martiall-Law And thus praised bee the Lord this spark of rebellion not being neglected was as timely quenched as it was soon kindled Much about which said time wee were certainly informed by Letters out of Hampshire that a party of renowned Colonell Nortons horse from Southampton being upon a design to fortifie Rumsey and so to straiten the Enemies Garrison at Winchester which the better to effect a party of his horse I say under the Command of Major Stewart were drawn out to face Winchester and so to keep the Enemy in play whilst Rumsey was thus fortifying which was done accordingly and after some small skirmishing Major Stewart retreated with the losse of 4 or 5 of his men and as many of the Enemies upon his retreat the Enemy advanced but now Major Stewart being seconded by a fresh party from Rumsey set again upon them routed and pursued them killed Leivtenant Coard and 6 or 7 more on the place took Captain Heath Cornet Barnes and 4 or 5 other Officers and about 30 horse and their Riders prisoners and brought them safe to Rumsey and afterward sent them to Southampton In this service Major Stewart received a shot in the thigh but not mortall only a badge of honour unto him praised bee the Lord for it About the 18 instant wee had clear intimation and knowledge of divers of the Lords and Peers of the Kingdom who having formerly deserted the Parliament and shown themselves in open opposition or at best in slie and faithlesse tergiversation from the Cause of God maintained by this present Parliament yet now at the length the Lord as wee hope having opened their eyes of understanding to see their errour and perswaded their hearts as wee trust to cleave to his Truth in sincerity and cordiall loyalty and therefore now I say divers of them were come in unto the Parliament from Oxford and took their Oath and the Solemn Covenant to bee true and faithfull to the service of the Parliament to the uttermost of their abilities both with their lives and fortunes First there came in about the 10 of this instant 3 Earles and 3 Lords Viz. The Earl of Bedford the Earl of Clare and the Earl of Leicester the Lord Pawlet the Lord Conway and the Lord Rich. And since that 5 more came in and took the same Oath and Covenant Viz. the Earl of Westmerland the Earl of Tenet the Earl of Monmouth and the Lord Savill The rest wee pray and trust will also in the Lords due time see their foul errours and seeing bee ashamed and sin no more in that kinde And about the 20 of this instant Aprill wee received certain intelligence by a Letter from a Member of the Committee of Worcester then residing at Warwick concerning a great and brave defeat given to Prince Maurice his forces in
Worcestershire which Letter comming to my hands I have heer for the Readers better content and satisfaction inserted which was as followeth SIR I Sent you by an expresse which was carryed into Banbury the relation of a great Victory which God in mercy gave unto us against Prince Maurice his Horse And of my apprehension of a very happy opportunity for the reducing of that County to the obedience of the Parliament were some wants of ours supplyed All the Enemies horse in Worcestershire particularly Prince Maurice his Regiment Sir John Knotsfords Regiment with the County Troop commanded by Captain Wilde the Reformado Troop commanded by Captain Pitchard and the Hartlebury Troop commanded by Captain Gunter being all between 5 or 600 Horse drew up and faced Warwick upon a hill about a mile distant from the Town Warwickeshire horse being a day before drawn away towards Gloucester the remaining forces heer belonging to Warwick as also those of our Horses remaining in Warwick were immediately commanded forth Viz. 20 horse that appertained to Colonell Bridges 2 Captains of our Committee viz. Captain Milward with his Troop and Captain Halford with so many Horse as could immediately bee got ready Also 2 Troopes consisting of about 80 Horse which came before from Newport Pagnell marching towards Gloucester So that in all wee drew out a party of about 150 Horse which Major Hawksworth commanded and 200 Foot commanded by Major Bridges It pleased God that after some houres skirmishing with them ours twice charging them through and through with admirable courage the Enemy giving ground and retreating till they came to a Lane and place of advantage that our Horse charged them again Captain Pitchard was shot and taken prisoner by our Captain Halford who expressed much courage and singled out Major Pilkinton and after they had each of them discharged their Pistâ—ls fell to it with their swords Captain Halford struck off his head-peice and perriwigge with the first blow and with the next gave him a wound on his head Captain Halford seeing Major Hawksworth dangerously engaged amongst the Enemies Horse made up to his releif with his Cornet Parsons and releived him only his Cornet was shot through his neck but the wound not mortall The issue of all was this the whole body of the Enemy utterly routed about 60 prisoners taken amongst which the great Philistine Pitchard Captain of the Reformadoes being shot in foure places was taken prisoner Also Captain George Action Captain Souch Cartwright Son to Sir Philip Cartwright late Governoâ—r of Jersey with other Officers and Gentlemen of quality Amongst others that were slain besides Major Pilkinton who commanded in cheif one of the Barâ—sleyes a Gentleman of a good family in our County and divers others not yet known Wee brought off at least 140 Horse taken from the Enemy and the whole body of them scattered all to peices by 8 miles 〈◊〉 This great body of the Enemy being all their Horse appertaining to them in our County was thus broken by the gallantry of our men In this action I give not any eminent or particular mark of bravery on any one all doing so exceeding well But the valour of Major Hawksworth was so much taken notice of by the Enemy that they termed him The Devill in Buffe Were wee able to follow the blow and so keep down their now dejected spirits Our friends here of whom you have heard much would doubtlesse bee more bold and appear in our behalf and of how great consequence that may bee I forbeare to expresse Guy Mouldsworth Leivtenant Colonell to the Princes own Regiment was taken and engaged his honour to bee a true prisoner Wee understand by the Trumpeter this day that hee intends to come and resigne up himself to us This Captain Pitchard is a pernicious villain who the day before hee was taken pulled down the house of one Mr. Hunt a Member of our Committee I pray you bee a petitioner to the Parliament that hee may not bee exchanged without us hee being our prisoner as also that wee may bee permitted to secure our prisoners in Warwick castle which hitherto hath not been granted us which besides the hazzard hath occasioned great expence wee being necessitated to hire Keepers to look to them I have omitted one thing which is the wonder of the mercy that in all this service which lasted many houres wee lost not one man only our Cornet Parsons wounded The enemy had plundered the Country of 200 beasts and had robbed some Carriers of their Cloath all which wee rescued and restored Wee have had 2 Trumpeters from Worcester to know what prisoners wee have their Letters ask not after any particulars but wee know they misse many There are hitherto of all the Enemies Horse not above 50 returned to Worcester which dropt in by two or three at a time and being rid so exceeding hard it is beleived are made unserviceable Your affectionate Servant N. L. About the 22 of this instant Aprill wee received certain intelligence by Letters from about Oxford both from renowned Leivtenant Generall Cromwell from valiant and active Major Generall Brown and others of credit and repute in their Armies of divers memorable victories and brave defeats given to the Enemy at the then siege of Oxford by ever to bee honoured Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of the Parliaments Armies over the whole Kingdom and now thus farre advanced into the field and set down before Oxford which victories being all exactly set forth in their Letters to the Parliament and to severall friends in London I shall heer for the Readers better content and satisfaction set down the most materiall things extracted and faithfully collected out of their severall Letters which were as followeth Upon the 23 of this instant Aprill there were quartered between 2 and 3000 horse about Oxford to stop the Kings Artillery and Carriages from passing out which were ready in Oxford with a Convoy to march as intelligence was given toward Rupert And Leivtenant Generall Cromwell having intelligence that they intended to passe through Shotover-Wood hee drew toward Woodstock and so thereabout toward Islip to bee ready to attend their motion in case they came that way At last hee had intelligence that about 100 horse and foot were marching toward him wherupon some of our men shewed themselves in a small party which drew the Enemy neer and Command was given by Leivtenant Generall Cromwell that all our Forces should bee in a readinesse and upon their watch all the night for fear of the Enemy which was carefully done the Leivtenant Generall himself being in his own person to encourage them all the while with them for there came intelligence that the Enemy intended to watch an opportunity to take our Forces at an advantage and so to set suddenly upon them of which our security they much presumed but found our men too vigilant for them For ere ours were looked for by the Enemy Leivtenant Generall
to him and they then also took order for monies to pay his well-deserving Souldiers as had been desired And they having formerly bestowed 200 pound per annum upon Owen Occonelly for his good Service in discovering the plot in Ireland who not receiving the same according to the said Order the House of Commons therefore Ordered the due and constant payment of the said 200 pound per annum out of the old customs of the Kingdom Thus Honos alit artes virtus compensata crescit And about the 23 instant wee had Letters out of Staffordshire which certified that when the Kings forces advanced for the releif of Chester then most hopefully besieged by ever to bee honoured Sir William Brereton by Stafford and Shropshire Captain Stone the valiant and active Governour of Stafford for the Parliament gave the Enemy severall successefull visits in their Rear at they past along and did good execution upon them therein And first how hee sent out a party of his Horse who fell upon a party of the Enemies quartered at Wâ—lverhampton killed 16 on the place took 26 Horse and most of their Riders and returned without any losse the Kings own quarters being then not above 2 miles off it That presently after this hee sent out another party even the next day who fell upon the Enemy quartered in the field neer Newport in Shrâ—pshire brought away 60 horse killed a Captain and about 20 others in the place And the next day following this that hee sent out another paity that fell upon their quarters at Pancridge killed 3. took 4 prisoners and 7 horses About the 28 of this instant May being that Moneths day of a publike Fast or humiliation and Reverend Mr. Henderson one of the Scottish Commissioners and reverend Mr. Whitaker Preaching before the House of Peers that day in the Abbey at Westminster and before the House of Commons Reverend Mr. Caryll and Mr. Ford as wee were that day labouring in prayers and other acts of humiliation to draw neer to our God wee found the Lord in mercy drawing neer to us for the Fast day being ended there came Letters from renowned Colonell Massie which gave us the happy intelligence of the taking of the strong Garrison of Evesham the manner wherof was breifly thus Colonell Massie with about 800 horse and 600 foot having lyen before Evesham a day or 2 stormed the Town and took it in an houres storming In which service wee received lesse losse than could have been expected in such a hot peice of service as for the time it proved not above 4 or 5 of our Souldiers slain and 2 Officers besides and about 30 common Souldiers wounded Wee slue of the Enemies 10 or 11. took divers Officers and common Souldiers to the number of about 548. and neer upon an 120 good horses a List of the prime prisoners was as followeth Colonell Robert Legge Governour of the Town Colonell Foster Leivtenant Colonell Bellingham Major Travillian 13 Captaines 16 Leivtenants 3 Reformadoes 20 inferiour Officers together with 20 barrels of Gun-powder 700 fire-armes and 2 Tuns of Match The taking of this brave Garrison was a very considerable peice of service in many respects and this not the least namely that by this means almost all Worcestershire will bee freed and mightily secured from Cavalierian Contributions which before were frequently gathered for the King And about the 30 of this instant wee were credibly informed by Letters out of Hampshire that a party of horse and foot belonging to Colonell Norton marched forth upon a design on Lanâ—ford-House The horse were commanded by Captain Betsworth Captain Smibark and Captain Gerson The foot were under the command of young Murford with part of these forces they placed an ambuscado neer the foresaid House undiscovered to the Enemy and Colonell Griffith seeing some of our forces facing the House sallyed forth to encounter them whereupon ours retreated to their ambuscado the Enemy hotly pursued them but were now as fiercely as unexpectedly assaulted and charged by ours on every side who took them all prisoners finding no way to escape There were surprized Colonell Griffith the Governour of Langford House his Captain Leivtenant a Cornet 8 other Officers 64 prisoners besides of common Souldiers and all their Armes and 10 of them slain upon the place And heer good Reader let mee again desire thee to make another very short stay for a most just and deserved gratefull Comtemplation on all the fair and famous mercies of this Moneth also and therein to see and admire the continued Miraculous wonder of our Parliamentary Burning-Bush still Vnconsumed notwithstanding the many singeing yea scorching assaults and hot attempts constantly and continually flashing against it both In the great danger and admirable deliverance of that ever to bee honoured Commander Colonell Massie from Prince Ruperts plot or design to have suddenly surprized him In the famous defeat given to the Enemy by Major Purefâ—yes forces in Warwickâ—shire In the as singularly seasonable as comfortable releif of the good Town of Taunton and the setting at liberty of so many precious Soules as that long siege had curbed and coopt in from necessary comforts And the excellent Orders set out by the Parliament for the well-regulating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes New-Modelled Army In the happy harmony of our prime Commanders in the Army And the Parliaments most noble and renowned gratitude to those that have well deserved of the Kingdom by their industrious and loyall services In the brave services of Captain Stone Governour of Stafford against the enemy And the happy taking of Eveshams strong Garrison by renowned Colonell Massie and therein a most notable and evident return of Prayer And lastly In that brave defeat given to our Cavalierian adversaries by valiant and loyall Colonell Norton All which premises of this Moneth of May prudently piously and gratefully considered O say good Reader whether wee have not most just cause continually to praise our ever-living and all-good-giving God and with the holy Prophet to break forth into Soul-exulting and God-exalting raptures of joy and gratitude and to confesse and say O Lord thou art our God and wee will exalt thee and will everlastingly praise thy name for thou haste done wonderfull things for us and thy counsels of old and of later times too are nothing but faithfulnesse and truth unto us But now to proceed ANd heer now wee will begin the farther contemplation and just admiration of the rich and rare mercies I had almost said miracles of this Moneth of June also with the cordiall and comfortable mention of a most excellent Petition exhibited about the beginning of this Moneth on the 4 or 6 day thereof to the House of Commons in Parliament by the right Honourable Lord Major of London together with the Aldermen and Common-Councill of the said most famous and ever to bee renowned City touching their deep apprehension of divers disastrous sad
and sorrowfull accidents lately falne out in the Kingdome to the great greit of the best Members thereof laying down also in their prudent and provident thoughts some most probable grounds and causes of all those sad and sorrowfull losses which had notwithstanding all our undeniable precious mercies fore-mentioned befalne the Parliamentary Cause a true representation therefore still of the Burning-Bush Vnconsumed and humbly therfore tendring the conceived remedies thereof and the likely prevention of more by Gods gracious assistance if seriously and seasonably seen unto Which Petition for the excellency thereof and for the Readers better content and satisfaction together with the Parliaments most fair and favourable answer thereunto I have thought fit heer to insert which was as followeth To the Right honourable the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament The humble Petition of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Councell Assembled Sheweth THat the Inhabitants of this City and parts adjacent are generally most deeply sensible of these pressing miseries under which they and the whole Kingdom now groan And that imminent ruine which is comming upon both through the releiving of Chester the unexpressible losse of Leicester the barbarous cruelty executed there the danger of the rest of our Garrisons and well-affected thereabouts and the increasing and prevailing of the Enemy by Sea and Land like a mighty Torrent That among other causes which have had a deep influence upon this most sad posture of our condition the said Inhabitants apprehend that the not compleating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army according to an Ordinance of Parliament in that behalf the want of such a Committee in that Army as may give our Commanders in cheif power and encouragement to improve all present advantages without attending Commands and Directions from remote Councels The calling back of Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and Major Generall Brown when they were pursuing the Enemy The not advancing of our Brethren of Scotland into these Southern parts The great decay of Trade and discouragements of Merchants for want of a constant convey His Majesties publishing his sense of the proceedings at the late Treaty and the Parliament not publishing their sense thereof And their resolutions against free trade by Sea to such Ports as are or shall bee in the power of the Enemy have been the cheif That great numbers of those Inhabitants have lately expressed their earnest desires by Petition and otherwise to the representative body of the City in Common Councell Assembled That this their deep sense and apprehensions might bee forthwith made known to both Houses of Parliament Their humble suit that the remedies may bee speedily considered of and effectually executed and their resolutions according to all former expressions that they will not think their lives nor any thing they possesse too dear to hazzard for your encouragement and preservation Thereupon the Petitioners for prevention of further miseries inconveniencies and the utter ruine of the Parliament of this City and Kingdome make it their humble request to this Honourable House That care may bee taken for the speedy recruiting of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army and for his encouragement That such a Committee may bee sent with that Army as may give our Commanders in cheif of whose faithfulnesse the Kingdom hath had so large testimony power and encouragement to improve all present advantages aforesaid That the said Army or such part thereof as in your wisdome shall seem meet may bee ordered forthwith to march towards our enemies in the field as well for the regaining of Leicester if it bee possible before it bee made impregnable by fortifications as also for prevention of the Enemies further surprizing of other places of strength and destroying the rest who have appeared in defence of the Parliament and for preservation of the Kingdom That our Brethren of Scotland may bee more earnestly prest to march Southward That Leivtenant Generall Cromwell may presently have power to raise and command the Association untill such other course bee taken as may tend to the safety of those Counties and of this City and Kingdome That the Navy may bee so ordered as may encourage Merchants and advance Trade by having constant convoyes That the proceedings of the late Treaty may bee forthwith published by the Parliament and their resolution against free Trade as aforesaid And the Petitioners as in duty shall pray c. Vera Copia H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. Die Mercurii Junii 4. 1645. Resolved c. THat the Answer to the Petitioners shall bee That the House will take the particulars of the Petition into serious consideration And doe return them Thanks for their good affections And as to their desire of leave to present the like to the House of Peeres this House leaves it to themselves and to their own discretion H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. About the 8 of this instant June wee had credible information by Letters out of Cheshire that a party of the Enemies forces about Chester were sent out by Byron the Governour of Chester some few miles a forraging into the Country thereabout and especially to Broxton hundred with imperious Warrants to fetch in Contribution-money where they plundered all they could finde worth carrying with them and took divers of our men prisoners Wherof Leivtenant Colonell Venables hearing hee made use of this opportunity and marched forth with a party from Tarvin and having got between the Enemies and the Town hee charged them with such courage and resolution that hee totally routed the whole party and took from them 180 prisoners whereof about 20 were Captains Leivtenants and other Officers in Armes and some of a degree above Captains hee also took in this service 50 horse and about 200 Armes besides divers slain in the conflict and having thus releived his captive and plundred friends and suppressed the Enemies hee returned with honour and triumph to his quarters And about the 10 instant wee received certain intelligence of a brave peice of service performed by valiant active and loyall Colonell Rossiter and Colonell Gray against a party of the Newarkâ—rs who marched under the Command of Colonell Willâ— his own Major who marched all night and at 6 of the clock in the morning appeared in a full body and came before Houghaâ—-House which the Enemy having thus now beset wondered to see not any of our men awake in the whole Garrison to make any resistance for a while they did forbeare to assault the place fearing ours might have prepared some stratagâ—m within but some new intelligence administring other counsels and putting by that fear they almost at once forced the bridge and entred the House where they found them all fast asleep not dreading or dreaming of the approach of any Enemy Being now entred they used them not whom they found within as our King Richard of old used a Souldier of his whom hee killed because hee found him
us to Harborough but durst not stay there Wee took all the Foot Colours in the field the Kings own Colours with the Lion and Crown with this Motto Dieu et Mon Droit The Queens Colours and the Princes Colours and the Duke of Yorkes Standard Wee got the plunder of the Kings Coach and his precious Cabinet that famous tell-tale of the Kings and Queens works of darknesse c. But of all these things more particularly by and by One great encouragement to our Common Souldiers to fall on the more courageously was the rich plunder the Enemy had their purses and pockets too being full of money and the plunder of poore Leicestershire which God now made a means of their ruine and destruction in this fight for indeed our Souldiers got very great plenty of gold and silver out of most of their pockets that were slain Prince Rupert also or rather Prince Robber had brought into the field many Irish women inhumane Whores with Skeans or long Irish knivâ—â— about them to cut the throats of our wounded men and of such prisoners as they pleased the wives of the bloody Rebels in Ireland his Majesties dearly beloved Subjects to whom our Souldiers would grant no quarter about a 100 of them were slain on the ground and most of the rest of the whores and Camp-sluts that attended that wicked Army were marked in their faces or noses with slashes and cuts and some cut off just rewards for such wicked strumpets The slain on our part in this most memorable fight was not in all full 200. and not one above a Captain Sir Jacob Ashleyes Coach was taken with great store of plunder in it and himself was very neer taking for wee got the cap off his head and in Sir Jacobs Coach Letters of Nicholas the Court-lyer wherein was among others this expression in one of them That the Parliament had given particular direction to the Generall to give the King no quarter but to kill him if taken A most abominably false and impudent lye like unto all the rest of their irreligious practises The Army after this marched toward Leicester following the pursuit not willing to give the Enemy any rest or liberty to rally our horse especially being close in their Rear and Colonell Rossiter who came seasonably to the ingagement and bravely charged where our Noble Generall was following apace in the pursulte of the Enemy as aforesaid where now for a while wee will leave them And heer now I shall in its most proper place for the high honour and glory of our wonder-working God and the admiration and astonishment of my present Readers and their succeeding Posterity give you the most exact List of the slain prisoners and prizes taken in this most famous and glorious Victory which was as followeth Slain in the fight and slight about 3000. and between 3 and 400 Whores and Irish Queans One Lord or eminent personage slain and found dead with a Star and a red-Crosse upon his coat 4 Lords mortally wounded Prince Rupert bruised and Sir Jacob Ashley hurt on the head his head-peice beaten off and himself neer taken Prisoners Colonell Sir William Vaughan Colonell Sir William Bridges Col. Sir Bridge Col. Sir Richard Page Colonell Bandes Col. Bunkley Col. Theoph. Gilbie Col. Nevill Leivtenant Colonells 7. Sergeant Majors 12. Captains 55. Leivtenants 55. Ensignes 45. besides of inferiour Officers above 200. 2000 horse with their riders many Ladies and Gentlewomen of the Kings Officers and Servants 11 or 12. besides 4 of his footmen and one of Prince Maurices In all above 4000 prisoners Armes at least 9000. 6 rich Coaches and other Coaches besides The Kings own Coach and therein that Cabinet of Secret Letters of the Kings and Queenes since this fight Printed and published to the amazement of the world Ruperts Coach also and both the Kings and Ruperts Sumpters with much wealth and riches The Kings Standard the Queens Standard Prince Charles his Standard the Duke of Yorkes Standard and Ruperts Standard 6 Colours of Horse and 40 Colours of Foot one whereof represented a pair of hornes with this Motto Come Cuckold Which being one of the first Colours that were taken the word was on the pursuite returned to the Enemy with much mirth and scorn among Souldiers Taken also 12 peices of Ordnance 40 〈…〉 Gunpowder 200 Carriages 12 Carriages of Boats with their Anchors and Cables In summe all their bagge and baggage 〈◊〉 King himself fled toward and so clean through Leicester Thus now in this most famous and renowned Victory did the Lordâ— indeed shew himself as Moses sweetly sets him out Glorious 〈◊〉 holinesse fearfull in Praises and doing wonders Triumphing gloriously and overthrowing both the horse and his rider And truely so much the more glorious may this Victory appear unto us and the hand of God most evidently bee seen in it as to Gideon against those Enemies of God though it is true the number of men in the Army was not much different yet t is most true that the King had full 2000 horse more than wee yet I say this Victory will most notably appear to bee Gods Victory graciously given to us if wee consider both the time and condition of the kingdome as then it was And also the very Army it self First This Victory was bestowed upon us at such a time when as our spirits were and that most justly very low and exceedingly dejected both by onr losse of Leicester but a little before and thereby also the Kings releiving of West-Chester wee having at that time a marveilous great possibility of taking it but now were utterly frustrated of it Also the great sadnesse wee then were in for the danger of Taunton at this season a second time besieged strictly by outrageous Goring and Hopton Besides the great murmurings at this time of most men about our brethren of Scotlands not advancing Southward as was expected and then greatly desired And Secondly if wee consider the Army it selfe O the wonderfull base and despicable esteem that was thereof not onely in the Kings Army and Malignants but even among very many seeming friends among us and those no mean ones too O how did they disparage undervalue and contemne as it were this New-Modelled Army calling it a New Nodelled Army jeering them as a company of young Tyroes or fresh-water-Souldiers heerby as much as in them was to discountenance and dis-hearten the most noble Generall himself Sir Thomas Fairfax and to weaken the hands and despond the spirits of his Souldiers if God himself had not mightily upheld them and put as it were an extraordinary spirit and courage into them most remarkably making good that most excellent passage of the Apostle That God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the seeming weak thing of the world to confound the things which are mighty
And base things in the worlds esteem and things which are despised yea and things which are not God hath chosen as heer wee see to bring to nought things which are And heer me thinks I cannot pretermit but most justly make honourable mention of what I have been credibly informed of touching our most noble and renowned Generall himself Viz. That hee was observed before this fight to have been exceeding merry and cheerfull in his carriage and countenance among his Commanders and Souldiers But after this victory was obtained hee continually day by day carryed himself with very much settleed gravity of countenance lowlinesse and meeknesse of face and heart as giving God all the honour and willing to take none to himself Two rare postures indeed of a pious and prudent Cornelius or Commander and fit for all Souldiers especially Saint-like Souldiers to practise and imitate For indeed both Hee I mean this our most renowned Generall and all of us with him might most justly as reverend Mr. Marshall in his excellent Thanksgiving Sermon at Christ-Church the Thursday following this famous Victory say concerning this glorious Victory as the most noble and renowned late Lord Generall nobly said at Keinton-Victory Never more of God and lesse of man And therefore as wee were most justly bound our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies immediately upon their perfect knowledge and understanding of this so glorious a Victory as you have thus fully heard appointed a day of Solemn Thanksgiving to bee celebrated to the high honour and praise of our great and gracious Wonder-working God a Copy of which their Order I have heer inserted which was as followeth Die Lunae Junii 16. 1645. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament that Thursday next shall bee set apart for a day of Publique Thanksgiving to Almighty God in all the Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication and weekly bils of Mortallity For the great and glorious Victory obtained by the Parliaments Army under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax against the Forces of the King And Mr. Marshall and Mr. Vines bee desired to Preach at Christ-Church before the Parliament And that the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell doe meet the Parliament there And it is further Ordered That Friday being the 27 of this instant June bee set apart for a publick day of Thanksgiving for this Victory in all the Churches and Chappell 's in the severall Counties of the Kingdom under the power of the Parliament H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. About the 15 of this instant there came Letters out of Shropshire which certified of severall good services performed by Colonell Mittons forces in those parts and for better satisfaction I have heer thought fit to insert the Copy of the Letter it self which was sent to renowned Colonell Mitton himself which was as followeth SIR I Being desired by Leivtenant Colonell Goldgay to certifie our late proceedings at Oswestree and the good successe wherewith it pleased God to blesse your Forces there I am humbly bold thus to trouble you On Tuesday the third of this present June your Troop with a considerable party of your Foot marched unto Clerk being commanded by Leivtenant Colonell Goldgay where wee took 27 horse from under their walls being the best horse I have seen together in Wales Wee drawing off in order the Enemy sallyed out came through the wood with firelocks thinking to redeem their losse charged our Rear-guard of horse whom Captain Simpkins caused to face about and fall on them lying in the manner of an ambuscado which they did and soon got through them and got betwixt them and home killed 2 of them took 24. the Governours Leivtenant being one and his Organist whose losse hath caused a generall Melancholly in the Castle and if hee bee not changed their mirth and devotion it is to bee feared will perish together On Thursday the 6 instant wee marched in the like posture to Shraden went close under their works took from them 24 good horse which was the greatest part of Dr. Charles Vaughan then Governour his Troop wee expected them also to sally out but the Dr. though hee hath forgotten his Preaching since hee turned Cavalier yet remembred his Grammar-rule Optimum est alienâ frui insaniâ For being warned by the folly and harm of Cherkmen hee was content to sleep within doores in a whole skin and to suffer us to march away with our prize without any of their lets or least disturbance This wee did without the losse or hurt of any one man of ours Wee ascribe the praise and memory of the work to that God who hath hitherto crowned your endevours with successe and I doubt not in despight of malice will doe so still under whose banner of love I leave you and humbly rest yours to Command And now upon the 19 of this instant June being the next ensuing Thursday after the happy tydings of the foresaid most famous Victory at Naseby according as our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Senators had formerly Ordered and as our most renowned Generall himself Sir Thomas Fairfax had earnestly desired by the Messenger by whom the relation of the victory was first brought a day of Solemn Thanksgiving was celebrated and wholly set apart to give all the glory of that great Victory and mighty mercy to the Lord alone as it was most due in all Churches and Chappels within the Cities of London and Westminster and the Lines of Communication which was as on this day most solemnly performed in a speciall manner at Christ-Church in London where reverend and religious Mr. Marshall and Mr. Vines preached that day before the whole Body of the Parliament both Lords and Commons whom the Lord Major the Aldermen and Common Councell of London met there and had invited the said most honourable Lords and Commons to dine with them that day in their City at Grocers hall And heer I hope it will not bee offensive or tedious to my Reader to give him a short sight or intimation of the manner of the gallant entertainment the City gave the Parliament at Grocers Hall that day not to mention the Messes of their dainty chear which in great plenty was provided answerable to so honourable an Assembly but onely to shew you the speciall guests and the order of their placing according to their state and Orders which was thus At the upper end of the Hall sate the Lord Major On the left hand The Prince Elector Earle of Northumberland Earle of Kent Earle of Essex Earle of Manchester Lord North Earl of Elgar Lord Brighton Two of the Scotch Commissioners On the right hand Earle of Pembroke Earle of Nottingham Earle of Salisbury Earle of Denbigh Earle of Bullingbrook One Scotch Lord The Lord Say There were three Tables more in the Hall On the right hand going up sate Mr. Speaker at the upper end entring to the doore toward
God for him and his Posterity they certified how unfaithfull they should bee to God and his Majesty if they should conceal the present danger wherein hee is a danger infinitely greater than the displeasure of his people They therefore in the humility and greif of their Soules did prostrate themselves before his Throne and in the name of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 bold to warne him that the guilt which cleaveth so fast to his Throne and his Soule is such as if not timely repented will involve him and his Posterity under the wrath of the ever-living God Next they freely proceeded to acquaint his Majesty what were the occasions of his great and growing danger in which if they should bee silent their conscience would condemn them and the stones themselves would finde expressions As first for his being guilty of the shedding of the blood of many thousands of his best Subjects Secondly for permitting the Masse and other Idolatry both in his Family and Dominions Thirdly for his authorizing the book of Sports and by consequence the profanation of the Lords Day Fourthly for his not punishing of publike scandalls in and about his â—ourt Fifthly for the shutting of his ears from the humble and just desires of his faithfull Subjects Sixtly for his complying too much with the Popish party many wayes and namely by concluding the Cessation of Armes in Ireland and imbracing the Counsells of those who have not set God nor his good before their eyes Seventhly for resisting and by Armes opposing this Cause which so much concernes the glory of God his own honour and happinesse and the peace and safety of his Kingdomes Eightly for some other private causes of which his Majesty is conscious to himself It being not the desire of these grave and reverend men to have mentioned any particulars if that they had not already been publike and known For all these and for every one of them they implore his Majesty to fall down at the footstoole of the King of Glory to acknowledge his offences to make haste to repentance and to labor for peace with God through Jesus Christ that the Son of God may reign over him and his Kingdomes in his pure Ordinances and the Government of the Church Moreover they desire his Majesty to take notice that they are not staggering or faint hearted through diffidence of the successe of their Cause and the Covenant of the three Kingdomes unto which as God hath already given many testimonies of his favour and blessing so it shall bee their unshaken confidence that this is the work and Cause of God which shall gloriously prevaile against all opposition and from which with the assistance of the Grace of God they shall never suffer themselves to bee divided or withdrawn but shall zealously and constantly in their severall Vocations endevour with their Estates and Lives to pursue and advance the same This Remonstrance being so full of piety to God and allegiance to the King is able some would think to beget a better opinion in the stubbornest Malignants concerning the proceedings of our Brethren the Scots and either to perswade or convince them to a better understanding of them The Lord Digby hath returned answer that his Majesty will take it into consideration who knows but that God may so move his Royall heart that the Letters of this paper may bee more effectuall than an Army of men in the field and bee a happy means to reduce the King to his Parliament But notwithstanding all this hee still goes on in a most hardned condition like a most miserable Prince For as wee well knew in the mean while hee was making what possible speed hee could to recover new strength His Warrants are issued forth for supplies of men whiles the miserable and desolate Countrey that a long time hath suffered under the calamity of warre can lend him but little assistance either for men or money Wee heard that a great part of his Horsemen were wounded in Naseby fight and that hee lately made a halt and stayed the longer in Wales to understand the inclinations of the people Indeed his Army might well halt when that so many of his men were wounded and our swords have not so deeply wounded his men as hee hath wounded his own honour by calling over the Irish to assist him They say that there are a Legion or Brigade of Irish consisting of about 4000. who are newly landed to assist him I suspect the truth thereof and have reason to bee doubtfull of it because I finde that our greatest Intelligencers cannot agree amongst themselves and doe much vary in what place they are landed It is very likely that many are come over but not so many as are commonly reported And are the barbarous and prodigious Acts of the Irish in their own Kingdom such pleasing cruelties that they must bee sent for into England to act them over again heer Must the West which suffered the last yeer under the horrid lust and fury of the French bee now the Stage where the Irish shall act their Tragedies Rouze up thy self thou desolate and much afflicted West thou hast now the meanes to shake off the yoak of thy Subjection if thou art so happy as to apprehend the meanes of thy deliverance But to goe on About the 6 of this instant July whiles the poore King was thus fruitlesly strugling Per fas nefas to recruite his foresaid broken Army our most noble and renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax was now in the West endevouring with all fidelity and magnanimity of spirit to purchase by Gods assistance Liberty to those long distressed parts of the Kingdom and just honour to himself and as credible information affirmed had sent a choyce body of horse to Gloucester to observe the motion of the Kings Army and to attend the landing of his forces on this side the River Severn which hee could not doe without apparent danger In which interim wee had certain intelligence that the Kings Garrison of Dudley Castle was shrewdly put to it For as they were abroad plundering the Country therabout Captain Hunt sell upon a party of them and having slain some hee took many horse from them and divers prisoners whom hee carried with him to Warwick Since which also as wee were credibly informed our Brethren of Scotland lighted on another party of them and after a brave conflict with them wherein divers of the Enemies were slain on the place they made them lesse in number by at least 80 horse than they were before And shortly after this wee were for certain certified that the Governour of Stafford came up with a party of horse and gave an alarm to the Castle it self Whereupon the Enemy not enduring the affront drew forth into the field thinking indeed our party not to bee so strong as afterward they found it and to increase this their apprehension and conceit therein Colonell Ashburst politickly retreated on purpose
upon their legges with sticks in their hands They left 300 good Armes behinde them and good store of powder and Ammunition And upon the 30 of this instant July to make this Moneth a most compleatly victorious Moneth indeed it pleased the Lord to deliver up also into the Parliaments happy possession the strong Garrison of the Town of Bathe which was related in a Letter sent from thence by an eminent Commander and actour in the same which for the Readers better content and full satisfaction I have heer thought fit to insert and impart as it was Printed and published by authority which was as followeth SIR AS I gave you an account of the taking of Bridgewater so God multiplying his mercies upon us wee having taken in Bath also I shall breifly give you an account thereof only I cannot omit something yet behinde of Bridgewater for wee have found 6 peices of Ordnance which the Enemy had hid and there is left besides what was destroyed by the fire 44 barrels of Gunpowder and 4000 weight of Match On Saturday last Sir Thomas Fairfax marched out of Bridgewater Leivtenant Generall Cromwell hath been ill but God bee thanked hee mends that night wee marched to Marstock about nine miles on the way to Sherburn where wee quartered that night and Sunday night On the Lords day wee heard that Rupert had been himself in person the day before at Bath with Sir Thomas Bridges to encourage him to keep it against us promising him releif in case he should bee besieged On Munday the 28 of July 1645. the Generall marched to Sherborn about 14 miles from Marstock Major Generall Massie was left further West And the same day viz. Munday about 60 horse most Welsh came from Prince Rupert to strengthen Bath and other Officers with them to Govern the Town because that Prince Rupert had found when hee was there two dayes before that Sir Thomas Bridges was quite out of heart to keep it for the very name of Sir Thomas Fairfax strikes a terrour to the Enemy But when they were come into Bath the Town cryed out as one man all against the Welsh No Welsh no Welsh Neither did Sir Thomas Bridges take it well that hee should bee displaced and another put in which caused a great division in the Town that the Officers and Horse would not stay to dispute it yet neverthelesse some Welsh stayed in the Town which did much displease both the Governour Officers Townsmen yea and the Garrison Souldiers also On Tuesday the Generall sent two Regiments of horse and two Troops of Dragoons under the Command of Colonell Rich to view and give account of the condition of the Garrison of Bath then held by Sir Thomas Bridges for the King The Army removed to Wells Colonell Pickering is with a party before Sherborn a nest of most mischeivous vermine under whom the Countrey hath much suffered and by whom before wee came thither some of our own messengers have been taken and our Letters intercepted and the Countrey doe wholly complain against them for very great plunderers and barbarous neighbours Wee made on towards Bath having no foot at all with us onely the aforesaid 2 Regiments of horse and 2 Companies of Dragoones and about an houre before Sunset the South side was close beset the Dragoones lay about Holliwell and wee kept them on the South and on the West parts of the Town But the North part of the Town lay open for wee came not to block them up nor had wee Forces to doe it then present there The Enemy might have gone away on the North part of the Town in despight of all that wee could doe to hinder them but God did so infatuate them that they had not power as in our former victories so particularly in this taking of Bath the hand of God was much seen for us About Sunset wee gained Holliwell and placed our Dragoones within half Pistoll shot of the Gate on the Bridge at Bath where there was some skirmishing and the Dragoones behaved themselves very gallantly In the night the Enemy within took severall Allarms and were in great fear of us I conceive they knew not our strength only before had some intelligence of the advance of our Army On this present Wednesday morning the Enemy heard of a party from Malmsbury on the North side of them but they were not considerable but they were struck with such a fear that Sir Thomas Bridges sent a Messenger very early forth of Bath to us to desire a parley which wee wondred at so wee presently held a parley with them and by Sunrising had the Garrison of Bath delivered up to us upon very good Conditions 1. All both Officers and Souldiers to have quarter for their lives 2 That Sir Thomas Bridges and all the Officers bee permitted to march away to Bristoll without let or molestation 3 That Sir Thomas Bridges and all other Field Officers and Captaines have liberty to march away with Horse and Armes 4 That all Officers under the degree of Captains march away without Arms only staves in their hands to Bristoll 5 That Sir Thomas Bridges with all the Officers aforesaid doe immediately march out of the Garrison and surrender it to Colonell Rich for the service of the Parliament 6 That all the Ordnance Armes and Ammunition bee surrendred also 7 The common Souldiers to bee left all prisoners All which was done and wee were possest of the Garrison by break of the day And truely you may think it a strange thing for horse to take a Town and no foot within 15 miles of it but you may see how God infatuates men and possesseth them with a fear that deprives them of wisdome and courage Bath July 30. 1645. A List of what was taken in the Garrison of Bath by Colonell Rich on Wednesday July 30. 1645. Left in the Town according to the Articles aforesaid 200 prisoners which were 100 Garrison Souldiers 100 Welsh that came in but three houres before into Bath 200 Muskets an 100 Pikes 6 peices of Ordnance 10 barrels of Gunpounder 10 barrels of other Ammunition a great quantity of Match and Bullet Sir Thomas Bridges his Standard Colours in the Royall Fort 5 Colours besides good store of Victuall and other provisions some Pistols and Swords all Sir Thomas his bagge and baggage besides the Armes and provisions of the Townesmen Together with divers Halbert-Roundâ—eads and other weapons This Garrison was of great consequence for the straitning of the passage to Bristoll whereof more in its more proper place And that which makes this mercy much the sweeter and spiritually comfortable to us is that as that former famous mercy of Bridgewater was given in unto us even whiles wee were a praying for that mercy upon occasion of a speciall and extraordinary Fast Day So this likewise was unexpectedly cast into our laps even in the very time and on the day of our Solemn set Monethly Fast Day even as a
incroached upon our Enemies and in many places got within Pistoll shot and have had hot incounters with them On Munday morning last about foure a Clock they sallyed out againe and we watched how to catch them and that evening we took Sir Bernard Ashley the best Souldier in Bristoll and kild Col. Daniel for he had seaven bullets in his body but being so neere the works we durst not alight to bring off his body Sir Bernard Ashley we have Prisoner though sore wounded The other day at our first comming we shot Sir Richard Crane another great favourer of Ruports through the thighe of which he lyes dangerously ill the party of Foot under Lieutenant Col. Kempson hath taken the strong Fort of Ports-head point and therein â—ix pieces of Ordnance and one Demy-culvering so our Ships may come in freely into Severne we have also seized on one Ship in Avon with twelve peice of Ordnance The last night we were all up in Armes expecting a Sally out of one thousand Horse upon our Guards being extream wet weather all night long the Enemy drew out under their Workes but their Scouts discerning our readinesse came not on besides they had a most fierce Alarm Ports-head point was taken and the Parliament Ships coming up the River the Towns men were dismayed and threw down Arms Rupert imprisoned some of them and thus is the condition of affaires for the present We had by this raised as good Works against theirs as may be and if Goring come on of the other hand But singly either of them we feare not I am in great hast and can write no more but that I am Sir Your most humble servant From before Bristoll Aug. 28. 1645. at 4. in the afternoone Colonell Morgan is before Barklay Castle and the Generall hath sent a Regiment of Horse to his assistance Our Horse before Bristoll have done five daies and nights duty never coming off the Field And about the 30 of this instant August came certaine information by Letters to London from Redding that a Party of about 120 Horse from Wallingford and Dennington came into those parts to gather Contribution Money even within a mile of Redding Colonell Baxter the Governour of Reading with Captaine Pile and as many Horse and Dragoones of their Troops as could be presently made ready which was not above 30 or 40 in all at most understanding thereof sent to Colonell Moore ond Captain Burroughs who then had about 100 of Abington Horse quartered also at Redding to prepare for his Reserve The Enemy upon their March homeward ware closely followed by the Governours party whose forlorn hope forced the Enemies Rear guard to their body at which their body faced about and caused our forlorn to retreat and they perceiving our number to be but small pursued the Governour through and through yet he had but one man slain and eight of his men were taken Prisoners and the Governours sword was cut off to the hilt for upon the Enemies facing about upon ours the Governour seeing the Enemies advantage to be at least foure to one did forbeare an engagement till he had sent one of his Captaines to know how far behind the Abington horse were and to give them the Word who returned to the Governour and told him they were at hand which proved otherwise to the hazard of the Governour and his whole party then engaging as you have heard See here therefore how much conducing to the welfare of martiall affaires true intelligence is and how the want of it proves destructive In this interim at length and seasonably enough came in Colonell Moore and Captain Burroughs with their horse and they now with the Governours Horse and Dragoones being rallied againe very fiercely charged the Enemy again bravely routed them regained their prisoners tooke about 50 Horse of the Enemies 60 Arms 23 Prisoners one Major one Captaine and sorely wounded another and slew 13 of them on the ground and in their pursuit which ours had upon them for at least five miles The rest escaped by flight to tell their fellowes at Wallingford what a brave prize and purchase they had got We had but that one man slaine upon the place forementioned and two dyed since of their wounds The Governour Colonell Moore Captaine Pile Captaine Burroughs and Quarter-Master Barker behaved themselves with much gallantry in this businesse and generally the Souldiers fought all of them very bravely but most justly to God be all the praise of the victory And about the same time we also understood for certaine by Letters out of Shropshire That the brave and active Garrison of Shrewsbury fell also upon a party of the Enemies at Bishops-Castle in that County as they were hot in plundring the Fayre which was then kept there whom they bravely and suddenly routed rescued all the plunder tooke 200 of the Enemies Horse and many Prisoners This Service was performed by valiant Major Fenick and the Enemies party was from Ludlow and Bridge-North And here now good Reader let me desire thee to make a little pause and parley with thy heart and soul in the serious contemplation and consideration of the rich and rare mercies of this moneth also wherein thou hast most remarkably seen the faithful performance of this our still-continued mighty marvelous wonder of The Burning-Bush unconsumed or rather indeed more and more prospered and preserved in the midst of such and so many fierce furious flashes and flames of mischief and malignity in outragious opposition against it which hath bin most abundantly demonstrated both in Captain Allens brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Stamford in Lincolnshire In the surprisall of the Kings Commissioners at Shaftsbury by Colonell Fleetwood In the routing of the Clubmen by Lieutenant Generall Cromwell In the famous defeat given to the Enemy in Wales by Major Generall Laughorne In the storming and taking of Sherburne Castle by renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax In the Parliaments pious and prudent care for the reformation of matters in Religion In the good condition of our Forces in the North whereby a dangerous designe of the Kings was frustrated and his forces defeated In our most noble and renowned Generals winning of that strong Fort at Bristoll called Ports-head Point In that brave but dangerous defeat given to the Enemy neer Reading And Major Fenicks defeat given to the Enemy at Bishops-Castle in Shropshire All which rare Parliamentary Mercies bestowed on us and sore pinches and pulls thus from time to time put upon and wrested from our vile and vexatious Enemies O how ought the gracious and gratefull recordation and consideration thereof work upon our spirits and affect our souls with unexpressible gratitude to our God the most mercifull wise and wonderfull worker of them and cause us to break forth with holy David that sweet singer of Israel into this holy extasie of exultation and rejoycing sing and say Our souls waite yea wait only
their Workes All this being done with the losse of one man onely on our side and we safely returned home the next day by 12 of the Clock Praised be God for it Your Honours humble Servant George Pain Abington Octob. 15. 1645. About the 18 of this instant came certaine intelligence by Letters to the Parliament of a notable defeat given by renowned active and faithfull Col. Rossiter to the Forces of Banbury conducting those two pernicious Princes Rupert and Maurice to Newarke to the King their Uncle being there the manner whereof was to this effect The two Princes aforesaid perfidiously pretending as afterward it most evidently appeared resolutions forsooth to depart the kingdome and desirous first to see and speak with their Uncle the King had a Convoy of Banbury Horse to guard them thither in all about sixe Troops and thus they marched toward the King to take their leave forsooth of him before they would crosse the Sea and be gone And thus I say they marched on all that first night but intelligence hereof came to valiant Colonell Rossiter being then at Grantham whereupon all in that Garrison being 300. and 400 more which lay at Stamford were drawn to Melton by the said renowned Colonell to meet with them by the way but upon intelligence againe from Burleigh that the report of the Princes coming was false our Horse were ordered to march back to Grantham in which interim the Princes passed on even almost to Eelvoyre without any opposition all the way But suddenly againe Colonell Rossiter now having most certaine information that the Princes were come a little beyond Belvoyre toward Newarke the Princes then determining and deeming themselves past danger they were sending back the Banbury Horse but as they passed by Burleigh Garrison they were set upon in their reare by valiant Captaine Allen with his Troop of Horse who then tooke some of them prisoners but himselfe in person being too farre ingaged was unfortunately shot and since dyed of the wound a great losse unto us he having been a most faithfull active and couragious Commander But Colonell Rossiter being then at Melton and now I say understanding for certaine that the Princes were got to Belvoyre being very unwilling their Forces should passe so freely from him without a martiall salutation made haste after them and ordered his march with such secrecy and celerity that he was wholly undiscovered untill he fell upon them in their passage from Belvoyre to Newarke where I say he overtooke them and set upon them who thereupon faced us twice or thrice as though they would have charged us but upon our so sudden on-set they ran for it but ours following close upon them had soone routed them where we paid them to purpose tooke at least 60 Gentlemen prisoners one Major three Captains 140 Horse Prince Maurice his Trumpeter with his Banner and Trumpet in which bickering we wounded and killed divers of them some of whom men of quality the Princes themselves were forced to ride a pace for it and so escaped our hands with about 100 Horse and got to Newarke but with what a pannick feare we may easily guesse About the 20 instant we had also certaine information by a Letter out of the West from renowned Lieutenant Generall Cromwell in the Parliament of the surrendring of Langford-House a strong Garrison of the Enemies neere Salisbury unto him for the King and Parliament which was no sooner summoned than the Summons condescended to by Sir Bartholomew Pell then Governour thereof and upon Articles of Agreement between Colonell Hewson and Major Kelsey in the name of Lieutenant Generall Cromwell and the said Sir Bartholomew Pell and Major Edmond Wedale Commanders in Chiefe in the said House it was surrendred This Garrison was the 21 Garrison or strong Hold that had been taken from the Enemy this Summer and Autumn-season a sore fall of the leaf to the Royalists enough to make them starve and die the ensuing Winter and all this done by the so contemned New-Modell-Armie under the Command of the most Noble and Renowned Generall precious Sir Thomas Fairfax besides those taken in other parts by other Commanders as Pâ—â—â—efract Scâ—â—rough and others in the North. Now let any yea all the old Souldiers in England nay I may dare to say in Christendome shew us the like done so many strong Castles Forts and Garrisons taken in any part of Europe in sixe yeares as have been thus taken in this Kingdome by our young despised Souldiers in lesse than five or sixe moneths O that we could and would therefore have evermore in our tongueâ— and hearts holy Davids Quid retribuâ—â—mus What shall we repay to the Lord for them O that we would especially faithfully pay our Vowe our most Solemne Covenant in reforming our lives and building the House of this our so glorious Wonder-working God the God and onely giver of all these so many so mighty yea so marvellous if not miraculous mercies Much also about the aforesaid time we were certified by Letters from Coventry that Sir William Vaughans Regiment coming from Newark to Litchfield and thence intending for Bridge-North was opportunely met with by a party from Tamworth who falling bravely upon them soone routed them slew divers of them on the place and tooke from them at least 100 Horse and Armes the rest escaped by flight And about the 22 of this instant October came certaine intelligence by Letters out of the Northern parts of the Kingdome of a most memorable and famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sâ—erburne in the North by the Parliaments forces in those parts which for the Readers better content and satisfaction and for the more full and faithfull Narration of the thing it selfe I have thought fit to give you that valiant and active Commander Colonell Copleyes owne Letter sent to the Honourable Commissioners for the Warre in Yorkshire this brave Colonell himselfe being under God a principall and most valiant actor and instrument of the Victory which was as followeth Honourable Gentlmen MY haste last night made my Relation then sent both short and unsatisfactory This I now present is for your further and full satisfaction touching our late fight with the Enemy at Sherburne Vpon intelligence of the Kings advance to Blythe with part of his Horse we appointed a Rendezvouze on Tuesday morning purposely to have slapt his advance by Doncaster but hearing that he had a Rendezvouze that morning at Worksope and thereby fearing his advance into Cheshire we kept our Quarters and the Guard at Doncaster as usually only that we might be in readinesse I also appointed a Rendezvouze of all our Horse at two of the Clock on Tuesday evening In which interim the Enemy had advanced beyond our expectation from Worksope thorow Doncaster by day light and beat up our Guard at Cusworth about sixe or seven of the clock and in Scawsby-Keyes they quartered and so marched strait to Ferribridge
and so to quarter beyond the River with his Brigade which accordingly he did and soone possest himselfe of the Towne of Tiverton forcing the Enemy out of it only those that had got into the Church and Castle to keep those places as long as they could It was then conceived hard for us nay almost impossible for us to hinder the Enemies Horse from marching Eastward if they would have attempted it with their whole strength except Lieutenant Generall Cromwell with his whole Brigade did come up timely to us On Friday the 17 instant the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax himselfe sate downe before Tiverton Castle and Church to take them in and summoned the Enemy to deliver them up of which being denyed we planted our battering-Peeces against them which worke went forward that day and the next On Saturday Octob. 18. our batteries being finished by the afternoon Upon the Lords Day Octob. 19. the Generall caused severall great Peeces to be planted on the Batteries against the Castle very early in the morning so that they were ready to play by break of day and all our Canon began to play about seven of the Clock that morning against the Castles and the Enemy from thence answered us with their Peeces but blessed be God did no execution upon any of us But see the admirable and all-directing power and providence of our wonder-working God for us namely that after some shot which we had made against them one of our Canoneers by one shot from his Peece of Ordnance most gallantly and admirably if not almost miraculously in a moment performed this most difficult businesse for us for at that one shot it pleased the Lord so to direct the Bullet just like him 2 Chron. 18. 33. which drew a bowe at a venture and shot his arrow at King Ahab so that he dyed as the Lord had said by the Prophet so I say the Lord did so direct this bullet shot at a venture that it brake the Chaine of the Draw-Bridge quite in Peeces whereupon the Draw-Bridge presently fell downe and thereby made the passage open for our entrance into the Castle which most happy opportunity our Souldiers seeing instantly laid hold thereon and without any Order from the Generall chose rather couragiously to fight than to stand still and look on when God gave them so fit and faire an occasion which their resolution tooke so good effect that they soone possessed themselves of all presently entred the Castle and Church in which on flat we had only foure men slaine And though we entred thus yet such was the milde moderate and gentle carriage of the Generall and such his desire to spare the effusion of blood that I say notwithstanding they tooke it by storme yet he himself gave command that Quarter should be given to all that were alive which was accordingly performed We tooke in the Castle Sir Gilbert Talâ—â—â— Governour of the place above 20 other Officers and Gentlemen of note and quality and among them one Master Kemp a grand Malignant Priest above 200 Common Souldiers foure Peeces of Ordnance thirty Barrels of Powder 500 Armes and store of other Ammunition Provision and Treasure good prey for the Souldiers paines who so well deserved it The Workes of this Castle as the Generall himself testified were as strong and regular as ever he saw and this Garrison of singular good use both in order to the straitning of Exeter as also for securing of any thing for his Army whiles it stayes in the West O how are we therefore bound to our so great and glorious wonder-working 〈◊〉 who thus felicitates and facilitates our great and most dangerous endeavours for the effecting and finishing of his gracious Worke of Reformation among us ever magnified and blessed be his holy name which exceeds all praises for ever and ever About the 26 instant we had also certaine intelligence out of Wales of the excellent and most hopefull condition of things in that Principality viz. That the whole County of Pembrokeshire was totally reduced to the obedience of the Parliament and the greatest part of Glamorganshire where generally the Inhabitants shewed themselves very forward and active for the Parliament so as five or 6000 had taken up Arms against the Common Enemy of their true peace and welfare and many of them had joyned themselves to valiant Colonell Morgan and had done great good Service already in those parts and had taken Sir John Strangewayes a great stickler for the Royall Party And that the Towne and Castle of Carmarthen were surrendred to valiant victorious and faithfull Major Generall Laughorne for the use and service of the King and Parliament And that the Inhabitants all there about had unanimously and publikely made Declaration of their resolved fidelity to the Parliament and had to that purpose subscribed many hands and names in the behalf of the rest according to their spontaneous consent and agreement in a Declaration to the said Major Generall in these words WE whose names are subscribed in the name of our selves and all the Inhabitants of this County do absolutely declare for King and Parliament and will with our lives and fortunes assist the Forces raised by the Parliament against any other whatsoever that shall seeke to invade these Countries and do desire to be received into the King and Parliaments protection according to the Declaration of Major Generall Laughhorne And as for Contribution we also willingly submit thereunto proportionably to our neighbour Counties Octob. 11. 1645. About the 28 instant we were further certainly informed by Letters out of Wales that the Towne and Castle of Monmouth were taken by valiant Colonell Morgan with the assistance of the Clubmen of those parts under the conduct of Sir Trevor Williams being 1500 Foot and 200 Horse the manner of the taking of them in briefe was thus Upon Colonell Morgans advance that way with all those and his owne Forces and his neare approach to the Towne the Enemy voluntarily but out of just strong feare of him quickly quiâ—â—ted the Towne and drew all their Souldiers into the Castle for the Kings recruits since his sore losse at Naseby had drained his Garrisons halfe drie whether they betooke themselves for their present best refuge And as soon as Colonell Morgan came to make demand of the Towne the Townsmen and Inhabitants presently gave him all he could desire of them and faire admittance to 〈◊〉 As soone as he was entred the Towne he sent Summons to the Castle but received a flat deniall whereupon he summoned in the Country to bring in Spades Shovels Mattocks Baskets c. which was expeditiously and in short time performed by them The next day he began to mine and to salute the Enemy with some shot and this presently produced a Parley and the Parley soone brought forth Conditions upon which the Castle was delivered up to the valiant Colonell There were not in all
unto us And about the 31. instant came the most Excellent newes with which I shall conclude this most Memorable Moneth also of a most famous defeat and remarkable routing of the forces of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale in their hoped and intended hot and furious march into Scotland to joyne with Montrosse his forces there for a farther great mischiefe to that poore kingdome and ours also had not the Lord graciously prevented it afterward upon their successe in this intended designe of theirs Which famous defeat was brought to the Parliament by Sir William Adison who came to London out of the North and brought the true intelligence thereof the particulars whereof were as followeth The Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale having sent to Boulton and others of their party in Lancashire Cumberland and other places to come in unto them and joyn with them in their March toward Scotland where they intended to joyne with Montrosse as aforesaid They marched from Skippon Northward and endevoured to have passed by Kirby-Linsdale but Colonell Briggs having intelligence of this their designe made good a passe against them whereby he forced them to turne by the way of the Sands about Partmake to get into Cumberland their Cheife guide being Sir William Hudlestone a new made Oxford-Knight and desperate Malignant who also ingaged what party he could to their assistance and brought them to Millum-Castle which was his own House on the Sea-Coasts About which time there was some foure or five ships seene upon those coasts and thereupon conceived that they were laden with Irish to joyne with Digby about White-Haven but they proved some of our own Navy It seemes that Digbies designe was to have gone into Scotland to have joyned with Montrosse which designe he it seemes was much encouraged in by Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir VVilliam Huddlestone who is growne so great a man with Digby of late that he is confident to be added to the new moddell of Lords Thus by their activity they had gotten together about one thousand horse under the command of the Lord Digbie and Sir Marmaduke Langdale and with them were upon their march towards Montrosse Lieutenant Generall David Lesley with about two thousand was upon his advance towards them and lay betweene them and Mâ—â—trosse to hinder their conjunction with Digby in the meane while the well-affected Gentry of Cumberland were forced to flye for their security the enemy plundering and using great cruelty all the way as they passed insomuch that the country people made a great acclamation against them Generall Lesley sent out a Brigade of about 1100. horse under the command of Major Generall Van-drusk to pursue the enemy and a Regiment of English horse also were designed after them to gaine a passe in case the enemy came back to hinder their retreats Major Generall Van-drusk with the Scots Brigade pursued the enemy so close that they discovered them in their march and endeavoured to force them to engage which the enemy endeavoured to avoyd Major Generall Van-drusk divided his then and made good severall passes but by reason of the lownesse of the tide Digby and Langdale got away over the Fords over which Van-drusk followed them the enemy fled over another water and so over three or foure severall places one after another so long till the flowing of the Sea came in after they had passed the last Ford and before Van-drusk could with his body get over the waters were swelled too high to pursue further whereby Digby got an opportunity with his forces to escape them In the mean while the Lord Balmersnoth with what forces he could raise out of the Frontiers of Scotland prepared to oppose Digby who with his party Digby it seemes having intelligence thereof occasioned his retreat and so wheeling about escaped his forces and avoided ingagement at that time but all this while Digby increased and gathered forces and was 1000 at the least and committed many 〈…〉 and villanous plunderings with his men in all places where he came sparing neither friend nor foe yet all this while Digby and Langdale avoided all our forces and it seemes had guides that were perfect in the waies where he was to march so that he escaped every partes all this while but yet we met with him afterwards with a small party and it pleased God to make them so farre powerfull against them as to rout and spoile them Sir John Browne a very gallant active man undertooke with a small party of between 4. and 500. to seeke out Digby and his nimble brigade that had so many quiâ—â—es and turnings and if it were possible to force them to engage which he performed with great wisdome and valour Sir John Browne divided his smal party about 150. were sent to make good a passe whilst the rest being not above 300. marched out towards the enemy Sir John Browne having then Intelligence that the Lord Digby Sir Marmaduke Langdale and the rest in number about 1000. were about Carlile sands thether he hasted after them and Digby it seemes having Intelligence of forces coming against him but it is probable knew not the number for he fled from them neerer to the Sea whether Sir John Browne followed them and it pleased God to give him an opportunity to fall on the enemy the thing that Sir John much desired and the tide being up Sir John Browne gained a passe which is a kind of passe over a place which he got and made good and though he was so few and the enemy so many yet Sir John Brown was resolved to ingage and to runne that hazard trusting in Gods al-sufficiency and accordingly drew up But Sir John Browne though willing to hazard his own person yet he sent away his Coullers to Generall Lesly with some other things that could not do much helpe but hinder the fight and sent word to Generall Lasly what a resolution he had to force Digby to engage and what an opportunity he had to doe it which though so few yet with those he had he would runne the hazard his number being then not full 500. but well mounted and Armed Upon their approach the Lord Digby tooke an alarme in his quarters and understanding that the party were but small drew into a posture to fight with them divided his forces into two bodies one of which stayed with him and the other Commanded by Sir 〈◊〉 Langdale Digby stayed with his party and Langdales came up towards Sir John Browne and they faced each other a while the enemy being then surrounded by the waters Sir John Browne sent Captaine Lesly on the forlone hope who drew up and being met by the enemie charged them very gallantly the reserve charged up to him seasonably with Sir Iohn Browne and all of them in their severall places according to their degrees did all very much and in short time brake thorow their body and routed them Their reserve some of them came
up but most fled And in this action Sir John Browne himselfe deported himselfe with as much gallantry as any man in the world could do the whole body being not discouraged though in number so much overmatched For the particulars of those that were killed and taken I refer you to the list where all the particulars are certified according to Sir John Brownes own letter The Lord Digby had a cleare rout as ever was given to any The Lord Digby himselfe with Sir Marmaduke Langdale and others of his chiefe Officers that escaped fled over to the Isle of man in a Cock-Boat The Isle of man is a malignant Island between Cumberland and Ireland the Earle of Derby is the Governour thereof for the King and of others that escaped there are divers taken straglers and their Horse and Armes but in a body there are none heard of save onely about 200. that are fled towards Bâ—â—m and a party are sent to stop them from getting in thereto if they can but of them that are fled that way of the Enemies many of them are fore wounded A List of what was slain and what was taken by Sir John Brown at the routing of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale at Carlile Sands On the Enemies part ONe hundred slaine upon the place Many wounded Taken Prisoners DIgby his Quartermaster Generall 1 Colonell of Langdales Brigade 2 Lieutenant Colonels 3 Captains of Horse Divers other Officers Many Prisoners Taken besides TWo Hundred Horse and Armes The Lord Digbyes owne Standard Sir Marmaduke Langdales Standard 3 Colours of Horse On our part SIr John Browne shot thorow his side but not mortally for he is able to fit upon his Horse back Captaine Lesley wounded 30 and odde slaine amongst whom some Officers but none of note that I hear of 50 or there abouts wounded on our side in all Digby and Langdale with 1000 Horse were totally routed by Sir John Browne with a party of about 500. and Digby and Langdale fled to the Isle of Man in a Cock-boat And upon the intelligence hereof an Order passed both Houses of Parliament to this effect It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That the Ministers in the severall Congregations in the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication do upon Wednesday next being the 5 of November take notice of the great mercy of Almighty God in preserving and continuing this present Parliament now full five yeares compleat notwithstanding all the designes and machinations of the Enemy against them And likewise to make most thankfull mention of Gods great mercy in the defeating of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdales Forces in Scotland by Sir John Browne of Fardell Knight And that the Lord Mayor be desired to give the severall Ministers timely notice of this Order And now good Reader let me intreat thee as there is very great reason here to make a little stay and even to stand amazed in the serious and most gratefull re-view and re-cogitation of the still continued and multiplied mercies of our most good and gracious wonder-working God in this Moneth also to his blessed Burning-Bush still I say both unconsumed and also made most prosperously to stand and flourish in the midst of all the rough and outragious conflagrations and combustions of Malignants power and policie might and mischievous machinations to have utterly 〈◊〉 destroyed it root branch had not God I say the great and gracious the most wise and vigilant Watchman over his poore maligned English-Israel stood for them as hath been mightily manifested in its glorious preservation and propagation both in the brave defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Moore Governour of Gâ—â—nt-House the taking of Farâ—igh Castle in Somersetshire and of Sandall Castle in Yorkeshire In the happy surrender of the Town and Castle of Winchester into the Parliaments power and the pious resolutions of our Parliament to deale mercifully with Malignants and Delinquents notwithstanding their intended mercilesse cruelty towards us and yet herein also the Parliaments prudence and providence for the safety and welfare of the Kingdome In the most happy taking of Bazing-House that pernicious denne of theeves and thus cleansing that foule and filthie Augean-stall together with the taking of Chepstow Towne and Castle by Colonell Margan In the cleared integrity of the Parliament touching 〈◊〉 of new Members unto them the brave defeat given to the Enemy by our Abington Forces together with that other brave defeat given by valiant Colonell Rossiter to Banbury Forces neare Newarke In the taking of Langford-House neer Salisbury and the soundly beating of Sir William Vaughans Forces by Tamworth Garrison In the famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne his York-shire by valiant Colonell Copley and the admirable and almost miraculous taking of Tiverton Town and Castle In the happy overture of things in Wales for the reducing of that Principality to the Parliaments obedience and the taking in of 〈◊〉 and Monmouth Towns and Castles to the Parliaments party And lastly In the discovery of Digbies Letters the brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Denbigh Castle coming to relieve Chester And that other brave defeat given to Sir William Byron on the like intention to relieve Westchester where he was taken Prisoner Together with that last not least famous defeat given againe to the Lord Digby and Langdale in their mischievously intended march into Scotland to Montrose Upon the most weighty and worthy gratefull consideration of all which most memorable and admirable Parliamentary mercies and mighty blessings O what infinite cause have we O in what innumerable and indissoluble bonds of obliged gratitude are we everlastingly bound to blesse the Lord our thus great and gracious wonder-working God And with the pious Prophet to be inlarged in our hearts and tongues with abundant expressions of joyfull confessions and exultations in our God and to sing and say in this our day Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he hath saved us This is the Lord we have trusted in him and now he hath made us to be glad and rejoyce in his mighty salvations for he hath trodden downe Moab our most proud and politick adversaries under his feet even as straw is trodden downe for the dunghill This also cometh all forth from the Lord of Hosts who is wonderfull in counsell and most excellent in working Go on O Lord we pray thee still to make thy great name more and more glorious and let not men prevaile Let still these irreligiâ—us Royalists be judged in thy sight Put them still in feare O Lord that they may know they 〈…〉 men So shall we thy people and the sheep of thy pasture give thanks 〈◊〉 to thee and blesse thy name as we do this day for ever and ever 〈◊〉 now to go on And here now we will begin the yet further most gratefull contemplation and admiration of the most
memorable Parliamentary Mercies of this next ensuing Moneth also of Novem. 1645. with a most notable evidence and testimony of the most prudent and provident care and vigilancy of our Parliamentary Senators for the good and welfare of the Kingdome every way in two memorable Ordinances of Parliament ratified by the Lords and 〈◊〉 The one giving power to the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall in London to tender the Solemne League or Covenant to all persons comming unto them out of the Kings Quarters to compound for their Delinquency And the other for the enabling of the Commissioners of the Great Seal and the other Committees in their severall Counties to tender an Oath to all such persons of what degree or quality soever that shall come into the Parliaments protection Both which Ordinances together with the foresaid Oath I have thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction here to insert as they were printed and published by authority of Parliament which were as followeth Die Sabbathi 1 Novemb. 1645. An Order of the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled giving Power to the Committee of Gold-Smiths-Hall to tender the solemne League and Covenant to all such Persons that come out of the Kings Quarters to compound for their Delinquency ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled That the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall shall have Power to tender the solemne League and Covenant to all persons that come out of the Kings Quarters to that Committee to compound either upon Master Speakers Passe or otherwise and to secure such as shall refuse to take the Covenant untill they shall conforme thereunto Joh. Brown Cler Parliamentorum Die Sabbathi 5. April 1645. BE it Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That all and every person of what degree or quality soever that hath lived or shall live within the Kings quarters or beene syding assisting or adhering unto the Forces raised against the Parliment and hath or shall come to inhabit or reside under the power and protection of the Parliament shall sweare upon the holy Evangelist in manner following I A. B. doe sweare from my heart That I will not directly nor indirectly adhere unto or willingly assist the King in this War or in this Cause against the Parliament nor any Forces raised without the consent of the two Houses of Parliament in this Cause or Warre And I doe likewise sweare that my comming and submitting my selfe under the power and protection of the Parliament is without any manner of designe whatsoever to the prejudice of the proceedings of the two Houses of this present Parliament and without the direction privity or advice of the King or any of his Councell or Officers other than what I have now made known So help me God and the Contents of this Booke About the 2 of this instant November wee received certaine intelligence by Letters from the Northern parts about Newark that the King being then in Newark and extreame stricktly eyed and watched by faithfull active Major Generall Poyntz and that he could not stir any whither but still the Major Generall was on his back molesting his designes and especially he at this time lying about Shelford House his Majestie fearing the Major General intended at last to lock him up within Newark walls and so at length to block him up for a siege The King therefore would very faine have beene nibling with him watching opportunity to dislodge him if it might be from so neere an offensive neighbourhood had therefore a purpose at least made a shew thereof to set upon the Major Generall in his quarters But the sedulous and watchfull Major Generall being too circumspect to be so caught asleepe upon his Couch of Security and having timely notice of a party of the kings out of Newark approaching toward him had his forces in a fit and defensive posture which also the enemy by their Scouts understanding immediately they turned their course back againe to Newark and durst doe nothing upon them Whereupon the noble and most active Genâ—rall resolved that now he would doe something on the Enemie and that to purpose too and thereupon fell close upon Shelford-House a strong Garison of the Enemies sent a Summons to the Governour which was flatly denyed by reason that they expected and made no doubt of speedy reliefe by Newark horse which as was briefly toucht before failed them they onely making a shew as if they would have helped them but presently faced about and very peaceably departed to Newark And now also the Major Generall having received an additionall strength from valiant and active Colonell Rossiter he presently on the foresaid deniall stormed the House and very resolutly got over the works which was indeed gallantly defended by the enemy and disputed most hotly on both sides for about halfe an howres space at the swords point the Enemie standing upon their honour fortunes and strength of their works chose rather to die in their obstinacie than to aske for quarter upon which their desperat pertinacy there being about 180 of them in the house most of them suffered by the edge of the sword for we slew above 140. and gave quarter not to above 30. or 40. at most among whom was the Governour Sonne to the Earle of Chesterfield who had received many dangerous wounds and some t was believed mortall Now this strong Garrison being thus subdued we had thereby much fairer oportunity and accommodation for the besieging of Newark but yet for the present Major Generall Poyntz his designe was next for Worton whereof more in its more proper place Much about the same time we had credible information by Letters out of the North that since the routing of that brave upstart Commander the Lord Digbies forces upon Câ—rlile-Sands forementioned His scattered forces which remained after that rout being afterward rallyed together againe into a body they marched toward Dumfreez in Scotland but were happily met with all againe some of them by Sir Iohn Browne of Fordell who fought with them put them to flight and took 100. more of them Another party of them that fled toward Beeston-Castle were incounâ—â—ed by Colonell Brigges and the Lancashire forces and 200 more were taken by 〈◊〉 also Likewise above 〈…〉 of them flying through 〈…〉 withall by Major Generall Van 〈◊〉 So that the 〈◊〉 party of 1600. of the Kings prime horse under the Conduct of Digby that 〈…〉 now turned 〈◊〉 Generall 〈◊〉 man was thus 〈◊〉 spoiled taken only Digby himself and Laâ—gdale the Lord 〈◊〉 Sir William 〈◊〉 and not to more as was credibly informed had the unhappy happines to prolong their shame and-miserie by escaping in a small Frigot or Cock-boat or some such like small vessell to the Isle of Man there to condole their distresse with their as unworthy and ignoble unsuccessefull Copesmate the Earle of Darby Governour of the said Isle And about the 3. Instant we were credibly informed
at Sea driven into a creek neer Plymouth from whence a Boat was sent to demand and know whom they were for the Marriners thinking themselves to be in his Majesties Quarters answered They were for the King Hereupon our boat left them and acquainting the Governour of Plymouth therewith he sent forth severall Boats with Musketeers to take the Barke which they did after some resistance and some few slain on both side and so brought it safely into Plymouth to be made use of for the King and Parliament And about November the 24. we also received certaine information by Letters out of Gloucestershire of a brave defeat given to the Enemie in those parts which also was confirmed by another Letter especially from Malmsbury the substance whereof was as followeth That upon occasion of planting and fortifying a Garrison for the Parliaments partie by renowned and active Colonell Morgan the valiant and faithfull Governour of Gloucester at Sir Henry Fred. Thynnes House at Kempsford in that Countie the Enemy belonging to Rad-Court and Farringdon being enraged at it and much offended that they should have a troublesome neighbour so neere them to straighten and curb their former accustomed excursions into the Countrie for contribution-money and plunder They therefore came forth with a party of about 30. horse to impede and disturbe their workes begun Whereupon Captaine Moore who had the Command of Malmsbury foot left at Letch-lad by Colonell Morgan drew out 60. Musketeers with which he bravely flankt the Enemie slew 2. of them shot their Captaine in the thigh and so made retreat but this their Commander swore in a rage that they would ere long be avenged upon our forces and thereupon they presently fetched in unto them Major Duet that French-Renegado and base apostate from the Parliaments service who since his defection had beene a Scourge and vexation to those parts though most Commonly with losse to himselfe who came that very evening with 100. foot and 120. horse purposing to have surprised ours in their workes and now to be revenged on them for his friends former repulse but valiant and vigilant Captaine Moore timely discovered them sent out another partie of Musketters and the Gloucester-horse thereabout having taken the Alarm drew forth also to the Encounter set fiercely upon the Enemy put them to the rout pursued the chace mortally wounded Major Duet himselfe unhorst him threw him into the dire where within 4 or 5 houres after he was found dead a just hand of God now at last upon such a disloyall and faithlesse apostate from the honest Cause which he first undertooke they also slew another Captain and 20. more Common Souldiers upon the place tooke 30. prisoners whereof one was a Corner and 5. of the Kings Life-guard 40. horse and 60 fire-armes And thuâ— having by Gods great mercy to whom alone be all the praise and glory thereof chaced them close to Rad-cot-Bridge even almost to their very workes they returned victoriously safe to their Garrison without the lose of any one man of theirs slaine only 2. or 3. wounded but not mortally Finally about the latter end of this November it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Statists for the more luculent and cleare manifestation of their hearts integrity to manage all matters for the greater honour of that great and supreame Court of Parliament and the fairer evidence of their own personall sincerity in and about the same to take into their serious debate the great prejudice which many have received by protection of Members of Parliament and their servants or attendants and therefore how the same might be remedied for the future The result whereof came at last to this issue that they appointed a Committee of New elected Members who were to meet certaine dayes weekly with power to heare and examine complaints of such as have suffered in that nature And also to receive such complaints as shall upon just ground be brought against any Member of Parliament for taking of Bribes or for any other act of injustice whatsoever Certainely such acts of justice as these especially being faithfully and effectually carryed on will make this already most famous Parliament much more famous and illustrious to all posterity and cannot but most justly stop the mouths of all malicious-hearted Malignants and others who have or shall endevour injuriously to scandalize their honourable proceedings And here now againe good Reader let me desire thee to stay a while to make a most gratefull review there in to admire the rare and remarkable Parliamentarie-mercies of this moneth also in the cleare and most demonstrative ratification of this admirable wonder of the Burning-Bush still unconsumed and rarely kept and recovered from the many menaced distractions of it by the incessant assailant furious flames and conflagrations flashing continually round about it as hath beene most apparently seen and set forth both in the Parliaments provident care and Circumspection for the safety and welfare of the Kingdome and City of London in those two excellent Orders against Delinquents In the taking in of Shelford-House And miserably taring in peeces of the Lord Digbies late scattered forces againe rallyed into a body In the surrender of Abarashwait a strong Garrison of the Enemie in Cardiganshire into the Parliaments power And the gratefull recordation of the Parliaments happie preservation from the malicious machinations of the plotting Enemies therof since the beginning of it to this present In the taking in of Worton-Garrison Wiverton and Welbeck-house And the spontaneous falling off of all Glamorganshire from the Kings pernicious party In the surrender of Bolton-Castle in the North to the Parliaments forces And the brave defeat given to the Enemy at Cannon-Froom and surprisall then of a notable Engine for batterie called a Sowe In the notable defeate given to the Lord Ashton and his forces where himselfe was slaine And the brave prize taken at Sea from the Enemie by Plymouth Garrison In the brave defeat given to Major Duet that French renegado and base Apostate where he himselfe was slaine And lastly In the remarkable testimonie of the Parliaments integrity shining forth in that excellent order of theirs against Parliaments protections and taking of bribes All which graciously and gratefully considered can amount to no lesse than a most cordiall and comfortable acknowledgement and confession of the Lords unchangeable free grace and unexhaustible bounty to us his most unworthy people of England even to admiration and astonishment to all our neighbour Nations round about us And that therefore they may and must most justly cause yea compellus with thankfull thoughts hearts and tongues to confesse and say with holy David Through the Lord alone we have done thus valiantly and he it is that â—ath thus graciously and gloriously trod downe our Enemies Yea He it is that hath bidden us not to be afraid of our most potent or politick
Congregations throughout London and Westminster and the Lines of Communication Secondly That Colonell Birch should be Governour of Hereford and the Committee of both Kingdomes to send him his Commission and that his Regiment should be recruited to 1200 men according to his own desire Thirdly That 6000 l. should be charged on the Excize and forthwith paid in to be at the disposall of the Committee of both Kingdomes for the payment of his Forces and to discharge his engagements to his Souldiers for their activity and fidelity in this designe Fourthly That 1600 suits of cloathes knap-sacks shooes and stockings should be speedily sent to the Common Souldiers of the Garrison of Gloucester that had so great a hand in the performance of this great and good service in thus taking of Hereford And fifthly and lastly The House of Commons religiously and piously considering this businesse to be the worke of God alone and that his hand was chiefly visible in it They therefore to improve this mercy to Gods farther and future honour and glory tooke into their most serious consideration the setling of able and faithfull Preachers both in Gloucester and Hereford and for that purpose there was an Ordinance tâ—ice read and committed for the uniting of severall Churches in the City of Gloucester into one only Congregation and allowed among them 300 l. per annum to be paid to the respective Ministers of them out of the Revenues of the Dean and Chapter of that City aâ—d the disposall of them to be in the power of the Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of that City and the vacant meeting-places in the City to be set apart for a Library an English-Schoole a Magazine for Armes and other publique uses for the honour of that famous and faithfull City Also that a confirmation should also be made of all the Lands Liberties and Franchises heretofore granted under the Great Seal of England unto this said City and Corporation And likewise for the better encouragement of the Souldiers of that City the House Ordered that 30 l. a week should be paid to the Officers of the Trained Bands that do service at the Main-Guard thereof there being neer 200 that do constant duty there And shortly after also Lieutenant Barrow for so was his name that so neatly and notably acted the Constables part whereby we thus became possessours of Hereford being come to London was admitted into the House of Commons where he made a narrative of the whole businesse to the House and afterward being ordered to withdraw the House ordered that 100 l. should be forthwith issued out of Haberdashers-Hall to the said Lieutenant Barrow for his present support and further ordered That the summe of 50 l. per annum should be conferred on him and his heyres for ever for this his gallant undertakings in that service to be truly paid him out of the Estate of Sir Henry Lingen a notorious Delinquent neer Hereford A rare and singular act of encouragement to stir up the hearts of honest and active Souldiers to cheerfull industrie and fidelity in this the Parliaments most just and righteous Cause And now put all these together and then say was not here an ample and pious retribution of bounden gratitude both to God and men his Instruments for this great goodnesse and mercy to us yes certainly and therefore most worthy to be recorded to Posterity for the Parliaments indelible honour But now to proceed About the 23 of this instant December we had certaine intelligence by Letters out of the West that our most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces had taken Canon-Tean a strong Fort or Block-House of the Enemies by which meanes they had the command well-nigh of all the River of Ex it was gained by storme and they found among those of the Enemies slaine in the enterprize a Lieutenant Colonell and two Captaines and divers Common Souldiers and that after the taking thereof there came voluntarily in unto Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Forces thereabout a Cornet of the Enemies with 30 good Horse who had revolted from them Also by other Letters out of the West we were certainly informed that a party of his Excellencies Forces there had taken in another strong Garrison of the Enemies lying upon the said River West of Excetor called Callyntine House and therin between thirty and forty Horse as many prisoners and their Armes by the gaining of which place the Enemy is much more straitned than before and the passage upon the River is quite blocked up And about Decemb. 26. the House of Commons received Letters from the Northerne parts of the Kingdome of the rendition of the strong Garrison of Skipton Castle which had been long besieged by our Forces the Enemy having had faire Conditions and clear performances of the same viz. To march away with their Arms either to Newarke Oxford or Hereford of the taking whereof it seems they then had not had information or knowledge Now upon the reading of this Letter the House referred the further consideration thereof to the Committee of the North. This surrender of Skipton Castle in Craven was no doubt of very great consequence for by this meanes not onely all York shire is cleared and happily reduced to the obedience of the Parliament but also all Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland and Lancashire the Enemy not having any one Garrison in their hands in all those parts of the Kingdome neerer then is Newark A wonderfull mercy indeed and most worthy our deerest and deepest engagements of 〈◊〉 gratitude to the Lord our most blessed and bountifull Fountaine of all our good And O that the sweet and serious consideration hereof might raise and rouse up our souls to an earnest and ardent deâ—ire and endeavour for the building of Gods House who thus even in the first place hastens the building of ours And about the latter end of this Moneth of December the prudent and provident Senators and Common-Councell of the most renowned City of London with a joynt and most unanimous consent among themselves at a Common-Councell hâ—ld in their Guild-Hall resolved that in regard of the many designes of the Enemy against the said City 500 Horse should be forthwith raised for the 〈◊〉 thereof and to prevent any audacious â—â—tinies or insurrections that might probably happen by reason of the multitude 〈◊〉 Delinquenâ—s and Royalists which were then laâ—â—ly come out of the Kings Quarters And that the Guards of the City should be doubled and that every one should contribute according to their ability toward the maintenance thereof And the Commons in Parliament likewise referred it to a Committee to consider how the prisoners in the Tower of London might be secured removed or confined to their Chambers and that they might be prevented from giving or holding any correspondence unto and with the Enemy And the said Committee was likewise to consider in like manner of all the other Prisons in London and
Signet and Royall Segnature in the twenty yeere of our reigne c. It was therefore ordered by the said Earle in the Kings behalf 1 That all the professors of the Roman Religion in Ireland of whatsoever degree or quality shall enjoy the free and publique use of the Roman Catholike Religion 2 That the professors of the said Roman Religion shall enjoy all the Churches within the Kingdome of Ireland other than such as are now actually enjoyed by his Majesties Protestant Subiects 3 That all the Roman Catholick Subiects of Ireland should be exempted from the iurisdiction of the Protestant Clergy 4 〈◊〉 whereas there was an Act made 〈◊〉 Parliament holden in Dublin in the second yeare of Queen Elizabeth entituled An act restoring to the Crowne the ancient Right and Jurisdiction over the State Ecclesiasticall and for the abolishing of all forraigne and Popish power repugnant to the same And whereas there was another Act for the Vniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the Church and Administration of the Sacraments and sundry mâ—cts laid upon the professions of the Roman Religion it is accorded and granted that a Parliament shall be called in Ireland and that an Act shall passe for the reliefe of his Maiesties subiects and that neither of the said Statutes nor only branch Article clause or sentence in them neither in any other Statute made either by his Majiesty or any of his Predecessors touching the free and publique use of the Catholique Religion shall extend or be of my force to prejudice the professors of the Roman Church for any matter or cause whatsoever And these things and some other of the like nature being granted by the King according to his promise made in the word of a Christian and a King the Confederate Catholicks did oblige themselves to bring in the number of 10000 men who are to be armed there one half with Muskeâ—s the other with Pikes to be shipped to serve his Majesty in England Wales Scotland at his Majesty shall appoint Thus have I set forth the Kings Letter to the Parliament on the one side and his Letter or Declaration to the most bloody and barbarous Rebels of Ireland on the other side And now how the King is able to reconcile these two vast contrarities and to give the Kingdome and Parliament full satisfaction as in that Letter to them he saies he will concerning the affaires in Ireland let the world judge and God and his owne soul be witnesse Therefore the Parliament as by Gods mercy to us they have done all things hitherto for the most part with much moderation and 〈◊〉 did very 〈◊〉 I think present to his Majesty in theâ—â— Letter or Declaration sent unto him on their knowledge of these things that the war in Ireland being fomented and prolonged by his Majesty to the utter ruine almost of the Kingdome of England and Scotland that untill satisfaction and security be 〈◊〉 given to 〈◊〉 Kingdomes for the same his Majesties coming to London could not be convenient nor assented unto Thus I say the Parliaments providence next under the infinite wisdom and mercy of our good God hath still wonderfully discovered and disappointed all the pestilent plots and dangerous designes of our adversaries and maugre all their malicious machinations and craftiest combinations made all our Parliamentary great grave and godly affaires go on with wonderfull safety and security ever magnified and praised be the Lords most glorious mercies for it But now to proceed About the 14 of this instant January we received certain intelligence by Letters out of the West that the Enemy in those parts continued in a most distracted condition flying still before us and our men loosing no advantage and opportunity to pursue them And that they no sooner had heard of our Forces approach toward Plymouth but as they were in their Garrisons and Holds before Plymouth about Plympton they immediately forsook them to provide for themselves by a shamefull flight and were no sooner fled but our men became masters of their Works There were found in Plympton upon this the Enemies hasty flight seven peeces of Ordnance which in that confused haste they were not able to draw off there were also taken divers barrels of powder and great store of Armes and Ammunition and it much joyed the Garrison of Plymouth to see a full deliverance come so soone and so unexpectedly and that in the depth of snow and dead of Winter whereas according to ordinary reason there could in such a time no reliefe be expected But the Garrison of Plymouth to be sure made good use of the flying condition of their Enemies for immediately they sallyed forth after them and tooke about 60 of them one whereof was said to be a Commander of note and one of the most active against the Parliament in those parts And as the Garrison of Plymouth was active so our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with his most loyall and active Forces would loose no time or opportunity but tooke all occasions of the Enemies feares and flights and following them close made them quit Sir Francis Drakes House which they had made a strong Garrison and our men took possession of it And then Sir Thomas commanded a considerable party to march to Dartmouth who with much willingnesse undertooke the march and the Town being summoned the Enemy not onely refused to submit but sent out a party to fire some out houses supposing that they might be beneficiall to us during the siege but our Forces routed the party took 40 Horse and divers prisoners and slew the Lieutenant Colonell that commanded the said party And in the meane time Sir Thomas Fairfax sent to Captaine Batten Vice Admirall of the Parliaments Ships in the Westerne stode to come up to Dartmouth 〈◊〉 because he would storme it both by Sea and by Land whereof more in its more proper place January the 16 a Petition was 〈◊〉 to the House of Peers in the name of the Lord Mayor Alde â—men and Common-Councell of the City of London for the speedy setling of Church Government in the City and over the whole Kingdome as the day before they had presented one of the same to the House of Commons and upon the presenting of the Petition Alderman Gibbs made a Speech to their Lordships and after some consideration of the Petition the Lords returned them a most acceptable answer which Petition together with the Answer thereunto from the Lords for the Readers better content and satisfaction and the honour of that most famous and renowned City in such a pious Act and Petition I have thought fit here to insert them which were as followeth To the Right Honourable the LORDS now Assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell Assembled Sheweth THat in Novemb. last the Petitioners made it their humble request to this honourable
House That Church-Government might be setled and are most humbly thank full for your favourable interpretation thereof proceeding from the good intentions of the Common-Councell who are resolved according to their duty to have a tender respect to the Priviledges of Parliament whereby the Liberties of the City and Kingdome are preserved That in December last at the choise of new Common-Councell men for the yeare ensuing the Inhabitants of most of the Wards in this City petitioned their respective Aldermen in their Wardmote to move your Petitioners to make their further addresse to the Honourable Houses of Parliament for the speedy setling of Church-Government within this City and against Toleration as by a Copy of one of the said Petitions annexed appeared That private Meetings especially on the Lords Day of which there are at least eleven in one Parish are multiplyed whereby the publique Congregations Ordinances and godly 〈…〉 are very much neglected and contemned as if they were Antichristian and our present times were like the Primitive persecutions or as if we were still under the Tyranny of the Prelaticall Government and by reason of such 〈◊〉 and the preaching of women and other ignorant persons superstition Heresie Schisme and Profaness are much increased 〈◊〉 divided and such Blasphemies as the Petitioners tremble to thinke on uttered to the high dishonour of Almighty God That the Petitioners are informed that divers persons have an inteâ—â—tion to Petition this Honourable House for a Toleration of such Doctrines at are against our Covenants under the Notion of Liberty of Conselâ—â— The Petitioners therefore having no power of themselves to suppresse or overcome these growing evils Doe according to their Covenant reveale and make the same knowne to this Honourable House and for timely prevention and removall thereof do 〈…〉 the Preâ—â—â—sses may be taken into your most serious consideration And that Church Government 〈◊〉 speedily 〈…〉 to our most Solemne Covenant with the most high God in such manner and forme as to your Wisdomes shall seeme most agreeable thereunto before me be destroyed one by another through 〈◊〉 and divisions And that no Toleration be granted either of Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Schisme Prophannesse or of any thing contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godlinesse And that all private Meetings contrary to the said Covenant the rather in regard of the sad effects thereof may be restrained And the Petitioners shall pray c. MICHELL To the Right Worshipfull the Alderman and Common-Councell men of the Ward of Farrington within at their Ward-moot A representation of the Humble desires of the Inhabitants of the said Ward I THat Church Government may speedily be setled within the City before we be utterly ruined with rents and divisions II That this Government may be that which is agreeable to the Word of God and example of the best Reformed Churches according 〈◊〉 solemne League and Covenant with the most high God III That no Toleration either the Popery Prelacy Schisme Heresie Superstition Prophamenesse or any thing contrary to sound Doctrine or the power of godlinesse may at all be yeelded unto as being against the Word of God and contrary to the very Letter of our Covenant And these our most humble and earnest desires which we are obliged and encouraged also to make by reason of our said Covenant we intreat the Right Worshipfull the Alderman and Common-Councell men of this Ward to represent to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and the Honourable Court of Common-Councell at their first sitting that they would make their further addresse to the Honourable Houses of Parliament for the obâ—aining of these our just and necessary desires The Answer to the said Petition pronounced by the Speaker of the House of Peers THe Lords have alwaies had great experience of the care and good affections of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London for which they are glad of any opportunity to expresse their great sense and to returne their hearty thanks and 〈◊〉 especially upon this occasion wherein the Common-Councell have maâ—â—â— so great zeale and faithfulnesse to the true Worship of Almighty 〈◊〉 and care for the Peace and well ordering of the City of London 〈…〉 the whole Kingdome is so neerly concerned The Lords therefore 〈…〉 of the Petition now presented unto them and the expressions of that worthy Alderman made unto their Lordships have commanded me in their names to give ye further and larger acknowledgements for your great care and endeavours to prevent so growing a mischief giving ye this assurance That as they have been very forward formerly to do what in them lay for a settlement of Church-Government so they shall still continue to advance and perfect a Worke so much tending to the glory of God and to the â—erâ—ing of the Peace of the Kingdome holding themselves thereunto obliged by their solemne League and Covenant and they do seriously recommend it to the care of the Lord Mayor and such at 〈◊〉 in Office in the City to suppresse and prevent such great Offences by you mentioned which are so much to the dishonour of God and the disturbance of the present and future good Government of the City of London And wherein ye shall finde your selves wanting in pâ—wer the Lords will be ready to contribute their authority for your incouragement and assistance And about the 20 of this instant January we were credibly informed by Letters from Abington of an excellent exploit performed by the Forces of most active loyall and renowned Major Generall Brown against Wallingford Horse in which he had taken Lieutenant Colonell Lour the Deputy-Governour of Wallingford some other Officers and Prisoners of note 50 of the Enemies Horse their Riders and Armes and also rescued 30 Horse which the Enemy had before taken of ours by which defeat Wallingford Garrison was much weakened On the 23 of this instant we received happy and most welcome newes out of the West of the taking of Dartmouth with the Castle Ordnance c. by storme on Sunday night Jan. 19. and there was also a Letter read in Parliament from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax of all the particulars of the storming and taking of the said strong Towne and Castle with a List of the Prisoners therein taken which being a full and authentick narrative of the whole businesse I have here for the Readers better content and satisfaction inserted a true Copy of the said Letter which was as followeth My Lords and Gentlemen AFter my coming to Totnes the Enemy rising in great disorder from the siege at Plymouth and leaving their Guns and some Ammunition behind them I considered with those about me of attempting upon Dartmouth and it being concluded affirmatively I caused two Regiments of Foot to march to Ditsam and two to Sucheflemming being on the West of Dart River I having summoned the place before resolved upon Sunday night to attempt it by storme which was agreed to
l. per annum formerly voted to be conferred on his Excellency and his Heynes for ever might be presently setled possessed and enjoyed by him They likewise ordered That a Letter should be written to his Excellency to returne the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for his noble valour and unwearied paines in the service of the State and particularly in the storming of Dartmouth and to informe him what a great mercy the Parliament esteems this businesse of Dartmouth and how highly they respect and esteem of his Excellency and his designes and undertakings And here now I shall desire the Reader for Gods greater glory and high honour to consider seriously and most graciously and gratefully how admirable wisely powerfully and advantagiously for us the Lord carried on all these late great works in these few ensuing observations worthy our cordiall consideration As first That God all along cast such a pannick feare upon our Enemies such a Magor-Misabib into their hearts and spirits that they were a continuall terrour to themselves and that since our taking of Boviâ—-Tracy God hath given into our hands neer 1000 of the Enemies Horse and that upon the advance of a party of ours from Crediâ—â—on the Enemies fled and onely â—ix of Colonell Okeyes Dragoones put 500 of their Horse from their post at which time they fled from Plymouth leaving their Guns Arms and Ammunition behind them Secondly That Captaine Batten Vice-Admirall of the Parliaments Ships coming to block up Dartmouth by Sea as our noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax had ordered him liâ— upon a Ship of the Enemies bound for France wherein were many Gentlemen of quality and money and jewels to a good quantity together with many other rich 〈…〉 Thirdly which is indeed very remarkable That till our Forces came before Dartmouth in at least seven weeks space there had been little or no 〈◊〉 upon that 〈◊〉 but now our Army being there ther was such a mighty shole of Muâ—â—its taken as comfortably fed our Army and which so continued among them to the great admiration of all the Inhabitants Fourthly That in the storming of the Towne though all things answered not the appointments of the Councell of War yet there was no confusion or miscarriage in the whole worke and withall that we had very faire weather all the time of the siege and storme even to a minute till the Town was taken and then only it rained much Fifthly That notwithstanding the great strength of the Fortifications of the Town and in men and Ordnance also yet it was taken without much bloodshed we having lost but two men in all the whole worke that we could possibly heare of which was even a miraculous mercy to us considering I say that there were 〈◊〉 strong Works and Forts in it and about 100 Peeces ready mounted and manned which might have been thought sufficient to have maintained the Town and Harbour against a very potent Army Sixthly and lastly That Master Peters one of the Ministers of the Army at this time presented to the Parliament divers Colours taken in the Towne and Country and among the rest the Kings owne first Colours which he first advanced at Yorke against the Parliament with the Kings owne picture on it and a Sword in 〈◊〉 hand and a booke in the other together with a bundle of brave Letters found in the Governours House in Dartmouth some of the Princes some of Ruperts some of Gorings some of Culpeppers and their Commissions by Sea and Land besides a Popish Masse-Book and an Altar taken from the Engineer of Dartmouth who was a Dutch Masse Priest For all which so rare and remarkable free favours and mighty meer mercies so graciously conferred upon us our most renowned Parliamentary Worthies most rightly and religiously ordered a solemn day of Thanksgiving to be kept a Copy of which their Order I have here thought fit to insert which was as followeth Die Jovis Jan. 26. 1645. THe Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do order and appoint this day fortnight being Thursday for a day of Thanksgiving for the taking in of Dartmouth and Hereford to be kept within the Cities of London and Westminster the Lines of Communication and ten miles about And this day three weeks for all other places over the Kingdome in the Parliaments power About the 26 of this instant January we received also certaine intelligence by Letters out of Stafford-shire that Captaine Stone that valiant and active Commander had sent out a party of about 100 and odde Horse to beate up the Lord Molinaux his Quarters who fell upon the Enemy at a place called Cark within seven miles of Stafford and managed their charge with such martiall resolution and dexterity that they routed 300 of the Enemies and tooke prisoners three Captaines two Cornets eight Reformadoes ten inferiour Officers about 100 Horse and divers prisoners above 100 Pistols In which conflict many of the Enemies were wounded and some slaine And thus they returned victoriously to Stafford againe with their Prisoners and Prizes And about the 28 of this instant we were certainly informed from our Army in the West that Pouldram Castle which was Sir William Courteens House a strong Garrison of the Enemies neer Exeter was surrendred to brave Colonell Hamond who commanded in chiefe upon these Conditions The Officers and Souldiers to depart to their own dwellings leaving all their Arms behind them There were about 120 in the Castle 4 Peeces of Ordnance unmounted 5 Barrels of powder with Bullet and Match proportionable but little other Provisions His Excellencies most courteous carriage and mercifull useage of those at Dartmouth notwithstanding that he wonne it by storme had a great influence and operation upon the spirits of the Enemies elsewhere and was not only a prevalent motive to these of Pouldram Castle to yeeld so soone unto his famoused mercy but made many others also shortly after to desert the Enemy for there being at least 120 Cornish men prisoners in Dartmouth notwithstanding their former even most barbarous cruelty to ours yet I say renowned and mercifull Sir Thomas Fairfax as I was credibly informed set them all at liberty and gave them two shillings a man to beare their charges And was not here a heaping of Coales of fire on their heads as our Saviour commands and commends in his Disciples and a rare way of winning of hearts even of those formerly heathenish cruell Cornish Enemies Those of them that would stay and take up Armes for the Parliament as divers did he gave them â—â—ree shillings a peece to all the Seamen in prison he freely gave their liberty and to all their Common Souldiers unwilling to take up Armes he gave Passes to go to their owne habitations nay to severall Officers of whom any of the faire conditioned Townesmen could give any good Character he also gave Passes to go to their owne homes also on promise of future faire and peaceable demeanour toward the
Commanders 〈◊〉 for the use of the King and Parliament And that which made the mercy much more sweet and remarkable was that the surrender of this Towne was a cleare and most evident returne of the prayers of Gods people who had the fast day before the Moneth of January beene pressing the throne of grace for this great mercy in particular And now this Thursday February 6. being the day of solemne Thankesgiving set a part by speciall command of the Parliament for Gods great goodnesse in the obtaining of the strong Towne and Castle of Dartbmouth whiles the Parliament was in the midst of that God-delighting dutie of Thankesgiving in Margrets-Church in Westminster there came a Gentleman belonging to renowned Sir William Brereton with letters directed to the Speaker of the House of Commons certifying that the Citie and Castle of Chester were surrendred to Sir William for the use of the King and Parliament the third day of this instant Februarie about the houres of 11 or 12. at Noone upon very faire yea indeed too faire termes and conditions to such a bloody Butcher as Byron was save only in mercy and pittie to the poore and miserably long-besieged without and much abused within Inhabitants of the City and to avoyd the utter ruine and devastation thereof which this bloody Byron had vowed rather than to surrender on termes inferiour to those now thus granted For in the present condition thereof it was exceedingly impoverished by the Enemies obstinacie and cruelty within very little provisions to be found therein save only of armes and ammunition whereof indeed was good store The particulars wherof take in this list thereof the best and fullest that was then imparted to us There were taken in the City of 〈◊〉 upon the surrender thereof 300. Peeces of Ordnance 3000. armes 20. Ships and smaller Vessells 40. Barrells of Powder and good store of Bullet 2000. Bandileers 200. Firelocks â—2 Skenes of Match 200. Horse 300. Sadles and other furniture 30. Hogsheads of Wine 17. Firkins of Butter very little Cheese 20 Wagons 17. Flitches of Bacon and a little salt-beefe for the Officers 8000. Ounces of Plate and good store of other rich treasure in Byrons quarters for Byron himselfe was permitted to carry away with him not above 50. l. in mony the Seale of the County-Palatine a 1000. Records and Evidences there were also in the City two Powder-Mills and 250. Irish Prisoners This City and that of Dartmouth were of singular concernment and very great mercies to the Parliament and their losse so 〈◊〉 the greater to the Enemie blessed be our God for it forâ— this of Chester was most Convenient for landing of the Irish-Râ—â—â— and that of Dart-mouth for the French besides the strength which the Enemie had in them which is now by this meanes much weakned and scattered and our forces also which were aâ—â— them now at libertie to be elsewhere imployed on other usefull and important avocations toward Oxford Litchfâ—ild or some such places About the 8. of this instant Februarie we had certaine intelligence by Letters from Leicester that a party of about 80. horse and 40. dragoones were sent out of Leicester under the command of Major Meeres a very valiant and discreet Gentleman by night into Ashbie de la Zouth who carried on the designe exceeding â—â—avely and marched with such expedition and privacie that they came to Ashbiâ— about 11. of the clock that night altogether undiscovered which was about 12. miles march whither being come they suddainly surprised the Centinells fell in at the Turnpike broke the chaine and entred the Towne tooke neere 100. of the Enemies Horse being the greatest part of the horse of that Garrison 30. whereof were ready Sadled and fitted to have gone forth upon some designe of theirs all of them excellent good horses and some of them worth 20. 30. and neere 40. l. a horse they tooke store of armes and more other Pillage released divers prisoners and some Country men whom the Enemie had taken for ransomes and thus having plundred the Towne in part of requitall of the many mischiefeâ— and plundring of that Garrison to the Parliâ—â—â—ts friends all these 〈◊〉 friends returned to Leicester without the least molestation the Enemie who was in the great House or Close either not 〈◊〉 the alarme or nor daring to come forth at all against them And thus I say they came safely back againe to Leicester with all their horse prize and pillage And about the 10. of this instant we received certaine information by Letters out of the West of the most prosperous proceedings of the Parliaments forces in those parts And how the Enemie did mightily desert their Colours and Commanders yea and how that some of the Commanders themselves with their Souldiers came in unto our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes party and in particular that a Commander with a party of Horse from the Princes Army came voluntarily and proffered his Service to his Excellency who was most nobly entertained by our renowned Generall And the said Commander did also assure his Excellency that as soone as oportunity did serve divers more intended to come away from the Enemie a great part whereof were North-Countrie Gentlemen who had an earnest desire to serve his Excellency And that a party of Sir Franis Drakes regiment went to visit a guard of the Enemies kept at Burrington where they tooke the Major and all his guard being about 40. Horse in number this partie of ours was commanded by Major Stephens he that formerly routed Gorings Brigade and tooke his Colours from him About the 12. of the instant Februarie our prudent and provident Worthies of the House of Commons tooke into their serious consideration the great obstructions in severall parts of the kingdome and how much it might prejudice the people in case they should not enjoy the benefit of the Lawes of the kingdome Whereupon they ordered That as formerly Commissions should be issued forth under the Great-Seale of England to the justices of Assizes and Oyer and Terminet Goale-deliveries and Nisi-prius should continue and proceede in their power in their Circuits according to former Votes and instructions A singular good worke indeed and much conducing to settlement of the peace and tranquility of the Common-wealth the long intermission whereof which could not till now be well remedied by reason of the Civill-warres among us having beene of great prejudice to the whole Kingdome And the 19. of this instant Februarie being Thursday the House had ordered a day should be set a part as a solemne day of Thankesgiving for the great mercie of God to this Kingdome for the happie surrender of the City of Chester into the Parliaments possession and that a Collection should be made in all the Churches for the releife of the Sicke mained and wounded Souldiers that lay before that place and likewise for the releife of other distressed people in and about that Citie
Garrison of Abington into their consideration and it was ordered that monies should speedly be sent downe for the payment of it as indeed it most worthily deserved whom the Lord did most admirably assist and preserve from most dangerous and desperate ruine by a most furious assault so daily made upon them by the Enemy from Oxford whereof as this day we were given to understand and as by this ensuing Letter to renowned Major Generall Browne is most apparent even unto full satisfaction which was as followeth Honourable Sir I Had not an opportunity to send my Letters formerly written but now God hath afforded an accasion to speed away his Messenger on purpose to let you know that the last night the Enemy drew out of Oxford with a strong party of 1000 Horse and all the strength they could make of 〈◊〉 and notwithstanding all our parties abroad and our Horse Guard they came between Thrupp and Norcot to Barton House and kept covert till day light and lay still after the Ravalue was beaten and our out-Centinels called in and then suddenly arising out of their Ambushment taking the advantage our Works being caved out at the Spurr and other places forced our Guards beat them all from the Works entred above 300 men possest themselves of Abby-Guard Spur-Guard Wayne-Guard and Barne pressed hard towards the Prison where three of their men were slaine betweene Master Dues House and the Prison by which time we had taken the Alarm and our men were got together and made good the passage and then fearing least they should possesse themselves of Bore-Bridge and so let in their Horse which they had in great numbers about our Works I commanded a party toward the Bridge and lodged them in the old Redoubt at Bore-Lane end which was of much good use for us for by keeping that we kept the Town I also sent another party which did very good service at Wainyard In the 〈◊〉 time our Horse did most gallantly charge their Foot routed their Musketeers and we had doubtlesse taken most of them that were over the Work but that they were preserved by a strong body of their Pikes Major Blundell and Colonell Washburn came in unto us in good time charged gallantly through the thickest of them which so terrified them that being on all sides beset they quit their ground tumbled over the Works faster than they came in and besides them they carried away we took 13 prisoners of them There were slaine on our party but two Common Souldiers Captain Taylor Captain Maddocks Quartermaster Cox were dangerously wounded Major Blundell slightly hurt with a Halbert on the thigh Captain Keeling shot in the hand Colonell Washburn had his great bay horse slaine under him Quartermaster Arnot and Major Blundels Cornet Horses were slaine and many of our men sorely wounded The dispute was very harsh for the time but God gave our men such spirits that scorning death they resolved rather to lose their lives than the Towne and some of them fought most desperately in their shirts onely as they started out of their beds and could but snatch up their weapons and flie to their Horses Our Horse Guard that lay without Ockbridge ranne all away whether for feare of the Enemy or for feare of being called to an account for their neglect I know not they were part of Sussex Troop I desire you will please to order the Officers of Colonell Rainsboroughs Regiment to come down to look to their charge there being here but foure of tenne Commanders I am informed that the King hath sworne he will have Abbington and will fire it and that this night againe we shall be assaulted with 2500 men I doubt not if he come but he shall finde us better â—â—aided than before Sir I beseech you be pleased to hasten down some 〈◊〉 for the relief of our poore men whose necessities are great and their need of encouragement as great Sir I shall desire to approve my self to the utmost of my power Your Honours most humble Servant George Pain Abington March 2. 1645. And here good Reader I shall desire thee to take notice of Gods extraordinary providence in the preservation of this Town iâ— one especiall passage which was omitted in the Letter whereof I was credibly informed viz. That the Enemy having got the Magazine in their power or so neer it that they might have fired it yet were so confident that the Town was certainly theirs that though they might yet they therefore did not whereas I say had they doubted the taking of it they would no doubt have done it and then had irrecoverably mastered the Town our Souldiers not having above three charges of powder left them at that time and so might easily have been all destroyed and taken Besides had they taken this Town they would have first plundred it to purpose and carried away whatever was portable and worth having and then unquestionably have set the whole Town on fire as not being tenable by them as their case then stood the King at this time necessitated to draw all the Souldiers into the Field for the forming of a Field Army and not able to keep or increase Garrisons especially this Garrison at this time Therefore I say see what an admirable mercy and speciall providence and protection of the Lord was here seene to this Town and therefore what great praise and Thanksgiving is due to the Lord for the same But to goe on Upon the 4. of this instant we received the certaine intelligence and confirmation of the surrender of the strong Garrison of Ashbie de la Zouch to Leicester forces The conditions of the surrender were that Hastings alias the Lord of Loughborough together with his brother the Earle of Huntington and Colonell Perkins should have their estates unsequestred protections for their persons passes to go beyond Sea the rest of the Officers to have liberty to compound for their sequestration and passes if desired to go beyond Sea also and the Garrison to be slighted Too good Conditions indeed for such a desperate and wicked Rob-Caryer as Hastings was but that the Kingdome may be glad to be rid of such wretches The surrender was made accordingly on Munday the second instant We tooke therein 5. Peeces of Ordnance about 300. Armes little ammunition and no great store of other provisions A great mercy and mightie preservation of the peace and tranquility of all those ad-jacent Parts about it for which let God have all the due praise and glory About the 6. of this instant March we had farther certaine information of the singular good successe of our armie in the West passing on most prosperously by God Almightie guard and guidance The summe of which dayes intelligence was contained in these 2. ensuing Letters from Master Rushworth which was as followeth To the Honourable W. Lenthall Speaker to the Honourable House of Commons SIR IN my last I acquainted
how far they have advanced towards a generall accord I cannot at present certifie I do not hear they have proceeded so far as to a Treaty and I believe That as the Parliament may be discouraged from that way of Treaty by former experiences of the fruitlesnesse thereof and the ill use the same hath been designed or driven to viz. only to gaine advantages for Wars without reall intention of Peace so the late overtures that way are the lesse like to be successefull by reason of the clear and certaine discoveries the Parliament have had That his Majesty at the same time was and is labouring by Agents in all parts to draw in Forraign Forces and especially That the Earle of Glamorgan by Commission from his Majesty had concluded a Peace with the Irish Rebels on Termes extreamly dishonourable and prejudiciall upon the only condition of sending over forces under the command of that Lord to invade England whereof I presume you cannot but have heard And though his Majesty did in a Letter to the Parliament disavow any such agreement and pretended he had given order to the Lord Digby for the attainting and impeaching the Earle of Glamorgan of high Treason for what he had done therein Yet by late discoveries to the Parliament and especially by Letters intercepted the other day at Padstow from the Lord Digby the Earle of Glamorgan and others to Secretary Nicholas your selfe Sir Edward Hide the Lord Culpepper and others it is most cleare and evident that the arresting of the Earle of Glamorgan was onely for a present colour to salve reputation with the people and continue their delusion till designes were ripe for execution for the same peace is fully concluded with the Rebels the King to have the aid conditioned upon the same agreement and the Earle of Glamorgan at liberty againe and to command that force in chiefe Now for the overture of a meeting to treat further about the Propositions I sent Though I know nothing materiall that I can adde or alter except in circumstances yet I shall not refuse or decline such a meeting or ought else that may probably tend to the saving of blood or preventing further misery to any Provided that the meeting be speedily and number of persons not to exceed 4 or 5. But my Lord when you consider what I have before related concerning forraign Supplies which I have reason to think you know and believe you see what cause I have to be jealous of advantages sought by delayes not intermit any time or omit any opportunity to prosecute the service I have in hand and that there may be no colour of your expecting that forbearance on my part which you offer on yours I do the more hasten back this my resolution unto you In pursuance whereof I do not despise nor shall insult upon your present condition I question not nor yet shall I hope be much moved with that resolution of your men I presume not on former successes nor present advantage in fleshly power but desire to trust in God alone whose favour and blessing to this Army above others I do not account in what is past or expect in future to be for any precedence in merit or goodnesse of ours whereby we should be more pleasing to him than others but from his owne free grace and goodnesse towards his people whose welfare with the common good of the Kingdome we seeke and desire with all faithfulnesse and integrity to pursue And so committing the issue of all to his good pleasure I remaine Your humble Servant T. FAIRFAX March 9. 1645. A List of such as are come in to Sir Thomas Fairfax during the Treaty THirty five Lieutenant Colonels Serjeant Majors and Captains came in March 11. Forty Gentlemen of quality that came in the same day some of great note One hundred Gentlemen and others that have stoâ—ne away by parties out of the Enemies Quarters Ninty six common Souldiers from Penryn with Arms. Twelve more followed them Forty from Penryn are gone home and have laid down their Armes Colonell Treoanian the Governour of Penryn by Treaty since All the Officers and Souldiers in the Fort and Harbour The Governour of Maus Castle All the Souldiers and Officers there One hundred Officers and Souldiers of Colonell Champernoones Regiment Falmouth by this meanes is ours on that side the Harbour Two thousand Horse at least that are ours by the Treaty Three or foure thousand Arms. About the same time also we received certaine information that Sir William Vaughan having united himself with Colonell De Villier had a resolution to make some new attempt againe in Wales but he and his Company were so well entertained by Captaine Ashley who was not above halfe so many in number that the whole body of the Enemy consisting of about 300 Horse were encountred routed and pursued by ours many of the Enemy slaine and taken prisoners the List whereof was thus in brief five killed upon the place 12 mortally wounded Captain Johnson taken Prisoner two Captains more two Lieutenants one Cornet eighteen other Prisoners and good store of Arms. And by the same Letters we received further intelligence that by the vigilant care of the brave and active Committee of Shrewsbury there was raised a very strong Worke within lesse than Musket shot of High-Archall by meanes whereof the Enemy could not stir either in or out but with their apparent danger And at the erecting of this Fort they tooke their opportunity of the Governour of High-Archals absence and before his returne they had made themselves so strong that although Sir Jacob Ashley came along with him with about 1000 Horse and Foot they were inforced to retreat and go back againe not daring to adventure on a place so gallantly manned and made so inaccessible both by art and nature as that was which indeed was the winning of that strong Garrison as you shall shortly heare in its proper place About the 20 of this instant March we received certaine knowledge of the taking of Shruardon Castle a place of great importance which brave service was performed by that active Patriot and couragious Commander Major Generall Mitâ—on And much about the same time also we received a full and exact relation of the remarkable successe of valiant and active Colonell Birch before Goderich Castle expressed by himself in his Letter to the Honourable Speaker of the House of Commons which was as followeth Honourable Sir SInce my last the 7 instant finding the forces of Goodrich under command of Sir Henry Lingen so active that a passenger could not be safe between Gloucester and Hereford nor could I quarter Horse abroad but they were in much danger nor could draw forâ—â—â— towards Ludlow or Worcester but they would come neer unto the City to plunder therefore I chose rather to run the hazard of storming the House wherein they kept their out-Guard upon their Boats and Stable being within 20 foot of
against the Parliament of England not being under restraint do before the sixth day of April 1646. depart out of the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication And if any such person shall continue within the said Lines after that time such person is hereby declared a Spy and shall be apprehended imprisoned and proceeded against as a Spy according to the Rules of War And the said Lords and Commons do further orden That all such persons do forbeare upon the penalty aforesaid to come within the said Lines without Licence under the hands of the Committee appointed for Compositions at Goldsmiths-Hall And the Committee of the Militia of London and the Sub-Committees in their severall limits respectively are hereby required to keep strict Guards and Watches and cause frequently searches to be made and to take care for the due execution of this Order Provided that this Order nor any thing therein contained shall extend to any person or persons who shall obtain license under the hands of the Committee of Goldsmiths-Hall to continue within the limits aforesaid Provided that this Ordinance or any thing therein contained shall not extend to any person or persons who came in to the Parliament before the first of June last 1645. and are cleared by both Houses of Parliament from their Delinquency Provided also that no Peere of this Realm shall resort unto the Committee for license to continue within the limits aforesaid but shall repaire only to the House of Peers for their said License This Order to continue for one Moneth after the sixth of April and no longer And it was also further ordered and resolved on by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That in case the King should contrary to the advice of the Parliament then already given unto him come or attempt to come within the Lines of Communication That then the Committee of the Militia of London shall have power and are hereby enjoyned upon advice had with the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Army to raise such forces as they shall think necessary to prevent any tumults that may arise by his coming and to suppresse any that shall happen and to apprehend and secure all such as shall come with him and to prevent resort unto him and to secure his own Person from danger About the sixth of April we received certaine good newes by a Letter written to renowned Major Generall Brown of a brave defeat given to the Kings Horse about Farringdon not far from Oxford which Letter was read in the Honourable House of Commons and a Copy whereof for the Readers better content and satisfaction therein I have here inserted as it was printed and published which was as followeth Honourable Sir THe last night I had intelligence the Enemy was drawn out of Oxford and gave out that they did intend to plunder Newnham wherefore I sent to Colonell Betsworth to desire him to draw his Horse towards Abingdon which he did but early this morning we had intelligence that six hundred Horse marched out of Oxon through Conmer and Fisield whereupon I commanded forth our Horse and Dragoons and marched with Colonell Betsworth after the Enemy and it pleased God to direct us that we found them at Farringdon and quartered at the Towns thereabouts We had gallant hunting them from place to place over the hils and pursued them into Farringdon Town and afterwards we discovered a good party of about two hundred between the two Coxwels who ran down into a Meadow and would have parlyed to â—urrender their Horse and Arms but our â—â—n fell on them and took them all save very few that escaped Afterwards we gleaned up divers more in severall places so that I am confident that party is so broken that the King will scarce be able to get such a body of Horse againe in the Kingdome We took above 300 Horse and almost as many Prisoners there was brought in this evening about 250 unto Abingdon the Major and most of the Officers of Sir William Comptons Regiment belonging to Banbury are prisoners it was esteemed the best Regiment the King had and the newes of their ingagement being reported at Oxford this day that they would come off with honour or be lost they sadly replyed if that Regiment were lost they were all undone There was but one man slain on our part and not many of the Enemies Sir your most humble and faithfull servant Geo. Payne Abington April 3. 1646. About the 10 of this instant Aprill Letters came from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Quarters from severall Gentlemen of credit to the Committee of both Kingdomes and by other informations from thence that the Articles for the surrender of the City and Garrison of Exeter were now fully agreed on and foure Hostages given for performance of the same to be surrendred into the hands of the Parliament on Munday Aprill 13. 1646. and as a farther firm pledge and assurance hereof they immediately upon the mutuall giving of Hostages surrendred three of their strong Forts into the renowned Generals hands viz. Saint Downes Fort on the North side Mount-Rat-Ford on the South side and a very strong House in Saint Tho. Pâ—rish on the West side all these were surrendred on Thursday April the 9. the maine substance of the Articles was That all within the Garrison that would were to march away on April 13. being Munday both Horse and Foot with Arms and to have a Convoy either to Pendennis or Saint Michaels-Mount or to Oxford and to nominate which of these three places they would go unto when they marched out And those that would to have Passes to go beyond Sea or laying down their Arms to go to their own homes upon an ingagement not to take up Arms againe against the Parliament All the nobility as some of these were there Gentry and Clergy in the City to have liberty to march out with the Garrison Souldiers with their Horses Arms and their own proper goods One Article was mainly insisted on concerning the Cathedrall in Exeter that forfooth it might not be defaced which was also so farre agreede on Now if any should imagine these and the other conditions to be too large for such enemies Let them but waigh the considerablenesse of the place and how long it might have held out withall its advantages and it may easily balance all the rest Besides that now it is gained with the losse of so little bloodshed and in so short a time since the Armie returned out of Cornwall That now also upon the matter all the West is cleared and setled in a peaceable posture and how considerable this is that now the army may immediately advance and take the oportunity to cleare up these Eastern-parts which in all probability will by Gods blessing be effected suddainly and we hope an end put to these miserable and most unhappie warres The noble Generall presently upon this with part of his Armie advanced
now to Barnstable which place was of no small Concernment for the full setling of the pâ—ace of those parts whereof more in its due place About the 14. of this instant Aprill we received certaine intelligence by a Letter from that most faithfull valiant and Victorious Commander Colonell Mitton to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons concerning the surrender of Ruthin castle to him for the use of the King and Parliament A Copie of which Letter for the Readers better content and fuller satisfaction I have here thought fit to insert as it was printed and published by authority of Parliament which was as followeth To the Honorable William Lenthal Esq Speaker of the Honorable House of COMMONS SIR THe Reducing of this Castle of Ruthin hath cost me more time and Ammunition than I expected when I first laid Siege to it At last having a Mine almost in a readinesse to spring and Batteries prepared for a Demi-Canâ—n and a Culverin to play upon it It was this day agreed to be Surrendred upon the Conditions in the inclosed Articles which I was willing to accept having perfect Information by some that escaped out of the Castle that there was in it Provision upon sufficient for two moneths longer which now I finde to be true And if I should have forced it I must have hazarded many men and made the place unserviceable which is of very great use to the Reâ—â—ement of this Country it being the most convenient place for a Garrison in all North-Wales as things now stand with us Yesterday befâ—â—e the breake of day a party of the Enemy out of Denbigh Castle being about sixscore and thirty mounted Fire-locks fell upon Captaine Richard Price his Quarters within two miles of this Towne but be was vigilant and his â—couts performed their duty so well that they were drawne into the field before they came upon them which gave him opportunity to avoid them and convey the Alarum to this Towne And thereupon Colonell Carter with a standing Horse-guard which we are saine to keepe in the field constantly to secure our Out quarters and Câ—ptaine Simkies with my owne Troope which was then upon the Guard in this Towne drew out and fell betweene them and Denbigh and within halfe a mile of their Garrison met with them and charged them â—o gallantly that they broke in upon them killed seven of them as is said upon the place and in the pursuit tooke foure Captaines one Lieutenant two Cornets divers Troopers and about fourty Horse with the losse of one man of our side The Siege at Hoult hath of late beene if great difficulty and hazard to those feâ— men I have there For the drawing off of the Cheshire Fire-locks from that Service without any privity gave the Enemy an advantage to burne the Guard the Fire-locks kept which cost the Countrey much to fortifie and above forty dwelling Houses more in the Towne and exposed my men who lay in open Qnarters and were fewer in number than the Enemy within were to their power which necessitated my men to be upon continuall duty Vpon the first of April the Enemy sallied out and fell upon Major Sadlers Quarters resolving to put all my men in that House to the Sword which they had beene like to effect had not a Guard which was placed in the Moâ—â—it erected by us three dayes before relieved them In this storme I lost sixe men and fourteene wounded if the Enemie there were killed their Commander Captaine Cottingham a Papist a Lieâ—tenant and two more and many wounded There hath beene never a day since but they sallied out constantly twice or thrice a day and as constantly beaten iâ— This service and the furnishing of such Garrisons which are reduced occasions the expence of very much Powder and Match and therefore I humbly desire that the Honourable House will be please to grant that I may have a hundred Barrels of Powder and foure or five hundred Firelocks sent me and that some course may be perscribed to convey it downe speedily the carriage and Convoy of the last Powder I had cost above halfe as much as the Powder was worth And further that they will be pleased to appoint a Governor for this Castle Lievtenant Colonel Thomas Mason is a very faithfull active and godly Gentleman and the most knowing man in his profession that we have in these parts having beene a Souldier above twenty yeeres and lost his command in Ireland because he refused to bear Arms against the Parliament and if this place were worthy of him I should make bold to recommend him to their consideration This neverthelesse I leave to their Wisdoms to determine and rest Your very humble Servant THO. MITTON Ruthin the 8. of April 1646. In that brave defeat given by Colonell Mittons forces to their Denbigh Enemies were taken these prisoners and prizes following Taken prisoners Captaine Winne Captaine Hugh Morris Captaine Morgan Captaine Pickering 1 Lievtenant 2 Cornets divers Gentlemen and Common-Souldiers 40. Horse divers Armes 7. slaine upon the place In Ruthin we tooke all their Armes and Ammunition Bag and Baggage and all the Irish therein were left to be disposed of by us according to the Ordinance of Parliament Also valiant and faithfull Sir Trenor Williams as we were credibly informed by letters out of Wales did bravely set upon 100. of the Enemies neere Ragland which belonged to the crooked now made Lord Charles Sommerset Governour of Ragland-castle where I say valiant Sir Trevor routed all the said party tooke 45. prisoners whereof one Captaine and 10. other Officers and Gentlemen 30. Horse 20. Muskets 12. Fire-locks 14. slaine on the place divers sorely wounded the rest fâ—ed and dispersed And 2. dayes after this fight there came in unto Sir Trevor Williams as we were certainly informed by letters from thence from Ragland-castle 2. Colonels 2. Lievtenant Colonells 3. Lievtenants 3. Cornets and 11. other Horsemen with them all Gentlemen of the upper-Countries desiring to submit themselves to the Parliament upon the Reading of which Letters aforesaid from Colonell Mitton the House ordered according to his desire that Lievtenant Colonell Mason should be Governour of Ruthin-castle And Master Fog the Minister a very faithfull and active Gentleman for the Parliament ever since these warres began who brought the Letter was called into the House of Commons and had 50. l. given him for his paines in bringing the same and for his other brave services in the field About the 16. of this instant April we received full assurance of the cleere and totall surrender of the strong Garrison of the City of Exeter by Letters out of the West a Copy of two wherof I have here thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction to insert which were as followeth Sir Having beene imployed in the agitating of the treatie for the surrendring of Exeter I might crave pardon if I give you not so full
p. 39 Prosperous Affaires in the North. p. 3â— Abbingtons prosperous Affaires against their adversaries p. â—8â— The Marquesse of Argyles Speech concerning Propositions for Peace p. 4â—â— B. BOulsover Castle taken p. â— Sir William Brereton beates the enemy at Tarvin p. 11 Sir William Brereton beates the enemy at Malpasse p. 16 The enemy bravely beaten at Beâ—sley Skonce p. 35 The blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush seene in the West p. 39 The enemy beaten at Beechley p. 42 Dr. Bastwick releeved in Prison and released out of Prison p. 45 Dr. Bastwicks just praise p. ibid The enemy bravely beaten at Bever Valo p. 61 Sir Thomas Fairfax comes before Bristoll p. 260 The enemy beaten at Bishops-Castle in Shropshire p. 262 The enemy beaten at Bridge-north p. 268 The enemy bravely beaten at Banbury p. 29â— Bloud of Germany p. 322 Brecknock in Wales submits to the Parliament p. 328 Sir William Breretons brave Victory neare Chester p. 97 Major Brownes brave services about Oxford p. 108 Bleching-house surrendred p. 141 Major Gen. Brownes brave defeat given to the enemy about Oxford p. 141 A brave Victory at Brampton-Bush p. 142 Major Generall Browne and Major Generall Cronwell compared to David and Jonathan p. 151 C. THe Kings cruell Counsell of Warre resolution against our Forces in Cornwall p. 19 Cornish-mens cruelty p. 20 Tender Consciences regarded in Parliament p. 29 A Committee to order our Army p. 36 Colonell Ceeleyes brave exploits p. 55 Earle of Cleveland taken Prisoner p. 59 Col. Cooke taken Prisoner p. 74 Câ—owland taken p. â—â— Conspiracies of the enemies discovered p. â—â— Cumhire-Abbey in Wales taken p. 83 Common Prayer-Booke abolished p. 86 Cardigan Town and Castle taken p. 8â— Kings Commissioners taken at Shaftsbury p. 252 Sir Alexander Carew beheaded p. 86 Canterburies Arch-Prelates Condemnation p. 86 â—â—men routed p. 353 Col. Cromwells valour p. 253 Chester Suburbs won p. 273 Col. Copleyes brave Victory at Sherburne in York-shire p. 297 Canterburies Arch-Prelate beheaded p. 92 Col. Crafords good service p. 98. p. 116 Compton-house bravely assaulted p. 99 The happy concurrence of both Houses of Parliament p. 127 Cambridge highly priviledged p. 135 The Clemency of the noble Generall p. Collections in Churches for Chester p. 364 Court of Wards Voted downe p. 369 The enemy beaten at Chester p. 157 Cornwalls danger p. 378 Cornwalls Gentry come in to the Parliament p. 383 The Kings Cabinet of Letters taken at Nasebie fight sent to the Parliament and read p. 175 Care taken for choosing good Officers in London p. 82 Mr. Case began the monethly Morning Prayers at London p. 207 Three Commissions presented to the Parliament from Bridge-water p. 201 Commissioners sent to Scotland p. 190 A Committee for the Scots Army p. 190 Clubmen in the Well p. 201 Clubmen come in to the Parliament p. 196 D. A Brave Defeat given to the enemy at Walch-poole p. 5 A brave defeat given to the enemy by Col. Middleton p. 9 Col. Doddington takes the Lord Oglesby prisoner p. 11 A brave defeat given to the enemy by Sir William Brereton p. 11 A deâ—eat given to P. Rupert p. 11 A brave defeat given to the enemy by Sir Jâ—hn Meldrum p. 12 A brave defeat given to the enemy by Col. Rudgely p. 22 A brave defeat given to the enemy by Sir Thomas Middleton p. â—â— A famous defeat given to the enemies at Mountgomery Castle p. 30. â—â— A brave defeat given to the enemy at Helmsley Castle p. 6â— A brave defeat given to the enemy in Lincolnshire p. 70 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Salisbury p. 74 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Sedbury p. 76 A brave defeat given to the enemy by Col. Holburne in the West p. 77 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Tong Castle p. 84 Directions for Worshipestablished p. 85 A famous defeat given to the enemy by Major Gen. Laughorne p. 255 Sir Lewis Dives brought prisoner to the Parliament p. 259 A brave defeat given to the enemy neare Reading p. 261 A brave defeat given to the Kings Horse at Kiddarminster p. 276 Lord Digbies Letters taken at Sherburne in York-shire read in Par. p. 303 The Demands of Sir Ralph Hopton p. 392 A Declaration of the Knights Gentry c. of Glamorgan-shire p. 317 A brave defeat given to Col. Gerrard before Cardigan in Wales p. 104 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Heightly-house p. â—08 A brave defeat given to the enemy neare Dennington p. 111 A brave defeat given to Skellum Greenvile at Plimouth p. 111 A brave defeat given to Prince Maurice at Holt-bridge p. 122 A brave defeat given to the enemy by Sir William Waller p. 123 The enemy beaten at the Devizes by Sir William Waller p. 125 The danger of Treaties with Malignants p. 344 The Kings Declaration to 〈◊〉 in Ireland p. 346 A brave defeat given to the enemy a 〈◊〉 p. 136 A Ship taken at Dartmouth p. 359 A brave defeat given to P. Maurice in Worcestershire p. 137 Divers brave defeats given to the enemy about Oxford p. 140 The danger and deliverance of noble Col. Massie p. 144 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Langford-house in Hampshire p. 153 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Hougham-house p. 157 A Dunkirk Frigot taken by our ships p. 401 The Discipline of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes army p. 150 Dudley Castle shrewdly put to it p. 186 A Declaration of the Scots Commissioners to our Parliament p. 439 E. THe enemy beaten at Ormskirk p. 12 Eye-salve for Malignants eyes p. 25 A brave exploit of Col. Massies p. 34 The just Enconium of Col. Massie p. 〈◊〉 Englands just cause to love Scotland p. â—â— A brave exploit of Col. Stones p. 66 A brave exploit of Col. Sydenhams p. 72 Divers exploits against the enemy p. 87 His Excellencies brave deportment with the Kings Commissioners in the West p. 253 The enemy beaten at Plimouth p. 96 Englands Blood p. 323 The noble Earle of Essex late Lord Generall his good Service rewarded p. 151 Evesham taken p. 153 A brave exploit against the enemy by Wareham Garrison p. 175 A brave exploit against 〈◊〉 p. 30 The godly education of the Kings Children considered p. 128 The blessed effects of the monethly Morning Prayers and Preaching in London p. 207 Hopefull effects of the Kings comming in to the Scots p. 422. F. OUr Forces prosperous successe against Prince Rupert in Lancashire p. 12 Colonell Foxes brave performances p. 13. 27 Our Foot-forces in danger in Cornwall in the West p. 19 Fidelity of the noble Lord Generall to the Parliament p. 37 The Fight at Newbery p. 57 Major Fenicks good Service p. 262 Free-holders of Glamorgan-shire their Declaration p. 317 Sir Erasmus De La Fountaines House p. 103 Sir Thomas Fairfax come to London to be Generalissimo of all the Armies in the Kingdome p. 109 Sir Thomas Fairfaxes new modell'd army resolved on p. 127 Sir Thomas Fairfaxes
The Plot against Lyn-Regis p. 79 A Plot in the North frustrated p. 259 Major Gen. Poyntz his activity and fidelity rewarded p. 281 The Parliaments piety p. 293 The Parliaments happy continuation a great mercy p. 315 Preservation of London from the plague of pestilence a great mercy p. 415 Parliaments formerly made staulking-horses to get Subsidies p. 322 A prize taken at Plimouth p. 323 The Parliaments integrity against Protections and Bribes p. 325 Serjeant Major Purefoyes brave valour at Compton-house p. 99 A brave Passage of providence at Sir Erasmus Fountaines house p. 103 Pretended peace at Uxbridge p. 104 The Parliaments care of the City of London p. 337 Plimouths singular good successe against the enemy p. 340 Partshall Garrison taken p. 108 Plimouth totally releeved and freed from Siege p. 348 Praises encouraged p. 365 Serjeant Major Purefoyes good Services about Warwick p. 146 A Petition to the Parliament about the Kingdomes sad condition p. 155 A Petition to the Parliament by the inhabitants of Westminster p. 188 A Plot of the Westerne Clubmen discovered p. 201 A Petition of the Ministerr of the two Counties about Church-Governement p. 434 Propositions for a well-grounded Peace resolved on p. 444 Q. NO Quarter to be granted to Irish Rebels p. 56 The Queene of Swedens desire to associate with England p. 84 Queene Elizabeths just Commemoration p. 320 R. PRince Robert defeated p. 11 12 13. Col. Rudgely bravely beates the enemy p. 22 Royalists plot to cousen the Kingdome p. 37 Rad Castle taken p. 40 Captaine Redmans good service in Northamptonshire p. 83 The enemy defeated about Redding p. 261 Master Rouses Psalmes p. 319 Rochels Bloud p. 323 The enemy defeated at Rumsey p. 136 An excellent Remonstrance of our Brethren of Scotland p. 183 The City of Londons most excellent and famous Remonstrance p. 426 Reformation of Religion taken into consideration p. 257 S. SHeffild Castle taken p. 7 Staley-house taken p. 9 Major Straughans brave performances in the West p. 15 Major Skippon bravely encourages his Souldiers p. 19 Schismes Petitioned against p. 28 Reasons of slandering of our Brethren of Scotland p. 39 Col. Sydenhams good service p. 62 Capt. Stone his brave service p. 66 Sir John Strange-waies house a strong Garrison stormed p. 67 Col. Sydenhams brave service p. 72 Selfe-denying Ordinance p. 76 The Swedes desire to associate with England p. 84 Sir George Strange-waies brought Prisoner to the Parliament p. 259 A foule and false slander laid on the Parliament by Royalists in Wales p. 263 Major Generall Skippon made Governour of Bristoll p. 268 Our Brethren of Scotlands Victory over Montrosse in Scotland p. 270 Scotlands bloud p. 323 Scarborough Town Church and Haven taken p. 110 Shrewsbury Towne and Castle taken p. 113 A brave victory obtained at Sligo in Ireland p. 342 Major Gen. Skippons brave service about the settlement of the new Modell'd Army p. 132 A Ship taken at Dartmouth with Letters of importance p. 359 A spur to quicken the spirit of praises p. 365 Captaine Stones good service against the enemy p. 152 The Scots advance to Nottingham p. 174 A Ship of Ireland taken at Padstow of much concernment p. 386 Our Brethren of Scotlands excellent Remonstrance to the King p. 183 Shrewsburies Committees just praise p. 443 The Scots retreat from Newark to Newcastle p. 419 The enemy beaten at Stoke-new-house p. 107 T. TInmouth Castle taken p. 63 Free Trading at Newcastle p. 69 Taunton-Dean in the West releeved p. 81 The enemy beaten at Tong Castle p. 84 Mr. Tomlins made a Baron of the Exchequer p. 282 Thanksgiving for Londons welfare p. 315 The Treaty at Uxbridge for peace p. 104 Major Temple bravely beates the enemy neare Dennington p. 111 Treaties with Malignants dangerous p. 344 Thanksgiving for Chester p. 364 Tauntons most happy releefe p. 174 Tauntons Souldiers good services rewarded p. 151 Thanksgiving for Langport the manner thereof p. 197 V. A Brave Victory obtained neare Chester by Sir William Brereton p. 97 A brave Victory obtained by Colonell Massies Forces in the Forrest of Deane p. 116 Major Gen. Vrreyes brave Victory against Montrosse in Scotland p. 134 Uxbridge Treaty p. 104 A brave Victory at the Devizes p. 123 W. THe enemy beaten at Welch-poole p. 5 Wareham yeelded to the Parliament p. 5 Welbeck-house taken p. 7 Winkfield Mannour besieged p. 9 Winkfield Mannour taken p. 14 Wales in good condition for the Parliament p. 302 The Governour of Warwicks brave service in Worcester-shire p. 107 Weymouth bravely regained p. 117 Sir William Wallers brave Victory at the Devizes p. 123 Court of Wards Voted downe p. 369 Warehams Garrisons good service p. 175 Inhabitants of Westminsters Petition p. 181 Y. THe Duke of YORK to come from Oxford to Saint Jameses p. 445 FINIS A Summary relation of the state of the Kingdom at the Conclusion of the third paâ—â— of this Parliamentary-Chronicle Varietas in omnibus delectaâ— The Title of this fourth Part of our Parliamentary Chronicle justified England the Burning-Bush not consumed August 1644. Colonell Massies Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament A branch of the Bush heer on fire but not burned Generall Mynne slain a brave Victory obtained A brave defeat given to the enemy at Welchpool in Mountgomery shire The prize and prisoners taken The shrewd strait that Sir Thomas Dallison was put unto The Town of Wareham yeelded to Colonell Sydenham A Letter from the Lord of Inchiquin out of Ireland occasioned the speedy yeelding of this Town Twelve brave Horses surprised by the Garrison of Stafford The Noble Earl of Manchesters advance from York Welbeck House taken by the Earl of Manchester Sheffeild-castle taken The manner of assaulting the Castle The prize taken in the Castle The Country gave my Lords Souldiers 500. pound to drink for their good Service Boulsover-castle also yeelded to the Earl of Manchester The prize taken in this Castle Staley-House also taken Wingfleld-Mannour besteged by Darby forces A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Colonell Middleten Another gallant Victory obtained by Colonell Middleton A third brave deâ—eat given to the Enemy by Col. Middleton Sir John Meldrum defeats the Enemy in Lancashire Colonell Doddington takes the Lord Ogleby prisoner A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Sir WilliaÌ„ Brereton Colonell Marrow slain Prince Robber with two Regiments of horse defeated The valiant performances of Sir William Breretons forces in the fight at Tarvin Another most brave defeat given to the Enemy by Sir John Meldâ—um at Ormskirk 800 Horse and 300 prisoners taken A breif note how the Lord prospeâ—ed our proceedings against bloody Prince Robber in and about Lancashire Almost 2000. of Ruperts Horse taken by ours besides prisoners A breif relation of some active and victorious performances of Colonell Fox A prize taken at Vpton-Warren Another brave prize taken by Colonell Fox A third prize also taken by Colonell Foxes Forces What a terrour Colonell Fox was to all
gracious prevention of our Prayers the Lord heerin most exactly verifying his own faithfull promise by the Prophet I am found of them that sought mee not And according to that also in the same Chapter Before they call I will answer and whiles they are yet speaking I will hear And is not heer a gracious God indeed and is not our God a bountifull-handed and free-hearted Master indeed who payes us our wages before our work is done and that farre more than wee asked or ever did or could deserve yes most certainly And for the farther and clearer confirmation ratification and admirable yea almost incredible illustration of this truth give mee leave good Reader to put thee in minde how that much about the beginning of June last it pleased the Lord to hint in the heart of a godly Minister by name Mr. White Preaching occasionally at reverend and religious Mr. Cases Church in Milkestreet in London the impregnable and even invincible power of Prayer and of what precious consequence and concernment it might bee for the advancement of Gods glorious Cause if Gods people would bee pleased every morning constantly to set apart half an houre or an houre at most to seek the Lord by servent Prayer for a speciall blessing upon the present great affaires and negotiations of the Kingdom both by Counsell and Warre for the good of Church and State which hint or holy alarm as I may call it reverend and religious pious and painfull Mr. Case cheerfully laying hold on presently began this godly work and for the space of one whole Moneth upheld it in his own Church most sacredly and sweetly Whom reverend and religious Mr. Calamy as I take it immediately succeeded all the next ensuing Moneth and so this most blessed work hath continued and constantly been carryed on to the high honour and glory of our Prayer-hearing God the wonderfull good of the Kingdome and the unexpressible joy and comfort of Gods people especially who have been partakers and actours in it For as it hath been most justly observed O what sweet and singular successes have been given to all our Armies ever since this pious and precious work began not a Moneth nay a week nay scarsely 2 dayes have past without a blessing on our Armies if not a Victory in one part of the Kingdome or other Take good Reader but a succinct Summary of what God hath done heerin only since June and July now last past the rest I shall give thee afterward in their more proper places As namely First That most famous and glorious victory at Naseby The singular good successe of our forces in Shropshire The last releif of Taunton The admirable re-taking of Leicester Highwarth and Ilchester The late forementioned famous Victory obtained by Gods mighty assistance through fire and water at Lang-port and Burroughs which famous victory wee obtained that day moneth whereon wee obtained Naseby Victory rare mercies indeed two famous Field-victories obtained in the space of one Moneth The surrender of Carlile The reconcilement and comming in of the Western Clubmen to the Parliaments party The winning of strong Bridgewater and strange and speedy obtaining of Bath The gaining of the strong Castles of Pontefract Scarborough Cannon-Frâ—â— Chadwick-house and Rabby Castle In these Field-victories and 10 or 11 strong Garrisons and Castles above 10000 prisoners taken above 50 or 60 peices of Ordnance Much above 10000 Armes and great plenty of Ammunition bagge and baggage and all this done within the space of lesse than two Moneths Tell me now then good Reader and speak thy conscience freely doe not all these rare and almost incredible mercies clearely confirme the truth of what I have affirmed that ever since the Throne of grace hath been so constantly and daily prest with Prayer our faithfull Prayer-hearing God hath admirably crowned his own works in us and for us And say I pray thee may I not most justly stile these two Moneths of June and July Menses Mirabiles two most deservedly admired Moneths And hast thou not now again good Reader seen and that in a most abundant measure this our great Miracle and amazing-wonder even The Burning-Bush not only not Consumed but gloriously made to spread and flourish in the midst of all the most fierce and furious flames of Antichristian Atheisticall and Maligaant wrath and outrageous fury Yes certainly I know thou wilt easily and truely acknowledge it and that if ever heer was that faithfull word of the Lord confirmed and made good to his maligned Church and children Now weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn This is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord and their righteousnesse and salvation is only of the Lord. Not unto us therefore Lord not unto us but unto thy name alone wee give all the honour and glory of all these great and gracious deliverances and many and mighty mercies Thou only hast thus encompast us with Songs of deliverance Thy mighty hand and thy strong and out-stretched arme alone hath gotten to thy self and given to us these great and glorious Victories to thee alone therefore â—ee all the honour and glory throughout all generations And now to go on in the continuation and happy contemplation of this next Moneths most memorable Wonder of our Burning-Bush the Parliaments Cause still un-consumed still eminently prospered And here I shall begin this Moneths observation herein with that brave defeat given to the Enemy by that valiant active and faithfull Commander Captain Allen neare Stamford in Lincolneshire which was as followeth About the beginning of this Moneth of August 1645. we received Letters of certain intelligence from Burleigh House in those parts that a party of Newarkers being joyned with Belvoyre Forces to the number of about 300 in all were gathering Taxes or Contribution Money about Stamford and the parts thereabout whereof valiant Captain Allen having notice he with Captain Collins drew forth all the Horse belonging to the Garrison being in number not above 130. or 140. at most whereof some were Dragoones which came after who found the Enemy neer Carlebie retreating homeward with their Prisoners and Plunder among whom they had taken an Alderman of Stamford Sir Robert Dallison being their Commander in Chiefe and they above two for one of ours where a hot encounter was begun between them for our men notwithstanding set upon them with admirable resolution and were as it must be confessed at first gallantly received but I say after a sharp and short dispute it pleased God to do much for ours and to make couragious Captain Allen a speciall instrument of a brave victory his brave Souldiers taking more than ordinary courage at his valiant and undaunted behaviour among them insomuch that they utterly routed the Enemy leaving dead and desperately wounded twelve or fourteen on the place and took Prisoners
Captain King and Captain Smith took 51. Prisoners besides and 80. Horse whereof Sir Robert Dallisons was one but himself had escaped besides they took Major Coney Captain Styles Lieutenant Nicholsen Lieutenant Thorp Lieutenant Nicholas Mahum Cornet Metcalf Thomas Martin Adrian Scroop and some other Reformadoes and rescued and brought safely home again above twenty honest Countrymen whom they were carrying away prisoners and thus I say they all returned triumphantly home againe with not a man of their own killed or mortally wounded a rare mercy and preservation indeed to God be all the glory thereof About the fourth of this instant August Letters were sent from the Army in the West to the Parliament and read in the House of Commons concerning his Excellencies Sir Thomas Fairfaxes entring of the Town of Sherburne and besieging of the Castle and of a fight in that interim with the unruly Clubmen of Derset and Wiltshire especially who still remained very refractory and insolent but were at last soundly beaten into better behaviour by renowned Lieut. Gen. Cromwell as by his own Letter to the Parliament was certified of and which notable bickering and brave defeat I shall here give the Reader a summary and satisfactory account in these two particular Relations following and first concerning the surprising of the Kings Commissioners at Shaftsbury it was briefly thus The Generall being marched from the Leaguer westward upon some intended designes that way left Sherburne Castle still sufficiently besieged and the Enemy seeing their friends straightned in the Castle used means for some addresses to be made to the King for some course to be taken for their reliefe and procured a Letter from the King to that purpose which was sent to his Agents of the Clubmen to gather strength for the raising of the Siege upon Sir Thomas Fairfaxes advance The Leaders of the Clubmen receiving these Letters from the King met at Shaftsbury on Saturday the 2 of August 1645. to consult what course to take for the effecting thereof having their Instructions ready some observations were made that they were not full enough for the carrying on of this designe and that therefore three more might be added to them But in the meane while our wise and vigilant Generall Sir Thomas hearing of the proceedings of these Clubmen and doubting that if they should go on they might much impede the proceedings of those whom he had left at Sherburne Castle for the taking thereof where were in that Leagner Colonell Pickering with a Brigade of 2000. Foot and Colonell Whaleys Regiment of Horse to whom the Generall returned the same day being Saturday to Sherburne whether being come and having taken up his head Quarter there he presently from thence sent away Colonell Fleetwood with his own and Colonell Whaleys Regiment of Horse to speed to Shaftsbury so to oppose and destroy the Kings Commissioners Jesuiticall designe there against us With which two Regiments Colonell Fleetwood forthwith marched to Shaftsbury dividing his Forces that so when he came neer the said Town he might and did surround it as a Guard with his Forces whilst the rest marched into Shaftsbury where the Commissioners were then sitting and thus they surprized them all noâ— one of them escaping whom thus taken they brought Prisoners to Sherburne where they were all examined one by one and our as vertuous as valiant Generall learnedly and religiously confuted them all one by one the Clergy by Scripture and his Advocate Young by Law shewing them plainly how they themselves had dangerously acted contrary to their own principles and pretences The List of all their names was also sent together with this relation the particular mention whereof for brevities sake I forbeare the totall number of them was full 50. some of the chiefest of them were these Master John Saintlo Master Richard Buckridge Master William Smith Master Jarvis Master Hollis Master Lovell Master Estmond Master Goodwin Master Davis c. and divers of them most pestilently Malignant Priests or Ministers And at the foresaid time wee received the certain intelligence of the routing and dispersing of 2500. of the forementioned Clubmen by valiant Lieutenant Generall Cromwell which were gathered in a body in battalia upon Hambleton-Hill neer Blanford which in briefe was performed as followeth The Kings Commissioners who were the heads and Ringleaders of the refractory Clubmen of Dorcester and Wilts being all surprized and imprisoned as was before related The said Clubmen most peremptorily and insolently sent upon the Lords Day at night to have their Leaders re-delivered unto them and caused their Bells to be rung in all places and Alarms to be given in their â—â—all way of rising and about 2500. of them instantly met in a body at Hambleton-hill with their Colours displayed which were all white for they had gotten white silken Colours and their Drums and severall Weapons Muskets Pikes Pistols Birding-Peeces Bils Halberts and many other severall Weapons and had thus drawne themselves into a Body Whereupon Lieutenant Generall Cromwell with 500. Dragoones and 500. more in a reserve to march after them marched out from the Leaguer toward these â—â—toward Clubmen and facing them they drew into Battalia and stood in a great and ancient Roman-work which is upon those hils and admitted a Parley Lieutenant Generall Cromwell demanded of them the reason of their rising They answered To redeeme their Heads or Leaders requiring their Commissioners to be delivered to them and then they said they would returne home but without their Leaders they would not disband Lieutenant Generall Cromwell returned answer That they had them Prisoners And that they were to answer for what they had done and that they were at Sherburne with the Generall and made a very full and worthy speech to them to perswade them to be wise and returne home in peace shewing them how they have been misled by a company of Malignants and declaring what care the Generall had taken to secure their Estates and settle peace amongst them and what comfort they found that submitted thereunto But the Clubmen were very unruly vapouring and protesting punctually to rescue and redeeme their Leaders and indeed they are the very notorious Ringleaders of the Malignants of these parts but the moderate party especially about Sommersetshire do much deride their folly Lieutenant Generall Cromwell took great pains to appease them without shedding of blood but nothing would satisfie them but to have their Leaders their Heads delivered to them Whereupon the Clubmen being in Battalia Lieutenant Generall Cromwell drew up his Forces and charged them with the 500. Dragoons and slew some 12 of them wounded many took some 200 or 300 Prisoners of the most notorious of them and routed and dispersed the rest who fled all home leaving their Colours and their Arms behind them And we hope that now they will no more trouble us againe A List of what was taken from the Clubmen in the fight between them and Lieutenant
the bringing of the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith forme of Church-Government Directory for Worship and Catechising which thing both Kingdomes are by Covenant obliged sincerely and really to endeavour and that not for a time but constantly so that neither of the Kingdomes can be loosed or acquitted from the most strait and solemne obligation of their continued and constant endeavouring these good ends so farre as any of them is not yet attained it being also understood that our concurrence to the sending of the Propositions shall be without prejudice to any Agreement or Treaty between the Kingdomes and shall not infringe any engagement made to the Kingdom of Scotland nor be any hinderance to our insisting upon the other Propositions already made knowne to the Houses and it being understood that it is not our Judgement that every particular and circumstance of thâ—se Propositions is of so great importance to these Kingdomes as Peace and Warre should depend thereupon Vpon these grounds which we make knowne only for clearing our consciences and for discharging Our selves in the trust put upon us without the least thought of retarding the so much longed for Peace We condiscend and agree that the Propositions as they are now resolved upon be in the name of both Kingdomes presented to the King whose heart we beseech the Lord wholly to incline to the Councels of Truth and Peace June 25. 1646. Die Veneris 26. Iunii 1646. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled that the Marquesse of Argyles Speech with the Paper concerning the Propositions be forthwith printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum And at the same time with the foresaid Paper there was another Paper delivered in unto the Parliament being a Letter from his Majesty to the Marquesse of Ormond in Ireland discharging all further Treaty with the Irish Rebels for thus now blessed be God His Majesty was pleased to terme them not Catholike Subjects as formerly and this being a businesse of so high and eminent concernment I have here also thought fit to give the Reader a Copy thereof which was as followes CHARLES REX RIght trusty c. Having long with much griefe looked upon the sad condition which our Kingdom of Ireland hath bin in these divers years through the wicked and desperate Rebellion there and the bloody effects which have ensued thereupon for the settling whereof we would have wholly applyed our selves if the difference betwixt us and our subjects here had not diverted and withdrawne us and not having bin able by force for that respect to reduce them we were necessitated for the present safety of our Protestant subjects there to give you power and authority to treat with them upon such pious honourable and safe grounds as the good of that our Kingdome did then require But for many reasons too long for a Letter We thinke fit to require you to proceede no farther in Treaty with the Rebells nor to engage us upon any conditions with them after sight hereof And having formerly â—ound such Reall proofes of your ready obedience to our commands We doubt not of your care in this wherein our service and the good of the Protestant subjects in Ireland is so much conâ—erned From New-Castle the 11. of June 1646. And upon the 29. of this instant June the Lords and Commons in Parliament held a serious debate and Consultation about the the time and persons by whom to send away the Propositions for a happy Peace among us which now they had quite finished and as was forementioned our Deare Brethren of Scotland had fully and fairely assented unto for his Majesty to sign and confirm unto us And now all these late and last admirable passâ—ges of Divine provicence thus sweetly and amiably concurring to make us a most happy o-that they may make us a most holy people by our gracious and gratefull improvement of them to the best advantage of Gods glory and our best good both for Soule and body I will now most joyfully and thankfully close up all with that of the blessed Prophet David that sacred and sugred Singer of Israel Thou O Lord hast for us turned our mourning into Dancing thou hast put off our Sackcloth and girded as with gladnesse To the end that our Glory may Sing praise to thee and not be silent O Lord our God we will therefore give thankes to thee for ever and ever And thus I a poore weake and most unworthie instrument the meanest I say and most unable of many thousands having now by the good hand and helpe of Divine providence even by the only ayde and assistance of the Lord my good God led you on my Deare Christian brethren thus farre in the full and faire view and perusall of this so famous and renowned historie though I confesse in a very plaine and unpolisht style and in the most blessed and beautifull sight of this admirable and amiable wonder of the Burning-Bush hitherto Vnconsâ—med yea hitherto I say even most miraculously prospered preserved even to a strongly hoped period of our bloody wars and happy enjoyment of sweet and precious Peace I say if now at last Pride wanton ingratitude to God and men I mean mainly our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland cut us not short therof in the haven of our hoped happinesse not withstanding all the most violent flames of malice and virulent furie of unreasonable and outragious men yea of such Ephesian Beasts as the holy Apostle Paul was forced to fight with for the vindication of his great Masters immaculate Cause unsported Truth what shall I say more unto you all my deare Brethren the honest and happy Readers of this honourable History the blessed eye-witnesses and possessors of all these rich and rare forementioned mercies I will now most thankfully shut up all with a word or two and but a briefe word or two as having in all my former parts of this Parliamentary Chroniâ—le said so much already in this kinde of Christian Caution and Exhortation to you all in generall as to mine owne soule in particular First then hath our good God out of his meere mercie and free favour and grace in Christ Jesus onely been so bountifull unto us a sinfull Nation as thus to load us with his love even then when we have been loading him with our sins and provocations Hath he thus remembred us in our low estate as not onely to let us be as at this day a Nation a People but a beloved Nation yea even as it were a people desired Hath the Lord not onely given us our lives as a prey unto us but also given our cruell-hearted and bloudy-minded enemies as bread for us to eate and devour And herein fulfilled and made good his Word and Promise to his people That they shall be as mighty men which tread downe their Enemies in the
mire of the streets in the battaile and that they shall fight because the Lord is with them and that the Riders on Horses shall be confounded Hath the Lord I say done all this for us to the full and yet shall we still goe on to breake his Commandements and say in our hearts we are delivered to doe all kinde of wickednesse and abhomination Would not the Lord then be very angry with us till he had consumed us so that there should be no remnant no aescaping for us Should we not thus too justly cause that complaint of Moses against the Children of Israel to come fully against us Doe you thus requite the Lord O foolish and unwise O what will all our Victories and successes availe us and what a most miserable Conquest will it be uâ—to us that all our Kingdomes enemies are conquered unto us if our own Souls if our own Consciences be conquered and led captive at the Devills will by our inbred base lusts and unconquered corruptions O will not these thinke you gangrene our soules and bodies too and bring upon us a farre worse and Epidemicall destruction both to our bodies and soules yea I say to our whole Kingdome and Estates and make our late vâ—nquished enemies though thus smitten weake and wounded to he raised up againe against us as the Lord threatned by the Prophet if we securely and rebelliously retaine our old sins and transgressions against him O let us then most seriously yea I say frequently and servently thinke upon that known Caution of our most blessed Saviour himselfe to the Lame man whom he had healed of an old infirmity Sinne no more least a worse thing come unto thee least having been clensed from our former old Jesuiticall and Prelaticall tyrannies over our soules and consciences and Monarchicall Arbitrary oppressions and vexationâ— over our Estates and Liberties lest I say being healed and dispossessed of these Devils incarnate we grow supine and carelesse yea ungratefull and gracelesse and so God suffer those Satans to returne who finding all both in Chuâ—ch and State swept and garnisht with security and impiety they enter againe into our hearts and houses with seven other Devils worse if possible than themselves and then our last condition prove farre worse than the former Let us therefore for this purpose remember our late solemne Covenant to our God whatsoever any prophane Esaus and Sons of Belial or deceiâ—full hearted Sons of Schiâ—â—â— and Sâ—â—â—tion impiously beâ—ch or broaâ—h against it of a Nationâ—ll and Personall Reformation and let us now deale seriously as then we seemed to promise and be in good earnest with our God in a speedy and effectuall building of his House after the clearest Scripture manner aâ—d with the purest Reformed Churches of the world O therefore that our renowned Parliament would seriously and sincerely doe something herein especially for the purging of Gods House at this time from dangerous and damnable Errours Schismes and blasphemous Opinions of too audacious and most impudent Sectaries who if not timely and truly removed will like mortiferous gangreenes indeed prodigiously ulcerate and most pestilentially vulnerate even to the very heart the whole Body of Church and State for indeed no disease is so dangerous both to soule and body as that in Religion which infects the soule and offends God most of all Errour I say obstinate Errour being that stiffe-necked Strumpet which most odiously adulterates the Marriage-bed of Faith and causes the most dangerous divorce twixt Christ and his Spouse the Soule O therefore I say that our most worthy Parliamentary Patriots the Kingdomes able Phisitians would seasonably and seriously set upon this great cure by setling a Church-Government among us according to the tenour of our holy League and sacred Covenant O that these our most renowned Parliamentary Scaligers having made that honest righteous and just objection or scrutinie among themselves which Heathen Ahasuerus made to himselfe and his Nobles touching noble and well-deserving Mordecay But what honour and dignitie hath been done for him So they but what extraordinary thing what due dignity and honour have we done for our best-deserving good God that hath so admirably hastned to build the House of our State and Kingdome And would now thereupon seriously hasten effectually to build his House and casting away with true Christian courage and confidence all cursed carnall pleas and gracelesse and groundlesse false feares trust God with the issues and effects as all-sufficient to patronage and protect his owne acceptable worke as this unquestionably is maugre the malâ—ce of malignant or fraudulent opposers whomsoever Now what reasons they have hereunto yea what grounds and encouragements beyond expression they have extraordinarily to stimulate and stir up their hearts to this so noble and renowned a worke who certainly sees not Who wilfully and wickedly blindes not his eyes Yet notwithstanding a little more now at last to rub up their memories and cleare up the eyes of my Christian Brethren with a little Scripture-collyrium or Eye-salve of evidences I shall desire the godly Reader with pious patience seriously to consider and peruse these few following Textuall testimonies First have not the eyes of the Lord ever since this Parliament began in a most eminent and evident manner run too and fro throughout England Scotland and Ireland yea and into France and Denmarke too to preserve us and to prevent our enemies intended mischiefes against us and thus shewne himselfe most strong and most wise in the behalfe of them though a small remnant in England Scotland and Ireland whose hearts were perfect toward him Hath not the Lord as he promised by the Prophet turned our daies of fasting and of humiliation into daies of feasting and congratulation even the fast of our first Month and Yeare and the fast of our fourth and fifth month and yeare as I may say to be to us his English Judah joy and gladnesse and cheerfull feasts and times of great and glorious Thanksgivings O therefore O therefore I say That we would cordially and constantly love the Truth and Peace Againe hath not the Lord made good that good word of his unto us and have we not all seene and found and felt to our unexpressible joy and comfort that certainly there could be no enchantment against Gods Jacob nor any Divination against his Israelites and who are they but princely prevailers in Prayer and sacred supplanters of sinfull enormities some gleanings of both which sorts by Christ who hath strengthened them I doubt not but God hath found amongst us for even according to these times it may justly be said of Jacob and Israel of England and Scotland what and how many admirable things hath God wrought for us not suffering any weapon that was formed against us to prosper and graciously condemning every tongue that rose up in rash and wrathfull judgement against